Thanksgiving Etiquette

Hi everyone, Katie here.

So I'm told that today is Thanksgiving. In honor of this holiday, I'd like to draw your attention to what I consider to be the must-have of etiquette bibles, 'Miss Manners Guide To Excruciatingly Correct Cat Behavior.' Judith Martin and I go way back. At her request, I consulted with her on this very special edition of her now famous etiquette guide for modern cats in a modern world.

Judy has a cheeky sense of humor and likes to throw in little stories and pictures. In the Thanksgiving chapter there is talk of things like roasted turkey, pumpkin pie and which fork Aunt Candy mistakenly used for pickles. She has a great how-to section on making sparkling dinner conversation and chewing with your mouth closed. There's even a full page spread devoted to carving the turkey and how to know when it's time to put down the carving knife and pull out the claws. She describes an unfortunate accident when Uncle Casey, a clumsy Main Coon, catapulted the cooked bird out the sliding glass door while trying to carve it with his unusually large and misshapen claws.

AUNT CANDY & UNCLE CASEY

There is even a very special chapter devoted to being kind to your neighbors, even if they are dogs wearing headdresses.

NEIGHBORS IN HEADDRESS

Unbeknownst to me, Judy decided to throw in a couple of costume ideas. This is HER idea of cheeky. Mind you I did NOT pose for these photographs. I wouldn't be caught DEAD in a pilgrim outfit. Even though it IS a true fashion classic in black & white. Come on... an apron and A BONNET for crying out loud!? I don't think so.

But there was nothing in the guide about why this holiday is called "Thanks" giving. Glogirly says it's a time for us to reflect on the people and things in our life we are grateful for. She says though that "things" aren't supposed to be "stuff." You know, like a fast car or a 24 count case of catnip mice. Instead, "things" are like a place to call home, a healthy mind and body, enough food to never be hungry and plenty of love and friendship. This may be HER idea of "things" but I'm telling you, I've never seen any of them at Target or on Ebay. She also says that it would be really nice if I thought about what I'm thankful for. She says I have to list three things. Since when does Thanksgiving require homework?

So I guess this "Thanks" giving list thing is going to require a little out-of-the-box (not litter) thinking on my part. So here goes.

I am thankful for:

-1-

My super nice and good looking (can I say that?) blogging friends for leaving me comments of love, laughs and support.

-2-

My girl, Glogirly, for attending to my food and poop needs and loving me unconditionally.

-3-

And of course, Gloman. For not picking me up when I don't want to be picked up, for our conversations about life and love, and for choosing me and bringing me home to my girl.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

with love, from Katie

(... stupid pilgrim costume)

Sunbasking

Hi everyone, Katie here.

Some of you know that the townhouse has been under construction all summer and fall. Bad news is I've got to deal with unexpected intruders wearing tool belts and swinging hammers. No warning whatsoever. They just barge right in, forcing me to scamper off and hide.

Good news is our window blinds have been down now for months.

Good news, because I'm able to bask in the sun without those pesky plantation blinds blocking my sunbeams.

I never have to worry about tan lines.

Don't worry, my beautiful furs have a natural SPF. I am safe in the sun.

Yes, that's my Sheep Mouse. A gift from one of my admirers.

What? Are you kidding? Sheep Mouse is a gift from Deb the Cat Sitter?

I better rethink who I lay in the sun with.

She Voted

Hi everyone, Katie here.

I did my civic duty today. I made sure that Glogirly voted. I know she did a really good job too. She is very artistic and can draw inside the little ovals perfectly.

You have to fill in the ovals correctly AND fill in the CORRECT oval.

I would have liked to have voted myself. This is MY townhouse after all. I make sure that Glogirly and Gloman pay their taxes. We recycle. But apparently I'm too short to stand up to the polling booths and reach the plastic table.

Too short for roller coasters and polling booths.

I'm also not old enough (in people years), I'm not so good with the whole coloring inside the ovals thing, and ... oh ... I'm a CAT.

How fair is THAT!

Never Let Them Hear You Hiss

Hi everyone, Katie here.

I knew this day would come. I've been on my toes for weeks in anticipation of this silly holiday. The holiday that seems to be all about candy and cat ears.

Remember last year???

Click Here for Terror In The Townhouse

So this time I was ready.

When Glogirly tried to taunt me again with her cat ears disguise, I took it all in stride. Sure, I wanted to hiss. I wanted to show a little claw. But you know what they say - Never let them see you sweat. Or in my case - Never let them hear you hiss.

I've been playing along all day. And I must say, I enjoy watching her work so hard to trip me up.

Better luck next time, Glogirly.

And Pee. S. to Katie Lite: I'm still watching.

Katie Lite, I'm Onto You

Hi everyone, Katie here.

Katie Lite, last seen with Glogirly in Sandpoint, Idaho is suspected to have absconded to the Chicago area. For those of you just joining me, Katie Lite is the sneaky imposter that was seen galavanting around Idaho with Glogirly while my girl was away on business. I can define their relationship only as suspicious and Katie Lite's motivation as questionable.

If you've been keeping up with my reports, you know that Katie Lite disappeared suddenly from Sandpoint, Idaho. Foul play is suspected. And, if you read between the lines, the authorities are pointing an accusatory finger at ME for crying out loud. Like I had something to do with it or something.

Stupid tabloid rags.

I've been snooping around on Facebook and have now obtained compelling evidence that Katie Lite has indeed fled to Chicago. She arrived in her Kayak sometime last weekend. Kayak. Can you believe it? What self-respecting cat would ever consider a kayak as an appropriate mode of transportation?

Opposable thumbs?

I've got your opposable thumbs. Right here.

Furthermore, I believe she has befriended an unsuspecting Chicago family in hopes of blending in. These poor kids have no idea who they are dealing with. She's even trying to hide her scary ears underneath that silly headband.

Left to right: Unsuspecting son,

unsuspecting daughter, Katie Lite.

Katie Lite, I'm onto you.

And I'm watching you.

Katie Lite Missing

Hi everyone, Katie here.

This just in - The Daily News is reporting that Katie Lite, notorious stand-in cat for Katie, is missing. Katie Lite was last seen yesterday with Glogirly in Sandpoint, Idaho. Her sudden disappearance is being described as both shocking and suspicious. Authorities are investigating and suspect foul play.

According to Glogirly, she and Katie Lite went out for a late night stroll along the shores of Lake Pond Oreille. Suddenly they found themselves in a very shady part of town. Glogirly: "One minute we were mewing and laughing, laughing and mewing, the next minute she was gone."

Last known photo of Katie Lite.

In a shocking twist of events, a local Sandpoint cat, Miss Mavis, has come forward claiming to have information that authorities hope will crack the Katie Lite case wide open.

Local Sandpoint Cat, Miss Mavis

Miss Mavis has reported having seen a suspicious cat, obviously from out of town, stalking the streets of Sandpoint. Miss Mavis is said to have witnessed this outsider cat rushing away from Katie Lite's last known location. Authorities claim Miss Mavis had her iPhone with her and managed to snap off a partial photo of the outsider cat leaving the scene.

Actual iPhone photo taken by Miss Mavis.

Since the Katie Lite story went public, Miss Mavis has received threatening emails and Facebook comments. Local law enforcement believe these threats have originated from a Minneapolis cat's IP address. Fearful for her own safety, Miss Mavis has declined any further comment.

Miss Mavis: "NO COMMENT"

This outsider cat is described as black & white, small in stature with a distinguishing mustache marking on her upper left lip. Sandpoint authorities are seeking any information that might help in locating and apprehending the outsider cat for questioning.

Police Sketch Artist's Rendering of Outsider Cat

Friends, I have NO IDEA as to the identity of this outsider cat. And I think it's just so sad that we may never hear from Katie Lite again. My heart goes out to the family...yadda-yadda, whatever.

Miss Mavis, you better watch your back.

Katie Lite

Hi everyone, Katie here.

This just in - Troubling news from Idaho. Very troubling indeed. I have been replaced.

Word on the street indicates Glogirly has been seen hanging out with an imposter. A poser. ...a...a-nother CAT!

I'm all touched that Glogirly obviously misses me. Who wouldn't? But come on. Katie Lite? Katie Lite (a.k.a. Dawn) is a friend and colleague of Glogirly's. They've been "working" together out in that crazy Idaho place for what seems like a hundred cat years.

My suspicion meter is high. VERY high. I don't know about you, but this does NOT look like WORK to me:

Katie Lite and Glogirly.

WORKING at the Lake.

Katie Lite again.

Nice wide-mouth bass, Katie Lite.

...apparently Katie Lite's palette is not

sophisticated enough to appreciate Salmon.

Champagne. Can you believe it!

I'm seething.

Nice tail, Katie Lite.

You are an embarrassment to cats across the country.

Glogirly better not have any long-term plans with this Katie Lite. She had best leave Katie Lite back in Idaho where she belongs. The townhouse...correction, the WORLD is only big enough for one Katie.

Hello, Glogirly?

Hi everyone, Katie here.

My girl is still gone. She's still in that Idaho place. Still. But at least I've finally got Gloman back. I was getting a little worried, rationing food and all. He arrived home at the townhouse today. Cleaned my box. Topped off my food. Refreshed my water. Even played with my new toy. I don't mind sharing, but jeez...how about letting ME play with my new toy!

Then he totally redeemed himself. We got to call Glogirly. I even got to mew into the iPhone. I could hear her giggling. I could also see Gloman roll his eyes. But I know he misses her too. I'm pretty sure she told him to kiss me. I'm not sure I like that idea. And neither is he.

She's coming home next Friday. Until then I've Photoshopped myself onto a park bench looking across big Lake Pend Oreille towards Sandpoint. That's where my girl is sleeping tonight.

10K Proof

Hi everyone, Katie here.

Well Glogirly actually made it through the big 10 Katies run last Saturday. It was very cold and very early in the morning. Since Glogirly doesn't have the luxury of a beautiful fur coat like mine, she was forced to wear her down parka to keep her toasty until the race began.

Stretching is important. I'm her stretching coach.

The TC 10K started in front of the Minnesota State Capitol. That's in Saint Paul. Glogirly had to wait patiently without her parka on for the race to begin.

Waiting in the cold.

Once the pack took off, they wound up the street to the Saint Paul Cathedral. The route took them through the beautiful neighborhoods of Summit Avenue lined with pretty fall colors and then back again to the Capitol.

Glogirly says that little hill leading up to the

Cathedral may as well have been Mt. Everest.

Finish Line Phew!

Glogirly said the most beautiful part of the race was the finish line. It took her 62 minutes and 39 seconds to run 10 Katies. I mean 10K. Or rather, 6.21371192 miles. Sounds like way more than 10 Katies to me.