Catnip Capers

Settling back into routine after two weeks of family visits has been a bit difficult.

Greeting friends and loved ones is always easier than the emotional experience of partings.

Friday was the first day with only the two of us here.

The sky was partially overcast, the air was cool and refreshing.

I looked at the housework that needed attention, then turned my back on all but the essentials and retreated to my flower garden.

The recent rains have encouraged fast growth of weeds and flowers alike.

A huge catnip plant had matured into a shrub with deep roots and thick stalks.

It had managed to envelope a nearby Yellow Simplicity rose.

A couple of good heaves with my shovel brought it free of the soil, and I swung it onto the concrete edge of the driveway, where it immediately became a feline attraction.

I lopped off the nicest of the branches, bundled them indoors and onto baking trays, put them into a warm oven to dry.

Nellie was first to discover the catnip 'stump' and fell over himself in appreciation of the heady scent.

Brother Bobby joined Nellie, who didn't really want to share.

Charlie was next to sample the goodies.

By this time Nellie was a bit tottery.

Bobby, higher than a kite, mixes it up with Willis in a tussle of thumps, growls and flailing paws.

Indoors, Nellie has taken over the first trays of catnip to be removed from the oven.

Breathe it in, have a nibble, wallow in the stuff!

Nellie--quite over-dosed and approaching a state of blissful lethargy!