Conference misery::feline

    Hi Linda,
    
    One suggestion would be to stagger boards on the side of the
    house going up to the window.   Kind of like the catwalks at
    the Pat Brody Shelter! (do you know what I mean!!!)
    
    Sandy

    Is the gas grill going to present a danger?
    

    Sandy,  that's a thought.  We could paint them the same color as the
    house.  The bottom ones could be narrower with a "perch" at the top (so
    they can look mournfully at whomever is using the bathroom ;} ).
    
    Karen,  good caution about the grill.  I don't *think* it would cause a
    problem as it's always closed up and covered when not in use.  I'll
    make sure that we pull it out a ways from the house when in use and
    cooling so the cats won't be tempted to jump on it (this is a good idea
    anyway for OUR safety).  Actually, the cats are usually not around this
    area when the grill is in use.  They're either already inside eating
    their dinner, lounging on the pool deck teasing the dog (who can't get
    on the pool deck), or hiding out in the woods tormenting the rodent
    population of the neighborhood.
    
    Keep the ideas coming!

    If you wanted something a little more flexible, would one of the taller
    cat "trees" (you know, like the Arubacat?) be an option ?  You could put
    it up outside the window and could always move it indoors or elsewhere
    at another time......

    
    Similar to .1 suggestion, we have a removable structure
    in our basement to enable the cats to walk up to be the
    pet door in the basement window.
    
    My husband took a plank and nailed strips (1 x 1) of wood 
    to it at intervals to make cat size steps on the plank.
    Then he inclined the plank to the right height and angle
    and nailed the plank to a support of 4 x 4 to make like
    a right angle triangle. We then put the whole thing
    against the wall under the window. 
    
    
    Eva	

    Instead of just planks, you might want to use storage cubes or shelves
    of different heights.  That way you don't have to attach anything to
    the house, it looks perfectly ordinary, and you have a place to stash
    sand toys or grilling paraphernalia.

    
    Good idea about the storage... 
    
    How about adding a surface to the plank structure by nailing
    on lattice boards and grow some climbing flowers like flowering
    peas and such?
    
    
    Eva

    I'm liking these last two ideas....Do you mean that the structure comes
    OUT from the house?  (Like a "T"?)  ie:
    
            Window
        ----XXXXXX----------------HOUSE----------------------------
                  |
                  |<------Structure
                  |
                  |
    
    
    This could work with a little thought (I like the idea of
    plants/storage).
    
    Linda

    
    hmmm, it's hard to put in words...
    
    You know how some people put a sheet of lattice board next
    to the house for flowers to climb. They frame the lattice 
    with a nice border, so it looks like a room divider and
    so that they can anchor it to the ground or secure it
    to their house. You can do the same, except that one
    side of the structure is slanted, with the kitty steps.
    YOu can make a triagnle or trapezoid.
    
    	----Window--------
    	    ------	
          /        \
         /          \
        /            \
       /              \
       ----------------
    
    The structure will fit against your house like a bookcase
    against a wall. It can be used for storage, like a bookcase
    or fitted with lattice board for flowers. 
    
    
    
    Eva

    OH, I get it now....that sounds nice! 
    
    My husband and I were out in the backyard last night and one thing
    he's thinking about is just a 6X6 post which he would anchor to the
    side of the house then a platform on top for the cats to perch.  They
    climb up the posts on the existing structure now so they would be able
    to figure this style out.
    
    I like your idea better though....wanna convince my husband? ;}
    
    Linda

    
    >I like your idea better though....wanna convince my husband? ;}
    
    	Just tell him the neighbors would be commenting how handy he is ;-)
    
    
    Eva