We finally return to KITT-FM, where it's all kittens, all the time. And now, broadcasting live from our studios in Purrbank, Cat-ifornia - heeeeeere's your hostess, Mother Catresa!
Hi folks!
It's been way too long, hasn't it? I've been so swamped with planning the annual awards banquet for my Women's Press Club of Pittsburgh, and preparing to be a keynote speaker (very excited!) at a journalism function in Harrisburg next month, that I haven't been blogging for the past two months.
I have much to catch up and fill y'all in on. But for now, here's just a quick blurb: kitten season is on the way! Yes, yes, yes! I'm chomping at the bit! Send 'em over, because Mama C is ready, Freddy.
In fact, I already have a humorous name theme picked out for my first litter of the year. I wrote a story a few weeks ago about a maple syrup festival, and suddenly, I was craving pancakes. Then came the revelation: hey, that would make a great kitten litter name group, wouldn't it?
I've got it all figured out. I'll name the mother cat Mrs. Butterworth, and the kittens will be: Aunt Jemima, Hungry Jack, Bisquick, IHOP, Grand Slam and ... anything else? Ideas welcome.
Oh, I can't wait. Let the furr n' purr festival begin.
Until next time, I remain hungry for breakfast, and,
Mother Catresa
Patron Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten")
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
UC-Pittsburgh, Class of 2009
We now return to KITT-FM, where it's all kittens, all the time. And now, broadcasting live from our studios in Purrbank, Cat-ifornia - heeeeeeere's your hostess, Mother Catresa!
Daaaaaah, dah-dah-dah, daaaaaaaah-dah ...
Is that "Pomp and Circumstance" I hear? Are those tiny caps and catnip-padded gowns I see?
It must be. After all, it's the start of a new year again, and the University of Catsylvania at Pittsburgh has just graduated a new class of 16 student felines who came to Mother Catresa as orphans.
The felines - mostly babies - attended kitten boot camp at Mother Catresa's sanctuary, where the kitties were loved, nurtured, and nursed as they blossomed into future pets for some lucky owners. Except for two current tenants - adults Terry and Teddy - all alumni of the Class of 2009 now are enjoying their forever homes.
Following is a chronological list of kitties who, in 2009, earned their Scratchelor of Science degrees from UC-Pittsburgh:
= I started the spring with Orla and Lenore, two sister kittens whom I had for maybe just a week. Orla is a longhaired cream tortie, and Lenore is a black and white tuxedo.
= Then came Dorianna, a beautiful gray mother, and her newborn gray babies Malcolm and Inara. Watching them nurse warmed my heart. Aaaawwww ...
= Then, along came the girlie slumber party, with the female litter quartet of B/W tuxedoes Blythe and Basia, solid black Babe, and .... Oh, Brita! That beautiful, sweet gray and white baby that I bonded with so deeply. I fell in love with her, and miss her every day. She probably looks like a young lady by now.
= In July, I raised my final Animal Friends litter: black mother Gonzo, and her five newborn babies. I was devastated when the tiny black baby girl, who was named Gardner, died in the nursery when she was only a few days old. She will forever be in my heart, and the honorary 17th graduate of the year. The remaining littermates - gray Fleming, gray and white Gamble, black and white Gershon, and white and black cow-like Fleming - stayed with me through October.
= Last month, I took in Terry and Teddy, two sweet adult males who are orange and brown/black tabby, respectively. I am fostering them for Foster Cat, the Pittsburgh all-volunteer kitty rescue network for which I now work. I will write a posting about this other group soon.
It has been an honor and a joy for Mother Catresa, chancellor of UC-Pittsburgh, to graduate these sweet, adorable, deserving kitties. She looks forward to, hopefully, an even more fruitful 2010, and hopes to save many more precious lives.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Until next time, I remain,
Mother Catresa
Patron Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten")
Daaaaaah, dah-dah-dah, daaaaaaaah-dah ...
Is that "Pomp and Circumstance" I hear? Are those tiny caps and catnip-padded gowns I see?
It must be. After all, it's the start of a new year again, and the University of Catsylvania at Pittsburgh has just graduated a new class of 16 student felines who came to Mother Catresa as orphans.
The felines - mostly babies - attended kitten boot camp at Mother Catresa's sanctuary, where the kitties were loved, nurtured, and nursed as they blossomed into future pets for some lucky owners. Except for two current tenants - adults Terry and Teddy - all alumni of the Class of 2009 now are enjoying their forever homes.
Following is a chronological list of kitties who, in 2009, earned their Scratchelor of Science degrees from UC-Pittsburgh:
= I started the spring with Orla and Lenore, two sister kittens whom I had for maybe just a week. Orla is a longhaired cream tortie, and Lenore is a black and white tuxedo.
= Then came Dorianna, a beautiful gray mother, and her newborn gray babies Malcolm and Inara. Watching them nurse warmed my heart. Aaaawwww ...
= Then, along came the girlie slumber party, with the female litter quartet of B/W tuxedoes Blythe and Basia, solid black Babe, and .... Oh, Brita! That beautiful, sweet gray and white baby that I bonded with so deeply. I fell in love with her, and miss her every day. She probably looks like a young lady by now.
= In July, I raised my final Animal Friends litter: black mother Gonzo, and her five newborn babies. I was devastated when the tiny black baby girl, who was named Gardner, died in the nursery when she was only a few days old. She will forever be in my heart, and the honorary 17th graduate of the year. The remaining littermates - gray Fleming, gray and white Gamble, black and white Gershon, and white and black cow-like Fleming - stayed with me through October.
= Last month, I took in Terry and Teddy, two sweet adult males who are orange and brown/black tabby, respectively. I am fostering them for Foster Cat, the Pittsburgh all-volunteer kitty rescue network for which I now work. I will write a posting about this other group soon.
It has been an honor and a joy for Mother Catresa, chancellor of UC-Pittsburgh, to graduate these sweet, adorable, deserving kitties. She looks forward to, hopefully, an even more fruitful 2010, and hopes to save many more precious lives.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Until next time, I remain,
Mother Catresa
Patron Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten")
Saturday, December 12, 2009
193,573
Dear readers,
That was the final odometer count on my old "Little Red Skittle," before it was finally towed away.
That Nissan 200SX and I spent 193,573 miles over 12 years together, from the prairies and skyscrapers of Dallas/Fort Worth to the cornfields of Illinois, to the hills of Pittsburgh and beyond. Just a few weeks ago, I said my final goodbye. (If you missed that story, regarding my sentimental attachment to the fatally wounded car, look a few posts down for the background.)
I went up to the North Hills Firestone, where the car had been parked since its Labor Day breakdown as I figured out what to do next. I signed over the papers of my Texas title to the regional Goodwill Auto Auction.
And then, completely unconcerned about how weird I might look to the mechanics, I pulled up my new Little Red Skittle - almost the exact same car, only newer and fancier - and parked the two cousins nose to nose. I took a little movie with my camcorder, and narrated the story of my car replacement, and the transition from Skittle One to Skittle Two.
Then, I climbed into the old car, laid my head on the steering wheel I had held for so many hours of my life, closed my misty eyes, and reminisced about all the things this era of my life - and, thus, this car - represented. The cross-country moves. My life as a Texas girl that I thought would never end. My life in graduate school in the Midwest. My life as a Pittsburgh journalist that took me by surprise, and even exceeded my ambitions and dreams. All the exciting media banquets I have presided over as president of the Women's Press Club of Pittsburgh. All the people I have met, known, loved and parted with. All the dates and occasions for which I primped in that rearview mirror. All the American scenery I saw. All the conversations I had within those walls of metal and glass.
The most recent and poignant memory, perhaps, was this: All those Animal Friends foster kittens I had transported in that car, back and forth to that place I called my second home for three years. And, with a heavy heart, I have to share this news: that part of my life, too, is no more.
Not fostering itself: Mother Catresa is passionate about what she does, and will continue her work saving lives. But now, it will be with a different organization. (More on that later, but I already have started with two adult foster cats, Terry and Teddy, and I am excited to give my devotion and work to this great new group.)
As it turned out, my car breakdown symbolically foreshadowed what soon was to come in my life: an unexpected twist for which I was unprepared, and that shook me up. Indeed, almost the exact same thing - doing foster work, only at a different place - soon came, just like my new Skittle car did. I have great hopes for my future, and know I will go on to persevere and thrive once again.
Yet, I loved many of the people I met and befriended at Animal Friends, and I miss them deeply - especially during the Christmas season, when we shared wonderful Yuletide parties. I really feel the absence, and it hurts. To those people - you know who you are - know this: I cherished our time together, miss you, and hope to stay in touch.
And to everyone at Animal Friends, I thank you sincerely for the opportunities you gave me, and the years we spent together as I learned and grew in my new venture as a kitten foster mama. I have wonderful memories, and learned skills, that will stay with me a lifetime.
Mother Catresa is not truly gone: she is with you in spirit, still roaming the halls of Animal Friends. Still cracking jokes and being a goofball. Still beaming at you when she's happy to see you. Still lighting up when her kittens, and all the animals there, find their forever homes. And still writing her blog, which she hopes you'll continue to read and enjoy. Please don't forget me.
May y'all remember me, especially, whenever you smell a gassy kitten. It gets me giggling every time.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, dear readers.
I remain, ever yours,
Mother Catresa
Patron Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten")
That was the final odometer count on my old "Little Red Skittle," before it was finally towed away.
That Nissan 200SX and I spent 193,573 miles over 12 years together, from the prairies and skyscrapers of Dallas/Fort Worth to the cornfields of Illinois, to the hills of Pittsburgh and beyond. Just a few weeks ago, I said my final goodbye. (If you missed that story, regarding my sentimental attachment to the fatally wounded car, look a few posts down for the background.)
I went up to the North Hills Firestone, where the car had been parked since its Labor Day breakdown as I figured out what to do next. I signed over the papers of my Texas title to the regional Goodwill Auto Auction.
And then, completely unconcerned about how weird I might look to the mechanics, I pulled up my new Little Red Skittle - almost the exact same car, only newer and fancier - and parked the two cousins nose to nose. I took a little movie with my camcorder, and narrated the story of my car replacement, and the transition from Skittle One to Skittle Two.
Then, I climbed into the old car, laid my head on the steering wheel I had held for so many hours of my life, closed my misty eyes, and reminisced about all the things this era of my life - and, thus, this car - represented. The cross-country moves. My life as a Texas girl that I thought would never end. My life in graduate school in the Midwest. My life as a Pittsburgh journalist that took me by surprise, and even exceeded my ambitions and dreams. All the exciting media banquets I have presided over as president of the Women's Press Club of Pittsburgh. All the people I have met, known, loved and parted with. All the dates and occasions for which I primped in that rearview mirror. All the American scenery I saw. All the conversations I had within those walls of metal and glass.
The most recent and poignant memory, perhaps, was this: All those Animal Friends foster kittens I had transported in that car, back and forth to that place I called my second home for three years. And, with a heavy heart, I have to share this news: that part of my life, too, is no more.
Not fostering itself: Mother Catresa is passionate about what she does, and will continue her work saving lives. But now, it will be with a different organization. (More on that later, but I already have started with two adult foster cats, Terry and Teddy, and I am excited to give my devotion and work to this great new group.)
As it turned out, my car breakdown symbolically foreshadowed what soon was to come in my life: an unexpected twist for which I was unprepared, and that shook me up. Indeed, almost the exact same thing - doing foster work, only at a different place - soon came, just like my new Skittle car did. I have great hopes for my future, and know I will go on to persevere and thrive once again.
Yet, I loved many of the people I met and befriended at Animal Friends, and I miss them deeply - especially during the Christmas season, when we shared wonderful Yuletide parties. I really feel the absence, and it hurts. To those people - you know who you are - know this: I cherished our time together, miss you, and hope to stay in touch.
And to everyone at Animal Friends, I thank you sincerely for the opportunities you gave me, and the years we spent together as I learned and grew in my new venture as a kitten foster mama. I have wonderful memories, and learned skills, that will stay with me a lifetime.
Mother Catresa is not truly gone: she is with you in spirit, still roaming the halls of Animal Friends. Still cracking jokes and being a goofball. Still beaming at you when she's happy to see you. Still lighting up when her kittens, and all the animals there, find their forever homes. And still writing her blog, which she hopes you'll continue to read and enjoy. Please don't forget me.
May y'all remember me, especially, whenever you smell a gassy kitten. It gets me giggling every time.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, dear readers.
I remain, ever yours,
Mother Catresa
Patron Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten")
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Mother Catresa Goes Trick-or-Treating
We now return to KITT-FM, where it's all kittens, all the time. And now, broadcasting live from our studios in Purrbank, Cat-ifornia - heeeeeere's your hostess, Mother Catresa!
Hi folks!
So, what makes a true friend after all?
Many would cite these characteristics: Loyalty. Trustworthiness. Reliability. Honesty. Integrity.
I love - in fact, require - these characteristics in close friends. But do you want to know what really makes someone stand out as a keeper?
Someone who dresses up as me for Halloween.
Yes, you read that right. Aw, ain't that a sweet hoot and a half?
You see, my friend from graduate school - Cousin Catnip from the Cornfields, who is the subject of a self-titled blog post a few entries back - decided to honor Mother Catresa for her work rescuing homeless kittens. Catnip - otherwise known as Jaime Ingle, from Illinois - created a Mother Catresa nun costume for All Hallow's Eve by adorning the habit with cat ears, and painting black whiskers and a nose on her face. Check out these pictures. (Note: this is the first time the technologically challenged Mama C actually uploaded photos onto her blog!)
When people naturally asked Jaime what the heck she was supposed to be, Catnip told her friends the story of me - her friend in Pittsburgh who has a passion for rescuing homeless kittens, and giving them all the love they can stand. Now, Mother Catresa has a fan base in the Midwest.
Hey, Jaime? I'm very flattered, amused and tickled pink. I have to say, I also am quite relieved that the Kellie costume didn't involve some scary, gory mask.
Thanks for your support and fandom, sweetheart. They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery.
With love from,
Mother Catresa
Patron Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten")
Hi folks!
So, what makes a true friend after all?
Many would cite these characteristics: Loyalty. Trustworthiness. Reliability. Honesty. Integrity.
I love - in fact, require - these characteristics in close friends. But do you want to know what really makes someone stand out as a keeper?
Someone who dresses up as me for Halloween.
Yes, you read that right. Aw, ain't that a sweet hoot and a half?
You see, my friend from graduate school - Cousin Catnip from the Cornfields, who is the subject of a self-titled blog post a few entries back - decided to honor Mother Catresa for her work rescuing homeless kittens. Catnip - otherwise known as Jaime Ingle, from Illinois - created a Mother Catresa nun costume for All Hallow's Eve by adorning the habit with cat ears, and painting black whiskers and a nose on her face. Check out these pictures. (Note: this is the first time the technologically challenged Mama C actually uploaded photos onto her blog!)
When people naturally asked Jaime what the heck she was supposed to be, Catnip told her friends the story of me - her friend in Pittsburgh who has a passion for rescuing homeless kittens, and giving them all the love they can stand. Now, Mother Catresa has a fan base in the Midwest.
Hey, Jaime? I'm very flattered, amused and tickled pink. I have to say, I also am quite relieved that the Kellie costume didn't involve some scary, gory mask.
Thanks for your support and fandom, sweetheart. They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery.
With love from,
Mother Catresa
Patron Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten")
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Cats and Dogs and ... Hamsters? Oh, My!
We now return to KITT-FM, where it's all kittens, all the time. And now, broadcasting live from our studios in Purrbank, Cat-ifornia - heeeeeeere's your hostess, Mother Catresa!
Hi folks!
I am crazy busy this week, but I just couldn't resist this quickie sound bite about an odd but delightful new development at Animal Friends. Apparently, a recent humane rescue involving an irresponsible snake owner wielded several homeless hamsters. The kindhearted humane agents rescued the hamsters, at least a dozen of them, and brought them in to Animal Friends, where they await adoption in individual cages.
Normally, the shelter adopts out cats, dogs and rabbits. But now, many adopters are surprising themselves by instead leaving with tiny, furry hamsters burrowing under sawdust. Shelter workers gave many of the rodents ham-themed names, like Hampshire, Ham Salad, and the like. Clever!
Now, as for me, I would love to take home a cute little hamster. That is one pet that I never had, even with a lifelong Noah's Ark-type lineup that included cats, dogs, parakeets, a rabbit, a hermit crab and even an Arabian horse. My high school friend, Lori Friedman, once jokingly called my childhood house "Animal Kingdom!" Surely, it's tempting to adopt a pocket pet and bring it home.
Yet, something tells Mother Catresa that - in a household of four cats, plus any number of baby, razor-toothed carnivores at a given time - a rodent is not the wisest choice of pets. Even if I could keep the hamster in a safe, high place, the poor thing probably would have a heart attack just peering down at the circling feline predators down below who view it, literally, as a ham salad.
Yes, indeed. A hamster is tempting. But for Mother Catresa, wouldn't having a pet hamster be like Charlton Heston of the NRA owning a pet deer?
Until next time, I remain,
Mother Catresa
Patron Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten"0
Hi folks!
I am crazy busy this week, but I just couldn't resist this quickie sound bite about an odd but delightful new development at Animal Friends. Apparently, a recent humane rescue involving an irresponsible snake owner wielded several homeless hamsters. The kindhearted humane agents rescued the hamsters, at least a dozen of them, and brought them in to Animal Friends, where they await adoption in individual cages.
Normally, the shelter adopts out cats, dogs and rabbits. But now, many adopters are surprising themselves by instead leaving with tiny, furry hamsters burrowing under sawdust. Shelter workers gave many of the rodents ham-themed names, like Hampshire, Ham Salad, and the like. Clever!
Now, as for me, I would love to take home a cute little hamster. That is one pet that I never had, even with a lifelong Noah's Ark-type lineup that included cats, dogs, parakeets, a rabbit, a hermit crab and even an Arabian horse. My high school friend, Lori Friedman, once jokingly called my childhood house "Animal Kingdom!" Surely, it's tempting to adopt a pocket pet and bring it home.
Yet, something tells Mother Catresa that - in a household of four cats, plus any number of baby, razor-toothed carnivores at a given time - a rodent is not the wisest choice of pets. Even if I could keep the hamster in a safe, high place, the poor thing probably would have a heart attack just peering down at the circling feline predators down below who view it, literally, as a ham salad.
Yes, indeed. A hamster is tempting. But for Mother Catresa, wouldn't having a pet hamster be like Charlton Heston of the NRA owning a pet deer?
Until next time, I remain,
Mother Catresa
Patron Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten"0
Monday, September 28, 2009
High Mileage Cars, High Mileage Cats
We now return to KITT-FM, where it's all kittens, all the time. And now, broadcasting live from our studios in Purrbank, Cat-ifornia - heeeeeeere's your hostess, Mother Catresa!
Hi folks!
Until Labor Day, I had two major, in-person fixtures in my everyday life that tied me to my Texas roots and have shared multiple phases of my life with me: Rum Tum Tugger, my 13-year-old orange tabby, and my well-loved, fire engine red, 1997 Nissan 200SX. Now, I'm down to just Rum Tum - and, old buddy, you'd better stick with me for a long, long, time to come!
A few weeks ago, my adorable, sleek, girlie-girl-foxy-Texas-woman's-Sun Belt type-of-car that I got brand-new after college graduation - a car I called my Little Red Skittle - had a breakdown that turned out to be fatal. While I have no attachment to metal, rubber and upholstery, per se, I tend to get very attached to things like cars, apartments, houses, and even grocery stores. They are a part of my routine - and, therefore, they are a part of me. And I don't let go easily.
Parts of my everyday life, even the inanimate ones, become a comfort to me. I have sat in every apartment I have left, crying and reminiscing before, finally, I walk away and close that door one last time - usually, after re-opening the doors several times for one more peek. Some of my friends think it's silly - and, in a way, it is - but I know many people nonetheless can relate to such impractical sentimentality.
My car and I spent 193,000 glorious miles together through multiple life phases and cross-country moves. I drove it for numerous road trips under the blazing Texas sun, punctuated by a year in Illinois for graduate school. I remember, after I arrived up north and winter rolled in, I beheld about the darndest thing my Southwestern driver's eyes had ever seen: my Little Red Skittle, covered with a half foot of snow!
And then, a few years later, I and my mechanical bud - with Rum Tum and Buster, my late gray and black tabby, packed up cozily in the back seat - embarked on the biggest and longest-lasting adventure so far: my move up to Pittsburgh from Dallas. And Skittle has been with me ever since: in fact, as of the week of Halloween, I will have been here seven years. Yes, seven.
Now, wouldn't you know it, the Good Lord knew what was coming, and already had the perfect replacement car lined up for me. Guess what I bought a week ago? Another Little Red Skittle! Yep, it's my old car's kissing cousin, only a year newer, 60,000 fewer miles, and an upgraded SE model with more options and a fancier interior. Can you dig it?
I love my 1998 Nissan 200SX-SE. It feels like home. And so does Rum Tum, who remains the only living part of my past that is with me every day.
Oh, will I grieve hard when it's time for him to go, but - God? - may that be a long, long ways away. He gets frequent oil changes - er, vet visits - and top-notch, 93-octane gas - er, nutritious food.
Now, this reminds me: although I want to see all my kittens get homes, if you're looking for a feline, please remember that high-mileage cats like Rum Tum still run great. And the adults, especially older ones, are the kitties who need homes the most. This weekend, Animal Friends had an "Oldies but Goodies" event, where we promoted our older animals while '50s music played in the background. It was a precious idea.
Everyone seems to want a kitten, but please don't forget to consider pre-owned cats. Often, like cars, they have very low mileage, and lost their homes at a young age because of an owner's move. Sometimes, people "trade in" their cats for a boyfriend, or even a newer model that matches the furniture better. But these cats still have many years left in them, full of love to give to a special someone. Depreciation of value is nonexistent in the pet world.
So, please visit your local animal dealer - um, shelter - today. Whether you adopt a baby or an adult, we guarantee a manufacturer's rebate of love and affection.
Until next time, this Skittle lover remains,
Mother Catresa
Patrons Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten")
Hi folks!
Until Labor Day, I had two major, in-person fixtures in my everyday life that tied me to my Texas roots and have shared multiple phases of my life with me: Rum Tum Tugger, my 13-year-old orange tabby, and my well-loved, fire engine red, 1997 Nissan 200SX. Now, I'm down to just Rum Tum - and, old buddy, you'd better stick with me for a long, long, time to come!
A few weeks ago, my adorable, sleek, girlie-girl-foxy-Texas-woman's-Sun Belt type-of-car that I got brand-new after college graduation - a car I called my Little Red Skittle - had a breakdown that turned out to be fatal. While I have no attachment to metal, rubber and upholstery, per se, I tend to get very attached to things like cars, apartments, houses, and even grocery stores. They are a part of my routine - and, therefore, they are a part of me. And I don't let go easily.
Parts of my everyday life, even the inanimate ones, become a comfort to me. I have sat in every apartment I have left, crying and reminiscing before, finally, I walk away and close that door one last time - usually, after re-opening the doors several times for one more peek. Some of my friends think it's silly - and, in a way, it is - but I know many people nonetheless can relate to such impractical sentimentality.
My car and I spent 193,000 glorious miles together through multiple life phases and cross-country moves. I drove it for numerous road trips under the blazing Texas sun, punctuated by a year in Illinois for graduate school. I remember, after I arrived up north and winter rolled in, I beheld about the darndest thing my Southwestern driver's eyes had ever seen: my Little Red Skittle, covered with a half foot of snow!
And then, a few years later, I and my mechanical bud - with Rum Tum and Buster, my late gray and black tabby, packed up cozily in the back seat - embarked on the biggest and longest-lasting adventure so far: my move up to Pittsburgh from Dallas. And Skittle has been with me ever since: in fact, as of the week of Halloween, I will have been here seven years. Yes, seven.
Now, wouldn't you know it, the Good Lord knew what was coming, and already had the perfect replacement car lined up for me. Guess what I bought a week ago? Another Little Red Skittle! Yep, it's my old car's kissing cousin, only a year newer, 60,000 fewer miles, and an upgraded SE model with more options and a fancier interior. Can you dig it?
I love my 1998 Nissan 200SX-SE. It feels like home. And so does Rum Tum, who remains the only living part of my past that is with me every day.
Oh, will I grieve hard when it's time for him to go, but - God? - may that be a long, long ways away. He gets frequent oil changes - er, vet visits - and top-notch, 93-octane gas - er, nutritious food.
Now, this reminds me: although I want to see all my kittens get homes, if you're looking for a feline, please remember that high-mileage cats like Rum Tum still run great. And the adults, especially older ones, are the kitties who need homes the most. This weekend, Animal Friends had an "Oldies but Goodies" event, where we promoted our older animals while '50s music played in the background. It was a precious idea.
Everyone seems to want a kitten, but please don't forget to consider pre-owned cats. Often, like cars, they have very low mileage, and lost their homes at a young age because of an owner's move. Sometimes, people "trade in" their cats for a boyfriend, or even a newer model that matches the furniture better. But these cats still have many years left in them, full of love to give to a special someone. Depreciation of value is nonexistent in the pet world.
So, please visit your local animal dealer - um, shelter - today. Whether you adopt a baby or an adult, we guarantee a manufacturer's rebate of love and affection.
Until next time, this Skittle lover remains,
Mother Catresa
Patrons Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten")
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
"Won't You Be My Littermate - er, Friend?"
We now return to KITT-FM, where it's all kittens, all the time. And now, broadcasting live from our studios in Purrbank, Cat-ifornia - heeeeere's your hostess, Mother Catresa!
Hi folks!
Alright, I finally did it. This technology-resistant fuddy duddy caved in to the pressure from family and friends and joined Facebook. (Hey, folks? You can lay off now.) :)
Ever since this Web site exploded during the past year, I've been resisting it, and wary of being sucked in to this phenomenon. I frankly thought it was juvenile, and really, it is. Doesn't it sound kind of junior high-ish to have a public listing saying, "Lookie here - these are my friends! So-and-so wants to be my friend! She's my friend, but not your friend! I have more friends than you - neener, neener, neener!"
And surely, Facebook redefines the word "friend." Really, how many people have hundreds or even thousands of friends? Casual acquaintances, maybe, but friends? Get real. I've also noted how Facebook seems to be a colossal time sucker.
"It's addicting," friends tell me. "I can spend hours on it."
Oh, no, I think. I've had real addictions, the deadly kind. So maybe Facebook won't knock off my brain cells, but still ...
Well, nonetheless, I realized that Facebook, if anything, is a great way to promote Mother Catresa's Chronicle, so I took the plunge this weekend. I hope it will make KITT-FM's fan base explode. Wouldn't you know it; I already have numerous friends. And yes, I'm spending way more time on it than I should.
So, I have a favor to ask - um, will you be my friend? Please? Pretty please? I'm kind of a loser, you know, and I need friends. C'mon, it will make your Facebook profile look more impressive if you beef up your friend list. Please send me a friend request, and approve mine if I sent you one.
Actually, I think there really is at least one other Kellie Gormly on Facebook. I'm the one with the blank picture square from Pittsburgh - unless, I have a double who joined in the past few days. Otherwise, that's me.
I plan to put a picture of a kitten up there as soon as I figure out how. Until I drop a few pounds, my public image will remain a furry one.
Meanwhile, I'm loving on Gonzo and her four babies, who are dividing their time between nursing and eating real food. Gonzo is such a good mom: she's letting these 6-week-old kittens indulge in her teats longer than they need to. But I'm sure she'll soon reach the point where she says, "Uh, uh, junior. Time to cut it."
Until next time, I remain,
Mother Catresa
Patron Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten")
Hi folks!
Alright, I finally did it. This technology-resistant fuddy duddy caved in to the pressure from family and friends and joined Facebook. (Hey, folks? You can lay off now.) :)
Ever since this Web site exploded during the past year, I've been resisting it, and wary of being sucked in to this phenomenon. I frankly thought it was juvenile, and really, it is. Doesn't it sound kind of junior high-ish to have a public listing saying, "Lookie here - these are my friends! So-and-so wants to be my friend! She's my friend, but not your friend! I have more friends than you - neener, neener, neener!"
And surely, Facebook redefines the word "friend." Really, how many people have hundreds or even thousands of friends? Casual acquaintances, maybe, but friends? Get real. I've also noted how Facebook seems to be a colossal time sucker.
"It's addicting," friends tell me. "I can spend hours on it."
Oh, no, I think. I've had real addictions, the deadly kind. So maybe Facebook won't knock off my brain cells, but still ...
Well, nonetheless, I realized that Facebook, if anything, is a great way to promote Mother Catresa's Chronicle, so I took the plunge this weekend. I hope it will make KITT-FM's fan base explode. Wouldn't you know it; I already have numerous friends. And yes, I'm spending way more time on it than I should.
So, I have a favor to ask - um, will you be my friend? Please? Pretty please? I'm kind of a loser, you know, and I need friends. C'mon, it will make your Facebook profile look more impressive if you beef up your friend list. Please send me a friend request, and approve mine if I sent you one.
Actually, I think there really is at least one other Kellie Gormly on Facebook. I'm the one with the blank picture square from Pittsburgh - unless, I have a double who joined in the past few days. Otherwise, that's me.
I plan to put a picture of a kitten up there as soon as I figure out how. Until I drop a few pounds, my public image will remain a furry one.
Meanwhile, I'm loving on Gonzo and her four babies, who are dividing their time between nursing and eating real food. Gonzo is such a good mom: she's letting these 6-week-old kittens indulge in her teats longer than they need to. But I'm sure she'll soon reach the point where she says, "Uh, uh, junior. Time to cut it."
Until next time, I remain,
Mother Catresa
Patron Saint of Homeless Felines
(and the "smitten kitten")
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