soop's kitchen

kitty [hugs] x

Hi all, just popped in to see who was around. It's very 'flat' isn't it?

I've just spoken to my friend who is having chemo and feeling very fed-up and another friend in pain after a hernia op and was no use to them at all!

I keep looking at other threads but haven't the heart to post on them even though I'd have something to say. Boots anti-wrinkle stuff seems a bit frivolous really. Although I have voted for a tea-towel as a token of solidarity.

Wouldn't it be nice to take [cupcakes] and to all Greatnan's friends to help them keep going.?

LizG I think its because you feel you do get to know individual people on GN very well by their posts. Many GNrs do feel like close friends or family.

I was lucky to meet Greatnan at the NW meetup last December.

Soop I loved hearing Rory's life story and he has fallen on all 4 paws, loving his life with you and Mr. Soop now.

I think we soon all will be here fighting over getting a chance to cuddle Rory for some comfort and for something to do.

It all seems unreal doesn't it? If this is what we feel, her poor family must be in a dreadful state

Galen I agree with cancelling it. I am not in the mood anyway and given he nature of the previous Halloween bash it would just be wholly inappropriate.

Yes kitty ,I've taken refuge in here for a quick cup of coffee before I have to go out. I'm going from one thread to the other and feel as if I don't really want to be away from the computer.
soop I enjoyed the full story of Rory and Mr soop coming round to him.

I do look at other threads, but rather half-heartedly. It seems a bit disloyal to post about anything else - not that we can do very much about it, except spread the word as far as we can and try to suggest other avenues for publicity.

There is a link on one thread to a BBC page where you can send them an email with anything you want the Beeb to know, that could be done by everyone who can to get attention focused on the situation.

kitty I've a painting of a beautiful wee dog to do, but I cannot take myself away from Greatnan's thread. I'm so concerned for her. Her family must going through hell. Please let her be safe. When she returns, we can have a wee party in the kitchen.

Anyone else not bothered looking at other threads at all apart from ones that might have some news? Lovely comforting feeling in here.

Rory sends purrs.

It was the same for me too Soop, but if positive thoughts will find her there certainly are so many winging their way to her.

The first thought that came to mind the moment I awoke was...Greatnan is she safe?

Well, it appears that she's still missing. I hope to goodness that there's a simple reason why she's out of contact. She is tough character with an unstoppable spirit for adventure. Just as soon as I know she's safe, I shall have a wee dram.

Thank you for your story Soop it was lovely to read given today's happenings. My daughter has a feral cat and on the night DD was awaiting delivery of her son in hospital I stayed at their home to 'look after' the cat. Amazingly the cat and I snuggled up on the settee together and we have been great friends ever since. It was such a privilege!

I am sure Greatnan would want the gathering to go ahead Galen but members might find it difficult. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

To be honest, Galen, I don't think I have the heart for it.

BTW, in view of what's happening. Shall we cancel Halloween?It seems inappropriate in view of Carol!

Aren't we all? What we do without the doings of that winsome feline?

soop, I appreciate anything that will take my mind off my very deep anxiety and I am a great fan of Rory.

Life has a way of going on, even when we're fearful, soop. We all pray for her safety -in whatever fashion we may do this. Greatnan will know we're all thinking about her and wanting her back with us again.

When I rattled on about Rory during my earlier visit to the kitchen, I had no idea that one of our GN friends was missing. I've hardly stopped thinking of her and her family ever since. Dear Greatnan we want you back with us. You are missed.

Good morning to you all. Welcome to the kitchen, Katy I hope that you'll spend some relaxing banter-time with us. If bags has been in, she'll have left a tray of home-baked cookies. Help yourself and leave a dozen for me

For those who do not know the story of Rory [the cat] it's a very long tale! In brief, about a year ago, he wandered through our garden with a female and two kittens. The cats lived in the forest. They would come nowhere near us. We'd often see the big, male cat, [Rory] walking along the main road. People described him as being, "unapproachable". A few scraps of food were left outside after a heavy fall of snow. We watched the cats gobble up the meagre offerings. Little by little, the cats edged closer to the back door. Mr soop made a wee chalet, under which we'd place food. The cats got into the routine of calling in the evening. With the help of traps from the cat protection league, we "captured" the mother and two kittens. It was one of the most hair-raising events in our lives. The females were taken to the vet. There they were spayed. Several days later, they returned in the traps and were set free. The male, Rory, refused to enter a trap. It was essential that he was neutered, as other kits were spotted in the forest. One evening, he came into the utility room. He hissed and spat and snarled and attacked me. He ripped through my denim jeans and bit/bruised my leg. I still bear the scars. Mr soop said...that cat is wild, he cannot come into our home. We cleaned and upturned a wheelie bin. In the bin we placed a dog basket with blankets. Rory, the unapproachable cat, moved into the bin. He would emerge whenever I went outside [wearing wellies for protection] to put a plate of cat food down for him and extra for the females who continued to live in the forest. Several months later, we furnished Rory with an upmarket dog kennel, within which we placed a sturdy indoor mat, a cosy igloo and three fleece blankets. He liked it. One day, he followed me into the house. He appeared to be terrified and inquisitive in equal measure. Mr soop said...well, he's not staying here. He has a perfectly good kennel outside. And then, Rory began to show signs of liking us. He came into the house to eat. He slept in the kennel. The vet visited us and captured him. A truly awful experience for Rory and us. He was neutered. He came back and moved in. He grew closer and closer to Mr soop. He sat upon his knee. He purred. He trailed around the garden with him. Wherever Mr soop went...so did Rory. One evening, he rushed through the door soaking wet and terrified. His leg had been bitten. His ear was bloody. He was panic stricken. Something had attacked him. Back to the vet. On a drip of antibiotics. Big bill later and Rory came home and settled down again. It took almost a month for his wounded leg to heal. Mr soop will not now settle until Rory is within sight. He goes outside with a torch if Rory is away for longer than an hour. They are devoted to each other. Rory has his own chair [mine] He is very well looked after. However, he does have panic attacks...feline hyperesthesia. The attacks do not last very long. We're able to comfort and reassure him. We haven't seen the mother cat for some weeks. Nor have we seen the tabby female. Rory's other offspring calls about six o'clock-ish. She sits on top of Rory's upmarket kennel. When she sees me, she hides under the nearby shrubs. I go outside and place her supper dish on top of the kennel. As I close the kitchen door, she leaps on to the roof of the kennel [it's flat] and eats her food. After which, she cleans her face and returns to the forest.

well, that's the Rory story in brief.

Can we invent some fast day, very low calorie treats. that really do "sound" as though they are calorie free while not being "good for you". There is little that is indulgent to the taste buds and calorie free.

I have not been good on the diet over the last week. Slightly justified by having had my bad shoulder made to feel a lot worse "fixed" and wanting comfort food, but I don't want to put all my weight back on. To determinedly diet one has to feel positive.

Hello Rory! I don't think you are are now a soft lap cat at heart. You would still like to be considered as that tough fierce moggy you once were wouldn't you.
Charleygirl have a thought for Rory's dignity. He "thinks" he is still that fierce moggy he used to be and he is just pretending he is a lap cat.
Would you dare tell any grandchild that s/he is not really the brave pirate they say they are!

Kittylester How can you describe Rory as being a feral cat? He will never come near you ever again for strokes and cuddles which is what he lives for.

Gentle stretching too Jess if you can,