The Van Dyke

CatDad's favorite thing about how Lulu looks is what he calls his Van Dyke.

This is the little bit of white fur which surrounds his face on the bottom of his face.

It is like a goatee. It is like a mustache which goes around their cheek and meets their beard.

This is a very boy thing and CatMom does not get it fully. CatDad is trying to explain it.

Okay, so CatDad and Lulu have something special. That's okay. CatMom and Maggie had many little special things going. It's all very boy culture.

Netflix With Lulu

In this home, Lulu likes to watch movies with his CatDad. Together, Lulu and CatDad would open the DVD tray, and put in the movie. Lulu is never not there when CatDad does this.

So, now we do Netflix. We know now then that Netflix does not need a DVD tray opened and closed, right? However, to meet Lulu's needs of a movie, we still open the DVD tray and close it with him, so that his expectations of a movie can be fulfilled.

After that, he settles in beside CatDad's leg for the couple hour stint.

That's it. Netflix can come, but the old habits stay. Kittens must also be pleased.

Those Little Ant Scouts Make 3-D Maps

Yes, we are not the only smart creatures in the world using GPS technology.

The little ants coming in our home are making a map.

They prospect three dimensional territories, including floor square footage and vertical wall distances.

They are calculating various distances to food sources. They are calculating routes and most fruitful destination points.

Those ant scouts are doing some pretty serious work.

CatMom's favorite are the little junior ants who still have lighter brown thin bodies. They are not full grown. They are the same ant variety. There are not two types. They are just in school. Their ant parents are teaching them how to scout.

I just walked by one at the door. He is sitting there planning his next destination and route in.

CatMom left him. Later on, once he has gathered his intel, she will give him his lift out.

The PPP: Cat and Pet Parent Stories Vol 1 and 2 Release

Yes, here is the Pretentious Pet Parent: Cat and Pet Parent Stories Vol 1 and 2  Release.

Here is the product page for Volume 1: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4PZPQ6

Here is it's product page for Volume 2: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E3O52J8

The Vol 1 has also been released last night at about 11:45 PM, and it is currently being cycled through a review process. It is done though. When it goes live, I will post the product page.

These are the Kindle versions. Print versions are also coming.

You may see the up to date list of books on Donna's Catalog page on this blog.

Audience Assessment

There are for Grade 5-6 and up. Obviously, the and up includes adults. We adults like cat stories, right?

However, my audience assessment could be a bit loose.

I've had my blog featured on a good grade 8 reads blog. Teachers have assessed the material as appropriate for Grade 8.

The stories will appeal to distracted readers, for many of them are short meditations and can be accomplished in little bits. That covers a range of grades at school, between Grade 5-8. A person wants high reward for the reading for this particular group. Though this book is not highly visual, the length of the overall reading would fit into the needs for this reading ability level.

For my international audiences, the Kindle download goes everywhere. That's all set up.

Home on the North Hill Book Release

This Kindle book is ready for purchase. Here is the product page.

The title is: The Road to Happiness: Home on the North Hill

You may access this book by going to Donna's Catalog page on this blog, or to the product page for this book.

This is a co-developed book between my grandmother and I.

The same sort of improvements have been made to her story as I made to her art. I improved, edited, and put illustrations with her text, and so on.

I hope to release more of her material, as it has a strong Canadian history and culture basis. We'll see how the first one goes, and if it sells.

My grandmother was a Brodie, so she has from her family culture a bit of a science and nature focus in how she sees the world. That's how I think this piece is valuable. She describes a snapshot in time.

The North Hill above Brandon, Manitoba. She was just a teen. She described the story as if she were still a teen. I have fixed it up a bit to carry more like a teen telling the story, instead of wise grandma telling it.

There's just a few spots in there, you slingshot forward, and you go, hey, this is an old lady telling the story. Anyway, there you go.

Target audience: Youth Grade 6 and older.

ISBN-10 Print: 1439286191 

ISBN-13 Print: 978-1439286197

LCCN: 2012901783

BISAC: Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / Historical

This book is also useful as Women's Studies, for it describes the life of a homemaker as it was in about 1929. It refers to three generations of women in the one family scene.

The book would be in line with Canadian Content.

CatMom, Her Ants, and the Watermelon

For dinner the other night, something which was pleasant for the heat, CatMom bought watermelon.

Everything was A-Ok. 

CatMom sliced the watermelon, served it, and CatMom and CatDad had watermelon on the deck with her two cats. One stayed indoors.

That evening, CatMom and CatDad did construction. She had left the watermelon on the counter. When bedtime came, CatMom decided to put the watermelon away. The main core of the watermelon was in the fridge already. CatMom did some pre-bed clean-up. On her counter, there was a cutting board, a knife, and a half moon core from one end of the watermelon.

CatMom robotically threw the knife and cutting board in the sink, and she threw the watermelon end into the garbage. Then, CatMom saw an ant foraging on the counter without luck. CatMom might have just perceived it was without luck. CatMom watches Blue Planet. In that series, they show how all the smaller species benefit from the larger species, and how their greater good is met all the way down to the small species. She looked at that industrious ant. He was working very hard on the counter, and he did not know how great and refreshing that watermelon had tasted earlier. It was the best.

CatMom lingered looking at him. Hmmm. Dare I? CatMom pulled the cutting board back out of the sink. She pulled the melon end back out of the garbage. She picked up the knife. She cut a nice juicy piece of watermelon flesh out of the end, and set it on the cutting board. That little ant saw what CatMom did, and immediately came to explore the new food. Watermelon. New to this ant for sure. It was like CatMom had shared a feast. CatMom watch the ant begin to eat, just alongside the watermelon slice, and then CatMom bid him goodnight, and she went to bed. CatMom did not stay to survey what would go on. She figured the ant could figure out how to feed himself. CatMom had introduced her counter's ant to watermelon.

Okay, the next morning CatDad made it to the kitchen first. He did not notice the little story on the counter. CatMom rushed down to see how the evening went for Antsy. The ant, if he was the same one, was still working on the watermelon. As CatMom and CatDad ate their breakfast at the table, and CatDad had not yet noticed the little story progression, CatMom told him that she had set up a little watermelon feeding station for the ant.

Okay CatDads, men of households out there, husbands and dads, just a moment. Please don't tell me what you are thinking, for I think I might get the same reaction from my readers. Hold on. The story is not done yet.

CatDad's Scottish ire raised just a bit. He said, "Do you know what you are doing? That ant is going to eat, go back to his friends, and bring a whole bunch of new friends to the food source, and there's going to be an ant party here!"

CatMom said to CatDad, "You might be right, dear. I just wanted to be gracious and share a treat with that ant, who had a counter with completely no food. I thought it wrong to have a feast so close, not share, and leave him in famine."

CatDad knows CatMom loves little creatures. CatMom assured CatDad, "We are not supposed to fear any circumstances. Just because this might lead to that, God always has these things under control. No fear." CatMom left the ant to his continued feast and food source.

CatMom went to the computer and wrote for 5-6 hours on books, blogs, and so on.

CatMom went to the kitchen to find a cool drink in the heat.

What did she see?

8 ants on her cutting board.

Wow! That's a lot of ants. These ants did not want a ride out. They were even trickier than before. They surely did not want to go. This feast was to amazing. The watermelon juice. The watermelon rind. It was amazing.

CatMom took the cutting board and the broom of her cleaning set, and she brought the whole kit of ants outside the threshold. She put them down on the deck floor, and she brushed them gently onto the floor.

They were outdoors. CatMom brought in the cutting board, and she put it into her sink.

CatMom returned to work.

A couple hours later, CatMom went back to the kitchen for a drink. What did she see? 8 ants. Perhaps these were even the same ones. They trekked all the way in from outside back on the cutting board, and there they were looking up at her from the cutting board on an angle in her sink - on the upper surface which was still so tasty.

"Hey, you little rascals. Here we go again."

This time, Lucius joined the export. 

Lucius watched as CatMom tried to brush the persistent little guys onto the deck floor in the same procedure as before.

Lucius walked around among the ants. CatMom said to him, "I hope it was not an ant who bit you on the nose. Stay back, my dear." His nose has really improved. He looks like his old self again.

CatMom set all the ants down, retrieved her cat inside, and shut the door.

She put the cutting board back in the same place in the sink. Then, yes, she returned to work.

Ninety minutes later, CatMom went back to the kitchen. This time, she was medicating her cat. First, she applied lotion to her cat Thomas's ear. Then, she went to the sink to see how it was going.

What do you think was going on? Hmmm. Take a guess. How have we done so far?

Well, yes, those 8 little ants were all back.

Nature has a tough time communicating, but CatMom was starting to get the picture. These ants like watermelon. A lot!

They would pass by all the catfood on the floor dishes, not even give them a sniff or a taste, and they would climb the counter, risk peril on the sides of the sink, and make a potentially dangerous little ant jump to get onto the cutting board just to get to the remnant piece of watermelon and its mix of mildly wet and dried juices on the cutting board.

CatMom was quite surprised that these ants had come in another time, for this appears to be a lot of work. 

CatMom took the cutting board, the counter cleaning brush, and brought the ants back outside the threshold of the kitchen door, and she again brushed them down onto the flat surface of the deck. This time, she did her dishes. She put the knife, the cutting board and any other watermelon juice covered cutlery, and dishes, and she started her dishwasher. She got a cloth and very carefully cleaned her counter.

However, she went one step further. She found the watermelon rind the ants so desired, with a knife, and she opened the door, and she cut several pieces of watermelon and set them on the deck, so that the ants would not have to trek all the way into her kitchen, to the counter, and the sink to get it.

She left generous portions for them. CatMom decided that the degree to which they searched for the watermelon meant that it really satisfied their tummies. They were really happy ants. CatMom shared.

Now, the counters and implements were all cleaned. The watermelon rinds still decorates the deck floor, though it is looking more dried as we speak. Also the watermelon end is out there, instead of in the garbage. For two days, there's been 8 or so ants surrounding that feast. No one is in the kitchen. Why? Who wants to go in the kitchen. When you have watermelon rind right on the deck, there is absolutely no reason to go in the house. That cat food is not very tasty.

CatMom made her house ant collection a very happy troupe. CatDad when he heard the rest of the story was much settled. For now, there are fewer ants in the kitchen.  They are all busy out of doors.

That does not mean we do not have to finish the repair on the transition. It does mean CatDad is installing carpet today, instead of doing a transition repair. CatDad's love of CatMom's generous spirit returned. He also agreed that from the appearance of the happenings that I did a great favor to the ants. I could not have done a kinder and more generous thing.

CatMom really does love all the little creatures. Her heart could get the better of her, but God always helps her out in her storylines. He makes it work, when common sense might work against the circumstance. From a guy's point of view, CatMom made the worst mistake. Then, God gets involved, and he turns CatMom's compassion story around into a success. CatMom has a crew of very happy ants on her deck outside the threshold right now. We are all enjoying watermelon - still today - and all creatures big and small are refreshed. CatMom thinks God would smile. His favor rests on those small creatures. And as that favor sets on the little creatures, he lets a bunch dribble down on the Munro house too.

Update: CatMom has not had ants coming in her kitchen. She has not done the transition strip repair.

She has trained her ants to not come in the kitchen. Did anyone think she could train ants? CatDad almost bought more watermelon today, just because he is so impressed with how it worked. The watermelon CatMom put on the deck has no red rind left. The ants ate it all. The red disappeared over time. I guess we can't say no ants. CatMom had seen 1-2 ants in the last week. However, the experience overall has been a big success. That watermelon is the best!

I Once Had a Cat Named Lucius Update

I Once Had a Cat Named Lucius

Here is my remake as I was unsatisfied with the output of the app.

Check it out. Okay, all good! I think children would like this.

When I play this in the house, Lucius comes right away!

By the way, I recited this poetry to the kitten while he hid under the tires. I could not see him. I just waited there for 10-15 minutes, till the persuasive poetry did its job, and the cat was convinced it really was a dangerous place out there, without his CatMom.

When he finally came in, he came over teetering objects, his little whiskers shining in the light, his eyes fast on CatMom, and running straight to her. It was obvious when he finally realized it was not so nice out there, and that it really was bed time, which he was going to miss, that he really did want to participate in being carried to the room, set on the bed, kissed, and so on.

When he came in, normal bed-time procedures commenced.

The next morning, CatMom wrote out the poem she made for him on the spot.

Happy Martius Skitters

This morning, as CatMom weaved her way around cats through the hall to the kitchen, she had to be careful. That's because Martius was skittering. When Martius skitters, he's a happy cat. He runs, seemingly motivated in where he is going, at near full speed from one end of the house to the other. Back and forth he goes.

CatMom who did not yet have coffee is counting on making it to the kitchen to get that coffee CatDad is making her. She can smell the beans. CatMom stayed up just a little too late last night writing. She became enthused. Time passed. She could not believe the time when she saw it. When she got up, she realized this morning might be a little rough, and that coffee would come in really handy.

CatMom, who was groggy, watched her cat's energy as he ran, diverting around her, and carrying on at some kilometre setting the cat police would monitor. "Slow down to a safe speed," they would say. However, CatMom's cat is made with certain speed efficiencies. His little body works like a roadster, tight to the ground, making fine turns with finesse.

CatMom makes it to the table. After 5-6 runs, who would have guessed, Martius, the roadster, came and laid down right beside her elbow, so she could trace his finely coutured markings with the tip of her finger. All the running made her cat thirsty, so Martius was going to drink CatDad's water. CatDad saw the need, and he began drawing a new glass of water for Martius, so he would feel adequately satisfied from his drink. He had worked up a great thirst.

After Martius finished the drink, he did indeed lay down. CatMom drank her coffee, and played with his tail, gently of course. She did not want to send her coffee company away. He stayed with his petparents right through breakfast. CatMom forgot to eat. She loves her coffee. CatDad made her two. With the coffee right now just lingering in her mouth, she has fond memories of moments just a few minutes ago. Timelines are like that. Breakfast moments and coffee moments are the best.

CatDad knew this about CatMom before they even had their first date. CatDad knew CatMom really appreciated coffee. Since they were married, he has never let her down. He is always willing to make her coffee. CatMom is so lucky. So are her kittens.

Composed Word "Skitters" - This is my word creation. The word indicates the sound of claws scraping on tile surfaces as Martius moves, weaves, and dodges about the floor in his cat swerving to evade human legs in the hall. There's nothing worse than running into a CatMom leg or a CatDad leg. That's like hitting a tree skiing. Cats must be aggressive at evading people legs in the hall. There is a tone of excitement to this movement, for skittering entails a few more sounds to it than the normal hall trot.

Three Little Chickadees

Three little chickadees sitting in a tree
Taking in the sun, waving in the wind
Singing bird song among the three
Along came Lucius who climbed centre stage
Three little bird perches on all branch tips
Looking at the little cat with blue stripes on his forehead
Is that a cat? Is this one of us?
He looks like a strange furry sort of bird
Definitely unique in his type of perch
He has little toes which look a bit like ours
What a cute little nose, the same color as my beak
Is this a new bird who will join us in our song?

Lucius the Catbird

Lucius was in the bottom branch,
Sitting in a shallow seat
Set among all the branches
Looking centre stage in his bird infiltration
Looking so sweetly to his singing company
All those little chickadees are on the tall branch tips
Looking very closely at Lucius's little sweetness.

Two flew away, after singing a long bird song
A lone bird had grace and mercy to be a friend
He hopped about the branches looking at the cat.
He said, "You could almost be a bird if you moved around."
"Little strange bird, do you have stage fright?"
Lucius quietly stared at the bird,
Knowing he was just beyond his reach.
These birds moved around much better than he had.
Then, all of a sudden came a big rain drop.
When the rain came in many drops,
The last chickadee turned away.
"I can't stay for long in this wet place."
Lucius stayed a little longer,
For he was so close to birds which is his heart's dream
Then, he realized the raindrop felt like a flood
Each one filled his face and fur with little water pools
Streaming all around him, and down his face and paws
Lucius did not like the rain, not one bit.
He does not mind light rain, but this was rough
He jumped from the tree and raced home in a rush
Right to the door, "Please let me in."
He needed to be dried, for being wet is a trial.
He sat in to a corner to lick himself clean.

Little Lucius fell asleep, and in his little cat dreams,
Lucius sang bird song to his three bird friends' carolling.

Lulu Climbed the Cherry Tree

The cherries are not ready yet, of course. Lulu climbed the cherry tree.

He tasted the bark. He tasted the flowers. He chewed on little knobs of branches. He held on with all his claws in all sorts of positions.

I told him to leave the bits of flower blossoms all in place, so they will produce cherries.

I told him he was a very good and very large pollinator, and CatMom was proud to have him in her tree.

In particular, I am aware cherry bark tastes very good. We tasted it.

Lulu Makes Friends in the Neighbourhood

Lulu is the little cat-star! CatMom comes along.

When Lulu is out of doors, well, he has some favorite friends.

All those friends come to see Lulu, and CatMom gets to come along for the ride.

"He is so cute!"

CatMom meets a new friend of his.

The same thing happens.

CatMom meets a new friend.

Lulu is very good for CatMom's social life.

He is a very sociable cat.

He keeps CatMom hopping keeping up with meeting all his new friends.

Yes, some of these are birds. Some of these friends talk. There is quite the variety.

Can a Cat Show Jealousy

Lulu is in love with CatMom.

He is very jealous.

CatMom is almost hand feeding her Thomas.

If a cat could show jealousy, he is.

CatMom got a couple kitty swipes.

He is not pleased.

He, of course, does not understand that all CatMom is doing is for all of us.

He, as much as me, wants his big brother.

Grrrr. CatMom, what about me?

How Cats Help Defrost Products

Tonight, CatMom and CatDad had M&M Ribs. Those had to be defrosted. Lulu had strong interest in the meat in the wrapper. They had to be put into the sink to defrost. CatDad filled the sink halfway. Then, he threw the ribs in there. He left a nice large open area for kitten access.

What role could Lucuius have in helping defrost the ribs? He constantly threw water on top of the plastic packaging. (Lucius had his own sink.) He worked so much at throwing water, that once CatMom had finished washing dishes, it looked like he was getting tired. CatMom checked on him. He had one arm wet all the way to the elbow.

He had been throwing water about for a good half an hour. I am sure he made a very big difference in getting our ribs to defrost. Lulu did not show too much interest in the finished ribs from the oven. He had already had a big plate of catfood. He lounged very tired on his sheep fur. Over time, his very wet paw dried. When CatMom last checked him, he decided to wash. CatMom watched him watch his ears very well. Then, he washed his face. He is very clean.

CatMom was cat cleaned like that by Martius the other day. Her face was that feline clean. CatMom was going to wash her face, and then forgot. She felt like she had such a clean face, from all that cat loving. Usually, she washes. These cats get their fair share of feeling like that too, as CatMom kisses them enough that they might object to her habits too. Thankfully, there is nowhere to lodge such complaints, except perhaps CatDad. CatDad approves.

Why the Tabby Cat Has an "M"

We took our pets to the vet. Both tabby cats (two were due) were in for exams and shots.

I have a faith story for you about cats.

I learned this from my Lutheran vet.

The day that Jesus was born in the manger, as Mary tended Jesus, there was a tabby cat in the shelter. Mary called upon the tabby cat to come and tend to Jesus, to keep small rodents and flies away from him, and to protect him from little critters. The tabby cat was very happy to have this little job to help tend to the baby Jesus. The tabby cat jumped and killed every bug which would come near to pester the little baby Jesus while he slept. He licked the little Jesus' arms and his forehead, letting him know he was favored by tabby cats. He nose touched his little cheek.

The baby Jesus slept soundly in the tabby cat's care. As days went on, Mary was very appreciative of the cat who showed favor to the baby Jesus. The cat showed profound care. Mary turned and blessed the cat. "I love you and wish I could give you just a little piece of myself." You have helped me so much to mother the arrival of my child. You have kept all the disease at bay by placing a hedge of protection around this cradle. She placed her hand on the cat's forehead. "I bless you in the name of my infant, Jesus."

The cat purred. When Mary lifted her hand from the cat's little forehead, and as he looked with wide eyes upon her and her baby, an M was left above his eyes. That M was a little bit of Mary left as a permanent mark on the tabby cat's forehead. This was her blessing upon the cat. The cat had a little bit of the motherly blessing to mark the cat's strong assistance to Mary to protect the Christ child.

The nice strong lines of an "M" on the Tabby should remind all of the motherly love and protection that cats have for the young, and in particular, of their contribution to the nativity story, and how one of them blessed the Christ child, and how when we act judiciously in our faith, how God blesses our genetic family line all the way down the descendancy. That is why our little Martius still, even all these years later, he still has an "M" on his forehead. That "M" stands for Mary's name, as it was she who solicited his help. Her thank you stands.

It pays to do kind things for the Christ child. We get a mark that is a sign of favor from our deed which endures forever. This story tells us why the Tabby cat has an "M" on their forehead. Yes, the vet told us this little story while he investigated Martius's teeth, and he pet his little forehead "M" in comfort as he opened his mouth from time to time. Martius has healthy teeth so far.

I have permission to tell his story. I told him I would give him credit, but he said, "No, that's okay." He said this is a fairly well known legend. I did not know it. Did you?

Update: I have been the storyteller here, for the story as it was told to me was a couple lines long. However, I loved the detail, and I decided to write this story. I will be putting this story out as a book soon.