Hierarchy

(Illustration Friday: May 1, 2009)

The Mother Kitty is insulted that this might be in question.

Theater

(Illustration Friday: April 23, 2009)

After I returned home from a classical music concert at the Strathmore, I told The Kitties all about Prokofiev's powerful "Romeo and Juliet." (Well, OK, Gordon was more interested in the Radiohead portion of the concert, but....) They were all so taken by it, that they decided to revisit the play on the spot. The leads were obvious, even though Comet hasn't yet learned his cues...or his lines.

Impossibility

(Illustration Friday: April 17, 2009)

I once tried to convince the kitties that swimming in the ocean is an adventure worth trying. They think otherwise.

Fleeting

(Illustration Friday: April 10, 2009)

A kitty leap is fleeting. Blink and you'll miss it.

Talisman

(Illustration Friday: April 3, 2009)

Here, Ashes presents Comet with a Courage Talisman, which she crafted in her spare time. (She loves her jewelry!) I think he likes it. And, I'm sure it will slowly work its magic.

Poise

(Illustration Friday: March 27, 2009)

Always a lady, The Mother Kitty always maintains her poise...eventually.

Subtract

(Illustration Friday: March 20, 2009)

Cat math is a little different from human math.

Legendary

(Illustration Friday: March 13, 2009)

At a very early age, it was clear that Gordon was no ordinary cat. The day he left home, we knew he was bound for greatness. These days, he's well on his way to becoming legendary.

Intricate

(Illustration Friday - March 6, 2009)

An intricate pile of kitties on a lazy afternoon...

Breezy

(Illustration Friday: February 27, 2009)

During our most recent blast of frigid weather, The Kitties couldn't help dreaming of the first breezy day of spring. Anytime now would be fine.

Instinct

(Illustration Friday: February 20, 2009)

One day, Gordon noticed a white caterpillary-looking thing crawling around on our porch. After weighing his options carefully, I think he made the smart decision.

Celebrate!

(Illustration Friday: February 13, 2009)

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad!!!

Time

(Illustration Friday - February 6, 2009 - Time)

Time is no object when Simon, star point guard for The World Champion Boston Celtics, is in the middle of a game (even if it's just a practice one).

Flawed

(Illustration Friday: January 30, 2009)

All of The Kitties are strays who found their way into our lives. Who knows why they were given up on/thrown out/lost, but we were happy to welcome them, flaws and all.

Climbing

(Illustration Friday: January 23, 2009)

The Mother Kitty's favorite tree is outside our garage doorway. She would often tackle it with her ferocious claws. One day, she climbed it so high that we considered calling the fire department, but we couldn't help laughing, congratulating her on the achievement, taking photos, and hoping that she'd find her way back down in one piece. (She did.)

Pale

(Illustration Friday: January 16, 2009)

Who you callin' pale???

Contained

(Illustration Friday: January 9, 2009)

I told The Kitties a secret over the weekend. They are containing themselves surprisingly well so far.

Resolute

(Illustration Friday: January 2, 2009)

With the new year, The Kitties have resolved to conquer The Ribbon. (They make the same resolution every year, of course, but don't discourage them!)

Clandestine

(Illustration Friday: December 26, 2008)

My sister moved into a new condo, in which Comet and the other kitties are fascinated with a particular downstairs closet. We can only guess what clandestine plans they have been making in there. Should we be worried?

Voices

(Illustration Friday: December 19, 2008)

As you know, The Kitties love to sing! While on vacation, they were nonstop with Christmas songs. They sounded pretty good--with only a couple of mix-ups.

Rambunctious

(Illustration Friday: December 12, 2008)

Norman is named Norman for a reason: he was one rambunctious kitten! As a grown-up, you may still catch a glimpse of that PsychoKitty inside. It leaps out every once in a while to keep us on our toes.

Similar

(Illustration Friday: December 5, 2008)

Beneath a sunny window, all kitties have similar ideas....

B.J. (1999?-November 24, 2008)

Sadly, B.J. (Bob, Jr.), passed away in November after his brave battle with cancer. Originally found in Cincinnati amid his worldwide travels, B.J. lived among several other alley cats in the area until he met my sister. The third cat to be welcomed into her family, B.J. decided to move indoors and live out the rest of his days with them in Columbus. B.J. was a large bear of a cat. While I didn't see him as often as the other kitties, it was clear that he loved to chat and play with anyone willing. I have lasting memories of being greeted by his loud hellos and enjoying his long conversations. The group will be a bit quieter and little less bright now, but I'll keep him going here. So long, beloved B.J.! We miss you!

Happy Holidays!

The Kitties are already playing in the snow and I'm off to join them. I'll be without a scanner for a couple of weeks but promise to be all caught up in January. See you then! Happy holidays, everyone!

Balloon

(Illustration Friday: November 28, 2008)

Norman doesn't seem as nervous as I think he should be, but is he ever?

Opinion

(Illustration Friday: November 21, 2008)

The Kitties are clear communicators when it comes to certain topics.

Pretend

(Illustration Friday: November 14, 2008)

For this week's topic, the kitties were of one mind. One of B.J.'s favorites, we all agree that you can't go wrong with a little of The Platters fit into your day.

Wise

(Illustration Friday: November 7, 2008)

Everyone knows who to go to for advice...no matter how long the wait.

Vacant

(Illustration Friday: October 31, 2008)

Simon is an expert at seeming "vacant," but we all know of his multiple secret and disguised talents, from his start as a trapeze artist in the Cirque du Soleil to his more recent role as star point guard for the World Champion Boston Celtics. Don't tell anyone. His crossed eyes and walking-in-circles thing is really fooling a lot of people.

Repair

 
(Illustration Friday: October 24, 2008)

For the last few weeks, my phone has been working only when it feels like it. Maybe the phone repairman will figure it out tomorrow...since The Kitties have been unsuccessful so far.

Late

(Illustration Friday: October 17, 2008)

The Kitties are never late for dinner. ....Well, maybe Simon is a little late sometimes.

Strings

(Illustration Friday: October 10, 2008)

I didn't know that The Mother Kitty could play the violin!

Sugary

(Illustration Friday: October 3, 2008)

The Kitties have prepared plenty of sugary treats in the kitchen this weekend for my nephew's birthday. It's The Big 5! Yeah, I know my drawing's a bit messed up....I think all of these sweets have gone to my head, but no one seems to mind. Have a happy day, Liam! I miss you!

Paul Newman (1925-2008)

"I'd like to be remembered as the guy who tried -- tried to be a part of his times, tried to help people communicate with one another, tried to find some decency in his own life, tried to extend himself as a human being." Paul Newman

I knew this was coming, but I was hoping for a miracle.

I've seen almost all of Paul Newman's movies, but I can't remember which one I saw first. Was it The Verdict? Or, was it Absence of Malice? I was already hooked by the time my dad directed me back further to Hombre, Hud, and Cool Hand Luke. I was hopelessly devoted by the time I saw a younger Paul in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Long Hot Summer, and The Hustler. Yet, I rushed out to the theaters to see his later films -- Mr. and Mrs. Bridge, The Hudsucker Proxy, Nobody's Fool -- and fell just as much in love with the cranky old man. (Cars counts too!) Discovering an old Paul Newman movie was like finding a gift that was just for me. Waiting for a new Paul Newman movie was like anticipating a visit from an old friend. Imagine how elated I was to catch him in 2003's Broadway run of Our Town! Oh, to be in the same room with The Man!

I don't remember how I became so loyal to Paul Newman, but how can one not be? For me it had little to do with his films or the pretty face. Reading and seeing him in interviews just made my admiration grow: the intelligence, the well-spoken thoughtfulness, the kindness and generosity, the eagerness and joy for life, the biting sense of humor -- The Whole Package. His talent -- displayed in his entire body of character-driven projects -- is a happy bonus.

When Newman's Own products hit the grocery store shelves, I'd plead with my mom to buy them -- or sneak them in the cart myself. If confronted regarding my selections, my arguments were always chock-full with simple facts: "It's Paul Newman's: it's good." And, if that didn't work, "He donates all the proceeds to charity!" The Hole in the Wall Camps are his gift to children worldwide, and he has raised more than $250 million to it and other charitable causes over the last 25+ years. Who can argue with that?

Paul Newman is it: the guy everyone should aspire to. Good luck. He was one of a kind. His wife and family are lucky, and we are lucky to have known him too.

The kitties and I wanted to pay tribute, of course, but being such a brilliant character actor made it difficult for us to whittle down distinct movie moments that lend themselves to illustration. Norman offered to eat 50 hard-boiled eggs in one sitting, but I thought that'd be unhealthy for him, nor did it quite sum up The Greatness that is Paul Newman. But how do you draw such broad traits as exceptional, genuine, decent, good, inspirational, or wonderful?

So, we decided to take the easy way out: load up on the comfort food and have an open-ended Paul Newman Film Festival until the sun comes back out. Many thanks and farewell, dear friend; you have made a difference and are missed.

We are all sad, but we are surrounded by a few of our favorite things: We have two of our favorite books (the inspiring Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good by Paul and his friend A.E. Hotchner and Paul Newman: A Life in Pictures, my favorite Christmas gift from last year.) We have our favorite anytime dinner (spaghetti with Newman's Own Sockarooni "Sock-it-to-'em" spaghetti sauce). We have our favorite movie snacks (Newman's Own Organics Pop's Corn microwave buttered popcorn and/or Mint-Creme-Filled Newman-O's).

[All of these yummy products should be available at your local grocery store. If not, check the Newman's Own website when it gets back to normal. Remember, It's Paul Newman's: it's good! And, all the proceeds go to charity! Oh, Comet also wants me to point out that, while you're at it, you can donate to the Hole in the Wall Camps.]

Lastly -- and thankfully -- we have a large supply of Paul Newman Movies. (B.J. and Norman have apparently chosen Hombre to start us off.) Settle in and enjoy!

Note: Be sure to catch TCM's 24-hour tribute to Paul Sunday, October 12. Yay!

Packed

(Illustration Friday: September 26, 2008)

The Kitties don't live with me, but when I see them during my trips home, I try to come up with strategic ways to bring them back. I'm afraid that they wouldn't get past airport security. The kitties would probably be mad at me for a long time after I picked them up in baggage claim anyway. Never mind....

Clique

(Illustration Friday: September 19, 2008)

This is The Kitty Clique.

Island

(Illustration Friday: September 12, 2008)

Simon talks all day long about going far, far away.... in a canoe....to a desert island, so Kitty tells me.

Clutter

(Illustration Friday: September 5, 2008)

Another reason why I have not posted any drawings in a while.... The Kitties did not seem to mind it as much as I did.

Memories

(Illustration Friday: August 29, 2008)

One day, I came home from school and found a kitty in the garage. We quickly became lifelong friends.

Routine

(Illustration Friday - August 22, 2008)

I fell behind on my drawings because of TCM's annual Summer Under the Stars Festival in August. Whose idea was it to have consecutive days devoted to Greer Garson, Rita Hayworth, Fred Astaire, and Gene Kelly? Thanks, but I think I nearly overloaded my DVR. In any case, on Fred Astaire Day, I pointed out my favorite Fred and Ginger dance routine to the kitties. The Mother Kitty and Simon have been practicing it ever since.

September has been busy and a bit stressful, another reason for my delayed posts. For the first time ever, I had to redraw a drawing completely - not once, but four times! The first time, I accidentally colored Kitty's tail brown. She yelled at me and spent the rest of the day licking herself. The second time, I colored her front paws brown. She shrieked and tried to wipe them off on Simon, who mistook her gesture for affection. The third time, I didn't even get to coloring, as I drew the exit door too long. At that point, Kitty rolled her eyes, stomped off, and refused to speak to me until I convinced her that we were paying homage to Fred Astaire's perfectionism by repeating the routine so many times to get it right.

In the movie Swing Time, Ginger, who plays a dance teacher, gets mad at Fred, a gambler, because she thinks he stole a quarter from her. He finds her dance studio and asks to be paired up with her "to learn," but he really just wants to have the chance to explain what happened to her quarter. [If only all of my arguments were only about a missing quarter....] He pretends to be a hopeless dancer, frustrating her into telling him to save his money and go home. Her boss overhears and instantly fires her for turning away students. Rest assured, Fred saves the day by showing the boss what he's learned from her: In celebration of completing this seemingly simple drawing and to guarantee a smile, here's The Real Thing.



As Ginger's boss praises at the end, "It's sheer heaven, my dears, shear heaven!" Enjoy!

Detach

(Illustration Friday: August 15, 2008)

On some days, Ashes amuses herself with her own toys. This is one of her favorites. It always takes her a while to figure out that it's not detachable.

Sail

(Illustration Friday: August 8, 2008)

The Kitties went sailing this weekend. I'm not quite sure who was steering the boat, but they all made it back to shore safely before sundown.

Poof!

(Illustration Friday: August 1, 2008)

There are some days when all mothers need a break.

Canned

(Illustration Friday: July 25, 2008)

Simon spends most of his time in my parents' garage, where he helps Dad with various projects. He takes a while to get things done, but he would never get canned from any job. Here, he's coming along with his own creation. (He plans to paint the thing when he wakes up.)

Enough

(Illustration Friday: July 18, 2008)

After Gordon has tested out all of the laps, Kitty has groomed a fluffy fur pile around herself, Simon has walked the perfect number of circles, Comet has found more hiding places, Ashes has investigated all grocery bags, B.J. has exhausted all avenues of conversation, and Norman has lazed around with a full belly, the kitties go to bed, having had enough for one day.

Foggy

(Illustration Friday: July 11, 2008)

It's a foggy, foggy night....

Sour

(Illustration Friday: July 4, 2008)

Ashes gives the impression of being a sourpuss, but she's really just a talker. We all continue to work on translations.

Fierce

(Illustration Friday: June 27, 2008)

Comet doesn't realize how fierce he can be, even though he practices for fun in the mirror sometimes.

Hoard

(Illustration Friday: June 20, 2008)

It was only recently that The Kitties became aware of Norman's hoarding issues. They agreed not to tell as long as he learns the importance of sharing.