Tag: Felix

Stacking wood – with distractions

Winter isn’t finished with us yet and the firewood was running out. A fresh load arrived after lunch – we’re using the new wood on this evening’s fire. It took me three hours to stack it, about the same as usual: one hour per cubic metre, which included stopping to talk to neighbours passing by, and to rescue a little waxeye from Felix.

As I walked by with the wheelbarrow, I saw Felix grab the wee bird which was sitting on the fence. I, in turn, grabbed Felix by the scruff and the bird, to my surprise, flew straight out of his mouth and off into the distance. After that, Felix was showing off, playing with twine on the fence, chewing twigs, rolling in the sawdust in the wheelbarrow and climbing a couple of trees.

A happy ending for all: the bird, Felix and us, cosy by the fire.

Thistledown

Artichokes are a type of thistle, apparently. I anthropomorphise my artichokes because they look as if they’re waving their arms about. The one which ‘exploded’ in a cloud of thistledown the other day is increasingly earning the name ‘Boris’.

And for the Felix fans, here he is with his ears in lynx position and an intense look which says, ‘Get out of that egg chair and give me a treat’ (Whiska’s Temptations Seafood Flavour) – no ‘please’ required.

Cicada sings

A cicada was in full voice in the kowhai tree beside the house. To me, the sound represents the end of summer when the days are often still and hot. The cicada was low enough on the tree to get a close photo. I discovered that it has interesting markings. It is probably a Chorus Cicada.

Felix, however, trying to sleep, seemed to become increasingly irritated by the loud noise. At first he was relaxed, stretched out on the warm deck, then his ears twitched back and forth and he opened his eyes. Next minute, he was up the tree. The noise stopped abruptly. As far as I can tell he didn’t catch the cicada, it flew off (I hope) to annoy someone else’s cat.

Shelter in a storm

When it started to rain I went to cover the egg chair, but it was occupied. Felix remained on it as the rain intensified and thunder rumbled. He was still there when the storm had passed and after I had spent a couple of hours solving the sudden loss of internet. It’s unusual for him to be on the egg chair, possibly because it moves. It’s my ‘therapy’ place – perhaps he feels its comfort too.

Later, he came inside for a treat before heading outside. I checked to see if he’d gone back to the egg chair, but he was staring over the side of the deck at this little chap (or chap-ess).

We’ve seen a hedgehog about in the early morning or late afternoon on the patio, on the drive, and disappearing under the deck. Perhaps it lives there.

A great place to live

A Quality of Life survey has found that Christchurch Ōtautahi is a great place to live, according to this morning’s Press. It is certainly interesting and there’s always something going on. I enjoyed the things I noticed today. In the library, Tūranga, part of the stairs to the first floor was being used as a working space, with colourful cushions to make it inviting.

In Victoria Square preparations are being made for Chinese New Year celebrations.

The other startling observation today, was Felix at the top of a tall cabbage tree. He settled in a forked branch and proceeded to chase his tail. He could have been an act in the recent buskers’ festival.

Birdbath in business

A blackbird had a lovely long bath on Sunday. I was sitting in the egg chair reading on my ipad and was able to switch to camera and catch the action.

It was very watchful at first
before settling in
and out again
then, back in

Sometimes insects such as bees and wasps settle on the edge of the water for a drink. Today, I saw a reason why the blackbird may have been so cautious before taking a dip.

Mr Fuzzy Trousers Felix has a drink

From the window

I leaned out of the sitting room window and took this photo this morning.

Is it every year that I say, ‘The roses have never been so good’? Is this year better than ever?

Still in my pyjamas, I took a photo from the front door.

Back inside the house, the little wooden chooks look in fear of invasion from the roses outside.

Felix was the only invader via a window this morning.

Which reminds me of his defenestration yesterday as I rescued a little blackbird from him which he’d brought inside. The parent birds almost followed Felix into the house, protesting loudly. I’m not sure that my efforts to save the wee bird were successful. Although it was pecking quite vigorously, it seemed unable to perch on a high branch. I ended up with bruises and scratches from scrambling through the garden and a gooseberry bush is looking a little flat after I fell on it. Fortunately, I offloaded the little bird into a hanging basket on my way down.

Isn’t nature wonderful? (And human efforts a bungling mess?)

High fives and fist bumps

High five

I signed an SPCA petition to ban fireworks so that animals are spared the often traumatising time in their neighbourhoods around November 5 when, for obscure reasons, Guy Fawkes is remembered (or not; most of us just think, ‘Fireworks!’ just as Christmas is associated in most people’s minds with loot and overindulgence).

I could also sign up for Felix – all I needed was his paw print. This proved difficult. Much like trying to give a cat a pill, I suspect.

Felix was sleepy and relaxed as I tried to photograph his paw. Another person to take the photo might have helped. The one I used in the end (above) was more like a high five and I’m not sure it translated well to the image required.

My favourite photo of Felix’s paw is this one: a furry fist bump.

Fist bump

In the event, there have been fewer fireworks in our neighbourhood than in the past. Perhaps people are over it. I would like November 5 to be used to remember the peaceful protests and eventual invasion of Parihaka on November 5, 1881, which is still relevant to us*, rather than Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators and their failed gunpowder plot in 1605.