January 23, 2015

So I have relented and decided that the neighbourhood cat, who I have named Patches, will be my feline friend.  She started coming when I first came to this house, but started misbehaving when I brought Fernando in.  She was peeing and pooping around the doors and even in the house if she got in.  Since Fernando has died, I have resisted befriending her as I thought that I would be getting another cat.  But about a week ago, she was plaintively crying outside my door so I let her in and fed her.  She has not misbehaved since.  She is very affectionate and quite cute.  Here she is:

All the cats live Tina Tranchila.  Patches will often lift one of Tina's legs and cradle it like a pillow.

Her morning routine.  I keep her outside at night.  In the morning I let her in and right away she has breakfast.  She is quite fat as a number of people feed her.

After she finished breakfast, she meows asking where I am.  Usually I am in my office checking e-mails and Facebook.  She comes in and sits on the rug, cleans herself and then goes to sleep.

She does not want to be held, but wants to be close.

I keep trying to pick her up and cuddle her, but she doesn't like it.  She wants to be patted a lot and even came and slept in my lap in the hammock one day.  I think she will make the perfect pet as she actually has another home and a number of people in the neighbourhood feed her.  So when I go away, I don't have to worry about her and when I am here, she is good company.

Went to my first yoga class in about 7 years.  I surprised myself with the amount I could do.  I have some way to go with my knees being a bit stiff, but overall it was a good start.  We are doing it outside at my friend Clare's.  She lives high on top of one of Kandy's many hills with a spectacular view and the most delicious breeze.  Plus, I walk part way to her place, so I get some exercise there as well.  I get a lift for the last bit as it is like climbing a mountain.

The farm is back in full operation now the rain has stopped.  Got some lovely arugula and the flowers of a green leaf plant that is used as a stewed green.  The flowers are especially tasty when prepared right.  Had the most delicious supper of arugula, pomegranate, blue cheese and walnut salad the other night.  Yummy.

Went with my friend Ava to the Earl's Regency (one of the big hotels) for breakfast yesterday.  Great breakfast with the highlight being the croissants.  Ava gets the croissants on order, so I have tagged myself on to her croissant tails.  What a treat it will be to have croissant with my espresso.

Speaking of espresso, I have a line on a full service espresso machine that a friend is going to give me for nothing.  Can hardly wait.  Shades of Kathy McLane who gave me my fabulous Canadian espresso machine.

Finally got out to Thalathuoya to retrieve my things from there.  So we have had our first Sadhu in the new house.

Got the aquarium on the veranda filled up with stones and sand in anticipation of germinating and planting some maryjane seeds.  Patches thought that it was a huge litter box and promptly used it as such.  Thankfully only pee, so I cleaned it up and covered it until I can get some soil and get the seeds germinated.  Will also plant some marigolds around the pot plants to hide the smell, keep mosquitoes away, and honour the Buddha all at the same time.  Very multi-purpose.