Autumn leaves, crackling fires, quokkas and puffins at the Bluestocking.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

A new thread - with apologies to the gerbils for leaving them out of the title.

I shall go on a chicken parfait Lidl expedition tomorrow and will report back.🙏

Damn it! Thought I was finally safe for this year, but just heard the voices of happy little children outside the little %&*£//% so I'm still locked down 😡

I always enjoy that 'how to worm your pet thing' on the internet, where the cat version goes on and on and ends with the pet carer getting back from having their wounds tended in A&E and seeing the uneaten pill in the middle of the floor,

and the dog version says 'wrap it in bacon; make him beg.

so true

Totally!!

Looking good, Boily

Quite a few little callers, with hovering parents in the background. The parents dress up too these days, that's new. I like being part of their Halloween fun, so the more 'trickle treaters' the better.

But I wasn't prepared for SEVEN little skeletons in one go, all aged about 4 or 5, and all squealing TRICK OR TREAT at the tops of their little voices. Almost scary - they could have rushed me and trampled over me to get at the treats!

Everybody got a shiny polished apple as well as sweets, in honour of Samhain.

It's Celtic New Year tonight too, a time of reflection after the fun and games.
Hope you're all having a good evening, however you're spending it

I thought of offering these to any callers. Very nutritious.
Although they stick in your teeth a bit.
https://www.bugzuk.com/store/edible-insects/3164-honey-roast-crickets-30g/

Nary a one here. Dh bought sweets, and they are all still in the bowl by the door, calling to me with their siren, sugary song.

STEP AWAY FROM THE SWEETS

Woley, sweets hate you, they want to destroy you. Do not be fooled by their " come hither" glances, they are produced by little red demons with spikey pitchforks.

You're not wrong, Fuzzy...

I have eaten my colcannon and drunk as much wine as I wanted, and will have plenty to cook with tomorrow.

Today is a GOOD day because after a dearth of about a month Lidl at last had lots of clumping cat litter. I was down to my last bag, and reduced to mixing it with Aldi's less functional non-clumping variety. I was feeling so desperate I actually had a look at what the pet shop had to offer - the clumping, lightweight, biodegradable stuff looked like a good choice. Until I saw the price - €15 for a bag half the size of the Lidl €2.47 one.

I am hoping that at the Bluestocking the gerbils clear up after the quokkas and vice-versa.

That's exactly it, Magpie!

I find Lidl very hit and miss. You just find something you really like ( or cat food the mogs like) and they discontinue it. Boo.

Most things I can work around but cat litter is non negotiable. There seemed to be a general shortage, not just in Lidl - I've been tramping round town trying other shops as well. Something similar happened a few years ago and I try to have about 10 bags as an emergency stash, but that was nearly not enoug this time. The joys of indoor cats.

I've found a place nearby that should soon be stocking the brand of compost I like. Young me would be aghast at what makes old...er me happy 😊

Sainsbury's, £2.30 a bag. It says non clumping but is totally clumping!! Yes the room with the litter tray ends up covered in a fine layer of dust, but it's a cross I'm willing to bear!

No children round here any more, as we've all lived here for ever & aged together, so no trick or treating. But I decorated the dining table with an autumn/Halloween arrangement & added a life-size skull & some sparkly spiders & bats, so I feel I've done my bit.

All this talk about cat litter makes me think - WTF is cat litter? what's in it? who makes it? is there an alternative? is it biodegradable? when was it invented?
Off to Google it now...

Uh-oh. Not good news for the environment.
How Cat Litter Is Made: A Step-by-Step Guide - The Cat Bandit Blog
You may prefer not to know...😕

Anybody want to join me? The zipwire's been converted so we can fly down on besoms! You can walk up or take the funicular ghost train👻

I think there's apple bobbing in the meadow. The gerbils are putting on an appropriately themed show, though it's underwraps at the moment. There's cinder toffee and mulled cider. Some of the cats have dressed up, one's gone for classic black, and Colin has put together an outfit. The gulls have declared peace for this evening, the little ones have been trick or treating.

I'm with you Cake

Paaaaaaarty!

Oh, I say! What's in this cauldron? <hic!>

@DeanElderberrywith unsuspecting dog ...

I'm in!