CATURDAY ART ~ THE STARRY NIGHT

Today we pay homage to Vincent van Gogh [1853-1890] 
and one of his most recognizable paintings, 

THE STARRY NIGHT, painted in June, 1889.

Our inspiration was recently viewing the Netflix film, LOVING VINCENT [2017].
For any who appreciate visual arts, this was an amazing undertaking.
A Polish film, created by over 100 artists from around the world.
  These were the artists original oil paintings, drawings and more, 

interpreting the style of van Gogh and CGI animated for the film. 

The film tells the story of a young man who travels to the home town of

van Gogh, intent on delivering a letter, also curious to learn the

true circumstances of his death.  His journey progresses through the

full color painted illustrations, yet when he visits the memories of

van Gogh's final days images transition to black and white.

If you choose to watch this unique film, be sure to stay for the

credits at the end.  A book of slowly turning pages...

each page highlighting the artists who created the beautiful film

you just watched... a little film, ending a film.

Starry Night by

de kunstenaar juni ~ the artist june

[if written in van Gogh's Dutch language]

Original Image

SPONSERED BY ATHENA AND MARIE

CATURDAY ART

ALSO JOINING THE WONDERFUL

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

ACROSS THE ROOM

I heard her calling my name.

She was across the room.

Over there, on the day bed.

Her. Her stuff, cluttered ~ a book, a cell phone [just in case, you know],

the TV remote, albeit in silent mode, though she could look up for the

inevitable "breaking news".  Meowz.

I heard her calling my name.  "Junie, come here."

I heard the click of that camera phone ...

Find my spot in that pile of clutter, no thank you,

far more interesting things to see and hear on Charles Street.  Meowz.

FELINE FRIDAY

 

CRY, BABY CRY and THANKFUL THURSDAY

 It's been a long time, but this one called out to us!

Just hope we're also forgiven for "playing around with the photo",

it's something we have a hard time not doing.

Time now to hop over to

TWO SPOILED CATS

and join in

SAM'S POETRY CORNER

And it's

THANKFUL THURSDAY

at 

BRIAN'S HOME BLOG

The poetry photo for today reminded me of an old personal photo,

always thankful for our babies, 

especially now when cry-time is a distant memory ...

I HAVE TO ~

 

We are always up early, mine Mommy having coffee, reading the Washington Post on her phone, me having my breakfast, then usually sitting under her chair cause she likes that my tail brushes across her feetz.  This morning tho, she was talking, out loud ~ and a lot, l thought maybe I should listen, so I sat in the other chair and paid attention, well, a little bit.

In my years here, I've learned lots of words ~ I know "paws down", and of course, "no, no".  I really like "good girl" and think I don't hear that often enough, but I digressed, meaning to say all of this talking she was doing, she was kinda sorta reading to me something she said was impawtent from whatever she was reading in her WAPO story ... I'll let her speak, OK?  Meowz.

Junie, it's all about a mind reset, something that takes humans awhile to do, but can be done.  This, from "I have to ~ to ~ I get to."  Usually, I'd think, "I have to clean your litter box", my mind reacting with some stress, some anxiety to get a chore done.  But, if I can work to begin thinking "I get to clean your litter box", my mind will begin to see this as a privilege, a good thing because I'm caring for another little being important to me.  Instead of thinking "I have to design posters for our drama group this week", change the thought process to "I get to design posters," because I know it's a fun group to be part of and all enjoy being together.  Apply "get to" instead of "have to" to so many things ... such a simple thing.  Do you have to vacuum, no, you could let it go ... if you get to vacuum, your home is refreshingly clean and you feel better.  

And just one more ~ passing by the stranger on the street or in the market?  Do you look down, in this fractious world of today?  Consider thinking, the mind reset, "I get to", I get to look up and smile or nod.  You don't have to, but it isn't so hard to do.  Endorphins will flood the brain, those feel good chemicals.  The stranger may or may not return your smile, your nod.  But if they do, for that one second in time you each "get to feel good" and two worlds have become a better place.

Well, mine Mommy, I didn't understand all your words, 

but I kinda sorta think I understood a few.

So, do I get to have a treat now?

We'll work on this together, dear,

you may not fully understand yet,

purrhaps a treat later. 

REASONS WHY ~

 

PRIDE in BALTIMORE

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 13

NO. CHARLES STREET, NOON to 3 PM

COLORFUL, JOYFUL, FUN, BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY

 

FLAG DAY

It's Flag Day.

This is the one and only thing that is important today.

Author's Note:  By the way, here in the DMV, we do have drought conditions.

For any not familiar with that acronym: D [DC], M [Maryland], and V [Virginia].

So we could use rain today.  Heavy rain actually.  

What would be best, a nice, warm dry day and then 

some of those super-duper storms in the evening, you know.  

I really don't like having to see little June hide in the closet, 

since she's a-scared of all that thunder, 

but maybe, this day could be an exception.

Yeah, that'd work well.

 

THE CAT DOES HER THING, THEY ALWAYS DO

This is a sequel to our June 7 post "Sunday Sup-Purr".

In that post, June was demanding a seat at the table.  She ended by snarfing up
a few crumbs, then leaving to seemingly create a few protest signs.

Well, we never saw any protest signs.  Lazy cat.

And during this past week, her Mommy's new desk arrived, was assembled

and set up ~ thus all the clutter 'n' stuff on the dining table disappeared.

Apparently, all the open and uncluttered space was calling her name ...

June, June!  Look at me.  We need to have a little talk about

your being up on the table ...

ahem, that half look doesn't quite cut it, girl.

June, June!  That was neither a suggestion or invitation to lie down.

We were to have a little talk about your being up on the table

at all, in any pawsition, at any time ... 

and I said "look at me, not a half look!"

Hey you, come back here, right now,

we were having a very serious

June and mine Mommy talk!

IT'S FRIDAY ~ FELINE FRIDAY

It's my day, isn't it?
Meowz.
Well, every day is your day, June.
Meowz.  I know that.  Just like seven times a week there is a "day".
Smart girl.

But I kinda sorta am thinkin' you're wanting to have a say this day ...

Again, smart girl.

FELINE FRIDAY

~ ~ ~

Seven days a week, one into the other, The Madness of King George Donald.  And as we move beyond 100-days, yesterday he declares [roughly for the 40th time] "the war is ended", soon I will be attending, with tag-a-long, JD, a signing ceremony.  We can all sleep peacefully now.  He always seems to forget there is another side that needs to agree ...

And sidekick Pete can barely wait [if you heard his little speech] to raise-a-glass in toast to dropping a few more bombs.  He's happy playing playing war games.

Meanwhile, a few blocks away, though a judge ruled his name was to be removed from the Kennedy Center by today, it remains. And of course, his minions have now filed an appeal.

Paws up for a win for the Knicks tomorrow night, just disappointed it won't be held at MSG in NY, but happy it won't be attended by you-know-who.

Sunday: 50/50% chance of rain, thunder and lightning next door in neighboring DC, late in the day.  Paws together for the rain/thunder/lightning.  MEOWZ.

ICE agents grabbed "two supposed immigrant parents" from their car as they dropped off young children in the parking lot of an elementary/middle school in Baltimore. The car window was smashed, a scuffle and handcuffs, shouting ensued. School staff rushed to safely remove the children, and other students from the scene.  SHAME.

Have you seen the "numbers" carved into the grass on the National Mall?  No, James Comey did not do it.  But go with your bad self whoever did.

And so much more, so much more.  Sigh.  If you've read this far ... bravo.

Me.  I did it myself.  Assembled a new desk on Wednesday/Thursday.  But did have to ask a dear neighbor to help me upright it once done.  Now still feeling aches-and-pains in body parts I didn't even know I had!  Tomorrow, with a friend, the Baltimore PRIDE PARADE.  Colorful, fun, a good way to end the "days" of this week with joy.  Hoping to find a spot near the "pet parade" part of it ... they are always plus-adorable.

 

THE TEASER on THANKFUL THURSDAY

 

Thankful for this silly, playful kitty girl!

Time to hop over to

BRIAN'S THANKFUL THURSDAY

MY WORD FOR WEDNESDAY

 affection: noun, /e'fekSHen/

tender attachment

gentle fondness

visible expression of closeness

shown in several old favorite photos

REMEMBER ~ FOREVER, World Pet Memorial Day

 

A CHOICE

THE PAW         -or the-        THE CLAW

I remind myself daily to choose the paw, the soft paw.  Especially being the hard news junkie I am.  Yesterday morning for the first time ever, June jumped into my lap [while I was sitting at the computer] for nearly a half hour of petting and cuddling.  She is not, has never been a lap cat ~ a surprise to say the least, a beautiful time, and it calmed me and as much as she may have enjoyed her pets ~ that time of caressing and listening to those gentle purrs also tossed away all the anxiety built up in me from my early morning reading of the news.  Would she give that to me every morning ~ is a new, more mature and confident kitty arriving, time will tell.

Anxiety returned with late breaking news Sunday evening.  Here we go again ... why oh why did a headline read "Israel appears to attack Iran in retaliation".  Duh.  S'riously, meowz.  

Back to that "claw".  To paraphrase Forrest Gump, "ugly is as ugly does", though his original words work just as well.  Do not misunderstand, I've nothing against sports, of any kind, even wrestling.  To each his own.  I've lived in five states over my adult life, the DC metro area was where I lived/worked for the most of those years, it will always be thought of as "home".  Its physical "destruction" is a metaphor for the destruction of our democracy at this time.  I won't bother to list the "long list" here, it grows longer with each new day as "bob don the builder" treats our nation's capital as his own private playground, using our money, and from the oval office outward and onward: ugly is as ugly does.   

 

SUNDAY SUP-PURR

 

CATURDAY ART ~ MONTAGES

Today's art ~ montages of June. 

Although for a long time June has been associated with our polka dot chair, 
it seems of late she favors napping on our day bed.

That doesn't mean she isn't often in the chair, it's a bit of a 50/50 thing now,

and of course the bed is always her nighttime choice.

Here, on the day bed ~ it is a "day" bed after all,

she will always find her spots among the clutter of pillows ~

on them, up against them, or laying her furry little

head on one ... and even other hidden spots!

And let it be known, there is far more "June" furniture in this apartment,

than "Ann" furniture.  She can and will occupy mine, at will, any time.  

However, it is not possible for me to do the same.  

Meowz.

Let's go visit the lovely Marie and Athena, Athena Cat Goddess, for

CATURDAY ART

FELINE FRIDAY

Mine Mommy asked "why are you sitting under the table, June?"

And I replied, "not only is it warm and sunny here right now, but just look,

I have a very good view of many, many birdies flying by."

Of course, all that was in my usual meowz, so I'm not sure she understood me.

What a happy start for Friday!

FELINE FRIDAY

 

AN OPINION PIECE: CAT FIGHTING

BEWARE: Strong opinions are being posted here.  They are mine and mine alone.  Although I mention The Cat Blogosphere and it's community, those of us who volunteer for the CB are independent of each other, posting on our own unique, individual blogs.  My opinion, posted today on Zoolatry does not and should not reflect upon any of them.  

After close to 20 years of pet blogging, I am now banned/blocked from taking part in several weekly Blog Hops.  These are blog hops I have regularly included my post link on, and often commented on for many years.

To be clear: I fully understand and accept that every blog owner has the right to control their blog in any way they choose.  

However, the pet blogging community has always been one of sharing and caring.  A place for humor, the antics and fun and beauty of our varied animals through photography, art and words.  Many who blog here also participate in The Cat Blogosphere and choose to share other images and words about their lives and personal interests over time ~ through this we come to know one another and truly become "community".  

For most of the years of my pet blogging I have also volunteered as the Graphic Designer for The Cat Blogosphere, and still do. Ironically, some years ago, I did the original art for each of these hops.  When the blog owner chose a new artist to design new art ~ whimsical and charming art, without hesitation I updated her badges for the CB [again, volunteering].  

When we click on a blog, we may see words or images "not to our liking", or a point of view we disagree with.  It is easy to never visit that blog again.  Do not subscribe, do not save the link, simply do not visit there!  If you don't like it ... what the ... 

My visiting blogs ~ and blog hops in particular is to participate in the community in whole.  Often through blog hops we are introduced to new bloggers we might not have met otherwise, and how nice is that ~ new friends!  Being banned, blocked, prohibited, cuts off that opportunity.

Why be blocked? Because from time to time, I post my political opinions.  Yes, in recent times I have had strong political opinions and began posting about them.  Fully accepting many will have opposite opinions and that is okay, you have the right to share yours if you wish to do so.  Just as you might share a recipe, a vacation photo or write a post about anything else-under-the-sun-and-moon that you want!  

So, where does this leave us in this silly cat fight?  Nowhere.  Because it is silly, foolish and childish.  Leave you alone?  Sure.  I won't link up on or be part of your blog hops, you don't have to visit and read my posts.  Are we happy now?  It's all so small and petty and yet speaks to the very, very large issue facing our nation today: we don't TALK to one another.  We don't MEOWZ to each other.  It's just one big cat fight.  

No.  I do not like the current administration, have never liked the current resident of the White House [a person of no character], nor many in his cabinet, his supporters in Congress and on and on.  And for we ~ for us ~ those out here in the public ~ any who continue to cat fight, we are not helping to make anything better, to bring about needed change.  And change is needed.  We can do better.  But not when we place "bans" on even the smallest of things ... like somewhat inconsequential little cat blogs.  

Today is Thankful Thursday over at Brian's Home Blog

I am truly thankful for my many friends
all over the pet community.

PHOTOGRAPHY 101

 

Mine Mommy does still remember one of the first rules 

learned in her long-ago photography class.
Though apparently she forgot it here.

"See what the camera sees", the instructor always said, 

especially when a student shared a photo with 

the proverbial light pole sticking up out of someone's head ...

So I seem to have an alien space ship landing on my head.

Or am wearing something reminiscent of a Jackie Kennedy pillbox hat?

Lampshade?  Yeah.  Right behind me, glowing in all its brilliance.

You'd have thought with her supposed photoshop skills [?]

she might have cropped it out and away ...

What did she do instead?  Thought maybe it would look "cute",

all altered weird 'n' crazy 'n' colorful to use as her I-phone wallpaper.

Turns out not.

I was only phone wallpaper less than 2 minutes.  

Now pretty flowers bloom there.

Happy June.

4:00 A.M

We are in the early to bed, early to rise CATegory.
Definitely up by 4 am [ET], sometimes even earlier.

While I set up the Keurig for my coffee, Southern Pecan preferred, 

June has breakfast nearby.
I sit at our little table, barefoot, pajama legged, 

sipping that hot wonderful brew, 

seeing city lights in the still dark.  

Little movement on Charles Street.  All is so quiet.  
The birds not yet ready to rise and chirp.  
Soon the sun will begin to rise over the high rise office towers 

and apartment buildings before me ... 
another day has been gifted to us.  

June?  She sits quietly under my chair.

GETTING READY

Wow. Meowz.  

I can't believe it's finally here.

Some kitties wait for CatMus [Christmas] ... for their Birthday, their Gotcha Day ... not me!

I mean, really, s'riously, c'mon!  Why wait for a day, just one day ...

when there is a whole month ... like thirty days ... 30 days ... 

you I can have, just for yourself... for myself, me and I?  Meowz!

So, yes.  I wait a whole eleven months for JUNE to arrive.

My month.

And for days now I've been preening and fluffing and pretty-ing myself all up!

Meowz.

I'm ready!  Are you?

Oh, wait a minute, I think I still see a bit of litter stuck on my tail ...

be back soon ...

________________________________

ps ... had to let mine Mommy have her say ...