Meet The Kitties

Hi everyone,

My name is Melissa Connolly, and I am a self-taught illustrator who loves to feature my family's cats (and a few non-cat furry friends). I started drawing them in the 1980s, and this growing tribe, from past and present, has inspired me ever since.

They may live miles apart in real-life time and space, but in The Mother Kitty's whimsical world, they are all happily together, enjoying each other's company and entertaining the rest of us. Here are the stories behind my illustrations.

Imagined with love by,

The Mother Kitty

The Mother Kitty finds a spot in the sun.

The son of one of my dad's friends, who was attending the University of Akron, was looking for a home for the cat that lurked outside his dorm. One day, Dad brought her home.

After a scrubby bath, what we thought was a salt-and-pepper kitty turned out to be fluffy winter white. Her friends at the University of Akron called her Ghost. But, since she was the only cat we knew, we referred to her as The Kitty, a name that she approved.

Soon, The Kitty became The Mother Kitty, bearing six kittens. (One was kept—more on him later—while the others moved in with friends.)

The Mother Kitty with her kittens.

(Baby: May 8, 2008)

The Mother Kitty—and all the kitties to follow—became instant family. She roamed our two-story house and surrounding yard and woods as if she owned it. (She did.) Indoors, she hunted through our belongings for barrettes, paper clips, business cards, and jewelry. At times, she’d trap me for hours, napping on my lap. Outside, she helped Mom out with the mail and her daily gardening. She climbed her favorite pine tree and always kept her eye on all the neighborhood happenings.

The Mother Kitty is a true lady, caring and stern, street smart and full of wisdom, opinionated and no-nonsense. Mom, Bette Davis, and Eleanor Roosevelt are just a few of her role models. Her eclectic pastimes include reading, gardening, fine dining, music and formal dancing, astrology, staring contests, and messing with her roommate Simon’s head.

Her most distinctive feature, her multi-colored eyes, has always been a mystery. Some reports suggest that The Mother Kitty is thousands of years old and that her eyes mark the ages, serving as windows to the different eras and worldly locations she’s experienced. Others say her eyes reflect the level of her Jedi powers. Several studies explore their respective purposes and origins, but no conclusive or definitive comparisons have been drawn. Some have gone as far as to link her to Buddha, David Bowie, and Dorothy Parker. The Mother Kitty does not dispute any of these theories but will not discuss it. And she will stare you down until you stop asking her.

Gordon

Gordon, camouflaged in one of our porch flower boxes

From somewhere south of the equator,

Gordon sends his mom a sweet message.

(Equipment: May 14, 2010)

Born behind a piano in Northeast Ohio and named after a famous rock star, Gordon knew from an early age that he wanted to see more than his own backyard. A real outdoorsy type, Gordon spent his early years hunting and hiking, roaming our neighborhood daily. After his first few years at home, he bid his mom and the rest of our family adieu and set off on one of his many adventures.

Gordon excelled in the arts and has become a true performer—proficient in music like his namesake, Sting (real name: Gordon), and currently starring in the Johnny Kitties series, celebrating Johnny Depp. He attributes his lifelong love for classic films and Johnny Movies to his upbringing of afternoon lap naps in front of the TV for my movie marathons. He also has an encyclopedic knowledge of music, which makes him the favorite for DJing parties. While—of course—Sting is his hero, he leans toward guitar gods Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jimi Hendrix.

Now traveling the world, exploring new cultures, religions, and languages, Gordon shares a worldly, ageless reputation similar to his mother's. He returns home with a flicker of a new indistinct accent, treats from afar to share, and tales and legends to tell. What's true? What's legend? Only Gordon knows.

Some of his favorite destinations include Mozambique, Taiwan, Italy, New Zealand, and New York. To counter his life on the road, Gordon spends his spare time taking long walks, reading, reflecting, practicing yoga, and catching a quick snooze between flights.

Simon

Helping Dad with his latest construction project in the garage, Simon takes a work break.

Simon in the old days....
(Acrobat: September 17, 2010)

A few years after Gordon left home, Simon showed up outside my parents' office building. As we exited the front door, he sprung out of the bushes and circled the parking lot doing a handstand on the seat of a unicycle. We took him home immediately.

With the hint of a French accent, Simon told us of his tenure with the Cirque du Soliel. He had to quit his high wire act after a fall that broke his front paw. On the mend, Simon enjoyed his new surroundings at our home with The Mother Kitty, though The Mother Kitty was not as thrilled. It took years, but I think she secretly tolerates him now.

On a typical day, Simon roams the yard, inspecting every change from the day before—in the air and on land. He enjoys sunbathing by the fish pond, reading and writing philosophy, and helping Dad with his craft projects in the garage. More than anything, though, Simon loves a lap. In his spare time, he continues to practice his old circus tricks and to exercise, walking in circles and making frequent u-turns. These skills have helped him score a spot as star point guard for the Boston Celtics. You may know him as Rajon Rondo, but don't tell anybody.

Comet

When Julie received her White Coat, a milestone in her veterinary studies, Comet was first to test it out.

Comet makes a cautious approach.
(Brave: March 5, 2011)

Comet had a rough childhood, growing up in Cincinnati. At age 3, he was brought in to a veterinary office to be euthanized because his owner's boyfriend didn't get along with him! Can you imagine anyone not getting along with Comet? He couldn't either! He was—of course—saved by his undeniable cuteness and lovable personality. The veterinarians displayed him in a cage in the front office, trying to entice customers to take him home. That's where my sister Julie met him.

While Comet still struggles to conquer his shyness and fears, life with Julie was completely different. Days were full of love and fun, as they spent them playing Hide and Seek and Tag. A couple of years down the road, Julie brought Ashes home to be Comet's new friend. It took some adjusting, but now—as you know—they're inseparable.

Comet prefers the quiet life, and works on building up his courage every day. He spends his days hiding, wrestling with Ashes and listening to her endless stories, napping, and watching the birds. Comet enjoys reading the works of great, reflective minds, such as Abraham Lincoln, Richard Feynman, and Leonardo Da Vinci, and brave adventurers, including Howard Hughes, Jane Goodall, and the Cowardly Lion. He practices yoga, watches classic MTV, and enjoys musicals, silent films, and The Honeymooners.

Ashes

Ashes, keeping the bed warm for my nephew Liam in 2002

Ashes spent her early life in a Cincinnati cat shelter, uncertain of her future and always planning her escape. When my sister Julie brought her home, she happily found only one cat to deal with and room after room full of things to explore, climb, and possibly destroy. Every time she accidentally ruined something, she got warnings of returning to that crowded cat cell from which she came, but she could always talk her way out of that. Besides, she knew Julie was too kind-hearted to follow through with any such threats.

"Good morning!"

(Magnify: August 28, 2009)

Ashes's bold, infectious personality is undeniable. Soon, everyone warmed up to her, including her best friend Comet. She's never understood the reasons behind Comet's shyness and spends her days trying to snap him out of it. He, on the other hand, teaches her the joy of sitting quietly for reflection. Typically, for Ashes, with some much to do and topics to discuss, there are never enough hours in the day. Some of her hobbies include singing, sewing, jewelry-making, and floor hockey. Some of her idols include Janet Jackson, Tim Gunn, and Joan Crawford.

Norman

Norman, ready for his close-up. 

Norman muscled his way into my sister Julie's life after spotting her on a bike trail in Cincinnati, where somebody "took him on a little trip" and promptly disappeared. Confused and unsure of his situation, he spent hours trying to snag passersby, but to no avail. By the time he saw Julie on her bike, he was desperate and ran for it! Julie, hearing a constant pulsating cry, finally looked behind her and discovered she was being chased. 

"Cooookieeee!!!!" 

Norman goes Method
in his Halloween costume.

(Crunchy: December 4, 2009)

Once home, Norman immediately settled in—to the great dismay of Comet and Ashes. Julie named her new kitten Norman after Psycho's "Norman Bates" because he was and is completely mental. As a kitten,  he attacked everything with a feverish, unsettling look. He jumped after anything, with no consideration of how or where he might land. Norman is a survivor.

The early trauma Norman experienced in that open field planted deep-seeded insecurities about belonging. Analysis was useless. Once he had the constant guarantee of scheduled meals, he also began his lifelong struggle with weight. The older he gets, the more of a bully he becomes to ward off any potential teasing in these sensitive areas. And, he doesn't always need to be provoked to lash out. While lazily content in his new life of luxury, he still gets that crazy glint in his eye every once in a while, so watch out!

Norman loves laps but not to be pet. He spends his time napping and eating or eating and napping, sitting, and randomly smacking whoever crosses his path—cat or human. Norman's heroes are Marlon Brando and Mike Tyson.

Of course, Norman has his good, lovable side too. Since his birth, Liam—Julie's now 7-year-old son— has been Norman's favorite person. They bonded and are best playmates, who over the years, have fought many dinosaur and Star Wars battles. Norman's newest dearest inseparable friend is Mini, the latest addition to Melissa's Kitties. Although he lights up at the mention of his new friend, Norman can't talk now. He's off to defend Iron Man against Liam's Harry Potter wizardry. I'm not sure who's winning yet.

B.J.

B.J.'s chillin' at home

B.J. was tired by the time he decided to move into my sister Julie's home. At the time, he was living on the streets of Cincinnati with other alley cats, fending off his territory and scraping up any leftovers he could find. Julie fed him whenever she saw B.J. in her driveway, which he always appreciated.

One day, he caught a cold, and Julie took him to the vet's office. He didn't like her as much that day, but it was a good thing they went. It turned out that he had contracted FIV from his pals, and his immune system had taken a recent hit. While B.J. dismissed this news as an annoyance, Julie insisted he come live in the safety of her warm, dry house. Always a lone traveler, he preferred the open air and sky. He had travelled all the way from the Wild West, and his early days under stars on the prairie forever remained in his blood. Still, although he was afraid he'd miss the outdoors, he couldn't pass up such a generous offer.

B.J. is strong like bull. 
(Strong: September 4, 2009)

To his great surprise, being an indoor cat suited him just fine. Eternally grateful for his good fortune, B.J. became an increasingly happy-go-lucky cat. Named Bob, Jr., after Bob, an identical orange kitty Julie used to care for before he settled into a friend's home, B.J. shared Bob's good nature. He got along with everyone, except for Norman. (Comet and Ashes assured him that Norman rarely got along with anyone, but B.J. always tried.) He also loves watching Paul Newman and Jimmy Stewart movies, playing board games, and weight lifting. He most enjoys conversations covering the day's events. There's nothing better than a sunny spot by a window so he can keep up with his old pals, spy on new ones, and check out his neighborhood's happenings. He'll tell you all about it.

Mini

Mini spends a lot of time on the stairs.

But she'll eventually make her way
downstairs to greet you.

(Chicken: January 15, 2011)

Years ago, my sister Julie moved from Cincinnati to Columbus, and Mini showed up at her work place in early 2010. Like B.J. Mini was a stray living outdoors and off the kindness of strangers. When she also contracted FIV, her original caretakers no longer wanted her because of her bothersome disease. Although sad and angry, she brushed off this rejection and instantly regained her sunny disposition in her new life with Julie. In Julie's house, she found several friendly cats, including a huge one who looked just like her! Like a long-lost relative, Norman saw her and called out, "Mini-Me!" He raced up—as much as Norman can race—and gave her a bear hug. They were instant friends, bosom buddies, and definitely an odd couple!

Much like Norman's kitten ways, but with unvarnished sweetness, Mini spends her days climbing, attacking, and exploring. She fears nothing and is ready for everything. She cannot grow up fast enough, and there is not enough time in the day for playing. She spends them chasing and attacking Norman, to the great amazement of everyone around her. Mini loves games, gossip, social engagements, and basically anything and everything exciting. Right now, she is obsessively investigating the workings of the living room's mysterious giant clock. (It sets itself at random times, but why?) Her role models include Tallulah Bankhead, Oprah Winfrey, Shaun "The Flying Tomato" White, and James Dean.

Tigerlily

Lily, seeing the world from her top perch

On a visit to my sister's office, I met Lily in October 2009. While it was love at first sight, it took a month or so before Lily could make the move by car, plane, and elevator from Columbus to my apartment in Washington, D.C. 

Lily is completely innocent here.

(Dusty: January 21, 2011)

We are best buddies, with daily games of Chase and Hide-and-Seek. She's proficient at batting practice and an expert at Dad's Blanket Game. While The Mother Kitty is the staring champ, Lily is a close second with her unprecedented dilated eye tricks. Currently studying the phases of the sun and moon, she spends her days researching the changing lights, shadows, and sounds throughout our apartment. 

She loves jigsaw puzzles and brainteasers, movies, music, and hosting company and social events. Though she enjoys our quiet life, she chronicles the endless outdoor activities of the bustling city from the vantage points of her window seats. Like Mark Twain, she plans to have her radical findings published 100 years after her death. 

Though she hates computers and wishes I'd throw mine out the window, she helps with sorting my markers and scanning my artwork. But she's really all about the breaks, often sabotaging my blog posts and stealing my sketchbooks to get her way. Her idols include Martha Stewart, Marilyn Monroe, Rosie Perez, and Amelia Earhart.



Tyrone

Tyrone used to live in a sewer drain pipe. A good samaritan who works at the post office in Alliance, Ohio, discovered and rescued him and his two siblings and found each of them safer homes. Tyrone moved into my parents' garage on September 17, 2013. He was about 2 months old at the time.

The origin of Tyrone's markings is still
under investigation.
(Pattern: December 13, 2013)

So far, he enjoys playing and playing and playing and playing and playing and sleeping and eating and playing. He spends most of his days exploring his new surroundings. When he ventures outdoors, he fearlessly races through the yard and climbs trees. In an effort to harness his attack-and-conquer approach to flowers, Mom spent the rest of Fall teaching him how to garden properly and to respect the plants. In the evenings, he helps Dad with his woodworking projects. This Winter, Tyrone discovered his true love, snow. Mom knit him a hat and scarf. I invested in a parka and boots, but he'd have none of it. Luckily, his heavy coat protected him from any sniffles. On those rare occasions when Tyrone's ready to crash, he'll find and climb into whoever's lap is closest.

When we first met, I introduced Tyrone to all sorts of music and movies and left him some good books to read. He should be up to speed with the other Kitties any time now. A quick learner, he has already identified Art Carney, Richard Pryor, Jackie Robinson, Dave Grohl, Mandy Patinkin, and Mohammad Ali among his heroes. (We'll get to the ladies eventually, but right now he thinks girls are gross.)

When asked recently how he likes his new digs, he responded, "It's better than the sewer." That's the truth!

Ryo-oh-ki

Two kitties, Ryo-oh-ki and Mew, have been a part of our family for the last several years. Technically, they are my sister's boyfriend Dan's cats, but everyone has been living under the same roof in Columbus for quite some time. I have been slow to introduce these kitties here because they are usually busy studying Japanese and practicing it on me whenever I visit – even though I don't know the language. It took all this time for us to understand each other.

Ryo-oh-ki sees you...

Ryo-oh-ki is an old, wise Maine Coon. While public records say that Ryo-oh-ki was born in 1999 behind Dan's bed in Cleveland, legend has it that he's lived various lives for hundreds of years. Some say that his mythological lore rivals The Mother Kitty's. (While The Mother Kitty considers him a peer, she shrugs off any comparison.)

Hello, Ryo-oh-ki!

Ryo-oh-ki is named after the Japanese anime character, Ryo-ohki – a shape-shifter that's a cross between a cat and rabbit. (Someone added the extra hyphen to Ryo-oh-ki's name to help with pronunciation after hearing him sound it out slowly to everyone he met.) Like his namesake, Ryo-oh-ki spent years studying shape-shifting techniques (mainly by trying different Edward Scissorhands inspired haircuts) and developing his own taste for carrots and talent for hopping.

While he is inexplicably worldly and knowledgeable beyond his years, Ryo-oh-ki spends his days modestly, studying the stars, meditating, and amusing his kitty-pupil, Mew. Together, they love everything Japanese and practice Taikiken (martial arts) and Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangements) daily. He's an avid fan of anime (of course) and Akira Kurosawa films.

Ryo-oh-ki loves making new friends and having deep, lengthy conversations with them. Among his role models are Mark Twain, Michelle Obama, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Clarence from It's a Wonderful Life. (He's friends with them too, but he doesn't like to drop names.)

Mew

Dan found Mew on the side of a road. She was on her way to Japan, but he convinced her to stick around.

Mew was meant to be named after the Japanese anime character Nyu, from Elfin Lied, but everyone kept mistaking it for Mew, assuming she was named after the Mythical Pokemon character. She's a little bitter about this error because she thinks Mew is too cute to fit her strong-willed personality. I tell her that, while Nyu is resilient and tough, she is a sad and dark character. Mew, on the other hand, is bright and sometimes mischievous. I remind her that Mew is the single ancestor of all other Pokemon characters, and she has mad skills: she can learn any new Pokemon moves and morph into other Pokemon characters. She's also a shapeshifter with psychic abilities, who is capable of flight, teleportation, and invisibility. She's more than cute.

This is Mew's favorite way to say hello.

Convinced by this argument, Mew follows in her namesake's footsteps. She is a daily practitioner of extreme martial arts and Samurai moves. She spends her days with her mentor Ryo-oh-ki to reap the benefits of his wisdom, learn the art of shapeshifting, and share their mutual love for everything Japanese. While she hasn't perfected flying, teleportation, or invisibility (yet), she is stealthy and likes to spy on new visitors before making her presence known. Mew is a certified psychic. She's happy to tell anyone's fortune anytime, and she can read everyone's mind, so watch what you think around her.

Mew doesn't have a lot of spare time because she's always training in her latest martial arts level, studying Japanese, meditating, or making travel plans (though she hasn't yet followed through on them). When relaxing, she listens to music and reads Marvel Comics (X-Men are her favorite.) She loves James Bond movies and, of course, Lost in Translation. Some of her favorite people include Aretha Franklin, Liam Neeson, Amy Schumer, Kazuo Ishiguru, and Bruce Lee.

Walter

Our neighbor always feeds the outdoor cats that wander around his backyard. Every year, we see new black-and-white kittens bouncing in the grass.

Walter is one of them. One morning, he turned to his brothers and sisters, and said, "See ya later." And, without explanation, he set off on an adventure to travel the world. He was thinking of Egypt, Africa, and maybe Asia too.

But he only got as far as across the road, where he came to our big yard. He put down his suitcase on the step into our garage and exclaimed, "This is the life!"

Dad found him in the tree outside our backdoor. "I came from all the way over there," he told him, pointing to the next yard over. "It's too noisy and crowded," he said, as he waved to his relatives. "You only have one cat here, and I like the option of this indoor living space."

Dad checked with Tyrone, who rolled his eyes at the idea of a housemate. But he said that it was okay for Walter to stay as long as we didn't refer to them as The Odd Couple. Within days, Walter won him over completely because that's what Walter does with anyone. Now, they are practically brothers.

Walter does a lot of yoga and meditation throughout the day. He says that we need both in these troubled times. When he's not wrestling with Tyrone, he likes to leisurely explore this sunnier side of the street. In his new digs, he advisees mom on her iPad games, and he supervises Dad's stained glass art creations.

He and Tyrone are really into history. I hear them listening to inspirational speeches in the basement at night on all sorts of topics, from civil rights and politics to climate change and new solar technologies. They have intellectual conversations about them but stop talking when they hear us coming, as if it's a secret. I think they might be writing a book.

Walter loves all kinds of music, but especially jazz, reggae, and hip-hop. His musical heroes include all the old-school greats, like Bob Marley, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, L.L. Cool J, and Abbey Lincoln. But he keeps up with new music too, like Camila Cabello and Chance the Rapper. He's always plugged into his earphones, making playlists. He doesn't watch much TV, but he knows all about movies. His favorite actors are Sidney Poitier and Robert Downey, Jr. He is sure that he's going to join the Black Panther franchise someday.

Walter is also a great dancer! He keeps trying to get Tyrone to join him in a daily routine, inspired by West Side Story – to keep their joints flexible – but Tyrone just watches and yawns. "Someday, he's going to surprise me with a Irish jig," Walter says of his big brother. (Walter is a very optimistic kitty.) I see Tyrone crack a smile sometimes, so maybe he is actually considering it.

Emily

Mom heard Emily singing on our back porch a few cool, rainy nights in a row. She likes old-school ballads and Motown and tried to lure Mom's attention with some Billie Holiday and Tina Turner. Eventually, she made her way into our garage, where she met Tyrone and Walter, discovered the warm bed in there that neither of them were using, and claimed it for herself.

Emily loves hanging around her big brothers now, especially Walter who enjoys teaching her the ways of the world. (Tyrone does too but in short spurts because his tolerance for kittens is limited. He asked me the other day, "Where are all of these other cats coming from anyway?")

One thing Walter hasn't been able to discipline yet is Emily's mealtime manners. She loves to eat, and every time is like the first and only time. When she's finishes licking her bowl clean, she interrupts Walter and Tyrone to "help" make their dishes spotless too.

Tyrone and Walter put up with Emily's intrusive eating habits because she says she's researching the different flavors that each ingredient provides. Emily dreams of becoming a great chef someday – "like that rat in Ratatouille," she says – and Walter and Tyrone are eager taste her imaginative culinary creations.

For now, though, Emily is enjoying the exploratory phase, watching a lot of cooking shows on PBS and FoodTV. (She is dying to compete on the Great British Baking Show.)  Daily, she explores the variances among dry and wet cat food and the occasional fresh seafood treats. She also enjoys long conversations with Mom, learning her gardening tips and tricks for growing the freshest vegetables.

Emily is, at first, shy among strangers but warms up to most almost immediately. She learns and remembers the unique traits and talents of each friend she makes. She loves a good conversation about anything and everything, except gossip, and she aims to earn a hearty laugh every day.

Family portrait: Emily and her big brothers

She watches all of the late night talk shows and also has a passion for fashion. So, while she can tell you the latest news of the day or quip a topical joke on demand, she can also show you what she learned to make from Project Runway last week. I told her that Mom has a sewing machine in the basement and expect that Tyrone and Walter will be roaming in the yard in custom-made outfits any day now.

Emily's current heroes are Julia Child, Joan Rivers, Ellen DeGeneres, Seth Meyers, Gilda Radner, Alexander McQueen, Betsy Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Marvin Gaye, and India Arie. Walter has turned her on to Bob Marley and Shaggy, but she all about Billie Eilish and Harry Styles right now.

A voracious reader of books and magazines, Emily knows a little about a lot of things. It's great because, at this young age, she is still trying to find her path in life. For now, she is the poster child for being as curious as a cat, but I imagine that she'll be a star someday at doing whatever she chooses. Then, we'll all be able to say we knew her way back when.

Stephen

Stephen's start in life was a dramatic one! Coming from an abusive household, he suffered a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma when he was brought to the veterinary practice where my sister works. It was touch and go for a while, but Stephen is a fighter and he woke up to a better life.

Stephen was so young when my sister brought him home that he had to be bottle fed. "Unfortunately, most bottle-fed kittens grow up to be jerks," she explained later. With hope for a better outcome, Stephen is named after Stephen Hawking and tries not to be the jerk everyone fears, but he is also overwhelmed by the genius reputation of his namesake. In fact, because of his early trauma, he can't think too hard about any of this and instead lives somewhere in the middle.

Inspirational name or not, Stephen is definitely his own cat. Because of his scarring past, he is certifiably psychotic, unintentionally clumsy, and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder,  attention deficit disorder, and whatever else is swirling in his little brain. He is also endlessly adorable and sweet when he is too sleepy to be otherwise.

Most of the time, Stephen is focused on whatever is right in front of him. He is all about now, and Mini is trying to feed that interest by teaching him meditation and gratitude practices. For the most part, though, Stephen obsesses over competitive sports.

Stephen wants to play!

He watches all kinds of sports, including basketball, baseball, football, wrestling, boxing, and car racing, and he loves the Olympic games. He also watches crossfit games all the time with my sister's fiance and accompanies them to their gym to build his strength and stamina. He even sets the workout playlists there sometimes, but his heavy metal tastes don't always suit everyone.

Stephen plays, too, and he plays hard. He excels at running, wrestling, soccer, and rugby, though Mew and Mini are not game for any of those activities. Still, he plays fetch every day with whoever will throw him a ball, though he's not sure what to do with that skill yet.

Although Stephen hasn't figured out exactly who Stephen Hawking was or what he talked about all the time, his current idols are Kevin Garnett, Marcus Smart, Tony Hawk, Shawn White, Pele, Mohammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Lou Albano (because he loves classic WWE), and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (both as an wrestler and an actor). He says he's going to be an Olympian, a boxing champion, and a veterinarian, but he will probably change his mind tomorrow.

Stephen does have a softer side. He sits still for action movies, especially the Marvel, Die Hard, and Terminator franchises. On the flip side, I caught him the other day browsing through Real Simple while listening to Bach. (I think he's honing some hidden talents that he'll reveal when we least expect it.)

His lovable side is most apparent when he's ready to sleep. Being ready isn't really accurate because Stephen goes and goes until he can go no more; then, as he gets wobbly, he completes several meditative rounds of purring and stretching until he just flops over and falls asleep quickly – maybe for a few minutes or maybe for a few hours. He's unpredictable like that.

Once he is recharged, though, it's a brand new day, full of everything, everywhere, right now. Ladies and gentlemen, Stephen is ready to rumble!!!

Polly (OG Honorary Kitty)

If you've been following my blog, you know that Polly is not new to the family. In fact, she is our first honorary kitty, but she was never introduced properly. However long overdue, Polly doesn't mind; she's a happy dog, who always wags her tail. She rarely barks and prefers to lie on a lap or the couch (or both) all day. No wonder she gets along so well with the kitties. Some think that she's just a cat in a good disguise.

Polly is a mom to lots of pups, who joined other families, but she was left in a bad, unhealthy environment when my sister Julie met her at the veterinary practice. Julie saved Polly's life, adopting her and bringing her back to a healthy weight and lifestyle. Because of this radical change for the better, Polly is hopelessly devoted to Julie and the family. Even Mom lets Polly lounge in her spotless, fur-free house during weekend visits! 

Polly doesn't like long walks because she'd rather be on the couch in the living room. Why go out, she asks, when you have everything you need at home? She is not used to stairs or car rides, so sometimes, we have to nudge her up or down steps, and we always have to pick her up to get her into  the back seat of the car. Carmella has scheduled weekly therapy sessions with her to get to the bottom of these rooted roadblocks. 

Polly loves to eat, which Norman and Emily completely understand. But, to the surprise of everyone, Mini was Polly's first and fastest kitty friend, who saw her as the giant, comfy, warm pillow she can be. Polly gets along with everyone, and she wants nothing more than to be lazy and surrounded by our loving crowd after so many years of hard labor.

Like everyone, though, Polly has her hobbies and other favorite pastimes. Despite the car ride, she looks forward to the routine of going to work with Julie at the veterinary practice, where she can lounge in the back and chat with the other doctors. Also, as most good moms are, she's great at helping my nephew with homework and video game strategies. Polly likes to read too and typically reads everyone a bedtime story each night. 

She plays fetch outside sometimes, for at least a few minutes; that ball is Polly's nemesis but helps her stay trim. Polly is best at watching the birds, though, and can tell you what's what whenever you point to one. She wants to get a parrot and teach it how to talk so it can help her communicate more clearly to everyone because barking, she says, is pointless. 

Polly brings in the sunshine.

Polly doesn't pay much attention to the news, except for the hopeful bits. She hears all the important stuff from Carmella and the cats and is very impressed with the young people, like Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg. I believe that children are our future, she explains, just like that Whitney Houston song says.

Polly loves all kinds of music but particularly appreciates the classics, like the Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong duets, and music from the '60s and '70s, like Joni Mitchell; Carole King; Crosby, Stills, and Nash; and James Taylor. Some of her favorite songs are "Take it Easy" by the Eagles, "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac, "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Wings, and "Cecilia" by Simon and Garfunkel. These days, she's a big fan of BTS (but still prefers the fun, harmonizing girl bands, like The Spice Girls and En Vogue). Also, she says the soundtracks to Grease and Xanadu are timeless. (I can't argue with that.)

Polly loves those musicals and so many more. When she's relaxing on the couch, she's usually watching them, along with lots of comedies (mostly classics from the '80s) and fantasy films. Some of her favorites are Ferris Beuller's Day Off (and practically any other John Hughes film); Johnny Dangerously; Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, The Wizard of Oz, Singin' in the Rain, The Sound of Music, and the Pitch Perfect and Lord of the Rings trilogies. 

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Doolittle are at the top of Polly's must-see list right now. She loves Tom Hanks, John Candy, John Cusack, Julie Andrews, and Taylor Swift. And, she thinks Melissa McCarthy is hilarious. (Polly's actually watching The Heat again right now, and she's also about to fall asleep, so I can't ask her any more questions.)

Carmella (Honorary Piggy Kitty #1)

Carmella is not a cat, but she likes laps just as much as the rest of them! Carmella, our honorary guinea piggy Kitty, used to live at a school and play with all the little kids there, until she retired to my sister's house and shifted to playing with cats.

Carmella never backs down from a challenge, and as soon as she moved in, she gravitated toward Stephen. She considers him an interesting project and tests him with lengthy staring contests.

Carmella always wins these battles because (1) Stephen has a short attention span, and (2) one of  Carmella's eyes is always open, due to an infection she caught during a cold. (To be clear, she doesn't purposely trick Stephen with her trick eye, but she says he has to learn someday that he won't win every fight. Besides, I think that eye gives her some sort of magic powers.)

Sometimes, she turns to the other side and blinks to make him feel better; regardless, she always rewards him with positive reinforcement, letting him share a spot on her favorite blanket.

Carmella is a born teacher, caretaker, and overall wise piggy. She's always reading and learning new skills. This week, she's taken up knitting because there's only so much to do in her cage condo. She just finished reading Michelle Obama's Becoming and wants to grow an organic garden like she did but full of her own favorite lettuces, carrots, and most importantly, strawberries. Everyone comes to Carmella for advice, and she's usually right. When she's not, she spins it into a valuable teachable moment.

When Carmella wants to relax, she spreads out on a lap or under her favorite fleece blanket on the couch, with a snack, ready for a movie or a podcast. She loves Pixar cartoons, anything with Cate Blanchett in it, PBS, and a daily dose of Jeopardy. She also listens to a lot of NPR and can tell us all sorts of stories from the day. (She is a great storyteller, like all old, wise women.)

Carmella loves her blanket.

Carmella prefers to listen to instrumental music because she says, while she appreciates great songwriters, the overused bass in pop songs and club music gives her headaches. Instead, she likes the unpredictability of jazz and intricacies of classical. Her favorites are Jason Marsalis (and all the other Marsalises), George Winston, Vivaldi, and Beethoven. Her idols are Toni Morrison, Jane Goodall, Richard Feynman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and – obviously – Cate Blanchett.

Surprisingly, Carmella dreams of the beach life. Someday, she says, I'll be spending my days and nights in a hammock between two mango trees, next to my organic garden, by a private beach in the Caribbean. She pictures enjoying the sun, sound of the waves, and a good book during the day and studying the constellations at night. (Did I mention she's writing the definitive textbook on stargazing? She's become an expert, on account of the eye that never closes.)

She says we can all join her there whenever we want, but I'm pretty sure she's only knitting one guinea-pig-sized hammock right now. The rest of us are on our own.

Byzee (Honorary Piggy Kitty #2)

Unlike everybody else in our Kitty family, our second honorary piggy kitty came from a pet store. Usually, buying animals from pet stores is against our principles, but this little one was a thoughtful gift, and soon the Kitties realized that Byzee's origin story was just like theirs. After all, everyone's just looking for a place to be loved.

Like one of his heroes Gil from Finding Nemo, Byzee spent his early days planning his escape from the guinea pig pen in which he and so many others were placed. He knew he was destined for something better.

My sister's work friends picked Byzee out and gave him to my sister after she fell so in love with Carmella, the OG guinea pig who honorably served as a school class mascot before retiring to my sister's home. At first, we thought Byzee was another girl. When we realized our mistake and apologized, Byzee said, "Hey, whatever, man. We're all the same on the inside." Byzee was tiny then, but he had big ideas.

Byzee is named after two legendary beings, the Star Wars saga's Baby Yoda and Avatar's extraordinary fire bender Zuko. Byzee also keeps busy – always on alert, practicing old and new hobbies, and itching to run the growing obstacle course in his new home. Byzee eyes are different colors – one is blue and one is brown – and he and The Mother Kitty discuss this uniqueness endlessly, including their mutual admiration for fellow multicolored-eye glam rocker David Bowie.

Byzee is a wild rock star at heart. Since he moved into my sister's house, he has let his hair grow out like Jerry Garcia, and he's been dreaming of being in a band ever since we watched School of Rock together. He practices all sort of instruments but seems to like the keyboards and drums the best. Most of his favorite musicians play classic rock – The Doors, Cream, The Grateful Dead, ELO, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. But Byzee's got soul too, often grooving to Funkadelic, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, and Chuck Berry. And, he surprises us all whenever he sings along to newer music, from the likes of Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Alicia Keys. But I guess we shouldn't be surprised – he's always up with the times and trends, exploring the latest things.

Byzee doesn't watch much TV, unless I make him sit still for a movie that provides life lessons, but he loves a good goofy comedy. His favorite actors include Steve Carrell, Will Ferrell, Michael Keaton, Holly Hunter, Bill Murray, and Jeff Bridges. His favorite films include Young Frankenstein, Johnny Dangerously, Elf, and any of the Cohen Brothers movies (though he's too young to watch the R-rated ones). Last night, we watched City Lights, so now Comet (our resident silent movie expert) is telling him all about Charlie Chaplin.

But Byzee is more of a hands-on kind of piggy. When not creating music or watching a comedy classic, he likes to build things. He would rather spend his time outside in the wilderness, but his fancy cage is the next best thing. He dreams of remodeling his cage into a guinea pig mansion of his dreams (see below). It's a work in progress, and his new home offers plenty to do and places to run as it is. Most important, there are places to hide and spy: Byzee is always on the look out for his new nemesis Stephen. Don't worry – he's okay with it now that he knows Stephen is everyone's nemesis and, also, Stephen's brain is about the same size as his.

Like Carmella, Byzee likes to chill with a good book and fresh food, including his favorites, bananas, parsley, and pepper plant leaves. Right now, we are reading The Daily Show (The Book) by Chis Smith together, and he just asked me who Stephen Colbert is. Byzee's still got a lot to learn, but he's getting there – fast.