Soft kitty seeker

Everyone is fighting a battle you don't know about. Except for me. I am complaining loudly about my battle, everyone knows about it.

The joy <s> when 2 letters in your name don't exist in the Italian alphabet and you have to call AGAIN because the rubbish collection hasn't happened because they don't want to drive up the hill. I'vealready agreed with them oncea week, not everyday, so now I have a small mountain of rubbish.

Nina itten cuddled up to a not long boiled kettle.

All 4 girls sterilised Thug still cross with me. Vet and I have hatched a plan to sterilise the neighbour's cat that has moved in with me because they have left for the winter. She cuddles the kettle.

Sex fiend!

Worf and Pi in the cat carrier waiting to go in to be spayed.

Considering they haven't eaten since 7am, have had a 15 minute car ride and now have all the smells in the vet they are being very calm about it.

It comes with gloves and eye protection, is battery powered. Will use it for resizing bits of wood.

Bought a saw. Did some sawing. Ordered a chainsaw.

I'm sure it will be fine (it's only a mini one) and I can absolutely be trusted with power tools.

A spectacular sunset

And breathe

View from my house across fields to the sea with the 3 islands rising from it

Today is glorious

1. Ouch 2. Is the big boy whose hair I can no longer reach to ruffle around for skivvy duties?

Is it weird I'm so proud of him?

Also that's Smol trying to have sex with his sister. Look at my little 52g boy go. Actually dont, that would be weird, stop watching.

Fire with wood I split

Chopping (and sawing) wood is not as romantic as I imagined. I do now have vague muscles. Also my isolated hill top feels like Piccadilly Circus atm with people picking the olives.

A kitten with an outraged face as her brother tries to mount her.

Vet wont sterilise the kittens before they are 6 months, in a week. Just sent him this photo "ok message me tomorrow and we'll sort out a tine" Thug's face!

Good for him.

This brief biography is a beautiful read. “Seems to me that one big difference between the revolutionary and the fascist is that one tries to understand his own heart and one doesn’t.”

Allan Troxler in a note, circa 1969

My neighbour in my old village arrived in Palermo the same time as me in January 2017. I am C1 fluent but not accurate. She still has practically no Italian and even after I've moved she still messages me for help navigating the system. It's just rude not to learn and you have a narrower life.

A large number of 6 month old tabby kittens on a table. One large black void is up there with them. I still haven't painted the burgundy pillare behind them. That's a possible plan for the weekend.

One of these cats is not like the others..

I have had a shitty couple of weeks but not been able to cry. Watching extracts of Mamdani's speech has released the floodgates. Yes, be the light.

I'm more than your age on from my attempt (pills, guns not being a thing in the UK) and I am very glad you and I and Spike and the cats are still here to make the most of the moments of joy (Fuck yeah NY!) in the world. May it always be a brown dog that visits, not the black dog. Keep bringing joy x

Not awake, can't word

The US right spent so much money on the smear campaign to defeat Mamdani and it failed. Waking up before 5am made sweeter by seeing that hope.

Perfect illustration of Salvini's political ineptitude. Forming an alliance with a figure like Cuffaro is just inviting scandal and controversy.

A photo taken looking along the guttering of an old converted barn. There are electrical wires in the guttering. I am sure that's not a good idea.

Every couple of weeks when I'm feeling brave I investigate a bit more of the scary wiring in the house. Im sure having electrical wiring (and TV coax cable?) running in the guttering where water goes is FINE. #electrician #electric #shock

It's not all wine and roses and its taken a long time to get here. Lots of terrified but doing it anyway along the way.

Fire! Kitten!

Last nights actual hearthfire

An arched open space in a white stucco wall, you can see there are two chambers inside. Between the two chambers an olive wood fire is burning. Metal tongs are at the edge of the opening.

First fire in bread/pizza oven. No cooking tonight this is to check where it needs attention.

Have finally got to this - wonderful, thank you

A fire burns in a large fireplace. A kitten sits on a battered footstool watching the flames

Getting slightly chilly at night so...

4 girls then 4 boys. I'm going to be a wreck. Smol is 100% thank you.