Dear Diary...

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2002

Week 12

This week we realised the essence of water.

Water is wet, and water is fun. Water comes from a thing called "tap" and runs down to a thing called "the sink". It cannot be caught, but it sure is fun to try.

"Let's water Maxi" is a new game which is played by the smaller person who scratches us behind our ears. Each time Maxi gets wet, the person gets a point and each time the person gets wet, Maxi gets a point. Usually the game ends in a draw. The person knows how to open the tap but Maxi knows how to shake his wet fur.

Also, still talking about water, Mini got his priorities in order. He did not quite mind the sound of food, no way, there's always food in the kitchen - but water, that's is a rare treat and Mini decided to come running when the sound of water could be heard, just moments after he had ignored the sounds of food being served.

Frank did not quite mind. "Water, been there, done that", he said.

This week we realised how much more fun staying in the closet is compared to stepping out of it.

First of all, the closet is full of food! The two persons who pet us had hidden sacks of food in the closet. Luckily we found those (those people living here try to be sneaky, BUT, you just can't outsmart a cat), chewed a hole into one sack and spent many many happy hours in the closet, quietly eating and sleeping in peace.

Secondly, Mini and Maxi found a shiny thing called "do not eat it, it's copper wire, you silly cat" which we shall call "copper wire" for short. The copper wire was fun to bite and drag around and of course it gave Mini and Maxi a chance to practise their best "Who, me, I wasn't even there" look when the two persons asked how the copper wire should happen to be on the hallway floor day after day.

This week we realised that you can do much more on a bed than just sleep, jumping on beds and bed mice are just half of the fun.

Maxi was a bit restless this week. The female person who keeps on buying us toys laid down on the bed holding Maxi. As a clever cat Maxi purred first and then jumped away over her face - and kicked her on the forehead! The forehead got swullen first and after a few days it got a nice greenish tone.

Then a word from Frank and Maxi. Frank says, "I like to crawl under the covers in the morning and sleep there for a while. It's nice and warm there. Then Maxi comes and jumps all over me. Cannot a cat have some privacy here?"

Maxi comments, "Bed mice! There are huge bed mice in the bed in the mornings and I like to catch them. See, no-one has caught a bed mouse yet - or Frank probably has, but he doesn't talk about it. Whenever I go hunting for a really big bed mouse, suddenly there's Frank looking a bit irritated. He must be a bit upset because someone else has found the bed mice nest as well."

This week we had a small identity crisis.

We decided that it is much more fun to come whenever we please, or, just to teleport ourselves to different places here. That also includes not obeying our own names but coming when someone else is called. Based on who showed up when someone was called, we decided that instead of Mini, Maxi, and Frank, we want to be called Frank, Frank, and Pekka, respectively. (Get the joke? No?)

This week we were a bit disgusting.

Maxi peed on the bed just in case he would need to protest on something later on. After the sheets were changed and the people who would like to sleep in the bed felt a little bit safe, Mini scored a new record in throwing up. He started throwing up in the middle of the bed, jumped away when the person who does not yell that much on a cat who's throwing up said "Hey, you". Mini kept on throwing up and threw up all the way to the door. Two meters, we guess. "After such an achievement I'm tired but happy", Mini says.

This week we enjoyed the joys of spring.

The warmth of the sun brought the first flies and mosquitos. Still amazed by the new world all open to them and the endless possiblities a winged creature can have, they spread out their wings catching the first rays of sun, enjoyed the warm breeze of wind and thought, "Wow, it's great to be alive and fly". Then we ate them. We went absolutely mad when there was a fly on the window, our tails were wagging and we all tried to squeeze on one chair so we could reach the fly. That was fun!

Then it's the season of falling hair. Every day we've left a small surprise from deep inside us to the people who really seem to appreciate it, no matter whether it can be found on the carpet, by the TV, on the bed...

This week we celebrated vappu, the First of May, the day of workers and students.

It's the day when working men gather together on the streets and market places and carry red flags so all other people can easily avoid them. It's the day when students gather on the streets and market places. Unfortunately the students do not carry red flags so one must look for overalls and white hats instead.

It's the day of confetti and balloons. Confetti is the thing that hangs all over so we can tear it and eat it. We like confetti. Balloons, on the other hand, are scary things that float around and bounce on the floor and make a loud noise when you jump on them. We don't like balloons.

This week Frank met with a dog. (There are finally photos in Gallery 10.)

The dog, Jekku, is a Cavalier King Charles spaniel who lives next door, so Frank decided to visit him, or the people here decided that Frank would like to visit Jekku. Frank's the one who has met dogs before, for example a Great Dane, or one nice old dog lady of mixed breed, or a Bernise Mountain Dog, or...

Jekku was excited. "Hey, that guy has four legs and a tail, it must be a dog and it must have come here to play with me."

However, despite Jekku's excitement, Frank and Jekku encountered problems with communication, the most visible maybe being with tails. Jekku wagged his tail when he was happy, Frank wagged his tail when he was not happy. Jekku carried his rubber chicken to Frank like he was saying "Come on, let's play" and Frank raised his paw saying "Go away". Jekku barked, Frank meowed. Jekku ran to Frank, Frank ran away. Jekku didn't mind and played with his rubber chicken, Frank followed that from the top of the TV.

However, Frank showed Jekku how to shake, that's a dog thing Frank knows and he does that quite often. It's a useful skill: a cat just needs to hold out his paw and the people give him a treat. The people sure are well trained.

Even the neighbours' nice backyard with fresh grass wasn't that interesting anymore. Frank went out, ate some grass and came back in just to keep on avoiding Jekku.

These weeks nothing that special happened.

It was spring, then it was summer and we all had fun eating flies and other bugs that happened to fly in to meet their destinies. It was warm and we liked to sit on the balcony and do nothing.

The highlights of the summer were probably the following:

• sitting and stepping on the flowers in the balcony and eating them (see Maxi in action in Gallery 4)
• eating a spider and then licking on the people's faces
• finding your inner Jedi, which in practise means chasing the spot of light created by a light sword bought by the people who like to see stories about guys fighting with the light swords in a place called "space" (just think of the fun of being there when they fight, there must be a lot of spots of light to chase!)
• not having to use the window to go to the balcony and back because the door was open all the time
• staring the neighbours all through the night from the balcony

This week Frank had his eighth birthday.

Too bad, that everybody embarrassingly enough forgot about it, even Frank himself, so Frank did not get his birthday tuna in time, however, he did get it and he generously shared with ever-so-hungry (at least when tuna is in question) Mini and Maxi. Frank's birthday Sheba meal that was first a bit overlooked by everyone (there was tuna next to it) but it had disappeared by the morning anyway.

This week Mini finally learned something.

Mini still has the habit of eating a lot very fast, after which the food has its revenge on Mini. Also, before this Mini managed to aim onto a carpet, which, unfortunately, somethimes were also white.

However, this time the carpets were safe. The familiar sounds were once again heard in the hall and after a "you clean, no, you clean, no way, he's your cat (ha, we say, for a cat walks by himself and cannot be anybody's)" discussion by the people who like to sit on the sofa and watch TV it was decided that the smaller person cleans up the mess. Mini had thrown up in her shoe.

This week we met (almost) the neighbours.

There are two beautiful Siamese cats living downstairs, you can somewhat see from out balcony to theirs. Too bad we had not noticed them sooner, they seem to be such nice cats - we could hunt for bed mice together and share a bowl of milk afterwards on a sunny terrace, talk about cat stuff and moan and groan about how the people who claim to be living with us (but that's only because we let them) do not give us enough of tuna.

As a thank you for almost being introduced to the new fellow cats from a distance, Mini got horrified at the blond person's lap and scratched her shoulder so it started to bleed. (Or maybe Mini's just afraid of heights, it's the third floor, you see, and then you are held by someone and your paws don't touch the ground... Well, you get the point.)

Maxi and Frank did not mind and decided to keep on staring at the neighbours. The "old" neighbours with Jekku the dog, of course, that's what we had been doing all summer, and maybe sometimes we could stare at the new neighbours as well, just in case.

Oh, and Mini made a new blanket dragging record on Friday: the blanket was dragged all the way from the sofa in the living room to the kitchen, about 5 meters, that is! We're all very proud and congratulate Mini.

Week 34

This week we thought we'd get a little metaphysical.

We cats have two skills we do not care to brag about (but now we're telling the whole world!). Why does there always seem to be more cats than there actually is?

First of all, we can teleport. Just think about it for a while. Haven't you seen a cat go one way and come back another way? How did a cat who was just seen sleeping in the bedroom closet come out of the kitchen? That's right, we did not walk there, we teleported.

Secondly, we can multiply by dividing. That's why we seem to be in so many places at the same time, doinga million things. Just think about the endless opportunities: first we multiply, then we teleport, then we take over the whole world... Or, maybe we just eat your tuna and fall asleep on your bed.

Week 35

This week we enjoyed warm places.

The calendar tells that the days are getting cold, so to our pleasure the radiators in the bathroom and in the sauna were turned on again. To our pleasure, still, the days did not check the calendar and have stayed sunny and warm. So, we had trouble whether to lay down in the sauna or on the balcony... We solved that problem by doing both. Yes, it is nice to be a cat now.

Week 36

This week we got punished.

Ahem, we have to admit that things do happen and as a consequence of some things we do not care to mention here, Mini was taken to the balcony (remember, there is the possibility that the Siamese girls from downstairs are also lounging on their balcony, or that Mini is afraid of heights) as a so-called punishment. Well, you never know who gets punished and why and how: Mini scratched the person who decided to punish him to the inside of his nose so it started to bleed.

The rest of us behaved a bit strangely, too. There was a thunderstorm one morning, rain and thunder and lightning, and despite that we went to the balcony. So, it was wet, it rained and the sky made scary noises but we decided that it was fun to shiver in the dry corner... Or maybe we tried to prove to one another that we are brave - and it sure was fun to come back in after punishing yourself for a while.

Week 37

This week we did not shake, rattle and roll.

The more stubborn person who lives here tried something strange this week. She held the box of Tassu cat treats in her hand and repeated something that sounded like "Tassu". Frank interpreted that as "Shake" and held out his paw (and got a cat treat), Mini and Maxi looked at the person with a bored look on their faces and thought, "Oh well, you have Tassus in your hand, so come on, give them to us". They could not figure out the connection.

Despite Frank's examples Mini and Maxi did not learn the magic trick of shaking and getting cat treats every time they want some. (That is, by sitting on the table and holding out your paw, of course.) However, one might add that Mini and Maxi have learned some bad habits from Frank, so maybe later they'll learn the art of getting cat treats, too.

Week 38

This week we were still boneheads.

The attempts to teach Mini and Maxi to shake still continued. We, that is, M&M, did appreciate the cat treats but still, we did not learn the magic trick Frank had learned. So, we got new nicknames: Bonehead and Meathead.

Mini has also developed a curious morning routine. He likes to run to the bathroom before the person who likes to take long, hot showers gets there. Then Mini sits on the toilet seat, waiting to be lifted away. After that he hides behind the shower curtain, waiting for the water to come running down. He does not care if there's a small stream for him first (see week 12), no way, he rather ignores it and finally storms away with a hurt look in his face when the water starts pouring down.

Week 39

This week we found new routines and stayed out in the cold.

Frank missed his morning sessions each day, he did not come to purr and lick fingers like he usually does. We wonder why. Maybe that was because there were two Black Avengers already there? Or maybe Frank did grow up and realised that fingers are just fingers and not a substitute for his mom? Or maybe he's just saving all his purring energy to the cold days of winter so he feels more than welcome to crawl under the blankets and purr there for some time? Time will tell.

Frank also found a new morning routine. First he goes to the balcony, Maxi may or may not follow him there. (Mini thinks its way too cold to be out anymore.) Then Frank comes back in, eats something and heads to the sauna. He sleeps in the sauna for some time and then it's back to the balcony again... Yep, we know that drill and it's good that Frank has two well trained doormen who open the door when he just stares, there's not even need to meow or scratch the door (well, at least not every time).

Week 40

This week the pony tail holders were back.

It is the season again! There are black, round, elastic things that are the funniest toys in the world. They are thin, they are good for eating and they are easy to carry around in your mouth. They can be thrown around, pushed around, pulled around... Sometimes they might even be hid under the carpet - oh, what a joy when they are discovered again! They grow on top of the bookshelf, Maxi usually goes for harvesting them. (Then he gets yelled at. That's why we always send him there.)

The people call the things pony tail holders and they wonder where they always go. Now you have them, now you don't! We have hidden them all.

Week 41

This week we met what we think might be the last flies of the summer and a child.

We thought all the flies had already gone. We thought it was too cold for anyone to be outdoors, well, except for Frank who still likes to be on the balcony every now and then. It had even snowed one day (luckily the snow melted away soon)!

So, we chased the flies and we jumped all over the place and we made funny noises. Even Frank joined Mini and Maxi in the hunt of the last flying snack (flies are truly fast food!). Then we realised the flies are between the two glass layers of the window. What a shame.

Then there was Tuomas, our new 10-months-old buddy who came to visit us as there was a kind of a celebration. First Frank sniffed Tuomas and decided to go away. Mini decided to go away without sniffing.

Meanwhile, Maxi seemed a bit more interested in that person who moves on the floor like cats do. First Maxi observed the situation. Then he came closer. Then Tuomas grabbed him by the tail and then by the ear. (Note: No animals or babies were hurt in the making of this diary entry. Maxi did not mind the attention he got and the rescue team was close all the time in case of an emergency.)

Week 42

This week there were nice and warm blankets all around.

The bigger person who lives here went away for a couple of days. Then he came back from a place called "hospital" and did not go away at all like the smaller person does! Fortunately, he kept on sleeping in various places and that meant spreading blankets all around. Of course a cat appreciates company with a blanket and a cat also knows the importance of good care. That's why we took care of the man (he appeared to be not-in-such-a-good shape) and helped his recovery by laying on his blankets and all over him.

Week 43

This week Maxi took a liking to cheese.

The bigger person was still recovering but did not have as many warm blankets around as we would have wished. However, it was time to try something new and keep everyone entertained, so the person who sometimes went away for the day got a new buddy for breakfast.

Maxi decided that he likes cheese. He and Frank had noticed to their disappointment that there was not that much ham available in the mornings. (Sigh.) So, as there was no lovely ham that would accidentally just fall off the table and end up in a cat's tummy Maxi decided to try new tastes. He would pretend he was "just stretching out" and have his nails pierce a piece of cheese (see photo in Gallery 1). He would jump on the table and look demanding.

Finally the person making breakfast got the hint and say "Maxi, but you do not like cheese" and give him a piece - and yes, Maxi would surprise everyone (even himself) by eating it. That's a new morning tradition now.

Week 44

This week Mini and Maxi got a bit spooky (it was the Halloween week, you see.)

First Mini scared the bigger person by hissing in his sleep and staring to the door. Mini said he did that on purpose... He just wanted to cheer up an otherwise dull week by pretending that someone uninvited was coming in.

Then Maxi became the poltergeist. Suddenly the closet door started opening. It opened and opened until it was fully open... and nobody was around! Then a black cat sneaked out. "Gotcha", Maxi said.

Week 45

This week we liked to play hide and seek and do some shower wrestling.

Mini and Maxi invented a new game, it's called "Run to the bathroom". Basically the rules are the following: in the mornings M&M run to the bathroom before the person who gets up first and hide behind the shower curtain. If M&M make it (and they usually do), the person has to pretend not to realise that the cats are there until she's ready for the shower. Then she has to pull the shower curtain aside and say, "Oh, you look sooooooo cute. What on Earth are you doing there, again?". Then she has to turn on the water but just a little so M&M can pretend they're scared of water and run away. (Compare this with week 12)

Occasionally the hide and seek game turns into shower wrestling. Then the hiding ends pretty quickly as the movement and noise gives us away. Actually, we do like the rustling sound the shower curtain makes...

Week 46

This week Mini was eager to tell the time.

Mini realised that there is an interesting round thing on the wall. No, that was not a spot of light, it was something the people call "a clock". It has three pointy things that go round, one of the things goes faster than the others. If you look closely, you can see the second pointy thing move as well, but that's when the boring people say, "Come on, you silly cat, jump down now".

We wonder what's wrong with people. If the bookshelf is there, why can't we jump onto it? Maxi is not allowed to hunt for pony tail holders (see week 40) and Mini is not allowed to stare at the clock and catch the things that go round.

Oh, and on Saturday Maxi and Frank were caught sleeping side by side in the chair. Before that Frank caught Mini by surprise and washed him behind his ears (and pretended afterwards that nothing happened). Frank must be getting old and soft.

Week 47

This week we got a bit yucky.

Somebody (we do point the blaming paw at Mini) threw up on the dinner table. Yuck! The cat food took its toll but this time the time and place were wrong. The contest is tough: will Maxi win the prize by peeing and pooping on the bed or will Mini claim it by being bulimic on the table? Frank still has his turn to try but so far he has not come up with a single idea.

Week 48

This week the blanket got it.

Each day the red blankent was dragged further and further. First it was on the usual place next to the sofa, the it started moving closer to the hall and the door to freedom. Finally it was found near the door, so the previous blanket dragging record is now officially broken.

Who knows, maybe we learn to open the door next. Who knows where the blanket can be found then... Maybe the blanket just wants to run free.

Week 49

This week Mini made a mistake - or two.

Usually Mini drags the red blanket to the hall or to the kitchen. This week there was a cardigan on the blanket and twice Mini dragged the cardigan instead of the blanket to the hall and to the kitchen. Then the cardigan was taken away.

Funny. Usually Mini drags the blanket and everything on it, too. We wonder what made the cardigan so special.

Week 50

This week Frank got back to his old habits.

As you may have already realised, Frank is now being called "you old softie" on a regular basis, so him being cuddly and nice instead of peevish and grumpy no longer seems to be an exception. This week Frank even jumped to the bed in the morning to purr! He also slept on the smaller person's lap.

Maybe Frank knows that "You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why..."

Week 51

This week there were lots of interesting things.

They were wrapping things in paper and decorating it with ribbons. Things are nice. They come in plastic bags we can crawl into and in boxes we can sleep in. Paper is nice, it makes funny pattering sounds when you hit it, sleep on it or jump on it. Ribbons are nice, you can chase ribbons, smack them with your paw, drag them around and eat them. Boy, don't we just love this season - and of course we're here to help.

Week 52

This week we celebrated Christmas.

The people brought in a tree! We yelled "Timber" and there it went... Three times so far! The tree also had all kinds of nice cat toys hanging on the branches, the people did call them "Do not touch the decorations, you annoying cat". Maybe next week we'll try to climb to the tree.

We also have a guest. Junior's visiting us. That's something so remarkable that it deserves an own page (with a lot of photos so it may take a while to load).

With love, Mini, Maxi, and Frank