Adorable Lampwork Beads by Suzoom

One of my favorite artists over on Etsy featured my ornaments on her blog this week and I want to send her a big thank you for talking about my work. You can see her post on Blogger.

If you want to see some of her miniature and adorable work, please go check her Etsy shop out. She creates all kinds of dog breeds, cats, and even lovely sea creatures. And she's beginning to list a few goodies for Halloween. She is incredibly talented and can wield a Mini CC torch like nobody I know.

Mary Ann

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Friday the 13th: Cat Superstitions

I'm not really a superstitious kind of gal, though I will admit to consciously walking around a ladder rather than beneath it on occasion. But since today is Friday the 13th, I thought it would be fun to debunk some of the superstitious mythology associated with cats.

THE CAT AS A METEOROLOGIST
According to numerous cultures, cats can predict when it will rain. Cat washing behind its ears? Rain's on the way. Cat looking out the window? Rain's on the way. Cat sneezes? Rain's on the way. Pupil of cat's eye broadens? You guessed it...rain's on the way. In addition, a cat sitting with all four paws tucked under means bad weather is coming. Lastly, if your cat is frisky or clawing at the carpet, it will be windy.

LUCKY KITTIES
Of course, we all know that cats, especially black ones, have long been associated with luck.

• In North America, it's bad luck if a black cat crosses your path and good luck if a white cat crosses your path (unless it's at night whereas you'll have bad luck). In Britain and Ireland, it's the opposite.
• But to reverse the bad luck curse of a black cat crossing your path, first walk in a circle, then go backward across the spot where it happened and count to 13.
• A cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it. Wait a second, I thought that meant rain was on the way...

IN YOUR DREAMS
I typically don't dream about felines but maybe I should...

• Dream of a tortoiseshell cat, you'll be lucky in love.
• Dream of a ginger cat, you'll be lucky in money and business.
• Dream of a tabby, you'll have luck for your home and all who live there.
• Dream of a multicolored cat, you'll have luck making friends.

BEST OF THE BUNCH
I found many other cat-related superstitions, but my favorite was an old Italian proverb: "Happy is the home with at least one cat." Sage advice I must agree with! Have a lucky Friday the 13th! Ellen

Flickr Photo Source: Lord V

YouTube Pick: The Best Cat Video You'll Ever See

I ran across this YouTube video the other day and had to share even though it's been out there for a few years. Fun footage of cats flipping, batting, bouncing...you name it! Have a spectacular weekend! Ellen
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Bring A Furry Feline Into Your Life!

Approximately 4 million cats and kittens end up in shelters every year, many never to find a loving family. If you don't have a cat but have been thinking about adopting one (big hint to my dad!), American Humane will give you plenty of great reasons to visit your local animal shelter during its annual Adopt-A-Cat Month ® celebration in June.

From a practical standpoint, cats are clean and independent. They require minimal space and don't need to be housebroken like dogs. Most importantly, they give us companionship, laughter and affection. When my mom had cancer years ago, her little black cat, Emma, spent the day curled up on Mom's lap, no doubt easing at least some her pain. My own cat can often be found stretched out on my drafting table or perched on my scanner while I work in my studio.

Many shelters are offering special promotions for adopting a cat or kitten during June so consider bringing one of these amazing animals into your home! Ellen
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Happy First Day of Spring!

Now every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with leaves; now the woods put forth their blossoms, and the year assumes its gay attire. ~Virgil

Spring has definitely arrived in St. Louis. Even Kit Kat, our resident feline, enjoys the emerging daffodils and flowering trees in our woodland garden. Happy First Day of Spring! Ellen
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Dogs and Cats Need Homes Due to Ice Storm

Within the week, the Humane Society of Missouri will have more than 50 dogs and cats that were displaced or surrendered due to the recent ice storm in Southeast Missouri available for adoption. If you live in the St. Louis area and have been considering adding a furry friend to your family, check out the details here. The Humane Society can also use the following supplies to care for the animals: blankets, towels, newspaper and single-cut shredded paper (both in southeast Missouri and in St. Louis). Supplies can be dropped off at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Headquarters, 1201 Macklind Avenue, in front of the Adoption Center. Ellen
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PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Humane Society of Missouri website.

Dog Biscuit Recalls Due to Tainted Peanut Butter

We have an awesome mail carrier who often leaves a large biscuit in the mailbox for our yellow lab, Jasmine. Luckily for her, these biscuits are Milk-Bones®, which are not involved in the nationwide peanut recall linked to the recent salmonella outbreak. Many other brands of dog treats, however, are being taken off the shelves. In fact, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) recently advised pet owners to temporarily discontinue using any peanut butter products.

“The ASPCA recommends that pet parents discontinue the use of all affected products immediately until further information has been received,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, the ASPCA’s Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services. “Pet parents should wash their hands after handling any potentially contaminated food and immediately consult with a veterinarian if any signs or symptoms are noticed in their pets.”

Though healthy dogs are generally resistant to the salmonella bacteria, puppies and older pets with health problems may become ill. In addition, the bacteria can be passed between pets and humans.

Brands that have been recalled include Grreat Choice (sold at Petsmart) and Happy Tails. For a complete list, visit the FDA's recall page. Check often as stores and manufacturers are recalling more products each day. Better safe than sorry! Ellen
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Peace on Earth!

Every once in awhile something happens to make me believe that peace on earth really is possible. So when my daughter called me into her room the other night to show me our dog and cat peacefully cuddled up with one another on the bed, I grabbed my camera. Jasmine and Kit haven't interacted like this since Kit was a kitten four years ago...is there a full moon or what? Ellen
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Feeding Your Cat Coconut Oil

Every Saturday morning, I receive the P. Allen Smith e-newsletter (you know the gardening guru guy on TV). Occasionally, he includes an article written by his gardening companion, Marge the cat. Today's piece is on feeding your feline organic virgin coconut oil, which I had no idea contained so many wonderful benefits for cats. From a silkier coat to improved digestion, virgin coconut oil may be a great addition to your cat's diet. Check out all the details (plus a cute video of Marge in the garden) at the P. Allen Smith site. Ellen
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Cool Cat House

I ran across this ultra-cool cat house the other day while googling cat beds. You see, my cat has suddenly developed bed issues and wants nothing to do with either of his cozy cat beds. Instead, he prefers to flop down on my legs or chest. It's putting quite a cramp in my pursuit of achieving a good night's sleep!

So when I saw Leo Kempf's custom-built abode for his cat, Olive, I had to share. Apparently, the cat enters through a door in the bottom side, then climbs a ramp to the upper level. The house features a cardboard scratching post, plexi-glass front wall and an old sheepkskin rug. Leo’s wife even made small paintings to hang on the walls! Hmmm...wonder if my hubbie would tackle a project like that for our cat. Ellen

Photo Leo Kempf Design (check out other photos of his cat house on his site)

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This is Who Belongs in the Cat Bed

In Monday's post, I showed Gregory trying to fit into the cat bed. Well, this is who actually belongs in it....
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Dewey the Cat's New Book

I have to confess, I got a little teary-eyed this morning while reading the USA Today feature about a cat who spent his entire life amongst the books at the Spencer Public Library in Iowa. Adopted by the librarians in 1988 who found him abandoned in the book depository as a kitten, Dewey become a fixture at the library until his death in 2006. With the release of Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter (Grand Central, 277 pp. $19.99), Dewey will live on in libraries across the country. Something to smile about in these shaky times... Ellen
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Gardening with Your Cat

We've had a rough winter here in St. Louis so it was great to get out in the garden this past week to give the beds a much-needed clean-up. And I wasn't the only happy camper about the warm weather. Kit Kat, my black and white tomcat, joined me for hours of pouncing and stalking the dead foliage I was trying to remove. He especially liked the emerging catmint (Nepata mussinnii 'Walkers Low) and rolled luxuriantly in it.

So I got to thinking, what other cat-friendly plants could I add to my garden this year? Must be a timely topic because I just received the latest edition of P. Allen Smith's gardening newsletter, which featured an article written by his cat, detailing her favorite plants. Check it out on the P. Allen Smith Website. Ellen
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