Plants & Pets is here! In two short days, we’re hosting one of our favorite events of the year. We know that people who love plants, love pets, too, and this weekend, you can show your love for both. Click here for all the details of the happenings this Saturday and to RSVP for the Pet Parade that starts at 9:30 am. It’s going to be a great time celebrating two of our favorite things.

But speaking of pets, last week I mentioned our glaring of cats that has been slowly growing at the Nursery. If you are a regular reader of Life Lived Outside, you may recall a few times when I’ve had fun with collective nouns. You know, like a Flamboyance of Flamingos, a Cast of Hawks, a Scold of Bluejays, or a Rumba of Rattlesnakes. I don’t know why, but I think they are a fun part of our language. As our number of cats increased from one to two to four, all I could think of was Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory when he adopts a bunch of cats because he is lonely without Amy Farrah Fowler. In this clip from the show, he explains that two ways of referring to a group of cats are “glaring” and “clowder.”

Because instead of doing what I should actually do – I like diving down rabbit holes – I looked up these two words and apparently “glaring” is used for a group of cats that are not familiar with one another and “clowder” is used for a group of cats that are friendly with each other. I’m not sure quite yet what to call our group. I’m going to let you meet them and then you can tell me what you think.

First there is Precious. She has been at the Nursery since 2013. For the longest time she was very standoffish, preferring to roam the neighborhood and the back field instead of hanging out where all these pesky people are. In her older years, she’s been more of a fixture in the Storehouse, although she is not sure what to make of the new kitten additions. Actually, I’m pretty sure I know exactly what she thinks, “Those pesky kids.”

Then there is Pepper. Pepper is approaching a year with us, and even though she’s been around for a while, you may not have met her yet. She is high maintenance. The Nursery Diva. She prefers to spend her time lounging on an office chair rather than socializing with cats or people alike. I’ve tried to get her to hang out on my desk while I’m working, and she lasts about 30 seconds before going to look for a better option.

Panther is our people-cat. He is friendly, social, and ready to be your friend. From the moment he arrived, he bounced from the Storehouse to the Farmhouse and back again, looking for the next person to pet him. I haven’t really seen him interact with Precious, but every now and then he’ll steal into the office and get into a little wrestling match with Pepper.

And last but not least is Panther’s sister Patches. She is on the shy side, preferring a home under a Giant Firebush where she can be by herself and avoid socializing. She is becoming friendlier each day, so hopefully she’ll take Panther’s lead. Panther has been a good brother. When he’s made the rounds of the Nursery and said “hi” to everyone, he’ll go and check on her to make sure she is OK.

So there you have it. A brief introduction to our four cats. From my description, what do you think, Glaring or Clowder? Whatever you call them, they are a bundle of cuteness and can’t wait to say hello to you on your next visit. Which they are hoping will be this Saturday for Plants & Pets!