This past week we cleaned the porch and put the cushions on the furniture. It suddenly turned into a welcoming room. Comfy and pretty.
This is the first summer for our refugee cat Grace. Initially she was terrified of the porch. The overhead fans were spinning and nothing looked familiar. She’s a curious cat though. She would peer around the doorway to look. Her friend Morgan beckoned. (Hard to say no to Morgan!)

Morgan (lower) and Gracie keeping an eye on things (no pun intended). “Let’s invite him in! Wouldn’t that be a surprise for the peeps!”
They are besties. Although it wasn’t planned like that, Grace has given Morgan a playmate. The older cats weren’t always pleased with her prancing and chasing especially if they were in the middle of their siesta.
Gracie, on the other hand, is more than ready for a good chase. Any time. Any place.
Sometimes when you do a good deed, there are a lot more benefits than you expected.
It warms my heart to see her out there watching the wildlife. She gets so fully engaged that you have to be careful not to startle her. She stays with Morgan when she’s unsure of herself and that works for Morgan too.
She’s not all rainbows and lollipops. We have battles every day on what she will eat and when. And the dumpster diving. That’s another post though. This is about introducing a new friend to a new experience and watching her embrace it fully.
Namaste
I’m glad they’re best buddies.
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Makes it a lot easier.
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The porch looks so inviting. There is something refreshing about putting the cushions out that makes me happy.
Glad to see all the kitties will be enjoying this beautiful spot ❤
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Me too. When we close up in the fall, it’s like a hibernation of sorts. In it’s own way, it’s a welcome reprieve but our winters are too long by about a month. When it’s time to open up, there is real joy in the air.
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Roxie read this and is quite jealous and very angry with Charley and me because we worked out in the yard today and did not set up her Gazebo! She howled bloody murder at the doors and windows begging to be let out. I see a blog post coming from all of this trauma.
It is so wonderful to see how contented your cats are and it bodes well for a very pleasant spring.
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You are lucky she didn’t contact Animal Protection Services and have you arrested. Obviously thinking of next meal. Tomorrow is expected to be really warm and wonderful here. They will be out there all day.
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No way am I letting Roxie read this! 😾
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Yay it’s porch time! Those cats are as close to outside as they probably every get and look to be enjoying it. We are talking about building a deck. I just have to give H that final shove! ~Elle
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You are correct. They do not go to the real outside but they are very content. The can smell the breezes and hear the chipmunks and squirrels. Morgan chatters to them sometimes too.
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Don’t tell Gracie and Morgan but it appears a small, strange figure wearing a red sweatshirt and pink mittens is about to sneak up and goose them!
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That’s an old Valentines day music toy from Hallmark. It plays “I’m just a love machine.” I’ve always loved it!
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I am so excited to see that your porch is open for business! I get almost as excited as your cats when your porch season begins because I know there are going to be great summer stories about the pond, the fish, the frogs, and all kinds of wonderful posts from you that get me in the spirit of summer. I am not a summer person and you make summer happy for me with your words and pictures. I am also excited and happy when I see Morgan and Gracie together… buds. Z loved the porch and love seeing your kitties enjoy the porch too! If it wasn’t for seeing your tile on your porch I wouldn’t have gotten rid of those ugly carpet squares I had on our porch and put down the tile that I now love! Enjoy that lovely porch and may we all have a long porch season!
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Tile is wonderful on a porch. It dresses it up. Back in the 90s, I used indoor-outdoor carpeting (I just hate plain cement) but the tile is better.
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So glad the grays have found themselves to be friends!
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No one is more pleased than me. You know bringing a new cat into an established group can be chancy. Gracie is easy going. No issues with any of them.
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Your porch is beautiful! It looks like a great place to sip a nice cup of coffee and listen to the purr of a cat, or two, or three, or four!
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and croaking frogs and flittering birds. It is peaceful in a nature noisy way.
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Nice porch, I can see why they want to be there. Cute kitties too!
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There’s a lot of activity out there. Things to see, hear and smell. They love it.
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What a great spot Kate. Your cats have wonderful taste!
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Yes they do!
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Lovely post Kate, and so glad that Gracie has settled in so well.
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Me too!
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Hilarious. Endearing. You have transferred your own personality onto those two delightful kitties. 😊
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P.s. your porch looks beautiful!
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I once was a normal person. Boring but normal.
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I think it’s safe to say that Gracie has definitely become family now. :O)
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Rooted right in. No way she’s leaving.
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I’d like to hang out on your porch too! They do look like best buds. How nice.
Janet
L is for Loverboy
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Thanks!
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Nothing better than feline friendship.
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and nothing worse than feline bickering!
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Your porch does look inviting. And I am so glad Morgan and Gracie are BFFs. That is lovely.
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I am too. She adjusted so well with the others. Only Mollie will occasionally (and very infrequently) give her a hiss.
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I love that Morgan and Gracie have become such good buddies! Two peas in a pod. Your porch looks so inviting… the perfect place for margaritas and chips!
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I’m ready!
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I’ll be over this afternoon, and I’ll bring the lattes, ok? You can’t provide such a beautiful space and not expect guests! 🙂 I hope Gracie really makes herself at home in this inviting space!
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I’ll be waiting! Frogs are canoodling. Fish are active and birds are mating. What’s not to love.
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Your porch looks so inviting . . .
The meditating frog rocks.
And I love that Morgan and Grace are each able to give something to the other. PURRFECT!
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It’s peaceful. The perfect respite from this unpeaceful world.
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What a beautiful area for them to hang out in. I can tell those two are inseparable.
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Yes, they do like each other!
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I love Cats. Your porch is so lovely and just what the doctor ordered, for curious cats.
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Only the young ones are curious. The older two not so much anymore.
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My apologies for the double post. I thought it had not gone through so posted again, whoops!
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No apology necessary. I thought I was special!
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The porch looks great, Kate! Such a fantastic place to hang out and relax…enjoy!
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We live there weather permitting. We had a few good days but now it’s a little chilly there. We are back to the 80s for Easter.
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“Sometimes when you do a good deed, there are a lot more benefits than you expected.” What a great line and observation.
Always envious of that lovely porch – with fan, screens, and cushions. Sigh. A real summer retreat…wonderful the cats let you visit it.
Nothing as interesting to watch as a cat in a trance or one with a friend.
Thanks for the morning smiles
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With 4 cats we juggled for the “good” seating there. Sometimes we have to explain the concept of sharing with peeps. Depends on their mood after all they are cats.
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Love it!! Friendship is great 🙂
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Bringing a new cat into an established group is always scary. I already knew that there was a cat (a littermate) that she did not get along with at the shelter. Crossed fingers and moved ahead. All worked out. I wonder if they know they share a disability or (most likely) that has nothing to do with the friendship.
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Hazel’s drink of choice seems a bit too strong for me! But Hazel, you enjoy, my dear fuzzy one.
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The sardines or the nip? She does like to roll after that one!
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