Messing with Texas

I made this jumbo dog bed for my dad a few years ago; it's now for sale on Etsy. My cats turned it into a Texas geography lesson.

Above, Homer stares out from the Panhandle at Liesl lounging in New Mexico.

Daisy dips into the Gulf of Mexico (above) while Homer slips past El Paso.

Homer does Dallas with his tail wrapped around Big Bend. Liesl heads for the Colorado Rockies.

A freshly gilded throne

This curvy wingback chair is irresistibly comfortable for me and the kitties. So I made it a new slipcover from a 1960s bedspread.

The slipcover attaches with a long zipper down the back. That's Homer yawning and gazing.

Below, Hooch naps while Suzy lurks beneath.

Fisticuffs on the front stoop

Former sparring partners Alvin and Homer occasionally consider a rematch.

Siamese-mix Alvin is nearly 5 years old, but still a lean welterweight under all that hair. Grey tabby Homer, age 3, is a heavyweight with a slow, some might say sleepy, stance.

They face off, threaten each other, then forgetaboutit.

Cameo cats

These kitties now have updated profiles: Pincurl Homer, Disco Amy, Redhead Hooch, and Dreadhead Puppy.

Dirty is as dirty does

Cats are obsessed with rolling in dirt. Seen in the late afternoon sun are (clockwise from top left) Homer, Betty, Amy, Buzz, Betty, Olga.

This ritual is followed by going inside and shedding the accumulated dirt onto clean bedding and upholstery.

If you knew Suzy

New Year's morning I got up to the sound of water running in the bathroom. Did I leave the bathtub faucet dripping for Alvin to drink? No, it was former feral Suzy peeing in the toilet! She was perched on the seat (like these photos found online), but she jumped down and ran right out of the bathroom.I have never tried to potty-train my kitties, and have never seen them do anything in the toilet but drink. So I consider this a new year's omen of mind-blowing things to come in 2012.
Suzy is a wild-n-crazy girl, full of unexpected comedic turns. This video of Suzy in the yard is accompanied by a 1925 song about her:

Suzy has a perfect reputation
No one ever saw her on a spree
Nobody knows where Suzy goes
Nobody knows but me
If you knew Suzy like I know Suzy
Oh! Oh! Oh, what a girl

The Joan Crawford filter

I've learned to watch TV through the filter of a kitty lying on me.Now I'm starting to find meaning in these kitty silhouettes.These images of Hooch's ear tips perfectly complement her movie star alter ego, Joan Crawford.