Ashley Gets Lost

I’d like to have the pleasure of introducing you to a new player who has entered the garden cat game. This is The Phantom of the Opera for obvious reasons. You can call him The Phantom for short. Word on the street (or uh, village road) is that the neighbors call him “Pirate Cat”, which is also good, but I like The Phantom better.

The Phantom just rolled up last month like he owned the place. He didn’t pick fights or start any drama, he just has an air of cool confidence about him. The other cats weren’t sure what to do with this guy, but Conglomerate Garfield Lincoln has taken to involving himself in several of The Phantom’s shenanigans, including, but not limited to fun games of “King of the Tree” and stone wall silly times.

I believe Glommo is winning this particular round.

No shenanigans today as we are currently experiencing what must be hurricane force winds. It is disgusting outside, and I’m afraid I’m going to need to stay inside where it’s safe.

A couple weekends ago I spent a lovely Friday in Chania to celebrate my friend Kati (beautiful blond lady seen here!) for her birthday weekend. It was also somewhat around the time of Kareem and Locky’s birthdays, so they got an awesome air bnb in old town Chania. We went out for a delicious dinner at my favorite taverna, Fourogatos. It was a gorgeous warm night, and we spent most of it on the rooftop patio.

I segregated the group by hair type so I could get this “straight hair not allowed” club photo, but Yoey photobombed us. Haha!

Last Thursday was my second time experiencing the Greek holiday of Tsiknopempti, which means “smoky Thursday.” It’s a meat feast before lent where everyone is grilling, and the goal is to eat as much meat as humanly possible. Felix and I celebrated for the second year in a row at our friend Robert’s house, where we ordered a “mixed grill for four” that could have easily fed 5-6 people. It was really good!

Joshua was not interested in joining me for a Valentine’s day brunch. He was more likely not interested in joining me for the errands I was running afterwards, but romance was not lost! I spent my midday reading smut and drinking fresh squeezed orange juice with this delightful mustachio’d gentleman. His fur was soft, and he climbed into my tote bag. I told him he better stay at the restaurant as I have too many cats at home. He should stay where he’s special and loved and probably gets meat snacks from guests.

On Sunday the digital nomads ladies’ dinner club met up for a Galentine’s day brunch, and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. Laura got really into it and made felt decorations, fancy chocolate shots, and heart shaped ice cubes.

The food was so good and the company was even better. If you can score yourself an international girl gang comprised of great cooks (or ladies who bring wine), I highly recommend it!

It’s carnival this weekend, which I was pretty excited about and had some plans to make a costume. It wasn’t really going to be a costume, but like a sparkly, fringed majesty suit involving sparkle pants I found at the thrift shop in the village. But it looks like it’s going to be wet and cold, which isn’t great for showing off your gear. I’m hoping it’s nice enough to go to the parade on Sunday, and since I have the components, I have plenty of time to work on my outfit for next year. Or a cool party this summer? Or like a Tuesday when I need to elevate some vibes?

I hear the weather we’ve been having this year is more normal than last year. This is when I was walking all the time, out peeping on whatever new flowers were popping up and exploring the countryside. There are definitely days for that, but not as many this year. I’m looking forward to getting outside in less chaotic weather soon. Aside from the fact that approximately 85% (I’m totally guesssing) of restaurants and other social gathering places are closed for the season, I’m definitely finding the winters here a lot less long and depressing.

Our friend Jonathon (member of the no straight hair club) joined Felix and me for village karaoke on Monday, and I took a picture of the end of the night (for us, others were not finished!) lineup. I didn’t realize it had such romantical lyrics until later, but it was such a fun night.