Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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Daily Photo: Caught Between a Zucchini and a Tomato Place

tortoiseshell cat in basket with vegetables
Something is wrong here.

Sienna is kind of stuck between a zucchini and a tomato place.

tortoiseshell cat in basket with vegetables
Cuddling with friends.

When my stock of tomatoes finally came down to only two, she decided there was plenty of room for her in the basket.

tortoiseshell cat in basket with vegetables
Sienna uses a zucchini as a pillow.

It kind of reminds me of another tortie about a decade ago, named Cookie, who also slept in the tomato basket in the same place in the same kitchen. Love those torties! Click here to read Sweet Dreams, and a…Tomato for Your Pillow, and I hope next year to publish this cookbook again!

~~~

From Instagram

I think Jelly Bean is being a very patient fur brother, don’t you? Those big white mittens, they’re going to get Mariposa in big trouble one of these days! This is actually the daily Morning Show aired before breakfast.

 

From around this date in past years

Cozy, 2019

Mariposa enjoys a nap on her fur brother.
Mariposa enjoys a nap on her fur brother.

Mariposa loves her fur brother Jelly Bean. He’s always up for a wrestle, or a nap! She couldn’t get close enough to him, so she just laid herself over top of him. Jelly Bean has never met another kitty he doesn’t like, and he especially likes foster cats, and frightened newcomers.

Photos from years past

Daily Photo: Studio Cats at Rest, 2018

Studio cats sleeping
Studio cats sleeping

I had been working in the open space, and all my supurrvisors fell asleep. Poor me, I was on my own.

Now that the weather has cooled off I can get back to projects in my studio. When it’s that hot I can’t work on pastel portraits because the sweat from my hands soaks into the pastel and hardens it. Working on art where my sweaty hands touch the paper at all stains the paper. Paints don’t dry well, adhesives are usually okay, but there are so many things I really can’t do that it’s a very sad time for me. Getting back into the studio is a joy after an enforced week off! You can see I had company.

Mr. Sunshine settled down near the first group of Mimi, Mewsette and Jelly Bean.

Another joins them, sort of.
Another joins them, sort of.

Then he moved in with the gang and suddenly there was no room for Mimi, who had been there first! Oh, Mimi’s expressions. She never needs words.

 

Then moves closer, but Mimi loses her place and is not happy.
Then moves closer, but Mimi loses her place and is not happy.

So she solved that by settling down on top of Mewsette, her favorite living cat bed.

Mimi just settles down on Mewsette.
Mimi just settles down on Mewsette.

Here is one last photo from when I was preparing for Rock the Quarry in late August. They were so tired out by all the work they’d supurrvised they didn’t even bother to get up and leave when their “shift” was over. They just settled in a heap and had a good nap.

One last one from RTQ preparation.

~~~

From Instagram

Deck rail gargoyle.

Mimi and I had some time outdoors—finally!

Mimi on the deck rail.
Mimi on the deck rail.

. . . . . . .

What other photos did I feature around this date?

Bella’s Eyes, 2017
Bella's eyes.
Bella’s eyes.

Bella was intently watching her silly fur brother Basil race up and down the steps with some toy while sitting conveniently right in front of me, between me and my computer monitor. What else could I do but photograph her? Her eyes are such an unusual color, sometimes they look distinctly amber, but here the cool daylight from the north window was shining on her face and that always cools down her eye color. I was enjoying her whiskers too.

~~~

From Yesterday

Mimi and I took a walk outside in the early evening. She hasn’t been enjoying her time outdoors in the morning with Mewsette and the laundry and I had the idea it was because she was stuck on the patio and really wanted some alone time from the kids. So I put the harness on her and connected her leash, but let her go at will, and that seemed to do the trick. She headed right for the picnic table.

Mimi on the picnic table.
Mimi on the picnic table.

You can see it’s in pretty bad shape. Honestly, my brother pulled it out of someone’s trash for me about 25 years ago; he worked for a landscaper and they cleared it out of someone’s back yard, and he knew I’d like it. I fixed it up and put some finishes on it, and it’s been on the deck or out in the yard all those years, patiently waiting for me and my cats to visit. I haven’t had the time to repair its ills, but I can see that what’s broken can still be fixed and I’ll get to that this fall, step by step. We need a picnic table out there, for memories, you know.

That’s not the only reason we haven’t been out there for a while. I had let everything in the yard grow for a while, and Mimi would have been out of sight in a second. In July I pulled the tallest things then used a sickle to cut the grass and shorter things, but left my garden covered and some of the other areas. The garden is under 10 feet of jewel weed and it’s humming so loudly with bees you can hear it in the basement. I decided that’s a good thing and they can stand until frost. A neighbor’s tree dropped another smaller branch onto Mimi’s tree, and the branches and Mimi’s tree, well, they have to go. But for now at least we can get to the picnic table.

And here’s another of those fun swirling photos of Mimi. It must be her. I can’t reproduce this if I try.

Just one of those weird spinning photos. Maybe it's Mimi.
Just one of those weird spinning photos. Maybe it’s Mimi.

From Instagram

New rug in front of the sink, it’s the hot new napping spot right now.

On the rug, waiting for something.
On the rug, waiting for something.
Napping on the kitchen rug.

. . . . . . .

What other photos did I feature around this date?

Occupying the Desk in Six Easy Steps, 2016
Step 1: start early.
Step 1: start early.

The same five cats occupied my desk yesterday, Mimi and Giuseppe, Sunshine and Bean, and Basil in place of Mewsette, who was enjoying the cool concrete in the basement.

To give them credit, we started the day quite differently from the usual morning at the desk, with moving furniture and a loud and sometimes frightening event—removing the beloved but crumbling old behemoth of a stove and replacing it with a new/used stove with the help of a neighbor. We replaced the nonworking old refrigerator last week with the help of the multi-talented Dr. Michelle, and all this ruckus is one of the reasons I’m a little behind on posting and things, but we are all very happy with the outcome.

And my poor felines are exhausted, as you see. They worked hard inspecting every bit of floor they’d never seen before, reuniting with long-lost toys (that looked just like the same bottle rings and caps and popsicle sticks they already had all over the kitchen floor), riding around on furniture being moved, looking at the new views from where it was moved to, being extremely good kitties by not ever considering running out when the storm door was open, and scrambling to the basement whenever things went all pear-shaped and impossible to discern.

After the front door was replaced on its hinges, all the furniture replaced, floor mopped and most things put somewhere, I had to get back to work, but I am never alone in that. Above, you can see the first stage of occupying the desk by five determined black cats, as I quietly worked at my computer. Immediately below you can see Step 2 of their occupation as I returned from working on organizing the stove and refrigerator in my driveway, but they had no intention of giving up the desk even when I left it to do something that potentially needed supervision.

Step 2: Hold your ground.
Step 2: Hold your ground.

As I worked they rested, though I knew they were aware of everything I did. They shuffled about just a bit from their initial positions just to let me know they were on top of things.

Step 3: Move around just enough to make it interesting.
Step 3: Move around just enough to make it interesting.

And they proved to be interesting enough to me that I was forced by fear of not capturing every possible photo of them to get up every five minutes or so and take a few more photos from more angles.

Step 4: Look good from all angles.
Step 4: Look good from all angles.

And then after several hours came the big shuffle when often someone will leave and the group will break up. But not this group. They all found another shape to sleep in, and got back to work sleeping supervising.

Step 5: Shuffle everyone around.
Step 5: Shuffle everyone around.

Step 6: They’ve got this thing down as they appear to be melting into one another. I was completely amused supervised for the entire afternoon.

Step 6: End the day with a good form.
Step 6: End the day with a good form.

. . . . . . .

What other photos did I feature around this date?

Today’s Studio Supervisors, 2015
Simon watches me while Teddy Bear watches birds in the spruce.
Simon watches me while Teddy Bear watches birds in the spruce.

In hot weather, especially in the morning, it’s actually cooler in my studio because it faces northwest and has the trees out front that provide dense shade. A nice breeze comes in the casement windows, and you can see Simon and Teddy Bear are taking advantage of it and the cool marble windowsill. This was after they had rearranged my desk and much of anything that wasn’t tied down in my studio, and they felt need to have a rest. Simon keeps his eye on me while Teddy Bear keeps an eye on the birds and cleans off my desktop with his tail. Simon didn’t think I noticed when he dozed off and opened his eyes again really fast, and is trying to be cool about it. Some feral kittens they are…

Simon watches me while Teddy Bear keeps an eye on the neighborhood.
Simon watches me while Teddy Bear keeps an eye on the neighborhood.

. . . . . . .

On Instagram and Facebook

It’s 90 degrees, why are they cuddling? I guess cats can never be too hot, and Guiseppe and Bean can never be too close.

Giuseppe and Bean cuddle in 90 degree heat.
Giuseppe and Bean cuddle in 90 degree heat.

. . . . . . .

Yes, I’m Cute, 2014
long-haired black cat
“Yes, I’m cute!”

He plays on the pink cat track so much that he just falls down to have a nap. He’s a busy kitten so he’s really difficult to photograph! But I’m not complaining—that’s how kittens are supposed to be.

Smokie has progressed from traumatized fearful to happy, playful and bold in the past week, each day leaving behind another little fear. Even after he came to trust me he was still frightened by loud noises outside, loud noises inside, the shower, any hissing crackling plastic bag, any fast (or clumsy) move by me or any attempt to pick him up, each of which sent him running behind the toilet for safety. Now it’s just those pesky plastic bags that frighten him, and today when Dr. Michelle came to visit to see how he was with people aside from me he adapted right away, after seriously studying her for a few seconds to figure out what was wrong with her.

But I had noticed, even when he became more and more playful, he never jumped up on anything, not the toilet lid or the side of the tub, or climbed the cat tree, not until late this week. Now he jumps up on the toilet lid when I prepare his food all the time. When he finally seemed comfortable with those heights he still would not go in the tub—he’d look in, then turn around and jump down. Now he’s in there all the time and keeps his toys busy.

He jumps up on my lap now too, and though he doesn’t stay he’s happy for the few seconds he’s there. Every now and then I pick him up and kiss him, then put him right back down, a big difference from last week when if I reached down for him he’d duck and run for cover.

And he still can’t wait to meet the ninjas!

. . . . . . .

Don’t Encourage Her, 2013
Are you kidding?! She's all mine!
Are you kidding?! She’s all mine!
“Don’t encourage her, Sunshine. We won’t get to eat until midnight if she really starts taking pictures of us.”
“Are you kidding, bro? She’s all mine! All I have to do is tilt my head and she gets weak in the knees!”

The boys were being extra cute in the sun on the stairs today. Yes, I spent a lot of time taking their photos, and you’ll be seeing others from this photo shoot as time goes on. In fact, it was really difficult to decide which one to use, especially when Bean joined them. The three boys together, yes I do get a little weak in the knees, and I also want to get a good angle for the next photo!

The other choice of quote for this was Giuseppe: “That fool is no relative of mine.”

And might I point out…the glowing reddish string hanging out of Mr. Sunshine’s mouth? Yep, that’s one of mine. Guess it’s only fair when I probably eat tons of cat hair all the time. Really, when I see them like this, I gently pull them out; my hair is pretty coarse and I want to be careful in any measure. And there’s one on the toy in the foreground too…Friday, time to clean!

. . . . . . .

Above All That, 2012
black cat on wooden shelf
Mewsette in her own little corner on her own little shelf…

Mewsette is happy on her shelf near the ceiling above the landing at the top of the stairs, possibly the highest point in the house for any cat to achieve without getting into the attic. She stayed up there all day, occasionally calling me to come up and join her. I was touched, but feared for the integrity of the shelf should I actually be able to get onto it.

She’s done a pretty good job keeping the cobwebs under control too.

This was just too funny one of the times I came to the top of the steps and looked up.

black cat toes on wooden shelf
Toes.

. . . . . . .

A Pile of Cats, 2009 and 2011…and then some
Four on the Bed.
Four on the Bed.

Above, from 2009

How many cats are in this photo? It’s the Fantastic Four, all heaped together on the first cool day of late summer/early autumn, upstairs on the bed where the sun creeps in during the afternoon. Mimi’s children are two now, but still play, sleep and bathe together as they did when they were kittens.

They were two years old! From the left, Mewsette, Giuseppe, Mr. Sunshine and Jelly Bean.

Below, from 2011

 A Pile of Cats
A Pile of Cats

If anybody doubted that all five black cats truly pile up on my desk for most of the afternoon while I’m working, here is proof.

Of course, this is after the tortie girls had my lap, desk and keyboard all morning. Mimi joins the senior girls as well, not to be left out of any opportunity, so she spends most of every day at my desk. I told her she needed to learn some job skills if she’s going to spend the morning sitting on my wrist and the afternoon sitting on her children.

I’m sure they all like me and enjoy spending time with me but I know their dedication to my desk has to do with the “kitty keep-warm lamps”. During the summer I don’t use the task lights very often because the room is generally bright enough, and the lights are just too darned hot. As the air cools and the sun drops down lower in the sky, my office is suddenly darker with all the trees outside. From then I turn the lights on, and if I ever needed a passive cat-herding apparatus it would be these lights. I have actually set up lights elsewhere just to see what happens, like the famous library photos, and they are immediately popular, gathering cats like moths under the porch light.

From the left, in the front, they are Jelly Bean, Mewsette, Giuseppe and Mr. Sunshine. Mimi came in later, walked on them all touching up ears and foreheads with little mom-baths, then settled down on top of Mewsette and Giuseppe. Jelly Bean initially tried to curl up along the front edge, but kept sliding off onto my keyboard.

Is there something about September 6 that makes them want to cuddle? The two photos above were daily photos I’d actually posted, but many days I choose a daily photo but have other photos of what they’re all up to. I decided to check September 6 in 2010…

From 2010?

four black cats on bed
Four Cats Prepare for a Nap

Not quite the same day—this is from September 5 but it’s close enough as the Four prepare for an afternoon nap on my bed. Clockwise, from bottom left: Jelly Bean, Giuseppe, Mr. Sunshine and Mewsette.

And what about 2008?

From 2008

four black cats on desk
Four Cats On Desk.

Well, this is September 7. They were one year old! You can see I was using my cardboard feline containment units wisely. From the left, Giuseppe, Mewsette, Jelly Bean and Mr. Sunshine.

And in 2012? I was working all over the house today, so they all shared the duties of following me for supervisory services, and only had the chance to pile up in pairs here and there. They must be exhausted after a day’s work!

I had also noticed in recent years that, while Mimi socialized with them and bathed them, she really didn’t cuddle with them on a regular basis until last year, when they were four. I guess she had to take some time to figure out her role, but now she’s pretty much a buddy, though she still has momcat power.

. . . . . . .

Friday Night Dance, 2014
posterized photo of black cat
Jelly Bean enjoys his Friday dance.

Jelly Bean celebrates the end of the week in disco style, man, if you can point, you can dance, and Bean has the moves. For a short week, it’s been a long week, and we are feeling a little silly. A little posterizing filter makes everything feel groovy.

. . . . . . .

What other photos did have I shared around this date?

.

Others’ Fine Felines: Hendrix in Dreamland, 2013
black and white photo of cat in window
Hendrix in black and white.

Hendrix watches out of his second-floor window the making of a movie on Main Street in Carnegie several years ago. Possibly he is even the director sending telepathic instructions to the street below. This is from several years ago and the little digital camera wasn’t the best even though I was only photographing from across the street, but I can’t pass up a cat in a window. Still, the photo wasn’t terribly good—I have it below in color—so I played around with it to make it a little more interesting and a little more clear.

The real reason I posted Hendrix’s photo today is that he was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and isn’t feeling well at all, so I’d like to send him some purrrs of healing energy. He was a rescue from right off the street, hung around outside a friendly house for a short time until they wised up and took him in during a holiday meal, and he ended up with the nice couple who care for him now. He hates his meds, but he’s getting all the care he needs.

orange and white cat in window
Hendrix in color.

Mimi loves to run, and she runs all over the back yard. when we first go outside, she hangs on the deck until she’s sure I’m coming down to the yard, then she leaps down the stairs and across the grass to the picnic table, up on the bench, and has a good scratch. I am to meet her there and we spend some time with love and kisses, and remember other kitties (see Cookie, below, from 2011), and possibly even Mimi’s own time out there before she came in from the cold, or heat, as it was late July. I don’t use her harness and leash at the moment, after enough of that I think we have an understanding that I love it so much when she stays in the yard with me. She does wear her bell collar, and the happy little jingle seems to complement her happy leaps and sprints.

. . . . . . .

Wordless Wednesday: World’s Best Cat, 2012
black cat bathing in shopping bag
Jelly Bean is the World’s Best Cat…

Jelly Bean’s siblings might disagree, but there it is, literally, in black and white. Oh, do I see the word “litter”…?


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Sienna watches me in her own special way.
Sienna watches me in her own special way.

Office cat says I need to sit down and get to work. And that work is providing a lap for her. My that Sienna is getting bold, and what a talented model too, providing us all with this unique photo! Read more and purchase.



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2 thoughts on “Daily Photo: Caught Between a Zucchini and a Tomato Place

  • sienna; sum thin iz shir lee wrong; ya shulda used a perch for yur pillow 🙂 ♥♥

    Reply
    • If you squint just the right way, that zucchini could look like a perch!

      Reply

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