It's been a while.....

It has indeed been a long while, and times have been difficult.  Our Matriach, Jaava, went to the Rainbow Bridge earlier this month. This was a shock to us all. She was not that old and had anemia for which we know not the cause, and it took her very rapidly. Here is a photo taken the day before she left us, with Papu washing her.

Our Universe was shattered and the Felocracy is struggling to work out a hierarchy - Jaava sorted us all out (including Äiti). Mesi has lost her snugglebuddy (on top of Sampo leaving us not long ago - he was Mesi's best mate). Mesi is glued to Äiti which makes Otso jealous. THat means he gets snarky with Jura and Kalle. Jura copes, but mopes around as he misses Jaava. Kalle is still getting used to having wonderful eyes that can see, and is outdoors as much as he can be - and avoiding Otso who is big and scary to him. Papu does what he wants to do - which means he'll annoy Mesi whenever he feels like it. Mesi is a third of his size.   This will take time.

And then we got the bad news that I have HCM, which is already showing as weightloss.  

This all feels too much for Äiti right now - and she has her own inner struggles with a dizzy brain and she has just been officially diagnosed as autistic, which leaves her with a load of weird human emotions about the last 57 years of feeling like a poop in a food bowl. It's a good thing long term, but a bit of a maelström. Plus, she has been hit hard by the reduction in our numbers - she had hoped for stability for a few years as we are not really oldies!

So, she is devoting her time and energy to us, and herself, and feels pretty bad about the lack of blogging. But we felcorats had a vote and agreed it is fine for her to take an extended break.  We apologise to Loyal Readers, whole heartedly, especially those who have been our Very True friends for such a long time. So many kitties and humans we have loved and so many have gone to play in the tailio tangle of the revontulet. 

I have no intention of joining them any time soon, but let's see what my heart will do. I have many different yummy foods, and I get to snuggle with Äiti every night. I get to do a bit of supervised socialising, and I have my own balcony. Now you'd think that Mesi and I could cozy up together, but that would be too easy: we despise each other!    Kalle and I get to hang out a bit, but he does not let me steal his heats.

So, that's the update for now from FInland(N). We deeply miss our buddies, and it will all take time to settle. But you can rest assured that every morning when I feel hungry, I walk right across Äiti's face to make sure my needs are met! Oh yes, there is still a lot of life in this Nekkid Viscount yet. 

Be well, friends, and cherish your humans and your felines, and any other creatures that perhaps do not purr so much. 

Thursday report

 We thank you for your patience  Äiti is a bit 'off grid' right now. But we most definitely are not.   

Kalle has made excellent progress and his eyes are bright and clear - lovely and round rather than all squinty and gunky.

He is coming downstairs more and seems to be getting on with most of the Felocrats - Otso can be a bit big and scary though.

I am fine and have even been outside for the first time this spring. In protest at Äiti's poor blogging though, I refused to have my photo taken properly.

Mesi is really missing Sampo and she is spending a  lot of time on Äiti's lap She had never been a snuggler - except with her burmese relatives - but now she is a tortie velcro strip.

Soulful Saturday

We thank you, Loyal Readers, for your wishes and condolences. We know that grief is shared, and all of you have lost loved kitties in similar ways, and it all feels too much to bear. We kitties perhaps cope better than the humans. Jaava has been very vocal with her displeasure about recent events, and has been making sure Äiti is kept on track with our routines. She is indeed the matriarch of the Felocracy - Jaava that is, not Äiti! She is staff.

I have been pondering the changes in the kingdom. Kalle and I are spending more time out of the bedroom - all fully supervised in case there's a bit of a bitey or so. There are some comfy beddies downstairs, and I appreciate these. Kalle is a bit more shy - he and Otso have perhaps a need to sort out how they will communicate. Whenever the Felcoracy membership changes a little, there are subtle shifts in the dynamic.

Here is the weekend jigsaw - enjoy!

Veikko

Smart Saturday

 Nothing smarter than a handsome sphynx.

And maybe you can admire me further as you do the jigsaw.

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Felocracy Update

We thank you kindly for all the wishes. We are good - Äiti has had a bit of a rough time with the Old Black Dog but seems to be pulling herself out into the world a little more. We're negotiating the blog's future and I have to report that claws up the nostril at 4 am is not a technique that seems to be encouraging her to blog in. Pffft.  I am pondering other tactics.

We have freezing temperature outside and Papu is unhappy as he is desperate to kill something but is not wanting to freeze his paw pads off. Otso, however, has more sisu, and indulges the desire of every suomalainen mies (Finnish man) to pee outside in the snow.

And we are delighted to present Kalle, with his eyes wide open.  He is still being treated for his poorly eyes and alllergies. 

A Full Felocracy

Jaava and Jura are as close as ever to each other. They make good mutual pillows.

And there has been peace and calm with all of us - for a few moments at least. The Highly Prized Full Felocracy Photo was taken the other evening. Now it does reveal just how messy and disordered the Castle is (and Äiti's belief that jeesusteippi is the best thing for solving all decoration problems after Otso and Papu did their worst on the folding door!). So here we have our evening meal.

Kalle is gradually braving the world a the bottom of the stairs, and eating more than the rest of us added together. And he is coming for scritches in the night - this makes us all happy.

We are going to take a bit of a blogcation - Äiti is having the seasonal disorganisation and Black Dog visits, and feels she is lacking the creativity and oomph that our blog deserves. We have tried to slap her into shape and cajole her into recognising her priorities, but maybe she needs a bit of hibernation. So, we shall be back as soon as we can. In the meantime, here's a jigsaw from Wednesday's artified picture, and also one of the Full Felocracy - although none of us is showing our best sides. Enjoy!

Jaava

Felocrats

Studious Saturday

Otso was on top of the tarting pile for teacher's pet. Shameless. 

Äiti rarely brings her work home - basically becuase we do not let her work.   Sensible really.

Jaava and Veikko 

Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää!

Happy Finnish Independence Day! 

We just wish that all those darn humans would live and let live on the world stage, like we kitties int the felocracy do. Most of the time, anyway.

Swipeday

 No, this is not swiping left or right on some silly app*, this is swiping at string toys. Kalle has discovered these joys.

He loves his playtime and is increasingly relaxed about it.

And just look at those soft little toe beans!

*there is no need for any kitty to swipe right for Kalle - he already has an admirer - Lil'Ebba in Raahe has found a place in his heart and her Humans and Äiti will be passing on treats between her and Kalle. 

Now some of us mancats are not interested in such things - we are too busy with the ol' mancat to mancat stinkeye. Happy jigsawing!

Veikko and Papu

Wednesday Update

Papu and I have had a few staring competitions. When Äiti notices, Papu realises he has to back off. When we are left alone - well, I can out stare him, if he is alone. When other ninjas get involved, then things get a bit tough for me. I am not impressed that Papu needs Jura  to help torment me! 

But right now I am just with the masses when Äiti is home, and awake. At other times, I am in the bedroom with Kalle. Kalle leaves me in peace while he gets used to me, and I am fine with that. I am also fine with the food he gets.....
 

Wednesday Update

So the new boy is still getting special treatment. In the meantime, I am not able to be in the bedroom overnight as I am - allegedly - too unsettled and he needs to take things slowly. Pffft. Luckily I have plenty of beddies and a snuggle partner or too during the day. But alas, at nights I am stuck in the sauna.

But what of Kalle? Well, he is resolutely Under The Bed but allows himself to be moved for snuggles - a bit wierd as most shy kitties back off. he, however, relished the head rubs and has even allowed some belly rubs. He then heads back to the darkness and dust for a snooze. He is eating more, with dried food being his favourite.

As you can see, he has bald bits from his allergies. But we are not sure what he is allergic to yet. Äiti says we must be patient as he needs time to learn to feel safe. 

Saturday Snow Patrol

 Otso can be trusted to check the Walls and boundaries.

In the meantime, snug snoozing for me - although there is some degree of excitement in the Felocracy. Maybe we post about it tomorrow...  Happy jiggysawing.

Veikko

Wintry Wednesday

 I know I can sleep peacefully while those with fur (especially Otso) are outside on Catio Patrol.

We had snow at the weekend, and the temperature has not been above freezing for a long time. This is what the sea looks like in Finland(N).  It is indeed time for us to store up winter nourishment in our primordial pouches!

Wednesday Wonder

And now the snuggling spreads to being with Jura.

Wrinkly Wednesday

 A nice wooly jumper, whirly tailio, tiny bristles and  wrinkly wrinkles. And a tummy that is not at all bulging. Much.

Watchful Wednesday

It pays to keep an eye out - you never know when Papu is feeling like he can  poke a paw at his elders.

 

Saturday Snorting

We have had a special delivery of kissanminttu and valerian. Our responses vary. Jaava savours the experience.

 Otso is very laid back.

Papu is wild.

And luckily I moved too fast for Äiti to get a camera when I was inhaling! Instead, enjoy the weekend jigsaw of me all artified.

Veikko

Woolly Wednesday

 The fashion show continues; now I have an Icelandic design sweater. 

And when Äiti saw the photo, she made sure I had clean ears. She should, of course, have done that before taking the shot!

Smart Saturday

And now I have yet another top to wear.  This one makes me look very fine, I think. Most fashionable, and warm. Lots of protection from sneaky claws too. Oh yes, I am quite enjoying these clothes.

And of looky who got the sunpuddle to lie in!  Papu and Jura had to show me respect.

Enjoy the jigsaw.Veikko

Wednesday Fashion

I have a new sweater - very warm and cozy. Äiti is looking out for clothes for me which protect my shoulders and upper front paws, as these parts are vulnerable to biteys. So far, so good. When I have been with the other Felocrats there has been a lot of mutual stinkeye, but because Äiti is there supervising, the burmese boys have not dared actually launch any ninja leaps towards me. 

And I am very happy that I have Äiti to myself overnight. Not a bad deal.