Another Quiet Day

This week has been very quiet. Not all my humans have come in to see me. Nan's been home sick. I miss her. We whisper in each others ears, sharing secrets, and she lets me ride on her shoulder. I really like hugging her. She has some of my distant relations at home, so I know she knows what a cat like me likes. I hope she feels better soon and comes back to me. It's not the same without her.
The other humans are ok. They take care of me but not like Nan. Mary cleaned my toilet one day this week, and boy, did she do a lousy job! It was obvious she didn't know what she was doing. I know she's a dog person coz there's always dog hair on her pant legs, but come on now, even a dog has to be cleaned up after! She tried to make it up to me by bringing me some turkey--which I ignored. (I ate it after she left--can't give in to these humans all the time!)
Another of my humans is trying to play a trick on me! She sounds and smells like Tamika but she doesn't look like her. The hair is all different! It makes her look so glamorous! As long as she still treats me the same she can get as fancy as she wants. (I do like the new way her hair smells.)
I think I'm going to be spending a quiet weekend. I keep hearing the humans say 'we're closed Monday and Tuesday.' That means The Man will come over and check on me. He pretends that I'm a nusiance but I think he really likes me. He lets me out and plays with me when no one else is around, and he gets me fresh water. We have 'guy time' together.
I've been hiding in the closet in the big room, but I think it's time to get comfortable and take a nap. Yeah, it's time.

Not the Usual Night

Usually at night after the humans leave (always saying Good Night to me and someone named Frank who I don't know), it gets quiet around here. Well, that wasn't the case Friday. For one thing, no one turned on the radio in my room. I was laying in my box high up on the mailbox shelf and I noticed that right away. For another thing, the buzzer that usually goes off when the humans leave, didn't make any noise. Did they forget to do something? Would it suddenly erupt and keep me awake for hours? I was a annoyed but before I could get really upset, I heard humans thru the grate in the wall. They were in the big room ! I got close to the grate so I could hear better and started to recognize the voices. The Man was there and so was Nancy and Mary. I heard Tamika, and a lot of others, too. They were talking about food and laughing and having a good time. Someone started playing the piano and a blowing a horn and some other things. And the humans started singing!! What a sound! I couldn't believe what I was hearing! Then there was more laughter. They were in there for quite awhile and I started to feel left out. At last it got quite and Nancy stopped by my room to say good night and turn on my radio.. The buzzer went off as she left and everything was back to normal. At last!!

My New Possession

I have a new possession. Tamika put a cardboard box on top of the mailboxes for me. When I'm laying in it, the sides are just high enough for me to rest my chin on, or to hide behind! I like sleeping in it on a crochet rug someone gave me. Mary even gave me my treats up here! It's nice being above the humans (but, after all, I am a cat and therefore, above humans.)

Well, I didn't win the Pet of the Year contest, but I am a Pet of the Month! I ended up in 9th place behind several dogs and cats, including Teddi and Ty those white dogs Mary thinks are so neat. I think my humans will make a big deal about this (they usually do). mmm, maybe they'll celebrate for a whole month with special gifts and treats for me.

Thank you again to everyone who voted in this contest sponsored by the Herkimer Evening Telegram to benefit their Newspapers in Education program, even if you didn't vote for me.

Pet of the Year

This Pet of the Year contest is starting to get to me. First of all, my humans are making me 'meet and greet' more. I'm a rather private, independent cat and I like the right to choose who I'll be friendly with. I realize I need to get out there with my public if I want to win this contest, but maybe it just isn't worth it. Yesterday I was forced to spend the day in the big room in the dark where no one could find me. That was the only way I could get a nap! Today, I'm sitting on the top of the computer under Nan's desk in the children's room. There's not too much space on top of a computer so it's not too comfortable for napping. My humans are upset coz they can't find me and I'm upset with them coz they keep looking for me!! I think I'll be happy when the contest ends on Friday.

I do want to thank everyone who has voted for me. I am really surprised that I've gotten so many votes! It is nice to know that humans like me and it feels good to know that I'm raising money for a good cause(Newspapers in Education). If I can't win, I hope that I can at least be in the top 13 and be a Pet of the Month for the humans who have supported me. If you haven't voted yet, time is running out! Send your votes ($.10 a vote) to the Herkimer Evening Telegram or stop in at the library before noon on Friday, Nov. 30.

Now I have to find a new spot for a nap. This computer top is starting to give me a pain in the neck.

Another Peaceful Monday

It seemed like the humans took every other day off last week. Suddenly, in the middle of the week, they weren't here one day. And only The Man came in the next day. But that was ok, coz he opened my door and while he cleaned my 'facilities' I checked out the rest of the library. Lucky was still there, chained to the new book rack, and a couple of rows of wooden men are still standing on a shelf. Then The Man went outside and played in the leaves while I finished my check of the library. It was quiet but everything was in it's place. The next day all the humans were back and I got to go in the back room and make sure Tamika was putting books into boxes right. I enjoy doing that because those books have such interesting smells and they tell such great stories! When the humans left that day, there were some of those wooden men on one of my shelves in my room. They don't talk much and they don't move around at all! What do they do???

My humans are very happy because I'm ahead in the Pet of the Year contest in the Herkimer Evening Telegram. I finally got more votes than Teddi & Ty, a pair of white dogs who Mary says she'd vote for it she didn't know me. (She must know about dogs coz there is always dog hair on her pant legs.) Any way, I'm in the lead and frankly, I'm surprised. I didn't know that many humans liked me, really liked me. I want to thank everyone for voting for me and if you haven't voted yet, you can drop off your donation to the library or send it to the Herkimer Evening Telegram before Friday. The Pet of the Year contest benefits the Telegrams' Newspapers in Education program. It's nice to know I'm helping to educate humans.

Aha, I think I've done enough today. Time for a nap.

Thanksgiving

There are more new smells in the library today. The humans have tables full of books, again, and another table has such sweet smells on it! I tried to investigate but as soon as I stepped near one of the great smelling round things, my humans yelled and that scared me. (Not that I'm a scaredy cat just a cautious one! And when The Man and Mary both yell at me at the same time, well, I just keep moving.) Now all those round things are gone except the one the humans are eating. I hope they remember me and offer a little bite.

My humans tell me I have over 1,000 votes in the Pet of the Year contest. That means a lot of people like me. Maybe all that 'meeting and greeting' they make me do is paying off. I am meeting a lot of nice ladies who tell me how handsome I am. Did I mention I'm meeting a lot of smart ladies?

If you've voted for me, I want to thank you again, and if you haven't voted yet, time is running out. All the votes have to be in by Fri., Nov. 30th. It takes a dime to vote and you can cast your votes here at the Library or by sending your donation to the Herkimer Evening Telegram. All the money they raise will go towards their Newspapers in Education program that gives free newspapers to schools and libraries for people to take home.

My humans are telling me I'll be on my own for 2 days (except The Man has promised to visit and clean my toilet) while they celebrate Thanksgiving. They're talking about eating turkey. I hope someone remember and brings in a couple of bites for me. I'm sure they will. Tamika and Nancy won't forget me. Ah, it will be nice to be able to sleep for as long as I want without someone waking me up. Now, that'll be thanksgiving!

Am I A Character??

One of the humans who comes into the library nearly every day brought in a piece of paper that made my humans laugh out loud. It was a story and I was in it!! So was Tamika and Mary and Sue but I was a main character! (Am I a Character?) They really enjoyed looking at that paper but they woke me up with their noise.

The humans who are counting my votes for Pet of the Year say I have over 300 so far. I hope that's good . If I am a Character I want to be in the newspaper, too. If you voted for me, thank you. If you haven't voted yet, please vote for me. It costs $.10 per vote and you can bring your money into the library and put it in my box on the desk or send it to the Herkimer Evening Telegram. Thank you. :)

Torture

Talk about torture! My humans are celebrating the birthday of one of them and boy, does that cake smell good. So far, I've been pushed away from the cake twice!! I don't understand why I can't taste it. I'm sure it will be perfect for a feline with a refined palette like me. I don't want much, my mother did teach me some manners, just a little taste. Oh, look, no one is watching the cake. Here goes!!

Pin_up Cat

My humans tell me I made the cut and now I'm in the Herkimer Evening Telegram's Pet of the Year contest. The top vote getter will be on the cover of the paper's 2008 calendar and the top 12 will be featured in the months. The proceeds from this contest benefit the Telegram's Newspapers in Education program. I hope I get some votes...besides my humans who are already emptying their pockets in the ballot box (1 vote=$.10). I hope you will vote for me.

What A DaY!

What a day it has been so far! When The Man came in to open my door something went wrong and there was an awful loud sound. He tried to make it go away (and I heard some words a cat like me shouldn't hear) but it took awhile for it to be quiet again. Then some more men came in and climbed up into the ceilings and make whirring sounds with some small things they had in their hands. I had to take refuge in the backroom under the bottom shelf. It felt safe under there. I could see the strange men going back and forth, and I could hear them making noise. Finally, they went away and just as I came out from my hiding place, someone started up the machine the Man uses when he pushed the dirt around on the rug. Boy, does that make a racket!! At last, it was quiet again. Isn't that what it's suppose to be in a library? And just when I started to relax on my nice soft chair, the miniature humans started coming in. It sounds like they are having a grand time in the big room but they do make a lot of noise. I can't wait for them to leave. I really need a nap!

Pin-Up Cat

My humans tell me they have entered my photo in a contest in the local newspaper, the Herkimer Evening Telegram. They are waiting to see if I made the first cut. I remember the day they took that picture. I was sleeping (what else?) in a chair when they rudely w0ke me up. They covered the chair with a sheet and put me back in place. It was nice and cool. Then they opened a book and put it infront of me and took my picture--over and over again. Finally, they were satisfied and took the book away. Then they took the sheet! I was beginning to like that sheet! Anyway, now they are waiting to see if I'll be in the contest. I'm not sure if I want to be that famous. Will it interrupt my naps?

A Wild Time!

Yesterday was wild around here. In the morning the library was invaded by miniature humans! They were running around and making a lot of noise. What a sound!!! They seemed to be having a lot of fun in the Washburn Room. There was music and they were banging on things. This happened last week, too, and my humans tell me this will keep on happening on Wednesday morning for another 4 weeks. Oh, well, as long as I can hide behind the computer's printer I'll be ok. I guess. And if that wasn't bad enough, in the middle of my early afternoon nap, one of my humans came into the room with a machine that made a lot of noise. With that machine she was able to suck up all the dust and hair that was on chairs and desks in here. It made such a racket!! I had to hide behind the printer, again. Later, when she was working on the computer, I reached out and touched her leg with my paw and she screamed! She didn't know I was there. I think that makes us even. Besides, disturbing my nap, last week she stepped on my tail! I know that was an accident, but it still hurt! Oh, well, I like to keep my humans on their toes!!

Oh, What delicious smells!

Oh, what delicious smells there are in the Library today. Yesterday some human moved all the tables together and covered them with books!! What interesting smells those book have, telling me where they'd been and who they've been with. Then this morning my humans moved more tables together and covered them with food. Ohh, mmm, they smell soo good! One of the humans has offered me a nibble but it smelled very sweet so I said no, thank you (I'm a very polite cat). There's another table with coffee(why does coffee smell so good and taste so bad? at least to a cat?). I can smell cream but it's in a box and I can't get to it. At one time, the humans forget about me and put the cream in a small pitcher and put it on the table. Oh, what a treat that was!! But my humans are pretty smart (they've got me, don't they?)so that doesn't happen too often anymore. The only trouble I can see happening today is all the new humans who will be coming in to buy the books and goodies. I've got to scout out a good spot where I can see them but they can't see me. It's got to be secure enough so I can take a nap when I need one. Hmm, I think I need one now.

My Friend Lucky

There is a big (bigger than me) creature in the library that sits over by the new books in a nice basket with a very soft pillow. It always has a treat in its mouth but it doesn't move or have a smell! When I steal the treat from it, one of the humans puts it back. It doesn't try to keep me from taking the treat, either. The humans call it Lucky. Since I seem to like his treat, the human has brought me some! They don't taste as good as my treats, but they're a nice shape and very hard. I have a lot of fun playing with it and batting it around. One of the humans says I'm playing soccer with it. Soccer is very physcial and by the time I've played my game every morning it's time for a nap. So, Yawn!!

Time Marches By

It was a different kind of day last Saturday. First of all, none of my humans came in to see me (or to work!). I missed being let out of my suite to run around the library. Then, about half way thru the day, there was a lot of noise outside. Pounding and tooting and a lot of humans yelling and having a good time. I could see some of the excitement from my spot on top of the file cabinet. At one time it looked like a flock of extra-large birds strutting down the street! The humans kept cheering and yelling. At the end there was a bunch of big trucks-some red, some yellow-green-that made a lot of noise. I was ready for a nap by then!! Later, after it had gotten dark outside, there was more noise! This time booms and pops. It sounded terrible!! I was glad to be safe in my 2-room suite. I don't understand what made the humans so happy. They made noise outside for a long time after the booms stopped. And, after awhile, there were colored lights outside, too! I'm glad that night is over and things are back to normal. Ah, normal, that means it's time for a nap!

Things Are Back To Normal, Again.

Something was not normal last week. The Man did not come to let me out on Friday. I had to wait about 2 hours until one of the female humans came to work. She let me out right away but it wasn't the same as when the Man's here. I get to help him clean the library, and I really like to watch him when he's playing with the windows from the other side. He didn't come to let me out the next day either, but more of the human females did. I was only alone for 1 day this week, and the radio was on all the time. When the music stopped, there was a lot of cheering and the human talking got very worked up about something. Kept talking about downs and yardages. He made it sound very exciting but I didn't understand much so I didn't let it interfer with my nap. Then the Man was back this morning and everything is normal again. My humans tell me I have a MySpace account, now. Don't know for sure what is but the other humans they tell seem to like the idea. Oh, this has been to much for me. Time for a nap!

The Kindness of Patrons

Last week the library received a check from a parton to be used exclusively for me! How nice!! Now what do I want?? Maybe some fresh shrimp, a little fresh turkey, a big soft armchair, a window with a ledge wide enough so I can lay there and see outside whenever I want (not just when the library is open!), a drinking fountain where I can play in the running water (and not have to wait for some human to turn it on for me), some one to screen my calls so I won't have to go 'meet & greet' when I'd rather sleep, mmm, maybe that's enought thinking for now. Time to sleep.

New Stuff

There's been a lot of activity in the big room. The closet got emptied and new shelves installed. All the stuff from the shelves is still in piles waiting for someone to go thru it...so I am! What fun! There are the best smells in there!! A group of young humans have been in there play acting in there, too. They're going to put on their show today. Maybe I'll hide in the back hall and watch. Maybe I'll just take a nap.

Another Pretty Lady

Well, another pretty lady came to visit the Library today. Her name was Jenny Hula Curry. She's an auth0r and she came to talk about her book, Brothers Huxten. She didn't look like she could write that kind of story! She hugged me and told me I was very handsome ( I have that effect on the ladies). I just purred into her ear.

I got a little closer to the other new human today. I let him pet me and hold me for awhile this morning but I didn't purr into his ear!!!

I've had a very busy day hiding from that new human and a group of little humans who wanted to meet me. It's a burden to have an adoring public. It's time for a late afternoon nap.

Behind the Printer :)

I spent most of today behind the printer. It's a nice dark spot and I can see what's happening in my room very well from there without being seen. You see, there was a new human here today. He seemed very nice and talked about going fishing and catching fish (I said he seemed nice!) He's suppose to come back tomorrow. Maybe I'll get a little closer to him, but until I get use to him, I think , maybe, I'll stay hid.

A Royal Visit

I was visited by a real princess last week. She was beautiful with long yellow hair and a pretty blue dress. She even had sparkly things in her hair like stars! She held me close and told me I was the nicest cat she had met that day. I just purred my agreement. She was smart as well as pretty!! My people told me she was the Miss Herkimer County , Ashley Crane. No wonder I liked her!

Something New!

I have discovered a new sensation! There is a rather large shiny box on the wall near the hallway to the Children's Room. It makes noise and is very cold. When people press a button on the top, water comes pouring out! I like to sit there (it is a cool seat) and some of my people will press the button for me. Then the water is flowing and I can drink it and play in it! I really have to find more of these sensations to liven up my days. I thought I had found the way into the treat box. I enjoyed helping myself whenever I wanted a treat one weekend but then Monday came around and The Man put a stop to my self-service station. Now there are small boxes on top of the treat box. They're not heavy and I think I can move them, but not right now. It's nap time.

Meeting and Greeting

Today I had the privilage of meeting Nancy Sanders the Puppeteer. She was here for a program and I was taken in to meet her. I didn't like things at first and ran away, but I was lured back in with the promise of shrimp treats. I had my picture taken with her and she was a very nice lady. She appreciated my finer points and told me I was very good-looking. I always fall for the ladies!

All Those Empty Boxes

All those boxes that my people have been filling are being emptied and those books are piled up in the big room. What good smells there are! I enjoy walking around in there in the early morning and checking things out. There are a lot of different people in the library this week who are doing that. too. They're bringing in a lot of interesting smells, too.

The Mystery Goes On

I finally got into the backroom to investigate those smells that were coming from under the door. There is a giant green man with a hole for a face standing next to a donkey with big teeth. All my people think it's great! What can it be? There's another sheet that has about 6 big holes in it and drawings of fish around the holes. My people are acting very strange about them. I hope I can figurer this out soon. It's making me sleepy thinking so hard!

Now What?

Mondays are always busy around here coz my people are back from where ever it is they go when they leave me. Today some of them were in the back hall moving large pieces of plywood and carrying in buckets of something. Then one of them shut me out and stayed in there. What awful smells came under the door! What was she doing? Does she need me?!? She's back inside safe again now but the smell is still there. What can it be? I'll let you know when I find out!

Boxes Full of Books

This week there's a lot of unusual smells coming into the Library. My people are moving a lot of boxes, too! The boxes are full of books and magazines that other people are bringing in for the annual book sale. The boxes are stacked up nicely and I'm having a great time exploring them and climbing them. Some of the boxes are the perfect size for a perfect cat like me to nap it...and I do! The book sale is July 10th-13th and my people keep saying this is just the start of what will be brought in. As long as I can check out the donations first ,I'm happy for them. Some of them are as excited about the donations as I am! I wonder why?

Monday. Monday!

Ah, Monday again and all my people are here! I like it much better when they're around coz they give me snacks and cuddles. One even brings in fresh catnip! Wow!! The big shelve is still smelly but I don't notice it too much when the AC is on. And it is a nice size to climb! The top shelve is great to lay on and take a nap. Which reminds me, it's naptime! Bye!!

The Big New Mailbox/bookshelf

Something new

I had to hide again on Saturday morning when some big boys brought in this huge bookshelf. Boy, it was big and they were even bigger!! When they left the bookshelf was in my room and it smells of varnish! It seems they were Boy Scouts and this smelly bookshelf was an Eagle Project for one of them. It replaced the small mailbox shelf that my people had been using. My people are all excited about the new mailboxes and I even have one so you can write to me at the Library! But when will the smell go away?

A scary night

Boy, I don't know what happened but the alarm went off Saturday night. It was really scary, let me tell you. It rang for the longest time before it was quiet again. I wonder if there's a ghost in the library? Or a mouse??

Something new!

I have found a new pastime...chasing flies! What fun! They fly around and I chase them trying to catch them. When I do, the game is over so I try not to catch them too often. There aren't too many flies here in the library! Oh, well, I guess it's time for a nap.

Meow, I was an adorable kitty.Now I am a gorgeous cat.

My Kitten Pictures

Another try at technology

Well, those nice people at the computer class were able to get the cd with my kitten pictures on it out of their computer. My people are going to try to post some of them tomorrow. Be on the look out for the most adorable kitten pictures...if I say so myself...you've ever seen! I'd be interested in hearing from those who agree with me and even from those who don't!

Technology

One of my people went to a class this morning to learn how to post photos to this account. She got the cd with my kitten photos stuck in the computer! The instructors promise to get it out...eventually, but she wasn't able to post any of the most adorable kitten photos you'd ever want to see. I really wanted to share my kittenhood with you but that will just have to wait. Next time she better ask how before trying something new! Oh, well, humans!!!

Dogs are real people, too.

Thanks, Olivia. I feel the same way. Libraries are a very nice place to live. There are a lot of neat places to hide, miles of shelves to climb and these big windows that let the morning sun in. I can't think of a better place to spend my time. I even have my own radio at night so I don't get too lonely. Right now, I'm into jazz. My ladies tried rock'nroll on me but it wasn't for me. Maybe a little country now and then wouldn't be too bad, either. The only thing that would make my life complete is a feline friend. If only my people read this!!

Wednesday May 2

I am so sad because some mean person broke one of the doors at the library . I was scared when I heard the noise and sad because someone was hurting my home. My mommy Nancy planted some special grass in a pot for me to munch on but so far it's just fun to play with. Maybe later I will try it.

It's so Hard

Oh life here at the library is so hard sometimes. I'm constantly being loved and adored by the ladies that work here, or my "mommies" as I refer to them. Now I have a new daddy named Paul who just started here, so far I like him but I get confused because there is also Paul the computer technician. I think right now I will take a nap since I just gave myself a nice bath. Yawn, like I said life is hard here. meow

Scary day

Yesterday was a scary day for me. A tall stranger was in my space. I had to hide for over half an hour eventho my people were looking for me! How was I to know that he was the president of the board of trustees!! Next time I'll just go into a safe place until he leaves.

Meow

meow meow meow: Hello my name is Sydney and I live at the Frank J. Basloe Library in Herkimer, NY. I like saying hello to my friends every morning and then soon after I sleep in their chairs. I enjoy the treats the patrons here at the library bring me very much. They bring me neat toys too. I like to keep an eye on the library and make sure everyone is happy. Stop in and say hello to me and if I am awake I may talk to you. Early in the morning around nine I am most awake and you may even get to hold me.