Luna

Weekend Cat Blogging: Rocks, and remembrance

This weekend we are again combining Weekend Cat Blogging with the week’s Photo Hunt theme of rocks.

Here we see Luna in repose behind one of our sculptures here at CatSynth HQ:

This sculpture has appeared in a few of our pictures before. It is called Red Rock Maquette by Steven Reiman, an artist in the Joshua Tree area who primarily works in large-scale metal works. This piece combines metal elements with a rock base.

I would like to more formally introduce more of the artwork here at CatSynth HQ, which has been lurking in the background of many of our photos. But time has been quite limited of late. Two performances in the past week, the reports still pending; and of course the regular business of daily life.

But time is also precious, and the Othello and Astrid remind us in this Weekend Cat Blogging #215: in honor of Sher, a regular at WCB who passed away a year ago. Life will hopefully slow down a bit in the next week, and one way to enjoy a quiet evening would be to prepare another of Sher’s recipes and spend time with Luna.

Weekend Cat Blogging: Independence Day

July 4 is the big Independence Day holiday here in the U.S. So we at CatSynth are now scrambling to find a recent Luna photo with patriotic colors, and this is the best we can do:

Of course, we are taking full advantage of our extended holiday weekend:

Yes, we are taking some much deserved rest, and with it the opportunity to restore mind, body and our living space. We are also contemplating the newly empty lot next door:

A vacant debris-strewn lot may seem like an odd image for Independence Day, but it quite meaningful for us. And the gritty urban landscape represents our country as much as the images of family picnics and small town parades that are often used as symbols of the holiday.

Weekend Cat Blogging: Red, White and Boom edition is hosted by Sir Tristan Tabby Cat Longtail.

The Carnival of the Cats will be up this Sunday at Mind of Mog.

And of course the Friday Ark is at the modulator.

Weekend Cat Blogging: On the patio

Despite our busy schedule, we at CatSynth make sure to get some time to play outside on the patio.

Luna often just strolls around, but sometimes she seems to really enjoy stretching and rolling around on the (rather dirty) tiles:

Yet she somehow manages to still look clean and sleek and shiny afterwards…

Weekend Cat Blogging #212 will be hosted by Meowza at Mind of Mog.

The Carnival of the Cats will be going up this Sunday at When Cats Attack.

And of course the Friday Ark is at the modulator.

Carnival of the Cats #275

We at CatSynth are happy to be hosting Carnival of the Cats #275 as we celebrate both Father’s Day and the Summer Solstice. And what better way to celebrate that outside with family?

Our patio is looking a little “spare” compared to last year before the construction. We have not had enough time to really work on it, but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying an afternoon outside. And with that, let is continue with the carnival.

Freya’s dad is celebrating both Father’s Day and his birthday today, so go pay Freya and her a dad a visit at her new blog. You can also see a video of her being quite vocal in a mirror.

Sad news from Blog d’Elisson. Neighbor, the Mistress of Sarcasm’s Animal Companion, passed away peacefully in her sleep sometime early Saturday morning. We enjoyed reading about and seeing photos of the sleek black Neighbor Cat, and she will be missed. We at CatSynth send our sympathies.

There is a new arrival at the home of “Her Ladyship” at Elms in the Yard. Please welcome Catschka the kitten. Additionally, Rahel shares with us one of the best how-to sites for cats.

Maybe they could use some tips about raising a new kitten, courtesy of Strictly Anything.

The cats at Grace and the Kittens are celebrating International Cat Box Day 2009. Ruse curls up inside a paper bag, which is sort of like a box, right?

No special occasions, and no boxes, just a very sweet photo with a couple of cats on a sofa from Mind of Mog.

At The Poor Mouth, Robyn and Bebe wear green in support of opposition protests in Iran. We at CatSynth have been following the events in Iran unfold as well, and hope for the best for the people there.

Those who read or write blogs about cats at some point confront the question of anthropomorphism. Pet Chatter asks “What’s wrong with anthropomorphizing?” and discusses animals as sentient beings.

The ragdolls return at Mélange, where we meet the regal siblings Nick and Willow. As they approach their 11th birthday, it seems like many things about them and their home stay the same.

Catblogging has been a neglected activity at Texas Oasis. But there are no excuses for Purrsday night, and Jax is here to make sure of it.

A K T’s Scratching Post, the Maximum Leader goes on an expedition into the forbidden zone while they attempt to make a safe outdoor space in the backyard. Hopefully they can make the backyard in to a safe, protected area to enjoy the outdoors.

Aloysius poses with a filter (presumably full of his fur) at Catymology. They sent the photo to the 3M company, maker of the filters, who promised to send a coupon for a free replacement. Aloysius also hopes to get a gig as a spokekitty out of the deal.

Hemi enjoys his blanket and a little catnip while lamenting some of the mean attributes people ascribe to cats like “sneaky, mean and unaffectionate.” We suspect most of our readers of course know that cats can be very affectionate creatures, but very particular about whom they share their affections with. And since when is “sneaky” a bad thing? It sounds like they are also getting a new addition to the family soon.

So what are the Three Tabby Cats in Vienna up to this weekend? Kashim holds down the fort for Weekend Cat Blogging and supervises the installation of a new flat-screen TV, while his brother Othello celebrates his first anniversary.

Veronica B shares tips for caring for cats with cancer. Cancer is always a sad thing, but here are some suggestions for treatment and improving a cat’s quality of life.

More medical advice from Raising Whiskers about cat coughing: “Sometimes cat coughing can be an indication that there is something wrong with your cat.” Thanks Captain Obvious!

That concludes the Carnival for now. Thanks to all who participated!

And for those who haven’t had a chance to read it yet, please visit our report on the Cats of Tokyo.

Homecoming and Adoption Anniversary

I returned home from China and Japan today. There is still much to relate, from the last stops in Shanghai and Tokyo. But today we pause to recognize that this homecoming on June 10 is also Luna’s adoption anniversary, or “Gotcha Day”.

The timing just worked out so we could both return home to celebrate. But first, it’s time to find a familiar comfortable place to rest.

Please join me in wishing Luna a happy “Gotcha Day.”

CatSynth in China Part 3, plus Japan!

Well, my third trip to China in less than half a year begins and the end this week. So for the next couple of weeks, expect fewer cats and synths, and more photos and thoughts from China. Even if it is the latest in a string of work-related trips, there are still plenty of things to explore in such a vast and complex country. And as a bonus, I will also be spending a couple of days in Tokyo! I expect Japan to be a different experience altogether. Expect high technology, modernism, crazy highways and urban landscapes, and of course cats.

During this trip, Luna will be boarding at the same place she stayed during our CatSynth HQ construction adventure. It’s always a bit sad to leave, but good to know that she will be well cared for.

Weekend Cat Blogging #206

Weekend Cat Blogging is being hosted by…wait, it’s us! OK, reboot…

We at CatSynth are delighted to be hosting Weekend Cat Blogging #206!

We are ready to go, and unlike the special election here in California next week, we are looking forward to a large turn-out. To participate, please leave a link to your post as a comment, and we’ll add you to the round-up as the weekend progresses. As always, new cats and first-time participants are always welcome!

And so, let us begin.

We see Jules in silhouette in this photo from Judi’s Mind Over Matter. We at CatSynth are of course partial to black cats, but the window and the brick walls beyond also give this image a modern, urban feel.

Meanwhile, the M-Cats Club is having a birthday party for Mr. Tigger. Join us in wishing him a Happy 9th Birthday! Looks like quite a party, with friends, and sushi, but I’d watch out for that blue punch.

At the House of the (Mostly) Black Cats, Pepi is being a helpful mancat, helping his mom by keeping her calendar. This of course “shows off his midnight furs nicely, too.”

when she curls up to sleep on the back of a dark sofa. If it weren’t for her eye opening, it would be hard to tell her from a dark cushion. And as winter approaches in Australia, a warm kitty pillow can be quite welcome, a great substitute for a hot water bottle.

sidewalk shoes presents a portrait of Smudge, quite detailed and expressive, along with a quote about the consequences of scolding a cat.

Salome joins us from Vienna. “The Ladey” (aka Astrid) has been taking lots of photos, but hasn’t been helping the cats much with their blogging. But Salome does give a bit of a status update for Kashim and Othello as well.

We all know that cats can express their discontent through hissing and clawing. But so can humans. Indeed, the kitties at our family cat-a-blog found their mom fuming over a blog post demonstrating human irresponsibility in caring for pets.

We at CatSynth have a deep interest in mathematics, and so we were delighted to see Arthur and Rosie engaged in mathematical pursuits. More specifically, they are counting butterflies and apples, respectively. Of course, numbers can’t compete with a dangling tail for a cat’s attention. Follow the link to see what happens…

Maruschka is enjoying a lazy Sunday at Rosa’s Yummy Yums. It seems like a good plan, as our own Sunday morning unfolds.

Over at Cuisine Guylaine, it has been raining quite a bit, and the cats do their best to enjoy the garden from indoors. But Mr. Oliver does enjoy some time outside during a moment of brief sunshine.

We will continue to post entries as we receive them throughout the weekend, so do join us.

CatSynth pics: Carbon111, Studio Revamp

From carbon111, via matrixsynth:

Spot the kitty in the picture?

Carbon111 is the author of the CatSynth motivational posters we presented back in February.

In the studio revamp post, they also have a “comfy chair” picture that reminds me of Luna curled up in her favorite chair here at CatSynth HQ.

And it looks like carbon111 recently completed a track entitled Luna.