Friday, September 29, 2017

International Translation Day #FAIL

Faraday: *snif-f-f-f*


*sniff-sniff-sniff*


The mom: What's your peemail say today, Baby?
Faraday: I thought you said you're not s'posed to read someone else's mail, Mommy.

Besides, it's a cat thing.


You wouldn't unnerstand.

***
 

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Thursday's Purrs: Inverness

"Hullo! Would you happen to have a bit of time ... and a lap I might borrow? I'm a lovely little 1 year old girl, but I had the terrible misfortune to be born as a minority.

You see, we black fur-people are often discriminated against - just for the color of our fur, can you believe it? And the oddest thing is, we're known to be the most congenial, the sweetest, the most chill kitties out there!"


"You may have noticed my name ~ I may or may not purr with a bit of a Scottish burr (you'll have to come meet me in the fur to find out, a girl's got to have a few secrets, you know?).

But if we hit it off, I promise not to force you to watch Braveheart too many times in one year...sound like a plan?

Did you know Inverness is the town bordering Loch Ness?"


"Wait... is that..is that Nessie I see? Holy cat! Grab your camera, quick! We'll be famous!"



Inverness is waiting for you. Come meet her today, at the Main Campus of Kansas City Pet Project.



https://kcpetproject.org/

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Finally ... an eclipse

Allie: Where are my eclipse glasses, Mother?
Quickly! The sun's about to disappear!


(no worries - no cats' eyes were harmed for this photo! this was just a moody shot taken one weekend afternoon, but it makes a fitting introduction for this long-overdue eclipse photo gallery)

Here is what it looked like for us in Missouri, along the line of totality, August 21, 2017
Enjoy!



As we set up, the clouds were still drifting across the sun, (well, okay the moon was, as well!) but they swiftly cleared.



See the red sunspots?



Totality itself was amazing, viewed through the lens. White streaks of light, waving around the edges ... they might have been thought a part of science-fiction movie magic. Nope, they're real.


The red parts are solar prominences. They're not flares, as they're still contained by the Sun's magnetic field.

During totality, the temperature noticeably dropped. It appeared eerie, otherworldly. And in fact, that's a far more apt description than one might realize.

The eerieness comes from the fact that you are experiencing dusk - but at a time of day when the wavelength of light is shorter - and your body instinctively recognizes this.

Normally at dusk, the wavelength of visible light is much longer, and it's coming through a lot more atmosphere on the horizon as the Sun sets or rises. Here, the light is straight overhead and the wavelength of visible light is shorter.

So it truly is otherworldly -- it might be said that this is what visible light might look like if you were standing on a planet much farther away from the Sun than our Earth.


This one, and the next, are probably my favorite. Who knew the Sun was so beautiful?


Finally, as totality reaches its end, you experience the Diamond Ring effect. A photograph truly cannot catch this brilliant flash of light that flares out at you.



At this point, the filter goes back over the camera and the photos return to their orange tint.

(unfortunately, we missed the International Space Station's epic photobomb -- clouds had obscured it!)

simulation of how things appeared during totality

***
 

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

'Toon Tuesdays: Punny But No





 Bad. Soooooo bad.

***


_____
Toon Tuesdays feature animal (and sometimes human) humor created by the peeps over at Shoebox Greetings (Hallmark approved. Sorta.) - where our mom works, too!




Monday, September 25, 2017

Oh No! Binge Day!

Faraday: Hey Maxie, what's a "binge"?


Maxwell: Well, it's what happens every time Allie eats. Haven't you noticed how she practically inhales her food, then tries to eat yours, too?

It's kind of the opposite of a purge. That's what happens after she eats grass and then she goes over to the carpet and starts hurling. She makes this really chunky noise and then things start flying --

Faraday: *hastily* Seriouslies, Maxie, I 'm good. I think we all get the picture.


Maxwell: So, uh, dood -- why are you asking? Are you thinking about learning how to binge eat, too?
Faraday: No, I was just wondering when we're getting Mommy back.
She said something about binge-watching This Is Us again, because the series two premiere is tomorrow night. And there's been a lot of laughing and leaky-eye stuff happening while she's watching, too.


... I sure hope she remembers to take a break for dinner ...

***
Any This Is Us fans out there?

The mom and Glogirly watched the entire first season during evenings in Colorado a month ago, so she knew to stock up on kleenex in anticipation of tomorrow night's premiere! 

PS: Yes, Binge Day is really today. Another one of those weird holidays we didn't invent!
 

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Picture Me This Photohunt

Created for friends, fellow bloggers and anyone who enjoys a creative challenge, Picture Me This is a weekly idea-starter for social media posts. Any platform, anywhere.

No following, no submitting required. And certainly no pressure!

We're just filling a void made when last year's Photohunt host went on hiatus.

This Week's Theme:




Be sure to tag your entry with #PMTphotohunt so others can find you.

If you tag us as well (@tonkstail on Instagram & Twitter, @atonkstail on Facebook) we'll be sure to like and share your entry.

Enjoy!

***

Friday, September 22, 2017

Allie's Fashion Faux Paws

Allie: The Fashionable Feline knows how to take advantage of the lovely fall weather.




Allie: Before it gets too cold for window whiffs.

Perish the thought, young lady!

No, really. 
Perish it. 
Now, please.


***

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Thursday's Purrs: Savannah

"hullo there! I'm Savannah.

I'm known around these parts as the Grand Lady. I love greeting guests, and will reach up to you and 'knead' you with my declawed paws - right in your belly, if you're standing close enough for me to reach. And if you're not paying attention to me.

(I can't help it if I was raised to believe it's rude to ignore a lady sitting right in front of you, so a gentle paw-biscuit session is just my way of reminding you that I'm here)

Savannah:  Don't I have the most stunning green eyes?
Don't I have the most stunning green eyes?

"Due to certain circumstances, I was brought here to Great Plains, but I was very well loved in my last home and am ready to join yours -- today, if you'd like.

Because I'm declawed, I have a touch of arthritis in my back at the base of my tail, so I prefer that you focus all your attention on ear and cheek scritches, if you please. I simply adore them!

It's been said I'm a bit lippy, but can I help it if I am a lady who knows what she wants? I may reach out with my soft front paw and grab your hand to give it a gentle nip, but that's only to instruct you. Sometimes it's a gentle reminder that means you're ignoring me, and sometimes it may be to remind you I've got a touch of arthritis back there. But it's always gentle and quick."

(my opinion of shelter life. I'm soooo ready for my forever home!)

"Speaking of quick .... I'm not terribly fond of fast movements. They make me nervous and I may nip to let you know you spooked me! But honestly ... if you'll just go a bit slow with me, especially at first, we'll be fast friends in no time at all!

As you can see I am a beautiful girl. I'm considered a senior, but don't let that fool you. It just means that I've got all my kittenish behavior out of my system, and I now act like a civilized cat.

So if your looking for the perfect cat, please come down and say hello!

Purrs,
Savannah"

Savannah's available at the Merriam Campus of Great Plains SPCA, where she ruled the roost last week when our mom and her Hallmark crew filmed all morning long (shh, it's super top secret, and Savannah's sworn her lips are sealed!).

http://www.greatplainsspca.org/adopt/adoptable-cats/




***

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday




Something about the curls and swoops of the patio furniture seems to accent our girl perfectly.


***

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

'Toon Tuesdays: Traumatic Experience





 Not overly dramatic. Nope, not at all.
#humansdontgetit #theydonthavefur

***


_____
Toon Tuesdays feature animal (and sometimes human) humor created by the peeps over at Shoebox Greetings (Hallmark approved. Sorta.) - where our mom works, too!




Monday, September 18, 2017

Bad Reception

Allie: *worried look*
 Still nothing, Maxie?
Are you sure they haven't returned?

Maxwell: Answer's still the same from over on this side of the table, Allie.
Still no squirrels.


Allie: But the window construction's been complete for almost a month now. Surely our SquirrelTV channel should be back online by now, don't you think?

Maxwell: Well yes, but .... Ohhh-h-h.
Allie: What is it? What do you see? Do you see them?


Maxwell: Uh, yeah. Kind of. Looks like someone forgot to reinstall the antenna in the right spot.


Oops. Sorry about that, dood.

Anyone else having trouble locating an old friend?
Yesterday was Locate An Old Friend Day.
Did you celebrate? 
If so ~ how?


***

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Picture Me This Photohunt

Created for friends, fellow bloggers and anyone who enjoys a creative challenge, Picture Me This is a weekly idea-starter for social media posts. Any platform, anywhere.

No following, no submitting required. And certainly no pressure!

We're just filling a void made when last year's Photohunt host went on hiatus.

This Week's Theme:




Be sure to tag your entry with #PMTphotohunt so others can find you.

If you tag us as well (@tonkstail on Instagram & Twitter, @atonkstail on Facebook) we'll be sure to like and share your entry.

Enjoy!

***

Friday, September 15, 2017

Prepping for Gymnastics Day

Allie: What are you doing up there, Brat?


Faraday: Seriouslies, Allie. Tomorrow's Gymnastics Day an' I hasta get in shape for it.


I plan on running all over the house, leaping from shelf to shelf and performing daring feats of physical prowess.


Faraday: So I'm, like, practicing my chinups and stuffs.

How's my form? Count for me, Allie, willya?
I'll bet I can hold this chinup a reeeally long time.
Longer than anybuddy.

Allie: *sigh* Fine.  One ... Two ... Three ...
Let's see if you can make it 'til ten.


Allie: Does it say in the rules you can use your claws?
Isn't that cheating a bit on the forearm strength, Brat?

Four ... Five ...
I mean, a real athlete would be able to pull himself up by the strength of his forearms alone.

(note how Faraday's eyes begin to bug out ....)
If you ask me, yours look a bit on the puny side. Are those arms shaking, Brat?

Six ... Seven ...


*cue crash*
Allie: Eight ... Oops. Guess I got a bit distracted. 


Cue fulminating silence from Tonkinese.


***

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Wildlife, Up Close & Personal

While the mom was away in Colorado cavorting with other cats, she also got some pretty great shots of wildlife. We (grudgingly) gave her a second day to share some of the cool closeups she managed to capture. 

Not that she's captured any forgiveness for said cavorting from any of us. 
Just meowin'.




Our mom loves closeups, especially of nature. And cats.
(we made her put that last part in, but we still don't forgive her)



Did you know hummingbird wings can beat up to 80 times a second?



They're also the only bird that can truly fly backwards.

Bee on purple sage

So how long do you think we can milk this abandonment thing?

So far, we've received a whole huge bag of bonito flakes, two extra vacation days, a grooming session (one per cat; sorry, no substitutes), and prime wand toy time.

Maybe we should hold out for something big, like a new deluxe cat tree. Or our own catio.

Thoughts?


Oh look. Maxwell's making his opinion clear ... even in his sleep.


Tuesday, September 12, 2017

'Toon Tuesdays: Overheard at Hallmark





*** 


_____
Toon Tuesdays feature animal (and sometimes human) humor created by the peeps over at Shoebox Greetings (Hallmark approved. Sorta.) - where our mom works, too!




Monday, September 11, 2017

Inspection Time

Remember our very own Project Foreman?
The feline who took it upon himself to personally oversee the installation of our new windows?


Construction is complete. And now it's time for the Building Inspector to ensure construction met local code.

New window (bad photo)

Faraday: Maxie, you missed a spot.
Maxwell: (yells from off-screen) DID NOT.


Faraday: Totes. You did too. The screens aren't installed.
I call Safety Violation.


That'll be a week's worth of bonito flakes.
You can pay in installments.
With interest.



***

Our thoughts are with those suffering the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and for those impacted by the terrible wildfires raging through Montana, California and parts West.

And for all the domestic animals and wildlife affected by these catastrophic events, our hearts are with you.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Picture Me This Photohunt

Created for friends, fellow bloggers and anyone who enjoys a creative challenge, Picture Me This is a weekly idea-starter for social media posts. Any platform, anywhere.

No following, no submitting required. And certainly no pressure!

We're just filling a void made when last year's Photohunt host went on hiatus.

This Week's Theme:




Be sure to tag your entry with #PMTphotohunt so others can find you.

If you tag us as well (@tonkstail on Instagram & Twitter, @atonkstail on Facebook) we'll be sure to like and share your entry.

Enjoy!

***

Friday, September 8, 2017

Happy Cat

Maxwell: *stre-e-e-e-etch*

So I hear September is Happy Cat Month. 


Guess I'd better get myself ready for it ....

*cue another stretch*


Ahhhh-h-h.
Okay, now I'm ready.