And now, an honorary entry and exciting announcement from my sister, Kristin.

I’d like to introduce you to the new member of our family:  Gelly.  Gelly. Like Jelly. But Gelly, short for Magellen. Named such due to his adventurous spirit and his strong desire to explore his world. I thought perhaps it might be a bit of an adjustment for Gelly to move into a new house with a new family he just met, but he simply headed right out on an expedition that lasted most of the evening, and then settled down happily for a nap, and now you’d think he’s lived here forever. Craig is hoping that Gelly will soon learn that despite the mystic draw it has, he cannot explore the depths of Craig’s desk and office equipment. 

Gelly has enjoyed his safari this afternoon and has checked out both the kitchen cabinets and the upper shelves of my bookcase. This morning he had to be rescued though, because he got stuck – wedged between the back of my credenza and the wall – and couldn’t get himself out.

More about Gelly:  Gelly is a delightful 4 month old who loves to give sweet kisses.

Gelly was abandoned at a farmhouse when he was 4 weeks old. He was in bad shape when he was found and rescued, but he was given tender loving care and was bottle fed and he grew in “strength and stature”.  He is now a sweet, playful, content little kitty who is happy to go wherever you go, whether he follows you down the hall, or you carry him in your arms, on your shoulder, laying sideways or upside down.

Gelly seems to like sleeping in high places.  He will often find the highest comfortable place he can get to, and that’s where he’ll take his nap.  He likes the top of the couch quite a bit, where he can nestle into the throw blankets, and from his happy vantage point see the action going on in the kitchen, the family room and the TV all at the simultaneously.  Last night Gelly spent a comfortable night sleeping in the laundry basket on top of the dryer.

He has the sweetest little squeeky voice. Almost like a little peep.  If he wants to be with you, but can’t find you, that’s your clue.  Little soft squeeks as he wanders up and down the hall.

Gelly likes to play and he loves feathers.  They are his favorite, although he had a fabulous time batting around a “crunch berry” on the hardwood floor this morning, and he decided he need to teach the rubber band he found on the carpet the afternoon a thing or two about who is boss.

Athough he is being outvoted, Craig would like to call him Ernie’s Mother.  This is because he sucks his toes (a reference to a Bob & Doug MacKenzie skit where they talk about their friend Ernie, who had frost bite and so “Ernie’s mother sucked his toes…”)  Gelly likes to suck his toes, probably because he was prematurely parted from his mother and did not nurse long enough.  Sucking his toes is a comfort.  Or now just a habit.  Or a fetish.  I don’t know which.  But in order to prevent him from sucking the fur right off to the point of damaging his skin, we’re taking some action to correct this uncommon behavior now, before he’s totally addicted.  He’s been getting a taste of hot sauce today…  Doesn’t like it so well. 

So meet Gelly.  He’s a sweetheart.