The Easter Monday Groundhog and Other Unique Sights

[rusty_armour]

I just came back from spending the Easter weekend at my parents' place. Unlike last year, Minerva wreaked most of her havoc before Easter began. She managed to not only knock all the decorations off the living room mantel ahead of time, but she started the Easter egg hunt early by scattering Lindt eggs out of their bowl and under various pieces of furniture, etc. These still haven't been found, though Minerva tried to do a bit of searching yesterday.



Unfortunately, all she found was one of the balls that were originally
placed in the Christmas tree to distract her from tearing down ornaments.



Although her mission was unsuccessful, Minerva quickly recovered from her disappointment and found other distractions.









Minerva wasn't the only member of the family to have a bit of fun. My mom was kind enough to braid these awesome straps for the pair of guitars I bought at The Elegant Garage Sale on Bayview. Without these essential straps, my boys would have to set the guitars down on their stands and couldn't pretend to be rock stars.

ROCK ON!

This year, I'm happy to report that we not only received a visit from the Easter Bunny but the Easter Monday Groundhog! My mom spotted the little fellow wandering through the garden and drew my dad's attention to it. Then she called down the hall to me and my sister. Even my brother ended up stumbling out of bed to see what was going on. Anyway, I attempted to take some pictures through my parents' bedroom window. They aren't great, but here are the two best photos from my collection:



Well, I'd love to stick around, but I've got a flist to browse, email to check, and fic to read. I hope everyone had a very enjoyable Easter, whether you were blessed with a visit by the Easter Monday Groundhog or not.

Comments

[sublunarfields.livejournal.com]

LOL. I'm glad you and Minerva had a good time over Easter. :) I just hope she didn't eat any chocolate...

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sublunarfields! I hope your Easter was also good! :-) As far as I know, Minerva didn't eat any chocolate. This year, she just seems interested in batting it around the house. *g*

[boobamiaow.livejournal.com]

haha thanks for the pics and giggle. That is one gorgeous kitty you have there!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm glad this post gave you a laugh, boobamiaow. :-) The kitty in question is my mom's baby. She's a Maine Coon cat and is about 2 & 1/2 years old. Apparently, she won't fully mature until she's five years old (much to my mom's chagrin), which is probably why she continues to act like a kitten. *g*

[crew4.livejournal.com]

Minerva is gorgeous! Such a pretty kitty.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'll pass on your kind words next time I see her! :-)

[karen9.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the pics. Minerva is lovely. I like the way she entertained herself with the curtains. The close up of her nose is cute. *beep!*

The groundhog is sweet.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked the pictures, karen9. :-) Minerva is lovely, though she's always getting into trouble. *g* For some reason, whenever we play with her cat toy (which is essentially a stick with a tassle thingie hanging by a string), she ends up heading for the curtains and wants to play with it in there. In fact, she did something similar with the dining room tablecloth yesterday.

I think groundhogs are adorable and, as far as I know, this is the first time one has shown up in my parents' backyard. Apparently, he was back later on when my mom was bringing in some laundry from the clothesline, though he took off as soon as he saw her.

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

Minerva is a very handsome cat!

Belated Happy Easter!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, alysscarlet! :-) I'm sure Minerva will be very pleased to hear that, though I suspect that she may already know... *g*

I hope you and G had a good Easter. With any luck, you were able to relax a bit and recover from all that archery.

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm looking forward to my week off both work and archery!

I'm not really a cat person, but Maine Coons always sound interesting as they are supposed to have the temperament of dogs!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope you enjoy a well-earned break from work and archery, alysscarlet! :-)

Well, Maine Coons are certainly affectionate. I know Minerva has her moments. I'm pretty sure my own cat was part Maine Coon and he was extremely affectionate. Another canine attribute of Minerva's is her need to go "walkies" when I play with her. When she manages to catch her toy (a tassle thingie on a string that's attached to a stick), she'll start walking off with it, dragging me behind her. *g*

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

Minerva looks soooo cuddly, but not likely to appreciate cuddling.

So, now that your "boys" can play rock-band, when are they going to release a single?

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Minerva looks soooo cuddly, but not likely to appreciate cuddling.

Oh, no. She'll accept a cuddle -- when she's in the mood and/or you're in the right place at the right time. When I come to visit my parents, she'll arrive at the door to greet me and allows me to pick her up. However, this is probably because she knows I'm the person who will play with her. If I stand by the closet where her favourite toy is kept, she'll let me cuddle with her for a bit and then grows impatient because I'm just standing there and not pulling out her toy. *g*

So, now that your "boys" can play rock-band, when are they going to release a single?

Good question. I might have to hold auditions to see who has the most musical talent. Of course, the action figures that don't make the cut could get jealous. I'll have to keep a very close eye on the Master, though there's a good chance he could make the grade considering John Simm's musical talent. Unfortunately, he's a little, uh, short for the guitar...

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

Minerva's so cute!
And how cool you got visited by the Easter Monday Groundhog! Does this mean you get a year of good luck? Or some more chocolate eggs?

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Minerva's so cute!

Thanks, tazzles! Well, obviously I can't take credit for that, but I thank you on behalf of Minerva and her mommy. *g*

And how cool you got visited by the Easter Monday Groundhog! Does this mean you get a year of good luck? Or some more chocolate eggs?

It was totally freakin' awesome to receive a visit from the Easter Monday Groundhog! :-) I don't know if it will mean a year of good luck or more chocolate eggs. I'll happily take either! *g*

[jackycomelately.livejournal.com]

Ooooo, fluffy! I really want to pet her fur (despite starting to itch just at the thought). She has beautiful eyes!

Hee! Love the guitars! You'll have to find Rodney a piano! Your action figures are starting to rival Barbie in their lifestyle! Huh, I've never been to The Elegant Garage Sale. Is it awesome?

I don't think I've ever seen a Groundhog in real life. Looked kinda otterish.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Ooooo, fluffy! I really want to pet her fur (despite starting to itch just at the thought). She has beautiful eyes!

Ahhhh! I wish you could pet her fur! It's very soft and, as you've already guessed, very fluffy. I'm not sure if she's ever received a compliment about her eyes, so I'll have to pass on your praise to her mommy. I won't be seeing Minerva herself until the 25th.

Hee! Love the guitars! You'll have to find Rodney a piano! Your action figures are starting to rival Barbie in their lifestyle!

Would you believe my mom spotted them first and immediately thought of my action figures? I'm not sure if I should be happy or terrified. *g* Well, I'm sure if there's a miniature piano out there, my mom will manage to find it. For now, Rodney will have to make do with Earhart the cat. ;-)

Huh, I've never been to The Elegant Garage Sale. Is it awesome?

Actually...you might have been in it but don't remember. We would have gone past it that one time we visited Bayview, but I can't remember if I dragged you guys inside. I may have had my sights set on Sleuth of Baker Street, which is only a few shops away. *g* Anywaaaaay, The Elegant Garage Sale is kind of like an indoor garage sale, though slightly better organized as items are on shelves, etc. The store even has some antique items, though these tend to be things like jewellery or figurines. I like going there myself because you never know what treasure you might come across. Last year, I found this great Grecian vase that only cost $2. I figured it would be made in China, but it was actually from Greece! Oh, and years ago, I was thrilled to find a tarot deck based on the one used in Live and Let Die. I still get excited when I think about it. Yes, I'm truly that sad. *g*

I don't think I've ever seen a Groundhog in real life. Looked kinda otterish.

Yeah, there is something kind of otterish about them, though they aren't quite as long and sleek. Actually, they remind me a lot of a beaver -- only without the teeth and that rather distinctive tail. Strangely enough, I saw a groundhog on the bus as I headed to my parents' place last weekend. It was on Leslie, near Edwards Gardens. Last year, I did see a groundhog in Edwards Gardens, so it's not a bad place to go if you're trying to see one in the, uh, fur.