On Hummingbird Watch

WAFFLES:  Hello, Little Hummer Girl! Those are some nice feathers you've got. I bet they're really tasty. What are you doing for lunch?

LITTLE GIRL HUMMER:  Sorry, Waffles. I've already got my eye on a handsome Hummer. 

WAFFLES:  But I'm handsome. And I can hum too.

LITTLE GIRL HUMMER: I don't think you can keep up with me, Waffles. My wings beat 70 times a second and I can fly almost 50 mph. 

WAFFLES:  But what about lunch? 

LITTLE GIRL HUMMER:  Given how you're eyeing my feathers, I have a feeling your idea of lunch and mine are two very different things. 

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss, I'm pretty sure the Little Girl Hummer thinks I want to eat her.

KATIE:  Well, do you? 

WAFFLES:  Well yeah, kinda. 

KATIE:  Sounds like she's a pretty smart hummer.

About Today's Photos & Our Hummers
One of our favorite parts of the summer is sharing our garden and trees with the hummingbirds.

We've read that they will often hang out in one spot until they're ready to head south for the winter and can even get to know the humans that keep their feeders full.

This year, Glogirly has made friends with one very special hummingbird. She calls her Little Girl. We know she's female by her coloring. The girls are a little plain compared to their brightly colored boyfriends. For weeks now, Glogirly has been watching a couple of male suitors put the moves on Little Girl.

They'll swoop by her at record speeds, making almost a clucking noise. They shoot up straight into the sky, hover at about 50' in the air, then dive straight down within inches of her. All to try and impress her. But she's picky and isn't easily impressed.

The dating game has recently become complicated. The Rufous hummingbirds have arrived. They come on the scene about 6 weeks after Little Girl and her suitors showed up. They're brilliant copper color palette sparkles when the sun hits it just right. The Rufous is beautiful but also a bully. He'll chase the other hummers away from the feeders, even when he's not feeding himself. He'll even stand guard, right on top of the feeder.

But even when the Rufous is throwing his weight around the feeders, Little Girl has found safety with Glogirly. When Glogirly is out in the garden, Little Girl will follow her around, sometimes even hovering just inches from her face. If Glogirly is trimming the petunias, Little Girl is poking her head into every bloom. If she's cutting back the catmint, Little Girl is right there, sipping nectar from the tiny purple catmint flowers. 

Usually, the hummers zoom in for a quick poke in the flowers or the feeder, then dart off to a spot in the trees. Not Little Girl. She hangs out with Glogirly for a long time, before heading back to her perch or nest. 

It's going to be hard to say goodbye when it comes time for Little Girl to head south. But we're so happy she's made our garden her home. 

Casablanca Cats

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful–

KATIE:  A beautiful case of mancat COOTIES! What are you doing, Waffles???

WAFFLES:  I'm doing my Humphrey Go-Cart impression. 

KATIE:  *sigh* 

WAFFLES:  Of all the milk joints in the world Boss, you walk into mine. 

KATIE:  You took the words right out of my mouth, Waffles. Oh, and good luck with that lactose intolerance of yours.

WAFFLES:  Lack toes? I'm not missing any toes, Boss.

KATIE:  You meet all kinds here.

About Today's Photos
If you've been with us since the way beginning, you might remember our TV and Movie Trip Saturdays, where we spoofed some of our favorite classics. Like Casablanca.

These photos were taken at the breakfast bar in our Minneapolis townhouse before we moved to Colorado. But they still crack us up. Every morning, Katie and Waffles would patiently sit on the stools while Glogirly was dishing up breakfast.

One day when she was downloading the photos, she couldn't help but think they looked like they'd bellied up to the bar. Casablanca had been on the late-night movie channel, and one thing led to another...



WAIT!
And About That Kiss...
Here's the original story on that epic Waffles & Katie Kiss Photo!

Parts of this post originally appeared on October 3, 2015 and have been edited.

Rick's Cafe Americain image from Mubis.es

Cat Lady Conversion

WAFFLES:  Glogirly said I should be nice to our new houseguest even though she smells like DOG.

WAFFLES:  I'm pretty sure I can turn her into a cat lady. 

WAFFLES:  Maybe I can delete all those dog photos on her phone and put MY pictures on it. I'm WAY cuter. 

WAFFLES:  It's working! It's working!

KATIE:  Yeah, I'm not sure it's working for me.


About Today's Photos
Glogirly's cousin from Minnesota has been visiting and Waffles has been pulling out all the stops to turn her into a bonified cat lady. Within about 60 seconds of her arrival, he was already throwing on the charm. Head-butts, purring...she could barely get her shoes off and he was already reaching up to her, putting his paws on her shoulder. The guest bed is now covered in orange fur.

Katie has been a little more skeptical of the whole situation. And if she could roll her eyes at Waffles, she surely would.

Birthday Greetings for Our Girl

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss, is this the birthday card you gave Glogirly? It totally smells like you.

KATIE:  Well you should know, Waffles. Given how you're constantly smelling my you-know-what.

WAFFLES:  Your you-know-what??? Can we even say that on our blog?

KATIE:  That's why I said you-know-what.

WAFFLES:  What?

KATIE:  You know.

WAFFLES:  I do?

KATIE:  How about you share what you wrote in your birthday card for Glogirly?

WAFFLES:  Ok, but first I have to tell everyone about the front. It says Taco Cat. On account of Glogirly likes tacos AND cats. And Gloman told me that Taco Cat is like a pal in a drone, whatever that means.

KATIE:  Palindrone. It's what you call a word that can be spelled the same backwards and forwards. 

WAFFLES:  Oh yeah. That. 

WAFFLES:  So here's what I wrote. Gloman helped me hold the pencil, but I told him what to write.

"And Sleffaw Backwords

is yur FAvorate Cat!

(next to Eitak)

Happy Birthday

Love Waffles"

KATIE:  Favorite cat??? I bet you don't even know why I picked out the card with the cats spinning the toilet paper off the rolls, do you?

WAFFLES:  Because one of the cats looks just like me???

KATIE:  Close, Waffles. Very close.

"I'm only sending you this card* to remind you what it would be like if I was like Waffles, but I'm not, and for that, you should be thankful. 

*and to remind you that I like to play, but not like an immature cat.

*and to wish you a happy birthday because I know you love me.

Love, Katie"

About Today's Greetings
Although Gloman wasn't on hand last week to celebrate his girl's birthday, he made sure to fill the mailbox with some very special birthday greetings. And magically, two of the cards were actually from Katie and Waffles.

Birthday Bash Giveaway
Don't miss our special birthday giveaway celebrating Glogirly's big day last week!
Enter HERE.

Belated Birthday Bash Giveaway

WAFFLES:  Hey, Boss! Lookee who came to Glogirly's birthday party! 

KATIE:  I don't think those are party guests, Waffles. 

WAFFLES:  So if they're not guests, I can eat them, right?

KATIE:  No, you can't eat them. They're prizes for our Birthday Giveaway.

WAFFLES:  We're giving away a birthday? COOL! Glogirly said she didn't want her birthday this year on account of there being so many candles and all. And there's a fire ban in the mountains.

KATIE:  You can't give away a birthday, Waffles. 

WAFFLES:  Glogirly thinks someone will take hers. She said she'd even pay–

KATIE:  Yeah, that's not really how it works.

It's a Birthday GIVEAWAY

Yesterday was our girl's birthday so we decided to celebrate with our favorite kind of giveaway. What could be more fun and pink than a bunch of cool GLOGIRLY swag???  Each time we've shared photos of our swag on Facebook, or hosted a giveaway of the coveted pink stuff, SO many of our friends and readers have wanted to know how to get their paws on some of their own. We still have a tiny stash we've been saving for just the right occasion. And today's the day! 

Four Winners & Open Worldwide

Ok, not exactly elebenty-hundred... but  lucky winners will receive a prize package worth MILLIONS of... 

...smiles. What? You were thinking millions of dollars?? HAHA!!! 

Our giveaway is open worldwide and each prize will be lovingly packaged right here in the Colorado Rockies. NOTE: Winners may select a small tuft of tuxedo or orange tabby fur. 

KATIE:  WHAT??? 

WAFFLES:  Cool, Boss! I'll get your fur tufts ready, ok?

The LOOT!

1. Genuine GLOGIRLY Swag Bag

Just the right size for lunch, snacks.... or half of Waffles.

2. Officer Katie & Waffles Greeting Card

Our most popular greeting card from the Glogirly Zazzle Shop featuring our favorite and most shared photo.

3. Limited Edition CatBell & Pen

Because sometimes you just need more catbell.

4. Waffles & Katie Mini Fan Cards

Bound to be valuable collectors items, these sweet little cards feature Waffles gobbling his chicken legs and Katie looking lovely in her diamond daisy tiara.

KATIE:  But wait, there's more? There's always more.

5. BONUS! 

Each winner will also receive a catnip mouse in their swag bag. Either Cotton Candy Pink Miss Mouse or Mr. Chocolate Mousse Mouse.

Good luck everyone! 

And thank you SO much for letting us into your inboxes and hearts. 

You mean the world to us. xoxo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Program

WAFFLES:  BOSS!!! The interwebs are broken! How am I going to chat with my girlfriends???

KATIE:  Don't know. Don't care. Take a nap.

WAFFLES:  Well that's not a very good answer, Boss.

KATIE:  Would it be a better answer if I meowed in ALL CAPS???

WAFFLES:  Uh, NO.

Whaddya Mean Our Interwebs Are Broken?

Today's blog post is coming to you live from Glogirly's Jeep, parked at the way top of our hill by the mailboxes. Why? The short answer is because a certain phone and internet provider that shall remain nameless *cough-cough-Century-cough-Link* is totally and completely inept. 

Here's the long answer - 

Because that phone and internet provider that shall remain nameless charges SO much for a landline that only gets used by annoying spam and marketing callers, Glogirly decided to go strictly with her cell phone and downgrade our service to internet only. Well after 45 minutes on the phone this morning to change our service and another 45 minutes tonight to figure out why we now have NO internet, it turns out they shut off ALL of our service. Way to go, phone and internet provider that shall remain nameless.

Without out internet signal, Glogirly cell phone doesn't have enough of a signal on it's own to go online and publish our blog post.

So she had to drive to a spot where she could pick up a couple of bars and use her cell phone as a personal hotspot to connect. 

Hopefully, we'll be back in business tomorrow. But we're not high fiving ourselves yet. It's going to require another couple of 45+ minute phone calls. 

Serenity now.

Felines, Fog, and Imaginary Frogs

WAFFLES:  Hey, Boss! BOSS?

KATIE:  Busy, Waffles. 

WAFFLES:  Is it still froggy outside? Can you see anything out the window yet? 

KATIE:  Foggy, Waffles. Not froggy. 

WAFFLES:  Well? Can you see anything

KATIE:  How about you get up and see for yourself?

WAFFLES:  But you're already up there. And I'm WAY down here. Can you see anything? Any frogs?

KATIE:  Nope. Not a thing. No frogs. 

WAFFLES:  Are your eyes even OPEN?

KATIE:  Well they are now. So if I tell you there are frogs, will you leave me alone? 

WAFFLES:  Are they big? And green? How many frogs???

Fogged-In Sunday

It's been unseasonably hot and dry lately in the mountains, but yesterday's weather was a very welcome change.

The temperature dropped nearly 30 degrees with some desperately needed drizzles and rain. The fog rolled in like a cool blanket of mist and though it covered up our mountain views, it made everything look like a magical dream.

There's nothing quite like the smell of fresh mountain rain.

Even though it was chilly, Glogirly had the windows wide open to chill down the house so we can keep it cool when the temperatures start to rise again. Waffles AND Katie were snuggled up to Glogirly while everyone took a nice afternoon nap curled up under the blanket.

Oh, and to be clear. There were never any frogs. Lots of hummingbirds and chipmunks dodging the rain, but no frogs.

Frenzied Feline Fun with OurPets Electronic Interactive Cat Toys

This post is sponsored by OurPets.

WAFFLES:  *garbled chortling*

KATIE:  Jeez, Waffles. You look a little...crazed.

WAFFLES:  *more garbled chortling*

KATIE:  Not that you don't often look, you know...crazy. But this is a whole new level of crazy.

WAFFLES:  GOT.

WAFFLES:  TO.

WAFFLES:  CATCH.

WAFFLES:  FEATHER.

WAFFLES:  OMG, Boss! There's another feather in here! 

KATIE:  You're scaring me, Waffles.

WAFFLES:  And it's spinning!

WAFFLES:  There's feathers and toys and chirping stuff EVERYWHERE!

KATIE:  Don't eat the bird.

WAFFLES:  I'm gonna eat the bird!

KATIE:  DON'T eat the bird!

WAFFLES:  I'm totally gonna eat the bird!

KATIE:  Tell me you didn't eat the bird.

WAFFLES:  Got to.

WAFFLES:  Catch.

WAFFLES:  FEATHER!

KATIE:  See? I told you he was crazy–

WAFFLES:  MOUSE!!!

Born to Hunt, Pounce, & Play

Cats are natural hunters. And play that mimics that natural instinct exercises a cat's body AND mind. What we love most about the OurPets electronic toy collection is how each toy engages Waffles and Katie in fun and healthy play by tapping into that innate hunter instinct. 

The nice people at OutPets send us their entire collection of interactive electronic cat toys to try out. Waffles and Katie really hit the jackpot. In fact, Waffles is still recovering from the frenzied photo shoot. And he's still playing - morning, noon, and night.

Each of the toys has either movement action, sound, or both. They take regular batteries, which we love because they're easy to get and we usually have extras on hand. (AAAs, AAs, and Cs, depending on the toy.) 

They're designed to shut off after 10 minutes and Waffles made sure Glogirly knew exactly when they shut off. He'd find her and start meowing, getting her to come over and turn them on again. 

Waffles' Signature Game

Waffles was SO enthralled with the toys, he even created his own new game by combining two of them: The Catty Whack Sound and Feather Action Toy and the Pounce House. 

When the little feather poked out one of the holes in the Catty Whack toy, he grabbed it with his mouth and actually dragged the whole toy inside the Pounce House. Then he stalked the Catty Whack feather while hiding outside the Pounce House. He'd peek inside the house, around the openings, just waiting for the right opportunity. When he dove inside to catch the Catty Whack feather, things really went wild!

Our Take on All 5 Toys

When we received the cornucopia of OurPets electronic toys, we were pretty sure a couple of them would be a big hit. Little did we know, they'd ALL be winners. But they really are. Kudos to OurPets for coming up with a variety of interactive toys that cats can really connect with!

Here they are, with our own description of each below–

1. OurPets Bird in a Cage Electronic Action Cat Toy

The little bird wiggles and tweets. The base is made to tip while kitty paws at it, but not tip over. It will right itself and stand back up on it's own. This toy was Katie's FAVE.

2. OurPets Pounce House Electronic Spinner Cat Toy

There's a little pocket on the top of the house where the feather spinner is placed. It's spins around, pauses, and spins some more. Waffles really enjoyed pouncing the feather, but he also loved just hanging out in it. Sometimes to rest, and sometimes to stalk one of the other toys. He really loved pouncing on top of it too. Hence the name! It will squish down and collapse when pounced on, and then it pops right back up into place.

3. OurPets Twirl & Whirl Electronic Spinning Interactive Cat Toy

Ok, this one sent Waffles into a scratching post FRENZY. It's easy to set up. Just strap onto any scratching post and turn it on. Waffles went so nuts with this one, he had to lay down and rest. ...watching it every second. As soon as he caught his breath, the frenzy continued. 

4. OurPets Mouse in Pouch Electronic Action Cat Toy

Both Waffles and Katie love stalking and pouncing on something they can't see. Like when Glogirly is making the bed and wiggles her fingers under the covers for them. This toy is similar in concept, but not nearly as risky when it comes to fingers! Just turn on the little mouse toy and slip it inside the pouch through a hidden opening. He scurries, spins, and squeaks. 

5. OurPets Catty Whack Electronic Sound and Feather Action Cat Toy

This one was a HUGE winner with Waffles. As we mentioned before, he even invented his own game with it. The little feather pops randomly out of the holes on the sides, while making a chirping sound. It's very fast. Half the fun is just stalking it. When Waffles caught it, he didn't want to let go! 

Rebate Gift Card for PetSmart

Click HERE for a $5.00 rebate gift card from PetSmart when you purchase an OurPets toy at your local PetSmart store. (E-commerce/online purchases do not count.)

Learn more about OurPets electronic interactive cat toys on the OurPets.com website.

You can also find OurPets on Facebook.






FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by OurPets®, which means that we were paid to create and feature this content. Regardless of the payment received, we only feature products and services we use and/or feel are relevant to our readers.