Kittens!

It's definitely been a busy month so far!
So much fruit to pick and organize for others to pick!

(Did you know you can pick fruit and get paid for how much?
It's a great fundraising opportunity!)

So many seeds to save, dried flowers to make magic with, infused oils to strain, a whole farm to clean and tidy for winter, pipes and tanks to get in the ground, solar panels to get on the roof, and kittens to cuddle and feed!

Yep, we found some kittens and a feral cat mom that couldn't cope. So they are staying with me for now for some full bellies, warm blankets, and lots of plays and cuddles, while hopefully mom can be trapped, neutered, and released.
They will be available for adoption in a few weeks!
Even at 4 weeks old, their personalities couldn't be more apparent or different. 
One is always up for a challenge and never sits still and all it's charges are bluffs.
One likes to observe before charging, never bluffs, and is fine staying quiet.
One, who is first shy, is also the first to purr and snuggle and run around all the corners.

They are a reminder that cats, for all their independence and seeming aloofness, are not wild animals and have a hard time trying to survive like one. They all need a warm shelter (indoor or out), food (even if they kill things), and support (even if they are grumpy about needing it).

The common idea that cats really don't need us (or want to be around us) is wrong. They may like to choose when touched or held (really a good things for humans too). They may bring us dead things as treats (even if they don't eat them). But they get grumpy when we show affection to another cat instead of them. They will choose to cuddle next to you not only for warmth but because they like you (they are a better judge of character than a lot of humans). They usually like you because you are nice to them, help them out of tough situations, and keep them safe. 
Domesticating animals is like keeping them as an infant their whole life, dependent upon us. Would you abandon a baby to the wild like cats so often are?

Ok, rant over! 
Growing up and living in rural places where often, but not always, cats are seen as disposable creatures only kept around to hunt mice and easily replaced, I often feel like I need to defend them for the precious tiny fluffs (and sometimes shitheads lol) they are, especially when there are many bigger predators that share their hunting grounds!

These little preciouses were found along fish hatchery rd, their mother struggling, and these babies hungry. I am fostering them while they are still on formula and need a few more weeks of growth before they would normally leave their mom.

It is both a juggle and joy to have them in the house with their typical kitten mix of eager exploration, feisty baby teeth, and sudden tenderness.
They will be available for adoption in a few weeks through the Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter.
And they are a good reminder that even though cats are tough little hunters, even they (especially when trying to raise young) have a hard time making it on their own so please don't think they always can. Also, get them fixed if they are gonna be outdoors. All mine are!

Speaking of my 4 cats, they are mostly curious about the newcomers (except Hella, who had three kittens brought home to be her new roommates suddenly lol) but are grumpy that a room is closed to them. A room that is filled with weird smells and sounds.