Nothing is Sacred

American Realist painter Edward Hopper was born on June 22, 1882, a birthday that I'd missed by a day.

"His work demonstrates that realism is not merely a literal or photographic copying of what we see, but an interpretive rendering."

Learn more here: Edward Hopper.net

Nighthawks, 1942

Edward Hopper (American, 1882–1967)

The Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois

This painting is amazing when you stand in front of it, or any Hopper creation.

There is a stark flatness; one sees and feels the unhappily alone human spirit.

Ah, but thanks to the wonders of social media, this iconic masterpiece is a springboard for the comedic!

As an art historian, art buff, and museum nerd, I have no qualms about poking fun at great paintings, famous people, or cats.

Let's Hop!

Alarming

 June 18 is International Panic Day, a mock holiday designed to draw attention to mental health issues. 

It encourages individuals to acknowledge their anxieties and fears, fostering open conversations about well-being.

Take a moment to reflect, seek support, and prioritize your mental health.

And a few laughs will help!

For your entertainment, items found on social media:

I, for one, enjoy finding the silliest things on social media, and love to share.

At a recent family get-together, I used my phone to display memes and jokes, proving to the other retirees present that I'm working hard while not working!

Keep 'em coming, folks, and thank you as I steal your work for our amusement.

Hahahahaha!

😹 😹 😹

Let's Hop!

Pleased

 So many items to be thankful for!

-Our 2025 income taxes are done, with refunds incoming.

-The Cat Car's tail lights/rear lights are in working order now.

-Have completed 103 books and audiobooks so far this year, yet zero household chores done; I'm retired, taking my time with getting busy! 😹

-Attended a yoga class recently, and really enjoyed myself despite not being able to complete all of the moves.

-Managed to wear my inflatable T-Rex costume for the first time in years: what a hoot! My sign read: "Freedom, Honesty, Decency" at the March 28 No Kings Rally.  Received a lot of laughter and car horn beeps from passersby, which was my aim.

Photo from 2021.

-So very, very thankful for all of you and your loving comments for Henry, and encouragement for us has meant a great deal.

His litter box habits remain good; food intake levels remain lower than we'd like.

He sleeps with me at night, and will admit to getting less sleep than normal, as I snuggle with him as much as possible.

Both eyes are weepy, but only the right one seems to want to close.

Will report on what the veterinarian says, after Friday morning's appointment.

Thank you!

Let's Hop!

Wildly Loved

Thanks again for all of the birthday wishes.

Received ecards, texts, and messages!

And a few postal cards.

A selection of goodies arrived:

Cats in sweaters scarf in the background

Cat toys (not for me, for the cats!), one being a slice of watermelon

Book marks: Pusheen and a handmade wooden one that reads: This is where you fell asleep

Kitty sticky notes

Not pictured: cat note pads and games

As I can no longer count all of the years on my fingers and toes, it's lovely to have friends and family wishing me felicitations on my natal day, no matter what that number is.

Purchased a gift for myself too: a desktop printer.

Aren't I wild and eccentric?

😹😹😹

Let's Hop!

A Change of Mind

How 'bout a Formerly Feral Friday on Thankful Thursday?

Am chuffed that Henry has found our bed to sleep on, our windows to look out of, and that he snugs up to me.

A year ago, I wouldn't have though we'd be here.

I adore him!

❤️

Let's Hop!

Lunch & Chat

Had lunch yesterday with my former co-workers.

We had a fabulous time; I miss each one, as we always had wonderful conversations!

However, I've saved up a bunch of work/employment memes to share, found on social media.

For your entertainment!

Am thankful to have these friendships.

Let's Hop!

What light through yonder window breaks?

Eastside Cats is thankful for sunpuddles!

Henry

Chili Bruce

Manny

Yeah, okay...maybe you cannot grasp the intensity of the sunpuddles in these pics, but they were there, and were enjoyed by those of both the feline and human varieties.

For now, we're out of the seemingly perpetual deep freeze that Michigan has been in, called Polar Vortexes, Alberta Clippers, or Arctic Blasts.

I even switched to my thigh-length winter coat, from my to-the-shins puffer...woot!

🌞🥶🌞🥶🌞

Let's Hop!

Movin'

It's Thankful Thursday!

Last week, we moved my mother out of her home into a senior living community apartment.

Since Dad passed away in 2004, she's been alone.

For a long time, she enjoyed her solitude, only answering to herself.

As time wore on, we knew none of us could provide the attention she needed to remain solo.

Word of mouth brought us to this lovely facility, and Mom found a unit that suited her perfectly.

She's settling in.

The image above is a print that I'd gifted Mom years ago, and as she downsized to move, she asked if I'd like it.

Yes; isn't it adorable?  Celestial Paddy O'Malley and Henry!

I also have her selection of sea monster pottery pieces; will post those on August 7, on Sea Monster Appreciation Day.

🐉

So thankful for this huge event in my mother's life, and in ours, began positively.

It's nice to know that she's got tough-old-bird genetics too!

Let's Hop!

Baffling

January 29 is National Puzzle Day!

Below are three 'find the hidden' images that I've borrowed from social media.

You can bigify each image by clicking on them, to make your search easier.

If you scroll 'way down, I've posted the answers upside down, with red circles.

Also below, I've made a really hard jigsaw puzzle too; a close-up of Celestial Paddy O'Malley's fur. 

Find the frog in the cats!

Tricky!

This one is really hard; there's pixelation but persevere!

Click on the image to be directed to a jigsaw puzzle.

Didn't know there were online jigsaw puzzles until I discovered them in blog hops, and I play them 

Every.

Single.

Day.

Let's Hop!

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

🧩 🤨 🧩

Say What?

 January 22 is Answer Your Cat's Question Day!

Alright, fellas; what have you got for me?

Manny: Why don't you stay in OUR CHAIR longer, as I sleep on your legs, so I can get a proper 4-5 hour nap without you moving?

Answer: Dearest Manny, I would stay until the cows come home, but my body demands that I do something, and it wouldn't be pretty if I didn't get up; sorry, honey.

Chili Bruce: Not a question so much as a thank you, for draping a blanket over me when I'm sleeping on the futon.  I like it very much, even if I stick my leg or tailio out.

Answer: I know you like being a lump under there, CB, and it's very cold right now, so enjoy, sweetheart!

Henry: You don't spend as much time at your desk these days, and therefore I am left alone more.  What is that about?

Answer: A surprise turn of events happened, Henry O, as I have retired.  No more hours spent at the computer, looked at multiple monitors, and laughing with co-workers about some inside joke.  I try to spend as much time as I can with you, and you've noticed that The Hubby visits you regularly now, yes?  That's because he wants to be your friend too; we both adore you.

A sliver of CB peeking out from under a towel.

Am beyond thankful to be a retiree; I'm a pensioner!

Age is just a number, and my inside self is still a kid, so look out WORLD!

😹😹😹

Let's Hop!

Toppers

For no good reason, January 15 is National Hat Day!

International Hat Day is November 25, so we'll revisit the topic.

Celestial Sweetie enjoyed wearing hats, especially her tiara, which befitted the royal feline that she was.

Plus, she had those nasty murder mitts, so whatever she meowed, we went with!

This year, we asked Henry The Ninth if he was willing to partake, but he gave it a hard pass.

Henry: "Don't think so!"

Manny, the biscuit-maker extraordinaire, def wanted to show off his chef's toque.

Chili Bruce found the straw cowboy hat fit his mood.

Assisting Da Boyz with their headwear had me giggling, and The Hubby wondered what in the Sam Hill was going on?

Once he'd witnessed the modeling session, he quietly turned away to hide in the kitchen.

Am thankful for that, since his attitude was going to wreck the vibe of our photo shoot.

Let's Hop!

Bits and Bobs

A few items acquired at the end of last year:

A silly long-sleeved shirt that I delight in wearing, found at a resale shop.

A sweatshirt gift from a co-worker; it's PURRFECT!

And am thankful that no one was injured when I and a co-worker were out at a local park in November, trying to spy Aurora Borealis; image above is exactly what we saw, which is nothing.

However, as we chatted in the dark, we witnessed a car crash about a quarter of a mile from our location...well, we heard a crunch and headlights bobbing around...and did not see any people moving about afterward.

We called emergency services, and waived our phone lights at the police and firefighters to direct them.

For weeks afterward, we searched local news to see if the incident was reported, but found nothing.

As Eastside Cats is just over a mile from the police station, one day I screwed up my courage and drove over to ask if everyone involved in that accident was okay.

Let me tell you, walking into that cop shop made my knees weak; scary, despite all of the nice-looking folks in uniform.

The police officer behind the glass looked up the incident, told me it was just a one vehicle fender-bender, and no injuries reported.

My co-worker and I are thankful that no one was hurt, while the noise of the accident is something that neither of us will ever forget.

P.S. Have learned that we need to move farther North and West when conditions are good for Northern Lights in Southeast Michigan, and I've scouted three likely locations to drive to for the next time. 

Let's Hop!

Happy Meow Year!

It's 2026!

Thankful to celebrate with friends and family, and with all of you!

Let's Hop!