Noll Can't Come Out to Play Today

Noll is under the weather.

He started acting punky Saturday afternoon.

Sunday, Noll was horizontal all day, with no interest in food.

I took him outside for a brief walkabout

 & he ate a few blades of grass.

----

In the evening, Noll rejected the third can

of stinky goodness offered to him today.

So he got a dropper full of cod liver oil for dinner.

---

Maybe I worry too much.

But he is my Nollie.

----

Some purrs would be most appreciated

Thanks everyone......Kareen

Noll & His Peeps

I must check on my peeps.

I sense a stupor.

A giving in to the drowsies.

"Hey! I didn't give you guys permission to take five!

I"M directing this play.

I like to call it "Nollie in Charge."

Although My Own calls it

"Noll the Instigator."

Ready Luigi?....And

"ACTION!"

Noll Blogs for Peace

Let's replace fussing & fighting

with random acts of kindness. 

And, let's give an extra measure

of "Peace on Earth"

to all the furry, feathered & finny creatures
who live amongst us!

Noll's Bean Sister Says "Meow" =^..^=

I have not seen Corrie my older bean sister

for several weeks. 

 Mind you....

She has always looked good to me. 

 However, for some inexplicable reason

-and I can't quite put my paw on it -

I thinks she looks better than ever.

I think she is parting her hair different ;)

Noll's Status Quo....

Halloween fun is over.

.....it's back to the nip!

Noll's Halloween Parade

Tiggy went Linus on us!

Reluctantly,

We left him in his shady gourd patch

waiting for The Great (Ginger) Pumpkin.

Uncle Keaks was first out the door,

He felt a patch of good cheer -

ready to walk the plank

and engage in a few good natured pranks.

Simba arose and ambled merrily along

though he appeared to be

 a little stiff in the old Steiff.

AH.....Luigi was a good little "Do-Bee!"

He was courteous to all the ghosts & goblins.

But, at the stroke of midnight,

He clocked Bearla

And took out his lights.

...................................and candy

And moi?  Look at moi!

Aren't I a precious...little....vamp....

I...er...I'm a .......

? PUSSY-BAT ?

Hey, my costume sucked!

-------------------------

And her?

Well....

She went as Herself.

Noll Hunkers Down & Dreams of Halloween

Do you see me?

I am undercover,

dreaming of tricks & treats.

Noll Reflects on Simba

original photo of Kareen & Simba by Alex Szabo

Long ago,

There was a kitten,

And a little girl who loved him.

His name was Simba.

--------

Simba would become the cat of her dreams.

 The love of her young life.

-----

They never got to say goodbye.

---------

She says I remind her of him.

-----

She says she still misses him,

like the deserts miss the rain.

Noll's a Winner!

Here is a photo of me & my friend

Sir Trooder Lioncourt 

in all his floofalicious glory.

I *guessed Trooder's weight* and was

one of three winners!

His Mom sent me fresh catnip and catmint

 sealed in an air tight bag.

It was 'minty-fresh' AND heavenly :)

Thank you Trooder's Mom!

Noll on Greenie Witch

Greenie Witch hangs with Tiggy -

one of her favorite ginger 'familiars.'

Noll's Belated Blogoversary

Here is the face that launched

 140 posts over the course of one year 

http://catoftheday.com/archive/2009/march/27.html

Unfortunately, I was unable to celebrate on the designate day & I could not put together a party.  I had every intention.  But the secretary was in Cleveland.  Then, she clicked on a link which infected her computer.  The virus won & the computer is toast.

So instead of a party, I am going to ramble. 

My Own (which is what I call her because she belongs TO ME) started this blog on October 15, 2008 to write prose, poetry, showcase her father's artwork & her four beautiful cats.  When I, your humble Noll, was selected as "Random Cat of the Day on 3/27/09, well, the direction and purpose shifted to ALL THINGS NOLL with a little bit of Tiggy, Luigi and Uncle Keaks.  But sometimes, I let her write too ;)

Following Random Cat of the Day's notice that I had been chosen , my first comment from the cat blogosphere came from Jan's Funny Farm.  Moi, Momsbusy, ElyseK, Everycat, Astrid and ckhelmg also posted lovely thoughts that day.

I am truly amazed and glad for the the blogging cat community.  You are all so wonderful.  You welcomed me and told each other about me the very next day.  In a matter of a week, I had almost two thousand hits to my blog.  Soon, I got to following you too:  The Meezers, Tuck, Angel and Kirby, Reese, Millie, The Pouponettes, Forever Feline, Dante, Cybercibes, Rain, RusticRanch, The Fur Kids, Daisy Curly Cat, Miss Peach, Purrchance to Dream, JC, Ginger Jasper, Lisa Lisa & the Cat Jam, Cat with a Garden and a host of others (I'm sorry if I didn't mention you personally as I am doing this from memory). I have enjoyed your stories, crazy parties, nap piles, obsession with ham, your wardrobes, toys and bean adventures.  I purred for you, smiled with you and cried with you.  You taught me so much about cats, (and dogs) and blogging.

I love you all.

Thank you for a special year.

=^..^=

Noll by the Door

After two and a half months of searching, My Own has found a job.

Hooray!!  No more rationing of stinky goodness!

P.S., Do hurry back from your training though
because I wants outside.

Luigi on Sunday Morning

Noll Helped Pack Her Overnight Bag

My Own was preparing for a visit

 to her sister's over in Pennsylvania.

I had to get inside her overnight bag to figure out the

bag's dimensions and the proper placement of the clothes.

Calculating her length of stay and the available space,

I determined four pairs of warm socks would do her just fine.

I heard her rummaging in her sock drawer and

watched as she placed her chosen socks next to the bag.

Truth be told,

I think she might be venturing into "Crazy Cat Lady Land."

Noll Pines for Sunnier Days

Noll says:

Only a few short days into October

and I am already missing the sun.

Here is Uncle Keaks soaking up some late summer rays.

As of late, the days have been soggy & cool.

Our sun bathing soon will be limited to

catching rays filtered through the window pane.

Noll's "This Blog Makes Me Happy" Award

Noll received this award from Amy of the House of Cats. 

Thank you

=^..^=

The rules are to post 5 things that make you happy and to pass on the award to 5 other blogs.

The first 5 to post comments can claim this award :)

Noll's Five Happy Things:

1.)  Freshly picked catnip.

2.)  Birds singing their morning song.

3.)  Watching Chipie the chipmunk gathering his

morning peanuts & seeds from the deck.

4.)  Sleeping under soft blankets.

5.)  Snooping around in the garage.

  Sometimes, I catch a mousie in there!

Noll is IT

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.....

It's Hide & Seek Time

and Noll is IT. 

Hurry...

You had better get hiding

because Noll has already started counting

and he can only count to 10!

Noll Finds Tiggy Staring at the Door

Tiggy diligently works on his telekinetic powers.

Concentrating on the French door,

Tiggy feels the warm, mystical power surge within him.

Open, OPen, OPEN......

 *He can visualize the door opening.

  *Imagine himself walking over the threshold.

*See himself grazing on the grass around the deck.

Yup. 

Tiggy's got that visualizing thing down pretty good.

Noll's Toesie Tuesday

Hello kitties! 

 Look at my cheery tail and toesies.

The late September winds are blowing in drizzle and chill,

but I am warm, dry and "chilling" on my own terms.

Noll's Baby Blues

Noll Frightens Tiggy

 Tiggy:  "What do you mean

we're out of BACON!?"

Noll & the Garden Gnome

Known for his slothlike nature
and statuesque poses,

Uncle Keaks is often mistaken for a garden ornament...

Noll's thought for the day:
"Be it ever so humble,

there's no place like gnome."

P.S.  LOOK at that mountainous WALL of catnip behind Keaks! 
It's mine I tell you!   ALL MINE!

Noll Asks "Then What IS a 'Laptop' for?"

An open laptop bag is an open invitation. 

At least, in my world it is......

------

I find it to be the perfect little cocoon

in which to seclude myself....

-----

You want it back?*&%!

Well, here's a little Noll commentary first!

Noll & the Sepia Amur Tiger

September 13, 2009

The Amur tiger from another angle

Noll Presents More of the Big Cats

A Siberian linx pauses at the end

of its tree perch.

--------

A leopard snoozes on the end of its tree perch.

Noll & the Amur

September 13, 2009

------

At the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium,
an Amur tiger naps away the afternoon,

oblivious to the adoring crowd
that presses up against the glass.

Noll on the Coming of Fall

Photo & Poem by Kareen
-------

The warm sun slanting,

Dew drops glimmering,

A soft-warm breeze tickling

The catnip leaves.

---

Sweet-September morn!

---

The last of the yellow daisies bend

-Like the rays of the golden sun-

A little lower to the land.

---

A cheep, a chirping,

The scurrying

Of a fat-black cricket

Into the cool-damp.

---

I feel a waning:

---

A need to say goodbye

To the tiny-white alyssum,

The tender-green grass,

The effervescent hummingbird.

---

Farewell to chasing

Brittle-gray moths

Flittering,

Fluttering in the sky.

---

Time cannot be commanded.

---

The rays that drench the earth,

pour out as milk in a bowl -

---

I sit lapping, lapping!

Drinking,

As much as I can.

Noll Has Bebbehs!

It is with great excitement and joy,

that Noll announces the arrival of a
bushel of bebbehs! 

Nip bebbehs.....

Thousands of them. 

 Noll has begun the process

of naming each little nipster:

Starting from left to right we have: 

Noll Jr., Nollie, Nolliemon, Nollipolliemon, Nolliemouse, Nolleena, Nolla, Nolletta, Nollster, Nollo, Nollopolo, Nolland, Nollway, Nolloompaloompa, Nolline, Nollkin, Nollipop, Nollempa, Nollamelo, Nollark, Nollas, Nollgola, Nollywood, Nollbeck, Nollbob, Nollhotchacha, Nollstar, Nollimpa, Nollsweets, Nolliuscage, Nolltoots, Nollsmooch, Nolliliciousness, Nolliputty, Nollabunga, Nollaroo, Nollkissy, Nollybutt, Nollway, Nolliam, Nolllapolooza, Nollittle, Nollumpuss, Nollberg, Nollymyluv, Nolliesnookiepie, Nollespecial, Nollcheeks, Nollissimplyirresistable, Noll....

A Page from Noll's Scrapbook

"Baby Tiggy"

When his green eyes were blue ;)

"Baby Noll"

(sporting fake whiskers)

Before his blue eyes permanently crossed

Noll's Pretty Darn Exciting (Far from Easy) Sunday Adventure

Sunday, my purple plum tree was invaded by a hungry sparrow hawk!  The ample accipiter did not quietly approach.  Oh no!  It crashed into the upper limbs sending a bevvy of perching birds to wing and nearby bittersweet bush. 

--- 

And I, Noll, but a few feet away, tied to the deck because the grass was too wet. 

(As if I would melt walking through the dew!) But there I was, out of harm's way yet fiendishly close to the action.

---

The hawk isn't the only one with "hawk-eyes!"  Jumping up from her breakfast, I was immediately "rescued" and the hawk chased off.

---

A short time later, Tiggy, Uncle Keaks and I found ourselves outside enjoying the sunny Sunday morn.  I was tied to my tree sans hawk.  Uncle Keaks was getting into his sleep-sitting position.  Tiggy, by all appearances, was about to imbide in some nip - but what was on the other side of the nip was far more interesting.

---

A sparrow!  A dazed and confused sparrow.  Within nomming distance! 

---

Tiggy got a good sniff.  That's all he got.  Old "hawk-eyes" was at it again.

The avian delight was "rescued" and allowed to recover, hidden in the black-eyed Susans. 

---

It lived to fly another day.

Where's Noll?

I Noll, am master of stealth and camouflage.

I am invisible to chipmunk and bird!

Noll on Nature

I once saw a cone flower,

stately and prim.

----

She wore a butterfly barrette

on her frilly, purple brim.

Noll on Tiggy's Strange Affliction

While My Own was in Maine visiting her brother, my poor brother Tiggy had a mysterious affliction.  His listlessness started the day before she left.  Thinking it might be urine crystals, for which he had an operation several years ago that culminated in the removal of his male plumbing, she put the vet's name on the whiteboard.

For most of the week, he drank and ate very little.  He moped and slept.  Not moving much.  Midweek, Grandma administered eye droppers of cod liver oil with vitamins. It helped some; but on the day she was to return, he was, by all appearances, drifting away.  Then, her flight was canceled. 

A day is 24 hours. But sometimes, a day's length can stretch and grow beyond its set hours.  When hurrying home is desired but simply unattainable only prayers can reach the destination before the self. 

Prayers.  Prayers by the lake. Prayers in the airport. Prayers said at 35,000 feet....

And, finally home. Luggage dropped at the door. 

The magical way she calls our names. His name.  The orange M on Tiggy's forehead appeared to smile.  

Tiggy lost a couple of pounds.  His backfat is gone.  His jumps are a little short of the mark.  But whatever the affliction, it left shortly upon her return.

He is a "Momma's Boy" afterall.

Noll's Canine Cousin

Sometimes, a dog IS as cute as a cat ;)

Noll Explains His Absence

Luigi's eyes solarized

Dear furry friends and not-so-furry friends,

I am nearly recovered from my Internet withdrawal!

My major domo, i.e., human, lost her job of 17 years AND her free Internet. She's been visiting the local library for WiFi access; a cumbersome process but a most welcomed service. Thankfully, I was able to blog a little and visit some of your blogs too.

But, then, there followed the visit to her brother in Maine....where no computers abide! And the Internet well dried up!

She is now returned. Reconnected to my beloved Internet.

I will be back in full force very soon!

All my best.....Noll

Noll on Mind Melding

I travel through your mind,

your memory...

Our eyes are a conduit,

a connection -

That allows me to control

your every move.

In any place or time,

----

Whenever

my eyes fix

on yours.

Noll's Thankful Thursday

Sing along with Noll.....

----

"Bringing in the sheaves,

Bringing in the sheaves!"

-----

Noll has been rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves!

Noll Spies with His Little Eye

....another

"Little Eye"

staring straight

back at him.......

Nolls Finds Luigi Being a Bit Pouty

Come on big guy....smile!

---

It's FRIDAY!

Noll Visits the Library

Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings....

Decisions, decisions!

Noll's Olfactory Works Overtime

So I queried her...."Do you smell what I smell?"

----

"What is that volatile olfaction I sense?

What is that offense!"

She was, of course, totally without answer. Totally clueless.

Noll's "Your Blog is a Dream" Award

I received this award from A Wizard and an Angel.

Thanks for thinking of me!

The award rules are:

give seven beauty tips and pass the award on to seven blogs.

Noll's Beauty Tips:

1.) Take an evening walk around the garden for
good mental and constitutional health.

2.) Keep vocal cords lithe and limber by talking....all....the....time.

3.) "Cardio Wrassling": Do it every day to work those abs and stay flexible.

4.) Roll in the dirt to add a fresh, earthy,
"what IS that smell?" fragrance to your fur.

5.) Nibble on mousie tails and feets; the chewy texture prevents tartar buildup.

6.) Take long naps. Long naps are like visits to a day spa.

7.) Partake of the NIP! Catnip will make you smile and smiles
can make you look beautiful even on a bad fur day :)


I am passing this award on to:

Lisa Lisa and the Cat Jam
Zeus
Cybersibes
Lilacs and Cats
Daisy the Curly Cat
Ginger Jasper
Noirs Nook

Noll's Nip in Bloom

I Rejoice!

My catnip is in bloom.

Bees of every sort are busy

visiting each tiny purple-white flower.

Soon there will be seeds!

And seeds mean happy, little yellow goldfinches

riding the seed heads, pecking and disbursing

a seed here, a seed there.

----

Oh, how my garden grows!

Noll as "Nollieliciousness"

It's OK....go ahead....

<===== Smooch
your screen here ;)

Noll Tickles Tiggy's Funny Bone

Tiggy's

Monday Morning

Wish to You:

May you always have someone in your life who can make you laugh.

May you greet every morning with a silly expression that invites laughter.

May you always live, laugh, love.....

Noll's Glow

Behold this little light of mine!

My "Halo" of illumination:

Hovering over my sweet, ever-innocent head.

Tis visual proof that I, Noll,

Be an angel on earth!

-----

Ahem...What?

OH! My Bad...I was SUPPOSE to write:

My "HALOgen" of illumination.....

Noll Wonders......

Is that Tiggy's shadow?

----

Or Batman waiting his turn at the milk bowl?

----

Noll's Nip Receives the "Honest Scrap" Award

This award was given to Noll's Nip by JC of Lilacs & Cats

-----

OK, since this award is about honesty, I divulge two things. First, I have dial up (I live in the country). Twice, I started looking up the blogs I wanted to give this award too only to log off cursing my slow modem. On the third attempt, I realized I wanted to give the award to more than 10 blogs. So, I'm going to give this award to everyone because I truly enjoy every blog I visit.

----

Now, for the 10 true things about myself, the human hiding behind the catnip curtain:

----

1.) I play the clarinet.

2.) I was a varsity cheerleader in high school.

3.) The first time I took the test for my driver's license, I flunked it.

4.) I am an avid reader. I am currently reading "Caramelo" by Sandra Cisneros.

5.) If I were allowed only one food for the remainder of my life, cheesecake would be it.

6.) I have an associate degree in journalism and a B.A. in English.

7.) If Tolkien's Shire were a real place, I would live there. For one thing, I am short enough.

8.) My dream is to write a book.

9.) London, England is my favorite place on earth (besides the Shire).

10.) I have a beautiful daughter who is working on her graduate degree.

----

Kareen

Noll asks "What light through yonder window breaks?"

Tis the morning sun;

The light of the East

that doth envelope thy slumbering form!

Though your countenance speaks of a deep drowsy,

Alas and alack Fair Keaks,

thou shiest the light in vain!

Open thine amber eye.

Let the query that has transformed your conceit

from repose to wakefulness spill forth.

We await your thoughts transformed into words.

What sayth thou sleepy Keaks.

"Could someone turn off the sun?"

Tiggy: A Portrait of Entrancement

Allow me to share

my pale green stare;

dark flecks and light orbiting,

floating in my eyes.

"Wake Up! We're on Noll's Nip"

Noll & Tiggy Catch a Few Zzzzzs

Noll's "Whatsis?" Weekend

Noll's View of the Prison Break

"PSSSSSST,

WHEN LUIGI OPENS

THE SCREEN DOOR,

WE ALL MAKE A RUN

FOR THE BACKYARD!"

---

Noll on When the Sun Becomes a Flower

One season challenges the next:

Spring succumbs to Summer,

Summer whimpers into Fall,

Fall crumbles into Winter,

Winter wanes into Spring.

It is a never-ending chase.

It is now that we stand before the passing of Spring and await the halcyon moment. The happy, golden moment.
----

They stand tall in the garden,

with tightly knit seed heads.

Waiting.

The bullfrog harrumphs. Fledglings abdicate their nests. The winter wheat awaits harvest.
---

Rain, light, rain and the faces burst forth.

---

The sun of the sky stares down, met by the gaze of flower faces - a legion of faces ringed in yellow flames. Adulating sunflower faces following the sun's progress through the sky.

---

When the Sun becomes a Flower,

Summer reigns.

Noll's Disposition Forecast

Dear Diary,

Meow promises.....

Although it is Monday, my disposition today will be sunny & bright as freshly picked yellow flowers.

Purrs,

Noll

Noll Watches for the Weekend

---

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Come Weekend Come!

Noll Imagines

Sometimes,

--

when the warming rays of the sun

--

feather my face

--

with wisps of light

--

and the birds fly by

--

my window all a-tweet,

--

gleeful for the morning bright,

--

I imagine

--

I abide

--

wing to wind.

--

If only for a moment......

Tiggy is Wordless but NOT Blissless

Fresh from a nosh in the nip,

with an expression a cross

---

between bonkers & bliss,

it's Tiggy time!

Squeaker's Toesie-Tailsie Tuesday ;)

His frosty white paws and tail delicately placed on a pale pink blanket,

Squeaker purrs "I'm ready for my closeup!."

Noll Introduces His Friend Chipie....

Monday I've Got Mousies on My Mind

Noll Finds Tiggy Amongst the Daisies

Tiggy could not help himself

To the center island he soared:

---

The daisies with their orange-yellow centers

spoke to his ginger nature....

----

"Come!" they beseeched,

"Reside a while and

Bring your orange beauty

to our bouquet!"

Noll Hangs Ten in the Verge

Sometimes, I sit & stare

The air taking up my drifting cares.

-----

At the edge of the perennial bed,

with the back acreage poured out

greenly at my feet

and the cornfields in view,

--------

I pause because

it is the only thing

I am compelled

to do.

Noll's NIP-a-PO-LOOZA

To all of the Cool Cats,

Felicitous Felines and Krazy Kitties

in the CatBlogosphere:

-----

You're Invited to Noll's

First Annual NIP-a-PO-LOOZA!

~We're Playing ALL Summer Long In~

----

NOLL'S NIP

Don't be shy....dive on in...

THE NIP IS FINE!

Chillax!

Take All You Want!

Enjoy!

the "Finest Nip this Side of the Mississip!"

Noll's Advice for Living

Always Be in the moment.

Take time to fully appreciate the sights, smells and sounds that surround you.

For even the most ordinary can be magical when you allow your senses free reign.

If unsure how to wrap yourself in the moment, ask a cat. We offer such guidance willingly and without recompense.

Happy 'Momenting!'

Noll Invites YOU to a Staredown!

Go ahead, make Noll's day....

Try to stare him down!

Noll Chucks Up a Letter to the Home Office

Dear Management,

Over the course of this past week, you have sallied forth with nonstop mutterings. I am disappointed because most of what we have overheard has been very judgemental.

Nevertheless, in response, I take the high road and refrain from passing judgement. I will, however, defend our position as neutrally as possible.

Firstly, the felines in this establishment understand our responsibility vis-a-vis the delicate predator/prey relationship.

Secondly, we admit to our "recent sloppy, pitiful mousing" (did I quote you correctly?) if you admit to your role in undermining the situation.

Tiggy was on that mouse under the plant stand. He'd have succeeded in waiting it out too. You, however, moved the stand and allowed it to escape. We also know there was a second mouse under the microwave. I was on that one. But, you of course, had to move that stand as well!

You screaming "Get the mousies! Get the mousies!" confused poor grandma into thinking you were yelling at her. Of course, grandma teatering off balance from whipping off her slipper and whacking after the escaping mousies, threw everyone's game off.

Which meant we now had two baby mice on the run with grandma swinging her slipper and you running poor interference, shouting plays at us. How many times do I have to remind you, "UNCLE KEAKS CAN'T HEAR?!?"

I waited almost all day by the china hutch for the mice to come out.

Your glueboards were insulting AND redundant!

Next time, don't have a bedtime snack and you'll not chance upon our "**Half (rhymes with) Mast** work." Tiggy was on that mousie....AGAIN! You could have turned around and pretended you never saw it lolling by the pantry. Oh no, you had to grab a glueboard, corner it, and scoop it up. Duh!...Einstein....

G-L-U-E-B-O-A-R-D?

We're sorry about the outcome...

We know you prefer to catch and release!

Next time, a little self-restraint on your part AND we will put the sloppy work behind us!

Yours Purrfully,

Noll, Tiggy, Keaks, & Luigi (who was noticeably absent during the event)

Luigi's Wordless Wednesday

Noll's "All Over the World" - Award

All Over The World - Award
We wanted to show you the International Bloggers Award The Creek Cats gave us. Thanks guys, we really appreciate it!!
Here are the rules attached to this award: Link the person who tagged you. Copy the image above, the rules and the questionnaire in this post.Post this in one or all of your blogs. Answer the four questions following these Rules. Recruit at least seven (7) friends on your Blog Roll by sharing this with them. Come back to BLoGGiSTa iNFo CoRNeR (PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LINK) at http://bloggistame.blogspot.com and leave the URL of your Post in order for you/your Blog to be added to the Master List.
Questions & Your Answers:
The person who tagged you: Maizy Grace.
His/her site’s title and url: The Creek Cats http://thecreekcats.blogspot.com/
Date when you were tagged: May 22, 2009.
Persons you tagged (see below)I’m passing this award on to: Ginger Jasper, A Kitty Named Reese, Rufus Raves, Wendy's 3-D Cats, House of Cats, Tristan and Crikey, 3 County Cats.

Noll on Aspiring to be Cheetah

pencil drawing by Kareen

The Cheetah....

a singular creature

of speed, agility, rare beauty,

dynamic markings and slender grace.

This post is dedicated to Tuck & Squeaker

and every kitty who aspires to be Cheetah.

----------

When you race through the house with enormous bursts of speed and energy, your long limbs and strong strides conquering space and time, when you climb on high to survey your assumed world or sleep secluded in your favorite spot with vigilance and graceful recline, when you groom your regal markings to prim and lustrous form, then, you too are Cheetah.

Nolls Thoughts on Vigilance

a vigilant Noll

A cat is, by its very nature, vigilant.


The subject and purpose of its vigilance is irrelevant.


It is the nature that is the divining force: to be in the state of vigilance regardless of season, wakefulness, or reason.


A cat can no more be separated from its vigilance than a songbird can be separated from its song.

Noll on Tiggy's Sleepytime Fantasy

Tiggy Dreams Himself a TIGER

(Dream adapted from a poem by William Blake)

-------

Tiggy, Tiggy,

Burning bright,

In his dreams,
In the night,

What Immortal
hand or eye
did frame thy
fearful symmetry?
-------
Painting by Kareen

Noll's Reminder

It is often said that
with Age comes Wisdom.

Let us remind ourselves
that Age also
begets Beauty.

Squeaker,

a beautiful & wise 16

Noll's Thankful Thursday

Nip consoles.
Nip camouflages.
Nip is my constant companion.

Thank you, my sweet Nip.

Long may you greenly grow

in absolute abandon!