Holly graduates Holmen High!

I just want to say- I've been away- and Holly's HS graduation is the reason! I'll post some photos soon- probably a slide show, as well- but for now, let me just say how MUCH I appreciate all of YOU who came, and shared this really special day with her!

slide show for last of Ty's big "Minnesota Caper"

Ty saw those other jerks- how could he help?

He looked around for a rescuer- license plates are always helpful!!

The Long Journey- Last of the trilogy!

I clambered aboard the riverboat, and shook off my soggy, white fur. I knew this would be an interesting journey, whatever else happened...

After a few days shipboard, I began to "know the ropes". I opened a small "club", Ty's Cafe Wisconsican, down in the framework of the lower deck. Fine catnip, mouse o 'deurves, and games of chance were all featured. A number of cats attended: cats-of-the-world who had arrived at the same state I was at; or, more accurately; between states! (In our case, Wisconsin and Minnesota)...

One day, I was smoking a cigarette, and helping a young cat-couple who were trying to emigrate from Iowa into somewhere in the United States. I looked up, and there she was!

Of all the gin joints, in all the world, she had to walk into mine!

"Sweetheart" I purred, "I want to chase your tail!"

And I did; all the way to Minnesota that little gray kitty led me! Our adventures have been made into a major motion picture, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Adapted for human tastes... but, I'll say it here, the real story is much more exciting, and most of it you've read here!

Here's lookin' at you, kit!

Over the River and through the woods caper part dieux!

I had clawed my way aboard the Wendtland rust-bucket! Whew- I didn't like to admit it, but my three pack-per-day habit, coupled with the exertion that would kill any normal cat, had about done me in! I lay back, leaning into the bondo of the rocker panels of the normal Wendlandt Rd. vehicle, and fell asleep-er, I mean, into a "cat-nap" as we sped into the night...

I woke suddenly, as a shadow fell across my prone, 18" long, pure white form. Feigning continued slumber, I opened my eyes into a slit- above me was a typical Wendlund Road scumbag- skinny, tatooed, with a three-day beard and nicotine-stained fingers that were pointing a cheap automatic pistol at my face... I gathered my muscles beneath me, and, as the nicotine covered finger tightened on the trigger, I SPRANG!

A flurry of claws and teeth, and I had scared that Wendlondt WOMAN into dropping her cheap pistol! I snarled into her slatternly face, and laughed inwardly as she drew back, gasping in fear! This is what she got for her terrorizing of young kittens! Contemptuously, I battered her once again, and she leaped from the careening vehicle, into the Mississippi River!! At least she was clean for the first time in her life, I thought, and continued up towards the cab of the vehicle.

A man was there: fat, flabby, and with a vacuous face that suggested too much daytime tv and an incredibly icky, shrewish wife- well, at least that last would no longer be a problem! I leaped onto his bald head, and started scratching vigorously-

Screeching, he started swerving from side to side, and slapping me on his head! With each slap, I dug my claws, and finally my teeth into his scalp, until he finally ran off the bridge we were on, screaming bloody murder!

With a crash of smashing metal, and tearing lumber, we hurtled into the deck of a Mississippi river boat! I jumped off of his dying carcass, and ran into the gamblers' lounge. I was in need of a break, and the bright lights and blackjack tables before me promised a much-needed diversion!

Who knew where I'd wind up, and what would happen after this? Not I, certain-mot!!

To be continued...

The Long Journey Caper

By Ty Cat

Hi'ya, sweetheart!

It all started on a day like any other. I was minding my own business; staking out my territory, traveling around the yard and the neighborhood. Trucks and tractors needed to be checked on, and those "birds" were driving me... well, let's just say I was distracted.

I took a deep breath of the fresh air that enveloped Moos Road- that road is a clean, upstanding road. The kind of road that never needs a cat like me; the kind of a cat that just can't stand corruption- a cat that just like to see justice done! If I'd a stayed there, on Moos, I'd a been fine..but then, a cat like me just has to see "what if"...

I wandered over Wendtland Road way...I never mean to go ALL the way onto those mean streets- but, they call me, you know? I get close, and some CRIME is going down- I mean, crows swooping down on a defenseless kitten- a junk-yard dog biting a poor 'possum- something is always going wrong! And there's just something in me that can't stand it.

On this particular day, I pulled my hat down low, kind of shading my eyes-like, and sauntered over. Some cats I've seen around that live there, in the culvert, were warming their mitts over some burning tires, and as I walked by, they kind of gave me the eye. But, they know better than to mess with me...

Suddenly, a jalopy whizzed by! A small kitten, piebald but with a tender expression, was just crossing the street. Right in the path! I caught the license tag- "WNDLNRULES!" and just had time to wonder what kind of payoff was needed to add that many letters to a vanity plate before I MOVED!! I knew what kind of gangs ruled WENDTLAND, and just what they were capable of.

With the dexterity of a (jungle) cat, I leaped into action! I grabbed the little kittie, threw her to the side into the safety of the Moos Road side, and then grabbed onto the bumper of the careening rust-bucket as it whizzed past!

I clawed my way onto the back of the vehicle, grasping each gaping hole in the rust of the body as if I was a mountain climber nearing the peaks of Kilaminjaro! I was going to take these goons DOWN, that I knew in the depths of my feline soul. One of my lives, already, was used up tonight- that left eight. Not many, for a lot of cats. But, as I've often said:

"Eight ball is my game!"

To be continued: