Hymns in Minor Keys & the Russian Easter Overture - the Excellent Cats ignore Culture.....

[TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne]

..............and prepare instead to track down the Easter Bunny, anticipating a delicious snack.

Kettle was desperate to get out into the sunshine this morning and his paw is looking pretty good, so we decided it's OK. He's sniffed all his sniffing spots, marked the bushes and had a little trot round the premises. Good for him to get his steps in to help with the diet. No enemies spotted. He was out 20 whole minutes so he's now worn out of course!

That’s great, @Esgaroth!

Kitty absolutely loved the balcony this morning.

Evening all! Apologies for radio silence. It's been a busy week. I've had a read at times but the mental load has been a lot for one reason and another, no energy to post. Finally got my autism diagnosis this week. Even though it was expected, it's an odd feeling.

The cats are making us laugh a lot. Regular wrestling matches between them. Benny was in my bed snuggling this morning but kept biting my arm. Not sure what his point was really. Apologies if any of these images are repeated. I've lost track! Just like showing off my handsome boys.

Hi @coastergirl
I recognise that feeling (after the autism diagnosis). I was over 60 when I got mine, but I must say that it totally explained all of my life - and really helped me to make sense of everything.

And Hi! to Benny and Walter, too.

I'm 40. I've known forever I didn't fit in and was different, but it wasn't until I started working in autism when I was nearly 20 that I started to piece it together. GP back then laughed it off, then I had an assessment when I was 31 but they used the same tools they use with 6 year old boys 🙄 Difficulties have been more and more obvious over time, and my 10yo is autistic too. I think I'm mostly relieved, it's just going to take some getting used to that it's actually official now.

Walter and Benny say hi! Walty is drowning out the TV with his snoring, as usual.

ADHD in my case, finally diagnosed as off the scale when I was 60 - I eventually got tested as my DBro who is 10 years younger than me went private to get his done & immediately called me to tell me to get tested too.

Of course when I was young ADHD didn't "exist", then it was only physically over the top boys, plus people would "grow out of it", still only young men etc etc.

The sheer relief of getting that diagnosis; it meant that genuinely I wasn't just lazy, or stupid, or rude, or crazy. Explained so very much about my life, and also about the related mental illnesses I have had that so many people get along with ADHD especially when undiagnosed - depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome are all so common. And the right meds have helped so much in the work place.

What I have noticed, is that cats don't judge things like that 😍

I'm awaiting assessment for ADHD too. It's very likely I have both. It's awful that we're so overlooked as women. I have wondered if meds might be helpful for me.

I agree though, cats don't judge. We're a very ND household and the cats are amazing. So loving and calming.

I had planned to clean the bathroom but I seem to be stuck, such a shame!

What I have noticed, is that cats don't judge things like that

Yes. They really don't. Another reason to love them, eh?

Vixie is enjoying the sunshine and showing off her speckly toe beans.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the cat mums on this thread. Our (now only) DCat finally made it outside under her own steam today after flat refusals up to now, so spring has officially sprung!

Bloody hell GT is a grumpy bugger.
He wouldn't let Karl in the house, and attacked me when I went out to reason with him...

You could borrow @Esgaroth’s super soaker.

Kitty is apparently settled for the evening.

Sorry, this is a bit random but I'm feeling...weird, and need to talk to someone. So earlier I ordered a Deliveroo (sous vide flank steak burger 🤤🤤) It arrived, I noticed someone walking on the other side of the road but didn't really think anything of it. Thanked the delivery chap, closed my door. Suddenly I heard a commotion so looked through my peephole, some scrote was trying to steal the delivery guy's bike so I threw my food down, and ran outside to grab the bike and tell the mugger to...um..go away 😁 He had some weird piece of metal in his hand that he was waving around, apparently it was a knife but I wasn't wearing my glasses so didn't realise 😂 He ran off to his bike (which confused me as what would he have done with two bikes!) and as he cycled off he brandished his bit of metal/knife and said not to call the police or he'd come back and ruin my life. I laughed at him and told him to f off. Obviously I called the police but what le I was on the phone, I saw a police van drive down the next street. The 999 operator said they were already looking for him, so presumably he'd tried to mug someone else/other people.

I have a cut finger and big lump on my thigh, both of which were from the bike, but I am so fucking angry. And feel like crying. And what to find the little scrote and go all middle aged woman on him and tell him off! Who the bloomin heck does he think he is, trying to mug someone who is just trying to earn a living. And then threatening us? Loser.

Sorry for the rant. I am just feeling a bit discombobulated so needed to talk about it.

Oh @RumNotRun that's scary, you are brave and it's very normal to feel discombobulated after such a traumatic event. Seriously, have a sugary tea or similar. Or brandy (or Rescue Remedy which is brandy based). Have the police visited you to get a statement yet? Anyone available to sit with you for a while? You may well feel odd for some time, that is normal too. I admire your moxie!

I have drunk medicinal wine 😁 Sadly no friends or family close enough to come and sit with me although I really could have done with that. I'm calmer now (the burger was worth the drama!) and have contacted Deliveroo to ask them to check on their delivery guy.

I'm mainly angry now that some little idiot thinks this is an acceptable way to behave and then to tell me that he'll ruin my life if I call the police? Idiot.

Well done Rum, but I'm not surprised you're shaken up. That was very brave of you.
You'll probably feel better after a night's sleep. Have you got to work tomorrow? That'll keep your mind occupied, at least.

Ooh, DS2 and DD2 took us out for a Mothers Day lunch, and DD2 told us that Sebastian is starting to discern high-pitched noises.

Oh fantastic! Here's hoping his hearing comes back and he just has the selective deafness that all cats have when they don't want to listen to you!

Oh @RumNotRun that's a pretty scary thing to happen!

Many years ago I had a knock on the door from a lad asking if he could come in as he was being chased - I had an enclosed porch so made him wait in there while I called the police, then stood in the part opened doorway to keep an eye out and at the same time be able to slam it shut if I needed. Sure enough a car came cruising along the road slowly staring at every house then 2 guys walked VERY slowly past looking intently at the house. Eventually the police came along & I told them what I could.

But I couldn't go to sleep that night at all, and ended up chatting on line with a guy who was in the same Warcraft guild as me.

In other news, I am in the dog house big time. Girlcat followed me into the kitchen while I was getting my drink without me seeing, then failed to follow me out before I shut the door. She was NOT an impressed kitty this morning. As far as I can tell she's gone straight upstairs & not had much if any breakfast - though she did let me stroke her and grovel for a few minutes first

Sorry to hear about that @RumNotRun .
It sounds awful.
We were London yesterday, near regents park, and nearly got mown down by a runner who barged up behind us and nearly sent DH flying, I shouted at him and he said ' I warned you twice'. We never heard him ' warning ' us, I shouted at him some more , won't repeat what I called him...
Then I said to DD never to react like I did if she's on her own and anything similar happens, in case the person gets nasty. But it's difficult not to react isn't it.

I'm very impressed @RumNotRun - congrats for standng up to the little shit.
How did your deliveroo person react?

The Deliveroo guy kept thanking me afterwards bless him. He must have been terrified. I messaged Deliveroo just to let them know and see if they could do some kind of check on him, I don't know quite what. They did thank me for the information and have made a note of it.

I have a bloody massive bruise on my leg and a cut finger, both from the bike. I haven't heard anything from the police but I really hope they found him.

Best wishes to you @RumNotRun and 🏅for your bravery. Hope your lovely cat gang protected and encircled you with their furry love overnight.