In the Long Ago....

I work with archives, so every now and then I come across a great unidentified picture, such as this one. Who was this young girl? Where did she live? What was her cat's name...all in the long ago...

I Loved Thee, Atthis, in the Long Ago

(Sappho XXIII)
I loved thee, Atthis, in the long ago,
When the great oleanders were in flower
In the broad herded meadows full of sun.
And we would often at the fall of dusk
Wander together by the silver stream,
When the soft grass-heads were all wet with dew
And purple-misted in the fading light.
And joy I knew and sorrow at thy voice,
And the superb magnificence of love,—
The loneliness that saddens solitude,
And the sweet speech that makes it durable,—
The bitter longing and the keen desire,
The sweet companionship through quiet days
In the slow ample beauty of the world,
And the unutterable glad release
Within the temple of the holy night.
O Atthis, how I loved thee long ago
In that fair perished summer by the sea!

William Bliss Carman

Rain, Lilacs and Manitou

Rain, rain, and more rain! So much to do in the garden – weeds are getting huge and I just can’t get out there. But the lilacs are in bloom filling the air with a heavenly scent. Manitou loves the old craggy lilac tree as well. His style is amazing: he stares up at his goal from the ground, then sprints up at top speed – his tree-climbing prowess is truly extraordinary – I have had (and still have) many cats, but none have shown such a passion for climbing, and climbing high! Too often, by the time I go for the camera, he has come down, but this time he seemed to want me to catch this episode, and got some great shots.

As always, there's more to see at The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.

In Memoriam - Alex

Today I forgo cat blogging Friday to honour my brother -who would have been 58 today - there are no words, but this song, Who Knows Where the Time Goes...

Across the evening sky, all the birds are leaving
But how can they know it's time for them to go?
Before the winter fire, I will still be dreaming
I have no thought of time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?
Sad, deserted shore, your fickle friends are leaving
Ah, but then you know it's time for them to go
But I will still be here, I have no thought of leaving
I do not count the time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?
And I am not alone while my love is near me
I know it will be so until it's time to go
So come the storms of winter and then the birds in spring again
I have no fear of time
For who knows how my love grows?
And who knows where the time goes?

Whispering Pines Wednesday

The CFHHO (Chief Food, Health and Healing Officer) of Whispering Pines Feline Spa Resort recently reports “our little cowboy is back from the vet with a bit less in his gun holster, but they did put this cute little bandana on him!”
What a cutie huh? Yes, indeed – it looks like this little guy hit the jackpot – hence his new name “Jackpot”. Seems like all these features I’ve been posting on the Spa have encouraged at least one little guy to wander on over and see what all the fuss is about. Obviously looking for new digs, this “compact model” had a bad injury on his nose, but is healing nicely thanks to the TLC provided by the kind folks at WPFSR. Looks like a fine summer shaping up for Jackpot and all the other lucky fur-critters.

Spring at Maple Grove Gardens

Well, folks, it's been little while since there has been news from Maple Grove Gardens (that's us!). After much rain, wind and sun, the tulips and daffs and other spring arrivals are thriving, and so, another show begins - and with it comes a bazillion weeds - there is lots to do!

Little Petunia, who has now been officially named Chaiyka, is doing well and is still in a very kittenish phase: chasing leaves, bugs, and others cats tails! She has been so named because she makes this most cute little sound (mostly around feeding time) that sounds like a crying seagull - and Chaiyka in Polish (also in many other Slavic languages) means seagull. Apparently my grandmother in Poland used to call me that - I was just a baby.

On a more serious note, poor Longfellow has been to the vet for a very VERY bad and BIG abscess. He is now totally freaked out - he has little pipes or shunts in his side; he is sequestered, not eating, and very miserable. On top of all that, we are supposed to "torture" his 4 times a day to squeeze the "stuff" from him. Can you tell I am a little squeamish abut all this? Thanks goodness I have help, and the offer of a very nice vet to come by if we become totally helpless! And I was just recently thinking how we have been fortunate not have one of these injuries for some time. The worst is that is was rather advanced, and feel totally bad that I didn't notice it sooner. But LF can be a cry-baby and he is portly (the abscess is on his side/flank), so....anyway, this too shall pass.

As always, there's more to see at The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.

Sun Showers

Don't forget to check out The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.

Springtime Activity at Whispering Pines

Once again we have news from the Whispering Pines Feline Spa Resort. After a long, cold, and sleepy winter, Harold the Loon has returned, signalling the start of another season on the lake, whilst the resident felines are beginning to enjoy deck season and have been spotted lounging about soaking up the heavenly warmth.

The mistress of the SPA reports: "The day the ice melts every year at Whispering Pines, Harold the Loon arrives and soon after the others.........
ChatChat (a.k.a. Cheyenne) starts practicing getting ready to watch the Canada Day parade:


and later he and Grisou rehearse sharing lounge chairs on the deck

for the days when there's too many guest reservations (no Spa is perfect!). No, these waterfront condos are not for rent (even in these recessionary times). They're coming out of storage and being cleaned as the this Spa provides free shuttle service for guests to the vet for the yearly rabies shot.

I am sure there is more springtime activity over at The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.(Argh - I cannot get that "I" to sit on the same line!)

Another New Face

Even though my place is not the Caboodle Ranch (yet!), I sometimes wonder if there is a website for lost and lonely kitties out there that guides them to my house. Or could it be that the feline residents themselves somehow know when the errant one is just an interloper to be dealt with swiftly and “escorted” off the premises, or a wee one in need of some help, and perhaps, if all goes well, even a home?

Three days ago, this little one wandered into our yard. We heard her before we saw her actually – yowling up a storm in the hedge while I was hurrying off to work. The resident cat cat-wrangler went to investigate at my instruction and came back to report that a small tabby and white cat was “interfacing” with the local gray tom. I pray no “real” interfacing had taken place, and I also pray she is not already “in the family way”. Anyway, fast forward to the end of the day, and Manitou is fixing his attention on something under the porch – there she was, and in no time flat, in she came. The only one who really objected was Angel (small, black and female) – she has been reacting as though we have unleashed a 300 pound rhinoceros in the house. Anyway, this little cutie-patootie seems to have been an indoor cat mostly, and very quickly discovered the “prime real estate” on the couch (usually Longfellow’s spot – oh dear!) We are waiting to hear from the SPCA is anyone has lost this sweetie – but I somehow doubt anyone has. It’s close to moving season, and also students are taking off, and sadly they often leave behind their animals.

Petunia, Skittles, Lil – these are just a few of the names that have come up for her, but nothing seems to “stick” just yet – she’s a just a Little One for now.

As usual, check out The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.

Happy Easter To All!

...and don't forget to eat your greens to compensate for all that chocolate ! Longfellow demonstrates how it's done.

Surveying His Domain

Ah - spring is in the air, and all manner of furry felines are exploring the newly exposed grass/mud. First of all we see the mighty Manitou perched upon the remains of Tree Viking, surveying his domain.
Even the kitty garden ornament is beginning to thaw out!


And - from afar - sits a new visitor to the garden - a handsome fellow (who hopefully has a home!) - very respectful of all the resident felines - most well-behaved.







And finally another new face - high up in one of our towering acacia trees. At first I thought it was Timmy, but no - it's a visitor quite happily enjoying a lovely spring day and view below (and maybe the squirrel nest on the next branch?) He was up so high I was afraid he was stuck, but after awhile he shimmied down (so cute!) and off he went.

I am sure there are more springtime happenings over at The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.