Goodbyes...

Objects of Desire

When it comes to objects that I would like to own, I tend to get a little obsessed! (See 100% Reality Mind)
My recent obsession was in the feline form of the Maneki Neko- 'beckoning cat'- this is a traditional Japanese symbol of good fortune, and is a statue of cat with one paw raised and usually holding a coin.
The statues come in all shapes and sizes and stand in the windows and doors of Japanese and Chinese businesses, to beckon in customers and attract good luck. There are also ones for luck in love, study and health. I was recently in the local East Asian food shop and saw an impressive gold Maneki Neko, around 3ft- I wanted one! (cue obsession...)

I searched the internet, whenever I was online, but the biggest one I could find was 16 inches, and it was more of a dull gold colour  rather than the smooth gilted shiny gold one that I saw in the shop. However, it was during the search, I came across a more modest sized Maneki Neko on Ebay- a mere 4cm; it was a bronze, vintage incense holder- new obsession mode initiated - I now wanted that one!

For a couple of days I kept checking this item on Ebay; I have never bid on anything before as I always buy it now- so I was getting a bit anxious about the whole bidding thing, reading up on the tips and tricks on successful bidding and the dark art of 'sniping'- where you swoop in on the final seconds of the auction and place the bid.

In the remaining auction time, the bidding price for the Maneki Neko quickly increased; obviously someone else was as determined to own the item, but good fortune smiled (or in this case, waved) and I won the bidding battle- without the wallet being badly injured (just slightly bruised!)

The small object of my desire

PS. I still would like a 3 ft gold Maneki Neko!

Happiness is...

O Kitty Tree! O Kitty Tree!

It may be that season- but the only tree I put up yesterday was the cat activity one that I ordered on Ebay. During assembly I was starting to realise that it was a bit larger than what I had anticipated. A stunning construction (fig 1) of chip board pieces covered in grey fun-fur; it has a cylindrical futurist viewing turret and a retro modernist wedge shaped sleeping box. The whole thing smells a bit like chippy vinegar(?)- I'm hoping this will fade- at least for now it's masking that particular spot where Peaches kept scenting before she was fixed.

I  removed the furry mouse toys that came attached;  they were made from what I assume was rabbit fur (not just grey, but black and white rabbit fur) and I recently had seen some very disturbing images, on the PETA site, of how rabbit fur is obtained,  I also used to have a pet rabbit- so as much as I love my cats, the real fur toys were out and replaced with faux fur ones!

As expected, and in true, typical feline style- the cats were a lot more interested in the large box that it came in! Thankfully they're all using the tree now- only because I took away the box and placed catnip and kitty treats all over the thing!
Needless to say the main 'activity' that the tree is encouraging, is the one that cats are champions at... napping!

 fig.1

Kitteh on Keyboard Solution...

Original photo from here

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At the window...

I've been feeding the birds now and again outside our bedroom window; we did have a couple of small mice visitors eating the seed as well, and more recently there's been a squirrel foraging around. It does provide the cats with live entertainment, watching from the windowsill, though I'm quite sure they would prefer to be outside!

This is a pic of our cat Kimhari, watching a robin...

(Mouse over for a cat's thought!)

Those Crazy Cats and Catnip Bubbles

This video is my cats reaction to catnip bubbles; they do like catnip, but obviously the real stuff, and they weren't impressed with the actual bubbles either-so all in all a waste of £4.28 (inc.P+P)!
Often the case when you buy toys for your cats, they're not that taken with them; but give them a small ball of foil, or a feather on a stick and they go crazy- perhaps there's a lesson to be learned, sometimes it's the simplest of things that are the most pleasurable!

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moar funny pictures

Curiosity...

'Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.'

Cat in the Bag Originally uploaded by Eye Love