Warm Summer Days and Badger

On By Rhys FordIn Bloggy Stuff2 Comments

Badger joined our household a couple of years and well, he was a handful. Found on the street with a serious back and leg wound, he didn’t like to be touched and had opinions about how he wanted to interact. He played too rough with Harley and someone at some point taught him that jumping at someone’s face was a good idea.

That was quickly discouraged and he settled into the household, still with his opinions and an attitude. He was a young, large not-quite-cat who needed to be taught that being loved was okay.

And he has learned that. Over the past few months, he’s turned into a very snuggly yet demanding cat who loves scritches and will paw at you if he wants attention. He enjoys going out into his catio so he can sit in the fresh air and watch birds as well as finding a lot of joy and delight in chasing his youngest sister, Goji around. Since Goji joined the household, he’s had a playmate who plays as rough as he does since Harley is a bit of a delicate thug. Harley likes playing but after a little bit, she’d rather go snuggle up to the dog or get her belly rub.

The Toxic Twins, however, rough-house about until I’m sure the walls are shaking.

He still only eats dry food but he’s settled in. And he knows he’s home. That’s always the best feeling… when the cat you bring in from the kind of shitty outside realizes he is loved and that he has a very significant place in your world.

New Sinners’ Short: Untitled Track 727-21

On By Rhys FordIn Bloggy Stuff, Free Stuff6 Comments

I am working out of the hole and this seemed like the best way to make a go of it. Here’s a short snippet of Damien and Miki.

https://atomic-temporary-19117633.wpcomstaging.com/sinners-gin-series/untitled-track-727-21/

Today’s BORKING REPORT

On By Rhys FordIn Borking Day1 Comment
Today’s BORKING REPORT!
 
This is going to be a quick one because I’m busy AF but I did wanna share the Potato’s bork.
 
He was kind of tired this morning which makes sense because he went to bed hella late (like I did) and then his bladder woke him up at 5:30 am so he trundled out of bed to bork at me to get up and let him out. Which of course I did because it was time to get up anyway. He has different borks for things and if you know him for like a minute, you can hear the difference but you need to speak Potato to understand what he’s asking.
 
He also likes to disguise his begging bork by using his I want to go outside whine (which is different from his I Need Your Attention Bork). But that’s a different kettle of fish.
 
His Attention Please bork is usually used for when it’s very early and he needs to go potty because the Potato does NOT potty in the house. Ever. Unless he’s very sick and cannot help it and even then, it will be on tile and he will hate himself for hours. It is a very rare occurance and he’d gotten a bug, which is normal sometimes. Vet checked him out and he was okay but I spent days reassuring him he’d not shamed his people.
 
The Attention Please bork is also used when there is a certain grey and white cat in his bed and he wants to go lie down there. It’s a short, not unpleasant Bork that kind of sounds like Hey, Mom! Mom!… not to be confused with his Psycho Gonna Kill This Intruder bork for people cutting across his lawn or his Why Aren’t You In Here bork he gives to people he knows and delivery people he sees every day. You can hear the difference in those borks as well as catch his tail helicoptering with excitement because he thinks he’s going to get company.
 
Mind you, he can’t see well so it does take a hot second for him to go from… Alarm Warning short bork to… MY PERSON! but it’s pretty quick.
 
And that’s pretty much what he did today because he was so sleepy but it was Borking Day and he went through a range of emotions when his Auntie Jessica came in this morning.
 
He does so love her.
Gus was walking pretty fast today! We went to the corner and got back quickly. There was a little kid out that he really wanted to say hi to! I hope he’s staying nice and cool now!
 
Best,
Jessica

Tuesday’s BORKING REPORT!

On By Rhys FordIn Borking Day
Today’s BORKING REPORT!
 
Well this morning was fairly cool but right now, it’s a big muggy. Probably was cool enough for Gus to get dressed BUT he got a new harness and it was fitted on him nicely and he was READY TO GO!
 
His Thursday Bork was called off because his Auntie Jessica wasn’t feeling well so she couldn’t come over but today, she was here to see her Potato. I cannot express how happy he is to see her. Like a double dish of bacon happy. It’s cute. To be fair, he’s also very happy when he sees people he knows and they’ve come to visit him.
 
From his Auntie Jessica:
Gus loved the cold weather and all the wet grass! There were barely any people out so he was pretty good. We walked to the corner and back. See him soon!
 
Best,
Jessica

Tuesday’s Bork! Or… A Once-Clean Cairn Terrorist Says Screw You to Being Clean

On By Rhys FordIn Rhys Ford
Today’s BORKING REPORT!
 
So the Potato got a bath and a minor trim yesterday because he was grubby and reaching the point of potential matting of his face. This is thing you’ve got to watch out for with Borking Potatoes, especially ones who like to roll in wet grass. No one likes a tangled weave on their heads… or an unshaven butt which needs to be tended to once their business is done.
 
He wasn’t brushed out but to be fair, it was late and he was enjoying being damp and rolling around. Nothing as happy as a post-bath Scottish Borker.
 
He also needs a second harness because the orange one is filthy. Because… he rolls around in wet grass and damp dirt! So after the bath yesterday, guess who comes rocking back from his Bork with filthy paws? Yep, the Cairn Master himself, Angus Missouri Blue.
 
Who promptly slipped out of his harness, came rolling into the living room and made general mayhem of joy and snorking noises. Also, he pooped outside. Again! Which is great because… it was on grass. Will wonders never cease.
 
We also forgot to put his collar back on. So he went out nekkid as th day he was born except for his kit.
 
From his Auntie Jessica…
It’s hot out but Gus did a lot of rolling around in the wet grass! He actually pooped on the grass today too instead of in someone’s driveway! I hope he gets plenty of water and rest now.
 
Best,
Jessica

Today’s BORKING REPORT! 15 Jul 2021 with the Potato!

On By Rhys FordIn Borking Day
Today’s BORKING REPORT!
 
Now I’m going to be working remotely for the next couple of weeks and even while I’m home, that’s usually the time when someone at work pings me for a call or troubleshooting an issue. Thankfully, Andi Van asked if I wanted them to continue to kit the Potato out on his Borking Days for which I am EXTREMELY grateful because kitting him up, working on something on the laptop and talking someone off the ledge at the same time is usually when his Auntie Jessica shows up. *grins*
 
Oh and of course, our internet provider deciding to do major construction in our area and knocking the internet out with no notice and no schedule. That involved a lot of swearing, rebooting, lost work, firing up the 3G Orange Dot which I have now ordered the 4G Orange Dot to upgrade because the 3G one can’t handle the data transfers I need.
 
But all of that has NOTHING to do with the Potato… who has been SUCH a good boy.
 
It hasn’t been cool enough to dress him in a shirt but it’s summertime and damn, the eye drops for his allergies are doing wonders for him. I do have to shave down the hair around them but it’s so much better than it used to be. I am hoping we have a handle on them so he feels better. The Borker still doesn’t LIKE getting his face messed with but with the medication, comes cookies. Which are actually allergy supplements but they reek like fish and duck and he loves them.
 
Today’s Bork apparently went well and he was raring to go and then raring to come back. He got fussed over a lot and scuba-ed his water bowl for a bit then cavorted heavily. And promptly crashed out in the air-conditioned living room. He was also grubby as fucking hell and definitely needs a bath.
 
APPARENTLY, he pooped on someone’s driveway! Which is… rude in a lot of ways but something totally a mad Scottish Cairn would do. I wonder if they pissed him off. Jessica took care of it but sheesh, I thought I taught him better than that.
 
He does so love his Auntie Jessica. Actually he loves all of his Aunties and is such a dork. Gus Gus is the best Potato.
 
From his Auntie Jessica:
Gus walked fast today! He did poop on our walk right in someone’s driveway. I tried cleaning it up the best I could. He did roll around in the dirt a bit and got a little dirty. He looked like he was having fun though!
 
Best,
Jessica

WOOOOT! Hellion is out on Audio!

On By Rhys FordIn Good News1 Comment
Oh hey, did I mention Hellion was out on Audio? And delightfully narrated by the fantastic Kale Williams…
 
So very excited to hear Kale take on Ivo and the rest of the boys. We got a sneak preview of his work in ‘Nother Sip of Gin and now… get ready for an emotional rollercoaster of a ride.
You can find Hellion on Audible, Amazon, iTunes and other audiobook retailers!
 

Thursday Borking Report!

On By Rhys FordIn Borking Day
Today’s BORKING REPORT!
 
The Borking Potato went borking while I’m at work but as always he woke up with me at way too early in the morning to go potty before I left for work. It was a quick shuffle in and out for him because it was a bit chilly and there was apparently more sleeping to do. He usually waits until he hears me tell Alexa to turn off all lights before fecking off to the back of the house bed but this morning it was all… yeah, I’ve pissed, see yourself out.
 
There has been a definite uptick in his happy. Going earlier in the day and spending time with his fave Auntie two mornings a week gives the Goose a very happy smile. He apparently has taken to coming into the house and rolling or inchworming his way into the room. Because he’s silly. He does that when he’s happy, that rolling about. Then he goes scuba diving in the water bowl, coming out with a drenched face.
 
Cavorting, belly rubs and happy wiggling soon follows. Then a nap. Today was no different. 😀
 
From his Auntie Jessica…
 
Gus did a lot of borking this morning! There were a few people out walking so he had a lot to say. He kind of made it back inside! He was slowly rolling his way through the front door.
 
Best,
Jessica

What Day Is It?

On By Rhys FordIn Rhys Ford1 Comment

I seriously lose track of time. I did before the pandemic as well so that’s not surprising.

Let’s see… news. I have a procedure scheduled for Aug 2nd which hopefully will yank me back among the living and thriving. If not, there’s alternatives we can do. I’m fine just… trapped in a cycle of icky shit that really prevents me from doing a bunch of anything.

Gojira the New and Horrible apparently seems to be having a REALLY hard time settling in. She might have to ruminate on things a little bit. To be honest, she lurves her big brother Badger, ignores the Potato, and gives Harley ample respect. Which is all good. She will also probably eat us out of house and home before she’s fully grown.

Spent Monday in the Firebird for a bit. Got him gassed up and washed then did a short toddle over down to Balboa Park… which I’ve absonded with for the Southern Rise Court in Kai’s world. It was really a pleasant day and everyone was out just enjoying the great weather but most of all, being courteous to one another about masking, etc.

Well, for the most part. We are opening up here in California but there are cautionary measures which I fully endorse.

Most of all, I don’t want anyone to lose anyone in their family. Not a bad thing to want.

Tonight’s dinner is actually chicken long rice but no long rice because well, the store didn’t see fit to pack it into our groceries so it’s over calrose rice instead.

Which is NEVER a bad thing.

I am hoping to plot something out this week. Or maybe just try to get my brain facing forward. It was great to have Tengu back because he’s been in the shop getting all spiffied up with a whole new rear axle and a bunch of other work. So it’s kind of like learning how to drive him again because he’s a bit of a tighter response but very quick off the line. He handles absolutely amazing but still, it’s a lot of power and you’ve got to be very aware of that when you hit the gas pedal.

That’s it for this Second Monday. Really, if you celebrated with a long weekend, hope you had a great one. If you did not get a long weekend, then you deserve one.

Or ice cream.

God, don’t get me started on the ice cream ordering debacle we had. But it’s ice cream and that’s never bad.