Mr. and Mrs. William Walston are announcing the arrival of a litter of kitties (again!). Miss Tiger Lily Walston, the mother, chose to use the Alice Bly Memorial Kitty Birthing Center across the street for delivery, as do most Walston cats. A few months ago Tiger Lily refused to be transported via carrier to Dr. Romaine for a little feminine surgery,a fact that was not ignored by certain neighborhood rues. Hence, her “situation”. Regardless, the Walston people are looking forward to hearing the pitter pat of little feet again, Uncle Chubbs is babysitting so she can get away once in awhile, and whenever she shows up she gets fed. (You can’t have straggly kitties, you know.) More details will follow when she presents the litter officially. Adoption to good homes will be considered.

In light of recent events this question goes out to Bill Walston. Which is harder, two weeks of manual labor fixing up your granddaughter’s house OR spending 5 days babysitting a screaming 4-month old?

Here in Ivanhoe, things are very quiet at Chubb’s Corner. The cats are eating peacefully and carefree again after the tiny girl left. Everyone except Fluffly (aka Coon) is relieved since the 27 pound cherub left; we never knew if they were afraid she would eat their food before they could or if they were afraid of the gleeful “Dat?” Grammy and Gramps miss her and really wish she were here to sit in the refrigerator again! Snow, hail and lots of rain entertained us at Shaver Lake this week-end. A marathon Phase Ten competition filled an entire afternoon; a puzzle is two thirds complete. Bob is feeling so much better he was able to stay awake as much as anyone else. Grammy is working everyday this week, again, which is a big shock to the retired psyche. Gramps is cooking and gardening…… Spring has sprung and we are enjoying the blossoms and sunshine!

(to the tune of chestnuts roasting on an open fire)

Persimmons ripening in the kitchen sink
Wind machines roaring in the yard
Birthday gifts being tied up in pink
And cookies baking without lard.

Everybody knows that tree lights make a Christmas tree.
And help to make the season bright
Chinese fingers goofed up on “F-3”
No curse nor threat could make it right.
When UPS came to our door
Bringing a new “part B” we gave a roar
Installed it worked, the tree was lit!
And Christmas cheer returned to Ivanhoe a bit

And so we’re finishing another day
Of Christmas prep and seasonal fun
There’s much more to do; what can I say?
Just love from ” Santa” and his Hon.

Greetings from Chubb’s Corner, featuring facts and feelings from a feline perspective. Of first importance: we’re sad to have lost two cats in the last week. B.G. has disappeared from her post on the gate and hasn’t been seen for days. (Someone shield Steve from this fact.) Dear little Sissy was killed on the patio by some kind of beast two nights ago! Everyone else is hunkering around trying to keep dry with one eye open in case the invader returns. Chubb’s has, in fact, moved onto the back porch with Uno. What a guy!

AARP Update: Wow, there is life after retirement! In addition to working a whopping big 12 hours last week, we fit in Shall We Dance? on Monday, dinner with Vadie on Tuesday, shopping on Wednesday, breakfast with Wahab on Friday, a pie social Saturday afternoon, then dinner with the Wehmuellers, the symphony and Bob’s 80th birthday party Sunday in Turlock. I offer this not to gloat to the independent businessmen/women, full time students, working mothers and teachers…… but just a ray of hope that you too can do this when you’re a senior citizen.

Babymobile Update: Dad has played with every system, appliance and moving part out there and seems to have it all under control. We’ve scrubbed it and added new shelf paper so it is in better shape than the house. It is a 1997 Terry and was well kept. At 19′ it is not large; in fact I am not certain both of us can fit in the bed at the same time. I bought a coffee pot and toaster only, because this is meant to be a bedroom only. In other words, I don’t want to live in it, just sleep in it. The cats like it a lot and perch on every cranny they can find. We’re thinking we might try a night at the coast before we tackle Fortuna-Eurkea-Arcata. One of us is very excited about it!