Daily Photo: Through the Magic Rhododendron Portal

June 30, 2020July 1, 2020 Bernadette

One of the things I love about living with cats is watching them explore new things in their environment in minute detail, then find a way to occupy it and own it, whether it’s a box, cat tree, new piece of furniture, or a small section of the yard, especially for Mimi. Once my niece and I removed the ivy that was covering the entire front yard last year (well, she did all that!), we spread plastic and wood chips from the trees I’d had cut down and my original rock garden with a few short stone walls in a couple of places was visible again. I remembered building all that the spring after I’d moved in here and was happy to see the structure I’d set up once again ready for growing things. And for felines!

Mimi was ready to explore. Another wall to use as a catwalk! And curl up for naps on sun-warmed stones, even in May. These photos were taken on May 10 and 13 as Mimi acquainted herself with the wall and walked beneath the portal (rhododendron) to the “other side”.

That was a totally cool experience. And that rock she’s standing on? It’s so nice and warm under her paws…it was in the sun all afternoon…so of course it was the purrfect spot for a little feline enjoyment. First to mark the stones as belonging to Mimi.

And then a little bath…

…and then a nap with lots of toe stretching and head turning upside down.

We’ve revisited the wall regularly since then, and I’ve tried so hard, alas, in vain, to get a good photo of Mimi exiting the portal on the wall. But these minute little happinesses are so important to cats. I know they are part of what makes Mimi content each day and ensures her continued physical and behavioral health. And mine too, as I follow her around with my camera searching for the best way to interpret her pose. I can’t be as free when we’re out in the front yard because I need to keep a close eye on her and on our surroundings, but it’s worth missing a photo now and then to ensure her safety.

I’ve been enjoying my Mimi Monday posts and sharing all these photos of her I take outdoors. Let me know what you think!

~~~

Yes, I’ve been MIA for over a week, even for those of you who follow me on Instagram and other social media! Several things came together at once and needed my time before the end of June. I wanted to relieve the strain on my eyes until my new glasses are ready (July 1!) and stay away from posting long enough to get the other projects done and get back to posting regularly. I’d actually intended to share that I’d be “away” for a few days but even ran out of time for that. I always miss posting, and I’m always glad when I can come back to The Creative Cat.

~~~

From Instagram, last week to Monday

June 20

Boys are trying to like cantaloupe, because that’s what I’m eating. I’m trying to get to know my new cellphone, because my old old one could not update past android 5 and had to be replaced. What better way than to photograph my cats? It’s a win-win. The cantaloupe was a no-go, though.

Really? You eat this stuff?
My new phone fits a lot more apps too. Camera is good, but nothing is like my DSLR. Still going to be fun.

Mariposa is feeling this purrfect summer morning.

June 22

The Four Housecats of the Apocalypse are planning my day because they are coming to work with me today. Wait, how is that any different…

June 24

Yeah, my hair’s doing something pretty fantastic this morning, isn’t it?

Whisker Wednesday at the window. Mariposa just generally has a lot of hair, something we have in common on humid mornings.

Mr. Sunshine is having a great morning. He’s in a bag, in a bag!
Don’t worry, one side of each handle is pulled loose.

June 29

I’m sorry I opened the refrigerator door overnight.
I still get my breakfast though, right?

From the back yard and beyond.

The daylilies are really putting on a show on a breezy summer afternoon.

From around this date in past years

Now That’s a Nap, 2019

That little row of teeny teeth and then the FANGS. Basil is a purrfessional at napping in interesting positions. He always starts out in pretty normal positions, then at some point he lets it all hang out.

From Instagram

It’s the pre-breakfast wrestling match to enhance the appetite. It’s how they work off their excitement while I prepare 10 bowls of food. Mariposa wriggles across the floor on her back under Jelly Bean’s face and boxes his nose with those big white mittens until he engages. If she doesn’t, he starts vigorously licking her face and before long they are wrestling all over the floor. Kitty communication is a very interesting process!

A year ago I had trapped Mariposa as an adult along with a colony of feral cats at an abandoned house and she began her journey to socialization. All other adults went to a friend’s farm. Mariposa was clearly related but somehow let me know she wasn’t like them. She is very pleased to be a socialized cat with her own house and a human she can manipulate and a family of felines who love her despite her odd coloring 😉.

Photos shared in past years

Some Good Naps, 2018

This black object is completely identifiable as Hamlet, enjoying this purrfect afternoon.

I actually got an inexpensive smartphone with inexpensive service to have for my travels over the past week, as well as just to use as a cell phone. I’m trying out the camera along with the service, and napping kitties are a purrfect subject. Not sure the camera really cuts it, though. But I had fun with it nonetheless.

Looks like there’s a UBO on my bed. They show up on rainy mornings like this. If you look closely you might see toe beans. (UBO = Unidentified Black Object) That would have to be Bella.

~~~

Photos posted on or around this date in previous years

Wordless Wednesday: Saturated Nap

Giuseppe is enjoying a nap saturated with color and comfort.

~~~

Basket Nap With Video

The yellow basket continues to be a favorite napping spot, and Giuseppe and Bean have been favorite napping partners since they were kittens.

Giuseppe kind of acts like the pillow while Bean likes to sleep in a ball, so he tucks himself into Giuseppe’s belly.

The yawn starts another segment of the nap.

I recorded just a short portion of the nap, doing my best to get the purrrrrr, so you might need to turn up your speakers.

~~~

Photos posted on or around this date in previous years

Blue Pitcher With Black Cat, 2013

Don’t be silly, human. Who would be interested in a photo of a dumb blue pitcher?

I think this is much better.

I have to say, I do like it, Mr. Sunshine, subtle, almost abstract. I have some talented cats here.

I also had way more photos of the blue pitcher with black cats in them than without.

This was the final photo I chose, without cats—just for jollies, even though no one would really want to see a photo of a dumb blue pitcher without any cats in it. I had my DSLR in my right hand and my left arm around Mr. Sunshine, Giuseppe and Mewsette on the cabinet, holding them against me as they struggled, and waving my right foot at Mimi and Bean on the floor to decoy them from jumping up. So I was standing on my left foot and doing the hokey pokey, and I don’t know why the photo is as clear as it is, or how I got the angle I wanted showing a bit of the table above it…

And don’t forget, you too can have talented photo assistants and feline art directors in your home—and I can vouch for the creativity of black cats. During Adopt-a-Cat Month, you can easily find your next interior decorator or social critic!

Gifts featuring cats you know! Visit Portraits of Animals

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

"Garden Sketch With Mimi", watercolor, 5" x 7" © Bernadette E. Kazmarski — “Garden Sketch With Mimi”, watercolor, 5″ x 7″ © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

This was not what I’d intended to paint that day but I like it anyway. It’s Mimi napping in the shadow on the cool bricks among the geraniums, near the vintage aluminum tub where I grow pole beans. Read more and purchase.

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.