“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost
Showing posts with label kitties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kitties. Show all posts

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Black Cat Awareness Day Oct 27, 2012

Time again to remember our feline friends, of the black variety. In this country, black cats have had a rough time of it. They have long been on the receiving end of negative stereotypes which has resulted in hundreds if not thousands of needless deaths. The familiar image of a black cat with an arched back and raised fur with its tail upright is frequently used for Halloween or to signify some sort of bad luck.

Throughout history, black cats have been viewed as mysterious and even supernatural. They have been associated with witchcraft and misfortune. These ideas have been fueled by writers and film makers and have helped to reinforce this horrible stereotype against black cats. Unfortunately this has led to misconceptions about black cats that has set them up for harm and abuse.

Now I have to say that I love to see black cats, especially at Halloween! I do think they are mysterious and maybe even supernatural, but not in a bad way! I love black cats! Below is my first black cat, he found me and we were together for over 18 years! He was a super cool cat and he was amazing and lovable. I wish we could start to adopt a more loving view of black cats in this country.

Cocoa in the garden  (1991-2009)

I read that in Australia and Britain and other parts of the world where black is a protective color, black cats are considered lucky. In Ancient Egypt, cats were sacred and a home that kept a black cat was even more blessed. The ancient Celts believed that black cats were reincarnated beings who could foretell the future. Cats have always been associated with motherhood, protection, love and fertility. In Scotland, it was believed that if a black cat crossed your path that good fortune would come your way.  Maybe my Scottish heritage has something to do with my love of black cats!


"The purity of a person's heart can be quickly
               measured by how they regard cats."
                                                               Anonymous




Beautiful!
Black cat



Magical!

Black Cat And Mockorange


Curious!


Black Cat

Awwwww! Cute!

Black Cat Brooch

Lovely!


Black cat in red feathers





This is one unhappy cat!


black cat wearing hat with ears




Black cats are frequently passed over for adoption 
and are euthanized more than any other type of cat. 
Please consider a black cat when adopting.

My adopted kitten .... Guy Noir, curious, playful and happy!

Source: Black Cat Folklore

Saturday, June 16, 2012

And His Name Is...

Guy Noir, or for now Little Guy!

How did we come up with this name?  Well kitten is a Guy and he is Noir; in French, noir means dark or black. We actually borrowed the name from Garrison Keillor (a local big shot). Guy Noir is a fictional private eye regularly featured on the public radio show A Prairie Home Companion.  Played by Garrison Keillor, the character parodies pulp fiction novels and the film noir genre. Guy Noir works on the twelfth floor of the Acme Building in a city that "knows how to keep its secrets", St. Paul, Minnesota.



Here is Little Guy with two toys. There was a split second to get the picture before the frantic playing continued. Mostly what I got were pictures like the one below.

Blur Fur


Little Guy Noir (Private Cat Eye) Knows How to Keep Secrets









Here is Guy doing a somersault from his basket trying to capture a toy.



Just before he pounced on my head!




A daring acrobat!





Asleep, at last!
I have to say, I had forgotten how active kittens can be. He is as cute as can be and is thrilled when we pick him up and cuddle him.  He was used to playing with his brothers and sisters, so the first few days were a bit rough for him and he needed lots of attention. He is starting to get used to things and loves seeing the big cats when they come by to visit. They are still outside the pet gate but enjoy looking at each other. I am thinking of getting a pet playpen....




Thursday, December 1, 2011

A New Twist on Old Vintage...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We have a little snow, the temperatures 
are dropping. The shopping has started. The house is getting decorated and everything
is getting a new shiny bright look.

But what if you are this poor little guy?





He looks kind of sad without his tail. Unless you are a Manx cat (those tail-less cats), you are probably pretty proud of your tail. So I felt bad for this little guy, everything else this time of year is getting decorated and then I thought about how I could fix him up for the season and help him fit in for the holiday.

Let me give you a little information on this guy. Here is a very cute red cactus cat planter that was made circa the 1940's, possibly Morton Pottery or Hull. The cat planter was made to hold a cactus plant that forms the tail of the cat when the cactus plant is grown.The cat measures 2 1/4" tall and is 4 1/2" long.The cat is in very good condition and still retains a bit of paint on his eyes and mouth.


I gave him a tail!

Not just any tail, a Christmas tree tail. 
A tail with bright shiny decorations! A tail he can be proud of!




 I took a bit of floral foam and cut it to fit the opening. Then decorated a sisal bottle brush tree with beads. I glued the tree into the foam and let it dry. Then inserted the tree into the cactus (tail) opening and there you have it. A cute little vintage cat with a bright shiny new tail. The tree is removable so when the holidays are over something else can be put in it's place. 






He looks very pleased with himself now, don't you think?




Linked with: 2805 Potpourri Friday

Monday, November 21, 2011

More Lovely Blogs...

A few days ago, Sharon from Sharon's Sunlit Memories, nominated me for the One Lovely Blog Award.  I am very honored as we just recently discovered each others blogs and have found we have similar interests. It all happened because of paper dolls! As you know, I love cute things and had posted about a wonderful Christmas paper doll play book called Santa's Workshop. A friend of Sharon's referred her to my site to see the post and I in turn visited Sharon's blog. I of course immediately fell in love with her blog!  
Sharon's Sunlit Memories is a wonderful trip back through time; to a time when there was true artistry in illustrating children's books and games. Alright, yes I know there are still many wonderful illustrators  today, but I still prefer the more traditional style of art found in older works. Sharon shares beautiful images and history about many vintage children's books and their illustrators.  
Thank you Sharon for including me in your list of nominees for this wonderful award. Please make sure to visit Sharon's blog, I am sure you will be as delighted as I was to discover it.




I'm copying the the requirements of receiving the award from her blog:
1. To thank the giver and link back to her site.
2. Provide 5 random facts that folks may not know about you.
3. Pass this award on to 5 other lovely blog sites and let them know you're awarding them.
4. Copy the award logo and paste it onto your own site.

Here are my 5 random facts:

1. I am not left handed.

2. My degree is in Home Economics.

3. I, like Sharon, have a Scottish background. My family came from Scotland in the mid 1800's.

4. I worked in the travel industry for many years. You will find this ironic when you read the next
    random fact.

5. I have never left the United States (except virtually), no not even Canada!


I am passing on the award to these swell blogs. These are bloggers I have known for several months and in whose blogs I always find fun and inspiration when ever I visit. 
Congratulations to all! 




Please visit these lovely blogs and leave a kind note behind.  
Have a lovely day!  ~~ Diane ~~