Cat Day In Japan

 February 22nd is Cat Day in Japan, Neko No Hi, because the date 2/22 can be read as ni-ni-ni, which sounds like nyan-nyan-nyan, the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat's meow!

This play on words was so popular that the Executive Cat Day Committee decided in 1987 to make February 22nd the official Cat Day.

Cats arrived in Japan during the Nara period (AD 710-784), likely introduced from China. By the Heian period (794 -1185), they were so prized that only the nobility could afford them.

Cats appear in Japanese folklore as benevolent and mischievous creatures.

There are cat shrines and temples dedicated to feline deities or legends. I hope to be able to find some of them to visit.

And of course, Japan has cat islands where there are more cats than people

In my house, every day is cat day! Especially when Hannah is at home!

A few photos of my cats for cat day!

Catnip, Again

 I don't know why, but the cats just wouldn't settle this afternoon. 

Usually, they are active in the morning, racing around, fighting, getting into mischief, then after lunch, they snooze for a while. Today, however, they wouldn't settle at all! Just fighting. It might be the weather, it's nice and warm. When it's too cold, they snuggle up together; when it's too hot, they just sleep wherever they can get comfortable!

So we resorted to the catnip, again!

I know the floor is a mess, I did clean earlier, but....!

A Broken Chest Of Drawers

 In my bedroom, I have this old chest of drawers, which I've had for about 25 years, and we bought it second-hand!

The other week, the bottom drawers got stuck; they just wouldn't open! I think the wood has warped.

I asked David to help me out, he has a lot more strength than me. He managed to get one of the drawers out! But Alan decided that the space would make a great hiding place!

Alan hiding

It took ages to get him out!

The drawers won't go back in at all. They are just sitting on the bedroom floor. Sam seems to think that they are his new bed!

Sam in the drawer.

He looks so comfortable!

Catnip

 I don't use catnip that often. I don't really understand it.

But today I'd had enough of Fred fighting! Fred and Frodo fight a lot, today however, Fred was snapping at everyone. I had to jump up every few minutes to separate cats snarling at each other. 

I put down some catnip for Fred, but Sam was in the room and made a beeline for it. I think he got most of it, which started a little fight!

After that, I put Sam out and gave Fred some more catnip. I think he enjoyed it.

Fluffy

 Fluffy loves meat, chicken is her favourite, but she'll eat any meat!

When I'm cooking, she sits on a small table watching. As I prepare the rice, she is quiet. I get out the vegetables for soups and salads, no noise. The meat goes on the counter, even before the plastic wrap is off, she starts to meow, very loudly.

Most of the meat dishes I cook involve Japanese flavourings, soy sauce, sake, and mirin, which I don't think are good for her. I cook a little bit of meat to give her. 

Today I cooked two pieces of pork. I was waiting for David, so I sat at the table in the dining area, but in the same room, scrolling on my phone! David came in and asked why there was only one piece of pork! We found Fluffy in the corner munching on one piece!

She looks so innocent! 

David washed the sauce off so she could finish it! I had an extra piece of pork, so it wasn't a problem! I've learnt my lesson, don't leave meat out when Fluffy is around!

Collars

 I have a herniated disc in my neck. Most of the time, it's alright, but every now and then it becomes painful. My neck becomes stiff, I have pain radiating down my arm and across my shoulder blade.

This morning I managed to see a doctor. He has prescribed a lot of different painkillers and something to help the nerve. He also suggested that I wear a neck brace, so I can rest my chin on it and take the pressure off the back of my neck.

As the nurse was fitting it, my son, who was translating for me, said, "Now you know how Fluffy feels" I couldn't stop laughing at that!

Fluffy looks a lot cuter in her collar than I do in mine!

Fluffy with her collar

Me in mine!

Sam The Lovebug

 Each one of my nine cats has a very different personality!

Alfie and Toast are rather stand-offish; they only allow a few pets before they've had enough. They never seek out people to be with.

Alfie

Toast

Fred is aggressive; if there's a fight, I know I'll find Fred in the middle of it.

Fred

But he loves to get attention from us.

The other cats go hot and cold, sometimes they want lots of pets, belly rubs and being with us, other times they just walk away!

Then there is Sam, he is a total lovebug!

Sam

A few weeks ago, he decided to sleep on my bed. I tried to discourage him as he likes the centre of my bed, which makes it very uncomfortable for me! He sits outside my door crying. When I let him in, he has this really cute meow, then jumps on the bed purring like crazy. He knows how to melt my heart.

This is a little video from yesterday when Sam came to my room!

The video is only a minute long, but this went on for about 10 minutes. Sam then settled on my bed for the rest of the night!