My Smooth Jazz Black Cat With Pink Ears

 

"It's difficult to catch a black cat in a dark room especially, if it isn't there."

~Chinese Proverb

Black cats are sometimes considered bad luck. Sometimes they are thought to be witches in disguise. And incantations of evil. No. That's just wrong on so many levels, but humans being humans, just have to have something blame their failures on. Superstitions like that, endanger these amazing animals, every year around Halloween. Cosplay dipshits like to capture black cats, and harm them as a sacrifice to appease whoever or whatever "god" they worship. I know it to be true, because my veterinarian's nurse described what has been seen. One day, last summer, she found a litter of kittens in her yard, so she brought them to the doctor's office, to hopefully find them good homes. She loved my Tyler in particular, and gave him as much attention as possible. She worried he wouldn't find a loving home, before Halloween, but I took one look at this funny, gorgeous, very loving little cat, and it was all over, I loved him. He had me at hello. So, we took 24 hours to consider it, and by the time we got home, we knew we had a new son.

He has pink ears. How funny is that? PINK EARS! In certain lighting they appear almost opalescent! Tyler has a lot of the same qualities of my last black cat, Hendrix. Tyler loves music, especially smooth jazz. He loves deeply, and when he wants a hug, he pushes his whole body into mine with all the weight in his body! He grooms my hubby, he checks on his brothers if anything is wrong. He loves stuffed animals and he can make a toy out of anything. Now what can be wrong with that! He has white ears in the front, and two bald spots over his eyes. He's also wily. He is quite the magpie. He steals things. LOL. But he also finds things that I thought I had lost forever! He is unique, and I am so lucky that he chose to love me. Cat's don't have to love you, and they will remind you of that from time to time! I think of my sweet Hendrix a lot, but Tyler was never meant to take his place, which is good, because I love getting to know Tyler for who he is, while remember the love I had with Hendrix.

So that's my Tyler. We have owned him since late August of 2025,

 and the future with him seems like the brightest of light, in all the worldly darkness.

Happiness, Sayeth the Raven

 

"Ravens taught me to pay attention. The desert taught me to see. Art and artists taught me to see more... and better... and to savor, appreciate and protect,"

~Linda Durham

Is it a good thing to see a raven? Is it a bad thing to see a raven? There are a lot of schools of thought on that. As far as I am concerned, most things outside of my own intuition is superstition. Black cats are not bad luck. I have never experienced bad luck after breaking a mirror, let along seven years. One of the best days of my life, was marrying my husband on October 13th, and nothing has ever happened to me after walking under a ladder. Although, now that I think about it, I don't walk under that many ladders. Hmmm. Anyway, I was so happy to be able to add this wonderful bird to my album of bird species I have seen this year. There it was, drinking from a small puddle, just outside the gates of the Yolo Bypass Wilderness Area, in Davis, Ca. A moment like that shouldn't be passed up. And I didn't.

Happiness

Come On Number 4!

"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people."

~W.C. Fields

Remember yesterday when I said that it was going to rain... well... yep... it rained! And RAINED. And RAINED. And even as I write this, not only is it raining... we are waiting for the lightning and thunder! So, no new photos today, but instead I have some photos from one of the activities Alan and I did on our vacation in October, that I haven't had a chance to share with you before now.

Horse Racing At Golden Gate Fields!

 

We we were kids, Alan and I used to go to the Alameda County Fair, and we would always take in a race or two. And sometimes when we hung out before we were a couple, we visited the track at Bay Meadows. Oh my, it was lovely there. It seemed a little smaller than Golden Gate Fields, of course it was probably the exact same size, it just seemed that way to me. It was a beautiful place. We had a lot of good times there, and one especially profitable time that pretty much paid for a our wedding cake! LOL. Alan always taught me to never bring more money to the track than I can afford to lose, and never, ever gamble out of boredom. Not just good advice... GREAT ADVICE. No matter how a day at the track has ever been, he and I have never walked out of a race track or a casino, for that matter, down in the dumps over a loss.

 

That feels good!

One the day we went back in October, I brought enough of my own money for a couple races. In the first race, the horse I bet on came in 3rd... why did I bet to win, and not to place? Sheesh. In the second race I placed $8.00 on the #4 horse to... ahem... win. Wow... it's not that it came in dead last, it didn't, but it didn't win either! Goodbye $10.00! LOL. I was there more for the photography, than the gambling anyway. Alan on the other hand, did quite well. Well, actually for the first couple races he didn't win, but between the 2nd and 3rd races an odd omen took place. A seagull pooped from on him from on HIGH, missing me completely, but hitting Alan square in the chest as if he had a big target there! LOL. At first he was fairly pissed off, but as he was getting up to visit the men's room, a little lady of about 80 stopped him and said... "Don't frown dear, it's the best thing that could have happened... you'll see."

Alan didn't think much of it, and kinda chuckled as he continued on his way.

Then...

No joke...

He won the next 8 races in a row, and came home a very happy fella.

We didn't break the track or anything, but it was nice to see him happy and relaxed, with a couple less worries off his mind. He works hard all year, and to see the vacation lift away all his worry lines, and frowns does a happy wife good. He deserves it!

There is no proof the bird pooping on him had anything to do with his good fortune, or that the nice little lady knew what she was talking about, and I know that sometimes perspective is everything, but it's nice to think of that day, and consider the little bit of magic that just might have been flying by.

And thank the birds in the sky that he didn't bet on the Number 4 horse like I did!

Happiness.

~Me :)

A Christmas Sampler...

"Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance - each beautiful, unique and too soon gone."

-Deborah Whipp

Happy Christmas Eve! I love this day, and so does my little boy, Elvis. He and I will be making cookies, and getting ready for Santa to visit. In fact, we are going to track his journey by following him around the world at Santa At NORAD! Do you follow Santa's travels on Christmas Eve? And did you know that just like on my favorite holiday, Halloween, Christmas has superstitions? Well, it does...

* To have good health throughout the next year, eat an apple on Christmas Eve."

* Eat a plum pudding on Christmas and avoid losing a friend before next Christmas.

* If you eat a raw egg before anything else on Christmas morning, you will be able to carry heavy weights.

Cute story...

A three year old once gave this reaction to her Christmas dinner...

"I don't like the turkey, but I like the bread he ate."

Ways To Confuse Santa Claus...

* Leave out a copy of your Christmas list with last-minute changes and corrections.

* While he's in the house, cover the top of the chimney with barbed wire.

* Leave him a note, explaining that you've gone away for the holidays. Ask if he would mind watering your plants.

* Build an army of mean looking snowmen on the roof, holding signs that say, "We hate Christmas," and "Go Away Santa."

*Leave out a plate with cookies and milk, with a note that says, " For The Tooth Fairy."

* While he's in the house, replace all his reindeer with exact replicas. Then wait and see what happens when he tries to get them to fly."

* While he's in the house, go out to his sleigh and write him a speeding ticket.

* Throw a surprise party for Santa, and refuse to let him leave until the strippers arrive.

* Keep an angry bull in your living room. If you think a bull goes crazy when he sees a little red cape, wait until he sees that big, red Santa suit.

* While he is in the house, find his sleigh and sit in it. As soon as he comes back, and sees you, tell him that he shouldn't have missed that last payment, and take off.

And remember...

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."

-Agnes M. Pharo

-OndineMonet
"Elvis At Christmas"
Berkeley, California
December 23rd, 2007
Early Evening