William, our gorgeous boy, adopted us a couple of years ago when the old windmill, where he lived as part of a colony, was sold to developers. We've since learnt that William was one of a litter of five, one captured & rehomed by a cat charity, a pregnant female who now lives with one of her kittens (and William's dad) with a couple we know from the swimming baths and a pair of black & white toms, who remain street cats but are regularly fed and sleep in little cabins in a nearby garden.
Over the last week one of the pair of toms has been a near-permanent fixture, staring at the house with a quiet dignity, either perched on a windowsill peering in whilst we watch TV, sitting on the bin outside the kitchen door peeping at us when we eat or just snoozing in the border beneath the house. We're feeding him and although a bit wary, he's happy to be stroked - much to the amazement of the neighbours, who've never been able to get close. His brother has a flash of white on his side so he's known locally as Flash so, of course, this one is Gordon.
Will Stonecroft become a two cat home again - or maybe his brother will decide to join him and make it a threesome? The more the merrier as far as I'm concerned! William doesn't seem to skittish about Gordon's visits despite him being an intact tom cat, maybe he knows he's family?
We came home to what's known as False Spring and after a couple of glorious days of sunshine and warmth we've been plunged back into frosty mornings and snow flurries (but my tan's hanging on). If that wasn't enough of a shock to the system, I had a reoccurrence of the gum infection I had this time last year and spent the week muddling through on a cocktail of antibiotics and painkillers. I'm very, very lucky to have an amazing dentist who has offered to do some revisional dental work, not usually available on the NHS, which means I can keep the troublesome tooth and not bankrupt myself in the process...thanks, Omario, you're a superstar!
On Tuesday, after swimming and our Spoons breakfast we headed to the cinema to watch I am Martin Parr, a feature-length documentary celebrating the life of British greatest living photographer. Parr's wonderful photos are a fantastic antidote to the messed around with, overly filtered and impossibly perfect pictures that dominate the internet. Parr's work shows Britain is it really is and celebrates normality and everyday life. Walking home after our cinema trip reminded me to see the beauty in the everyday, the elderly couple eating sausage rolls in the street, the group workers in high-viz gathered around a pothole in the road and the women in hijabs unrolling bolts of vibrant polyester at the fabric stall on the market.
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Meanwhile, not quite up to Martin Parr's standards....
Here's Jon clutching our charity shop finds, we couldn't resist having a quick rummage before the film started.
I nearly passed out when I spotted this in the £2.99 shop.
Hand woven in India and at least 50 years old, the mirror work is perfect and the glass beads adorning the bodice are miraculously intact. I cannot wait to wear it. It looks great belted with a fedora and cowboy boots (doesn't everything?)
Americanah has been on my bookshelf for a while, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's One Half of a Yellow Sun is one of my favourite books and I was scared that this one wouldn't be as good. I needn't have worried, it was superb.
I've been alcohol-free all week so I'm looking forward to a glass of two of rum later.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, I intend to!
What a find that dress is....I shall look forward to seeing you strutting your funky stuff in..Arilx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aril! x
DeleteWe have a black Persian or maybe Maine coon cat that is slowly adopting us. But our two female cats are ferocious independent and are quick to let him know . My sister named him tiger so others can’t guess his name. If we can ever catch him it’s snip snip at the veterinary. Firm believers in that!
ReplyDeleteFemale cats are so territorial, aren't they? I love the sound of that fluffy cat making a play for your affections. Oh yes, those pompoms need to come off! Gordon's been warned! xxx
DeleteMaybe William is saying come and live here, you'll be spoilt to death. Miss Sheva, although very loving with us and Iris absolutely hates strangers in her house or garden. The combination of my Stepmum and 2 gardeners all at the same time is what sent her to hide in the washing machine. Xx
ReplyDeleteBoy cats are a lot more forgiving than girls, aren't they Gill? The lads have been having quite a conversation today, no argy bargy, all very civilised! Polly Piglet absolutely loathed other cats - with the exception of Stephen!
DeleteThat photo of Miss Sheva in the washing machine that you shared was so cute! xxx
I think now that I let Little Miss officially adopt us, I find myself wanting to bring in the random starts that occasionally are spotted around the pond, or at my sister's mobile home park where feral cats are everywhere. There's a kitten that may ir may not have an owner that is identical to my daughter's cat and broke my heart seeing her out with n the cold when I was feeding a d caring for my sister's. She wouldn't come close enough,and I might have been streaming if I took her. Great finds. I live real photography. Life.
ReplyDeleteThey get under your skin, don't they Sam? I hate to think of cats out in the cold without a roof over their heads, too. xxx
DeleteWhat a GORGEOUS dress!
ReplyDeleteThank you! xxx
DeleteWilliam is such a handsome boy and surely knows he has made a good choice moving in . The black and white cat reminds me of one of our previous cats , named Oigle , that John bought me on our first Christmas .
ReplyDeleteThe dress is quite a find , I can remember having one similar and it probably was 50 years ago.
Thanks, Jill! What a special first Xmas present Oigie was! xxx
DeleteThat dress is spectacular. Mr William, I wonder how he feels about a furry companion?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie! William's not been too bad about the situation, they've actually been chatting today! xxx
Deletethank goodness for your health system!! Occasionally, I house sit for one of my daughters soon as she leaves, Mr Big Black Tom turns and gives me The Look..... The I'm In Charge Look. I can see that it's all on.... one can only admire such confidence
ReplyDeleteI know, I'd hate to have to pay for dentistry like a lot of Brits have to these days!
DeleteI'm liking the sound of Mr Big Black Tom Cat, I know that look very well indeed! xxx
That dress is beautiful. Will be perfect if we ever get any sunshine. It’s lovely that you welcome those cats in rather than buying from breeders. They are beautiful cats. Martin Parr is great, i would love to be able to emulate his style and eye for a great photo. Sadly, I doubt that’s going to happen. Have a great week xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Louise! I'm thrilled with the dress and can't wait for the weather to wear it.
DeleteI don't think I've ever actually gone out to for a cat, they've always come to me. Strange creatures that they are! xxx
The dress is a real beauty. I love Martin Parr's work, such a good eye. The Fool's Spring was short lived and the sunshine very welcome but the past week has been freezing. I am back in thermals. I can't imagine a time when I aren't wearing layers of clothes and still feeling cold. Glad your dentist worked miracles. I had a broken front tooth and thought I would lose it but my lovely dentist said he could fix it and heba brilliant filling.
ReplyDeleteHi Carole! It felt colder than ever this last week or so, didn't it? I'm loving today's warmth and sunshine!
DeleteHooray for dentists! xxx
Such wonderful cat stories. Beautiful photos of these fellows! Our first can for the family was a black and white named Tessa and she was by way of England. A giveaway from the neighbors when they moved. Oh, she was regal and old. After she passed, at the time we weren't looking for a cat at the animal shop, but a tuxedo kitten found us. Immediately, my daughter said, "Tessa's son!" And that was the beginning of Casper's reign at our house.
ReplyDeleteMartin would be proud of your photography! Some great shot with handbags too. Lovely items you have found. You are very inspiring. I have found a new charity shop in our neck of the woods and visit often. I have rescued a few Barbies. Oh, if only I could find a Sindy to rescue.
All the best to that rum! Thanks so much for your wonderful posts and adventures! Thanks for reading and thank you for your comments š¤š¤š¤š¤š¤š¤
Tessa sounds like a real character, I love how she was an English cat and that Casper turned up just when you needed him! xxx
DeleteBeautiful dress. Love the tuxedo cat and hopefully Gordon will join the family.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marjorie! xxx
DeleteThats a very pretty dress you found, I think you live in an area where there is a big ethnic community and one of the benefits is finding fabulous dresses, made in India, like that one! I hope you do become a 3 cat family, sounds like Gordon has his sights on you and Im sure he wouldn't want to leave his brother behind! it's freezing but been sunny here in surrey, sufficient to get up to the allotment and get fresh air. Sorry about the dental issues but thank goodness you have a good dentist - my brother has to travel across the Devon border to Wiltshire to see one - they are becoming a luxury nobody can find, let alone afford! Betty
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betty! I think that dress would have been made for the export/tourist market so possibly bought back from a holiday (white is only usually worn for mourning) but you're right, we have a wealth of ethnic riches in our town charity shops, African waxed cotton, Salwar Kameez's, glass bangles, bejewelled slippers - much more interesting than the polyester primarni in every shade of griege!
DeleteWe are so lucky with our dentist! That's terrible that your brother has to travel so far, I'm seeing mire and more people without teeth these days. xxx
Gordon is very sweet and elegant. I love the photo of you and William. The glasses look fantastic on you, and so does the pink lipstick.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! xxx
DeleteSo lovely that William's brother is making an approach, he has lots of attitude!. Hope they can be friends!
ReplyDeleteThat documentary film looks really interesting, I'm taking notes!. Totally agree that some Real Life feels refreshing after the ultra-processed photos we're used to in the Internet. And so much better.
So fabulous embroidered piece, totally amazing it's still in so good condition (probably it was cherished?, love it!), and I can imagine you rocking it!
Sorry that the weather is not collaborating and sorry that you're visiting your dentist again, such a pain!. Get well soon!
besos
Its lovely watching them suss each other out, they've been chatting today!
DeleteThe Martin Parr film is so interesting, I think you'd love it. xxx
Ooh, how exciting! We've often taught of getting a companion for Bess, but I'm not sure how welcoming the little Madam would be. She's so utterly spoiled and used to having us both at her beck and call.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the gum infection. They're quite horrible, aren't they. You're so lucky with your dentist, though.
I'm not surprised you nearly passed out when you saw that dress, it's a real stunner! xxx
thought not taught, obviously :-)
DeleteHello Ann! In my experience female felines are terribly territorial when it comes to sharing their homes with other cats but you never know and Bess is such a sweetie. xxx
DeleteI'm so sorry to know you're suffering with oral pain/infection! If you haven't already, you might look into diluted oregano oil and/or clove oil/whole clove for same. Both are antiseptic and anesthetic! Thank you for another fabulous blog post, it's always fun to glimpse your colorful world. Here in the American tundra, we had a 75 degree day followed by a 20-something snap, what a funny coincidence (?). Not sure you need a show suggestion, but I've been watching The Rockford Files (old as your new dress!) for the first time and it's entertaining, eye candy, anachronistic, but somewhat endearing for it. I'm not bothered anyway. Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteThanks o much for the tip! I shall track some down ready for when my dental treatment starts and be prepared.
DeleteHow odd about your weather, too - after a few lovely days it comes as such a shock to the system to be plunged into freezing temperatures again.
The Rockford Files! I used to love watching that! xxx
I have a feeling you might be starting a collection of cats. Xx
ReplyDeleteI can think of worse things to collect! xxxx
DeleteI have had some cat adventures as well. Our cats (the cats we share with our neighbour Marina) have adopted another kitten. So, originally there was the all grey mom cat and she has two adult looking offspring- both look exactly like her but one is a tomcat. Anyhow, after a while that mom cat adopted Stinky- he's the white and grey cat you can see always climbing onto me. He also climbs on my brother-in-law. He is extremely cuddly and will jump into everyone's lap. The mom cat has recently adopted another white kitten, he's a few months old and I'm not sure what gender yet. She's always adopting it seems. Fortunately, they all get along really well. Sometimes I can even see other more feral cats hanging out with them. Our cats don't even mind when the feral cats come when we feed them, and they don't mind sharing their food. Still, the other more feral cats don't really come near and they seem to live somewhere further away, only visiting occasionally. Who knows maybe the cat family will grow.
ReplyDeleteSo great that you welcomed another cat. It's wonderful how William accepted Gordon or at least that he doesn't mind Gordon's visits...Now, about William knowing that Gordon is family- I think that's entirely possible- at least if all the wild life documentaries I watched are true. From what I have seen, all the members of the feline family can sort of smell their relatives, no matter how long they haven't seen each other. According to some sources, cats can even smell who our relatives are! Anyway, I don't know if there's definite scientific evidence of this but cats have a strong sense of scent. There's also this thing called group scent. The cats will rub themselves into other friendly cats, and they create this 'group scent' or 'family scent'. Even if not related, the cats living in the same household/garden or are might acquire this group scent and behave as if they are family. Fascinating creatures for sure.
I'm sorry to hear about the antibiotics and all. It's great you have a friendly dentist who is ready to help in any way he cans. I'm sure that means a lot!
The Indian hand woven dress is beautiful. Such a lucky find!
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi sounds like a great read. Thank you for your recommendation!
I love seeing those beautiful cats on your blog, Ivana. Its fantastic that you share some community kitties with your neighbour, that way you know they'll always have someone looking out for them. They are such intriguing creatures. There's a strange trill noise that they make when they address other cats Gordon and William have been doing it today, its supposedly a friendly way of addressing cats form the same community/family and as there hasn't been any fighting or spitting (yet!) I live in hope! xx
DeleteI haven't heard about that thrill noise...that's interesting!
DeleteThe cats in my community are still getting on well together wonderfully. It's a joy to see them all being so friendly with one another.
YOU ARE SO LUCKY!!! That £2.99 bargain is a beauty!!!
ReplyDeleteAhrgh, sorry to hear about the tooth but wonderful you have a dentist! I haven't been since 2019- and I really need to find one!!!
That's very exciting about acquiring another cat or two!!!!! Sad they lost their original home though! What happened to the windmill?x
Thanks, Kezzie! I can't wait to gibe that dress an outing, its a beauty!
DeleteI hope you manage to find a dentist. We're so lucky to have a NHS dentist, I wouldn't fancy having to pay for that Denplan thingy! xxx
Fabulous find for £2.99!
ReplyDeleteI've had cats all of my life, and in multiples. Black cats are my favourite and we've always had a least one and in recent years 4, then along came a stray white and ginger long hair.
We've taken in many a stray over the years.
Having said goodbye to our beautiful black Angel of 20 years and 2 months in 2022 and then goodbye to
our beautiful black Rascal aged 17 and a half years in 2023, himself was a stray, I found myself catless for the first time in my life. I waited, but no strays turned up, so now I have one tuxedo girl and her brother, also black and white, from the RSPCA.
Now to find a black kitty as it's not the same without one.! Go for it Vix.
Jean.
Hello Jean. Thank you so much for giving those beautiful cats a home. You must have been devastated losing Rascal and Angel, you must have been a wonderful cat parent for them to have lived to such good ages. Stephen was 17 when we lost him in 2023 and I did say never again but then William appeared and what could we do?
DeleteGordon's been trilling to William today, I looked it up and its a friendly way cats communicate with fellow cats so tat sounds promising.
I hope a black kitty cat makes their way to you before too long. xxx
Hi Vix. I think you'll be adopted by Gordon very soon š¤š¤šš I'd love more but my little rescue cat won't allow it. She's very territorial and chases any visitor cats out of the garden despite getting on in years. Beautiful dress and absolute bargain. Love the photos, such beauty in day to day moments. Louise (Mids) X x x
ReplyDeleteHello Louise! I do find girl cats a lot more territorial than boys. Isn't it funny? xxx
DeleteThat dress is a nice find maybe you share to your blog readers how you'd style it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Benita, I will! x
DeleteI hope you are feeling much better now Vix - Sounded awful - Sweet Gorden watching from afar is so touching xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Flis! I'll be glad to get the dental treatment started! It drove me mad last week.
DeleteGordon is so cute. xxx
William sounds like such a special cat, and it’s amazing how his brother Gordon is slowly warming up to you! False Spring always plays tricks on us—one day it’s sunshine, the next it’s snow. Hope you’re feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! xx
DeleteI enjoyed Americanah - we did it for Book Club a few years ago. I hope Gordon joins your furry fam, Vix! I know you and Jon have enough love for all the kitties! What a handsome boy Gordon is, and of course, William is a beautiful feline.
ReplyDeleteLove that Indian gown you found! Wow!
Americanah was brilliant, she's such a great writer! Gordon is such a pretty boy, he's been sunbathing with his belly out on the doorstep most of the day, William's been chatting to him! xxx
DeleteI have been meaning to read something by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie but haven't done so yet. Lovely photos. The documentary sounds like something I would enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hena. I think you'd enjoy Martin Parr's work, its a proper snapshot of British life. xxx
DeleteI love your glasses (very flattering), and of course Sweet William. I do hope he is reunited with his brothers. He is living a good life. And those pictures are great. I love it when a photographer is more focused on showing how it really is, then touching it up to be pleasing. And a great bonus that you found that dress too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex! I chose sunglasses frames for my glasses, far more interesting than the conventional specs frame in my optician. xxx
DeleteSorry about your toothache. Nothing worse. My dad's name was William Gordon!!Great names for feline friends!xxx
ReplyDeleteWilliam Gordon! It's a sign! There's nothing worse than toothache, it's impossible to ignore. xxx
DeleteHello, Vix,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like your street cats are the same as the cats in my street, they're all black and white and they also come to our door to ask for food! It's very annoying to have a toothache, here too we spend a fortune on dentists and there aren't any on the national health service!
I really liked your made in India embroidered dress and the photos of you with wings! Happy reading!... and week!
Hello Marisa! There's very few NHS dentists left in the UK, I'm so lucky to have one, they can cost a fortune! xxx
DeleteAww so many great kitties and I see in the future all of them joining the home LOL. The photo exhibit looked wonderful and how fun to shop at the charity shops. Love the dress/top you found. Yes the weather is crazy here too. This morning it was 34 degrees and very windy when I left for work almost cold enough to snow and then in the evening when I left it was 61 degrees and sunny. An almost 30 degree difference.
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
That's some crazy weather, Allie! xxx
DeleteOh I do hope Gorgeous Gordon decides to adopt you, William is obviously spreading the word about your excellent cat establishment. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat photo of Jon is absolutely priceless, it made me literally laugh out loud!!
He's been lounging on the doorstep in the sunshine for most of the day - Gordon, not Jon! xxx
DeleteSeeing your Indian dress reminds me of the one i have -- mirrors and embroidery on a lovely orange. When you said that it was most likely 50 years old, i realized that the one i have is 50 years old. I think that mine though was a male version as it is short and has an interesting metal button closure.
ReplyDeleteCats know when they are welcome!
kirsten
Hello Kristen! Your Indian garment sounds interesting. I think the embroidery on mine is from the Kutch region of Gujurat where we visited a few years ago and saw lots of men in their traditional tribal costume, you might find something similar to yours if you've got time for a Google. xxx
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