A heated panel discussion

Every evening in prime time, four provocative panelists discuss the hottest issues of the day -- or the hotness of the day.

A freshly gilded throne

This curvy wingback chair is irresistibly comfortable for me and the kitties. So I made it a new slipcover from a 1960s bedspread.

The slipcover attaches with a long zipper down the back. That's Homer yawning and gazing.

Below, Hooch naps while Suzy lurks beneath.

If you knew Suzy

New Year's morning I got up to the sound of water running in the bathroom. Did I leave the bathtub faucet dripping for Alvin to drink? No, it was former feral Suzy peeing in the toilet! She was perched on the seat (like these photos found online), but she jumped down and ran right out of the bathroom.I have never tried to potty-train my kitties, and have never seen them do anything in the toilet but drink. So I consider this a new year's omen of mind-blowing things to come in 2012.
Suzy is a wild-n-crazy girl, full of unexpected comedic turns. This video of Suzy in the yard is accompanied by a 1925 song about her:

Suzy has a perfect reputation
No one ever saw her on a spree
Nobody knows where Suzy goes
Nobody knows but me
If you knew Suzy like I know Suzy
Oh! Oh! Oh, what a girl

Son-mama pajama party

Long-time couple Olga and son Jesse (in back) are joined by Homer and his newly tame mom Suzy.Suzy was spayed while Homer was still a kitten, but she has remained feral until recently, when she suddenly wanted me to pet her. Now she's a total cuddler. She's actually more my buddy than Homer's.Below are Homer and Suzy a year ago, when they were both feral and living in a closet.

Francine and Pierre

This is my latest feral couple, kitten siblings Francine and Pierre. She looks like their feral mom Suzy, and he looks like, er, my Alvin. I am ashamed for not having gotten Alvin neutered until March of this year. I'm still trying to trap and spay mom Suzy.I haven't been able to touch these kittens yet, but we play lots of games of string and mouse and ping-pong ball, and they let me get closer to them every day.