This afternoon I grabbed the camera to shoot some reference images in the fabulous light coming through my front window when Margaret appointed herself artistic director. She hadn't the slightest interest in anything in, around or near this window until I trained the camera on it...and then she couldn't tear herself away. (Excuse me for just a minute while I blow the cat hair off the keyboard. Now just let me go back and fix those typos...Lavender was standing in front of the monitor so I couldn't see what I was saying. Okay, good, now we can proceed.)Cats love art and the artistic process. They soak up that creative energy like little furry (shedding) sponges. Here's Margaret as a baby with her old friend Rosie, showing an early familiarity with pastels. Margaret has always found painting to be a very relaxing pastime. It's the photo shoots that pique her interest.
Margaret's daughter Lavender is fascinated with writing utensils. She likes it when I draw in ballpoint pen. Actually, she likes it when I throw ballpoint pens; they are her favorite objects to retrieve. She brings them to me while I'm sleeping and I wake up in the morning with strange hieroglyphics scrawled on the pillowcases. (Yes, my nice Egyptian cotton pillowcases. If anyone knows a source for fine bedding in Bic blue, please do let me know.) I don't have a photo of Lavender with pen in hand--er, mouth--but here's a shot from the height of her adorable kittenhood:
Who can resist?
They may drive me crazy sometimes, but who else will ever take such a profound interest in all my doings? And every day my dear cat friends remind me to pause and bask in the sunshine of the moment...and maybe even take a nice, leisurely bath.
(That's Prudence bathing. Lavender is waiting for me to throw something.)
