Norman
3rd January 2003 – 26th October 2015.
Rest In Peace sweet Norman, our wondrous bonny boy.
Goodbye Beloved Norman
The Sleeping Cat
Dear Reader, So Autumn has arrived again – how on earth did that happen?
Anyway, we cats make the most of all of the seasons – and the changing of the seasons is nature’s way of reminding humans and cats alike to follow our instincts, slow down and take things just that bit easier.
With that in mind, I, as September Cat of the month, have made….with the help of my trusted aid Ed…. an instructional video.
So please forget those pesky winds ruffling your coat and the dark nights drawing in. Just put your paws/feet (delete as appropriate) up and enjoy a Masterclass in pure relaxation.
Cat of the Month ~ September 2015
Norman provides a lesson in relaxation
Video: Ed
Norman x x x
p.s. I’m sure this will be a great watch for you folks who don’t have a cat too. You’ll get to see just all the fun that you are missing.
Norman’s Christmas Message 2014
A Very Merry Christmas One and All from Yours Truly
Photograph: Ed @ Moggyblog
Ship’s cat tucked into one of the big guns
aboard the H.M.S. Encounter 1916.
Photograph: neatorama.com
Cher Ami – The famous pigeon who saved 200 lives was awarded
the Croix de Guerre medal
Photograph: https://www.racingpigeondigest.com
Horse and Rider – taking a break.
The horses had to endure the same hardships as the soldiers
throughout the conflict!
Photograph: pinterest.com
Sgt. Stubby was nearly killed by nerve gas in 1914
Photograph:
‘Animals in War’ Memorial in Hyde Park, London
Photograph: animalsinwar.org.uk
terrier
This monument is a powerful and moving tribute to all the animals that served, suffered and died alongside the British, Commonwealth and Allied forces in the wars and conflicts of the 20th century. The memorial was unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal in November 2004, the 90th anniversary of the start of World War I.
Claw fight at the Borage Corral
Reader,
At last the lovely sunny weather has arrived, but you wouldnt know it cause it was coming down in buckets all day today…. I know this, because I have been sitting here in the snug window, watching the aforementioned rain whilst (really) watching out out for a certain big white moggy who wont take the hint!
It’s a stand off! … but who’s that nosey so ‘n so
Ed
The reason I’m stuck here in limbo, incarceration, quarantine (call it what you will) is on account of my claw fight with a neighboorhood imposter who had the gall to repeatedly step on my patch of turf. Over the past three weeks I’ve been spraying and spraying to warn him to stay away,but ohhh noo, he didn’t take heed did he ….well this show down had been on the scratching post for months.
It all came to a head Friday last. And now, here I am like the prisoner in Behan’s jail, trussed up in this stupid headdress, cum bonnet so kindly loaned me by the Vet. And since I’ve got this extra time on my paws I thought I’d relate to you, dear reader, the story.
Me in my spring bonnet. Horrid!
Ed
I lay dozing in the shade of my favourite pine when I saw, out the corner of my eye (as y’do), strolling casually down MY garden path, a big white beast of a moggy. To cut a long story short, I kept watching and he (the upstart!) began to nestle down in MY borage patch.
Well, I jumped up and trotted over for a closer peek and then when he saw me the ‘I’m not budging’ standoff began.Twenty minutes later, we’re still stood staring there, growling, muewing and hissing at each other. ‘White Body Black Tail’ as I like to call him, but my humans think of as ‘Patch’ (for obvious, unimaginative reasons), was slowly realising the error of his ways…
The final straw was his lunge at my face as he passed me, I turned swiftly and ran down the path in chase, but he was as fast as me and made the six foot fence in ten bounds. The Imposter was defeated but I was in one of those frisky moods, having been forced into spending the whole day in the garret…. and I followed upwards just for the heck of it. My sharp claws digging in to the old wood to help my climb…. Sadly, I then slipped (hope no one was watching) and (it tuns out) ripped a claw off in the process. Oh the pain… I strolled back home proud but bowed.‘White Body Black Tail’ was gone but I had paid the price. For my sins the kindly (not) Vetinary Nurse presented me with a spring bonnet and slipped it on without my consent. Oh how I absolutely loathe it. The damn wound is itching like crazy and I can’t now get to lick it better.
The Fairest Flower of Them All
[ Mini heatwave here in England folks, hot on the heels of the wettest drought on record ( the day after the drought was announced it rained for a month and a half)! , Ed]
I have been lolling in the shade today making a few feline observations on life, the Universe and the humans in our care which I thought I would share with you.
…just settling down in the cool borage
Photograph: Ed
Not two days ago my Tom human had his fleecy jacket on, zipped tight against the cold, but today he has exposed those pale, stubbly legs to the unexpected sunshine and, I’m sorry to say, it’s not a pretty sight at all, although he doesn’t seem to think so (bless).
However there are other interesting things to look at to gladden a cat’s eye. There are bluebells swaying in the breeze and bees buzzing in the Borage, (if only I could raise the energy to give them a quick bat). Birds are busying themselves all over the sky, each one with its own unique song (and most delicious they all sound too).
… managed to raise myself for a stroll along the path…it’s so hot in this fur coat
Photograph: Ed
The humans are caught up in watching The Chelsea Flower Show and dreaming of having a calm, ordered Japanese garden with trickling streams and carefully clipped bonsai trees. But flower shows and the humans in my care, have seemed to miss the glaringly obvious – that whether you have a rustic French jardin, a manicured Elizabethan knot garden or a yard with a few pots of cheery geraniums, the most beautiful thing of all for the heart to see is a happy cat mooching around and bringing the garden to life with its inquisitive, furry, fabulous ways. So please let me suggest, to any readers who have a garden but no puss, that a visit to your local cattery or cat rescue center would bring even more sunshine into your life and complete the little patch of earth you call home perfectly, plus they will help with the digging in their own way, honestly!
Love and purrs to all,
Norman. x x Norman’s Christmas Message 2011
Seasons Greetings reader, whether you are cat, kitten, creature or human.
I hope you had a lovely calm and peaceful year and have an equally peaceful 2012.
Ahem miaow. I myself had a fairly uneventful time of it except for my run in with a veterinary dentist who had the audacity and wherewithal to extract my left rear molar without my consent (and very painful it was too). That, and of course my enforced summer stay in the local cattery (always a low point of my year)! Other than that I had a marvelous time, mainly sleeping but occasionally getting up to chase a bird, mouse or small human around the garden.
Norman gets excited as it’s Christmas again
Photograph: Ed @ moggyblog
Enough of me already! This season of the year is (as always) a time for us all, to think about one another, and for yours truly this means meditating on the sad plight of the tigers, lions and all the human hunted cats of this world. Also, consider (as I do) the unwanted street cats and the waifs & strays of our cities and the hardships they have to endure.
So I urge you dear reader to, reassess your priorities and to visit your local cat (or dog) sanctuary in the new year and, if you can, fit another ball of fur, claws and teeth (ouch) and sheer feline/canine delight into your clan, please do so.
As for our bigger cousins, let those with the means, help as much as they can. For the rest of us we will have to pray that the hunters realise the error of their ways in this coming year.
A very merry Christmas, good health and kind fortune to you all,
All my love, sincerely,
Norm x x xNormans Christmas Message 2010
Well hello again to you Moggies and your pet humans out there.
The big chill is upon us here in England for the third year in a row so, at this special time of year, we must think of those not blessed with a natural fur coat and allow them some (limited) access to the warmth of fires and radiators in our homes (when we have finished with them). Although, generally speaking, a well placed, quietly extracted claw can make them think more carefully about trying to hog all of the heat away from us cats.
Nevertheless, when Christmas arrives it is in keeping with the season to let our humans have some comfort. 
It has been snowing on and off these last few weeks here, which reminds me of winters long past when I was a mere whisker of a kitten ~ I’m sure it snowed some in 2002? I love winter (especially roasting my back and sides on the radiator!) but it is a season when paws can get rather chilly padding around in the ice and snow, so extra fishy treats and nibbles WILL be required, whether returning from a five yard dash to the toilet or taking a hard days sleep by the fire (humans please take note).
I believe that EVERYONE would benefit from a good chill out this winter so, wherever you are spending Christmas and New Year, be kind to your fellow cats, other animals, humans and yourself and do please make a resolution to slow this busy old world down. After all, being awake all day is fairly unskilled and highly overrated! And so my fellow festive friends, follow the feline example and take a good few more cat naps in 2011 and you’ll feel the kindness and joy blossom, just from getting more kip:-)
A Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year to you all.
All my love,
Norm
x x x
Seasons Greeting ~ from Norman
