Ashes (1997-2016)

Hi everyone,

Let's celebrate Ashes, the grande dame of the Connolly household in Columbus, Ohio, who passed away earlier this month. 

Comet's longtime companion was a great old cat, who always voiced her opinion and got away with whatever she wanted. 

Greatly missed, Ashes will always still live here at Melissa's Kitties.

Star

On sparkly nights, what do you see in the stars?

(Illustration Friday: October 9, 2015)

Ink

Norman and Mini got inked the other day. I thought it was okay as long as it's temporary; but Ashes prefers her coat just the way it is, thank you!

(Illustration Friday: October 2, 2015)

Pet[s]

Check out this Connolly Family Portrait 2015: Mini, Ashes, Lily, and Tyrone with honorary Golden Retriever Kitty, Polly.

(Illustration Friday: May 15, 2015)

Polly is a rescue that my sister took in this year. She tried to find another home for her, but it turns out she was already home. She fits right in with Ashes and Mini. In fact, I think she may secretly be a  big cat in disguise, but I'm sure my sister would disagree.  

Sleep...

Hi everyone,

The Kitties are always full of great ideas, like naps. This winter, as a fought off a series of annoying colds, I curled right up with them.

(Illustration Friday: February 13, 2015)

Now that I have my energy back, I'm working on catching up with the rest of the world. Last December, I meant to recap 2014, a year during which I put down my markers and got out of the apartment. A great lesson from Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way is that you should  spend time having fun on your own: Take a walk. See a movie. Learn a new hobby. Fly off for a weekend getaway. She calls these Artist Dates. I've always done Artist Dates without realizing their purpose. Last year's number of outings seemed more than usual, even for me. Concerts, plays, exhibits, and more just kept showing up, and I had to go! 

My plan to recap all these fun events was sabotaged by my constant colds, holidays, work, and life in general. But, this month, I'll get started posting reviews of what I saw last year for you all. It's better late than never, right? Here's some of what you're in for:

• Appreciating Charlie Chaplin.
• Experiencing great live jazz.
• Catching up with Sting and company.
• Learning about our best American songwriters.
• Catching up with The Lucy and Rufus Wainwright.
• Partying with the Rainforest Foundation (New York).
• Rocking at 930.
• Joining symphony and dance at The Kennedy Center.
• Flying high with Savion Glover.
• Finding Neverland in Boston.
• Finding The Real Thing in New York.
• Celebrating the work of Danny Elfman for Tim Burton.
• Going on a Broadway Extravaganza (New York).
• Sailing Away with The Last Ship (New York).
• Catching Up with John Cleese.

Eventually, I'll catch up to 2015, so just bear with me while I get these all out of my system. Also, mark your calendar for a new installment of Johnny Kitties on March 9th! I promise to throw in some random Kitties every once in a while too. You know they're always around. 

Best,

King

This happens every time we watch The Wizard of Oz at my sister's house.

(Illustration Friday: August 8, 2014)

For all of you who want to sing along and practice the speech in front of your own mirror (it works for Comet), here's the real thing.... Enjoy! 

(YouTube video: http://youtu.be/Ak3J5DayiCk © MGM)

Voice

Hi everyone,

Image courtesy of William Gottlieb

In February, I attended a fantastic lecture about Ella Fitzgerald called "The Incomparable Ella." John Edward Hasse provided a fascinating glimpse into the singer's life through film clips, audio recordings, and personal stories.

In fact, he told us that, long ago, he had written a letter to Ella Fitzgerald on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution, asking if she would consider donating some of her memorabilia. Although he never heard from her, he got a call from her son after she died and was offered the opportunity to go through her things for the Smithsonian's collection. As he did so, he found his letter buried in the back of a nightstand drawer! I guess the answer was yes. (Mr. Hasse went on to co-curate the National Museum of American History's exhibition "Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song" in 1998.)

Although I have lots of Ella Fitzgerald's songs on my iPod, I didn't know much about her before this evening. This 2-hour informative, entertaining seminar flew by, leaving me feeling inspired by this amazing lady who never sang a bad note. As Mr. Hasse says, "I have yet to find anyone who says they don't like Ella Fitzgerald." Here are some things I learned about the First Lady of Song:

• Before she was famous, she entered amateur singing contests for cash prizes. She won.
• Her influences include Bessie Smith, Connee Boswell of the Boswell Sisters, and Louis Armstrong.
• For a few years, she was married to bassist Ray Brown. 
• She suffered from stage fright all her life. (I don't see it.) 
• She collected cookbooks but hated cooking.
• She used to run out of her Beverly Hills home to greet the tourists passing by on the Hollywood Stars Homes tour buses; sometimes, she even invited them inside! 

The rare performances that Mr. Hasse shared during his lecture not only complemented his expertise, but made the event really special. Listening to Ella Fitzgerald sing is good for the soul. "The Incomparable Ella" appropriately describes her talent and grace; I could also add "otherworldly." 

I looked through YouTube for one of the many performances I noted during this seminar as "awesome." While I couldn't find her performance of "Angel Eyes" that gave me chills, which I'd planned to share here, I spent hours listening to her sing other songs just as perfectly. Here's one, "Misty" (by Erroll Garner and John Burke), which she performed with The Tommy Flanagan Trio in London, 1965: 

Illustration Friday's topic, Voice, can only refer to the one and only Ella, don't you think? Here, Ashes pays tribute to one of our heroines. (Ashes really does sing like this at home all day long. Can you hear her?) 

(Illustration Friday: February 28, 2014)

Now, if you haven't already, go add some Ella to your music library. You can thank me later.

Spark

Comet wasn't sure what to think when Ashes first moved into his house, but eventually she won him over, as she does with everyone. Nothing's better than finding a lifelong friend.

(Illustration Friday: March 7, 2014)

True Celtics Forever!

Hi everyone,

Bad things happened this weekend that I can't wrap my head around. (I'm talking to you, Florida.) Among them, the "blockbuster" Celtics trade with the Brooklyn Nets became official: So long to Jason Terry (The Jet!), Kevin Garnett (The Big Ticket!), and Paul Pierce (The Truth!). It's clear to me Head Coach Doc Rivers left for the West Coast to coach the L.A. Clippers last month as protest!

I've been sad about trades before, but this summer's transactions are going to leave a scar! Do they know they've lost one of the best coaches ever? Did they realize they traded their team captain who has been with the them for his entire 15-year career? Who will be taking over for KG in the enthusiasm/intensity department? Who will master Jason Terry's suave 'n' smooth public relations skills?

At the last minute, they threw in  D.J. White into this group shipment to cover some sort of technicality. Note, he doesn't have a nickname that I know of, and I've run out of male cats to pay tribute. Simon offered to step in, but it's best not to confuse the rest of the team because we all know who Simon really is. Instead, Mini is thrilled to volunteer because she wishes she was as big and tall as the 6' 9" Power Forward.

Farewell to these Celtic stars, who I will miss seeing in green!  You may have moved homes, but you'll always be Celtics to me!

This drawing was inspired by photos and many, many memories of some of my favorite people.

Paul and KG loved watching the jumbo screen at the Garden.

D.J. White, Paul Pierce, and Jeff Green have some laughs.

Before each game, Kevin always talks to the post.

During the games, he screams a lot.

Jason Terry always flies around the court after a big basket.

After 10 years, MVP Paul Pierce takes in a championship moment in 2008!!!

It was awesome after such a long wait!!!!!

And, we were all thrilled!!!!!!!!

Okay, now I'm going to cry.

Going into the 2013-14 season, let's welcome Coach Stevens, some Brooklynites, and some newbies to Team Rondoooooo!!!!!!!!! (And, keep an eye on those Nets and Clippers games, because they have some of the coolest people over there now....)

Best,

Tension

Norman is not her favorite.

(Illustration Friday: May 24, 2015)

Wild!

When in the backyard, kitty instincts typically take over... Happy Earth Day, everyone!

(Illustration Friday: April 12, 2013)

Shy

Comet is a great hider, but he shows up when he wants.

(Illustration Friday: November 2, 2012)

Haunt

I know it's Christmastime, but I'm a little behind in posting my Illustration Friday drawings. Haunt was the topic for the last week of October.

At the time, I had just seen Tim Burton's Frankenweenie and was completely inspired to create Frankenweenie Kitties.

Then, while in San Francisco, my friend and I caught a bit of Young Frankenstein, one of our favorite movies, on TV.

                                               

So, here's a mix of both: Comet is "The Monster" (with a heart of gold). Ashes is his bride. B.J. is Dr. Frankenstein with Simon assisting as Igor and The Mother Kitty providing musical accompaniment as Frau Blucher. (Oops, I set off the horses.)

(Illustration Friday: October  26, 2012)

Frankenweenie images  © Disney Pictures; Young Frankenstein images © 20th Century Fox

Popularity

For Christmas, I got my sister Julie's kitties a carrot full of catnip. For a while, it was the most popular toy in the house, and the black-and-white kitties battled it out.

(Illustration Friday: February 10, 2012)

There was one clear winner in this fight.

(Don't worry, Ashes shared eventually--even if she still complains about it.)

Sink

In the mornings and evenings as Julie gets ready for work or bed, Ashes waits in the bathroom for some "me" time and a drink from the faucet. If Julie takes too long getting there, she'll start complaining and kicking her water bowl around.

Here, we haven't gotten to that point yet. Just wait.

(Illustration Friday: December 16, 2011)

Vanity

I've been watching the new show on ABC called "Once Upon a Time" about Snow White and other fairy tale characters who are under a spell cast by The Evil Queen. She's trapped everyone in a "normal" town where they all have forgotten who they really are and lost their happy endings.

Since the show started, The Kitties have been testing out all the mirrors to decide who is the fairest of them all. The jury is still out.

Gesture

When Ashes first moved in, it took a while for Comet to warm up to the idea of having another housemate. But a few surprise gestures later, we realized he was cool with it.

(Illustration Friday: July 15, 2011)

Swept

The Kitties and I are thrilled about the start of the new season of "So You Think You Can Dance." To celebrate, The Kitties pay tribute, here, to one of our favorite dances from last week's opening show. Choreographed by past contestant Travis Wall, the joy of this dance swept us all away.

(Illustration Friday: June 10, 2011)

Here is the dance performed by the final five contestants to be selected for the competition: Ryan [Lily], Mitchell [B.J.], Ashley [Ashes], Alexander [Gordon] and Caitlynn [Mini]:

© Fox Broadcasting Company

Meet the Kitties: 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.

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.

"Good morning!" (Illustration Friday--August 28, 2009: Magnify)

Racing

(Illustration Friday: October 22, 2010)

When Ashes first arrived, she made Comet quite anxious. Eventually, though, he warmed up to her and now they are great pals. Finally, something other than worry gets Comet's heart racing.