If you're a first time visitor, let me explain. There will be no recipes today. It's Weekend Cat Blogging and today felines rule! This week WCB is being hosted by Lisa At Champaign Taste, and you should go over to her site and see the other felines. OK, let me tell you about my week. The rain stopped and there's lots of things to do around here! I'm keeping my eyes on everything! I've been out in the yard protecting the fava beans.
See how they are starting to grow? Soon mom will set out the tomato plants, and you know how much I hate tomato worms. But, lets be honest--who cares about the fava beans? There are squirrels in the house. When we last left you, there was a ground squirrel in the house who had been hit by a car. He was in bad shape.
Look at him now! His name is Edward Scissorhands--because he has big freaking claws for digging!
This is what I've learned about squirrels: There are tree squirrels, which are the ones you see in trees and running around acting very hyper. There are ground squirrels which live in groups underground and build complex living quarters. They have latrine caves and food caves--and party rooms with hot tubs. HA! I made that last part up. Edward is really mellow and extremely tidy, compared to a tree squirrel. Mom hopes he can be released back to his family. Ground squirrels only live in their family group, like Meercats.
Here is the way Edward likes to fix his laundry basket. It has 4 old T-shirts, a receiving blanket, 2 towels, and a small bed sheet in it. He aranges it all to his satisfaction. And if you mess with it he gets mad, makes weird noises, and tries to bite you. Otherwise, he's very nice.
This is what it looks like underneath all the T-shirts and towels. That's the Death Stare or "Touch my bedding and you die!."
A few days ago, a really pretty young woman named Jenny, a student at the university here in Davis, found two baby squirrels that literally fell out of a tree and landed at her feet. (Man, I wish that would happen to me!) She picked them up and cared for them, with the help of her entire sorority. But, after staying up all night trying to feed them, she did the right thing and contacted a wildlife rehabilitator, which was mom! Mom thought they should keep the name that Jenny gave the squirrels: KD, for the girl and PHI for the boy. It's the name of her sorority. KD and PHI are about 2 weeks old.
Meanwhile, Sundance still isn't allowed outside, because he doesn't have a lick of common sense. So, he has to stay inside and watch me from the screen door when I'm outside. Sweet!
See ya next week!
Those squirrels look ever so cute! I didn't know that there existed not only tree squirrels, but also ground squirrels! You learn something every day, don't you...
Upsie is a real queen with her killer eyes and her beautiful fluffy coat and Sundance is a sweetie pie!...
Posted by: Rosa | March 03, 2007 at 01:36 AM
Upsie, thanks for all the news. Men, my bed is not even half tidy as Edward's!
Posted by: gattina | March 03, 2007 at 02:22 AM
Fantastic post! I love hearing all the updates and seeing all the pics. I've never seen a pic of squirrels so young. It's fascinating.
Posted by: Glenna | March 03, 2007 at 03:40 AM
You are incredible! Baby squirrels!
Upsie I'm sure you would know how to take care of two baby squirrels that would fall at your feet better than in your back yard.
This should be an interesting progression!
Posted by: Tanna | March 03, 2007 at 05:29 AM
OMG! Those squirrels are adorable! Sorry Upsie, you are adorable too, but the squirrels are a novelty. Glad your mom is taking such good care of them. Sundance looks so sad that he can't come out to play...poor Sundance!
Posted by: kross-eyed kitty | March 03, 2007 at 07:31 AM
I hope Edward gets to go back to his "peeps" when he is better. And the baby squirrels are cute. Sundance is so cute in the windowdoor. I guess that is what ginger kitties are like. I don't go out cuz I am clueless outside too.
Posted by: Kitikata-san | March 03, 2007 at 08:25 AM
Great update! Thanks Upsie! Now that Mom has her hands busy being a squirrel mom, you will need to be on your best behavior.
And Sundance is so darling! Not a lick of common sense....that is too funny! What a typical teenage thing!
Posted by: Kate | March 03, 2007 at 08:43 AM
Eee! The cuteness! I didn't even know I needed to see these guys until I came to your site. Thank you so much for sharing! My mood took a nice uptick (much needed) upon feasting my eyes on them.
We don't have much in the way of ground squirrels here in the east. We have woodchucks and tree squirrels, I think that's about it. When I lived in Ohio, I saw a 13-lined ground squirrel once, but I don't think their range extends to eastern NY. At any rate, your new squirrely inhabitants are absolutely adorable. I hope the wee ones survive.
As usual, nice photos of Upsie, and boy is Sundance getting handsome and catlike!
Have a great weekend.
Posted by: anne | March 03, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Poor sundance he looks so desperate! but again it's such a cute pic of him.
we're not allowed to got outside, 'cause kashim is afraid and would not take a step outside and mom would not let ME go out 'cause she thinks she'll have a lot of trouble getting me back inside once I got out.
Upsie you look georgeous this week!
have a nice weekend and hugs'n'kisses
Othello (& Kashim too)
Posted by: astrid | March 03, 2007 at 10:08 AM
you are all so wonderful!
it sure looks like your mom has a full house, upsie, but you don't look or sound a bit like you're being deprived of the special love she gives to you.
i love your pose with the pansy.
taboo wants to know if you got a nibble of the shrimp???
Posted by: whaleshaman & taboo | March 03, 2007 at 10:10 AM
Ohhhh - look at Sundance! Poor boy. When is he going to get some sense so he can go outside? Maybe in time to smash some stupid tomato worms? Then again, his paws don't look nearly as fierce as Upsie's. Edward Scissor Hands has the fiercest paws of all. Maybe you should try to keep him around and put him on tomato word guard duty!
Thanks for your comments, Sher. You're a doll.
Posted by: Jenn | March 03, 2007 at 10:14 AM
I'm with Anne, I hope the little ones survive too! I'm glad they have you to take care of them.
Posted by: Shannon | March 03, 2007 at 03:30 PM
Upsie, the squirrels are cute but you and Sunshine are so much cuter (and you of course are the smartest of them all!)
Posted by: D | March 03, 2007 at 04:25 PM
Pretty cool! I have never seen baby squirrels...so cute! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pics.
Posted by: begered | March 03, 2007 at 05:59 PM
Rosa,
Yes, we have lots of ground squirrels out here. They sure are funny little things, much more cooperative with each other than tree squirrels, who are total narcissists!
Gattina,
Yes, Edward is very precise about his bedding. And tonight he got mad when I tried to change the papers in the other part of his cage. He's a cage dictator!
Glenna,
They sure look different whe they're young! Well...so did I at one time. :)
Tanna,
Well, yes....I think Upsie would have her own idea on how to handle the baby squirrels. She was watching me feed them tonight and the look on her face...... Kinda scary!
Kross-eyed kitty,
As I write this, Sundance is running like crazy all over the house, hurdling over Upsie's head. It's his way of punishing her for getting outside privileges, I think!
Kitikata-San,
Yes,I was hoping Edward could go home to his family tomorrow, but it's not to be. I think he is getting a little depressed! Seriously.
Kate,
Sundance really has no sense at all. But,it's funny to watch. He's so different from Upsie. He's going to be one of those energetic, muscular cats that is always causing a commotion.
Anne,
I'm not sure why ground squirrels are found some places and not others. Maybe the type of soil makes a difference? It's good seeing a message from you, by the way!
Astrid,
Yes,poor Sundance is starting to follow us, ready to dash out if we don't notice. I'm going to go get him a collar, with his name and address. If he got out he would get into trouble, I'm sure of it!
Whaleshaman & Taboo,
Oh yes, Upsie got some shrimp--and so did our two birds. Apparently, shrimp is very popular with many animals. Wouldn't be surprised if Edward Scissorhands didn't like it too!
Jenn,
I think it will be some time before Sundance gets any sense. He's just that kind of wild kitty. I wish I had his energy. He races around all day--and at night too.
Shannon,
I think the little ones will make it, knock on wood. They are doing quite well. But, I must not get cocky!
D,
Your welcome. They are so cute when they are young. Like little Disney characters. :):)
Posted by: sher | March 04, 2007 at 01:00 AM
Sher,
we have the same problems with Othello around here: When we let him go out, he'll get himself into trouble in no time :(
So thats's it: He has to stay in and only gets opened the window with the net.
Posted by: astrid | March 04, 2007 at 06:26 AM
Upsie first. You are sooooo darn cute Upsie! I like your commentary of the day, you write very well :o)
Next is Mr. Scissorhands. You are cute too. I know 'the look', I give it to people when they mess with my things too.
And Sundance who doesn't have a lick of common sense LOL I have a dog who doesn't have a lick of common sense either so you're not alone.
Posted by: Joy T. | March 04, 2007 at 09:13 AM
I love all of your pictures! Poor Sundance looks so sad at the door. I have my two indoor kitties so I know that look all too well! And Upsie looks beautiful as always. Also, I have enjoyed learning more about squirrels here - we have lots of them in the yard!
Posted by: sammawow | March 04, 2007 at 09:54 AM
Terrific photos! Nice job protecting the fava beans. :)
Those baby squirrels look cute! So wonderful that they were rescued and that Jenny contacted your mom to find out how to take care of them.
Posted by: Dragonheart | March 04, 2007 at 10:46 AM
What beautiful pictures! I always enjoy your updates. Especially love the pic of Sundance at the door! So cute! :)
Posted by: Katy | March 04, 2007 at 02:25 PM
that was such an awesome update upsie!! i feel like i'm right there with you which is wishful thinking because it all looks so cute and wonderful :)
that is quite the deathstare from eddie the ground squirrel. keep up all the great work you guys!
Posted by: aria | March 04, 2007 at 04:25 PM
Sweet, funny and utterly delightful Sher!! It's so cool that you care for these critters. Oops, of course I'm not calling Upsie and Sundance critters. Cats are in a realm of their own.
Posted by: Christine | March 04, 2007 at 06:53 PM
Squirrel central!
Upsie, your Mom is amazing, growing fava beans and tomatoes and raising injured and orphaned squirrels. Plus, she cooks all that great stuff. What a woman!
Posted by: Julie | March 04, 2007 at 11:47 PM
Upsie, you are so generous to share your living quarters with those squirrels, and those baby ones are too cute. Not as cute as you, of course, dear Upsie. Just stay away from Edward's claws, so he doesn't mar your pretty face!
Posted by: kristi | March 05, 2007 at 04:25 AM
Upsie, your mom's fava beans look great! Don't let Sundance mess with them, ok?
Posted by: Burcu | March 05, 2007 at 08:38 AM
First of all, I'm glad that Upsie is getting prime outside time once again.
Secondly, we have that same little crouching gargoyle in our parsley!
Thirdly, I LOVE THE LITTLE SQUIRRELS!! *sweetness*
Have you covered this? How on earth does one become a champion for the squirrels? That just rocks!!!
Thirdly, your Sundance is much like our Sirius Black. Muscular, fun, and C*R*A*Z*Y!!!
It makes the love that much more special.
Posted by: s'kat | March 07, 2007 at 05:57 PM
Wow- I learned something new- what we always called ground squirrels around the Lake of the Ozarks must be Least Chipmunks http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_Chipmunk
Willa
Posted by: Willa | March 08, 2007 at 07:48 PM
I LOVE these guys-where does Mdm. Squirrel have her nails done~??Great shots!
Posted by: Jann | March 09, 2007 at 04:21 PM