Kitty, the blog animal         February 26, 2004

     it goes with the season, but Kitty is in a blue mood:

     ...and her mood occasionally travels  beyond blue.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 25, 2004

Kitty was back on the job to greet me home, and our first matter of business was to open up a new bag of kibble.   It's just the store brand of kibble, but she kept pestering me for more and more, so obviously Kitty really loves this recipe.   I was so struck by her enthusiasm that I checked the bag for it's list of ingredients.   Yup, it's got 23 vitamins and minerals, ground corn and corn gluten meal, poultry meal, soybean meal, wheat, and yummy beef tallow...   And of course it has all the usual suspects for preservatives, but they also list a "digest" of poultry and fish by-products. This might take further investigation, but the word "digest" attached to an ingredient sounds rather ominous.      our little Ms full of everything

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 24, 2004

Monday was Kitty's day-off, so by the time I left she had already faded into her special hybernation routine.   She was so zonked out eight hours later that I got no greeting or welcome home.   After a while, she returned to the living and figured out that she was hungry.   Life goes on...
...all sensory systems operational

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 23, 2004

Kitty can't just come out and ask questions, so she relies on her keen senses to filter every sight and smell.     all sensory systems activated

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 22, 2004

Kitty's natural elememt supplies her with an endless supply of  weeds and brambles.   She is one with nature, and it seems to bring her peace.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 21, 2004

Kitty has been keeping amused by playing Kitty games and sports.   Rules do not exist, and biting and scratching are fair tactics.   The ball is improvisational, and this week we're using an empty toilet-paper tube, which can do attention-grabbing and slow-rolling movements.   Kitty is always victorious.   If her head swells, we polish it and use as a trophy.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 20, 2004

Yesterday was cold and wet, but her love and dedication was strong enough to venture out  to welcome me home.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 19, 2004

Sometimes, even blurry photos can be expressive.   It was a combination of Kitty moving and me shaking the camera.     this is what developed

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 18, 2004

Once you see them, it's pretty obvious why  Kitty's real name is Whiskers

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 17, 2004

At Kittyland, telling someone to shut up is crude and disrespectful, but even though I know the rules, I cast those awful words on Kitty.   I didn't realize what I was saying.   I'll try to watch my language in the future.
According to Thesauras.com, for a brief moment she assumed the looks and qualities of being  abashed, apologetic, bashful, chagrined, compunctious, contrite, crestfallen, debased, demeaned, distressed, embarrassed, flustered, guilty, humbled, humiliated, meek, mortified, muddled, regretful, remorseful, repentant, shamed, sheepish, shy, sorry, and submissive.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 16, 2004

I don't think Kitty questions my credibility, but I get the feeling that in her wisdom, she takes two legged creatures with a  grain of salt.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 15, 2004

It was amazing the first time I saw it, but Kitty has supernatural powers that enable her to change the overall size of her eyes.
When she is being sweet, they can get  as big as saucers.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 14, 2004

For Valentines this year, Kitty and I got together and admired a whole mess of  green weeds  in the front yard.   It was a tender moment.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 13, 2004

Getting through all the entanglements of Friday-the-Thirteenth will give Kitty something to worry about today, but I was able to cheer her up with a reminder that tomarrow is Valentines Day.     friday the thirteenth

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 12, 2004

Kitty has been shedding terribly, and we have extraneous cat hair strewn everywhere imaginable around Kittyland.   Kitty has plenty more where that came from, and she is willing to share.     grooming up a storm

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 11, 2004

Although Kitty has a head-to-tail suit of fur, one of her favorite places is in front of the heater.   It's not quite the same thing as basking in the warm sun, but Kitty has to work with what she has.     Kitty's fur coat

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 10, 2004

One of Kitty's jobs is to welcome me home.   Sometimes she is enthusiastic about it, and other times she isn't.   Sometimes I need to check her vital signs, other times I dont.   waiting for her human friend

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 9, 2004

Kitty attends a church that calls itself The Great Out Of Doors.
During their ceremonies, church members spend a great deal of time
looking skyward for birds, as well as God...

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 8, 2004

Kitty's favorite place to hang out is her window positioned cat-door.   And it's the same old question -- is she half-in or half-out...   Kitty looking out

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 7, 2004

The unexplained mysteries of Kitty might be easier to solve if she had come with an owner's manual, but she didn't.   For some reason I feel compelled to find out if she actually recognizes her own image in a photo, and if she does regognize her image--what goes through that pretty little head when she see's it.   The question is if vanity has any effect on her.   Perhaps vanity plays an internal role in cats.    sunlit windows

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 6, 2004

Kitty has been taking cooking lessons, and at the first class they explored the scientific aspects of a basic technique even simpler than boiling, known as thawing.   The process works great with  frozen corn.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 5, 2004

When Kitty arrived, about six years ago, the two dogs she had been living with had been stealing her food.   The theory is that this might have stunted her growth a bit, but over the years she has filled out.   But of course, her head has remained the same size, making it slightly out of proportion with the rest of her.     big cat with the little head

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 4, 2004

There is a shortage of corn at Kittyland, and our larder has shrunk to the point where one measly piece is all that is left.   Kitty knows about it.
The intensity on her face speaks to the gravity of the situation.
our little Ms Intensity

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 3, 2004

Another eight billion years of evolution and Kitty might be able to fly...
Aside from thinking of them as flying dinners, Kitty is very curious about these amazing flying creatures.   Her  awe and admiration  is obvious.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 2, 2004

Kitty has invented a groundhog type of game, where, if she comes out of her hole during the Superbowl and sees her shadow, we can count on an early Spring.   The prediction is for sunny weather, one of these days...
Here's Kitty,  hunkered down, waiting for Spring.

          Kitty, the blog animal         February 1, 2004

Kitty approaches my empty lap gently and lovingly, but after a while it becomes a struggle.   She seems to think that her set of long and sharp claws were made for hanging-on.   She keeps them  clean and sharp.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 31, 2004

Yesterday Kitty decided she wanted her corn served outdoors, but instead of just taking it outdoors herself, she led us in a game of cherades, and I finally figured it out.     outdoor dining

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 30, 2004

I probably shouldn't try to personify Kitty as a regular-little-human-being, but actually, about the only thing she can't do is ride a two-wheeler.
And I probably need not mention it again, but  Kitty loves corn.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 29, 2004

The politicians of today could learn a valuable lesson from our cats...   Cats call it leadership by example, and their only requirement is that we lowly humans be patient and observe.   Obvioiusly, naps are an integral part of leadership.    doing her best impression of Senator Kennedy

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 28, 2004

I wasn't expecting to find good fresh corn this time of year, but I did.   A simple feline thumbs-up would have been enough, but as predicted, Kitty flipped, sang a song of joy and delight, then tore into that little piece of corn like it was the best thing since fresh mouse.   Yes, Kitty loves corn.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 27, 2004

Our little rain-guage has returned from outdoors, damp but not soaked.   Warm and dry photos are only a memory, so with Kitty's permission I'll give the URL of my MarinPix website,  http://www.marinpix.com  which is a collection of photos taken this past year in-and-around our beloved Marin County, California.   Thanks, and we'll return to Kitty photos tomarrow.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 26, 2004

This time of year the sun is feeble, but Kitty assures me that it will indeed return in Summer.   Cats instinctively know about these things.   Observing temperature, lighting, and weather conditions is part of their duties.   Occasionally, as a reward, Kitty snags a  glint of sun.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 25, 2004

I shortened the legs of my stool so Kitty and I could sit side by side at an equal height.   But predictably, Kitty still prefers my lap, leaving the prize swivel-chair territory vacant.     an etherial cat

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 24, 2004

Kitty will probably resume her murderous ways when pleasant weather returns in the Spring, but until then, the birds and mice can frolic in relative safety.   Here's a pix of Kitty, earlier this year,  focused on birds.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 23, 2004

The swivel chair battle has been fought, and Kitty has clearly conquered this prime territory.   I have been reduced to sitting next to her on a stool. possession is nine points of the law

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 22, 2004

    ;'[']]]]]]]]]]]]]
Occasionally I give Kitty a pad of paper and a pencil, and ask her to jot down something for her blog, but this morning she just walked across the keyboard, leaving what you see above.   It could be some kind of coded message.   I've forgotten who came up with it, but the idea was to sit 10,000 chimpanzees down in front of 10,000 typewriters, and about 10,000 hours later one just might be able to type out an entertaining novel.
Here's Kitty, in the vines  gathering inspiration for her writings.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 21, 2004

Shortly after Kitty arrived, we needed to decide which language we would use.   Since Kitty-speak has so many gaps and unexplicable rules, we decided on a slightly "catty" version of human-speak.   Our first word was kib-ble.   Kitty quickly learned about stringing two syllables together, and she even figured out that the emphasis was on the first syllable.   Her next word was hel-lo, and even though this word can have different meanings depending on where the accent falls, she decided the accent on hel-lo needed to be on the second syllable, which makes sense, since her hel-lo is usually more of a question than a statement.   Kitty speaketh...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 20, 2004

The predicament of becoming a prisoner of love has been explored for years in movies, books, and plays.   Crooners of every style have crafted the theme, including Perry Como, David Bowie, Gene Simmons, and even James Brown...   But back in cell-block K, it is kind of fuzzy as to who is the kept and who is the keeper.   We are both  prisoners of love...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 19, 2004

Normal probably isn't the best descriptive word for any average cat.   But average cats are very scarce, so it's kind of a moot point.   abstract twist

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 18, 2004

But a lot of the time, Kitty's gearbox seems to be shifted into  neutral.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 17, 2004

For Kitty's toys, we make-do with what is at hand.   A wadded-up piece of paper is always popular.   But actually, Kitty, the animal, herself, converts into a fun and exciting toy, and she doesn't even need batteries.
Of course, the most fun feature is her  stretchable ears.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 16, 2004

Although loveable and cuddly...   when the story is written...   she will be undoubtedly be most remembered for her  cavalier approach to life.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 15, 2004

Kitty has generously agreed to share the secrets of the universe with me.   And all of it seems to be in some mysterious non-verbal language,
but her eyes give her away.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 14, 2004

All I have to do is to grab the camera and say "come on Kitty, lets go outside and take some pictures", and she is instantly there.   She understands little about cameras, but she just wants to be outside with her human-friend.   Sultry expressions and hot-summer poses are on-ice.   This time of year Kitty can only muster  burr and blur...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 13, 2004

If it weren't for Kitty's endless winter parties, this season wouldn't really be worth it.   Here she is, always dressed and ready for the next party...

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 12, 2004

Occasionally the dark clouds break, and if Kitty is in just the right spot,
her eye will catch a glint of sunlight.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 11, 2004

Of course, it was my mistake to leave an uncovered pan of soup out where Kitty would be tempted, so Kitty got caught in my error, but in the anger of the moment, I banished her to the drizzly outdoors, and for emphasis, I threatened to read her some painful passages from Genesis.   She roared in protest.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 10, 2004

Kitty suggested that I just get it all out of my system -- and show the luminous fires that shine from the eyes of our green and golden-eyed cat.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 9, 2004

Just because Kitty doesn't permit electronic flash photography, doesn't mean I don't try it occasionally, but the results are usually disappointing because of the dreaded "glowing red-eye syndrome".   But for some reason, Kitty's eyes don't glow red...   Instead, they glow firey-yellow.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 8, 2004

It might be fair weather for a frog, but for Kitty, the only reason to go outside in this kind of weather is to answer the call of nature.   No chance for outdoor photos today, and Kitty has a rule against electronic flash photography, so we found a very tranquil photo from earlier in the year.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 7, 2004

Scientists admit that they know more about the surface of Mars than they do about the unexplored depths of the feline mind, so it just goes to show their misguided priorities.   We'll just have to  use our imaginations.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 6, 2004

While a furry chest can be a disadvantage on a hot day, extra insulation comes in handy this time of year.   Our buddies down at Home Depot all got together and estimated her "R" value at R-19.    Kitty's insulation

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 5, 2004

At first glance she would appear to be a student of philosophy, but instead of spending years at Berkeley, she came pre-programmed and she has no use for silly human concepts and ambitions.   our resident philosopher

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 4, 2004

Kitty never got the memo, but parking meters at Kittyland haven't been operational for years.   But we still keep one at the front door...   just to give our local meter-maid something to supervise.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 3, 2004

Kitty recommends it:   A great and safe place to hide is  in the vines.

          Kitty, the blog animal         January 2, 2004

Kitty instinctively understands that this cold and yucky weather is a part of the natural cycle.   She's already enjoying the new crop of  savory weeds.

          HAPPY NEW YEAR!             January 1, 2004

I warned her not to over-do, but here she is,   the morning after.

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