Dear fellow cats,

Well that time is upon us again when, in England anyway, the rain feels slightly warmer on your fur: yes summer is here! Birds whoosh past at jaw dropping speed, whilst in the house some dastardly scheming is going on.

Norman's all set for the Summer break

I've noticed my adopted family sitting at the computer for hours looking at pictures of blue seas, sunny skies and all kinds of maps and charts. They're making furtive phone calls too, after shooing me out of the room...well I ask you? So, I'm going to be packed off to the local cattery again for a couple of weeks' incarceration am I?

Well I've decided that this year I am going to handle this awful situation differently: no sulking and skulking, refusing to eat the cattery food and menacing my neighbours with rock hard stares..., no, this year I've decided I'm going to get some PPMA, that's short for Positive Pusscat Mental Attitude , don't you know!

This will begin when, without cracking a smile, I watch the family pack their funny looking selection of multi-coloured clothing that they wouldn't be seen dead in at home into their silly bags that roll along the ground. I will keep my PPMA on the long journey to the cattery, when I shall sing along with the radio instead of howling my disgust and emptying my bowels in despair (not a pleasant smell for any of us in such a small car, and a strategy that has failed to work time and again).

Once settled into my prison, sorry 'lap of luxury' cat kennel, I shall watch the birds in the sky instead of every flipping aeroplane that passes. No more then the dream of my family's return and the questioning why oh why I couldn't go with them. Instead I'll be meditating on the lovely welcome, and fishy treats, I always get when I get home and the emotional blackmail I can wield for a couple of weeks (at least) until we are all back in our daily routines. It's just lovely to feel so positive about it all!

Yes, this year, I am going to enjoy this summer break more than ever and because of this new found resolve I send my regards, best wishes and love to all cats and their owners, wherever you are, for a peaceful, relaxing and happy summer 2010.

Norm

XXX

... and checking his blooms

It's Christmas morning, 8 a.m. and Normans in like a shot, fishing out his new pressies. In this case a fluffy green toy mouse. Not that we're encouraging him to hunt or anything.

Merry Christmas folks!

Well it's dull and rainy out, and was a bit blowy too earlier, but we're all set here for the snow which is sure to fall soon....

....and I smell the pine, from that tree behind me, and the mince pie mix, which'll be cooking again at the weekend no doubt.

Now these pies are not for me, as I'm not at all keen on fruit, though will crunch on a bit of pastry if I find some. No, pies, they'll be for those pesky guests always fussing and picking me up (the little one's) or ignoring me entirely (a lot of the big one's)... but this is the cat's lot it seems...

..but there are perks, as I myself might get a fishy treat or two any day soon....if I behave myself that is....and well, if there's enough, I might invite a few of the gang around too...but erm, second thoughts... naaah' there won't be enough for sure, so we'll give that a miss then.

That long hair two doors down is a bit too tough for my liking anyway and he'd be stealing all my treats given half a chance. Can't have that...even at Christmas.

Nevertheless Ed and I are hoping it'll be good one this year for us for you alike...

...and so here's wishing you a Happy Christmas (whichever big guy/gal upstairs you might believe in) and we hope you have a great Happy New Year too.

Norman.

helped by Ed of course