For Cat Lovers Only (?)

I've known about this book for a long time. 'Why Cats Paint - a theory of Feline aesthetics by Heather Busch and Burton Silver. This is a serious analysis of the variations in feline artistic expression including live installations, and use of untraditional materials. An historical perspective gives a glimpse into the development of the modern artist artist. The book features 12 major international feline artists. Above is Princess painting a portrait of Boris.

A local celebrity, Misty,living in Rosedale, Toronto. is identified as a Formal Expansionist. One of her recent paintings, 'Interning the Terrier', (which appears to show a small headless dog being stuffed inside a red armchair by 2 frogs and a sardine) sold at auction for $21,000.

The next in the series is 'Why Paint Cats - The ethics of feline aesthetics'.

The List

Before I start answering the list that Irene and Marissa have done, I must confess to another screw up. This time with my hair. I've been using the same plastic brush for about 15 years. Somehow my hair became clamped in the round configuration and I just couldn't get it free. I was tugging so hard that my scalp started to bleed. So, reluctantly, I had to cut it out. I can ill afford to contribute to my already thinning hair in that particular location. It doesn't look like much here but there is a whole hunk of hair on the underside.

So now for the list. And it's a long one.

Gone on a blind date?: No

Skipped school? : No

Watched someone die? : Yes

Been to Canada: born at Women's College Hospital in Toronto

Been to Mexico: Twice vacation

Been to Florida: Yes

Been on a plane: Yes

Been lost: Probably but I can't remember the circumstances

Been on the opposite side of the country: Vancouver

Been to Washington DC: No

Swam/waded in the ocean: Yes

Cried yourself to sleep: Many times

Played cops and robbers: This is a boys game. I played school where I was the teacher

Recently coloured with crayons: Yes

Sang Karaoke: Never and the world is happy for that

Paid for a meal with coins only: Many times

Done something you told yourself you wouldn't do: Cheated on my diet

Made prank phone call: In high school called a funeral home (Hulse and Playfair) and chanted - what? no pulse, call Hulce and we'll Playfair. We'll stab him, you slab him

Laughed until some kind of beverage came out your nose: Yes

Caught a snowflake on your tongue: Yes

Danced in the rain: No

Written a letter to Santa: No

Been kissed under the mistletoe: No

Watched the sun rise with someone you care about: No

Gone ice skating : As a kid

Been skinny dipping: No

Gone to the movies: Yes, but when

Been in love: Yes

Mother's name: Marjorie

Favorite drink: Bellini with or without the plastic animals

Any tattoos: Yes, 5 very small ones for medical purposes

Body piercings: Pierced ears

How much do you love your job: I hate the actual work and politics but love the 'clients'

Favorite vacation: Up the California coast, San Fransisco and Carmel

Ever been to Africa: No

Ever eaten cookies for dinner: I'm not a big cookie person but I'm sure I added some to the 2litres of ice cream that I can consume in a single sitting

Been on TV?: Yes - the Howdy Doody show when I was a pipsqueak. Sat in the Peanut Gallery

Ever steal any traffic signs?: What for?

Ever been in a car accident?: No

Drive a 2 door or 4 door: Don't drive

Favourite salad dressing: Ranch, Catalina

Favourite pie: lemon meringue

Favourite number: 4

Favourite movie: Tootsie, Ghostbusters, Chicago and any horror movie - good or lousy

Favorite holy day: Festivus (for the rest of us)

Favorite dessert: ice cream - mocha almond fudge

Favorite food: lamb

Favorite brand of shampoo: Aveda

Favorite toothpaste: Sensodyne

What do you do to relax: Some sort of artwork in front of the TV

Ever been to Ottawa: lived there for many years

How many siblings do you have?: None

What is your favorite flower: gerbera daisies, orchids

Furthest place you will send this message: not sure

Who will respond the fastest: winding down from all these questions and I have no answer to this

I dare you all to take your own survey.

Off to the Cat Doctor

Tomorrow morning the girls are off to see their feliatrition for various ailments. I've already started the process of desensitizing the carrier routine by bringing the carriers into the living room with doors open. Each girl crawled inside and had a snooze. Now, I predict that tomorrow morning they will have their radar operational and I won't be able to find them. I should start loading around 5:00 am to ensure that they're ready for 10:00. Amber hasn't been to the vet in a couple of years so she may not associate the quarantine procedure with a visit. Tayoh goes about every 2 months and is so psychic that as nonchalant as I my pretend to be, she seeks shelter under the bed whereupon I'm forced to jab at her with my Swiffer broom in order to chase her out. She's crying, I'm crying. But she reverts to her impish, seductive ways as soon as she's home again. I'm not sure how Amber will react.

Tayoh

Amber

Winter Renews Herself

What a surprise to awaken to what is not the dusting of snow that the meteorologist predicted. We actually had a little dump - looks beautiful but near impossible to find a sidewalk among the drifts. I love to see the vast expanse of snow - unsullied by footprints. Now going out in the cold is another matter. In my old age I just can't seem to spend any time outside. It's been so cold lately that it actually hurts.
This year I didn't make it to putting away the balcony furnishings. Winter seemed to have arrived too soon. So old, dead leaves still adorn the pots and seem to be content with being tucked in by a blanket of snow.

Even a power failure can't hold a candle to an evening with friends

Last night had 4 of us girlfriends dining out and yakking non-stop. We figured out the bill, placed the money on the little tray and then the restaurant fell into complete darkness. We tried to see if the rest of the street was affected but it was too difficult from indoors. Sure enough, when we left, the entire street was thrown into darkness. I entered the TTC at Runnymede station and it was obvious that the auxiliary power had kicked in. So dark and gloomy. The ticket master told me that the trains were still running. By the time I reached the Yonge subway line, I could barely squeeze onto the platform for the hundreds of people milling about. Three trains arrived, dumped the passengers off and announced: 'This train is out of service. Do not board the train'. No explanation why. Then finally an announcement was made - no power between Bloor to Eglinton. By now I wanted to cry and then longed for a cab but didn't have enough money. Besides, I had already paid $100 for a Metropass. Next step was shuttle buses to Eglinton and then the subway to Finch. I was never happier to arrive home to an overheated apartment.

I was so surprised and touched by the lovely unexpected gifts. Look at this wooden bucket filled with ribbons. And a lovely pendant necklace. It made up for the evil late night travels.

Snowball dances to the backstreet boys

I must say, it's taken me 4 hours to get the video up here. Lots of warnings, fatal errors etc. If it works once, it will work again.....

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Phantom Entry

Carmi's list of bloggers includes the time last posted. I seem to be stuck at 13 hours. And for the life of me, I can't figure out where this post is or what it's about. Yesterday it was also 13 hours ago. Hmmmm. I seem to be having many blips these days.

Yesterday I weighed in at 1.2 lbs lost. This is a small triumph since I seem to have a habit of gaining small amounts. I'm hoping that this challenge will help me not cheat.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am so crazy about animals. I find birds very fascinating. The following video is one of my favourites. That kind of rhythm can't be taught. Wish I could embed the video right here but I'm not that far along.