Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Σωτήρης Παστάκας | Χόρχε

O γάτος μου κι εγώ
αγαπιόμαστε
σαν το ζευγαράκι
που κάθεται
σε ξεχαρβαλωμένο παγκάκι
κι ανταλλάσσει φιλιά
μεσοχείμωνο: νιφάδες
στα μαλλιά, στα μάγουλα,
στ’ αυτιά που λιώνουν
μόλις κάτσουν.
Έτσι γυμνοί που μείναμε
σαν ηλικιωμένο ανδρόγυνο
που δεν χόρτασε ακόμη
τα φιλιά
και τρυφερά ανταλλάσσει
χάδια στα μαλλιά
και στο μέτωπο
αυστηρά από δω και πέρα
με τα χείλη μόνο και τα χέρια.

Patti Smith sings to her Cat



Thank you, Irini!

Also

Secret Signs Your Cat Will Attack | by Paulette Cooper & Paul Noble


Some cats will attack not the hand that feeds them but the one that pets them. It's often hard to tell whether they really will attack or whether they're just posturing. But the following are signs indicating that they're not just fooling around.

A change in mood: Cats ready for combat show a significant mood change, for example, they'll suddenly appear to be angry or frightened.

Spitting and arching: Cats often spit when they want something, or want someone to stay away. But if they also arch their backs or their fur rises while they're spitting, it means they're going to attack.

A quick flick of the tongue over their lips may show they're becoming agitated.

Ears forward means they're on the offense. Backwards means defence.

Whiskers forward and possibly bristling is also a sign.

A twitching tail or rippling body can show that they want whatever is going on to stop and that they might do something to insure it. The general rule is: the faster the tail is moving, the more agitated they are.

Raised or curled lip. Although this is usually associated with dogs about to attack, it's something to watch out for in cats as well.

If you see any of these signs, especially while you're petting your cat -- watch out.


From 277 Secrets Your Cat Wants You to Know by Paulette Cooper and Paul Noble.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Holly the Cat's Incredible Journey























A Cat’s 200-Mile Trek Home Leaves Scientists Guessing


Nobody knows how it happened: an indoor house cat who got lost on a family excursion managing, after two months and about 200 miles, to return to her hometown.

Even scientists are baffled by how Holly, a 4-year-old tortoiseshell who in early November became separated from Jacob and Bonnie Richter at an R.V. rally in Daytona Beach, Fla., appeared on New Year’s Eve — staggering, weak and emaciated — in a backyard about a mile from the Richters’ house in West Palm Beach.

“Are you sure it’s the same cat?” wondered John Bradshaw, director of the University of Bristol’s Anthrozoology Institute. In other cases, he has suspected, “the cats are just strays, and the people have got kind of a mental justification for expecting it to be the same cat.”


Read more here

Salvador Dalí & Cats

© Monique Jacot, 1966 | via Poe's Mistress

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

© Yamasaki Ko-ji

























Catnip Tea Recipe

Catnip is known by a number of names, including catswort, catmint, and even field balm. It's a perennial in the mint family that's best known for its ability to drive cats wild, but before you use all your catnip on kitty, consider the medicinal uses for catnip that you might be able to take advantage of.

Catnip contains nepetalactone, a natural sedative that can help you relax and get to sleep at night. It's also a muscle-relaxer and antispasmodic that can be used to treat stomach cramps. It may even help lessen the symptoms of migrane.

The next time you're having trouble settling in for the night or your stomach is bothering you, try a cup of catnip tea. I'm sure kitty won't mind sharing a little of his stash with you.


Catnip Tea Recipe

1 tsp. Catnip leaves (dried)
6 oz. Boiling water

Pour boiling water over dried catnip leaves and let steep for five to seven minutes.

I usually add a pinch of dried lemon balm to my catnip tea. Lemon balm has a mild lemony flavor that's a nice compliment to catnip. A little honey is nice too.


Saturday, February 2, 2013

James Joyce | Newly discovered story

Thanks to Georgia Panakia

The Cheshire Cat

“How fine you look when dressed in rage. Your enemies are fortunate your condition is not permanent. You’re lucky, too. Red eyes suit so few.”