Fiber Follies

Collins

Breed Domestic Shorthair/Mix
Color Brown
Color Pattern Tabby
Age 2 years
Sex Male
ID 1119669

Collins
is a 2-year-old male brown tabby cat. He was brought back to Lollypop Farm when his owners decided they just didn’t want animals in the house anymore. Collins is a nice furry guy who gets along with dogs, though he would prefer a home without other cats. He is a laid back guy who likes to spend his time sleeping on the rug! Just look at that handsome face, this guy is sure to give you a lot of love.

I adore that tabby face.

UPDATE: Shasha is STILL waiting for her forever home! So are Maxamillion, Mittens, Nibbles, and Daisy.

Please give these lovelies a chance.

Special for May 5 -11, 2008: Adult Brown Tiger Cats

Shasha

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Shasha is a 3-year-old female brown tiger cat who was brought to the shelter because her owner had too many pets and could no longer care for them. She is a sweet girl and gets along with other cats. She has lots of love to give and is just waiting for someone to open their home and their hearts. Shasha qualifies for this week’s Cat Special – adopt her for just $25!

I am ever partial to brown tabbies. And red tabbies. And silver tabbies. And, oh, just about any colour and pattern of tabby, including classic, mackerel and ticked. So when a tabby is involved I may go on and on. She’s a winsome-looking girl isn’t she? She’s all eyes! And three years old, that’s a lovely age. Shasha could be the best treat you ever gave yourself.

Mother’s Day is almost here. Mothers like me, whose young have long fled the nest, still like to be needed. Maybe little Lady Shasha could be your gift to yourself, eh?
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Mittens, Max, Nibbles and Daisy are still waiting for homes! Where are all the folks with the big loving hearts? I know you’re out there. I know you have room in your lives for a new cat in need of the home that’s theirs forever. Can’t it be your home?

I’m selling the Ashford

I placed it on the local craigslist in Crafts the first try. Not one single bite! This time it’s under Household stuff.

A nearly brand-new wheel with a custom finish, yet. How cheap do people really think they can get a perfect wheel with custom finish? I hear a lot of stories from folks who want to avoid the cost of spinning wheels, and find something for ten dollars on craigslist or at a local garage sale. Then for weeks thereafter, that poor soul is trying to get information on how to get the wheel to work, how to replace the missing parts, how to find bobbins…After a while that person seems to drift away, never to be heard from again. I hope they either find the parts and information they need, or shrug it off as education and shell out for a complete wheel.

Spinning should be fun! There ought not to be a hassle getting your wheel operating-and it’s only a bit of time and practice before a new spinner is happy with output. Then it becomes a nice, meditative activity. But it can’t do that unless the wheel is operable and the fiber plays nice with a newbie.

I began spinning early last spring. I love it immensely, it’s a peaceful thing. Except, of course, when I was working with that silk cap, or, more recently, the cotton/lyocell/flax. There was no zen in spinning those fibers! It was EFFORT. But they became beautiful yarns in the end which is good.
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I see that four of the most recent half dozen kitties posted here are still in residence at Lollypop. I don’t understand.
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I met a charming lady at Lollypop yesterday. She was meandering along the cats, we started to chat. She like the Siamese sisters but was not at all certain she wanted two cats-however, the sisters are particularly dependent on each other. Their history leading to Lollypop residency is sad and unfortunately very common: Owners had got a puppy. Energetic, just a baby, but that baby dog scared the cats so badly they started house-soiling.

Yeah. Get a puppy and evict the cats. That happens a lot.

Anyway, this lovely lady didn’t want two cats, but might take these sweet sisters together anyway. And she’ll trek out to see The Husband’s antiques shop this Saturday. Might even drive here for a showing of my inventory.

Pretty nice.
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I haven’t been showing off my own kitties so here are a few nice images of them being themselves. I actually spent my luncheon yesterday with camera in hand, ready to catch them in some sort of cuteness.

Tuie has a fondness for sleeping on the pillows. They’re sculptured pillows, supposedly to align the head to point due west which keeps the neck and spine from doing odd things that hurt. I doubt they’re really any good but they are comfortable. Especially for Tuie, who fits so neatly within the sculptured contours. Sometimes I have to share the pillow with him. meaning he remains happily ensconced within the contour while I rest my aching neck on its edge.
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I came across Splash in one of her afternoon naps posed thus.
Look at those feet! They’re huge!! It certainly doesn’t look very comfortable, unless she’s a prawn. Prawns are always depicted in that weird way, you know? And what’s with that hind foot, right there on her nose? It was so surprising to see this great miss bent so, yet soundly sleeping, that I started laughing.

I tried to suppress the laugh-noises, but soon snorted from the effort, waking Splash. Which caused consternation on her part as she couldn’t quite figure out how to get her legs back where they belonged. She looks like some kitty has got her from behind, doesn’t she? Or, maybe, like some kitty has grabbed her behind and run off with it!

Yes. I did it again.

It is enough to state that I despise Navajo ply. I have tried several times to accomplish this plying technique, so loved by other spinners. I do not improve my abilities. I only manage to get extremely annoyed.

And I make yarn barf.

No more.

Here are some of Lollypop’s long-term residents. They really, really need permanent homes. Yes, they are well-cared-for at the shelter. Very well cared for. But a cat needs a home. A home where it faces the same loving faces from one day to the next. A home where it can be quiet and enjoy the peace of knowing it won’t be moved about nor made to chill with strangers from time to time. Every time someone wants to meet a cat, it’s added stress for the cat, and the cat just doesn’t understand how to react to being set into a room with strangers. How many times does it happen before a cat is adopted? So. Please. Have a thought for the kitties, and avoid asking to meet a kitty just for fun. I know, we can’t ascertain a good fit without a meeting. I’m just asking that any particular cat be in serious consideration of joining your home first. This helps staff keep the meeting rooms clear, which in turn creates a less rushed atmosphere, which then allows better interaction between prospects. Shucks, I’d like nothing better that to be in a room going from cat to cat, playing and brushing and snuggling them all. I like to think myself, if not expert, at least quite experienced in cat care. But it’s easy to shelve that when I think I can comfort a kitty! So, I restrain myself. It’s very very hard. And I know that eventually I will indeed be taken in by a certain resident’s wonderful catliness, insist on meetings, and eventually work The Husband around to my point of view. Since I do ALL of the cat care I do have a bit of clout! Meanwhile, I force myself to not ask for meetings, knowing that the time is not right. Except for Ernie. Remember our Ernie from a few weeks ago? He really is special, but for all I was very near to bringing him home, the best fit turned out to be with another family.

And I hope and pray and dream that people will see the beautiful cats I’ve listed today, and find a place in their homes for them.

Mittens is such a sweet, gentle cat. She is always happy to see you in the morning and greets you with a soft meow. She is rather shy and timid at first but will warm up to gentle petting. She would do best in a quiet, adult only household. She gets on well with other cats but is scared of dogs. She loves chin rubs and to sit quietly on your lap.

Mittens has been a resident since February. Please consider giving this sweet girl a place in your heart and home!

Mittens is about 4 years old.

Maxamillion was found as a stray on State Road 243 in Mount Morris. This handsome guy loves attention and purrs like a motor. The people who found him said he did not like dogs. He is currently living in a room with other cats and doing well with them. He loves to play and wrestle with the other cats. Do you have a cat at home looking for a playmate? Are you looking for a lover boy? Look no further.

Max joined the Lollypop residency in January. That’s a long, long time. Do you know that a cat’s purr is better than “white noise” when you’re trying to relax? Max, with that purr, could be your Zen!

Max is about 5 years old.

Baby is a fantastic little cat! She came to Lollypop as a stray, but is living very happily in one of our catteries now with several other cats. She loves attention and comes right up to rub on your legs as soon as you walk into the room. She is very petite, and it missing a little fur from a skin allergy, but she is still super cute. Please come and meet this sweet little girl - she loves to have her tummy rubbed.

Baby looks worried in this portrait. I think it because she came to Lollypop ‘way back in February, but has yet to receive an invitation to her forever home. Who wouldn’t want such a loving snuggly girl?

Baby is about 4 years old.

Update 05 May: Baby is gone! Bless you, whoever you are, for giving this sweetie a home!

Chevy was a stray hanging around Chevalin St in Rochester. He had already been neutered and he kept trying to come inside. Chevy had an owner and would love to be an indoor pet once again. He is very playful and loves to chase his toys around here at Lollypop. Is this handsome boy the cat for you?

Wow! Look at that gorgeous face. Pity the people who lost this one, he’s a doll. But Chevy needs a home of his own. He has been in residence since February, it’s time to move on. Remember, the only regrets are for the things that could have been…it’s time to change that “could” to “is”.

Chevy is about 4 years old.

Update 05 May: Chevy is gone! Blessings to whoever gave this cute boy a home!

Isn’t Nibbles a handsome cat? He was brought to Lollypop because his owners had a new baby and didn’t have the time to spare for him. He likes to use his scratching post (the horizontal kind, with cat nip). He can be high energy, but also enjoys a good cuddle.

Well, I admit I’m partial to this dear fellow. I cried when I read how he came to be here. He’s grey and fluffy-haired and oh, what a pose! I notice he also likes to capsize before sleeping. Nothing like a belly-up sleeping cat! That means there’s a sense of security in his surroundings. Nibbles arrived in February. He needs a permanent home where he can spread out to sleep, to snuggle, and to know that he will never, no never need to worry about being displaced.

Nibbles is between 3 and 4 years old.

Daisy is a 3yr old female who is house trained. She has lived with kids aged 8-10 and only came in to LPF as her family could not take her with them when they moved. A real cute cat who is sure to make a great family house cat.

What a pretty girl Daisy is! Those eyes are magnificent. She has been here since February.

And we are glad! Binx and Chavez have gone to their new homes and I wish them very happy lives with their new families.

I have several more who will be posted tomorrow.

Bless you, all of you, who take the abandoned, unwanted cats into your homes and hearts.

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I’m still spinning in fits and starts. I had a wheel of merino/viscose in a luscious bluesy/green colourway. It’s a soft and easy spin. I started it just about a week ago and it’s nearly finished. That’s a record for me, I have little time to spin so am lucky to get through a few grams in a day. It’s mighty pretty spun. I’m now musing over how best to ply it. Pick a coordinating colour to ply with it? A contrasting colour? Navajo ply (which looks great but I hate doing it)? Pick one colour in it to match with another singles and ply those?

The possibilities. Oh, the possibilities.

Knitting is stalled a bit now. Not because I don’t believe in knitting in warm weather, but because the yarn I swore that I had more of seems to no longer exist, so my Entrelac Purse isn’t going anywhere fast. I don’t recall having swapped out any of the yarn. I bought 5 or 6 skeins of it at a Superbowl Sale last year. I have used 2 skeins and need maybe one-third of a third skein. Since I plan to full the bag once finished I don’t want to use another yarn-I used two different yarns in a fulled item once and it puckered. It’s a large round object, so its puckers make it resemble a vast yawning rectum. I don’t want a puckered bag. So, I keep looking for the missing yarn which I very likely gave away, pondering a change to the pattern so I can cast off and have it finished.

The Marsan Watchcap is also on hold, mainly because I haven’t knitted much since I spend my free time looking for nonexistent yarn. Oh well. I won’t need the cap until November or December anyway. Maybe it’s time to rummage the closet where all the WIPs (UFOs?) have been kept. It would be nice to actually complete a few things this year.

We won’t mention the weaving.

Binx

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Binx is a 2-year-old male cat who was brought to Lollypop Farm because he was getting chased by a new dog in the house. He is a talkative and personal boy who likes to get and give attention. Binx would prefer to be the only cat in the house, but would probably do well with kids or dogs that don’t chase him! Binx has a reduced adoption fee of $50 since he has been in the shelter since February. Give Binx a new home today!

My notes: I love this little fellow’s curious face and BIG eyes. Just look at him! Can you picture that face peeking out at you from round a corner? What a sweet lap-fungus he could be! It would be very very nice to see this youngster placed in his forever home-please give Binx a chance. I don’t understand why people who have cats would get a dog, then, when the cat doesn’t get on with the dog, they turn the cat out! How is that right? It takes time and effort to teach pets to get on. If the cat doesn’t want to deal with the dog, provide the cat with plenty of safe zones-preferably in high places-so he’s not forever at the mercy of an energetic pup. Some cats come round. Some don’t but often learn to tolerate the canine invasion. Give Kitty a chance-you wouldn’t turn out your children for not getting on. Would you?

Handsome Chavez is still available. I don’t understand why he has not yet been adopted. If you’re looking for a sweet boy with lots of eye appeal this is the one for you. Don’t let his limp put you off. He may have a flat but the motor runs fine.

Why is Chavez still in residence at Lollypop Farm? Why? He’s so mellow.

I see dozens of people every time I walk into Lollypop, looking at the kitties alongside me. And you all pass right by him. If there were a way to bring that dear boy here I certainly would. There are homes in the area filled with felines, and you’re the people who’d most likely take him in-if you could. I’m not talking about you. I already know that you do your best to make loving permanent homes for your fuzzkids.

It’s the rest of you. Yes, you, with the two not-quite-teen youngsters. Imagine how stately Chavez would look strolling through your home. Imagine that great fluffbuddy in your lap, purring and happy to be in your life. No. You walk on to look for kittens.

And you, over there, already looking at kittens. What are you, 75 or so? Do you really think you’ll live long enough to provide the best care throughout that kitten’s next 20 years? Kittens are great-they’re a blast to raise. BUT~ I’m not yet 50 and I’ve decided to not bring kittens home-I think I’d have a hard time giving a kitten the care it would need in 20 years when we’re both seniors. For now, it would be fun. But I don’t feel the need to be so uncaring about that baby cat’s future.

Oh, there’s a sweet family-two little ones, one barely over infancy and one nearing the end of toddler-ism. Um, the kids don’t know how to be careful with a fragile kitten. Children don’t comprehend things like delicate kitten bones. Lots of supervision needed with little people, are you prepared to be that kitten’s bodyguard ALL THE TIME? Can you provide a place for that little guy to hide away when it needs its quiet time? Can you supervise every interaction between your babies and the kitten? You’re willing to do all that? Great. Get a kitten. Otherwise, if you think you can handle a cat who is better able to save itself when the children are a bit too much, then go for an older cat. You still need to supervise! Cats aren’t babysitters. OR~ You can get a kitten when the children are older and better comprehend little creatures and their needs. There’s nothing like growing up with pets. And pets who are well loved and properly cared for will thrive as will your children. You’ll see friendships form that aren’t possible within the human race.

What is it like to be a cat, to be on the inside of one of those cubicles? You can look at the staff and volunteers in that middle room or you can look at the people staring at you from outside. Yes. Looking at you, then disappearing as they move on down the line, looking at the other residents. How does it feel to see a face that might remind you of someone you loved, gone forever from your life? How does it feel to see a face that you automatically adore? You cheek-rub your cubicle in that face’s direction, you purr, you knead, you mew in hope of communicating, you beg for the face to connect.

And the face moves away.

How does it feel?

And that’s all I have to say about that.

Bless you, whoever you are, for taking that boy into your heart and home.

Chavez

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Chavez is a 5-year-old male Maine Coon cat. He was returned to Lollypop Farm
because he developed a “trick knee.” His owners thought it was something
contagious and locked him in the basement! Chavez’s knee gives out, and so
he has a funny walk. There is no treatment and he is not in pain – he just won’t jump
up on your counter tops! A true sweetheart, he loves attention and to be
petted. Chavez prefers older kids and adults, and is not too sure about dogs, but
seems to get along with other cats. Come meet this charming man and give him
the home he deserves! (In his picture he looks a little grumpy, but really he’s not!)

**My notes: Although I haven’t met Chavez face-to-face, I’ve admired him in the cattery at Lollypop. He is absolutely gorgeous. Rich colours too! He’s a looooong kitty, so just the right size for cuddling. What a handsome fur-man Chavez is!

Ernie has been featured on the afternoon television newscast today. I wish I’d known before it was on-I’d have loved to see “my” boy on television. I hope this helps him to get the home he deserves. I still want him for myself, though!