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| Now it's back to the old routine of study, read, sleep. Kelson tried to help me with my studies ... |
But I guess he thought German was pretty boring ... |
So he curled up while I read. |
One night Richard was visiting, and we found a lost little kitten at my apartment door. Since it was still freezing outside, I took him in and put up signs hoping the owner would call. Kelson was a little put out at first ... |
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| And didn't know quite what to make of this new visitor ... |
But soon enough they started playing a bit. |
And within a few days they were very happy together. But luckily the little guy's owners called and were happy to have him returned. |
At only two years old, Kelson was far too big for this box, but he still tried to get comfortable. |
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| Most of the time he ended up on the floor, stretched out ... |
Or curled up, as the case may be. |
Back in California for the summer, Anna wants to meet Kelson, but Kelson is a little too wary of small children. |
The hummingbirds proved an irresistible attraction, even if it meant breaking the rules and getting up on the counter. |
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| I've never understood how Kelson knew to be afraid of this brand-new vacuum cleaner -- it hadn't even been out of the box more than 2 minutes, and he was already slinking away! |
At Christmas, Kelson was reintroduced to Anna. Who's bigger? |
Another Christmas, another picture on the mantle. This time there's a Santa-Mouse to keep him company! |
His favorite blanket. I think he spends at least three hours a day in this position. |
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| And as you can see, the blanket makes him feel very relaxed! |
I guess the sight of an empty cabinet was just too much to resist! |
Well, it's back to the mantle, in summer this time. |
Really, Kelson, did you know that you're as big as a washing machine? |
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| Anna wanted to show Kelson her "kitty-cat" (a stuffed orange cat), but Kelson has gotten a little shy in his middle-age. |
Kelson likes the entry hall. First he marks it as 'his' ... |
Then he checks out the new plants ... |
And finally sniffs the wall to make sure his scent is still there! |
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| This year, Kelson decided the organ bench was a nice cool place to stretch out ... |
So he spent a lot of time just relaxing there. |
For the last few years he hasn't been too active -- this is his favorite pastime, catching the bird. Unfortunately I don't think he burns too many calories, since he doesn't move anything except his paws! |
He also loves to stretch out on the big dining room table in Valley Center. |
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| Roll. Roll. Roll. Such a nice table. |
Oh, Kelson, now you're even bigger than the laundry basket! |
Salad or main course? As if there's any debate! |
Finally, a new carrier that is big enough and sturdy enough for a 25-pound cat! This one (a Samsonite leather pet carrier) has really turned out to be the best carrier ever. |
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| Mom and Dad came to visit again in the fall, and it seems like everyone had gotten a little too fat! |
Oh, you got me a new plant! It's grass, just like I asked for! I'll nibble some. |
This grass sure smells different than the silk flowers I usually chew. |
Oh, you caught me. So, Dad, this wine is coming along pretty well. Needs another few months, though! |
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| Kelson is being surprisingly tolerant of Anna ... |
... although he seems more interested in his food than in her. |
What's this 'wind' thing? It's kinda neat! |
And the patio is quite enjoyable, too. (That's a full-size patio table behind him, to get an idea of the scale here!) |
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| Taken with a disposable camera that had been sitting in a drawer for too many years. Oh well. |
As you can imagine, when Kelson tries to share the bed with me at night, it's pretty much a no-win struggle for space! |
His absolute favorite spot over the last few years -- it's an air-conditioner cover that he's adopted as a bed. |
Even though he's pretty sedentary these days, he does still have his silly playful moments! |
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| Another favorite spot, especially in the winter -- under the TV for warmth. |
Yes, he fills up the entire surface of a standard desk. I said he was big, didn't I? |
More food, mom! (As if he needs it!) |
Here he's being very silly. He's not normally such an exhibitionist! |
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| That summer, it was back to California again, and the nice blue bed. |
Heather got a chance to meet Kelson, although these days he's pretty shy to strangers. |
A stocking stuffer (a yippy toy dog) didn't go over quite as well as we had hoped. |
This was Alyssa's own idea -- she's four years old, and she realized that she and Kelson are really almost the same size! |
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| Okay, no Kelson here. I just thought I'd throw in a few pictures of other people. Here's Mom and me on Monona Terrace in Madison. A beautiful October day. |
Well, Anna asked if I wanted some tea, so I had to play along! |
And here's the lawn in Valley Center. I'm not here -- I was in Madison. |
Here's Eric playing with Anna on the lawn. Again, I think I was in Madison. |
