From the Archives: Another Winter Afternoon

An afternoon in early February 2008 featuring my tortie girls, both having experienced at least part of a winter on the streets, curl up on on a nice soft, warm bed, nestling among the pillows. Kelly is curled in her preliminary ball, immediately post-bath, and will curl tighter and tighter as she settles deeper into sleep. Cookie lounges between my bed pillows, watching the snow fall.

Years ago I saw a small print of a painting of two calico cats curled back to back on a bed, a fairly realistic watercolor, the cat on the right with her head down, sleeping, the cat on the left with her head up but squinty, sleepy. The bed was covered with a faded antique quilt, the room spare. I have remembered that for over 20 years, and it continues to be an inspiration. This, in a way, reminds me of it.

Looks like a painting to me.

I’m remembering Cookie today. This was the date in 2012 she left this place, but she will be with me always. Here is another of my favorites, from when she was training Mimi to take care of me when she was gone.

On a Rainy Afternoon, 2011

Cookie and Mimi spend some cozy hours on the pile of pillows on my bed while the day fills with rain and fog outside the window.

I often think rescued kitties take a little time on bad weather days remembering the days before their rescue. I know Mimi does because this normally reticent kitty is suddenly following me around, loving on me, looking into my eyes and telling me stories. Cookie is not so obvious, but she thanks me pretty much all the time.

The photo was nearly colorless with the stark rain light, and there’s something about a contrasty image with overexposed highlights that just asks to be black and white, and so it is.

As I mentioned on this date in “Attachments”, Cookie had a difficult time with me during my mother’s death, and I knew then her span of years was slowly coming to an end. Apparently she and Mimi knew as well; they’d always been friends but I began finding them together beginning with this photo soon after my mother’s death in early 2011. Mimi has been taking good care of me since Cookie has passed, I can only imagine that Cookie passed that role along to Mimi.

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From Facebook and Instagram

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Packing greeting card orders with my supervisor, Mimi.

Progress! Hamlet and Ophelia have discovered the bed and the bedroom windowsill. It’s the first time in two weeks visiting out of their room they have been up off the floor. Ophelia is still pretty timid, but Hamlet is feeling pretty confident, and playful too. Patience! Great things take time, including socializing feral kittens.

And even though it’s not a cat, it’s still something we enjoy here…

Meanwhile, down in the basement…just in time for Immolc and the true beginning of spring. Time to start taking some cuttings and starting some new geraniums for summer.

Browse some rescued cats and kittens!

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 or Fine Art America profile 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.

© 2016 | www.TheCreativeCat.net | Published by Bernadette E. Kazmarski

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Weekly schedule of features:
Sunday: Essays, Pet Loss, Poetry, The Artist’s Life
Monday: Adoptable Cats, TNR & Shelters
Tuesday: Rescue Stories
Wednesday: Commissioned Portrait or Featured Artwork
Thursday: New Merchandise
Friday: Book Review, Health and Welfare, Advocacy
Saturday: Your Backyard Wildlife Habitat, Living Green With Pets, Creating With Cats
And sometimes, I just throw my hands in the air and have fun!

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