The Count Down to Christmas

Raisin has made a nest in the old comforters that J. has been using to shut off the chilly attic space from the emerging staircase.

The staircase is a wonder to the cats and a place to endlessly investigate once J. stops work for the day.  As snow swirled outside late on Wednesday and the wind blew it into drifts, the cat games began on the stairs.  In spite of heavy plastic and old bedspreads stapled over the opening, the cats went into the attic.  J. re-stapled torn plastic, only to find a cat face peering through from the wrong side.  With the cats all extracted he stapled yet again, stuffed insulation and such into the gaps. The cats continued to find ways into the attic there to sit and wail loudly that they couldn't "get out."

After we went to bed ominous thumps and scuffles overhead indicated their continued exploration of the attic. In the midst of the snowstorm J. installed a window in the gable end. Now the cats can look down on the world from a new vantage point.

J. brandishes the stapler as he comes down from the messy and prickly job of putting up more insulation batts.  The cats said they didn't know him and fled into the bedroom, only to peek out---curiosity overcoming caution.

In ascending order: Chester, Jemima, Eggnog.

Teasel knows that Jemima is just behind the barrier---and waits to poke at her.

Daylight was late and feeble, cold, and with hoarfrost clinging to everything.

J. has been out to give Pebbles her breakfast.

J. still in outdoor Carhartts, has decided to make applesauce, one of his specialties.