Year-end "Cat"astrophe

The before picture (Toby didn't damage anything)

             We almost made it to the new year without any major cat-related destruction, but sub-zero temperatures forced Finnegan to stay indoors, creating a perfect storm of chaos.

After Finnegan ate the hydrageas

              It all happened in the dining room.  On top of an antique cabinet rested a green depression glass pitcher--one of my first and favorite family heirlooms.  It contained an arrangement of dried (and dust covered) hydrangea flowers.  These flowers had bloomed over us undisturbed for several years and would disintegrate in the slightest breeze.

The sad remains of my favorite ornaments

             Finnegan, in a fit of bored rebelliousness, decided that it was time to eat the hydrangeas, dust and all. When I gave him a stern, "Finnegan!" (why do I bother, the cats refuse to acknowledge warnings) he gave the pitcher a little nudge so it fell with a crash.  It landed on a Victorian ornament tree that held my favorite Christmas ornaments, the picture frame from my trip to England that contained our wedding picture, and several sweet pieces of vintage china.  The death toll included three glass ornaments, a china creamer, and the tabs on the back of the picture frame that held the picture in place.
             Having taught children for many years, I habitually refrain from swearing, but cat activities tend to destroy my normal reserve.  I won't say I swore like a sailor, but I will say this was not my finest hour.  To top it all off, that ornery little critter never showed a hint of remorse. Instead he moved on to pick fights with the others.  Only three more months until spring!