Monday, January 5, 2026

New Year Hodgepodge

 Well, here we are. 2026. Wonder what the new year will bring? Anyhoo, so as you've seen before with my predecessor, I like helping mom and dad work on puzzles, 


and I'd say I'm doing a damn fine job here. 

Dad had to go to the boss's house after a recent snow/ice storm and saw these hoof prints frozen across the driveway. 


He thought they'd make for a good photo, but can anyone tell me why on God's green earth something like this is interesting enough to photograph, yet they find my litter trail leading away from my box annoying? 

We felines are no strangers to, um, peculiar sleeping positions. Dad wanted to include this shot of me sleeping in, well, anyway-



While mom and dad sipped their morning drinks recently, dad thought he'd be funny (and I use the term loosely) and put his coffee cup insulator sleeve on my head.


What is it with humans and their occasional need to humiliate their pets? Hmm? 

So there you have it. My first mishmash post of the year. I'll end it with a trio of shots of me at, according to mom and dad, my most adorable





They think I can't hear them discussing my none-too-sunny disposition when I'm awake (I'm old. What can I say?), and they always fawn over me when I'm asleep. 

27 comments:

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

You are always adorable, Smudge. Don't your mum and dad know there are no strange sleeping positions, all are comfortable for cats! Don't worry, I am old and get grumpy too. It comes to all of us.

Zoolatry said...

How about we keep on mishing and mashing our way through the rest of the year? You got a good start on it ...

Lynn and Precious said...

Smudge, you got to keep those parents on their toes. Pretend you're sleeping and hear what they have to say. We think you're beautiful awake or asleep and I thought the little cardboard paper if it would have been painted gold would have made a perfect tiara. Lynn is forever looking for things outside too that are supposed to be interesting. I think we cats are interesting enough don't you, lol.

Eastside Cats said...

Happy New Year, Smudge and pawrents!
Smudge, you've got them broken in just right...you don't want to start with new humans.
And they snap photos of EVERYTHING, so just ignore them when they act like that.

My Mind's Eye said...

Smudge Looks like you are at least not a destroyer of puzzles.
Angel Madi like to swat anything she thought was in her spot...which of course was every spot in the,
It is imPAWent for Dad to know who he might encounter while he is out and about. What type of paw prints were they?
The price you pay for TLC is what a friend of mine calls
'Hat Tax'. You must tolerate whatever is put on your head with acceptance
Hugs x 3
Cecilia

Brian's Home Blog said...

You are adorable as always sweetest Smudge and I hope you have a totally purrfect 2026!

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Deer tracks! I love driving around after a fresh snowfall and looking for them out in the farm fields! We are in too urban an area to get them in the yard - but a short (2 minute drive) and we are in deer heaven!

Gidget Blue Sky said...

oh gosh yes smudgie!! we r dee cutest win we r sleeping!! i make little squeelly noises win i'm sleeping too

The Oceanside Animals said...

Chaplin: "I sure wish our Mama and Dada would work on a puzzle or two. They look like so much fun! Kind of like the time they tried to play Dada's 'Zombies' board game and I got to participate."
Lulu: "You mean when you knocked the cards and the pieces off the table?"
Chaplin: "Yeah, like I said. Participate."

The Florida Furkids said...

You are adorable. Unfortunately, trading your parents in for a new set means having to train them all over again so keep the ones you have. you know you love them.

Darla M Sands said...

You look utterly resigned with that cup sleeve on your head. lol Best wishes to you and your wonderful family.

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

You really are too cute, Smudge! Happy New Year to you and your peeps!

pilch92 said...

You are so darn cute and clearly an excellent puzzle maker. Wishing you and your folks a happy and healthy 2026! XO

messymimi said...

All parents are going to have their drawbacks as no one is perfect (except you), so I'd stick with what you have rather than take the risk of getting a worse deal.

I pray you have a blessed and beautiful 2026.

Greg_1948 in_WA said...

You look like a barista wearing a hat

Leslie's Garden said...

Smudge, I think you are a beautiful and adorable fur baby. I hope the New Year is good to you and your humans.

Gidget Blue Sky said...

Smudge, your new header izza spectackyooler

da tabbies o trout towne said...

smudge….yur fotoz R….A door a bull, and ewe noe what they say bout pay bax….may bee sum thin kneadz ta bee placed…on dadz head, N while himz sleepin ….wood bee de bezt time ta due sew ‼️😸💚🐟 give it sum thought 😸😸

meowmeowmans said...

Happy New Year to you and your parents, Smudge. We like all your sleeping postions, and you look like a grand poobah with that coffee sleeve on your head!

LOULOU said...

YOU are the most darling elderly...uh..mature kitty we have met recently. LOVE your sleeping positions...looks like a full pike dive and thanks for visiting, Yes, we need a hero, NOW.

My Mind's Eye said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
My Mind's Eye said...

You know I love sparkles
Thank you very very much for the lovely bday wishes.
What a day it has been. 71 degrees and full sun in JANUARY no less. My Bryan did things up right too with a lovely necklace. We are ordering take out from Outback for supper.
Hugs
Cecilia

Ananka said...

Happy New Year :-D

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

Oh, you're definitely adorable! Happy New Year!

The J-Cats said...

There is absolutely nothing peculiar about your sleeping position, Smudge. We sleep like that all the time! We think you look furry cute - and so does Our Human.

Danielle L Zecher said...

Smudge, I have to agree with your parents that you are absolutely adorable in those last three photos.

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

I've missed you Smudge!!!!!!! I love seeing you because you remind me so much of my Angel Cody! Last year as your Dad knows was a nightmare (tell him not to feel bad that he didn't know, I only told maybe 4 people!!). Everything is fine now, thank goodness and I am hoping to visit MUCH more regularly than I was. I LOVED this post and the cup thingy on your head WAS funny!!!!