Daily Photo: Lemongrass Summer
I was trying my best to get a really pretty photo of pretty Mewsette with a pretty geranium, but these three were the best I accomplished. I like them all, even if they aren’t what I envisioned. Mewsette is always pretty, no matter.
That’s what I wrote when I took them and originally posted them just about this date in August 2020, and I always remembered them. I took so many photos of Mewsette and decided to share the geraniums that day too, but decided I could share them again today. The light is coming around again to these mornings in August, and I remembered these photos in particular in that light. I had photographed Mewsette in the lemongrass, the grassy stuff to the right of her, which she loved and visited every single day that summer hence the title of this post and which she was enjoying here, which may someday be the title of a painting, we’ll just have to see.
Meanwhile, Mimi is helping me with a project that was upcoming and is now finished and in use. I had pulled a shallow five-drawer dresser from someone’s trash along the street and decided I could use it in the studio for materials storage. The drawers are great for organizing all of one medium, like all my fabric paints or markers, or material, like my sketchbooks from my daily sketches, keeping them cleaner and neater than in a box on shelves. I didn’t and still don’t have space for a deeper dresser or anything else with drawers and this was purrfect, I could tell.
On this day, along with photographing Mewsette, I was moving everything off of and around it, and pulling the Virginia creeper vine from the wood, so that I could pull it out and measure it and consider the extent of sanding and painting and any repairs. Of course, Mimi had to be a part of it, so she walked around on the top of it into each new open spot as I removed something. When I opened the drawers…well, you know what happened then. When the heat broke in September, during a nice dry spell, I moved it down to the brick patio and sanded and painted it, and it’s now in my studio.
And as you’ll see below, it’s just past a year ago that Mewsette visited our veterinarian. Mewsette is usually pretty chill, but she meowed more than once on the ride there though I always drive as slowly as I can and in the smoothest route so they don’t get tossed around too much. Then I realized that Mewsette had not been in a car since February 2008 when I drove her and Mimi home from being spayed. She’d never needed anything but her checkups all those years. It’s hard to believe that was just a year ago.
And below that, the first iteration of cleaning out the basement. What a long strange trip it’s been!
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From Instagram
Mariposa sashayed into the kitchen this morning and proudly set down before me a bit of fresh kill.
She then twirled away with her tail in the air letting me have my go at this thing.
I really couldn’t tell what it was. I didn’t smell anything, it wasn’t moving, it looked like chicken skin, but to my knowledge there’s no chicken in this house.
Eventually I dared to give it a poke and it felt kind of rubbery. But not warm, or cold, just kind of room temperature.
I gave it another poke and I realized it was rubber, rubber caulking from the windows. I guess a gob fell on the floor when they were finishing up the windows and just dried there. I don’t know how I missed it when I swept the floors up there. But that’s one thing kitties are good for, finding things you missed.
I have never noticed Mariposa being an avid hunter like Hamlet or Bella or Basil. Possibly she likes the easy kills, like things that aren’t really alive, but they’re fun.
She came back into the kitchen waving her big plume of a tail and waiting for me to shower her with praise. Which I did, of course.
#happycaturday !
What other photos have I shared on or around this date?
Veterinary Visits, 2022
Mewsette had her senior exam on Tuesday! And she passed with nearly flying colors at her veterinary visit except for a need for a serious dental, and possibly hyperthyroid disease. Other than that she’s in good health and is completely sweet. She got some pain medication for the pain in her teeth.
Mewsette was more than a little vocal on the car ride there, and it occurred to me that because we had a house call veterinarian for so many years, she hasn’t been for a ride in a car since she was spayed 15 years ago as a kitten. But she did well. Once we get the blood tests back we’ll work on those teeth and anything else that needs to be fixed.
Aside from the car ride for kitties who don’t like that, we love going to Companions First. Somehow they manage to remember all my cats who have been there including several fosters, and despite the number of animals in and out, it’s always quiet and calm and they do their best to keep it comfortable for kitties, including fraidy cats like Basil. Dr. Goodell also volunteers with HCMT clinics, spaying cats all day, and provides veterinary care for our rescues too—both Basil and Bella were there as older kittens and were diagnosed with the conditions that made them hard to adopt and me decide to adopt them. And with a lot of cats and a lot of different needs for them, it’s nice to know they can handle all of it.
Yes, it’s time to get started on these delayed senior exams for Mimi and the kids! I had the feeling Mewsette’s weight loss wasn’t due entirely to her dental issues, though aside from weight loss her purrsonality and habits are about the same as ever. Just glad I’m able to do this, and I’m grateful to those of you who donated for Mr. Sunshine’s surgery and then suggested I keep your donation and use it for others when he didn’t need it. I had been putting money aside for these visits since last autumn, so unless something is a huge expense I think I can handle it.
And Mr. Sunshine goes for a blood pressure check
And because Mr. Sunshine missed his buddies at Petwellclinic Scott, and one veterinary visit in a day just wasn’t enough for me, I dropped off Mewsette and picked up Mr. Sunshine and off we went for a blood pressure check. Veterinary technicians Angel and Megan kept Mr Sunshine calm and happy through the little leg shave and the little cuff and getting his blood pressure reading.
I had noticed his pupils were more dilated than they have been, whether it’s due to the weather or he needs an increase in his medication. It was just a bit above normal, and he’ll be going for his senior exam soon, so we can discuss if it’s due to his hypertension or something else.
I got to tell them about his diagnosis and the amazing shrinking sarcoma. This was where he was first diagnosed, and it was good to share the story.
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From Instagram
Current situation: Mr Sunshine using Sienna as a pillow on #tortiethursday .
And seeing the photos below—the first exciting throes of cleaning out my basement, just the beginning of the POTENTIAL for my basement studio! Yes, all the changes, the new spaces, the new equipment, the new designs and techniques, the new products, all began just about three years ago. It’s still not near perfect, but it’s good enough for now.
What other photos have I shared on or around this date?
Desk Accessories,2019
Really, everyone should have one of these lovely graceful sculptures on their desk along with their cup of colorful pens. I did try to focus on my work but was completely distracted by the curves and graceful shapes in this nearly abstract nap between brothers Mr. Sunshine and Giuseppe. But no matter how I tried, this little section of it remained in the corner of my eye so I gave in and admired them, and took several photos.
Here is the full scene on the desk.
And here are some awesomely cute toe beans.
From Instagram
We spent the time we’ve been away cleaning and reorganizing the house, partly in preparation for my recovery here after my surgery October 3.
No, girls, no outside yet. I’ve been getting water all over my basement with this past year’s heavy rains. With my hip I’ve been unable to clean gutters, waterproof basement, or clean out larger damaged items. It will be several months before I will be able to take that on. With the help of friends willing to brave the mess phase 1 of basement cleanup removed old appliances and damaged cabinets and shelves and other things. That’s what’s piled outside the door where I’d normally be hanging laundry. Yay! Now we have lots of space back, litterboxes are where they should be and I can get my screen printing and block printing started up again!
A new observation platform for kitties! Bella, Giuseppe and Mariposa were right on it. The basement makeover includes something for all of us.
The boys are happy with lots of space to wrestle.
Mariposa has a place where she can run nearly the length of the house (22 ft.).
One “before” photo taken after a lot of stuff had actually been removed. Not the prettiest pictures but we’ll get there.
Photos from years past
Daily Photo: A Basil-in-the-Box, 2017
Basil found a perfectly Basil-sized box and settled right into it. His big round eyes might be from his surprise that the box fits so well, or it might be because of the big scary kitty staring at him from the bag just behind him. You just never know with Basil.
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From Instagram
Mimi is not pleased with her leash, but she does love to be outdoors, especially now that I’ve cleaned off the bricks on the patio by the basement door. I believe she was watching a bee, but someday I may add a butterfly to that phlox and do a painting of this.
My little flower enjoys a flower.
Above is the filtered instagram version, but I kind of like the regular version too, below.
And then earlier the young’ns were lined up in their favorite spots getting some sun.
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What other photos have I shared on or around this date?
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Kittens On the Loose, and a Visitor, 2015
They all love the windowsill and spent most of their time there!
Kittens had another “day out” in the upstairs yesterday and are obviously becoming more accustomed to the upstairs and all its interesting piles of boxes and packing materials and the computer and all sorts of other things.
All the adults greet them differently, mostly with interest though Mr. Sunshine likes to hiss to make sure they know who is the mancat. Kittens respond appropriately, sitting down to think about what meaningless crumbs they are, but everyone gets over it pretty quickly.
Basil is less shocked at the magical appearance of three little cats and more curious. One by one they are fine, and it’s so funny to look at this and remember that a year ago he was a little smaller than them and now he’s nearly a grown up. Soon I’ll be able to let them downstairs too, and then the basement! I’m not sure I’m ready for that.
I have some lovely photos of them from today in addition to these, but with those I’m setting up gallery posts for each of the kittens to promote their adoption. I’ll be posting those today and tomorrow, and I can’t wait to share! In the meantime…
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Today’s photos from Instagram and Facebook
Today’s studio supervisory staff, Simon, Alvina and Theodore. Ninjas are waiting in the wings (napping on the bed) in case instruction is needed (or a piece of kitten food is found in the bathroom).
They discovered the bedroom too, and that nice big fluffy bed, and a window full of critters!
Lots for kittens to see! Theodore and Simon. Don’t forget, these little fluffballs are up for adoption!
Simon learns the meaning of “no”. It took 27 tries and some pieces of waxed paper backing from double-sided tape.
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And we had some exciting visitors!
Maureen and Cecil Chatwin visited us all the way from Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada! They were visiting their daughter in Philadelphia and decided to visit a few others in the U.S., and since Pittsburgh is on their route back home Maureen said they’d like to visit here and meet Mimi and the kids and all the fosters. Maureen has been a Creative Cat reader for at least three years and found me through another reader in Winnipeg, Denise Sitter, who will also (finally) be getting her framed Daily Sketch to add to her gallery of daily sketches and prints.
Just about all the adult cats greeted Maureen and Cecil at the door and kept them busy when they came in. I was surprised that Basil and Bella, who are usually shy at first, stayed put and greeted them with the rest. When Cecil used my computer for hotel reservations Bella stayed right where she was, and Mimi kept an eye on him too. Charm really enjoyed the scalp massage, and Mimi helped Maureen to choose some greeting cards too.
Visitors are fun, especially those from our neighbors to the north! Giuseppe sent a special face rub message to Mlle., and even though our visitors aren’t traveling anywhere near Steel City North, we are sure Mlle. will get the message as they go across the border!
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What other photos have I shared on or around this date?
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Impostor! 2014
Kennedy is clearly not amused that Giuseppe is sitting at the baby gate trying to imitate him in order to get Kennedy’s treats and special foods.
That didn’t stop Giuseppe from giving the big-eyed sad kitten look through the baby gate. He has no shame.
It all started when I was getting ready in the bathroom in the morning, and Kennedy always sits and watches then walks figure 8s around my ankles. I turned around and instead of seeing the one black cat I’d expected I saw two.
Kennedy is doing extremely well. I’d been very concerned last week when he just quit eating and though he was still active he seemed despondent. It was serious enough that I thought it might be his time to let go. I got him to the veterinarian (thanks to all who donated!) and then had two reiki sessions to help him balance his energy and to help me pinpoint where he needed help. It seemed that right side was giving him trouble though he felt happy and didn’t seem ready to go. Between that and a bit more accupuncture, then an herb Dr. Michelle prescribed, he’s a new cat. No more restless energy and wandering, aimless vocalizing and litterbox issues as well as lack of appetite. Where he used to wake up when I walked past the room he sleeps soundly and I have to wake him up sometimes. When he’s up he’s much more graceful and measured, and that stiff spine is supple enough that it curves, and sometimes I really do mistake him for one of the other black cats. I hope this is the next step toward greater healing.
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What other photos did I feature on or around this date?
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Only the Shadows Know, 2012
So what were the boys up to, as I looked around the corner to see their shadows on the floor, but not them?
Probably just conspiring in a little brotherly bathing, I think!
It’s Giuseppe and Mr. Sunshine, not the typical partners in crime, all the more reason to wonder.
Nothing transpired from the conspiracy, except some play and a bath and a nap in the tub.
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More Pretty Kitty Things
Yes, that’s right, I just walked right up on my neighbor’s porch on a walk to Main Street and photographed a few things. But I can’t resist these colorful vintage ceramic planters. Right after WWII, hospital stays and more hospital care became far more commonplace than they had been prior to the war, a combination of returning GIs needing more hospital care and more advances in medicine during the war. Get well gifts have always been popular, and this was one more reason.
They were finished in the popular colors of the time, bright, often primary colors, that would match the person’s home, and almost always contained an indestructible philodendron with its dark green heart-shaped leaves. Did you ever wonder where all the grandmothers, or great-grandmothers, got those philodendrons?
Eventually manufacturers started painting or air-brushing more details into the finish. This one is from the 1950s or possibly even later.
Animals were most popular, though flowers and children were also popular figures.
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Feline Images from Portraits of Animals!
Mewsette lets the warm sun wash her back while she sits and simply looks lovely.
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.
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