When I was a kid, I watched “The Secret Garden” with Mom and fell in love with the beauty created by flowers and plants. I’ve always dreamed of having my own secret garden, but between the deer and our epic drought, it’s been slow going and a little bit frustrating. It’s taken me years to figure out what will survive both, the drought and deer. Those that the deer ate, are now covering my deck in containers and have created a very relaxing oasis. What didn’t survive the drought, will not be replaced. The several vines, bushes and ground covers that have flourished in the yard are what I’m going…

Have you ever forced a pet outside in the pouring rain? I was on cam last night until about 4a, getting to bed around 430 with Tony snuggling between me and Devil, and Tigger in his normal spot, at Devil’s feet. I drifted off to sleep soon after I crawled under the covers and Tigger was smacking me with his paws at 5… only thirty minutes after I got to bed. I stumbled to the front door and he sees that it’s torrential downpours and backs up to let me know he’s reconsidered. Back to bed we go, just for him to be in my face soon after I fell…

Tiggers daily ritual is to wake up at 330a, go outside and gallivant until 830a, then he comes inside to eat. Once he’s full, he sits and watches over the other two, while they eat. They like to pretend they’re starving and they might not have food replenished for days, so they eat a lot. Once everyone has a full tummy, Tigger departs the group to sleep on the book shelf until about 3p, when he gets up to eat. After that, he finds the icebox for his afternoon nap. About 7p he goes outside to do a boundary check. He’s usually outside until I finish my day on cam,…

Out of the three I’d say Tony is mine. He lets me love on him, no matter his mood. He shares my pillow with me, if I’m lucky. Sometimes he pushes my head off the pillow after I fall asleep. He purrs into my ear when I’m waking up. He follows me to the studio and sometimes walks me back to the house at night. He’s my buddy. Tonight I wrangled the other two inside but couldn’t find Tony. Usually he’s underfoot, so I wondered what had gotten into him. After a short while I could hear him moving in the dark and then he came running towards me… with…

The Monsters are still full of piss and vinegar, but they are so adorably affectionate after a day of terror. Tony is so full of bologna that he curls up with me and purrs. Tigger usually plops down on Devil and insists on attention. And, Garfield. Well, he’s in a constant state of grumpy but is so loving at the same time. He’s also our “little bit” that has so much emotion in his furry face! He doesn’t sleep with the other two. This picture is with Tigger smothering Tony, while both are sleeping. They are adorable!