I decided to post our Thanksgiving post a day early, since tomorrow many of you will be busy with family, and I will be watching the loser Lions play, then I will be enjoying dinner with family following the game. This year I am feeling grateful for the here and now. I want to keep this post from going down a dark road, so I will keep this short. Both Dakota and Cody are having some health issues that are in limbo right now, (which is why I am not around as much reading blog posts or posting on ours as I would like to be, along with the fact that many of your blogs stopped coming via email weeks ago, but that's an entirely different story). Dakota's blood pressure was up again (a few times after having been normal in August), and we will find out what our next steps will be, and we are waiting to find out some test results for Cody that we won't know for a few weeks. Cody has dropped from almost 11 lbs to 9.8 pounds since Spring (he was 10.4 lbs a month ago). I am hoping it is a thyroid issue because that is treatable. He also has a slight heart murmur. Cody is eating like crazy (has been since Spring and I wondered then if he had a thyroid issue), and he is fine in every other way, so paws crossed with both boys their issues will be treatable. So, this year, with both of my boys having things going on I am grateful every moment for the time we have with them. Sending lots of love!
It is with great delight that I was able to get my paws on an advance copy of Cat Life:Celebrating the History, Culture & Love of the Cat by renowned pet expert/author, Amy Shojai. I have always been smitten with Amy's writing, as well as her musical talent and her knowledge of cats and dogs. I have had the pleasure of meeting her in person on several occasions, and she is as delightful, brilliant, colorful, exciting and knowledgeable in person as she is through her writing. It is easy to become smug when you have been reading cat books for over 10 years as I have (and many of you have as well), thinking "What more could ANYONE possibly have to say to enlighten me further about cats?" Well dear readers, Amy Shojai has done it again. Her expository book about cats has taught me more than I could have imagined!
Courtesy of Amy Shojai
The 150+ stunning color photographs, are captivating and simply exquisite. You will want to look at them again and again. This book reveals
virtually everything needed to appreciate this mysterious, lovable companion. It is a book that you will want to re-visit on numerous occasions.
From shojai.com"Though a cat may choose to share her affection with a human or two, she will always remain that quixotic mix of unpredictability and individuality that challenges the understanding of the most patient among us. It is as if they know that when they first stepped into the human ring of firelight, they forever altered our history, influencing our religions, our literature, our art—our very lives.” –From the Introduction
Chapter One, “Evolutionary Cat,” traces the domestic feline back to the Paleocene Era, then introduces its big cat relatives. Many of us know that several cats together is called a "clowder", but I never knew they can also be called a "cluster" or "clutter" of cats as well! Even Cody was captivated by the information!
I also never knew that the African wildcat is considered the most like our own domestic breeds "and is probably the founding father of the cat that is even now warming on your hearth."
Chapter Two, “Cultured Cat,” "is a survey of artistic homage paid to the cat. From Aesop’s fables to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, cats have been featured as analogy, metaphor, and hero."
"There used to be a kind of cheese made in Cheshire marked with a grinning cat face on one end. Is this where Lewis Carroll's wonderful Cheshire Cat came from?"
There are references to cats in Television, in ads, lore and legend about cats, and a plethora of other information about cats in culture.
Chapter Three, “Physical Cat,” is a guide to understanding and caring for your cat. There is information about the cat's eye, their hunting instinct, feeding, play, health issues I learned so much about a variety of health issues that cats may have that I had never known before.
Cat Life closes with a “Gallery of Breeds,” a parade of fascinating cat types with descriptions of their unique personalities and special characteristics. There is also a listing of various cat associations and you can find a fabulous reading list so you may purchase other books that Amy has written as well.
Check out the beautiful Cat Life video, you will want to order your copy NOW!!
FROM THE INTRODUCTION:
This book is for cat lovers everywhere. It is intended as both a basic guide for the neophyte cat addict and a supplement for veteran feline fans. It is my hope that these pages will delight and amuse, surprise and educate, and, most of all, celebrate the mysteries and marvels of all the wonderful cats that share our lives.
FROM THE BACK COVER:
"informative and fun, Cat Life celebrates your love and affection for big cats, stray cats, pedigree beauties, and everything CAT."
That it does Amy, that it does, and sooo beautifully! Cat Life is a book that all of YOU, my fellow cat lovers MUST have as part of your cat library. It's just in time for holiday gifting too!
Set to release in December. It will be available in
paperback, hardcover on DECEMBER 1.
Amazon and Barnes & Noble for pre-order
It will be available on KINDLE on DECEMBER 8 and
is already on KINDLE pre-order at this link:
Preview of Amy Shojai's latest gift book for cat lovers,
with interior page spreads--and audio from her original show STRAYS, the
Musical. https://shojai.com/books/cat-life/ (you can order the book there as well!)
Award-winning author Amy Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant, and the award-winning author of more than 30 bestselling pet books She is also a playwright and co-author of STRAYS, THE MUSICAL and the author of the critically acclaimed September & Shadow petcentric thriller series.
I was not compensated for this review. I was sent an advance copy of Cat Life in exchange for my always honest review.
If you are a regular reader of our blog, you KNOW we are HUGE fans of the Cat Amazing products (in fact they were part of our 10th Blogoversary post and we have featured them NUMEROUS times prior to that!), and today we are thrilled to present a CATABULOUS SALE to you of EPIC PAWPORTIONS!!!!
It's the Cat Amazing STACKS WAREHOUSE BLOWOUT SALE! Just in time for the holidays too!
THE CAT AMAZING STACKS ARE:
"INFINITELY STACKABLE!"
you can combine kits to make all sorts of configurations
SUPER STURDY
made out of industrial strength Ultraboard
EASY TO ASSEMBLE!
Our friends at Cat Amazing are moving to a new warehouse and they don't want to take everything with them! This means GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!!!
They are offering their Cat Amazing Stacks at 52% OFF!
"London is calling! Buckle up and get ready to explore in KeeKee’s Big Adventures in London, the 5th picture book in the award-winning series!!! " The book is coming on NOVEMBER 19th!
What? You don't know who KeeKee is? KeeKee is the adorable and adventurous calico kitty who travels the world in her hot air balloon. She's been to Paris,Rome, ( I am honored to say that KeeKee included a line from my review:"Vibrant, colorful and bursting with PURRsonality!" it appears on the back cover of "KeeKee's Big Adventures in Rome, Italy" ), KeeKee has also been toAthens, and Amsterdam and Cody and I have been lucky enough to join her! (Well, in a matter of speaking, we have featured ALL of KeeKee's travels on our blog and if you click on each of those cities mentioned above you can see our posts!). Now KeeKee's adventures have taken her to London, England!!
There is a formula to each of the books in the KeeKee's Big Adventure series that makes the series a wonderful learning tool for children and adults alike and KeeKee's Big Adventures in London, England follows the same fun, enriching and educational formula:
1) KeeKee makes new friends
in KeeKee's Big Adventures in London, England KeeKee's tour guide is, (get ready, this is hilarious!) Willamb Sheepspeare !!!!! She also meets "the lady in the big blue hat" who I could swear is none other than Queen Elizabeth!
Enjoying a proper British Tea Party
2) KeeKee learns new words/sayings in the language of the places that she is visiting--in the back of each book is a handy guide that shows the proper way to pronounce the words that are featured.
The London book features words such as, "hark" (old-fashioned word for "listen."), "good dawning" (from Shakespeare's time, "good morning".), and I learned that the word "circus" as in Piccadilly Circus actually refers to a traffic circle! I never knew that!
3) KeeKee eats YUMMY food
oh yes!! In London KeeKee feasted on Bubble and Squeak, (boiled potatoes and cabbage), Teacakes (light sweet buns with dried fruits), and scones (small biscuit-like cakes). YUM!!
4) KeeKee visits super cool places! There is always a super-cool map of all of the places that were visited in each book
Hopping a double-decker bus outside Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.
As always, the illustrations by Casey Uhelski are charming and delightful! (I love how there are little tidbits that adults are sure to get a chuckle out of that are placed in some of the illustrations, so much fun!) The illustrations are sure to engage the little ones and are wonderful discussion starters for adults reading the book to children.
From the Publisher:Join KeeKee, the globe-trotting calico kitty, on her latest brilliant adventures in London. Along with her friend Willamb Sheepspeare, she whisks readers through the majesty of England’s capital city—from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace to a proper English tea. (Pass the scones, please!)
Explorers big and small will have a jolly good time trying out fun British expressions, peeking into royal culture, and navigating London’s beautiful streets on a double-decker bus.
KeeKee’s Big Adventures in London arrives just in time for the holidays—the perfect for kids and families who are ready to soar and explore!
Pre-Order currently available for customers: kkba-london-book $16.99 (also available on Amazon) Be sure to get your copy today!! "Cheerio" dear furiends!!!
Shannon Jones, Author
For Shannon, her love of travel began at a young age. It opened her eyes and ears to the world. As a grownup, living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with her husband Paul and kitty KeeKee, the idea for KeeKee’s Big Adventures was born. After twenty years in the marketing field, Shannon is launched on her new adventures, following her passion for writing and excited to be helping kids in their quest for learning and discovery. She lives in Sarasota, Florida.
Casey Uhelski, Illustrator
Casey graduated with honors from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration. As a little girl, she loved books, doodling, and daydreaming. She’s never outgrown these early enthusiasms, and has happily gone on to pursue a career as a children’s book illustrator. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
For those of you who know me personally, when you read this you KNOW there could NOT be a better quote that describes what motivates me! As you know I am in love with cats (duh, not a newsflash) and I also am madly in love with caffeine, (primarily in the form of COFFEE!) If I could inject coffee into my veins, I would........but I digress. Back in October our dear furiends at The Conscious Cat had a give-away where the winner could win a Motivated by Cats and Caffeine T-shirt made by the fabulous team at Gulf Coast T-Shirts. They make original Animal, Beach & Peace Themed T-shirts, as well as other items! Guess who the lucky winner was? Bet you can't guess! Well, let me help you out!
YES, I KNOW THE SAYING IS BACKWARDS IN THE THREE PHOTOS ON THE LEFT. That's what happens when you have a husband who can't help take photos and you are too lazy to look for your selfie accessories to attach to your iPhone. But you get the idea! When my T-shirt arrived I could NOT have been happier! Green is my favorite color. The quality of the shirt is FANTASTIC and I am THRILLED that the sizing is on spot! I ordered a 2XL for my slender (NOT!) frame and it is 100% true to size! The sweatshirt is a 50 50 blend gildan sweatshirt, pill resistant, and is unisex!! Gulf Coast T-Shirts specializes in custom screen printing and they have items such as women's and men's T-shirts and sweatshirts, Beach Tanks and Tees, Bags and Totes, Christmas Sweaters and Tees and MORE!!! With the holidays rapidly approaching what FUN and affordable gifts these would be for the animal lovers in your life! (their items aren't all cat related, they have dog related items as well!). Head on over to the Gulf Coast T-Shirts etsy shop and have fun looking at their fabulous creations, you can find them on Facebook as well! You are going to LOVE whatever items you select! Happy Shopping!!
We live in a world full of tension, anger, childish horrific words that we are bombarded with on a daily basis. There is no longer ANY PLACE "safe" in our World. Schools, streets, night clubs, stores and more have become free-for-alls for gunfire and killing. There are angry people stalking our planet wanting to spread their venom.
The angry vicious words and actions make me depressed, anxious, sick and sometimes frightened. Frightened for myself, for my loved ones, for the World.
The way I am combating this is I have to "Let Peace Begin With Me". I refuse to allow evil to rule my world. I often will turn off national news and focus on our local news. I am selective about the things I read, I spend less time on Facebook and Twitter. Am I attempting to insulate myself in my own cocoon? To an extent, you bet your life I am!!
The theme for the 2019 Blog4Peace movement is changing our climate. "Our Climate" is not only the climate we live in on Earth, but our OWN PERSONAL CLIMATE. The climate we live in on Earth, (nature, our weather, natural disasters, etc.) must be acknowledged. It cannot be ignored. Our PERSONAL "climates" have to be acknowledged as well, that is why I have chosen to be selective in reference to what I allow into my personal world. I am trying to be kinder and more tolerant with others. I refuse to allow evil to rule in my personal life! I don't always succeed, but as much as I can I want to fight evil with kindness, respect, tolerance of our differences. We weren't put on this earth to all be clones of each other, we are all unique and special in our own way. It is time we CELEBRATE our differences instead of allowing our differences to divide us. How are YOU changing your "climate?" Please read below from our friend Mimi Lennox for ideas of things you can address in YOUR world.
The more our environment changes, the more the atmosphere in our personal lives changes.
Humans react to stress. Poisonous words alter the collective consciousness of the Universe in the world at large and in our homes. We are not only struggling to find gigantic real world solutions to enormous problems for our very survival, we're also internalizing all the fear and urgency that comes with that task. Our bodies react to what we see happening around us, what we hear, what we read. If we don't know what to do and we play that mantra over and over in our heads, we become hopeless. Stuck. Overwhelmed. Sick. Depressed. Scared.
We have to stop saying in angst "we've got to find a solution!!" and actually find a solution!
We are a planet of people floundering in a cesspool at a pivotal point in time.
And it is literally killing us. Not only is the planet coming unglued, so are we.
What triggers a lack of peace in your life? What makes you lose your peace?
In my world, since 2016 politics has made me more depressed. I couldn't visit Facebook without feeling sick or depressed. As a result, I greatly limit the time I spend there and on ALL social media. I cannot tolerate racism, I cannot tolerate people spewing hatred and venom towards those who look, act or think differently than what they have chosen to define as the "norm". It takes a lot of effort but every day I try to fight this evil by being more accepting of others, if everyone practiced more tolerance maybe Mother Nature would feel the calming vibes and begin to calm down as well. With that thought in addition to our new graphic for 2019 that we posted above, (a huge THANK YOU to Mimi Lenox for providing graphics for all of us to use/change as we see fit), we are re-reposting our Blog4Peace graphic from 2018 because that is the message we choose to send this year as well. May our personal environment be more peaceful, the road to a peaceful world has to begin with EACH ONE OF US. For now, "Let Peace Begin With Me"
