I just love listening to the chirping of birds when spring rolls around, especially when the windows are open and a soft, fresh breeze flows through the Catholic Homestead making it smell all nice again. Only, this year the chirping is a little louder than usual, mostly due to Momma Robin’s decision to take up residence in a light fixture right outside the bathroom window. Which is fine by me, but not to a certain furry gray cat who has taken an interest in the chirpy little robin family. That would be Smokie, of course. And the whole watching-out-the-window-meowing-and-pacing business is encroaching on Smokie’s all-day sleep pattern. There goes that beauty sleep, Smokie.

Anyway, so I’ve been watching Smokie as she drives herself mad watching Momma Robin and her 2 (I think?) new babies in the light fixture nest. The best part? When the little robins aim their beaks up in the air and Momma sweeps down to feed them, as they chirp like crazy. That’s when Smokie just about loses her breakfast, a good indicator that watching the feeding ordeal is extremely exciting to her. But then I feel all bad and back away, because Momma sees us and decides to stop feeding her little ones.

No good mom in her right mind would keep a parent from feeding her babies, now would she?

As the saga continues… I’m wondering just how long Momma Robin can stand living under the watchful eye of Smokie, the ever so curious cat. We’ll just have to sit back and see what transpires. I’m sensing a standoff here.

There’s nothing like a good cat photo to liven up a blog, and yes, I happened upon a good one today thanks to 2 feisty kids with a camera. You’ll notice here in this photo that Smokie looks slightly ticked and appears to be hiding. Only little does she know that she’s hiding in a transparent soda case, meaning we can actually see her inside it.

Another one of those Stupid Cat Tricks not to try at home while attempting to hide from 2 kids brandishing a camera.

… the sound parents make after the kids return back to school after an extended break, and I’m doing just that as I clean up all of the crumbs, wrapping paper scraps, empty boxes, stale Christmas cookies, tree needles, pieces of shredded tinsel (thanks, Smokie) and what-not. And after all was said and done? I have to say the holidays were very, very good to our wacky Catholic Family… despite the clutter left behind.

Now back to regularly scheduled life again. Where exactly was I?

Coming Out of Her Shell
Originally uploaded by itchick

Looking all big and bad with that fang sticking out of her mouth, Smokie explores the inner workings of a Diet Coke box.