Weather Report

What is the forecast in your corner of the world today? In the Pacific Northwest, Mount Hood and its fellow Cascade Range peaks are resplendent in a fresh coating of shiny snowflakes!

To celebrate, I've added 6 matted prints to my online Etsy shop featuring some lucky Cat Ladies enjoying a winter wonderland with their feline friends.

Remember, as freezing temperatures approach here in the Northern Hemisphere, outdoor cats need some special attention such as providing a warm place to sleep, and making sure that non-frozen drinking water is available. Here are more great tips from The Conscious Cat: Winter Health Tips For Your Pets

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BRRRR...Is it getting chilly around here? These high quality reproductions of my whimsical watercolor paintings are the PURRfect gift for your favorite Snow Bunny or Feline Fanatic.

The image is 4.5" x 6.5" and comes in an acid-free 11" x 14" white on black double matting, ready for framing in a standard size frame. $12.50 each plus shipping.

Click on any image for more information.

Cat Lady Spotlight...Roscoe's Mom

Meet Cat Lady Nancy-- photographer, collage artist, animal lover, and one of the newest members of the Card-Carrying Crazy Cat Lady Club. Her fabulous feline Roscoe will be turning 23 years old next month.

She holds Roscoe responsible for turning her into acrazy cat lady and tells us that he was the inspiration for creating her first pet collage. Nancy tells us a little more about Roscoe:

"I rescued Roscoe from a home in Detroit (my birthplace) when his owners got a hunting dog and banished him to the basement. Just like me, he was lucky enough to wind up in Chicago, where he initially spent time perched in a window 24 floors up with a beautiful view of the city. He now lives in a condo on Chicago’s lakefront, where he can enjoy sitting on a balcony that overlooks Lake Michigan.

"People are usually shocked when I tell them how old he is... He’s still going strong and doesn’t look a day over 19!! Actually, since he’s a Persian cat and has a round face, he still looks kind of kittenish. He does have kidney disease (so, don’t despair if your senior cat is diagnosed – they can last for quite a while).He gets infusions every other day, as well as various meds, one to stimulate his appetite. He’s pretty much the same as he ever was, though skinnier with less fur. He remains beautiful and his big eyes are still golden and clear.He still likes to sprawl on my husband’s keyboard (when he’s trying to work, of course). He still meows for us to put ice in his drinking water. Unfortunately, he continues to refuse to be a lap cat, something we always joked would change when he grew old and tired.

"Here’s to my beloved Roscoe – longer may he live!!!"

Check out Nancy's fun and exotic pet photo collages in her Etsy shop Pet Collage Paradise (she will even create custom collages featuring your own pet)! The photographic elements in her work are hand cut and pasted. She incorporates words, found objects, specialty papers, feathers, fabric, silk flowers, beads, and gemstones into her creations.

...BY POPULAR DEMAND and now in my Etsy shop: You may now purchase Personalized Cat Lady I.D. cards individually without the"kit" (the kit includes a pinback button, Creed and Guidelines). That means a lower price and less postage! Plus, $1 will still be donated to the Oregon Humane Society for each card purchased (almost $100 has been donated so far....). Great gift idea for every Crazy Cat Lady on your list. Click here for details:

CARD ONLY

CRAZY CAT LADY KIT

Cat Lady No. 364...A Lucky Girl

Cat Lady Gale has been owned by a cat her entire life. As her sister Cat Lady Flora tells us:

"We both learned to adore animals from our mother, who always made room for them in our lives.

"Sam [Gale's current kitty] is about 14 and her background makes her a lady of mystery. She is obviously a purebred Himalayan. When she was about 5, a friend found her abandoned at her apartment complex. She seemed to have been abused and it took weeks for my friend to get close enough to catch her.

"My mother's cat had just died, so the friend gave her to my mother. Sam spent 4 days hiding under the piano, much to my mother's dismay. On the 5th day, for no apparent reason, she just marched out from under the piano and onto the sofa next to Mom. They were boon companions for 5 years until Mom died suddenly in 2005.

"Gale took Sam, who mourned Mom's death deeply. It took her about a year to realize that Mom wasn't coming back, and then she settled in and has bonded closely with Gale. She is at least 14 and has battled some health issues but is doing okay at this point. Sam is tiny -- only 5 pounds, but the Queen of her Domain and can be a bit sniffy with the help (i.e. Gale) when things aren't done to her satisfaction. She loves to cuddle and sleep in the sun and has a loud purr that is out of proportion with her size."

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Can you believe it? We've arrived at Cat Lady No. 364!!

Tomorrow is the big day when I will post Cat Lady No. 365! What happens next? I will keep counting, but with a few changes and surprises. In the mean time, take a stroll down memory lane if you'd like, and meet all of the Custom Cat Ladies and Pet People that I have had the joy of getting to know over the past 14 months: Gallery of Custom Portraits.

Stay tuned!

Cat Lad No. 361...Men Who Love Cats

Meet Feline Fella Nick and and his fab Persian sidekick George of the United Kingdom--best buddies, and further proof that real men love cats. Nick is sporting his favorite woolly hat which rarely leaves his head and George is sporting his favorite woolly winter fur coat which he will dispose of in Spring...

Need more proof that real men love cats? Check out the website Men and Cats.

Enjoy!

Cat Lady No. 332...A Happy Ending

As Princess Pandora will tell you, it's glorious to be a beautiful white Persian cat, that is, unless you become unwanted and wind up in a shelter. It happens.

Lucky for Pandora, there are many rescue operations that specialize in finding new homes for Persian cats, who require daily grooming and sometimes have special needs. Pandora is enjoying her new home with Cat Lady Debbie, who doesn't mind giving Pandora the extra attention that she needs to stay so glorious and beautiful!

For more information on adopting a Persian cat, visit the Persian and Himalayan Cat Rescue website.

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 323...Book Buddy

Library-cat-in-training Professor Purrlots is enjoying today's lesson from School Librarian Patricia. Today she is reading the story about a real-life cat named Dewey Readmore Books who was dropped into the book return of the Spencer Public Library in Iowa one fateful night.

Dewey took his new job as the library cat quite seriously and spent 19 years running the place. His "Basic Rules For Cats Who Have a Library to Run" is a must-read for any aspiring library cat.

The library cat's golden rule, according to Dewey, is: "Never forget, nor let humans forget, that you own the joint!

To find out more about Dewey and his illustrious career, visit this wesite: Dewey Readmore Books

Enjoy!

Cat Ladies No. 310 and 311...World Kindness Day

If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. ~Bob Hope

Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up. ~Jesse Jackson

Cat Lady Krystal and Cat Lady Darcy are participating in World Kindness Day today by sending out Kindness E-cards courtesy of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

The Foundation has no religious or organizational affiliations and encourages the practice of kindness in all sectors of society.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is the United States delegate to the World Kindness Movement, an organization that includes various nations. People in these countries promote kindness within their countries’ borders and are creating a global network of kindness and compassion.

Kitties Cleo and Bathsheba will be practicing kindness today with a generous dose of nuzzling and a profusion of purring. But then they do that EVERY day of the year!!

Thanks for visiting!

Give the gift of original art without breaking the bank! These original ACEO watercolor illustrations have just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop...!

Cat Lady No. 304...Gobble Green Idea No. 2

Cat Lady Jonquil and her Persian beauty Downy have decided to make their Thanksgiving meal a little more earth-friendly this year by eating organic.

Although there has been a recent debate about the nutrient value of organic versus non-organic, Jonquil buys organic to avoid ingesting antibiotics, pesticides and other toxins.

According to the Organic Trade Association, there are also many benefits to the planet: organic agriculture can improve soil fertility, prevent chemical fertilizers from polluting waterways and accommodate higher species diversity.

Check out the Eat Well Guide Online to locate local, sustainable, and organic food near you...

This original ACEO watercolor illustration is No. 11 in my series called "Let It Snow" and has just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop...add it to your collection by visiting Let It Snow No. 11 ACEO Art

Cat Ladies 302 and 303...Gobble Green Idea No. 1

Cat Lady Rebecca and her sister-in-law Roxie have decided to make their Thanksgiving meal a little more earth-friendly by becoming "Locavores" (also known as "Localvores").That means eating foods grown locally and in season.

When you eat locally-grown foods, it means that the food has fewer food miles, meaning the carbon emissions associated with local foods are smaller. An added benefit is that the food is fresher and picked at peak ripeness, meaning more nutrition value for you and your family!

For Thanksgiving menu ideas, visit the 100 Mile Diet website, where you will find links to localvore recipes.

Feline friends Pippi and Chipotle have their own ideas about eating local and have high hopes of catching something right outside their back doors....Doesn't get any fresher than that!




These original ACEO watercolor illustrations have just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop...give the gift of original art by visiting
Let it Snow No. 10 ACEO Art
Raindrops and Kittens No. 4 ACEO Art

Cat Lady No. 300...Faithful Feathered Friend

Autumn is in full swing now, which means that Cat Lady Claire and calico pal Trixie have fewer and fewer feathered friends to admire. Only a brave handful have lingered, including this little song sparrow, but most have taken wing to head for warmer climes.

Until they return, Claire will amuse herself with many projects, including making pop-up bird/birdhouse holiday cards, using the step-by-step instructions she found by the pop-up genius Robert Sabuda. Here is the link: Pop-up Birdhouse

Enjoy!

This brand new watercolor painting, called "Bird Watching", is another sneak peek at one of the fine art Cat Ladies that will be part of a special art exhibit at Lawrence Gallery Sheridan here in Oregon. "Gallery Gals Holiday Art Exhibit" will take place November 1 through December 31, and will feature the work of four gallery staff members, including yours truly!

Cat Lady No. 267...Keeping Toasty

Feline Fanatic Jerrilee and her Himalayan Honey are looking forward to cozy autumn nights in front of the fireplace.

The chimney has been inspected and cleaned, the flue is open and there is a nice stack of dry fire wood just outside the back door. Kindling, old newspaper, and matches are at the ready.

Next, it's time for a refresher course on How To Make A Good Fire In Your Fireplace. This link has step-by-step instructions.

Now all that's left to do is to check the cupboards for hot cocoa and marshmallows.

Jerrilee's work is done. "That's easy," thinks Honey to herself. "Try growing your own winter coat..."

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You'll find this "feline fanatic" design on a selection of t-shirts and gifts in my Cafepress shop: Himalayan Gifts and Tees

Cat Lady No. 247...Story Lady

Cat Lady Jordan is the Story Lady on Tuesdays at the Public Library, and she always likes to try out the stories first on Millicent and Poe by reading out loud to them.

Tonight's story is by their favorite children's book illustrator and author Tomie dePaola who will be celebrating his 75th birthday next week.

Jordan knows this because each month he puts a delightfully illustrated and very informative calendar on his website:
Tomie's September Calendar Page

How else would she know that Wednesday is Wonderful Weirdos Day?

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 243...School Daze

It's back to school on Tuesday for Cat Lady Donna's two young children, so with the help of Floofie, Donna is reading up on advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Here are their tips about walking to school:

• Make sure your child's walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
• Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
• If your child is young or is walking to new school, walk with them the first week to make sure they know the route and can do it safely.
• Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.
• In neighborhoods with higher levels of traffic, consider starting a “walking school bus,” in which an adult accompanies a group of neighborhood children walking to school.

For more great tips about topics like backpack and bicycle safety, bullying, and homework, visit their website: AAP Back to School Tips.

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This "Bookworms" design can be found on a variety of gifts and apparel at my Cafepress online gift shop:
Library Cat No. 12


Purrfect for back to school, this Wire-O bound, 160 page journal has your choice of papers and measures 5" x 8", a handy on-the-go size to fit in your backpack.

• Back cover made of thin black flexible textured plastic, measures 16/1000" thick
• Front cover made of 12pt glossy paper, laminated for durability
• Filled with your choice of 60lb bookweight (24 lb bond) paper -- blank, dot grid, lined college-ruled, or a task journal.

Cat Lady No. 237...Snooze Alarm

Cat Lady Amaryllis knows that Chester will go to great lengths to maintain his aura of majestic dignity and regal aloofness at all costs, but she just could not resist buying him a silly cat toy.

Chester, feeling magnanimous after a particularly nice bowl of tuna, decided to humor Amaryllis and feign interest in the skittering creature. Amaryllis was delighted. Chester was ready for a good snooze.

Here are a few more delightful Cat Haikus from the 365 Cat Ladies Giveaway for August. This particular topic happens to be Chester's favorite pastime: snoozing!


Submitted by Ducky Doo, an orange tabby cat:

Wonderful sunshine
Warming my soft tabby fur
Dreaming happy dreams

Submitted by Cat Lady Laura:

Six cats spend their time
stretched out snoozing in the sun
I'd love to be them!

Submitted by Cat Lady Ty Marie:

With a constant purr
I roll him off of my face
To finally get some sleep

Thanks for visiting!


Only three days left to enter the 365 Cat Ladies August Giveaway! Take some time to read all of the fantastic Cat Haiku entries in the Comments section at the end of the contest post, then add your own if you haven't already. Click here to learn a little more about writing cat haiku.

Cat Lady No. 223...Himalayan Honeys

Cat Lady Lindsay is enjoying the exceptional fluffiness of her current foster family: Himalayan momcat Maya and her four kittens.

Lindsay will find loving homes for each one, but not before they are neutered and spayed...Plus, because Persian cats such as the Himalayan breed can have special needs, it will be important that any prospective owner be aware of grooming and health issues in particular.

If you are considering adopting a particular breed of cat, there are a number of services to counsel you and help you find a homeless pet in need of your love. Examples are Purebred Cat Rescue in the Midwest, Persian & Himalayan Cat Rescue in California, or Texas Siamese Rescue, a coalition of shelters located in Texas, Virginia, California and Colorado.

Thanks for visiting!




This original ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale...add it to your collection by visiting my Etsy shop:
Cat Mom No. 27

Cat Lady No. 201...Lovable Leos

Cat Lady and Professional Coffee Taster Corrine relies on her assistant Kava Kat to make sure the creamer is first rate. Kava has a penchant for the finer things in life and always prefers real cream over anything else.

Kava was born under the astrological sign of Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22), and if there is anything better than being a big, orange cat--it is being a big, orange cat who is a Leo.

According to Catster Astrology, "The pampered kitty ruling the roost (den?) is surely a Leo. And yet these animals manage to throw their weight around in the cutest way!"

Read the rest of your Leo Cat's profile here: Leo Cat Profile

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Are your stars aligned just right today? It could be your lucky day to enter the 365 Cat Ladies July Giveaway ! There's just one week left-- visit the link and leave a note about your cat's favorite game and you'll be entered to win one of 3 prizes!

Cat Lady No. 191...Tomato Queen

Cat Lady Marina enjoys growing prize organic tomatoes under the supervision of her garden cat, Gingerbread. You can find Marina every Sunday at the Farmer's Market where all of her customers say hers are the best tomatoes in the county...

For tips on growing the best organic tomatoes on your block, check out these Tomato Gardening Tips and read other useful information from the Tomato Gardening Guru

Thanks for visiting!

♥ This original ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale...Add it to your collection by visiting my Etsy shop:

Garden Cat No. 14 ACEO Art

Cat Lady No. 186 and Cat Lad No. 187...Jungle Cats

Jungle cats Morrison, Inara, and baby Juno took time out from their "big game" hunt for this family portrait with Cat Lady Emily and her Feline Fella.

It turns out that the felines' "big game" is to hunt down any renegade catnip mouse that has the misfortune to make an appearance in the household and give it a good thrashing.

As Emily puts it: "They love those bright colored real-fur mice you get in packs and they fling them into the air to then catch and chase. It's hilarious! I constantly have to buy more because they destroy them from playing so hard."

Happy hunting, you fearless felines!

Cat Lady 180...And the Winner Is...

Cat Lady Joleen and Teacher's Pet Radcliffe have taken time out from teaching summer school math to announce the winner of the 365 Cat Ladies June Giveaway. You can read all of the fun and fanciful entries here: Dream Vacations

With the help of a random number generator, each entry was assigned a number between 1 and 35, and then a random number was picked. And the winner is: No. 14, Cat Lady Robin Michelle!!

Not only is Robin a devoted Cat Lady, she is also a devoted stitcher! See some of her beautiful work at her blog: One More Stitch

Robin will receive this tote bag from my CafePress Shop: Nature Lovers

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Thank you to all of the Cats and Cat Ladies and Lads who participated!


♥ This original ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale...Add it to your collection by visiting my Etsy shop:

"Teacher's Pet No. 2"


♥ Yay! I'm included in Etsy's weekly voter poll asking "Which Item Colors You Beautiful?" Please vote for my "Peaceable Kingdom" print at: Etsy Voter
Thanks!

Cat Lady No. 164...Perennial Favorites

Cat Lady Tamara has earned Garden Goddess status with the help of Winifred, who has a discerning eye for prize-winning perennials.

Some of Winifred's purrsonal favorites are: Foxgloves, Butterfly Bush, and Black-Eyed Susans.

For answers about perennials, Tamara often turns to Backyard Gardener, a website with tons of useful information and links about every aspect of gardening.

To find out more about perennials visit this link: All About Perennials

Thanks for visiting!


This brand new design can be found on a variety of gifts and apparel for your favorite Garden Goddess, including garden totes, journals and aprons, at my Cafepress online gift shop:
Garden Cat 01













The original artwork is also available for sale at my Etsy online shop: Garden Cat ACEO