Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Daily Photo: How to Take a Really Good Nap

black kitten
Smokie demonstrates the art of a really good nap.

Smokie thinks his fur sister has been getting a little too much attention lately, and decided to take control of the situation. First, the totally relaxed nap, above, which any living human would find irresistible. I did, anyway, judging by the number of photos I took of him. He quietly took it all in stride, knowing he’s a star, as well as the cutest kitten on earth. He may get that idea from what I’ve been telling him since he came here, but I also think it’s a cat thing.

Then, just as I thought the cuteness couldn’t get any more intense, he rolled over on his back to show me…his gray bits. Yes, this is why his name is Smokie! It’s a little difficult to see on a daily basis because his coat isn’t nearly filled out yet, but he has irresistible silvery gray fuzzy areas around his neck, in his armpits and on his lower belly that will develop into distinct feathers when he’s an adult. Who could resist? He is going to be one handsome mancat, and I think he’s been learning form Giuseppe the art of the kitty centerfold photo. You can also see he’s not a frightened unadoptable kitten anymore.

black kitten
Smokie shows off his gray bits.

. . . . . . .

Wordless Wednesday: Fore and Aft, the Secret Meeting
three black cats
Jelly Bean joins the boys’ secret meeting at the top of the stairs.

. . . . . . .

Once Upon a Time on a Rocker, My Have We Grown
four black cats
And settled in.

This is the mess in my office, with cats. This is where and how I store my merchandise right now, and it serves the kitties just fine—always something new! Boxes to smell and climb on and rub on and scratch, and most important, nap on.

Here I’d shuffled things around so the seat of the rocker was exposed, and I got down to the level with the cloud bed they’d grown tired of. Cloud bed went on the rocker seat, really just temporary, but they found it immediately and have exposed me to two full days or rigorous torture as they arrange and rearrange their sweet selves all over the bed in twos and threes and, finally, in fours. This is behind me; each time I turned around it was another case of sweetness.

In fact, I took photos of them and began this post, then stopped to take more when Mimi joined them, then more when all four finally found a way to share the rocker. They are still there, as you see them at the top of this post.

Below is what they looked like in November 2007 at four months, a slightly different rocker and the throw that’s always on it underneath, and below that, a photo of the four today in their first attempt to curl up together until the ones on the end kept falling off.

four black kittens on rocker
Everybody on the Rocker!
four black cats
They kind of fit…mostly because of the cloud bed.

Below is a slideshow of the whole event…and later on, a sketch.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

. . . . . . .

What’s Cookin’?, 2012
two black cats on cookbook
What’s cookin’?

Giuseppe and Mr. Sunshine are always hopeful, but it’s not looking too promising with the parsley, though it was good when they tasted it.

On the other hand, sitting on the cookbook, basically just stacks of paper when it’s open, is such a cat thing, the boys could stay there all day. In fact, they did, even when I wasn’t there. On a cool day that turned rainy, a simmering pot of soup kept the kitchen warm and comfortable. I enjoyed the company.

And don’t tell the boys the cookbook was just being used as a feline containment and management device so they wouldn’t get mixed up in my chopping of vegetables and such…

. . . . . . .

Can You Turn Down These Lights? 2011
black cat with paw over face
Giuseppe trying to nap.

“I’m trying to take a nap here,” Giuseppe says.

“I’m trying to work here,” I respond.

“But it’s so nice and toasty warm here,” he replies.

“It won’t be if I turn off the lights,” I tell him.

“I need my beauty rest. Mlle. Daisy may contact me at any moment and I need to look perfect,” he insists.

“Mlle. Daisy can’t see you,” I inform him.

“But I can see her! Of course she can see me!” he seems upset. I let it go. “Mlle. Daisy loves you no matter what you do, she tells you that all the time,” I say.

“But I can never be too sure, I did hear there is at least one other black cat who visits her door, I need to be very careful,” Giuseppe says.

“If you like to eat, you might consider moving to a more comfortable spot to get your beauty rest than lazing all over my desk so that I might get some work done,” I remark.

“But I have to he right here if Mlle. sends a message, and I have to be perfect!” he protests.

“Giuseppe, the two of you don’t have Skype or anything, she can’t see you when she sends you a message,” I tell him again.

“She can’t?” he asks.

“No, baby, she can’t see you. Can you see her when you send a message?” I ask.

“Not when I send a message, but I just always thought she could see me,” Giuseppe says, confused.

“It’s just words right now, Big Guy, you don’t need to comb your ear hair and shine your whiskers,” I tell him.

“I’m so disappointed…” he trails off.

“Perhaps you could go and sleep on the bed with your brothers,” I suggest, trying not to be too obvious. “They will help you feel better.”

“Can we send Mlle. a message right now?” he asks.

“Sure we can,” I reply. “What would you like me to type?”

“Mlle. Daisy, mon cherie, I love you with all my heart and every piece of fur on my body!” he says. I type this.

“And, and…I have a gift for you! It will be a surprise,” he continues.

“That’s very sweet, Giuseppe. Anything else?” I ask.

“Love and kisses, nuzzles and purrs, your love, Giuseppe,” he finishes.

Some things never change.

Click here for the full list of stories and correspondence of the past year’s affaire between the two feline lovers.

. . . . . . .

Two Torties on One Lap, 2010
two tortie cats on my lap
Two Torties on One Lap

One for each leg! And they are touching each other! I am sitting with my legs crossed on my desk chair to accommodate them.

Cookie and Kelly have always more than tolerated each other, unlike the typical tortie story, but even these two don’t curl up together with anyone but me. However, if both of them want my lap badly enough they have no problem actually touching each other. It’s a little awkward to get work done with a lap literally full of cat and not being able to roll in under my keyboard shelf. I actually tried working by balancing the keyboard on top of the two of them, to no avail. I just reached a little farther during their nap time.

Seems like yesterday.


Browse some rescued cats and kittens—browse here or visit PittsburghCAT!

cats and kittens
Gallery view of Pittsburgh CAT cats for adoption.

All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.


© 2015 | www.TheCreativeCat.net | Published by Bernadette E. Kazmarski

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Bernadette

From health and welfare to rescue and adoption stories, advocacy and art, factual articles and fictional stories, "The Creative Cat" offers both visual and verbal education and entertainment about cats for people who love cats, pets and animals of all species.

4 thoughts on “Daily Photo: How to Take a Really Good Nap

  • pilch92

    Very pretty- cats re excellent nappers 🙂

    Reply
    • Pilch92, Basil/Smokie was so frightened when he first came I couldn’t even imagine him napping like this! And yet, a month later, there he was!

      Reply
  • dood…yea…who sayz gurlz get all de air time……like thatz KNOT a law even tho dai$y mite think it iz….ya noe….lookin good little man….lookin good ~~

    heerz two a grass carp kinda week oh end ♥♥♥

    Reply
    • Boyz outnumberz gurlz heer Tabbies! And we are planning a surf n turf weekend–salmon and venison, homemade raw foods!

      Reply

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