Green Eyes, My Childhood Toy Cat

Buskitten recently posted her lovely old toys on
her blog and they reminded me of my
'Green Eyes', my favorite stuffed animal toy
that I've managed to keep with me since 3rd grade.
Green Eyes went through alot with me and
in 4th grade instead of counting sheep at
night to fall asleep I would softly recite
math multiplications to Green Eyes
hoping that I would remember them!


I grew up in a family without pets and never
realize how much cats would
become a part of my life when I became an adult!


Here's one of my first attempts with
watercolors when I was a child!

Do you still have any favorite childhood toys?

Thanksgiving Day and update

Jet and Gus are 2 of the 4 dogs that
will be at my sister's house for Thanksgiving.

Jet, Sugar and Gus wait patiently as my sister
slices the turkey.

Tiffany has found a cozy spot away from
all of those big dogs!

After running back and forth through
the house in split seconds, the puppy,
Marge, calmed down. She is so darling.


I am thankful for simply being with loved ones
on this Thanksgiving Day.
Hope this day brings contentment and love
to all.

A Cat Tale

I was just talking to a friend whose cat has been waking her
up at 6 am. on the weekend when she would love to in sleep late.
What "Stovie" the cat does is hop onto her bed, stand behind her
head, and tap her hair and when that doesn't work, the prickly
little claws tap her head. He is very persistent and will not stop
until she gets up!
What to do, Lynda got a brilliant idea.
She thought of putting a mixing bowl on her head, but she only
had glass bowls. She did have a plastic green colander which
she brought to bed.
When the tapping was about to occur she slid the colander over her
head....Hmmmmm, Stovie was puzzled...paused a moment and reached
around the side of the colander, Lynda kept sliding the colander over
trying to keep one step (or paw as the case may be) ahead of Stovie.
Stovie gave up briefly and Lynda fell asleep for hours with a colander
on her head. Next morning, Stovie was back and so was the
colander, but now Stovie tried a new tactic, reaching around and
tapping her jaw. Lynda, finally resorted to closing him out in the hall!
Oh, how could she...he started howling! So tired, the howling didn't
phase Lynda as she dozed off with the colander still on her head.
Do you have creative ways of outwitting your pet when they are the
boss?

Tiger

This is my cat niece, Tiger...it warmed my heart
to see her tonight when we had dinner at her house.
We sat together and communicated and she touched
my nose with her nose! She's such a sweet gentle
kitty.

Missing My Furry Family

I've been away since Tuesday visiting my parents
and I miss my cats! The closest thing I've seen to
them are the fluffy squirrels in my
parents' neighborhood. D will be returning home
today so I'm looking forward to seeing them on skype!

Just Before Leaving

Am visiting my parents in Connecticut and
after packing and what seemed like
a million last minute things to do before leaving
yesterday, just one more look at the kitties...
and I miss them already.

Polly was so content after filling up on her favorite food.

Brody loves to sit on D's pants so we left some
on the stairs by the window with a view.

Made sure they all have plenty of food and water
and Ellie May has so much to choose from...
D just dropped me off so he'll be holding down
the fort with them!

Thinking back...

When Polly was a tiny kitten, often times
we couldn't find her.
She used to climb the screen on the
front porch and jump into the plant
hanging from the ceiling!
We often got a clue as to her whereabouts
by following the gaze of our other kitten,
Pumpkin who was not much of a climber
and was often looking up!

A Computer Evening

Late night computer work with her Dad,
Polly was in her element. She actually made the
screen scroll down when she rested her head
on the track pad. Whatever D was reading
quickly disappeared!

Reflection

... some days are very reflective.

Catnaps and Art on a Rainy Day

All of my cats are napping on this cold, dreary
rainy day! Brody, the orange kitty, is out of sight
under a book shelf sound asleep.

Polly is very comfy in her basket lined with fleece.

Ellie May loves my old jacket that I leave out for
her at all times!

I think this portrait is nearly finished, will have
to leave it and return with fresh eyes...sometimes
just a few more details are needed.
Now on to the next one...

Oh, Brody is now awake and
downstairs on the couch!

Cozy Night

Brody found the polar fleece blanket placed
on the couch tonight...you'd think it was winter!
Sweet dreams!

A Gray Day to Spend Painting Inside

That's Ellie May watching from the studio window
this morning as I walked down the path to work
in the studio with her and also give her breakfast!

I love seeing her in the window watching
over things!

Been working for days on a portrait of this beautiful
dog from New York and it is finally taking shape.
Much subtlety is involved to capture the essence of
this loving pet. Hoping to finish it soon.

Polly's Baskets

Polly came to live with us as an
8 week old kitten... she was so tiny she
could fit in the palm of your hand and
also in a very small basket!
Since that time she has always loved
baskets and I have loved painting her
in them!
You can see more about Polly and the other
dear ones here.

Polly's Portrait

Polly is a wonderful cat model...
I've been drawing and painting her since she
was a tiny kitten in 1994. She may be a part of a
special book project I've been working on with
the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.
Stay tuned for more news about that...

This evening Polly did her favorite thing,
she sat upon 2 pillows on her Dad's lap
and saw herself on the blog and felt
the hum of the laptop, like a big purring cat.
Bliss!

Bird Bath

A group of very round little sparrows were frolicking
in the sun and taking turns at a bird bath in the dirt!
They were adorable!

Buffet Dining

We have made a shelter and restaurant
for our resident red squirrel. The
menu consists of pears, apples,
sunflower seeds, hazelnuts and pine cones!
Looks like the pears and sunflower seeds
are her favorites.

Meet Jackson and Violet

D and I stopped by the Budget Box in Kennebunk this afternoon to
browse and bumped into someone we know who works there.
She wanted us to see something...so we peeked around the corner of
a clothing rack and there was a new addition to the shop,
a cage from the Safe Haven Humane Society.


That's how we met Jackson and Violet.
Jackson (above) is very friendly and was reaching
out to touch everyone who was within his reach!

When Violet looked into my eyes, I melted.
Wish we could adopt another kitty but realistically I know
we can't, but I have a feeling I'll be dreaming about her!

Sleeping Gulls

Felt like winter today and in the late afternoon the gulls
had gathered in great numbers at Mother's Beach, Kennebunk.
We were surprised to notice that quite a few were sleeping!

Adorable Red Squirrel

This morning we observed this
young red squirrel who lives in our
yard. We have left apples, pears and
assorted nuts for her and her sister. She
seems to really love pears!

We're hoping they can store enough food to
carry them through the winter. D is considering
building them a house.

You can read more about how they came
to live here and their 2nd day of exploration.

Meanwhile, another observer
appeared a bit concerned.

Brody is one of our house cats and
keeps an eye on things from the
porch and windows.