LOL I love that term! They won't even go on the other half of the cushion? Must be scared of the ball, huh?

A few years back a friend of mine got a bouquet of black balloon for their birthday...totally freaked their cat out the entire time the balloons were in the house. They thought maybe it look like gigantic eyes or something? The reflection off it might have something to do with it.

We have those "unauthorized cats" here too. The neighborhood cats come over to sit on our furniture.

You know the old saying?

"For the best seat in the house, find the cat!"

...or in this case, outside!

I wouldn't mind the furniture sitting if they would just do their 'business' somewhere other than my mulched beds.

Have the same problem, here Debra. They just love mulch.

Mine scatter crocus bulbs when they dig to make and cover their deposits. It must be tough for them sometimes to find an unfrozen place. The worst spot is where I dumped some old potting soil, which apparently had such good drainage that it didn't freeze as solid as the surrounding area. And once they find the good spots, they just keep using them.

I use pebble mulch (rocks at least 2" in diameter) in my pots, which at least keeps them out of there!

Renee, they seem to avoid the balls altogether. They're lightweight and sometimes roll around if there's a breeze---the cats don't seem to like being anywhere near them.