From the Archives: Guyz, 2012

November 9, 2017 Bernadette

They are ready for some bottlecap hockey.

I saw these photos from five years ago and thought I’d share them for this week’s archive/vintage photos. Mark was visiting to have a bowl of soup and take some home, something he did weekly if not more often in the years he lived near me. It’s getting cold outside and being in my kitchen on these first cold days reminded me of his visits. The boys had him first whenever he came to visit, but all through the years, and even before his accident, my cats always loved him, and he reached out to pet them without even thinking about it.

~~~

Uncle Mark—my brother—came to visit today for a bit. He barely had a chance to sit down before Mr. Sunshine and Giuseppe casually hurried over to “fraternize” with him. They were so happy for company—dull old me and my lentil stew just weren’t enough—and perhaps it was the guy thing too. Well, they like everyone, but they did take some special time to show off for their visitor, who thought three big black cats wrestling and playing feline hockey with a milk bottle cap was pretty cool.

Then Jelly Bean sidled in for his time.

Mark with the boys. — All three boys keep Mark very busy.

Mark had his hands full with all three of them kind of walking in a circle in front of him so he could pet two at a time. A bowl of lentil stew and a cup of coffee for my brother and me while they watched, trying to magically turn our meal into something they would like just about exhausted them and they could barely stay awake to say goodbye when he left, but not before we cleared the enamel tabletop for some bottlecap hockey.

The aftermath of such an exciting adventure found them all in an unphotographable pile in my office, tangled together on top of my black backpack and black messenger bag.

And on another November day…

Mark has to pet the boys before he can sit down to eat. They were all over him.

Mimi had his number right away, even though she was barely bigger than his boots.

My brother was a lifelong alcoholic and most moments were not so shiny. But you let go of the bad ones and keep the good ones.

~~~

Photos pulled “From the Archives” were taken by one or another digital camera of mine between 2002 and, well, yesterday, but usually they are older than that, and I had never had the chance to feature them. Vintage Photos are from my film archives back to 1983 when I purchased my Pentax K-1000 camera. They’re a fun way to “introduce” other members of my feline family who came and went before I began blogging, and to illustrate my feline family in general from days gone by.

. . . . . . .

From Instagram

Butterscotch lollipop still the toy that makes Basil do flips.

Late nights in the studio (I get the epsom soak, Mimi gets the box).

Mimi in the box, Sunshine under the light.

Someone stopped by to deliver some fresh homemade kicksticks to my kitties! (And pick up an order and drop off a donation to Merlin’s Safe Haven Cat Rescue, but kitty things are so much more important.) Thanks Norma Clouse! They’ve given them a good workout already!

. . . . . . .

What other photos have I shared on or around this date?

Teddy Bear and Simon having a little mutual bath.

Brothers Teddy Bear and Simon are so much like the older siblings in this household who pair off for a little bathing, wrestling and conversation. Above Teddy Bear takes his turn washing Simon’s face.

Below Simon whispers something to Teddy Bear.

Then they start the conversation. “So what do you think?”

Looks like a little conversation is happening.

“I don’t know, bro, I might rather just nap on the cat tree.

“She’s looking at us.”

I'm not sure Teddy Bear quite believes what Simon is saying. — I’m not sure Teddy Bear quite believes what Simon is saying.

“Nothing to see here, move along.”

Gifts featuring cats you know! Visit Portraits of Animals

Fine Art • Photography • Gifts • Greeting Cards • Books • Commissioned Portraits & Artwork

Copyright

All images and text used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission, although links to your site are more than welcome and are shared. Please ask if you are interested in using and image or story in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of an image or a product including it, check my animal and nature website Portraits of Animals 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.