I quickly assessed the scene: shower soon, check on candles and flashlights, get kitties inside to avoid scary prowling snakes, etc. After my shower in the dusk, I was making an icy coffee drink, which led me to realize how quickly the fridge and freezer will lose their temperature if I keep opening them up. Silly me. I then opted to skip making dinner, throw the real perishables in the freezer and a tray of ice in the fridge and watch a movie instead under the lovely protection of my new mosquito net. I feel like a princess under my new net. The geckos can't poop on my head, little midnight biters can't get me and the caterpillars can't easily fall on my pillow. I can sleep. Of course I discovered very quickly that the kitties love their new toy: they pounce up and down on the net, which I tie each corner in a knot in the morning to expose the bed to air flow. Air flow=less mold on pillows/sheets.
After I lit various candles, I nestled under the net, (was thankful I had powered up my computer at school) and saw all the perforated scratch marks from those incessant claws! I won't tell my landlords about this too soon. It took a month to have it installed! But the ever-present squirt bottle helps remind the fur balls what they can and can't play with. Like that will help.
I still have a couple movies downloaded from a co-worker and happily finished Return of the Jedi and started The Big Lebowski. Bliss. I didn't care how long the power was out. I clearly couldn't do the grade reports (all 70 are due by Monday) or edit the papers I brought home, or even check email. It was just me and Yoda, Luke and The Dude. Loved it.
Kitty Tales: Before all went completely dark (I only have a few candles) I made sure my tall plastic mug was nearby too. I keep it handy now even though my wonderful Pembantu, Ani, keeps putting it away when she cleans. The reason for the plastic mug is because you never know what the cat will drag in, literally. Or what will hop, crawl, skitter, slither, or scamper in. The other night I saw my orange kitty, Felix, playing with something but jumping away each time he got close. My sensors went up immediately since he normally doesn't jump so high after poking some critter. I got the cup, grabbed a flashlight and pulled him out from under the chair. I covered the whatever and slid a card underneath and pulled it out to look. I shined my flashlight on a little brown scorpion, tale flexed in ready position. Great. For a moment the thoughts that swirled in my head were worrisome: did Felix get stung? is it a deadly scorpion? are there more? will I be able to sleep? is the kitty still breathing? And the answers I could gather were: Felix is fine, I have no idea if there are more (yes is my guess) or if they are deadly. I am sure I will sleep but damn. Now I have to really be aware where I step.
And this morning I quietly tiptoed off to the bathroom early, trying not to disturb the kitties that were soundly sleeping in my arm pit. But they woke up and followed me into the bathroom, which I keep shut at night since it is open air. I taught them other day how to jump up to the sill and then jump down outside where I placed a chair for easy access. (I am trying to encourage them to go potty outside but they refuse. I then take the litter box garbage by hand down the rice field path and motorbike to the local dumpster about 10 minutes away. Good times).
Anyway, I know they wanted to jump out this morning since they started to ramp it up and run around. It was still dark so I quickly shut the door and kept them inside since I am still unsure about cobras and vipers outside in the dark. But the kitties decided to do cartwheels and run chase races all over my little upstairs, bed and head. The mosquito net was getting a few new scratches as well. After more squirts with the water bottle and tosses off the bed, I was wide a awake and pissed. It was only 4:30am. But then I heard it. A huge "thwump".
My little tabby girl had done it again and I freaked out. She fell downstairs onto the tile floor, about 15-20 feet below. I raced down the steps and she was in shock. I know there is no quick trip to the vet, so I just held her and slowly checked for broken bones, labored breathing, etc. She didn't move. Then I smelled it. Upon impact she had pooped herself. Cats don't do this so I knew something was bad. But after a quick wash, another 1/2 hour of holding and petting, she began to get antsy and want to play with her brother. I left for work a few hours later at 7am and she was already outside, climbing the banana tree. One can only hope she is okay.
This happened one night a few weeks ago leaping off the railing towards the ceiling after a gecko, but she landed on the stairs, not so far down. And there was no poop involved. I figured she has used up two lives? And I really hope she is okay when I get home today. I am totally attached to those two crazy, mosquito net-loving, spastic, purring fur balls.
More pictures as soon.
More pictures as soon.
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