Today's post is part of Lexa Cain's blog hop celebrating the small things. Visit our fearless leader and her two wonderful co-hosts L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge and Katie @ TheCyborgMom.
Today I am celebrating nothing in particular (the best kind of celebration) that ended up as an exercise in creativity (the best kind of exercise, since you aren't likely to fall and break an ankle as you are if you are doing strenuous physical exercise).
I am doing a beta-read for a friend from a writing board. She has a collection of short stories with a Sci-Fi bent that will be coming out in the next few months. I'll ask her if I can feature it here. I haven't done more than skim, since I just got it yesterday, but one of the stories, featuring a cat, got me thinking about designs, cats, night, the stars, and the moon.
I started thinking how I might express a 'Night Cat' (not her term), and spent a happy hour or two doing it.
First you need a cat. There's this beautiful photo that I've loved for a long time:
This is a Maine Coon cat, arguably America's original longhair. DNA tends to show that they came over with the Vikings. They are formidable mousers, very laid back, smart and almost dog-like. Mine, now dead at a grand age and sorely missed, certainly loved the dog, but tended to thwack him with a paw.
I needed a night sky, which was a fairly easy assignment. There are plenty of images available. In my case, I wanted darkness and stars as a nice background. I went to an old favorite:
I generally like a sky with a very dark blue tint, but in this case, I thought, black would be fine. So I used it.
The cat would be a shadow against the sky, invisible unless you knew where to look, the embodiment of midnight (very amusing, if you happen to be acquainted with Maine Coons, but still...
I fiddled with things, adjusted shadows and highlights, frowned, tweaked, and came up with an image that isn't a bad first effort. I'll fiddle more later:
I'm off to visit family this weekend. One of them has learned that she will need a hip replacement operation. This is not a bad development: the rest of the family has known it for a long time. Now I must get her to understand that it will ultimately help her. The fact that she is in my life (she's my mother) is a very good reason to celebrate.
What are you celebrating?
I love days when you can spend the time playing around creatively. It's an interesting idea, I like the image so far. Sorry to hear about your mum. Being a part of each others lives is a great thing to celebrate though.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, playing creatively ends up a good deal more productively than 'buckling down!' Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteBeautiful, like a constellation. It could be the illustration of a myth about a hero cat that is forever in the sky. Why do all your cats look like models?
ReplyDeleteBest of luck for your mother's surgery. Joint replacement has made a huge difference to some of my relatives.
Hi, Beth - All my cats are model headache-makers! :) I think Mom will be going for the surgery, and we got some very good news about the proposed doctor and physical therapist, both of whom are vouched for by a medical professional that she really likes and respects. (Huge sigh of relief)
DeleteNot bad at all.
ReplyDeleteGood luck talking to your mom about the surgery.
M.R. R.:
DeleteAw, shucks! (Scuffing foot in carpet, which is not as good as sand...)
I think the talk went well (cautious sigh of relief)
Your cat in a constellation (ha ha) looks good! How can anyone not love a cat?
ReplyDeleteYour mom is lucky to have you. Prayers for her surgery.
Thank you, Cherdo. Moms are the best (as you already know). And this one (astonishingly) agreed with me about everything. I'll mail a cat to you.
DeleteTell your Mum it will go well. Lots of my neighbors have them and I've never heard of one that was not entirely successful.
ReplyDeleteKnees on the other hand, not so good.
Take care, all best, James
James, you are a trump. Thank you for your good words. I agree about knees! Cheers to you, and I'll email you!
DeleteWhat great ideas, especially "invisible unless you know where to look." I had a Maine Coon! She was a riot. Such a furry thing and not very bright, but very companionable. I miss her and the black short hair I had with her. I miss them a lot...
ReplyDeleteHi, Lexa - ...and why do all cats only want to snuggle on blistering days? (The compliment is delicious - thank you!)
DeleteI have a 97-year-old friend, Diana, who had both knees replaced 7 years ago. He said, if it wasn't for the surgery, he'd be an invalid. Whereas the surgery has given him 'seven good years of mobility'. I'm sure your mother will do well!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Yvette - I passed this on to my mother, who isn't 97 by a long shot and was smiling.
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