After I finished my last post (just before midnight! :-D ), I tried once again to see if I could close up the sun room for the night.  The last I saw, all the kittens were outside eating, and the skunk was settling into the corner of the sun room.

I came in to find this.

Do not let the little furry heads fool you.  This is not a pile of six kittens.

It is a pile of seven kittens!

As I went in and the pile broke up, the seventh kitten emerged, having been completely buried by the others!

Bob is really filling out and looking so much healthier, now!  Glad to see that.  Also, the markings on one of the calico/torties is looking more and more like a grey tabby!  Much less orange than her sibling.

As I was persuading them to go outside, I saw the skunk was already out and eating, so I was finally able to close up the outside doors, then start heading in through the Old Kitchen.

Then I went back to let out Jim, who had been hiding and accidentally got closed in.  !!

So that worked out in the end, and no turd bombs that I could find.

Today, I was slated to go to my mother’s to help her with some errands.  I used her car, so that it would be easier for her to get in and out, but it doesn’t really fit her walker in the back, so she used a cane.  I must say, she is recovering really well, has grown noticeably stronger since I last saw her, and quite mobile.  She still tired quickly, of course, but did fantastic.  Not bad for someone who’s 87 and just had major abdominal surgery!

We had an excellent visit as well, and while we were talking, I mentioned that we were letting the kittens into the sun room.  I wasn’t sure how she would take that, since she vacillates from telling me we shouldn’t have cats because of the litter box, to happy about the outside cats, because they keep the rodent population under control, and loving how cute the kittens are.

I showed her the above photo, and she was loving it.  She questioned about them being all from one mom, but I reminded her that there were two from one mom, four from another – and that another kitten showed up from somewhere and has moved right in.  She loved that!

Then she commented that we might have a problem with them pooping in the sun room.  I wasn’t sure how she would take it, but I told her that it’s not the cats we have problems with pooping in the sun room, but…

Then I showed her a picture of the skunk I’d taken last night.

It took her a moment to realize what she was seeing and where, but when she did, she was so excited!  I showed her some more photos and the short video I took of the skunk sharing cat food with one of the kittens, and she loved it!  She thought he was so cute, and how great it was that it comes regularly.

I had thought she might be upset about the skunk coming inside the sun room, to be honest, so this was awesome!

She also suggested that we might end up with more of them showing up.  I figure it might depend of whether we have a he or a she.  Who knows; by next spring, the skunk might show up with a row of little ones, following along!

Meanwhile, my darling husband did a bit of research.  Apparently, cat kibble is not good for skunks.  Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables is recommended.  Well, this skunk seems to be doing just fine with the kibble, along with whatever else it finds on its own.  It’s not like the cat kibble is the only source of food it has.  I think it’ll be just fine.

I’m just happy my mom is happy about our stinky kitty, too!

Also, I think I will make a point of shutting up the sun room now, before our smelly friend returns!

The Re-Farmer