Ring Out, Wild Bells! As 2025 approaches, the Excellent Cats raise their game with a discussion on Tennyson's poetry

[TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne]

And while the cats are thus engaged, their human slaves are still finishing the turkey and Christmas pud, and idly placing bets on whether or not Kitty will use her new cat tree.

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats landshark!!!

He does seem unfazed by Suzie and her vampire fangs so I believe him. If I was Grumpy though I'd stop insulting Lenny and calling him scruffy, he looks like he is out for revenge in that photo! Either that or he's planning on devouring his soul while he sleeps.

The beasts have had some pre bedtime treats, partly to shut Toad up who has been shouting at me all night as I didn't share my steak.

Thankfully two of the cats are well behaved and are getting cosy for bed, even if the rest are still being bonkers.

We have a slightly happier girl tonight

@stormsandsunshine they are adorable.

Musical people: any idea what's a good age to start piano lessons? My autistic 9yo has just started this week, having never shown an interest until recently. He loved it and did so well, the teacher was really impressed. He's extremely bright. Bonkers 5yo wants a go too, but I wouldn't subject the teacher to that just yet 🙈

Walter and Benny have been scrapping and there's fur on my freshly hoovered rug.

@coastergirl my DDs both started violin at 5 (but Suzuki method so they start young) and older DD started piano at 8.

If your DS enjoyed it 9 is a good age to start. The main thing to bear in mind is that you will need to support practice and help him get into a good practice routine, and he needs to ideally practise every day even if just for 10 minutes, so it’s partly a question of whether you have the mental capacity for adding that to your routine.

My DD started formal lessons at 8 which was as soon as the local music school accepts piano pupils, but she'd been messing around with the piano copying her father since she could sit up and had already learned quite a lot. She was desperate to start and we never tell her to practise because she already spends half her free time playing the piano. My DH helps her if she needs support with something particular so it's good to have an adult pianist in the house, but probably not necessary. I don't have a musical bone in body so my daughter astonishes me!

@stormsandsunshine thank you for your response! My mum is bringing my old keyboard (which still works perfectly) over tomorrow and I will set it up here for him. He's so excited to have it here. I will definitely remind and support him, but if he's reluctant I won't be pushing it. It's entirely down to him whether he wants to play or not, but he can continue learning as long as he enjoys it. He puts so much pressure on himself to be perfect, I'd hate to add to that. Hopefully he'll continue to enjoy it like he has so far. This has all come about because my parents had him a couple of weeks ago and they called into a friend's house, and her husband taught him Jingle Bells on the piano and he just picked it up straight away.

@Esgaroth I think if he enjoys it, I won't need to remind him to practise. He's very motivated with his interests. He spends his free time at school doing maths for fun 😂
I used to play the clarinet and keyboard and can read music, so can help him to a certain extent.

Sorry for veering from cat chat! Mine are curled up to the side of me, not touching each other though. It's very rare for them to sleep close to each other. I hope they will one day.

I think our eldest started piano lessons at about 8 or 9 (from memory) DS2 was a bit younger - 7 maybe? It doesn't seem to have done either of them any harm starting 'late'. Both of them had well paid jobs as church organists from 14 or 15. They had started singing in choirs earlier than that.
Hope it goes well @coastergirl - being able to read music and play yourself will be very useful 👍.

My sister and I started piano lessons really young. The vicar's wife in our village used to teach loads of the village children. Apparently she was a bit of a bully and would hit her pupils, but she was always lovely to me. When I got older I moved to a different teacher. I can't remember why but the second teacher was less concerned about grades and more encouraging of you playing music that you enjoyed.

Yay! DD2 has found a flat! It's a little 3 bed one in the village, overlooking the marina.

She's moving in on 4th Feb. Much as DS2 loves her, he'll be glad to get his own space back.

There's already a cat flap in situ. 🤣

So, ten weeks after that awful day in November when I fell over and the DC (and Cleo the cat) kept being sick, she's finally had some good news.

I've still got water on the knee though.
😂

Hooray, excellent news about the flat! I hope she and the cats are very happy there. I take it the journey's shirt enough it should be possible to make it puke free

Today Kettle is practising his flying position so he's ready if it ever comes to it.

Re piano lessons, I am a pianist and piano teacher and agree with all the above. Depends on the child alot, some are fine to start age 6, others would be better a little later. My DD was 6, and did all her grades but preferred clarinet as it is more sociable and she is now studying it in london. My DS never did much piano but took up saxophone. He was never good at sitting still so piano never suited his temperament!
Hope that is helpful @coastergirl . Don't want to derail thread, but there may be more advice and info on the extracurricular activities section of mumsnet.

Yes, it's ten mins from our house and the same from DS2's.

No vomiting expected.

Although I suppose I might fall down her stairs

I'm also a pianist and started learning at the age of eight.

He needs a cape!😄

Picard has just come in, and Gizmo hasn't reacted.

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne Well he did his hair the other day so no need

......... and we noticed that Picard has a small wound on his back, with a gap where his fur used to be. It's near his tail.

Oops. Did you say you’ve met Picard’s owner? Just wondering if you’ll be getting any questions.

It was a bit awkward for me with Timmy's owner as when we first got Herbie, they were fighting alot, but they were both as bad as one another. I did get the impression she thought it was my fault though! I have since found out that Timmy isn't neutered, and I suppose that means male cats are more aggressive.

Why the hell isn't Timmy neutered? I suppose you don't know but that is crazy to have an intact cat that you allow out to wander! So irresponsible.

I suppose Timmy's owner isn't the one who'll be dealing with the unwanted litters he's probably been siring.