Within the last three days we've had some mad weather here in New York. Hot and humid, followed by tropical-type thunderstorms with dramatic downpours. When Fritz senses the strorm clouds a- gathering, I think his instincts from childhood down on the farm in Ohio take over. "Tornado! Head for the shelter"! And indeed he does. We're all too polite to remind him that he's already inside inside a rather solid pre-war New York apartment building - it's in his blood. Here you may observe Fritz just the other day, before such a storm, keeping a weather eye out from his shelter for the coming tempest:
And after the rain, all that New York humidity dissipates, and Fritz naps, with no need to keep a look out:
When the coast was clear, I sneaked into Fritz's shelter. Should he awake, I'll be in touble, hence my slightly nervous appearance...
Wherever you may be, Fritz and I wish you good shelter from any storms heading your way.
I was going to be given the same name as Ernest Shackelton's cat. However, one who feeds me discovered that this cat was called "Mrs Chippy." This was never really going to work for me, although it seems "she" was a "he" anyway. I'm told Mrs Chippy (pictured above) wasn't Ernest's cat, albeit he was technically (and ultimately all too practically), under his command. Whilst Mrs Chippy may have been happily resigned to the name, as a fellow Tom Cat from a rather tougher neighbourhood, it didn't work for me. Trust me, it would't fly in Harlem.
So, Ernest I am. Both Mr Shackelton and Mrs Chippy embarked on the same adventure, and either would have been worthy namesakes. Mrs Chippy had a diary, this blog is mine.
If you have the time you can read this and start to learn more about Mr Shackelton and Mrs Chippy's story.
One who feeds me went to the same school as Ernest Shackleton, hence this pre-occupation.
I now live in an apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with my mate Fritz and the two feeders, one English and one not.
7 comments:
Uh, that shelter doesn't look very tornado proof to us. Just saying...
Luf, Us
I don't much like storms either. I am scairt of most loud noises. Guess what we just got? A generator and portable A/C unit. So, now we are ready for hurricane season in south Florida.
Ok. We won't doubt you nefer efer agin.
Just sayin... Heer in Texassss, dey sey ifn u taint got a shelter, den u shud git in a closet or in da tub an cover up wid a mattress. Mebbe u kin put a mattress ofer yur tunnel?
Luf, Us
I hope the storms are gone by now and it was not so bad. We live in Virginia and we had a lot of rain! and some boomie storms too
WE like your hidey place. I think you and Fritz can share... right?
<3 P + C
I saw your comment about armadillos. I do not really like them. Mostly, we see dead ones in the road because they are nocturnal. Here is what I read about why they don't have very good luck:
Three reasons. First, armadillos will eat carrion, which in the US is often roadkill. Animals that eat roadkill often become roadkill themselves, because they are on the road more often than other animals are. Second, armadillos are nocturnal. It is hard to see animals by the side of the road at night, so it is harder for motorists to avoid hitting them. Third, armadillos jump up in the air when they feel threatened. This often works to startle a predator, but against an automobile it doesn’t work; they just end up jumping right into the front or underside of the car, with disastrous results.
My conclusion is that armadillos might be a little bit dumb.
our daddy lifs in Dutchess County and it seems that all of you downstate is getting the weafurr that we has in Western NY a day after we gets it.
We get jumpy with storm. Makes us real unpredictable, the butler tries to lock us in when it's too windy...
But we don't mind thunderstorms, we are not afraid of thunder and lightning!
Karl and Anastasia
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