HAPPINESS IS

a new leather couch to curl up on.

KEEPING AN EYE ON HIS DISH

The sun was pouring in through the kitchen window and Slugger was soaking it up. Of course, he was also keeping an eye on his empty dish. I liked the shadows cast by the window mullions on him... they almost make him look like a bandit.

NOT JUST AN APPLE A DAY

The shelf in the kitchen is beginning to look a lot like a medicine chest. For an eight year old cat, Slugger has a lot of health problems. Just a few months ago he was diagnosed with asthma and another pill was added to the cocktail. The minute I reach for the pill vials Slugger's ears get flat and like Houdini he disappears. He doesn't get too far before I scoop him up and return to the kitchen. Once I have him he takes his pills like a champion and then the reward... a few treats.

POKER FACE

CAMERA SHY

ENNUI

I am learning that my photo opportunities are quite limited now that my Achilles tendon is immobilized and I have to wear a "boot" from my knee down to the very tip of my toes. Slugger is becoming my subject of choice. After my knee surgery he seemed to be hanging very close to me, but after I was "booted" he seemed a little frightened. Gradually he he has been checking it out. Although I still am fascinated by some of the things he does, positions he gets in and his knack for following every spot of sun around the house, he is bored with my being home all the time and my camera. He makes it very clear just whose house it is.

HIS WINDOW ON THE WORLD

WASHING UP

I was so happy to see the sun shining through my kitchen window. As I stared out the window looking at the play of shadows in the late afternoon light, I heard the rhythmic sound of Slugger grooming himself. I turned to see that I wasn't the only one happy to see the sun. Slugger had positioned himself perfectly in a spot of warm sunlight and was grooming himself, as he always does before he takes a nap. What a life!

UNDER COVER

I can hear the wind blowing and whipping around outside the house. The gusts are so strong they are knocking over the garbage cans. It is a perfect day to stay in bed, but I forced myself to get out. First thing I did was make coffee to warm up. Next step, feed Slugger (which is usually the first step because he meows up a storm wanting to be fed in the morning). All of a sudden I realized it was very quiet and Slugger was nowhere to be found. Somebody decided not to get up this morning!

What's New Pussycat??

At work I am busy trying to learn new tricks (video) which is not easy for an older dog. Today was my day off, but I spent most of it trying to teach myself how to shoot with a new video camera and how to edit in Final Cut. I have a long, long way to go (no Oscars in my future), but here's my first attempt at video. Speaking of long, after watching this several times I know it needs a much tighter edit. Guess I am just too close to my subject! Be patient... the end is my favorite part!

FAMILY RESEMBLANCE

THE MODEL

I got out my studio gray seamless paper and set up my new lights, eager to see how they looked. Not a person to model... so Slugger cooperated for a few very short seconds. Even his favorite salmon treats couldn't lure him back onto the stool!

JUST HANGING OUT

Today was a tough day at the office and a very long one. When I finally got home Slugger didn't bother to greet me at the door. I found him hanging out in the kitchen waiting to be fed. I'm glad someone in this house is living the life of Riley!

CAT NAP

I wish I could fall asleep as easily as Slugger. During the day I will see him curled up on the heating vent or on the couch (I need a new one, but since one side of it is gray thanks to him I'm not rushing into anything) and even on the bed. He curls up and often puts his paw over his eyes (to block out the light?) and is off to dreamland. Lately I struggle with sleep. I get in bed and my mind goes into overdrive. Sleep used to come so easily, but in the past month or so the wee hours of the night pass very slowly.

CHIAROSCURO

I was curled up reading when I spotted Slugger curled up in a patch of sunlight as cats so often do. Immediately I thought of my art history professor in college who spent the better part of a semester talking about "chiaroscuro", an Italian word for light-dark and commonly used in the art world to denote a bold contrast between light and dark. I grabbed my camera and started shooting wondering how the camera I am testing would perform trying to capture these contrasts. I am real pleased with the results. I really love this picture of Slugger. I am also real pleased that my middle aged mind was able to retrieve something I hadn't thought about in almost 33 years!

A WATCHED SUPPER DISH

Never fills. Slugger's wondering how Ghandi did it?

SLEEP

Slugger senses something is bothering me. He follows me around and sticks even closer to me lately. He is always just a few feet away. At least someone in this house is still sleeping like a baby!

CAT TAIL

Invariably when I am working on the computer Slugger will find his way next to my laptop. He positions himself so that he is looking out the window and his rear end is directed toward the keyboard. He has his window on the world and I suppose since I am online, I have mine. I have often been accused of getting "lost" online, surfing various sites and blogs and answering email. After awhile, I get the message that time is up. Slugger's tail starts to creep across my keyboard. Time to pet the kitty cat.

LUCKY

Some people carry a lucky rabbit's foot. In college I used to rub the foot of a statue on campus that legend said brought good luck before exams. I don't consider myself to be very superstitious, but sometimes when I feel I need just a little bit of luck I will rub Slugger's rear paw before heading out the door. It certainly can't hurt!

FOOD HUNT

I was unpacking the Whole Foods packages when I turned and saw the back of Slugger sticking out of the bag! Slugger has been very hungry and pretty unhappy with his diet. I guess he was hoping to find some morsel of food to take the edge off his hunger. He was pretty surprised when I caught him in the act!