LOOKING BACK-LOOKING FORWARD

I don't have a tree this year. I could blame family tragedies or the recent three minor surgeries that have got me nearly flat on my back. I could blame politics or climate change. I could blame my husband, after all, don't they often get left with the blame, whether guilty or not?

Or I could accept that this year, I will have no tree.

Actually, aside from the fact that the price of a Christmas tree has crept far beyond my budget, I'm also having trouble with the "disposable" mentality that goes with it. I mean, once a year, millions of people suddenly require the killing of trees that may not be ready to die. Then a month later, they are tossed away, forgotten. Some people recycle, and those lucky trees get to become toilet paper or paper towels. Maybe they are made into book pages. That would be nice. But fact is, there are lots of other recyclables that can be used for the purpose. The life of books does not depend on the death of Christmas trees.

I have a collection of vintage and antique ornaments, many in the shape of cats. I miss putting these on the tree, slipping them over the cool, spiky branches, then watching them shine in the colored lights for a week or two. But I put a photo on my wallpaper from back when I had a tree and am enjoying it just fine.

One thing I did participate in this year is the sending of Christmas cards. This small, non-electronic connection with friends and family gives me a great amount of pleasure. I love to see what people send back. (Those who still keep up the tradition.) As you can imagine, I receive a lot of cat-themed cards.

I like to look for interesting vintage cards on Pinterest. This year, I was especially enthralled by the 1950's black cat. Here are a few I found.

I also discovered a new artist who creates paintings in the style of that period, but with some added quirks of her own. Her name is El Gato Gomez, and she led me on a tortuous trail through social media as I tried to find out more about her. I failed. I don't even know where she's from. A Google search led me to old sites and error sites and multiple presence on Facebook. Still, I have to show you a few of her pieces.

So for all you with trees, please enjoy their loving ambiance for me. Possibly 2020 will be the year for me to put up a tree.

Happy Holidays!

SUMMER READS, by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer

Artwork Credit: Cats-napping, Rosehill Studio

This is the time of year when every bookseller platform is boasting a plethora of “summer reads.” Some are even more specifically “beach reads.” I’m not sure what these books are called for the rest of the year, but once the sun begins to shine, “summer reads” abound. 

What exactly constitutes a “summer read”? Something light, that doesn’t involve a lot of thought? Something with thrills and chills? Something romantic, where the handsome young Scotsman, after many trials and tribulations, is finally, passionately united with his lass? Something funny and a bit gross?

Art Credit: JP Ferrara - Scotsman Carrying Woman

Fact is, “summer reads” can be whatever someone might like to read while on vacation. Since many people read more books on a two-week holiday than they do in the entire year, they must pick their material wisely. 

I recently advertised my cozy cat mysteries as a “summer read,” to which one of my fans from the other hemisphere asked about reads for those who are now settling in around the fireplace for the coming winter. This got me thinking. Shouldn’t we have “winter reads” as well? Maybe something weighty with portent? Or poignant nonfiction? Poetry? The Classics? 

Or, as I suspect, are “winter reads” really the same as “summer reads”? Shouldn’t we be reading whatever we wish whenever we want? Let’s face it: these vague genres are a marketing device, nothing more. So go ahead and take that copy of “War and Peace” on your trip to the Bahamas.  Snuggle up in front of the fire with a romance or a faery tale. When it comes to reading, the choice is up to us.

  

Check out more blogs by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer at:

Mollie Hunt: Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries and more

Happy reading!

FOODIE MAZATLAN, by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer

I'd like to take a detour today from the bump and grind of writing to a recent vacation of mine, a trip to Mazatlan, Mexico. Back in the day, these trips were filled with drinking and reverie; today the high points often center on food.

 

 

Good food begins with a trip to the downtown mercado.

 

Fresh fruit and vegetables, grown locally.

Mazatlan is also known for its seafood. Good restaurants have a fine assortment of dinners.

The cat looks on.

MERRY CAT-MAS, by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer

In our house,

the cats own Christmas.

They own the tree,

which is decorated to their delight,

with the big unbreakable bulbs

down low

for their enjoyment.

They own the hearth

and the soft rug in front,

warm and cozy.

They own the kitchen,

which though busy with baking,

also gives treats and tastes,

just for them.

They own the presents,

wrapped in tissue,

which they pull and tear,

to open by themselves.

They own the gift boxes

to sit in;

the wrapping paper

to kneed into a crinkly bed;

the ribbons to chase and toss,

better than all the expensive toys

from the pet shop.

In our home,

the cats own Christmas,

and we wouldn’t have it

any other way.

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Check out more blogs by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer at:

Mollie Hunt: Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries and more

Happy reading!

CAT STUFF, by Mollie Hunt

I don’t consider myself a collector. The idea that I purposefully go out seeking cat objects is ludicrous. Yet when I look around me, at my desk, my shelves, my bookcase, my jewelry, even my clothing, I have to wonder. From every side, round furry faces with pointed ears and bright gem eyes stare back at me. Plush, wood, ceramic, paper – there are cats. Cats everywhere. But I’m not a collector. 

There is something about the fluid shape of a cat, the perfect symmetry (or in some cases, perfectly imperfect) that pleases the eye and soothes the soul. When I am sad or lost for words, I run my gaze over the long back and shapely tail. When I am anxious, the serenity of a sleeping cat calms me. And when I’m just here and present, I enjoy looking at their form. To me, cats are flawless.

I’m picky about the cat items with which I surround myself. I can tell whether the artist has a true affinity for cats or he is just doing a design job. Cutsie kittens or uncat-like caricatures are not my preference. On the other hand, I enjoy the strange colors of the whimsical post-war MIJ figures, the Oaxacan carved totems, and the Japanese maneki-neko, because the pieces embody the personality of a real cat. 

I have many pictures of cats, portraits of cats-gone-by, photos of my beautiful current cats. There is an original wood block print by San Francisco artist Louise Gilbert and a linoleum print made by an unknown child. In my office is a wall calendar, a day planner, and cat-a-day. Over my living room couch hang 6 photos by Best Friends Sanctuary photographer Clay Meyers. I once sent him a snapshot of my kitty Harry lounging on the couch back in front of his work.

Though I don’t keep them on my bed like a starry-eyes teenager any more, I have a number of stuffed plush cats, One growls when pressed; another walks, driving my real cats crazy; yet another is in itself a cat toy. I also have a tribble who trills, given to me by author David Gerrold, but that’s another story. 

There is more – much more: cat lamp, cat needlepoint, cat tile, cat vase, cat cup, cat salt and pepper. But I assure you once again, I do not collect cat stuff. Ask me about my Star Trek autographs. Now that’s a collection!

Check out more blogs by Mollie Hunt at:

Mollie Hunt: Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries and more

Happy reading!