What's your mood?

 Hi everyone,

Since last time, I've been immersed in the Blogging Your Way Masterclass. There are lessons and homework every week, but I got a specific assignment from teacher Holly Becker before class even began: Transfer your blog over to Squarespace. Excited to get this push with a May 15 deadline, I dove in quickly but left the blog page for last.

That's where I am now and will be for months. Because Blogger has a completely different layout than Squarespace, I need to rebuild each post one by one in the new platform. So far, I'm through 2006 (50 posts), and I've already questioned several times whether this is worth it. 

However, as Holly suspected, I am much happier with the look of my blog. An unexpected bonus is that going through my old posts and drawings shows how prolific and consistent I was with goals and deadlines and, more importantly, how much I enjoyed making each drawing. I'll let you know if I still feel warm and fuzzy when I'm in the 400s, or if I'll want to jump out of a window. 

This is all to say, my revamped blog launch is a while away. Hopefully, it'll be worth the wait. In the meantime, here's my latest mood board for the new home of Melissa's Kitties. 

If you haven't guessed already, the blog will have a new name but the same Kitties. I couldn't think of anything else to call it but The Mother Kitty, after the magical cat who started it all. What do you think? 

She and you keep me inspired. I'll keep you posted on my progress with the Kitties new home. (Someday, it will be ready.) 

Melissa's Kitties blogs into a new era

Hi everyone,

For me, 2021 is a year of new beginnings. More than a year into the pandemic, I am working at home and still figuring out a daily routine that incorporates more healthy habits. (Will I ever stick to it?) I'm also intent on focusing the things that bring me joy every day. 

One of those things is sharing my kitty drawings on Melissa's Kitties blog, which I have done since 2006. I participated in the Illustration Friday drawing challenge, which provided a single word or topic each week for art inspiration. That humble beginning started on a whim with my first Illustration Friday drawing – "E is for... Environment" – and grew into today's 18 cuddly characters, a popular monthly film tribute series, and hundreds of random quirky kitty adventures. 

In recent years, I posted on my blog more sporadically, inconsistent in time and topic, because of personal distractions and lack of motivation. In fact, I burned out last year and stopped drawing altogether. Toward the end of 2020, however, I woke up from my unplanned hibernation and shook off the crustiness. I realized it's disrespectful to neglect Melissa's Kitties and its readers after the 15 years of joy they've given me.

Toward the end of the year, despite discovering that the Illustration Friday drawing challenge no longer existed, I slowly began drawing again....but....at a....snail's....pace. My heart was back in it, but something was still missing.

Then, I got an email from Holly Becker, founder of Decor8 and Decor8 Courses, pioneer blogger, and overall inspirational, nice person. In 2010, I took her great online course, Blogging Your Way, to learned the basics of blogging. (I still have all my notes!) After a break from teaching to focus on books, print media, and other work, Holly magically showed up in my inbox this year with a new blogging course – Attract, Engage, Grow! – and it couldn't have come at a better time! 

As the title suggests, this six-week course promises to help bloggers grow their platform with integrity and heart. I am ready to do it! 

For me, the lessons have been eye-opening and inspiring from the start, answering my nagging questions and providing special guest expertise on specific topics. Class began in mid-April, and I had an epiphany after the first week, which focused on finding my voice. I realized that Melissa's Kitties needs to get back to its original kitty-centric focus on a new, easy-to-use, modern platform. My blog needs love, attention, and maybe just a whole new start. 

With this in mind, I am renaming this blog: Melissa's Kitties is now The Mother Kitty, inspired by the cat who started it all. You might remember the recent post I wrote about her, Beauty. Those memories convinced me that the new blog name is the right one: It celebrates The OG Kitty, my original inspiration, everything that came after her, and everything she continues to inspire. 

For class homework, I created this mood board, representing my initial vision and inspiration for The Mother Kitty blog. 

There's not much to it: It's all about the kitties, their stories, personalities, and special talents. The Mother Kitty blog will continue to explore their fascinating lives through daily activities and special series, highlighting our mutual love for arts and entertainment. I am still working out content details as class continues, but the kitties and I are excited to reintroduce ourselves to you soon as The Mother Kitty family. 

Stay tuned for exciting changes this summer as we transfer to a new and improved blogging platform, where Melissa's Kitties blog will refresh, revive and move into The Mother Kitty's world! Thanks for sticking with us on this exciting journey, and don't forget to join us on Instagram @themotherkitty too. 

Lots of love, 

Beauty

Hi everyone,

Here's a true story: In 1987, not long after we moved from Massachusetts to Ohio and were steeped in culture shock, Dad heard about a homeless cat who was hanging around the University of Akron, not far from where we lived.

He brought her home as a surprise, leaving her in our garage for us to find. The Kitty was scruffy and gray in spots from spending too much time outdoors, under cars and in other unladylike places. 

But this is how she looked to me when I first saw her. We were instant best friends. 

Mom insisted that The Kitty have a bath in our kitchen sink, which revealed a snow-white, fluffy coat. Afterward, The Kitty said, "Thank you," proceeded to give herself another bath on her own (as cats do), and began to explore her new home. 

The Kitty settled into our hearts for the next 20 years and beyond. She became The Mother Kitty after having six kittens, including her world-traveling son Gordon. 

Later in life, she shared her space with her kind-hearted and entertaining Siamese friend, Simon, who ran literal circles around her daily – just for fun. This pastime has nothing to do with demonstrating his level of intelligence. Instead, it relates to his days as a traveling circus performer. He wants to keep in shape and his skills sharp for whenever the circus comes back to town. 

Granted, we all know who is the smarter one in this odd couple, but The Mother Kitty would never brag about that. When you are Kitty #1, you don't need to brag about anything. 

The Mother Kitty is a one-in-a-million original beauty, inside and out. And she knows it.

Love, 

The Kitties are joining Instagram!

Hi everyone,

Yes, I'm still here!

My blog schedule has not gone as I planned in 2018! I was having some unexpected technical difficulties for a while with Photoshop Elements, which magically fixed itself. Also, I'm adjusting to yet another new (temporary) job while looking for a new (permanent) job. This situation has been consuming most of my thoughts, but I am still drawing and will have more to post here soon.

I'm going to develop a website for the kitties, too! (Right now, I need to decide on a template. I like them all for different reasons.). The new website will be called The Mother Kitty, after the cat who started it all. I'll get there slowly but surely.

In the meantime, you can join the kitties @themotherkitty on Instagram! There, in addition to some of my personal images, I'll post artwork that span this blog's existence – more than 10 years worth of kitties. This will help me sift through hundreds of illustrations and pick the favorites to feature on the website.

This transition will be a process, so bear with me. I may need to your help along the way to pick designs, drawings, and website features, so stay tuned to the blog for updates on my progress.

Also on the blog, I'll get back to posting more regularly drawings inspired by IllustrationFriday.com topics; another Johnny Kitties tribute, celebrating Murder on the Orient Express; some reviews of recent shows that I attended; and more.

Thanks for sticking with me. Happy spring!

Moon

I will do a David Bowie tribute one of these days, but I have to think about that one for a while....

In the meantime, here's a drawing for last week's Illustration Friday word. I got stuck thinking of all the moon songs I knew until The Mother Kitty and B.J. interrupted my concentration, twirling outside and singing in unison: "It's a marvelous night for a moondance." Listen to Van Morrison's version here, if you want to sing along.

(Illustration Friday: January 1, 2016)

Soar

This happens on breezy days.

(Illustration Friday: December 18, 2015)

Unicorn?

I don't know about unicorns, but The Mother Kitty swears she saw something similar once.

(Illustration Friday: December 11, 2015)

Wet

Happy new year, everyone!

I had meant to keep my blog going without interruption through the holidays, but I got caught in a Christmas shopping frenzy after Thanksgiving. Then, I caught a cold the week before Christmas, so I've been sleeping. I'm nearly feeling back to normal this week, so I picked up my markers yesterday after more than a month of ignoring them.

Last month, as usual, I had a great time visiting family in Ohio,  but Christmas was unnaturally warm and soggy. While home, I found that Tyrone's coat turned shades darker as he's grown into adolescence. Also, he has a great singing voice. I guess some cats don't mind so much about getting wet.

(Illustration Friday: December 4, 2015) 

Old

Hi everyone,

This week's Illustration Friday topic is Villain. I'm skipping it because none of The Kitties are villainous no matter how hard they try. Instead, since I couldn't finish last week's topic (Old) in time, here it is.

In 1999, my dad gave me a pair of bookmarks that came with a commemorative scroll noting the following historical information:

"The two cats commemorated here are known by a variety of names around the world.  In Pakistan and Western Asia, they are known as Rhowaul and Bagthami; in China, as Ching Mao and Dzang Mao; and in most European countries, as Mme. Chratien and Gormtharp. In America, they are well known as Mother Kitty and Gordon. 

Their exact ages are unknown but both are certainly more than 200 years old. An event in 1993 – in which Mother Kitty supposedly gave birth to Gordon – has since been discounted as a ruse, though no formal charges were filed. Various historical documents refer to similarly staged contrivances, sometimes with Gordon giving birth to Mother Kitty. It is now generally accepted that these episodes are rooted simply in boredom.

Mother Kitty is best known for her writings for the cause of the Libertarians during the French Revolution, and Gordon for his humanitarian work in India during British colonial rule. The lifespan of most cats is 14 to 17 years. There have been many attempts to explain the remarkable longevity of these two, but they are all silly. 

Mother Kitty currently resides in Northeast Ohio in the U.S., where she continues her vehement campaign against further exploitation of the common people at the hands of Siamese cats. Gordon is a pastor in the Mormon church and lives with his eight wives in Provo, Utah."

I questioned the validity of these claims at the time, but I've since discovered that they are totally true! See the photographic evidence below.

I always knew these two were bound to be legendary.

Best,

Garden

Like Mom, The Mother Kitty is an excellent gardener.

(Illustration Friday: July 10, 2015)

Small

Just like the rest of us, all kitties start out small.

(Illustration Friday: July 26, 2015)

Universe

If you look up at night, you might see them.

(Illustration Friday: May 23, 2014)

Red

Of all of them, The Mother Kitty is the most experienced gardener.

(Illustration Friday: March 21, 2014)

Exotic

The only time The Mother Kitty let herself be caught looking anything less than ladylike was the day she arrived at our house in the late '80s. (Back then, she was just The Kitty.) After years of living on the streets in Akron, she was in dire need of a bath (though she might not admit that). We didn't realize until afterward that we had a pure white extra-special cat living with us. You'd think her exotic eyes would have given us our first clue.

(Illustration Friday: January 31, 2014)

Beginning

It all began with these two.

(Illustration Friday: January 17, 2014)

Moustache

When Simon first moved into our garage, he tried all sorts of strategies to win The Mother Kitty over. Some disguises were more successful than others.

(Illustration Friday: October 11, 2013)

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,

Children

The Mother Kitty has six.

(Illustration Friday: June 7, 2013)

Whisper

Sometimes when you sit in the backyard, you can hear The Kitties whispering through the trees.

(Illustration Friday: February 22, 2013)

Eye glasses

Of all The Kitties, Simon needs his eye glasses most.

(Illustration Friday: March 15, 2013)