Nice Kitty

Ok, I haven't been around for a while - 3 weeks in fact, but my gosh it's been HOT here!  Plus I've been working at the exhibition at Kirstenbosch, sweltering under the thatch roof and spotlights and by the time I get home, it's total melt down time.

This all sounds so strange when I look at pics from the Northern Hemisphere where there just seems to be snow, snow and more snow.  Oh for a little bit of that cool!

Early morning is the best - from 5am to 8am and I did a little bit of painting during those hours, in between walking the dogs, feeding the birds, watering the garden.....  So my humble apologies for not having visited - I am trying to make up for it now!

This is a smaller one (10x10) I finished before the exhibition and was sold, which is always nice!  A picture my sister took of a friends little black cat.

My cat, the Prizefighter

I have a cat.

He's kind of a funny creature. For a cat, he's extraordinarily well-behaved (mostly). He comes when called (usually), growls when there's a stranger at the door (seriously!), sleeps outside my bedroom door (probably would sleep IN my bed if I let him), and gives lots of lovey greetings when I come home from work.

Sounds like an average cat, right?

Except, I suspect Bear (my cat) was an Irish Prizefighter in a past life.


You see, he loves to box. Many times I have come home to see my husband playing bloody knuckles with him, and you can't wave anything -- umbrellas or walking sticks or curtain tassels -- around without expecting a fight. He'll box with my purse if I hang it from the chair, he'll attack the plastic bags from the grocery if they so much as look at him funny.

Yet, for all his wild athletics, he maintains the quiet dignity of a gentleman from the 1900s (including an awesome mustache!). Who, me? I'm stretching before taking on the side of the couch! It insulted you, dear lady, behind your back!

My husband's cat, on the other hand, was a certain, fearless Civil War general (Stonewall Jackson) and a Sous-chef in his previous lives. (He has to inspect everything we put on our plates.)

It's never dull around here, to say the least.

~*~

Heather S. Ingemar has loved to play with words since she was little, and it wasn’t long until she started writing her own stories. Termed “a little odd” by her peers, she took great delight in exploring tales with a gothic flair, and to this day, Edgar Allan Poe continues to be her literary hero. To learn more, please visit: http://ingemarwrites.wordpress.com/ or follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/heatheringemar

Michelle's Cat

I never knew until I saw Gwen Bell's painting, that this is Michelle Burnett's beautiful cat, Figaro.

This is part of James Parker's challenge blog - some of the cats he put up for this challenge were great, but I do think Michelle's cat came out as the number one choice for many.

This is my painting of him.

Internet Friends - My Favorites

Don't get me wrong. I like people. No, seriously. I do! People are nice, for the most part, and unless you voice radical political views on Facebook or Twitter or other social networks, I'm happy to be your friend.

Post pictures, front and center, of your doggies, kitty cats or other special friends you hold dear to your hearts, and I'm there! A friend for life.

I've chosen a few of my Facebook "friends." They may not post clever little "tweets" like, "OMG, going for a walk!" (pant, pant) or quizzes like, What is your favorite chew toy, or If you could be famous, would you be: 1. Lassie 2. Eddie 3. Morris the Cat 4. Mr. Ed 5. Jaws

But, their adorable faces say it all.

Come to think of it, I may prefer these friends for just that reason. And, if your favorite friends are "rescues," they're even more special on my page.

If you're interested in rescuing or adopting, here's a list of shelters across the country

'Tween author, Mary Cunningham writes the award-winning series, Cynthia's Attic. Look for Book Four, "The Magician's Castle" DEC 2009 from Quake (Echelon Imprint). While you're waiting, look for the series on Amazon

Mary Cunningham Books

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Saundra's Shadow

A couple of weeks ago, wonderful artist, Saundra Lane Galloway, posted a pic of her beloved cat, Shadow. Her heart is still sore after all this time about losing Shadow and she hasn't yet brought herself to paint him, but decided to put Shadow's picture up for others to paint.

Although I am a 'dog' person, I still love all animals, and Shadow looked so sweet lying on the sofa without a care in the world, I decided to have a go. (Go to Saundra's post on the story of Shadow)

It is such a shame that our much loved pets only stay with us for a short time, but maybe they teach us that life is fleeting and to be enjoyed while we can.

Old Ginger

Sometimes I think I've taken on too much. I teach fabric painting three times a week, attend art class on Tuesday nights and our art group on Friday mornings. And now I've taken on the library at our local Art Society as well as the responsibility for the data base - lots of computer work.

Plus there have been soooo many cricket games to watch and from the 18th we are hosting the Indian Premier League which means another weekend at the Newlands Cricket Ground.

And then I said I would do the paintings for the Art for Animals project and donate them to DARG. I feel the pressure building! But, when I finally sat down today to finish the second painting, I enjoyed the peace and quiet of my little art room. So now I know what to do – go and just sit there, whether you do anything or not, and things will happen.

This is an elderly cat whom I have called ‘Old Ginger’ as all he has is a number – no name! He is not a pretty gentleman, but like all cats, shows an aloofness and disdain that came out clearly in his photograph. I’ve tried to show that here as well. My second DARG painting.

Dewey Readmore Books - One Special Cat

Must admit...I’m a dog person. But one special yellow cat stole my heart.

Dewey Readmore Books was the resident cat at Spencer Public Library, Spencer Iowa after a heartless soul dropped him into the library book return one cold January night in 1988. Library director, Vicki Myron, a single mother also in a struggle to get back on her feet after a series of tragedies, found him the next morning, hoarse from crying and suffering from frostbite.

He stole the hearts of the staff when, despite his discomfort, nudged each one of them in a gesture of thanks. Their decision to adopt him was rewarded by 19 years of loyalty. A contest was held to pick a name, and Dewey (named after Melvil Dewey of Dewey Decimal System fame) Readmore Books was officially added to the staff.

Patrons and friends donated pop cans and money, from as far away as New York, to pay for Dewey's food. Don’t get me wrong. Dewey was no charity case. As an official library staff member, he had his own job description.

Now, Vicki Myron has put Dewey's story in print. To "readmore" about this special cat, click on Amazon.


Or visit: Spencer Public Library

Mary Cunningham
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