Tuesday, October 28, 2014

There's A CAT In My Window

Well, there used to be 
REAL LIVE KITTIES
around here.
AND they sat in my windows.
Yes. They. Did.

Here's the thing of it-
we were DOG people
until we got our first cat.

LOL-Who knew we would like
having a cat?
I had them as a kid but never as an adult
until I was in my 40s.

Today I am reduced to having 
A PICTURE OF A CAT
on the back wall of my kitchen
above a bookcase that holds
all my DREAM books and cookbooks.
It's by Steve Hanks.
Isn't that a perfect Fall picture?
Thing is- I leave it up all year long.
Yes I do!
This picture has lived in FIVE HOUSES with me
and I always find a spot for it.

I am not kidding when I say
I took 50 pictures of this
and, sadly, this is the best I can get.
Flash bounces off the picture
and there is no way to direct light it
without that same bounce.
Daylight was even worse!
So-here is what you get, folks!
Awful-absolutely awful
but you get the idea.

We had to have our last kitty put down
about 4 years ago.
She was sick and there was no fix for her.
Our little MistyCat.
I still miss her.
She looked a lot like the cat in that picture.

Now- DOWNSTAIRS in my 
Laundry Room I have another picture.
I will tell you that I did not know these were
by the same artist until about 2 weeks ago.
duh....mmmeeee
This print has lived in SEVEN HOUSES with me.
Usually in a library area.
Today it acts as a "window" over the
washer and dryer.
One day I really WILL show you 
that room!

SO-No more kitties for us right now.
We hope to be traveling more in the next year
and can't take kitties with us.
AND I don't think it is fair to leave them behind...
and/or alone.

Plus, my daughter and son-in-law are so allergic
that they start sneezing when they hear the word
CAT!
Isn't she cute?
You've heard of the HORSE WHISPERER?
She's the CAT SNEEZER.
Sometimes when she's here
I call,
"Here kitty, kitty, kitty" 
just to see her start hyperventilating!

YEP!
I am THAT Mom!
Aren't YOU glad  that YOU aren't 
related to ME?

Have a wonderful Tuesday.
I will be outside washing windows.
No rest for the wicked!

Edited to add:
I may be a bit scarce today.
I have to pick 3 kids up from school.,
feed them, make sure they do their homework
and  herd take them to dance.
your photo name

52 comments:

J said...

Your pictures are so pretty! Purr-fect solution for a family with allergies!

Susie said...

Diana, I absolutely love those pictures. That is a true artist. I love the reflections in the pictures. Squeeze the girls for me. I miss seeing the cute photos of them. Blessings to all, xoxo,Susie

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Sounds like a busy day for you, Diana! Nice to not have to do it as a matter of routine anymore, being the grandmother. : ) I am allergic to cats, too. My parents have one and when I still lived on Long Island she thought if she kept it on the down low that they had a cat in the house that I wouldn't have an allergic reaction. Cause that's how allergies work. : )

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I always had cats until my last one died a few years ago. I was tired of the litter box so we just have Bailey instead.

Anonymous said...

Oh your kitchen is a dream kitchen. I love it. Nana Di. Looks like pages out of a magazine. House and Garden Magazine. Wow! Love it.

Happy cleaning windows.

Not sure if you know but I was told by a well to do lady who had a cleaning company in to do her windows. They never used anything but Sunlight dish soap in a pail and then rinsed off the windows with vinegar plain water and then third clear water again and vinegar a squeezy and not one streak was left on all windows. (Gleam brightness) . Was she impressed. So she did one window at her awesome beautiful cottage and it worked. Ya no more paper towels or newspaper wipe. Try it. Have a great day and thank you for dropping in to my assorted pictures. Yes that bear was too close to get a good pic. I was scary cat. Ha-ha

Nellie said...

Just a quick good morning to you, Diana! Have a great Tuesday! xo Nellie

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Hello Diana : )
We are cat people although we have had two sweet little dogs during the years ... but really ? the cat side of us is more prominent ... thus Sophie and Emma ... two spoiled girls .. putting two of our past loves to sleep , especially our Molly who traveled to the Netherlands with us from Canada .. she was an extraordinary cat that still lives deep in my heart.
I love these pictures ! ... they are beautiful and so is your sitting room ... love all the calm colours and wonderful touches !
Joy : )

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

I love your cat pictures! I haven't seen any like them before but will be keeping an eye out for one...cats are my favorite....dogs are toooo needy! Hugs, Penny

Sylvia said...

The cat pictures are so cute and purr-fect for your home. I have a cat that has to stay outside, my grands and some of their parents are allergic to his long hair.....poor kitty!

Anonymous said...

beautiful cat photos! You sound very busy today!

living from glory to glory said...

I loved those pictures,and yes, you were drawn to them both because of there same feeling of peace. Really so many people are allergic to cats, but I still have one. I just try to vacuum with our Rainbow vacuum before company comes. I have had this kitty for a long time. She does love sleeping in her bed right in from of the wood stove. Enjoy those kiddos today and thanks for sharing the picture of your picture! LOL
Love Ya, Roxy

Cranberry Morning said...

There are pet allergies in our family too, and yes, she is CUTE! :-) LOVE those cat pictures. I'm trying not to covet them. :-)

Bethany Carson said...

Lovely cat photos!

Bethany Carson said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bethany Carson said...

*paintings

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

Awww, I love those _loved_ pictures...

I have one too. It's been in my kitchen for the near 50 years, we have been here. :-) Other pics may come and go, but this one stays!

Enjoy the "herding"!!!!! ,-))))

Tessa~
"Here there be musing" blog
"Here there be more words" blog
"Here there be whimsey" blog

This N That said...

I love your cat pictures..I love all animals and am allergic to some cats but not all....So. as you know, I have a cat and a dog...I have to have an animal..great company and the dog makes me walk so that's a good thing..Cats are so much easier..Sounds like you'll be busy being a grandma today...Enjoy

White Lace and Promises said...

I'm sure you are a great mother in law. I would love to be able to be that kind of busy-picking up my babies as I'm sure you are too. We didn't like fur babies at all until we got our cat. She's the easiest to care for and truly acts like a dog. She gives us kisses and sits in our lap and lets us stroke her. Yes, Callie Ann is a love. She's been declawed and fixed. That helps.

Jane@Bluebird1959 said...

Really terrific pictures Diana...all those cute cats. We have had cats throughout our 32+ years of married life. We added a dog about eight years ago. Aaaghh! So.much.hair.!!! But they are a part of our family so we just keep vacuuming! Stay safe with the window washing my friend! Jane

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

So love this post Diana and love both of the cat pictures. The photo of the "cat sneezer" is cute too.
xo

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

That picture is so vivid. Love it. My husband is allergic to cats, so we have 4 dogs....LOL You are such a busy bee. xo

Victoria's Vintage Designs said...

I'm allergic too Diana so I've never had one.. Love the pictures! Vicki

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Hanks really does some beautiful paintings! It's been years since we've had a cat, having so many dogs...

Kelly said...

Sounds like you'll be having a busy day today. I like those kitty pictures. I don't blame you for not getting any cats for the reasons you mentioned. That's wise! I grew up with cats too but haven't had any in years.

cathy@my1929charmer said...

I so enjoyed you post, and love the pictures of the cats. I love the cat sneezer! I wish you were my MIL, I didn't luck out in that area! Beautiful pictures....

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

I can see why you love those pictures- they're both great. I'm a cat person and love 'em. I can just imagine you teasing your daughter in-law with the kitty kitty kitty call! :-) I'll have to look up the artist and see if their are pictures available.

Carla from The River said...

I love the pictures.
Good luck today...I have a feeling you are going to have a blast. :-)
Carla

Chatty Crone said...

Love the two pictures - they were beautiful! And I love animals but i am a CAT SNEEZER too! I can barely take Disco with a bunch of clean air machines going! lol

Simply LKJ said...

Love the pictures. We had a cat when our oldest was little, but we ended up giving it to my parents as they had the other one from the litter. Probably a good thing because #2 is highly allergic to them.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Here kitty kitty...LOL I almost choked at that one

Debbie said...

I actually thought the first one was a real cat!! What beautiful pictures. Have fun with the herd this afternoon.
Debbie
xo

Beth said...

Your daughter is beautiful Diana!

I am so grateful that you want to include me in your Sunday prayer blog. God Bless you. Thanbk you. Love, Beth

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

Love, love, love the cat pictures! I've had cats almost continuously since I was four years old. :) I don't blame you for not wanting one now with traveling and everything. My mom is in the same boat. She wants another cat, but they do a lot of traveling, so she's putting it off for now. Anyway, have fun with the kiddos today!

Pura Vida said...

I had an art cat at my art gallery...loved that cat but don't want one at home...for that very reason...pets=hard to travel

LostRoses said...

I thought the first picture was a real cat too! Love them both and a great way to keep kitties around - even when you dont!

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Love your cat pictures - they are great. How fun to have the girls - they are so darn cute and your going to have fun with them, especially SC.
Enjoy your day with them.
M

cynthia lee designs said...

Love the cat pictures. We have 2 dogs and our daughter is living with us and she has 2 cats. It can get real crazy around here when the dogs decide to chase the cats! Have fun with the kids!
~Cindy

Merlesworld said...

I had dogs and cats, dogs when young cats as I got older.
Lovely paintings.
Merle................

SImple and Serene Living said...

I love your pictures. How funny that you didn't realize they were by the same artist. I am extremely allergic to cats, so I have to limit my contact to, well, to none. Except when I visit my daughter. Then I just spend a week clawing at my eyes. Very attractive :)
xo Laura

NanaNor's said...

Hi girlfriend, You are so funny, but I'm thinking you would tease me unmercifully about a cat if I came over-I used to be sooo very allergic and would come down with an asthma attack within a minute or two-seriously. Love the photos, would love them better if they were dogs in the photos. As for me, I will always have a dog; it is a killer when they pass, but a home is not a home without one or two.
Hope you don't drive the kids crazy!!!
Hugs,
Noreen & Hunter

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I love those pictures. Either one of them could be a scene in my house, if my house looked that good. lol! Have fun with the kids!

Stephanie said...

That first painting is gorgeous! And out of the 50 pictures you took I think you shared a beautiful one :)

I am a cat person and at the moment I have a sweet black cat, Ebony, that I adopted from our animal shelter. She is quite the lover and always snuggles on my lap - I LOVE it! When I went to the animal shelter for the first time I "glanced" by her because she was black and I had already had a black cat when I was a teen - I wanted something different (I know, shame on me). Anyway, my son opened her cage and she literally flew into my arms, tucked her head up under my chin, and purred like there was no tomorrow...I was in love :) When I went back about a week later to aopt her she saw me come in the door and started pawing at her cage.

Okey dokey, that was a looong comment :) Hugs to you, friend!

Rick Watson said...

I love cats but unfortunately so so our dogs so we not longer have kitties.

Joy Junktion said...

I do love your cat pictures! I actually thought the first one was real (you know what I mean)! I like cats but I HATE cat boxes so I have chosen to do 1 dog instead!! Sounds like you got to have a fun 'grand' afternoon! Hope you enjoyed! Blessings, Cindy

Kim said...

I have always loved animals...had both dogs and cats. My kitty is 17 years old and only has one eye- that was a $1500 upgrade after a run in with a car. She's a tough old girl and we love her.

Gypsy Heart said...

I'm not a cat person at all but your pictures are really nice! I'm like your daughter, highly allergic. And...don't laugh...I am terrified of them! Long story from childhood that I won't bore you with. If I lived somewhere with lots of land and $$$, I'd most likely adopt as many dogs as was legal. :)
Hope you got the windows washed & the kids herded! LOL

xo
Pat

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Diana, those paintings of the cats look so real. When you snapped it close up I would swear it was a real cat in your real window.Our little kitty, Maggie is 13 years old and really showing her age. She will be our last pet, I THINK! I really hope..Happy Monday..Judy

Tete said...

I love those paintings, but as you know, we have the real McCoy here...in fact several. You are such a bad mom! LOL- I would do the same thing...cuz I am, too!

Jen Kershner said...

We have three! I'm not sure how that happened. My hubby will tell you that we are one over our limit. When we first got married it had two cats and a golden retriever and he was quite allergic but he eventually became immune. I suggest immersion therapy for your daughter.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love those paintings...and yes, they really do look real! We don't have any pets now. But never say never! heehee! Enjoy your day sweet friend! Hugs, Diane

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cat pictures. I love them both. I had 1 cat as a kid and then I was 50 before I started "collecting" cats again! They do give us lots of entertainment!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

The cat pictures are really great - such cozy scenes. Who needs a real cat when you can look at those, right? Funny about not knowing the artist was the same. The things that are right under our noses, huh? I still have 2 cats - both adopted from family members who couldn't keep them and they are always 'gifting' me with unpleasant 'presents'. Sweet Cheeks cracks me up, but what a cool thing to do - look at your food with 3-D glasses! She's a smart girl, that one - takes after her Nana, I think. xo Karen