More computer problems this morning led to this late post, which is going up just before noon.

The winter solstice is behind us, cooler weather upon us, and five cats in our bed is the norm during this season. Here they are during an afternoon nap. Now image the two of us fighting for person-size spots on the same bed. Last night, for example, Romeo, Wally, and Kili spread out in a row in the middle of the bed, from foot to pillows. Duke and Annie were at Meda’s feet. I had what felt like a 10-inch sliver along the right side of the bed, after shoving Kili and Wally over towards the center a bit. I was able to wrest a portion of the sheet out from under the pile of cats, although I couldn’t manage to free up any of the comforter. Every once in a while I would get a reflexive kick from one of the cats if I rolled too far over in their direction.

Cats, as you may know, are known as natural heat-seekers. That’s why they want to snuggle up close to us or bury themselves in the blankets. In the summer, the bed is rarely as well populated with cats.

Only Toby and Harriet manage find spots to sleep elsewhere in the house.

The news of the last couple of days is that Lumber, the visiting cat from down the hill, has been very much in evidence. He apparently slept on our front steps last night. I think he’s enamored of Ms. Annie, perhaps not understanding that she’s a fixed female and not making herself available. And, of course, when he comes up the stairs or sits just outside a door looking in, Romeo gets all wild and defensive. A squirt of water usually breaks it up temporarily, but Lumber seems to know that I won’t do anything really bad to him. I got in touch with Lumber’s family this morning, and if he’s still hanging around when we get home this afternoon, they’ll come and scoop him up.

It’s the last Feline Friday of the year. Hard to believe. At the beginning of the year, I doubted that Ms. Wally would make it to another year. Luckily, she proved me wrong. Now we have added Harriet to the immediate worry list. Who knows what the new year will bring?

–> See all of today’s Friday Felines!