Obscure words

6:35:20 PM     

Antique photography

I have a very old leather-bound photo album from the 1800's.  Most of the photos were taken in a studio in New York, and there are names scrawled across the tops identifying the subjects.  They seem to all belong to one family.  I purchased the album at a flea market in Nashville about three years ago, and the binding has come apart, but the pictures are genuinely lovely.  This particular photograph is of four children - 3 girls and a boy (bless his heart, he's dressed as a girl - but that was common in those days).  The childrens' names are Ethel, Edna, Mabelle and Leonard Russell and is dated September 1, 1898. 

6:09:49 PM     

Snowshoe Siamese

Scott thinks he's identified our kitten, Sugar, as a Snowshoe Siamese.  Or at least, she's partly a Snowshoe Siamese.  The interesting thing about Sugar is that she plays fetch like a dog.  I never had a cat do that.  She loves to play with little balls of crinkly paper. Typically a BC Powder wrapper, as I'm addicted to them... He tosses it out onto the floor and she runs to get it, picks it up in her mouth, brings it back and deposits it right into one of his shoes (sans foot).  It's such a game for her.  She also is mesmerized by water.  It's not unusual for her to get into the shower with me in the mornings, and she'll stay inside even after I've gotten out.  She loves watching the water swirl down the drain, and doesn't give a hoot about getting wet herself.  Why just the other day she fell into the toilet after teetering on the edge of the sink and got startled.  So anyway, Scott starts Googling Siamese cats this morning and came up with this link.  I couldn't believe it!  The picture in the middle of the row of three cats looks so much like our little Sugar.  When I read about the Snowshoe's personalities, there was no doubt: 

 "Social! An Ideal Companion! Affectionate! Vigorous! Intelligent! Healthy! The Snowshoe Cat sparkles with intelligence. Sometimes a talker, it's voice is generally soft and melodic. Affectionate, it is an ideal companion and habitats well with other animals. Snowshoes love to be around their people. They will follow family members around the house. They love running water and many can be taught to fetch. Because snowshoes are so gregarious, they should not spend long periods of time alone. They need company. Snowshoes are a vigorous breed. They are not known for any potential health problems. Snowshoes are vibrant and alert, active but not high strung. Because they are not bred toward any extremities, the cats have remained healthy. Kept indoors, Snowshoes will remain playful and happy for many years."

Of course, we are proud as can be about Sugar's heritage.  She couldn't care less....

5:42:32 PM     

Cock-a-doodle-do

I do so love Saturday mornings!  And if I weren't so pissed at Carrie's dad right now, I might be able to enjoy it.  Long story - let it suffice to say that any time I've ever asked for help from him financially, he's been less than cooperative. 

Which leads me to this:  I have new auction items for sale!  Yippeeee!!  And to start the day off with a smile, I'm posting a picture of a framed print (yes that's real chicken wire) I received as a Christmas gift a few years back.  It's been lying in the attic accumulating cobwebs since the day after Christmas, and I just know someone would be proud to hang it their home.  Ever wished you lived on a farm?  Love the smell of hay, but live in "the big city"?  Maybe you're a collector of roosters.  Maybe you just enjoy the sight of baby chicks.  Raised on a farm as a child and have fond memories of freshly collected eggs from the henhouse?  Need a unique Christmas gift for that certain someone who has everything?   I bet your nextdoor neighbor doesn't have one...  Click HERE and bring the country life to YOU!

8:20:52 AM