Kitty, the blog animal         February 21, 2010

Oh my god, but I forgot last week's edition of KittyBLOG and hope I'm not in too much trouble...   Actually I knew I was in the process of forgetting about KittyBLOG, but circumstances just prevented it from happening.   Kitty understands, I suppose...

But here's a brand  new photo   of her -- she is debating whether to get out of bed or not...   That was 30 minutes ago and it hasn't happened yet...

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          Kitty, the blog animal         February 21, 2010

Did I ever tell you that  I love Kitty?

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 14, 2010

Well, hope everybody is having a great Valentine's Day...   Hope you got to snuggle with your partner this morning -- Kitty and I did, but that's nothing unusual...

Man and beast -- I sometimes take her unwavering love for granted -- one day of love turns into the next -- all the days run together -- this affair has been going on so long and so fast that our love seems like a  blur.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 7, 2010

Kitty is still quite happy with her new spot on her new pillow, on the box, under the inversion table; in a quiet corner of my living room.

Used to be that Kitty would sleep by my feet (((and yet find a way to steal all of the covers))), but now she seems more comfortable on her very own new pillow...   And I thought we made such good  partners...

But Thank God she still remembers me -- she came and said hello this morning -- but only after a bit of coaxing...   But then it was like old times -- Kitty has a head that requires a lot of scratching...   Kitty's new pillow didn't come with fingers...   Kitty's Don still has a purpose in life, and that purpose is to be nice to Kitty...   Amen...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 31, 2010

Kitty has moved her own little spot out into the living room -- pillow and all...   Well, I had to help her with the pillow -- oh I suppose she could have figured it out, but Kitty likes to have things done for her -- she is absolutely  luminous  about the arrangement...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 24, 2010

What, I ask you, do all four of these photos have in common?
ANSWER:   Kitty has her eyes open in all four photos, that's what!

But don't get the wrong idea -- Kitty doesn't bother to keep her eyes open much -- now that I've given her a big square  pillow  in a cluttered corner of my walk-in closet.

And she loves the pillow -- now she finally has a little space of her own.

Actually, this all started last week when we had some of the most enormous thunder roll through KittyLAND -- Kitty was freaking out and found a relatively quiet and protected space in the closet   She has been choosing to sleep on her pillow at night as well...   Um, there goes my girlfriend -- I just lost my sleeping-buddy to a pillow...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 17, 2010

Recently the California Highway Department stopped by KittyLAND with their stopwatches and counting-clickers -- they did a traffic study and determined that the Love in this area was moving way too fast...   Also, the Love wasn't stopping for stop-signs, and it was evident that nobody around here seems to know what a yellow light means -- no, they said, it isn't supposed to mean  "gun it and run it"...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 10, 2010

When I'm not telling Kitty that she's so darn smart, or so incredibly funny, I'm usually telling her what a  pretty little head  she has...

But seriously, I haven't a clue (((unless it's the food))) why Kitty likes to hang out with me.   Heck -- I'm no prize, and I have never really been able to draw the attention of ANY highly attractive female of my own species...

But, you know what they say:

Beauty is only Skin Deep...

So in love, sad as could be
'Cause a pretty face got the best of me.
Suddenly, you came into my life
And gave it meaning and pure delight.
Now, good looks, I've learned to do without.
'Cause now I know it's love that really counts.

'Cause I know that...
(Beauty's only skin deep, yeah, yeah, yeah.)
I know that...
Beauty's only skin deep, yes indeed.

Now you speak your words warm and sincere.
And let's me know that your love is near.
A pretty face you may not possess
But what I like about you is your tenderness.
A pretty face maybe some guys taste
But I'll take lovin' in it's place.

'Cause I know that...
(Beauty's only skin deep, yeah, yeah, yeah.)
And you know that...
Beauty's only skin deep, oh baby, oh yeah.
(Oh yeah, Oh yeah)

(Beauty's only skin deep, yeah, yeah, yeah.)
Ooo
(Beauty's only skin deep, oh yeah.)
Yes it is.

My friends ask, what do I see in you
But it goes deeper than the eye can view.
You have a pleasin' personality
And that's an ever lovin' rare quality.
Now show me a girl, a girl that's fine
And I'll choose the one with true lovin' every time.

I know that...
(Beauty's only skin deep, yeah, yeah, yeah)
And I believe that...
Beau- know that beauty's only skin deep.

So if you're lookin' for a lover. (Oh yeah)
Don't judge a book by it's cover. (Oh yeah)
She may be fine on the outside (Oh yeah)
But so untrue on the inside. (Oh yeah)
Ooo

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 3, 2010

Well folks, I'm sitting here with Kitty on my lap -- her head draped over my left arm -- she's trying her best to prevent me from typing and she is doing a really great job of it...

Maybe she doesn't want me writing about our  relationship...   Maybe she doesn't want the word to leak out...   Maybe she doesn't want the word to spread that cats make the best little lovers...   But they DO, but I suppose if you are reading KittyBLOG I'm not telling you anything you don't already know...   Happy New Year to you and y-o-u-r little lover...

          Kitty, the blog animal         December 27, 2009

No matter how many times I scold her and tell her not to, Kitty insists on walking across my keyboard, occasionally leaving some surprising results...   This was a recent  666  search-engine entry...

Either it is purely an accident -- or maybe she is trying to leave me a message about forgetting to write KittyBLOG like I forgot last week...   Really, I didn't think she kept up on these things, but darn it, I did forget about KittyBLOG last Sunday...   I'll take this as a warning...   Kitty may seem laid-back, but she's firm -- and has sharp claws and deadly teeth...   I'd better watch it...

          Kitty, the blog animal         December 13, 2009

In the dozen or so years that Kitty has been living with me I've always thought that we were perfect  soul mates...   But until today I had never taken the quiz...   Now, I don't know how I was supposed to answer in order to come up with a perfect score, but, well, here goes:

When it comes to balancing and complementing each other
+ + + We are opposites.   For example, I'm a guy is a morning person who's always up-and-at-'em, while she's more laid-back and like to sleep in late (or vise versa).
- - - - -The strengths and abilities I admire most about her are exactly what I need to develop more in myself.
- - - - -We bring out the best in each other sometimes, not always.
- - - - -We are so much alike that we barely ever argue about anything.

When we first met
- - - - -We didn't have a deep connection, and still kind of feel like strangers sometimes.
+ + + It was love at first sight.   Something deep inside my soul was ignited.
- - - - -At least one of us knew right away we were meant for each other.
- - - - -There were no sparks at first, but now that I have gotten to know her, she's everything I could ask for in a cat.

Have you ever dreamed about your cat?
+ + + She's the leading character in most of my dreams.
- - - - -I dream about cats who are sexier than mine.
- - - - -I dream about an old flame more often than my new love interest.
- - - - -I swear I had dreams about her before we even met.

How did you meet?
- - - - -We met on an online dating site, and likely wouldn't have met any other way.
- - - - -We met at someone else's wedding, in church or temple, lived in the same building or on the same street.
+ + + A close friend or a family member introduced us because they had a hunch we'd be perfect together.
- - - - -We were high school or college sweethearts, met at work, or were thrown together in another meaningful way.

Did you ever get the feeling it was "meant to be"?
+ + + I definitely felt we were pushed together for a great purpose.
- - - - -There were more than enough signs to make me feel that our meeting was no accident.
- - - - -No harps or lightning bolts, just heart tugs and good times.
- - - - -I get that feeling certain times, like when I hear "our song" or we have a particularly romantic night together.

When we talked about our childhoods
- - - - -We had totally different childhoods.
- - - - -It was like we lived parallel lives uncanny how similar the family dramas were and how crystal clear it was that we could help each other resolve our pasts.
+ + + She conquered some of the same childhood issues that I am still struggling with or vise versa.
- - - - -I identified strongly with her feelings about her childhood even though my situation was a lot different.

When it comes to how we imagine our future together
- - - - -0ur talents blend together perfectly and we plan to contribute something meaningful to the world together.
+ + + It seems that we are together for a higher purpose, but we are still trying to figure out what it is.
- - - - -In general, we want the same things out of life, because we hold the same values.
- - - - -We want very different things out of life and it's unlikely we would enjoy working together.

Do you two feel in sync with one another?
- - - - -Neither of us seems to have a clue what the other wants or needs.
- - - - -Completely.   It wouldn't shock me if she surprised me with the gift I was secretly wishing for or returned from the grocery store with the very thing I forgot to put on the list.
+ + + It's shocking how many times we finish each other's sentences.
- - - - -I only get a gut feeling when something is really bothering her.

Are there any signs or coincidences that you can't ignore?
- - - - -My dog or cat loved him even before I did.
- - - - -No signs to speak of.
- - - - -Our names are very similar, like Joe and Josey, or our car license plates, phones number or addresses are close.
+ + + We discovered our families already knew each other or there was someone else we knew in common who could have introduced us long before we met.

What outside input have you gotten about the two of you as a couple?
- - - - -An astrologer, palm or card reader told us we were meant for each other.
+ + + Everyone says we make a great couple.
- - - - -My friends like the way we look together, but that's about it.
- - - - -A friend or family member had an important dream about the two of us.

How perfect do you feel your cat is for you?
- - - - -There is a strong physical attraction, but she seems like he'd be more suited for someone else.
+ + + We were like best friends from the very beginning and I just know we will be friends for life.
- - - - -She caused me to discard my "wish list" of ideals and buckle down to love someone who isn't exactly perfect, but who seems perfect for me.
- - - - -She's everything my mom or dad would have asked for, but I am not sure she's the one for me.

          Kitty, the blog animal         December 6, 2009

Well folks, it's 4:22AM and I'm sitting here enjoying a bit of boiled cabbage and catchup with my little constant  companion...   Kitty just wants a taste, and she won't touch it at all unless it has a little catchup on it...

Same old same old around here at Kittyland, except that it's been getting chilly...   Kitty has been enjoying the warmth of the swing-arm lamp -- it's her new favorite place -- but now she is on my lap helping me with punctuation... ... ...   Life goes on...

          Kitty, the blog animal         November 29, 2009

The weather has cooled off and Kitty has gone from basking in fields of flowers all day to staking out  territory  around operations central here at Kittyland...   She loves my warm desk lamp.

We have shed hair everywhere, and I've got this major lump of fur on my lap right now -- not only making typing as difficult as possible, but giving a little nose-noise concert with her each and every exhale...   I often tell her what a funny cat she is...

          Kitty, the blog animal         November 22, 2009

This morning while Kitty and I were making up our bunks, she gave me one of those  prickly  looks...   And I no longer have to check the Cat/Human-Look-Book to know what a prickly-look means -- it means trouble -- like the trouble I'll be in if I forget to "do" KittyBLOG today.

And how could I forget about Kitty -- she's always right here sleeping on my lap as usual, making typing as difficult as possible...

Next, we are going to practice the piano...
Feel free to join in...

SPECIAL EDITION First, make sure your sound isn't turned way up, then mouse-over keys for celebration sounds -- or click on key to repeat 3 times... Keys are draggable to the right side to create key combinations. (((I made this a couple years ago using Abobe Flash)))

          Kitty, the blog animal         November 8, 2009

Ask me who this  strange creature  is, and I'll probably tell you she's a little person in a cat suit...   But it's absolutely true -- no finer person have I ever met...   And smart too...   Ask her a question and she'll quickly serve up an answer...   You ought to hear her enthusiastic reply to;
"Kitty, do you want some food?"

          Kitty, the blog animal         November 1, 2009

Well folks, last week on my normal early morning romp through Chinatown I discovered  another cat...   A pretty all-black one with a very friendly disposition and a loud voice that clearly was saying "feed me"...

Well Kitty and I have an understanding -- she gives me the freedom to roam, but I must tell her everything -- and I mean everything when I get home...

          Kitty, the blog animal         October 25, 2009

Beyond the basics, all Kitty really needs is a  quiet place...   I'm guessing that it must be within those quiet places that Kitty does most of her mental wanderings...   And I'm pretty sure her perception of the world is slightly different than ours...   I suppose it could very possibly be those odd eyeglasses...

          Kitty, the blog animal         October 18, 2009

Yes, like two peas in a pod, Kitty and I are  inseparable...
Because of my bum-knee I had to keep Kitty off my lap all week -- and she was not happy about it, but she complied...

But everything is back to normal this morning -- it was all smiles and purrs -- it really doesn't take a whole lot to keep her happy...

          Kitty, the blog animal         October 11, 2009

I  changed  the location of Kitty's feeding station -- all I did was move it from one end of her "window-table" to the other...

I thought it would make great sense -- it'd be easier to keep the area clean if Kitty used my lowly telephone book as a placemat -- but Kitty totally ignored the switcheroo...

Time passed, she was obviously hungry, but she still wasn't buying it...   I thought the best thing was to just turn the arrangement back around...   Chalk up another point for Kitty if there's any more space...

          Kitty, the blog animal         October 4, 2009

As I'm sure I've mentioned a million times before -- Kitty can actually talk -- but she also uses other devices and methods of  communication...   Oh, I'm just kidding about the semaphore bit in the photo -- Kitty has better ways of letting me know what she wants.

The other day Kitty was outside and I heard her scratching at the door -- oh it's typical -- she has a perfectly good cat-door she can use but she sometimes prefers that I get off my butt and go let her in...   So I opened the door -- and normally she will just come in -- but she just sat there looking at me.   I invited her in and reassured that nothing scary was going on inside -- but she just sat there, so I said good-bye and closed the door...   A minute later there was another scratch at the door, and again she didn't want to come inside.   When it happened a third time I finally figured it out -- Kitty wanted me to come outside and spend some quality time with her...   So I did, and she seemed happy as a clam...   Silly cat...

          Kitty, the blog animal         September 27, 2009

At Kittyland there's plenty of opportunities to get into  trouble...   There will be trouble if we run out of food, especially Kitty's favorite -- corn...

But Kitty's requirements go far beyond the bare essentials of food -- she has an insatiable need for love -- and if I don't take the time to stop and bestow vast quantities of it, there will be trouble...   Of course I am just assuming that there will be trouble -- I've never stopped loving Kitty long enough to hazard the consequences...

          Kitty, the blog animal         September 20, 2009

Yes, Kitty  gets her own way...  I had been trying all sorts of methods to keep Kitty off my printer, but I finally figured out that I could just move the printer a little bit and Kitty could get around it without having to climb over it...   And so, that solves one problem, but now she is able to come over and walk on my keyboard...   Never a dull moment at Kittyland...

But what I wanted to talk to you about is the fact that Kitty hasn't killed a bird for a few years now -- and that's definitely a step in the right direction...   She used to bring Sparrows into our bathroom and rip them to shreds -- oh what a mess...

          Kitty, the blog animal         September 13, 2009

For Kitty, life is simple...   And  happiness is achievable ...

All it takes is one spoon of canned kitty-food and she will be happy for a couple hours, and after that all it will take is a hand-full of kibble to keep her happy for another couple hours, and after that all it will take is about a one-and-one-half inch piece of raw corn-on-the-cob to keep her happy for another couple hours...

Of course, all of this can be punctuated by Kitty having to heave-up hair-balls -- not such a happy event for Kitty, or the janitor...

          Kitty, the blog animal         September 6, 2009

Lunch at Kittyland is a three course meal.   Kibble, corn, and canned cat food.   Kitty can't pronounce the words "canned cat" at all, so we just call it "kitty food"...

Kitty lets me know when it's time for  lunch...   No problem there...   God-forbid if I be out of corn...

-----------------------------------------

But Kitty has been a real pest this past week...   She insists on trying to climb over my 13x19 printer and pushing it's buttons with reckless footwork...   I wrote a message -- * Kitty *, Do Not Walk On My Printer! and posted it prominently where she tries to walk, but of course that didn't work.   I may have to use aluminum foil which she might not like to walk on.   Or maybe I could switch into hardcore-training mode and place a balloon there and explode it when Kitty is contemplating being bad...   We'll see how it goes...   It's pretty hard to fool old Kitty...

Speaking of "old Kitty", Kitty is just about fourteen and a half now...   For the longest time I've been trying to figure out her exact age, but I think I've got it pinned down to 14 and a half, and I've had her for about a dozen of those years... I think most kittens are born in the Spring, so I'm going to designate some day next Spring as her birthday (((stay tuned))) and that'll be her fifteenth...   Sounds like it's time to plan a party!

          Kitty, the blog animal         August 30, 2009

Horses can't talk  very well, but Kitty can...

Oh, I know what you're thinking -- I must be one-blanket-short-of-a-full-saddle -- but it's absolutely true -- Kitty can talk!   When I got home this evening Kitty clearly and distinctly said the words "kitty food" -- all three syllables -- no foolin'...   But it's really no big surprise -- she and I have been working on this for years now...

All I've ever heard a horse say is "hay"...   That's an easy one...   There's just no comparison...

          Kitty, the blog animal         August 23, 2009

Since arriving at Kittyland, this creature has shown me a new  perspective  for looking at life.   No longer is life just about me -- it's more about life being all about Kittty...

I am her willing slave.   Every whim will be catered to.   She seems happy with the arrangement!

          Kitty, the blog animal         August 16, 2009

Oh, this is SO cool -- here it is -- Sunday -- and I've actually remembered to "DO" KittyBLOG...

And it was definitely another busy week for Kitty -- in her  dreams,  at least...

As usual she is here sleeping on my lap.   Right now she is making two sawing sounds -- one for the inhale and another for the exhale...   Punctuated here and there, it's really quite a symphony...

          Kitty, the blog animal         August 9, 2009

Kitty sent me a  postcard  telling me that it was time to "do" KittyBLOG again...

She also called me a dunce for never remembering when it's time for KittyBLOG.   So what I'm proposing is that we only do this once a week -- Sunday would be a good day for me and I'm pretty sure that would work for Kitty as well...

And life goes on here at Kittyland...

Kitty is going through a phase where she wants to beg for her food -- or at least complain loudly that it isn't being served quickly enough...

The height of flea-season has arrived and is now in full-swing...

But the weather is just about perfect for a cat who likes spend her afternoons laying out in the sun...   Nice of her to send postcards...

          Kitty, the blog animal         August 5, 2009

Getting Kitty's  portrait  is just about as difficult as remembering which day I'm supposed to write KittyBLOG.

Kitty isn't much help -- one day is pretty much the same as the other...

The problem of snapping Kitty is that she wants to be close -- much too close for my lens...   Distraction might be the key...

          Kitty, the blog animal         August 1, 2009

The other  afternoon  I had to stop and snag a brand new shot of Kitty -- doing what she always does best -- enjoying the passing day, and absorbing it at a leisurely pace...

          Kitty, the blog animal         July 29, 2009

I know I'm not going to be very successful blaming my own  time and space  problem on Kitty, but maybe she can see a way out of my spell of forgetfulness when it's time to remember it's time to "do" KittyBLOG...

Maybe Kitty knows where I can buy an alarm clock that rings every third day...

And I should be all excited, because I have two new shots of Kitty -- they're not ready yet, but I'll tie a string around my finger so I don't forget to show you one of them on Saturday.

          Kitty, the blog animal         July 24, 2009

I'm running just a bit late this morning so I've asked Kitty to  thump  out a few lines:

Thump, thump, thump.
Thump, thump, thump.
Thump, thump, thump.

          Kitty, the blog animal         July 21, 2009

Getting dosed  with that awful Frontline stuff is not something Kitty appreciates, but I have to do it to keep her fleas under control...   I can't stand them.   I hate flea combing -- it grosses me out but it's gotta be done...

Kitty loves her fleacombing, though...   Getting those expletive deleted fleas off her is priority number one...

          Kitty, the blog animal         July 18 2009

Yes Kitty, it's a  big world  out there...   And it's a nasty world too, filled with hate and deceit...   Fortunately we have each other...   And a love and understanding between us that is just about the perfect size...

          Kitty, the blog animal         July 15 2009

With apologies to Scott McKenzie:

If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear  a flower on your nose
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people, those

For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be love-in roses
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers on their noses

All across the nation such a strange vibration
People in motion
There's a whole generation with a new explanation
People in motion people in motion

For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear a flower on your nose
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in doze

If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

          Kitty, the blog animal         July 12 2009

Oh, I know, I am probably fairly easily amazed, but I find it absolutely amazing how much snoozing Kitty manages to pack into her busy day...

I have a new theory that  Dreamland  is another world for her -- a world she can endlessly explore under two flaps of her eyes...   Sweet dreams, Kitty -- I'll be back later and we can play...

          Kitty, the blog animal         July 9, 2009

O.k., that's the LAST time I take Kitty to the zoo...   Not only do I have to spend an hour or two explaining to the gatekeeper that I came in with her, but she also leaves with a nagging case of  ear envy...

          Kitty, the blog animal         July 6, 2009

Kitty usually likes to be  close  to me whenever the opportunity presents itself...   Right now she's sleeping on my lap and couldn't be happier -- and I'm happy that she's happy -- it's one happy family...

I took this photo a few years ago when I was experimenting with the various blur functions in Photoshop.   This blur function is called "smart blur" -- I think I used it because Kitty is a smart cat...   No foolin'...

          Kitty, the blog animal         July 3, 2009

I don't think Kitty knows what  day of the week  it is either, but I seem to be having a tough time remembering when it's time to "do" KittyBLOG...

The last edition promised the next episode (?) would be on Tuesday the Third of July, but here it is -- the Third of July, but it's actually Friday...   Oh yeah, the garbage man rattles the cans on Monday -- I'll have to keep that in mind...

And yes, Kitty is right here "helping" me -- actually she is sawing-logs on my lap, as usual...

          Kitty, the blog animal         June 30, 2009

Men (and women)  work,  I guess, so their cats don't have to...   Oh, it's a big sacrifice alright, but it gives me an extra deduction on my W-4 form.

          Kitty, the blog animal         June 27, 2009

I'll tell you -- if there is one thing I really hate, it's fleas... And this time of year, despite frequent flea-combings and timely applications of that horrid Frontline stuff their numbers  skyrocket...   Life without fleas would be bliss...

          Kitty, the blog animal         June 23, 2009

So here we have a financially bankrupt country within a world in turmoil -- yet right here at Kittyland there is still one major question in need of an answer;  what's for lunch?...

          Kitty, the blog animal         June 20, 2009

Kitty has two huge orbs we call eyes, but they're not quite as big as this huge and blurry  poppy...

Looking into the poppy I can detect an infinite mystery -- but looking into Kitty's eyes all I can see is the blur of love...

          Kitty, the blog animal         June 17, 2009

Just because she hates it, one of my favorite things to do to Kitty is pull her  ears...   I suppose I do it a lot...   Maybe a bit to much?   Hope they don't stay like this permanently...

          Kitty, the blog animal         June 14, 2009

When I was leaving yesterday it took more than a little encouragement to get Kitty  out of the house,  but she was still outdoors enjoying the fine day when I returned several hours later...

          Kitty, the blog animal         June 11, 2009

It's not really a new concept, but Kitty's  insight  is primarily focused by the ancient feline technique of being centered...   Slightly self-centered, but centered, none the less...

          Kitty, the blog animal         June 7, 2009

Kitty is absolutely delighted that  corn  is back in season, but we've had to start cooking it for her ahead of time -- she had been barfing up raw corn -- and that's no fun for anybody...

So, it's a whole new thing for Kitty -- she probably wonders if we are the only family on the planet who cooks their ears of corn in the microwave...

And this business of allowing the corn to cool before chowing-down is definitely perplexing...   Oh, I'm sure she will soon catch on -- she's a smart cat, especially if it has anything to do with food...

          Kitty, the blog animal         June 4, 2009

Kitty is an ultimate master of knowing how to put  emphasis  on her requirements...   And requirements -- she has -- oh, so many of them -- but of course, food and love are at the top of the list...

          Kitty, the blog animal         June 1, 2009

You know, I've said this before, but if being beautiful was a crime, Kitty would be a  notorious criminal...

          Kitty, the blog animal         May 29, 2009

Yeah, that's right --  watch out  if you see any flying cats...

          Kitty, the blog animal         May 26, 2009

Fresh and sweet corn-on-the-cob has arrived at Kittyland and Kitty is absolutely delighted...   Kitty hasn't had raw fresh corn for a while, but I'm afraid that it is so "raw" that it makes her regurgitate the whole mess right back up...   Soooooooooooo, now Kitty gets  cooked  corn... Bon appetit...

          Kitty, the blog animal         May 23, 2009

I only take photos of her occasionally, but for Kitty, being a cat is definitely a  full time job...   In fact, I think she's been putting in a bit of overtime recently...   Of course the job is beyond description, and her salary is beyond imagination...

But there aren't too many rules...   Everything is pretty much spur-of-the-moment...   Between a little scratching and a whole lot of contemplation, there's usually time for a nap...

          Kitty, the blog animal         May 20, 2009

Careful observation of Kitty over a number of years and under a wide variety of conditions has shown that, to Kitty,  bliss  is sort of a sideways kind of thing...

          Kitty, the blog animal         May 17, 2009

It's no secret -- Kitty knows she hasn't had  corn  for quite a while now, and she would complain if she could -- but she can mew me all she wants, but the local fresh sweet corn won't be ready for weeks and weeks...   I just hope she doesn't think that I'm personally responsible, but she probably does...

          Kitty, the blog animal         May 12, 2009

O.k., now that you've seen her in her  kitchen cabinet  who do you think is in charge around here?   After all, the place is named K I T T Y L A N D, you know...

          Kitty, the blog animal         May 9, 2009

Kitty knows how to sing, alright...   But it's usually just one note, and it's usually just a cry to come sit on the lap of the big goofy guy at the computer...   We'll have to write a song about  snoozing in the sun...

          Kitty, the blog animal         May 6, 2009

Cats -- cool ones and red-hot ones -- have always dominated the jazz scene nomenclature, but not many people know that cats have also had a big influence on the world of rock-and-roll...   Oh, the cat version is just slightly different -- I think they call it rock and  roll around...

          Kitty, the blog animal         May 3, 2009

Kitty was all excited about finding employment as a  stoplight  -- until I reminded her that she would have to keep her eyes open 24/7...

          Kitty, the blog animal         April 30, 2009

Now that the weather has warmed up I often find Kitty outside when I get home...   And yep, she was  hanging out  in the weeds again today -- and taking in a bit of sun...   I got a few snaps of her, but nothing good enough to show here...   This old photo will have to do...

          Kitty, the blog animal         April 27, 2009

Kitty had a heck of a time pulling me out of bed this morning -- and now that I'm up (and she is fed) she has returned to the living room for the first official snooze of the day...   Oh well, at least we got to see her pretty little  mug  for a little while this morning...

          Kitty, the blog animal         April 24, 2009

Well, we missed the regularly scheduled edition of KittyBLOG yesterday...   Kitty suggested a  clock  but I think I might need a new and better brain...

Anyway, it's the same-old same-old around here at Kittyland, but Kitty actually has been spending more time outdoors soaking up some warm sun...   It's nice to see outdoors after her long Winter hibernation...   I need to get some photos...

          Kitty, the blog animal         April 20, 2009

Yes, Kitty has a  job,  it's just a bit difficult to figure out all the details... One thing I know for sure -- she definitely doesn't bring home much cash...

          Kitty, the blog animal         April 17, 2009

Kitty got to hiss and growl at her least favorite  neighbor cat  yesterday...   It's actually a very nice and exceptionally friendly cat, but there is obviously something going on between Kitty and this sweetheart...   Oh, you know how cats are...

          Kitty, the blog animal         April 14, 2009

Oh, I've probably said it before, but if  beauty  was a crime, Kitty would be a notorious criminal...

          Kitty, the blog animal         April 11, 2009

I was just checking heads, and yes, Kitty is  present and accounted for...

Since Wednesday she has gobbled I don't know how many handfulls of kibble, polished off about a can-and-a-half of Friskies Shreds of Chicken and Salmon, and our stash of hothouse corn is now history...

It's always amazing how she can do all that eating in the limited amount of time she is awake...   This is her ravenous look at about four in the morning...

          Kitty, the blog animal         April 8, 2009

Well, this is exciting -- I got a  new photo  of Kitty!
Yep, when I got home on Monday Kitty was actually outdoors soaking up some fresh air and a bit of sun...   Two ingredients in some sort of cat recipe for something...   Hopefully cookies...

          Kitty, the blog animal         April 5, 2009

Kitty is able to  absorb  equally as well as she is able to radiate...   I'm sure she would be happy to scratch out a few equations, but she uses an incomprehensible form of math that's about as bad for applying the catty principles of thermodynamics as it is for keeping score in checkers...

          Kitty, the blog animal         April 2, 2009

Well, here it is -- April -- and I still don't have a 2009 calendar...   A few minutes ago I though I had forgotten to "do" KittyBLOG yesterday, but now I see that today IS the day for KittyBLOG (every third day now), and it was just my brain that had lost track of time...

Fortunately, I have Kitty to remind me of things when my feeble brain fails...   One of her favorite things is to remind me to spend a bit of my day  enjoying the weeds...

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 30, 2009

Well, I'm afraid that Kitty is a bit  disappointed  with me -- I went to the supermarket but forgot to buy her corn...   And while it seems that she still loves me, I'm sure she wishes I could do better...   Next time I'll make a list...

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 27, 2009

If you are brand new to KittyBLOG you may not already know that Kitty absolutely loves  corn...

But there is a big problem -- it's not corn season yet, and it's going to be a while before the "local" crop comes in...   This time of year I usually give her half of a thawed frozen corn cobette, but she seems to be tired of the mushy texture and frozen taste...   Maybe I'll have to break-down and buy her some of that not-so-fresh-looking imported corn -- from God knows where -- that they try to sell for about eighty cents an ear...   Expensive, but I think Kitty could use a treat...   I'll let you know how she likes it...

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 24, 2009

As mysteries go, Kitty is a convoluted novel in an obscure language...
But figuring out what's going through her  mind  is pretty easy -- it usually has something to do with food...

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 21, 2009

When I got home yesterday from the Visitor Center at Point Reyes National Seashore I had to tell Kitty all about the stuffed  bobcat  they had on display...   Fortunately, all Kitty is stuffed with at this particular point in her life is a whole lot of love, and just a little bit of the Dickens...

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 18, 2009

Kitty is a happy cat -- I think she knows she has it really good -- it's just food and naps twenty-four-seven around here at Kittyland...   But too much of a good thing might not always be the best...   After day-in and day-out of excesses, life can turn into something just a bit  bleary...

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 15, 2009

While spooking around Fort Mason yesterday I stumbled on a lady feeding these two  feral  cats...   They were a bit wary of my camera and me walking by, but you could tell they were enjoying their grub...   When I got home I had to tell Kitty all about it -- I was trying to explain just how good she has it, but I'm pretty much certain that my words -- as my father used to say -- "went in one ear and out the other"...

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 12, 2009

When her eyes are open -- about four hours a day -- Kitty keeps a pretty good eye on me...   Sometimes she will give me a  face,  like this...   I think it roughly translates as;   "What in the heck are you doing?"

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 9, 2009

Well, it's been three days and Kitty has taken me for about 9 more games of  checkers,  but other than that, nothing much else has changed around here at Kittyland...

And like they say -- "no-news" is "good-news"...   Kitty must know a lot of "no news" -- she's very smart...

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 6, 2009

Well folks, we didn't publish editions of KittyBLOG on Wednesday or Thursday -- on Wednesday I got swept out the door early by the promise of a beautiful day, and on Thursday I had some nasty computer problems that threw a monkey-wrench into the whole operation...

But since I've already skipped two days, I got to thinking about switching to only publishing KittyBLOG  every third day  from here forward...   I'm busy as heck with some extra projects these days, and Kitty just lays around the house and sleeps, so she hasn't really been generating much news.   And I haven't had time to snap many new photos of her -- it's not always easy to coax her outdoors for photos...

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 5, 2009

Yes, indeed-e-doo...   When Kitty first arrived she made a  big splash,  and believe me when I say she continues to make gnarly waves around here at Kittyland...

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 2, 2009

Besides being my little lover and being loved, Kitty enjoys two other things in life -- number one is  dinner,  and number two is snoozing about twenty hours a day...   It's always been a mystery of what she dreams about during one of her marathon sleep sessions, but I'm going to place my bets that she dreams about food...

          Kitty, the blog animal         March 1, 2009

Words escape me -- nor if I could find any, could they ever do justice to her  portrait...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 28, 2009

No doubt about it, folks, Kitty is definitely a  goddess...   (small "g")...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 27, 2009

No need to give Kitty  directions...   Yes, Kitty has a nice litter-box, and it's clean as a whistle because she almost never uses it -- she prefers to "go" outdoors -- even in the rain...   And just like a wild animal, she uses her poop to mark her territory -- she insists on "doing it" at the top of the stairs -- the official entrance to Kittyland...   If you ever visit, you probably should watch your step!

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 26, 2009

Now, I've tried to explain to Kitty, as best I can, just what a total mess our country is in...   And although she pays good attention and gives the appearance of understanding everything I say, I'm pretty sure she hasn't a clue as to what's going on...   I think Kitty might be more concerned about a warm day in Summer, when she'll once again be able to roll around  upside-down  in our little garden of weeds...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 25, 2009

Still no new photo for today, so I had to go back into the archives to find this one of Kitty lapping up some  milk...   But this is a very rare event -- Kitty hardly ever gets milk -- I almost never buy it...   But without a doubt, Kitty absolutely LOVES it...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 24, 2009

Oh, I suppose Kitty could have ended up living her life on a farm or wild- west  ranch,  but somehow she ended up here at Kittyland -- perhaps to dream of the life she could have lived...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 23, 2009

I'm not exactly sure who is guarding Kittyland this time of year, but until Summer  arrives, Kitty is going to be spending about 99% of her time indoors...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 22, 2009

Yeah Kitty, what that is is a wild one...   And while that  bobcat  probably sleeps just as much as you do, I doubt if it is quite as lucky...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 21, 2009

Sometimes Kitty comes up with the most complicated of theories...   If you don't believe me, you should hear her scientific explanation of the difference between  inside and outside...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 20, 2009

Cabin-fever has been looming over Kittyland, so Kitty and I got out the scrapbook again yesterday -- I thought we needed a reminder of what the coming  Spring  was all about...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 19, 2009

I was taking a very close look at Kitty the other day, and yes indeed, she has a lot of  space  around her solid parts...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 18, 2009

It's been raining out here in California -- Kitty and I both have cabin-fever and have been bouncing-off-the-walls...   We have worked all our jigsaw-puzzles, played all our board-games, and at one point Kitty owed me $5.00 on Chinese checkers...   Remind me never to risk such a large amount of cash on a "double-or-nothing" deal -- Kitty bet me I couldn't touch my  nose  with my tongue, and guess what? -- I can't...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 17, 2009

I'm not exactly sure what the threat is or when it might arrive, but Kitty is definitely the  guardian  of Kittyland...   Amen...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 16, 2009

"Paul Revere's Ride"  by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow...

Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.

He said to his friend, "If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North Church tower as a signal light,--
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country folk to be up and to arm."

Then he said "Good-night!" and with muffled oar
Silently rowed to the Charlestown shore,
Just as the moon rose over the bay,
Where swinging wide at her moorings lay
The Somerset, British man-of-war;
A phantom ship, with each mast and spar
Across the moon like a prison bar,
And a huge black hulk, that was magnified
By its own reflection in the tide.

Meanwhile, his friend through alley and street
Wanders and watches, with eager ears,
Till in the silence around him he hears
The muster of men at the barrack door,
The sound of arms, and the tramp of feet,
And the measured tread of the grenadiers,
Marching down to their boats on the shore.

Then he climbed the tower of the Old North Church,
By the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread,
To the belfry chamber overhead,
And startled the pigeons from their perch
On the sombre rafters, that round him made
Masses and moving shapes of shade,--
By the trembling ladder, steep and tall,
To the highest window in the wall,
Where he paused to listen and look down
A moment on the roofs of the town
And the moonlight flowing over all.

Beneath, in the churchyard, lay the dead,
In their night encampment on the hill,
Wrapped in silence so deep and still
That he could hear, like a sentinel's tread,
The watchful night-wind, as it went
Creeping along from tent to tent,
And seeming to whisper, "All is well!"
A moment only he feels the spell
Of the place and the hour, and the secret dread
Of the lonely belfry and the dead;
For suddenly all his thoughts are bent
On a shadowy something far away,
Where the river widens to meet the bay,--
A line of black that bends and floats
On the rising tide like a bridge of boats.

Meanwhile, impatient to mount and ride,
Booted and spurred, with a heavy stride
On the opposite shore walked Paul Revere.
Now he patted his horse's side,
Now he gazed at the landscape far and near,
Then, impetuous, stamped the earth,
And turned and tightened his saddle girth;
But mostly he watched with eager search
The belfry tower of the Old North Church,
As it rose above the graves on the hill,
Lonely and spectral and sombre and still.
And lo! as he looks, on the belfry's height
A glimmer, and then a gleam of light!
He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns,
But lingers and gazes, till full on his sight
A second lamp in the belfry burns.

A hurry of hoofs in a village street,
A shape in the moonlight, a bulk in the dark,
And beneath, from the pebbles, in passing, a spark
Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet;
That was all! And yet, through the gloom and the light,
The fate of a nation was riding that night;
And the spark struck out by that steed, in his flight,
Kindled the land into flame with its heat.
He has left the village and mounted the steep,
And beneath him, tranquil and broad and deep,
Is the Mystic, meeting the ocean tides;
And under the alders that skirt its edge,
Now soft on the sand, now loud on the ledge,
Is heard the tramp of his steed as he rides.

It was twelve by the village clock
When he crossed the bridge into Medford town.
He heard the crowing of the cock,
And the barking of the farmer's dog,
And felt the damp of the river fog,
That rises after the sun goes down.

It was one by the village clock,
When he galloped into Lexington.
He saw the gilded weathercock
Swim in the moonlight as he passed,
And the meeting-house windows, black and bare,
Gaze at him with a spectral glare,
As if they already stood aghast
At the bloody work they would look upon.

It was two by the village clock,
When he came to the bridge in Concord town.
He heard the bleating of the flock,
And the twitter of birds among the trees,
And felt the breath of the morning breeze
Blowing over the meadow brown.
And one was safe and asleep in his bed
Who at the bridge would be first to fall,
Who that day would be lying dead,
Pierced by a British musket ball.

You know the rest. In the books you have read
How the British Regulars fired and fled,---
How the farmers gave them ball for ball,
>From behind each fence and farmyard wall,
Chasing the redcoats down the lane,
Then crossing the fields to emerge again
Under the trees at the turn of the road,
And only pausing to fire and load.

So through the night rode Paul Revere;
And so through the night went his cry of alarm
To every Middlesex village and farm,---
A cry of defiance, and not of fear,
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,
And a word that shall echo for evermore!
For, borne on the night-wind of the Past,
Through all our history, to the last,
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 15, 2009

It's been raining here in sunny California...   Kitty will have another good supply of green and comfortable  weeds  to loll-away the summer...

          Kitty, the blog animal         Happy Valentine's Day, 2009

I had to go way back in the Kittyland scrapbook to find the scene Kitty probably has on her mind quite a bit on these cold winter days...   It's the concept of  Summer  -- the beauty of Summer is it's warmth...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 13, 2009

Whenever Kitty has  vacant eyes,  I find it best to wait a while until she comes back a bit closer to earth before I ask too many questions...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 12, 2009

When Kitty is awake she'll talk your ear off -- yep, sometimes she's a regular chatterbox...   Yesterday I just couldn't take any more mews or arroughs so I told her to write them down and send me a  postcard...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 11, 2009

If I told you that Kitty is a little  chow hound,  would you believe me?

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 10, 2009

Nope, this isn't a recent photo -- that was summertime and now it's what we call "Winter" out here in California, and it's been just a bit too chilly for Kitty to soak up much  warmth  outdoors...   But no problem -- she absolutely loves our electric heater...   She will lay patiently, waiting for it to cycle on...   Occasionally I ask her if she has any money to chip in for Misters Pee, Gee, and Eeee...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 9, 2009

Kitty definitely has her  sharp and soft  moments...   Never a dull moment at Kittyland...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 8, 2009

And while most cats probably have regular offices with desks and chairs, Kitty seems to prefer to do her paper-shuffling in the Kittyland cupboard...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 7, 2009

Kitty has got to be the ultimate  thinker...   Not only can she think when she is asleep, she can also think when she is almost wide awake...

Of course, what she thinks about remains a total mystery...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 6, 2009

And yes, it's pretty obvious to me, at least, that the world does revolve around  Kitty...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 4, 2009

I've explained about the nice dog I had when I was a kid to Kitty a million times but I'm not sure she has figured out that  Mickey  was a dog  ( the creature on left )  and not a real mouse...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 3, 2009

Kitty has a whole lot of nice  fur,  and as you probably know, fur is a long way away...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 2, 2009

For recreation Kitty curls up, closes her eyes, and trots off to a totally different world -- perhaps some sort of  twilight-zone  for cats...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 1, 2009

One of Kitty's favorite times of the day is  breakfast,  and a person never knows quite where she will request that it be served...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 31, 2009

Purple and violet flashing eyes...   Yes, Kitty knows a few colorful ways for getting my  attention...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 30, 2009

It took me a few years to realize this, but Kitty's  big eyes  are their widest when she is looking for food...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 29, 2009

Kitty and I had to go   w a y   back in our  scrapbook  to find this oldie-but-goodie...   We thought it might be worth another showing...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 28, 2009

One of Kitty's favorite things to do is have me pick her up upside-down...   She gets a good stretch and I haven't dropped her on her head yet...   The trick is to pick Kitty up upside-down with her back to my chest...
That keeps her razor sharp claws out of range...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 27, 2009

I don't exactly know what Kitty's problem is, but a buddy of mine that Kitty doesn't know very well fell-by Kittyland yesterday -- Kitty freaked-out and split out the door to sulk in the weeds...
I realized I might have a photo op here...
I think it's a great new photo...
I should try to take more...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 26, 2009

No, that's not Kitty -- today we are featuring another "tuxedo cat" that lives in San Francisco's  Chinatown...   I've noticed this cat before -- it's well fed, but wisely reluctant to approach a goofy white person like me...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 25, 2009

Kitty has a secret weapon -- it's  those eyes...
With them she can melt souls, cook geese, and definitely let it be known when it is time to be fed...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 24, 2009

Well, you won't find any of those pesky  traffic signals  at Kittyland...   Around here it's a wide-open freeway with no speed limit...   Pedal-to-the-metal, Kitty...   Keep your eyes open for Lover's Lane...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 23, 2009

Oh, Kitty is  sweet,  no doubt about that...   In fact she is SO sweet that every time I kiss her I have to go brush my teeth...
Have I ever told you that I love Kitty?

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 22, 2009

Well, here she is, the world-renound Kitty,  up close  and personal...   Oh, Kitty hasn't always been this famous or admired...   In fact, she is about as down-to-earth as a hairy Goddess can be...   In fact I often think of her as the salt-of-the-earth...   Just as compassionate as Mother Teresa...   And about four times smarter than Rin-Tin-Tin...   I love you, Kitty...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 21, 2009

Well folks, I went way back in the KittyBLOG archives to find this shot of Kitty enjoying a  summer  day...   Can you see why I adore her?

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 20, 2009

Here's an old  portrait  of my little lover -- her real name is Whiskers, but I just call her Kitty...   And I hope you, dear visitor, have someone to love you just as much as Kitty loves me...   It's nice, isn't it?

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 19, 2009

Look,  up in the sky  --
Is it a bird?   Is it a plane?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nope, it's our new President flying into town...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 18, 2009

Yeah dog,  pull over...    Let me see your license, registration, and proof of insurance...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 17, 2009

I don't know what the weather is around your digs, but here in the San Francisco Bay Area we're still looking for our Winter...   Usually, by this time in January we would have already had a series of very wet storms to replenish our reservoirs, but this year we have had mostly sunny weather, with temperatures of 70, and not a cloud in sight...   It feels just like Springtime...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 16, 2009

I'm not quite sure who the guy with the beer-belly is (no, it isn't me), but there is absolutely no doubt who the overstuffed black-and-white furry creature is -- my little  couch potato...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 15, 2009

Well folks, I finally got a new shot of Kitty...
I had given Kitty her usual little unfrozen cobbette of corn and I was heading out the door when I realized that there might be a photo-opportunity right there -- Kitty eating her all time favorite food  corn...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 14, 2009

Yep, Kitty certainly knows how to work those  eyes...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 13, 2009

Well you would think that our litle  Ms. Intensity  would have reminded me that I had forgotten to write KittyBLOG this morning...   After all, she has been right here helping me with other things...   E-gads -- it's 10:28AM, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late...   Maybe I'll buy Kitty a watch for her birthday so she can keep track of things...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 12, 2009

Ahoy,  Captain Kitty Kat...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 11, 2009

Things change...   For many years I thought I was a dog-person, but then Kitty came along and  revolutionized  my thoughts and feelings on the subject...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 10, 2009

Oh, I suppose it might take a couple more million years, but I'm pretty sure that eventually Kitty's ears will evolve to a size large enough to support  flight...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 9, 2009

I've known a few select people who tend to brighten-up a room when they enter, but I think Kitty prefers to work outdoors with  streaming sunlight...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 8, 2009

Pure and simple, Kitty and I are  over the moon  about each other...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 7, 2009

Kitty and I are all connected up to the  power  of love...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 6, 2009

If  nothingness  was an Olympic sport, Kitty would be another Kristi Yamaguchi...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 5, 2009

Well, Kitty, I think you should thank your lucky-stars that "cat" doesn't taste better than  "crab"...   ( or does it ? )

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 4, 2009

Yeah Kitty,  pigeons  have very pretty eyes...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 3, 2009

Kitty is seldom at a loss for words, but when "The King's English" fails -- there's always  Chinese...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 2, 2009

And while Kitty's primary  job  is to nap and snooze, she occasionally likes to do a little bit of birdwatching...

          Kitty, the blog animal         Happy New Year, 2009

2009  thumps is probably the perfect length of time for a little snooze...

All of our snoozy best,   Don and Kitty