Thursday, February 10, 2011

Kitties in Tutus



Kitties in Tutus
   
We know what he’s dreaming about—it’s the same whisker-twitching scenario we’ve seen a dozen times. The visions begin shortly after we’ve had one neutered, and not because we’ve robbed Junior of the most fun he’ll never have, but because we just sunk sixty dollars into another stray.

I don’t know where they find the posters—perhaps in the neighbor’s barn. They think we’ll never stumble upon them, all dog-eared, rolled-up and tucked out of sight under the back steps where they sleep at night. Pictures of tabbies in tutus, their lips painted bright red under the big top. Pussies perched upon unicycles, making it look so easy. And oh my! those calicos doing the can-can.

It’s only a matter of time, once the adventure of circus life has gripped his imagination. Really, who can blame him? The allure of amazed audiences, throwing kibbles in adoration. Mousies overhead on trapeze. Swooning house cats, smelling of old lady perfume and canned tuna.

We wake to the sound of coyotes in the cornfields. Have they lured him off? their call, like the whistle of a distant circus train …All aboard…

Sadly, our kitties never send postcards.

35 comments:

  1. I had to set up a chair next to me so my cat could sleep there. Otherwise, she constantly jumps up on the desk and words like loguivbliweblpvcpoiy appear. :)

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  2. I believe I'm the first person in history to type loguivbliweblpvcpoiy. Shall I call Guinness?

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  3. My kitties used to do the same thing, Charlie! I thier company, and I miss painting them...

    I hope they're happy in the circus...

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  4. hehehehe...and you typed it twice--or was that the cat?

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  5. I confess, sometimes I have to remind myself to read your post because I'm so engrossed in your paintings. They are soooooooo amazing!
    And then I read your posts which are also bits of art as well.
    :)

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  6. Lol, I'm glad I drive you to distraction, Lydia!

    Playing with the words and paintings is distracting me through the month, as intended. It's a challenge though; I'm always tempted to start out "Once upon a time..."

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  7. Aww, this is beautiful! Putting animals in clothes has always eluded my understanding. Hah.

    I'm happy this distraction is working for you!

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  8. I'm sure I must have seen a picture of a kitty in a tutu at some point. I know I tried to dress up my cats when I was little--haven't done that recently though. I suppose if I had, that would explain why they always run off and 'join the circus!'

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  9. ,,,if ya can just outrun those danged coyotes,,,

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  10. Nooooo....it was the CIRCUS, Glenn the circus! --they ran off an joined the circus. Coyotes would never eat our sweet little kitties! :(

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  11. That was beautiful, and I love the pictures. Did you paint them?

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  12. Ruby ALWAYS tries to jump on my desk, which, I admit, is partially my fault. I let her do it as a kitten, and now that she's a 13-pound cat, she wonders why it's no longer okay. Uh, that's because her little rump always ends up on the mousepad and wreaks havoc on my screen.

    But I love her so - she's especially cute when she's sleeping... and dreaming. Sometimes, her whiskers and limbs are twitching so much, I can only imagine she's imagining herself as a lionness, taking down her hapless prey. And that's when she meows in her sleep and promptly wakes herself up. Too cute!

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  13. Stina, Yes, I did paint them, of our kitty, Junior. He joined the circus, like all our other cats that simply 'disappear'--I mean, what else could it be, right?

    I think the paintings are better than the story--the story is just, well--a little demented...but I'm glad you liked it :)

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  14. Laura, when thier whiskers and paws start twitching like that, best to wake them or they'll be dreaming of tabbies in tutus, and you know what comes next...
    ...not even a post card...

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  15. That's why Ruby is strictly an indoor kitty. Though I might be squelching her circus-lovin' desires, I'd seriously be devastated if she ever left us... or got squished by a crazy drunk in the French Quarter.

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  16. Laura--the drunks don't squish them, nor do the coyotes get them. They simply join the circus!

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  17. I always suspected you were delusional! (People who paint so well must have very active imaginations...)

    P.S. I'm kidding, of course. But it must be said - I have no intention of letting my beloved Ruby Azazel tangle with coyotes, get squished by drunks, OR join the circus. She's mine, all mine, muhahaha!

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  18. It's a precious story, Bridget. With some further development, I can see this being a charming short, illustrated story book.

    As for your art work ... what more can one say that hasn't already been said? They are absolutely precious. :)

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  19. "Swooning house cats, smelling of old lady perfume and canned tuna."

    This is probably the most perfect sentence I have ever read. It stopped me dead; it is absolutely perfect.

    Your paintings are beautiful, by the way.

    Lisa

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  20. Laura, I may be delusional, but you are equally, demented! ;)


    Craig, I hadn't thought of it in terms of something longer...hmmmm...the idea has merit...It might end up sounding rather 'Grimm-ish' though, sort of a parental guide to explaining the disappearance of pets...
    And thanks for the compliments on my art :)


    Lisa--That's the line my husband and I always used when one of our (former) cats would return home after several nights of prowling, hehhe. I'm so please you like it! (and my paintings) :)

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  21. Wow. Had no idea the first one was a painting and not a photo. Kudos.

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  22. I absolutely love these paintings you put up too! I didn't realize you painted them though! They are amazing... you are VERY talented :)

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  23. Chris, Thanks for stopping by!
    I suppose I do shoot for realistic. Hopefully it still leaves something to the imagination :)


    Writing Nut (still not sure how else to address you...), I'm so glad you like the paintings--Thank you! I've been painting as long as I've been writing, but painting has received more of my attention over the years--until recently. Now, I switch back and forth, though I think I painter better than I write...

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  24. You don't get letters because they are very busy signing autographs. I'm sure.

    The paintings are beautiful. I esp love the first one because I have a quilt almost exactly like that.

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  25. Yes, Helen--exactly! Such a happy thought! :)

    ...and thank you so much for your kind words...The double wedding ring is a favorite quilt pattern. I'd like to try my hand at a grandmother's flower garden...of corse, then I'd have to paint it--and find myself a new kitty...

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  26. Yes, it must be said. I AM demented. ;-)

    As for Craig's suggestion, I wholeheartedly agree. You're a gifted painter AND writer, and you'd be the perfect choice to pen an illustrated storybook - which I would so buy!

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  27. I have to admit, Laura, Craig's comment did get me thinking. Thanks for your vote of confidence :)

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  28. Beautiful pictures. And I would have to agree with Laura and Craig both.

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  29. Thanks Susan! I hardly slept a wink last night, with all the imaginings Craig planted!

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  30. Aw, the story made me quite sad, but I do love the idea of them 'joining the circus'. And the paintings are amazing - do they take you long to do? You are very talented. :)

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  31. Jayne, it actually is kind of sad--that's why I tell myself stories...

    The paintings...um, I can do one in the course of a week if I really stick to it, but sometimes I get distracted and drag it out for a month or better.

    I'm glad you like the paintings--makes me want to finish the next even quicker! :)

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  32. That first painting is phenomenal. Though I don't understand why any cat would want to run off and join the circus when they have such a cozy spot there on the bed.

    Also, although I've never put a cat in a tutu, I must admit slipping angel wings onto my first cat one Halloween. He was not amused... but we sure were, since he ran off in a huff and the wings started a-flapping.

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  33. Nate, I knew a post about kitties in tutus would draw you out!

    I just want to state for the record that during the day, Junior did in fact enjoy the cushy life of an indoor cat, but even in his neutered state, he was the one who insisted on being outside at night. Did I mention that we named our last cat Expendable?

    I'm glad you like the first painting. I prefer the second, but I think it has to do with the more dramatic light. I have often wished I waited for better light on the bed, but kitties don't always stick around for perfect lighting...

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  34. I don't blame Junior and poor, doomed Expendable for wanting to be outside; most of my cats have tried to gain indoor/outdoor status. But, ever since we lost a 7-month old to a car, we no longer give them the option.

    By the way, I do prefer the dramatic lighting of the second piece, but I'm often a sucker for realism. The more photographic quality of the first, combined with the color of the quilted bedspread and lamp, and the cuter pose for Junior (in my completely biased opinion), gives it the edge for me. I might think differently if I saw them in person.

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  35. Nate, we make a deal with all the stray cats we take in: We give you a place to sleep (your choice, indoor or out) and dry cat food on a regular basis. We'll even make sure you don't reproduce so we don't end up with bulging-eyed, slope-headed cats proliferating and competing for your food.

    In all honesty, we have trouble keeping house PLANTS alive! :)

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