cat nap.

what could be better?

cat-attack

say hello to the kitties

call for volunteers!

Friends, I am in a pickle. As you know Aaron and I will be in Europe for 6 weeks this summer, and with so many family members participating in the trip I'm not sure who to ask to watch our kitties. They are very nice, non-destructive cats. Anyone up to the challenge??

cat fight

When Hank and Lainey interact it usually begins with sweet licks on each other's faces. Usually Lainey will clean Hank's face, demonstrating nice big sister behavior. But that quickly devolves into neck biting and kicking, and a full blown wrestle session ensues. I think they enjoy it because neither dashes off, and one is always instigating the other. I thought I would share one such fight. I guess its a good thing they don't have front claws. 

Lainey by James Winn, with thanks to Donald Roller Wilson

I realized recently that I never shared my favorite Christmas gift. Well, it was Aaron's gift, but I enjoyed it was much as he did... and it's of my Lainey.

Aaron's dad is an artist and has made his living as a realist painter (find his work here and here). He departed this year though and painted Lainey in a style modeled after the work of surrealist painter Donald Roller Wilson. The top painting is Wilson's Kathleen. Here is her 'story' from his site: 

"Kathleen... seeing an airborne symbol... held in place by the father who was watching from his room in the tower... knowing the air, once warmed, would provide loft to Kathleen's thoughts - notes sent in bottles found on shores... prayers sent in bubbles through the heavens... (they were all one and the same)... 

Being sent... containing well wishes for the mother of Donald who, after all, had placed that tooth under his pillow during the night... "

This is Jim's painting of Lainey. I need to come up with a story for her. (thanks jon for the pic!)

cat morning

here they are being so cute... this is basically how they spend their day. Lainey on the queen's pillow and Hank not far behind.

I am so wanting spring right now,

And I am so ready for travel...

but before these things I have to write write write to get my thesis done. ugh. 

this weekend

Good morning! I woke up feeling so sick. Yesterday I was feeling something coming on and despite all the juice drinking, supplement taking and fizzy sick drinks I've become sick. Ug. Oh well. It's a beautiful morning and I have the whole day to stay at home and work on finals. 

So the weekend has come and gone, and I had such a great time with my mom. It was a short trip but we did a lot. Here are some highlights: 

Lunch at eleven city diner

Dinner at Salpicon

Aaron made Panetone

and Hank and Lainey had the run of the place

tonight's distractions

Well this evening is another working evening... so much to do for finals. But Christmas break is a nice reward. And I have a nice thing going here at my desk. Candle burning, down pillows behind my back, chai tea with milk, and currently The Wes Montgomery Trio plays. I've been locking Lainey in the room with me so she feels wanted. Hank is a demanding little boy and I want her to have alone time with mom. 

Anyways... check out this album I'm listening to (song: track 2 "The End of a Love Affair"):

What are some things on your Christmas wish list? Anything special you hope Santa will bring? I'm wanting these shoes. Might be a long shot but I'll keep my fingers crossed!

new kitty

We've had a surprising new shift in our family. When we arrived in Sycamore before Thanksgiving on Wednesday night Aaron's parents informed us that a kitty had made a home on their porch, not willing to leave because he was being threatened by a big black cat from across the street. Minna wanted to bring him in out of the cold but Jim wasn't having it. No kitties in the house! This little gray guy kept meowing and looking pitiful though the door, wanting to get in, and it melted Aaron's heart. So we brought him home with us.

At first I wasn't a huge fan. But after his first vet visit to receive his shots, we learned he was only 6-8 months old. He just a young guy, only 5.8lbs, and now I see all his craziness through a kitten lens and realize what a wonderful boy he is. So happy with people, playful, and I hope glad to be in the warm with food and family. Lainey is adjusting well too. She's a little standoff-ish but already warming up to him. Now all we need is a name. At first we liked Lou, but though the two 'L' names might be confusing/cheesy. We've been going back and forth between Hank and Bill. What do you think?

update: Hank will be new Kitty's name. I know Lou was the popular choice, but Hank just seemed to fit, and Aaron had the executive decision on this one. 

I have been missing my kitty Laney. She is a house guest of my friend Courtney for the summer and has made a new friend, cat Wellington. I miss her greetings at the door, and her little trills (she has a girly meow). I've been told that while she does get along with Wellington, she guards her favorite toy with her life and brings it along with her wherever she goes. What a great cat. She has been with me for a long time. Even lived with me in my garden level studio, not unlike the one I'm in now. If I were sitting like Edward Gorey was (below) among my books and kitty, I would be pretty happy. Well, I guess I am pretty happy. But I still miss my kitty.