Father's Day

Father's day is just around the corner! Even if my own beloved Dad passed away 16 years ago, I still find myself daydreaming about getting him that perfect gift to put a smile on his face. I do this year after year! My pick now is Anthony Logistics for Men from SkinCareRx:

Anthony Logistics Skin Care For Men It's only natural to want skin and shaving products that are easy to use, highly effective, and comfortable on your skin. That's why Anthony Logistics products treat every issue a man has with skin care, ranging from fine lines and wrinkles and dryness to acne breakouts and razor burn. Background Anthony created Anthony Logistics For Men out of a need for skin and shaving care products that are targeted towards a man's specific needs while being multi-tasking and easy to use. Science Natural, hypoallergenic formulas are the basis of Anthony Logistics skin care. Vitamin-rich serums, like the Vitamin A Treatment, fight aging and sun damage, soothing botanical extracts, like Aloe, calm and comfort, and Alpha Hydroxy Acids, like Glycolic Acid, resurface the skin for a smooth finish. Solutions It's obvious that most men hate using sunscreens. That's why Anthony Logistics sun care products are lightweight, non-greasy, and quick and easy to apply. The Sun Spray SPF 15 mists on sun protection as well as nourishing vitamins and soothing extracts.

If you don't help him take better care of his skin, who will? :) Click on the link to find out more.
Spend $30 Site Wide and receive a free Anthony Logistics Deluxe Shave Set!

outside the box

Ever get one of those days when your beloved kitty does his business outside the litter box? I've only experienced a handful (of such days ;p) and don't really mind. All it takes is a sprinkling of some clay kitty litter or baking soda over the mess. After a few minutes, it can easily be scooped up with a plastic bag or the litter shovel. No sweat, right? Dog owners, on the other hand, deal with this sort of thing every single day.
I'm not giving up on the idea of being a dog owner someday despite the feline monarchy (anarchy, really) situation in my home right now. So in the hopes of future morning walks with a pup of my own, I've bookmarked this site, www.poopoobags.com, based in Zurich, that offers the cutest biodegradable poopoo bags!
P.S. I so adore that chocolate lab puppy! Isn't he the sweetest?

spring cleaning cats...not!

Spring cleaning...CHECK! Hooray! Done with that "mother of all chores"!
I've decided to ease up on the harsh chemical cleansers this time and opted for a gentler, similarly effective and cat-safer way to disinfect my home.
So I grabbed a soft rag, filled my spray bottle with a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water (plus a squeeze of lemon) and used that for the floors, glass tops, mirrors, door knobs, bathroom, kitchen...just about everything! Baking soda is the perfect scouring powder, by the way. It gets rid of the grime without leaving any scratch marks.
Thank goodness, I survived spring cleaning! And I did it with zero help from the kitties, of course, who had better things to do, like:
1. Pretending to help with the vacuuming, when really more interested in napping by the picture window.

2. Sniffing terrified basil flowers and quenching inexplicable thirst with vase water.

3. Appropriating all storage to one's self; leaving scratch marks all over to reiterate ownership.

4. Nefariously stalking oblivious Calicos just for the fun of it.

5. Feeding an insatiable appetite, unknowingly positioned precariously for Ragamese attack.

6. Running for cover in The Closet , even if it means messing up the perfectly folded clothes! (Watch out, Little L! CC is already in there!)

save the sumatran tigers

Quoted from the care2 petition site:

Protect Tigers and Humans, Stop Illegal Logging in Sumatra
Target: Didy Wurjanto, head of Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (Nature Conservancy Agency)
Sponsored by: Care2

In less than a month, six people were killed from tiger attacks in Sumatra, Indonesia. And three tigers were killed by civilians in this same area. This is a clear example of the deadly consequences of interfering in the habitat of wild animals.
Illegal loggers are encroaching on tiger habitat, and it is creating a dire situation for these endangered creatures. Palm oil and pulpwood plantations are clearing millions of hectares of valuable forests. Nearly 50 percent of forests have been lost in Sumatra in the past 22 years.
Fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers remain in the wild, and we must do everything we can to protect these animals and the forests they call home. They're already under attack from global warming.
Please tell the head of the official nature conservancy agency in the area to do everything possible to stop illegal logging and protect tiger populations

Add your signature to the petition here.

cat age calculator

CC just turned 11 on the 29th of March! Way to go, CC! A quick check using this cat age calculator from meow-kitty.com tells me that she's actually 60 in people years! A true senior kittyzen! (=*;*=)

Want to know how old your little one is in human terms? Simply slide the marker along the scale until you hit your cat's age. The equivalent age in human years will be calculated instantly.


So far, CC is in the pink of health...figuratively (no apparent illnesses) and literally (she's got the pinkest paws and nose). My birthday wish for her is that she remain happy and healthy always.

We love you, dear CC!

a cat in spring

Hello everyone! Stop and smell the sakura blossoms...
Springtime is here at last!

"Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves is heard in our land."
(Song of Solomon 2:12 NIV)

treasures from around the world

I always keep an eye out for online shops that sell unique, handmade items. If you've been searching for that special and meaningful gift for someone (yourself included), check out Novica.com.

In association with National Geographic, Novica.com gives you access to beautiful, museum-quality, hand-spun home decor, jewelry, apparel, paintings and other treasures by artisans from the Andes, Brazil, Bali, Java, India, Mexico, Thailand, West Africa and the US.

Get inspired by reading about the artists. You'll know more about the face behind each work of art in a mini-bio featuring the artist's photo and story.

Clockwise from top, left: Rose Mist Silk Blouse from India, Hummingbird Tapestry from the Andes, Lotus Angel Gold Vermeil Garnet Earrings from Brazil, Watch Cat Bronze Doorknocker from Bali and Java, Guardian of the Cats Bronze Sculpture from Brazil, and Bambara Antelope Wooden Stuatuettes from West Africa. All photos from Novica.com

finding encouragement

Who has not been affected, one way or the other, by the state of our world's economy? Being the worrier that I am, I often find myself weeping every single day for family, friends and even strangers.

There's no doubt we need the basics---food, shelter, clothing. And now, here we are---on the verge of hunger and homelessness; stripped of everything, including our dignity.

But I am hopeful that something beautiful will emerge out of all this darkness. A new me and a new you.

Definitely more prayerful, more grounded, more mature.

As we find ourselves at the heart of a crisis, let us never forget that we have hope in God! An eternal kind of hope that transcends all our worldly problems.

Pray for those around you. Run to God for comfort. He has been waiting for you.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 )

kitty in the house plan

Read this blog about a house in Japan that's truly built with cats in mind. The clever features in this kitty funhouse have been seamlessly incorporated into the overall plan. Lots of great ideas here! Ramps, beams, perches, nooks, litter cubicles...I can totally see my cats (and me) living here!

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Cat Utopia, on the other hand, is a unique cat-only hotel in Canada that offers luxury accommodations for cats, including a plush bed, a window with a view, a fireplace, a virtual aquarium, and bird-feeders for entertainment. Checking in on your cat is possible through web cam viewing.

hey, you! there's a worm in my salad

Like many of you, I have always been a bonafide fan of pre-washed mixed greens. They make eating healthy quick and easy as pie. Toss in some tofu, a little bit of cottage cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil and you're good to go.

My loyalty to the triple-washed, pesticide- and preservative-free, never-packed-by-hand, manna from the vacuum cooler may have taken a turn for the worse the day I discovered a lifeless, big, fat (potentially juicy) worm in my salad. You must know that by this time, I had already had a few mouthfuls of my meal before being horror-stricken by the "uncovering" (It was buried under a lettuce leaf). That encounter sent me retching and doubting whether I could ever eat leafy green vegetables in peace again.


Sigh! What's a gal like me to do? I can't sustain this avoidance forever. But one thing's for sure---having worms in salads is just way too organic for me!

wheatgrass goes to the cats

It's been a month since I took home some potted wheatgrass for my cats. Here are a handful of interesting observations I've made:

1. It really helps to clear their system of hairballs.

2. While it aids their bowel movement, too much of it does cause diarrhea and vomiting.

One particular cat overindulged by wolfing down a mouthful the very first day it was introduced. In less than an hour he had soft stools and an episode of vomiting. All this was completely reversed, of course, when I denied him noshing privileges for a day. He quickly learned his lesson and now takes only a few nibbles of it at a time.

3. Out of habit, some cats continued to graze on the ornamental plants, although less so than before. The best solution would be to make your household plants (which may be toxic anyway) inaccessible to the cats. Over time, they will become accustomed to having just wheatgrass whenever they get the urge to eat fresh vegetation.

I encourage you to try growing a wheatgrass garden just for your cat. It is easy to care for and thrives successfully indoors. The chlorophyll content is believed to be effective in improving the blood stream, strengthening the immune system, and detoxifying the liver and colon. So, not only is wheatgrass generally safe, it is potentially beneficial to animals as well.

three cats and champagne

Happy 2009 everyone!

two cats, daisies and holly

Meow-y Christmas!

get well soon, cc

Last night, our delicate little CC got attacked by 3 other village cats. Good thing her Dad was there at the right moment to rescue her. She sustained a couple of gashes just under the chin, as well as a limp in her right hindleg. As she was being carried back indoors, she was in shock, whimpering ever so softly, as if to say thank you for saving me.

Poor CC is still a bit shell-shocked from the whole ordeal, confining herself to her lair under the bed and managing only a few laps of water every now and then. Not even a bowl of her favorite milk can entice her to come out of hiding.

I know she'll recover beautifully because she's a healthy cat and a lot of people have been praying for her.

Get well soon, CC.

We love you.

smiling moon

The Universe never ceases to amaze us! Last night, Venus, Jupiter and the crescent moon were juxtaposed in a Smiling Moon conformation, an astronomic phenomenon so rare and breathtaking it succeeded in sending a timely message of hope and promise all across the globe.

green cards

I'd like to share with you a really simple way to make a difference in this world. Ready?  All you have to do is sign up to send free holiday eCards through Care2.com. It's that simple!  Whenever you send a free eCard to your loved-ones, Care2.com will make a free donation in your honor to support a great cause like saving the rainforest or protecting endangered species.  

Go on! Get your free christmas cards here!

tugging on my heartstrings

A few months back, I met Faegan---an 18 year-old homeless tom who had to beg in the streets of San Francisco with his human just to be able to afford some cat food.   I wonder how they're doing these days.  

If I could, I would go out and adopt all the homeless cats in the world!  CC herself was rescued from the streets one cold and rainy night by a friend.  I believe that anyone who's planning on keeping a pet should really consider adoption.  I guarantee that it will bring you unspeakable joy, and even luck, according to some cultures.  

There's a multitude of cat adoption sites out there sponsored by pet supply superstores, pet food manufacturers, your local animal welfare society, and some volunteer groups.  Check out the homeless cat network and be sure to visit Peter's blog.  

delightful mystery novels for cat-fanciers

Nothing beats reading a good book on a rainy evening with a cat or more around you. CC and company absolutely look forward to these nights when I'd read out loud to them. Their author of choice is Lilian Jackson Braun, The Lady Who...wrote "The Cat Who..." series of mystery novels.

If you're a cat lover, you'll surely relate to the charming antics of Koko and Yum Yum, a pair of Siamese who have their human, Jim Qwilleran, a well-respected, middle-aged journalist and local town luminary, wrapped around their little fingers, I mean, paws.

I got hooked soon after I read my first TCW---"The Cat Who Could Read Backwards." Then through the years my collection of books grew and I still couldn't get enough of LJB's spirited, breezy style of writing. I definitely have a lot of books still missing from my collection!

Interested in starting your own collection? Check out Borders or Barnes & Noble.

Word is her 30th TCW, "The Cat Who Smelled Smoke," will be out in 2009. You know who will be raiding the bookstores!

The Cat Who...
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (1966) The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern (1967) The Cat Who Turned on and Off (1968) The Cat Who Saw Red (1986) The Cat Who Played Brahms (1987) The Cat Who Played Post Office (1987) The Cat Who Sniffed Glue (1988) The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare (1988) The Cat Who Went Underground (1989) The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts (1990) The Cat Who Lived High (1990) The Cat Who Knew A Cardinal (1991) The Cat Who Moved A Mountain (1992) The Cat Who Wasn't There (1992) The Cat Who Went Into the Closet (1993) The Cat Who Came to Breakfast (1994) The Cat Who Blew the Whistle (1995) The Cat Who Said Cheese (1996) The Cat Who Tailed A Thief (1997) The Cat Who Sang for the Birds (1998) The Cat Who Saw Stars (1999) The Cat Who Robbed A Bank (2000) The Cat Who Smelled A Rat (2001) The Cat Who Went Up The Creek (2002) The Cat Who Brought Down The House (2003) The Cat Who Talked Turkey (2004) The Cat Who Went Bananas (2004) The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell (2006) The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers (2007) The Cat Who Smelled Smoke (2009)

Other books by Lilian Jackson Braun
The Cat Who Had 14 Tales (1988) The Cat Who Put Four in a Box (1999) The Private Life of the Cat Who...: Tales of Koko and Yum Yum from theJournals of James MacKintosh Qwilleran (2003) Two Cats, Three Tales (2006) Short & Tall Tales: Moose County LegendsCollected by James Mackintosh Qwilleran (2002) Mystery Cats (1989) More Mystery Cats (1993) Mystery Cats III: More Feline Felonies (1995)

one-woman candy factory

This Halloween I decided to shake things up a bit from last year's typical store-bought goody bags for the trick-or-treaters. Without being fully aware of what came over me, I found myself making an entire batch of polvoron---no-bake sweets made of toasted flour, powdered milk, sugar (the enemy!) and butter, plus, rice flakes or nuts.

I slaved away all morning while CC was taking her nth cat nap for the day. She's 10 now (56 in human years) and can't help it so I didn't mind. I ended up making about 10 dozen candies, all gone by the time the last of the ghouls and witches had left.

Ready to call it a day, I was beginning to think CC didn't care about this one-woman candy factory. Just then, she gave me a little "treat"---the ultimate in feline expressions of love (or possession?)---a pin dance (kittenly kneading) on my belly!

In retrospect, I probably just smelled like milk...

trick or treat?

Guess what CC discovered in her inbox today...a Halloween postcard from her adorable little buddy Baci! Baci is a male Ragamese (part Ragdoll, part Siamese). CC is certain he's part Banshee too, owing to his nightly spine-chilling, ear-piercing yowls. His humans don't mind at all; or at least they have been trained not to. He has them completely under the spell of his deep blue googly eyes, of course!