The Art Of Living And Dying

Cats On Tuesday--Cat Communication

2009-10-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Anela here: Yes, it's been awhile since my Number Two Cat Slave posted! I've kept her company as she's been researching and writing....it seems she's working on a big project. We of the Cat Tribes are known to be Muses, and we've inspired many an artist and inventor throughout history. She knows this fact, and she loves me to be close as she creates.

Sometimes she talks to me about her ideas, and I listen and give her my feedback. Then she'll rub my ears, and suddenly she's receives a *download* and goes back to work with renewed passion. This is how cat magick works.

She tells me she's going to mention me in the acknowledgments, and rightfully so I might add!

I watched the cat talking video below with her, and let me tell ya: my Cat Slave is nowhere near this sappy! If she ever talked to me this way, I might move on down the road. Just kidding. I've got a great life, plus I've got a job: inspire her to finish the project!

P.S. I think this white fur ball is really cute.

P.P.S. Basha... in case you're sneaking onto the computer against doctor's orders, we send you a Shout Out to feel bettah soon!

Cats On Tuesday--Manipulative Purrs

2009-07-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

It came as no surprise to read the Discovery post about cat's manipulative purrs titled "Cats Use Special Purr to Manipulate Humans". All of us cat women/men know this one, right???

Here's the link in case you missed it. I twittered about it right away because I was so amused!

Link to Special Purr to Manipulate Humans

It's this one paragraph which really says it all:

"Cats have about the right size of vocal folds to produce a cry that is similar to a baby's, so there is a coincidental element," explained McComb. "In fact, the meow can sound remarkably like a crying child, which will be particularly effective with humans."

This is how Ms. Queenie Anela works my partner....it's his instinct to take care of a baby.

However, since I'm the Alpha Cat in our home, I'm onto her baby-sounding-meow, and she can't work me like she does him.

And do your cats manipulate you?

If you'd like to follow me on Twitter, here's the link. I tend to hang out there more these days.

Cats and Dogs--One Big Happy Family

2009-07-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

This is the 1st post I've written on any of my many blogs since my return from Asia, but Queenie, aka Anela, my BOSS, absolutely insisted she get her Cat Day once again.

Yes, I had been suffering from juggler's fatigue with way too many blogs for far too many years, and upon return from my last arduous journey to Base Camp Mount Everest, I needed even more time away from blogging.

However, here's an update on Anela for her fellow felines of Cats on Tuesday!

Before I give you the report, I'm gonna share a test I took to see if I could tell whether a cat was a boy or a girl just by looking at a photo.

"Here's my test results: Your Score: You got 13 right out of 20 questions, for a score of 65 percent."

If you'd also like to take this test, here's the link: Boy Girl Cat Quiz

So back to Queenie Anela news:

I'd like to brag about her...she's one VERY COOL cat. Here's her latest demonstration of coolness.

There is a new puppy on our property, an American Bulldog. His name is Charlie, and he is totally adorable but rambunctious as puppies are wont to be. Charlie is totally fascinated with Anela, and when they were first introduced (with Charlie being on a leash of course), Anela didn't hiss or run or freak-out in any way. She held her ground and stared him down with zero fear. She didn't budge from her resting spot.

Charlie is the new 'baby' of my daughter and her fiancee, and they also reside on the property in their own home. Notice the eyes of Charlie--one is blue, and one is brown.

Anela had already spied Charlie running around on HER land, so she was quite aware of him already, but bringing him into HER immediate home space was of some concern for me. Would the two of them KNOW they were part of the family? Would they get along?

And praises be, they are getting on! They're communicating on a level beyond our hearing, and they seem to know that they're part of the family unit.

Anela and I send our warmest A-L-O-H-A to all our Cats on Tuesday friends! We've missed ya!

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Ponders Her Future

2009-03-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

Anela Here: I've been listening to my Number Two Cat Slave discussing her Spring Break. I shudder when I know she's leaving on a long journey because I expect my Cat Slaves to jump and deliver the goods when I meow.

However, the Good News is my Number Three Cat Slave who rubs my ears every morning right on schedule (7 am to be exact) will still be around to care for me. I'm a very particular cat and one that likes everything to be on time. For example, every day at EXACTLY 5:30 pm, I expect to be feed treats--preferably Temptations cat treats, my favorites.

With my main Cat Slaves wandering the world and with only ONE cat slave left to care for me, my cat treat cocktail hour will likely be overlooked, and then I'll have to harass the Number Three cat slave when she arrives home.

I make a particular 'harassing' sound when my needs have been overlooked. One could almost compare this sound to a dog's bark. It's a command, and believe me, my Cat Slaves KNOW this sound as they always comply when I make this sound.

Anyways, my dear cat friends around the world, I'm letting you know my Cats on Tuesday post will be returning in June once my cat slaves return from their journey. So I'll check back-up on your adventures and once again tattle on my slaves at this time.

Aloha from The Maui Cat!

Cats On Tuesday--On Imperfection

2009-03-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Anela here: My Number Two Cat Slave posted a quote on her Twitter page which I'd like to embellish upon on my special day hosted by Gattina.

This is the quote: "There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion." Sir Francis Bacon

When I was a young 'un, one of my Number 2 Cat Slaves's friends told her that there was something wrong with me. Imagine that! How rude! This so-called friend said that my eyes weren't evenly balanced and therefore I was a bit strange.

I ran to a reflective surface and looked at my beautiful eyes, and yes, twas true that one eye was different than the other. One eye slanted more and was a bit larger! But the more I thought about my uneven eyes, the more I realized I liked them just the way they are! Who sez that eyes have to be perfectly matched anyways?!

After coming to grips with my extraordinary beauty and high strangeness, that's when I observed my Cat Slave's friend with more scrutiny. Her eyes were perfectly balanced, but even with perfectly balanced eyes, she wasn't a kind person.

Thus, the moral of this little cat tale today is: Accept your imperfections. Glory in your excellent strangeness. Be the beautiful, strange, alluring cat you are, and don't buy-into anyone telling you that you have to be perfect. You're even more beautiful according to the great Sir Francis Bacon who knew a thing or two.

And what is your oddity my fellow cats?

Music Monday--Sleep Song

2009-02-23T12:19:00.000-08:00

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Wordless Wednesday-Maui Mural

2009-02-18T16:52:00.000-08:00

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Drinks

2009-02-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Anela here: It's MY DAY again--Cats on Tuesday hosted by Gattina! I love Tuesdays because this is the day my Number Two Cat Slave writes for me. Today she posted a photo of me drinking from a large container of water....she snuck-up on me and took this photo without my even knowing it! She can be very sneaky!

This container is used to re-fill the huge containers with guppies they keep on the deck, and the reason they fill these water containers is so the fluoride in the water burns off in the sun and won't harm their guppies when they eventually pour the water into the guppy containers. My Cat Slaves love their guppies and feed them everyday as they do their birds.

Since the water is refreshed daily, I like to drink it every now and then. Not that I don't have a posh water bowl full of fresh, filtered water, but you know how it is--sometimes it's fun to change it up a bit. Don't you agree?

Music Monday--I Just Can't Get Enough

2009-02-16T14:05:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-11T11:48:00.001-08:00

Cats On Tuesday--Cat Dreams

2009-02-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

Anela here: My Number Two Cat Slave is typing this post quickly because she's late for a very important date. However, I insisted she share the funny photo we discovered on the Internets recently. So here it is...dontcha love it?

My Cat Slaves are always super busy, and I see them running around doing this, doing that. And I think to myself, I'm glad I'm me! Humans need to learn how to be lazy and relaxed and dream some more. Don't you agree my cat friends?

Music Monday--Her Morning Elegance

2009-02-09T13:36:00.000-08:00

Cats On Tuesday--Between Storms

2009-02-03T12:01:00.000-08:00

Anela here: It's been a very stormy, rainy year on Maui where I live, and in the photo above, you can see me enjoying a delicious sunbath between storms. This photo of me was taken yesterday, and today yet another storm has arrived. Gah! I much prefer the sunny weather as I love to sunbathe and loaf outdoors.

When the weather is bad, I cuddle up inside on pillows which my Number Two Cat Slave provides for me as she knows I'm rather unhappy with the bad weather. She gives me extra treats and does her best to make me feel cozy.

This week my Cat Slave received a phone call from her friend Basha who told her the story of having to put her cat down due to a bad virus her cat had contacted. The virus is called FIP for short, and this virus took her beloved cat over the rainbow. My Cat Slave wanted me to inform you about this virus.

Purrs go out to dear Basha over the loss of her Best Friend!

It is said that cats have nine lives, and for some cats, this appears to be true as they survive amazing falls and disasters. Yet for some other cats, when they are called to The Other Side, they know. They know. And these ones surrender to their destiny. There are no mistakes, and they often come visit their former Cat Slaves in their Spirit Body to comfort them.

Cats see these Spirit Body cats, and so we know Life Goes On....and on...and on.

Music Monday--You're So Beautiful

2009-02-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

Cats On Tuesday--Anela's Housebound

2009-01-27T11:50:00.001-08:00

Anela here: Today's it's raining, and thus, I'm stuck indoors to sleep away my day. Not that I mind! As I've grown older, I sleep more. Usually I like to sleep near my Cat Slaves, and they discover me nearby them most of the time.

When I was younger, I was a hunter and a gad-about, but these days I like to stay very close to my Cat Slaves so I can keep an eye on them. I hope I don't see any bags being pulled-out of the closet anytime soon as their vacations are horrific for me.

Now that a third Cat Slave has been added to the home who likes to rubs my ears and warm them up on cold mornings, I'm even happier. The first thing I do in the morning is run up to my third Cat Slave and ask for ear rubs. Sometimes I think I like ear rubs even better than Temptation Treats!

The only funny thing which happened to me this week is a case of mistaken identity. Here's what happened: a cat showed up in our front yard which looked almost identical to me, and this cat was stalking our birds. In the meantime, my cat slaves thought this was me....and I was sleeping away in the bedroom. They wondered why I would stalk birds since I no longer do such a thing. I heard them talking about me, and so I saunter into the room to listen better. Were they ever shocked to see me sitting on the floor in the kitchen! Their expressions were priceless.

Cat Coin

2009-01-21T12:17:00.000-08:00

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Gets Adopted

2009-01-20T14:51:00.000-08:00

Anela here: sorry about being so late to post, but a serious situation happened when the Obamas adopted me! I had to run at the speed of light back to my Maui home because even though the Obamas seem like a WONDERFUL family, I would totally miss my very well trained Cat Slaves.

Above is the official photo of me created by Pawfun.

Wordless Wednesday--Archangel Gabriel

2009-01-14T11:51:00.001-08:00

Music Monday--Let It Be

2009-01-12T11:45:00.000-08:00

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Sees Something

2009-01-06T13:18:00.001-08:00

Anela here: I wish my Cat Slaves could see half of what I see visiting our home! It's so frustrating trying to tell my Cat Slaves about the invisible 'visitors' we receive. I can only demonstrate through my behavior because they don't understand cat language.

Here's an example: There's a bedroom in our home where lives a magnificent, magical dragon which only comes out at night. During the daylight, the dragon sleeps in her cave deep under the bedroom floor, but around early evening, she likes to poke her head up and check out everything. It's at this time that she whistles for me, and I want to come visit her. I MUST go see her because her power compels me to visit her.

However, my Cat Slaves don't see her or hear her, and they don't want to let me into the bedroom (door closed) so I can go play with my dragon friend. So I have to drive my Cat Slaves crazy with meowing until they relent and let me in the door.

After they let me in, I greet the dragon with loud purrs and walk crouched down close to the floor so the Cat Slaves will hopefully watch and listen and learn from my behavior. Of course, they don't see what I see: a beautiful, pink colored dragon who is happy to see me! And I'm happy to see her too because she is so sweet and loving!

Then my Cat Slaves force me to leave the bedroom and talk about me the rest of the evening and scratch their heads and wonder if I'm a crazy cat. However, they've started to catch on at last, and now they realize I'm a very lucky cat to have an *invisible* friend.

How do you like my first cat tale of the year?

Music Monday--Keali'i Reichel

2009-01-05T11:18:00.000-08:00

Keali'i Reichel is a big star in Hawaii. Enjoy!

Music Monday

2008-12-29T13:18:00.000-08:00

I've only recently discovered this comic group "Flight of the Conchords", and I'm really enjoying their style and diversity.

Happy New Year everyone!
Peace!

Cats On Tuesday--Happy Holidays

2008-12-23T16:23:00.000-08:00

Anela here: Isn't it lovely of my Number Two Cat Slave to put Christmas ornaments of me all over the family Christmas tree? I'm sure there must be many packages for me underneath the tree since I made my magic spell when the tree first came to our home. I laid underneath the tree, and everyone commented how cute I looked there. Little did they know, I was making cat magic.

And then POOF! One by one by one packages started arriving under the tree, and this was MY magic spell which called these packages/gifts forth!

For all my Cats on Tuesday friends around the world, I send you holiday greetings and BIG purrs. I send a huge cuddle and purr to the Greatest Cat Lady, Gattina, who began Cats on Tuesday. Gattina's a famous cat artist, and maybe one day she'll paint me!

Wordless Wednesday--Ganesha

2008-12-17T17:44:00.000-08:00

Music Monday--Enya

2008-12-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

Music Monday--Nat King Cole

2008-12-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

Happy Holy Daze!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-02T19:57:00.001-08:00

Cats On Tuesday--Anela on TV

2008-12-01T23:27:00.000-08:00

Anela here: at long last I've achieved my goal of becoming a cat television personality! My Number Two Cat Slave was my agent, and she managed to get me my very own show. Now all my cat friends around the world can listen to me expound upon my favorite subjects and read to them stories from the famous compendium of cat stories, "Catfantastic".

Mahalo Nui Loa Basha for this wondrous book! You really 'get' cats!

Music Monday--Whitney Houston

2008-12-01T11:02:00.000-08:00

Come join us in Music Monday and share your songs with us. Leave ONLY the actual post link here if you’re playing today. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are strictly for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted.

Cats On Tuesday--Healing

2008-11-18T12:52:00.000-08:00

Anela here: My Number Two Cat Slave has been sick this past week and making a heck of a lot of noise with loud, continuous coughing. Then her coughing stopped, and she stopped making any sound! I overheard my other slaves saying she had laryngitis. They looked very worried.

That's when I knew I had to step-up my purring and heal her with my purrs. She loves for me to purr, and so I knew this would be a good thing, if only to make her happy. My purring seemed to work, plus she gave me MORE cat treats, so this was a win-win for both of us.

I looked over her shoulder one day when she was looking very intensely at the computer, and this is what I discovered she was reading: How To Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting To Kill You

Shocking! I'm not that kind of cat! If anything, I need to purr more often!

Music Monday--Etta James

2008-11-17T11:25:00.000-08:00

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are strictly for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-11-11T19:54:00.001-08:00

Music Monday wtih Iz

2008-11-09T17:55:00.000-08:00

Although Bruddah Iz has passed over the rainbow, his voice still enchants us and makes us rememeber what a wonderful world we have.

Come join us in Music Monday and share your songs with us. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and we will all go and visit you. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are strictly for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted.

Dona Nobis Pacem

2008-11-05T20:55:00.000-08:00

I'm contributing my decorated peace globe to Mimi's Blog Blast for Peace, and here's the symbolism behind my design:

I added a peacock feather because peacock feathers are associated with good luck, protection, and peace. In Japan & China this feather is an attribute of the goddess Kwannon (Kuanyin). The frog is incorporated into the design because peace is joyful and part of our inborn innocence.

And here's one of my favorite Peace Prayers:

"PRAYER OF PEACE Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

St. Francis of Assisi

Cats On Tuesday--Voting

2008-11-04T09:28:00.000-08:00

Anela here: so I'm lying on my favorite sunbed minding my own business and dreaming of cat castles when suddenly my Number Two Cat Slave plops this black headband with an Obama pin on my head and then snaps my picture.

Does this mean she likes this dude Obama? I'd say so if she's using me as her prop! As long as Obama likes cats and is good to them, he has my vote!

In the meantime, I'm dreaming of better days for America.

Learn Your Breasts

2008-10-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday--Starred Pumpkin

2008-10-21T18:32:00.001-07:00

If you'd like to see more Wordless Wednesday photos, click here.

Cats On Tuesday

2008-10-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

Anela here: It's MY day again--Cats on Tuesday!

Everything has settled back into 'normal' in my home again, and I have nothing to complain about. I lead a privileged life, and even though I hear talk from my Cat Slaves with words like 'depression', 'economic down-turn', 'recession', and such, my cat bowl is still full everyday, and my Temptation treats are delivered right on schedule.

Worse come to worse, us cats know how to stalk and forage, and there are plenty of geckos, field mice, and birds to keep us Maui cats going. It's said that the most likely animals to survive a crisis in the world are cats.

However, I hope the economy doesn't get so bad that my Temptations treats aren't shipped to Maui anymore-- ya see, I'm addicted to them. Survival is one thing, but not having my daily quota of treats would be a serious CRISIS.

Oh--Go Climb A Tree!

2008-10-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Recovers

2008-10-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

Anela here: I'm normally NOT a fighter! I'm a Diva!

However, in my attempt to defend my turf several days ago, I was forced to mix it up with another cat who nicked me with his claw right under my left eye. Can you see the darkness under my eye in the photo above?

My cat slaves have been healing me and giving me lots of extra attention. They even considered (gasp!) taking me to the vet. When I heard them discussing this unwarranted step, I quickly sent them a powerful hypnotic stare which put them into a zone where they forgot this horrendous idea! Humans are so easy!

I agreed to pose for this photo only after much coaxing from my Number Two Cat Slave and her promises to give me more Temptations treats.

As the saying goes, "Work It!", and I'm milking my temporary under-eye injury/tattoo for all I can!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-07T21:47:00.000-07:00

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Relaxes

2008-10-07T13:03:00.001-07:00

Anela Here: Yay...it's MY day again--Cats On Tuesday, my favorite day of the week because I get to tell my side of the story.

Since my Cat Slaves returned home, I've been soooo happy and relaxed again. The photo of me lounging in the sun (above) is very typical of my usual resting style during the day--paws reaching for the sky as I lay on my back.

As I relax, my Number Two Cat Slave runs around the home tidying things, refreshing my cat bowls, clanging her Tibetan bell and beating her Indian drum to clear energies. I must say she is a very neat housekeeper and attentive to small details. When it comes to cleaning up my white cat hair which falls on the floor, she is quick to vacuum. She doesn't much care for my cat hair when it's not on my body I take it.

I stick much closer to my Cat Slaves now they've returned from their vacation. I appreciate them so much more and want to let them know I prefer it when they're home. Who says that cats are cold, unfeeling creatures doesn't know cats! We simply express in a different way than do dogs.

Quantum Truth

2008-10-03T22:25:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday--Joy

2008-10-01T11:30:00.001-07:00

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Is Lonely

2008-09-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

Anela here: Well, my Humans took yet another vacation and left me HOME ALONE! Of course, they made sure the cat-sitter came in every day and took care of my needs, but it simply wasn't the same without them to boss around.

They finally came home, and I complained and complained LOUDLY to express my dismay at being left alone without their services. I wouldn't shut up until I gave it to them good---at least three days of continuous yapping at them. That felt really good!

My Number Two Cat Slave told me they had met many nice cats in Ecuador when they visited there, and she even had the nerve to post a photo of one (above) on my cat page. Imagine! She thinks this cat looks like it's smiling, but I know better. I could caption that expression very well!

Next week my Cat Slave promises to post more photos of me, and she apologizes to all of you for her absence and lack of Cat On Tuesday posts.

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Poses

2008-08-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

Normally when I approach Anela with my camera, she doesn't much care to have her picture taken, and she either gives me a disgusted look or bends her head down to avert the camera lens or runs away.

For today's Cat On Tuesday, my plan was to photograph Anela napping on her favorite double dragon rug.

However, the moment I snuck-up on her with my camera in hand, her eyes opened ever so slightly, and she caught me in my paparazzi mode! Busted!

She then twisted her body and raised her paws to this pose above. I laughed so hard! She was seriously posing for her photo op!

This is the NEW Anela who wants an alluring photo of herself!

Have your cats POSED for you too?

Eco News

2008-08-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday--Namaste

2008-08-13T15:07:00.001-07:00

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Sez Phooey On Football Parties

2008-08-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

Anela Here: As you may recall from my last post, I was looking forward to the Big Party my slaves were throwing so that I'd get more attention! Well, lemme tell ya: I stayed away until the party was over. My Cat Tribe wasn't there in human form!

Cats know their slaves...err, the human race. When people come around who are 'cat-people', cats gravitate to them. The signal goes out over the Cat-Dar! Not so at this recent party!

There weren't even enough good cat vibes left over even after everyone left the party to enjoy sniffing! I overheard the party people talking about football season. How boring! Cats could care less about football! Football is a stupid human sport where humans bash one another in ritual fashion to big noise from other human football fans. Puhlease! Cats are so over this primitive form of abuse.

Cats prefer philosophical discussions, poetry, music, laughter, dance, and romance.

And there was very little of the above at my slaves party. Granted, laughter was there to some degree. I laughed at the fools from the bushes. Heh heh.

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Awaits The Party

2008-08-05T10:22:00.001-07:00

Anela Here: I'm very excited because my Cat Slaves are throwing a BIG party, and I LUVS parties. This gives me the opportunity to sniff people up on my territory which feels comfortable to me. And this saves me the time to go looking for people to give more MORE attention.

My Numero Duo Cat Slave has been moving everything around in preparation for this party, and she barely gives me any attention at all. My bed has been moved twice already, and I overheard her talking that she's even going to move my cat bowl the night of the party! She'll probably hide it somewhere out of sight, and I'll have to search for it. Sigh!

How do you like the Warhol-esque photo montage she made from my photo? You can barely recognize it's me--Queenie Anela. It's kinda like I'm feeling right now--invisible!

However, on party night I won't be invisible. Everyone will notice me. I'll make sure of that!

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Yearns

2008-07-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

Anela Here: It's MY day again today--Cats On Tuesday! My Cat Slave hasn't taken any recent photos of me because she's been too busy preparing for the arrival of yet another Cat Slave to temporarily live with us. I like this incoming Cat Slave as she knows just how to pet me, plus she likes to spend time with me telling me how wonderful I am.

While awaiting her arrival, I pester my other Cat Slave to keep clicking the Random Kitten Generator so I can recall what it was like to be young again. I imagine myself as a young, adorable kitten where the world is my catnip. Oh to be young again!

I softly hum the tune to "Memories" from the musical "Cats" and yearn to be young again.

And how about you? Are you having a cat-fastic summer?

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Scores

2008-07-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

Anela Here: Today was my lucky day! Ya see, my Numero Uno Cat Slave was half-awake, and when he was giving me my morning Temptations treats, he also gave me guppy food!

So I thought to myself, "Why not give this guppy food a try! It smells good, and every day the guppies gobble it up!"

And ya know what--I liked it too! Now I'm gonna demand BOTH because that's the kind of cat I am--I know what I want and I'll pester my cat slaves until they cave.

I've got my cat slave's numbers. Numero Uno Cat Slave (the male) is the easiest, but he's also more frugal with treats. Cat Slave Duo (the female) is harder to manipulate, and I have to work her. However, when she gives treats, she gives treats! Va-va-voom! Mama Mia. She knows how to put out a spread!

Note: Cat Slave Number Two thought it would be funny to post this photo of me with one eye open and one eye closed to accompany my Cats On Tuesday post.

My dear cat friends around the world, I ask you, "Have you ever tried goldfish or guppy food?"

Cats On Tuesday--Sunny Summers

2008-07-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

Anela here: Summertime is my favorite season on Maui, and here's the reason why: less rain! I dislike the rain because it keeps me indoors, and since I love to lounge around outdoors and take sunbaths, rain is a total bummer.

I've never liked water, and lucky for me, my cat slaves don't bathe me. They let me take care of that myself. So sometimes I'll run through the sprinklers just for a quickie refresher. Since I have so much white fur on my body, I'm always cleaning myself as I like to look fab.

Another thing I dislike is my cat slave disrupting my morning snooze on the deck when she waters her plants. Then I hightail it inside so not one drop of water touches me.

Water is good for one thing in my book: to lap up when I'm thirsty.

Cats On Tuesday--Cat Yoga

2008-07-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

Anela here: for all my cat friends, please observe my hatha yoga position. This one is great for us old cats as we need a really good stretch to keep ourselves limber and youthful. Stretch your front legs over your head, hold, and breathe through your pain while envisioning Temptation Treats.
Once you're finished with this stretching exercise, take a relaxing sun bath. The Vitamin D is extremely good for you--or so my Numero Uno Cat Slave sez!
As you're relaxing, have your Cat Slave read to you the true story about the Cat and the Bear. Tell your slaves to click here for the story.

You should feel a lot bettah after your yoga, nap, and bedtime story.

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Sees The Invisible World

2008-06-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

Don't you love it how your cat(s) alert you to energies--or perhaps ghosts or other invisible beings--visiting your home? Recently Anela pointed out the visit of one of these to our home, and she made sure my partner and I noticed where her eyes were going!

She followed this 'energy' around our home with her gaze, and we watched her and said, "Oh yeh! Mahalo Nui Loa (thank you in Hawaiian) Ms. Anela."

I call Anela my Cat Guard, for she protects this property with her very essence. I've posed her here in this photo like someone would post a photo of Watch Dog! Heh heh!

R Cows Making Us Mad?

2008-06-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

I've been following the Mad Cow controversy for a long time, and my suggestion to be safe on the safe side is to eat grass-fed beef. Here's a link to a great website where you can order online:

US Wellness Meats

Wordless Wednesday--The Pain Body

2008-06-24T16:41:00.001-07:00

Are you familiar with the work of Eckhart Tolle and his description of The Pain Body? This is my artistic/weird photo illustration of T.P.B.

Cats On Tuesday--When Anela Was A Baby

2008-06-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

Recently I received a card in the mail from Basha who was the human who had adopted Anela as a baby. Basha then brought Anela to me with a giant bow around her, and even though I hadn't planned on adopting another cat, Anela was so tiny and cute and adorable, how could I refuse?

Now I've been owned by Anela for way too many years to count.

The top photo with Anela and a beer bottle was the one which arrived in the card and was taken by Basha when she and Anela were drinking a bit of brew perhaps. The VERY next day I stumbled onto another old photo of Anela which Basha had given to me ages ago and which I had forgotten even existed. This one shows Anela showing up at Basha's home from the Maui Humane Society. These photos are so precious to me!

Do you cherish the baby photos of your cats too?

Cats On Tuesday--Dreams of Anela

2008-06-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what your cat is dreaming?

Well, I have...and perhaps she's dreaming of being a big lovable tiger?

And maybe this tiger is dreaming of the Luxe Life of Ms. Anela, aka Queenie!

Link Love Friday

2008-05-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

Many of you may have wondered where I've been, and I've been busy reading and collecting links to great ecology, green, and health blogs and sites. Today I want to share some of my linky love with some of the ecology and green sites I've discovered plus a video from Viropop.

I subscribe to most of these, so you can imagine the reading that comes my way every week!

Here are some of my fav's:

Ideal Bite

Gaia

Eco Salon

Earth 911

Ecofriend

Earth Cinema Circle

Earthday

Cats On Tuesday

2008-05-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

Anela is once again happy as we've settled back into our routines, and so I don't have much of excitement to share with you about her. Life is GOOD!

However, I'd love to share this cool item I discovered online. It's for refined, discriminating cats such as Anela, aka Queenie. I think I might possibly have found a way for her to get interested in my blogging and computer world which she has always disdained.

This item is called Kit-In Box--basically a cat perch near your computer which allows your cat to watch what you're doing and to correct you if you're making mistakes or whatever else you're probably doing not to their liking.

Click here for the link.

Cats On Tuesday--Celebrity Cats

2008-05-06T13:58:00.000-07:00

I've returned from my long journey several weeks ago, but it's taken me some time to catch-up again to my blog routine. One of the places I visited was the Hemingway Home in Key West Florida, and one of the funniest things was watching the celebrated Hemingway cats get photographed by tourists from all over the world, and the cats just kept sleeping and acting as if they didn't even notice!

Of course, these aren't the original cats owned by Hemingway, but the cat tradition lives on, and these celebrity cats are very well taken care of it seems. They even have their own cat houses in the backyard. The last photo is a painting of the original Hemingway cats on the wall of the old Hemingway House which you can tour.

" Ernest Hemingway was given a six-toed cat by a ship's captain and some of the cats who live on the museum grounds are descendants of that original cat. Key West is a small island and it is possible that many of the cats on the island are related. Our cats are not a particular breed, but appear to be a combination of various breeds-sort of "Heinz 57" if you will. They are all shapes, sizes, colors and personalities." This paragraph is from the website on Hemingway House where you can read all about the famous cats--sixty of them! Click here for the link.

Cats On Tuesday--Time For a Close-Up

2008-03-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

Anela here. Time for me to have my say again in a post on Cats on Tuesday!

I've noticed my Lady hasn't shown any recent close-up photos of me, and so today I posed for her so you can see I'm maintaining myself quite well. Do I look like an old cat? Seriously???

My secrets for remaining youthful are lots of exercise, beauty rest, plentiful treats, good head scratches from my Lady, and attentive service from my Number One Cat Slave. Every now and then I like it raw, so I go catch myself a bird, gecko, or mouse. I don't bring them inside anymore because I learned my Lady doesn't like it when I do this. She used to give me a disgusted look whenever I left feathers hanging around. So I finally caught-on when I saw THAT look and the vacuum cleaner taking all the feathers away.

I've overheard my Lady and Cat Slave talking about their long trip ahead, and I'm never pleased when they go away even if they have me well taken care of by other Cat Slaves in my home. I will miss them. I've got them trained just the way I like it, and even though it's fun to sniff the smells on my temporary Cat Slaves, training them is such hard work!

Health and Second Chances

2008-03-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

When I became seriously ill in 2007 and nearly checked out, I became too weak to exercise or move around a lot--so I spent more time on the computer doing health research.

During this time period, I subscribed to many medical and alternative doctors and health publications on the Net--so much so that my two email boxes are full every day! I can't begin to read all of them, and at this point there is a huge backlog of information because my health has (mostly) returned. I'm active again and thus not spending as much time on the computer.

During this intense health research period of my life, I was also forwarded health information from friends about products, news, healing groups, healers of all kind, and procedures. Having always considered myself a health-oriented person, I was shocked to discover much of this information. There was SOOOO much I had never heard of, and this information totally fascinated me. Plus I learned a lot from my own experience with local and long distance healing practioners for whom I'm eternally grateful and to whom I attribute my return to well being.

Here are some of the doctors I've been impressed with and to which newsletters I subscribe:

Dr. Amen of the Amen Clinics (brain imaging), Dr. Mercola, Dr. Alan Inglis, and Dr. Blaylock.

Here's a list of some of the e-newsletters I receive almost on a daily basis and recommend:

Newsmax Health
Health Sciences Institute
Douglass Report
Bottom Line's Daily Health News
Health World Online
Annie's Green Living Series
Wright Newsletter
Flourish Wellness
Aquarius Health Care
Peter Ragnar
Vital Choice Wild Seafood
US Wellness Meats
Global Light Network

Any of the above can be Googled if you're interested in doing health research online.

Cats On Tuesday

2008-03-11T12:49:00.001-07:00

If you've noticed that I haven't updated this blog in awhile, it's because I've had a BAD case of Spring Fever and have found myself avoiding the computer for the most part. However, Queenie (better known as Anela The Boss Lady) told me I couldn't forget HER day--the Cats on Tuesday day created by Gattina! So here I am posting again on COT despite the fact that I'm eager to be outside on Maui on another gorgeous Spring day!

Many of our cats have it sooo good. They have delicious food and treats given to them....they sleep most of the time when they're not having fun playing with toys or other cats...zero taxes or bills to pay....and they have devoted cat slaves at their beck and call. Cats aren't expected to guard your property like dogs., and they have zero obligations or duties. All cats have to do is be themselves. What many people wouldn't do to experience such a splendid existence!

By the way Anela barks her orders, methinks she might have been a dog in her last lifetime. She probably got fed up with being a dog and decided cats have the easier existence!!

Cats On Tuesday--Cat Treats

2008-03-04T09:23:00.000-08:00

When it comes to cat treats, Temptations brand wins hands down with Anela as this brand is clearly her favorite. I wonder what they put in this treat which makes it so much more popular than the other cat treats? It's really hard to locate Temptations because it's so popular with so many cats, and if I see it stocked in a store, I buy many packages to stock up with. I don't buy ALL the packages because that wouldn't be fair to other cats.

Yesterday I went to buy MORE of Anela's favorite cat treats, but the local drugstore was all out of them, so I bought her second favorite kind, Greenies.

I know exactly what is her third, fourth, and fifth favorite by experimentation through the years, and I know what she will turn her nose up and walk away from too!

My partner and I are concerned if there was ever a shortage of cat treats because of a shipping problem to Maui. Anela would freak out! And she would loudly meow and meow at her scheduled "cocktail hour" for treats, and we would be unable to shut her up. How could we explain to her the Big Picture?

A freaked-out, spoiled, demanding cat is one of those end-of-the-world scenarios most writers don't include in their description, but trust me, it would be the tipping point for sanity in our household.

Listened to Oprahs' First Live Interactive Webinar

2008-03-03T18:38:00.000-08:00

As MANY of you are very aware, the virtual classroom with Oprah Winfrey
and Eckhart Tolle, author of "A New Earth" began today. I had previously signed up for this 90 minute web event and have been receiving email updates about it. Oprah said, " This is the most exciting thing I've ever done." That's saying a LOT considering her media empire and vast creations!

Naturally, I wanted to be a part of this world event! I'm a big fan of both Eckhart and Oprah. I've read Eckhart's books and feel he's a most important World Spiritual Teacher. Oprah imho is the most influential woman of our age, and she wields enormous power.

Internationally recognized and honored, she is also a Spiritual World Teacher. With her razor-sharp insight, conversational skill, uncanny instincts, and ability to promote, she is such a positive force in the world.

With this dynamic duo working in tandem on a worldwide webinar, I knew the Shift we've long been awaiting had arrived! This virtual classroom will continue for many weeks, and should you have missed it today, you can listen to a replay on Oprah.com.

Here are some snippets/quotes by Eckhart from today's webinar :

"What does the greater purpose want from me rather than what I want from life."

"Practice inviting moments of stillness into your life."

"Nature is a beautiful access point into the other realm."

Wordless Wednesday--Dolphin Magic

2008-02-27T09:39:00.001-08:00

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Grooms Herself

2008-02-26T11:12:00.000-08:00

Anela most likely devotes about a third of her waking day to grooming herself. Every time she eats, she immediately begins licking herself--she is fastidious as are so many cats.

The theory behind cats cleaning themselves is that their saliva contains a deodorizing substance. Did you also know that grooming also offers other benefits? Besides the removal of dead hair and skin, the grooming tones up muscles and stimulates blood circulation.

Cats On Tuesday--Cat Mysteries

2008-02-19T13:32:00.000-08:00

Cats are mysterious creatures. They see more and know more than us humans. It's always fascinating for me to observe my cat Anela, for she seems to be more aware of invisible energies.

For instance, very often I'll be talking to a friend or family member, and Anela will walk in the room. She will turn her head around and gaze at the door she just walked in, and then her eyes will follow an invisible-to-us something or someone around the room. She won't move, but her intense, focused gaze tells us that she's watching something. She doesn't seem scared or nervous--just interested. We say to ourselves that Anela must be seeing a ghost!

The other night she decided that she wanted to go out of our FRONT door THREE times in the course of the evening....and this is something she never demands as she has a cat door which she uses. BUT there was SOMETHING outside--another mystery! Oh I wish I could get into her head and see and know what she does! Wouldn't it be wonderful to know what cats TRULY think, feel, and like?

As for me, if I were a cat, I'd like one of these custom things called Cat Holes. They look really fun and hard for any dog to enter. I would feel really special.

With Valentine's Day On My Mind

2008-02-13T09:55:00.000-08:00

I know lots of 'chocoholics', and they make every day a Valentine's Day. They share their favorite chocolates ONLY with their best buddies, and they are always in the know about chocolate. Here's a test to see if you qualify to be a chocoholic--click here.

Even though in the past I've scarfed and appreciated great chocolate with the chocoholics, I'm not one of them, and every Valentine's Day I remind my partner NOT to buy me any chocolate-- especially now that I'm not eating sugar! I don't want any temptations lurking around.

With that said, I found Grist's listing the BEST fair trade chocolates, and so I'm offering this link to you. If you MUST do chocolate, why not do it right? The conditions for chocolate workers are disgusting--think child labor! So why not eat eco-chocolate if you must!

Hint for Basha: Trader Joe's is on the list!

Click here for the list of SIX eco chocolates and their rating by Grist.

Cats On Tuesday--Cat Purrs

2008-02-12T12:58:00.001-08:00

Anela Cat isn't the most 'purring' cat I've ever been partnered with. However, I do my best to get her to purr, and for the most part, I succeed. I like to hear a cat purr, but I never knew why until I read a blog post recently. The title of the post was, "Is Your Cat's Purr Healing Her--and You?". You can click here to read the entire post.

Now I know there is another great reason to add a cat to your family. Not only do they chase away ghosts, warn their people of earthquakes and other such things, but they also heal you with their purrs. Let's hear it for cats! Applause!

Anela Cat is taking a break from cat blogging today and has returned to cat dozing. She sends contented purrs to all the other cats on Cats On Tuesday.

Cats on Tuesday--The Way I Like It

2008-02-05T10:20:00.001-08:00

Anela here. Since I received such a warm response as a Cat Blogger last week, my Lady told me to go for it again. So here I am blogging, and my subject this week is titled, "The Way I Like It".

My Lady knows exactly how to massage me. I'm not some pansy cat. I like it rough. She gives me a massage that is purrrr-fect because she is rough with me. She digs her nails into my skin just hard enough so that it feels scratchy and rubs my fur hard, especially around the back of my neck and shoulders. She has learned that I don't like soft pats or tickles, although on occasion I'll let her mess with my ears--very gently because they're so sensitive.

I also like her to throw parties or have people come over for a visit. Then I listen in to all the stories of the Big World out there and hear all the juicy gossip. My Lady and My Number One Cat Slave (her partner) love to laugh, and their laughter makes me very, very happy. Their guests usually like to laugh too, so there is a real party animal vibe if you know what I mean. And the best part is that everyone pays attention to ME. That's the Way I Like It!

Loving purrs go out to my lovely friend Basha who rescued me a long, long time ago and then gave me to my Lady. I heard one of Basha's cats, Oscar, was very sick and had to be put to sleep which made Basha cry. If I was visiting you, Basha, I would cuddle up to you and comfort you.

Wordless Wednesday--Maitreya Thangka

2008-01-30T10:51:00.001-08:00

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Speaks Up

2008-01-29T09:38:00.001-08:00

On today's post, I have decided to allow Anela to convey HER thoughts as I always write ALL the postings on Cats on Tuesday (a group started by Gattina of Belgium), and since so many other cats post for their owners, why not let Anela do the same?

Recently I was blown-away with Baxter's wisdom and knowledge of politics on Maui Girl's Meandering's blog, and that was the final straw for me... it's time for Anela to step up to the plate...errr, computer and show HER stuff too! Take it away Anela!

*******
Anela here. First of all, notice how I lined my tail up with the door groove? I know how to maximize the most of every location and situation.

If only humans could do the same! They make things so difficult for themselves most of the time. Humans are drama creators, and they're hooked on their dramas. I often sit curled up next to my lady on the couch where she watches these dramas on the big box with the moving pictures, so I'm pretty well informed since she has such an eclectic taste in news and entertainment. And I listen into the conversations she has with her mate about politics, gossip, and world events.

Here are some of their recent concerns: The FDA is not planning to require labeling of products from cloned animals! How disgusting is that?! There should be some way humans and cats know for sure what they're eating, dontcha think? We want to know what's in the food we eat. I may have to catch all my own food soon if this lack of labeling is allowed to happen. Personally, I don't want to eat cloned food, but trust me, us cats will be able to tell! So tell your Senators to co-sponsor the Cloned Food Labeling Act, eh?

Another topic of discussion in our home is the race for the President of the U.S. My lady thinks she's got it all figured out whozit's gonna be, and my Number One Cat Slave (her mate) thinks he has too! (Yawn!)

Oh, the Super Bowl this Sunday has them betting too. They love to bet and predict on these silly dramas. Then they get excited when they win or bummed-out when they loose their bets. (Double yawn!)

My Lady is usually the winner of most predictions/bets, but when it comes to sports, she defers to him most of the time because he's a knowledgeable sports authority/nut. Especially during football season, he's flying around without a license, and I have to watch out he doesn't step on my tail as he flys around our home babbling on about sports scores and personalities.

Hey, blogging about my humans is making me feel a whole lot less sleepy. I could really get into the thrill of this, and maybe next time I'll REALLY vent. I can see how blogging could be one of my favorite hobbies--besides sleeping that is.

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Keeps Warm

2008-01-22T09:44:00.001-08:00

It has been soooo cold at night on Maui for the last month or so. Even Anela had to find new ways to stay warm. Here she is sleeping on a quilt made by my partner's Mother before she passed away several years ago. The quilt had been placed on the end of our bed in case we wanted extra warmth for the night, and it had slid off to the floor where Anela promptly took advantage of a nice place to curl up.

Rolled Oats For Breakfast

2008-01-18T09:11:00.000-08:00

I grew up eating oatmeal for breakfast. My grandfather often cooked it for me, and he added lots of raisins to it which made it extra yummy for me. Now much later in my life, I'm back to eating oatmeal again, but this time it's my partner cooking it for me!

My partner's been eating oatmeal for breakfast for a long time, and his oatmeal always smells so good--with the smell bringing back many lovely childhood memories. His choice for oatmeal is a brand from our local health food store: Bob's Red Mill Extra Thick Rolled Oats. The claim on the package about the oats is "....freshly milled from the highest quality oats grown in the Great Northwest--some of the best oat-growing country in the whole United States! These oats are rolled extra thick to give more "bite and texture" to your breakfast."

I don't know about the bite or texture because I have nothing to compare them to but my childhood oatmeal, but I can say this: with a banana on top, this oatmeal breakfast sustains my energy until lunchtime with no energy dip mid-morning.

But that's not the reason I began eating oatmeal again. I began because of the warning about my fairly high cholesterol from my doctor. My doc wanted me to lower my cholesterol and oatmeal is famous for doing this trick. And I just read a news article on the net about HOW very good oatmeal is at lowering cholesterol.

Click HERE for the article. I can't wait to see how low my cholesterol will be next time I get my blood tests. My low cholesterol is going to blow my doctor's mind.

Of course, I'm doing more than merely eating oatmeal to lower my cholesterol, but that's another post with more details.

Cats On Tuesday--Cat Health

2008-01-15T09:13:00.000-08:00

Anela has been blessed with a healthy constitution for a cat, and even though she's getting up there in cat years, she's in good health. I attribute this to the fact that she's got a peaceful, loving home, and she's able to go outdoors and catch a gecko, mouse, or bird every now and then to supplement her processed cat food. Heaven help pets....who knows what's in that stuff! Yuk!

I read today in a health newsletter I subscribe to, the Douglass Report, that many pets are benefiting from vitamins given to them by their owners. So far, I've not given Anela any vitamins. Her vitamins come direction from her Nature--her 'catches'. But for house cats, vitamins have been shown to really help them as they age. Here's a snippet from the Douglas Report:

"The lesson here is that the right vitamins can be a boon to the health and quality of life for people and their pets. But if you're going to take them – or give them – be sure to get them fully "vetted" out by your doctor or vet."

Do you give your cats vitamin supplements?

The photo below is of Anela taking her morning sunbath, something she tells me which contributes to her health and why she doesn't need a Vitamin D supplement as she gets it direct from the Sun.

My Bucket List

2008-01-13T10:08:00.001-08:00

We saw the movie "The Bucket List" starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson last night which got me to thinking about my OWN bucket list. My sense is anyone can make a Bucket List anytime--one doesn't need to be given a death sentence of 6 months by a doctor.

As Carlos Castaneda wrote in his books, death is always stalking each and every one of us, and so it's wise to be remember and be aware that at any moment, it could be your 'time'. Not all of us get the luxury of knowing when we're going to die, so crossing-off your bucket list while you're still alive and kicking seems like a smart move to me.

For those that don't know what the words 'Bucket List' mean, these derive from the old English phrase, "To Kick The Bucket" which means you die.

Making a bucket list is a lot like setting goals--goals which are heart-felt dreams that we've never gotten around to doing because a busy life or something else distracted or prevented us from doing them.

Here are a few of such dreams which have made it to my own bucket list:

1. Travel to Tahiti, Bora-Bora, and Morea
2. Build my dream home/sanctuary
3. Complete my book

And what is on YOUR bucket list?

Potatoes Before Bed?

2008-01-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

Recently one of the readers of this blog, Cheryl from Scotland, wrote me an email and sent a link within it which interested me. Cheryl is a Sugar Sensitive as I am, and she had found a website called Radiant Recovery about sugar sensitivity.

I ordered the book "Potatoes Not Prozac" mentioned on this site written by author, Kathleen DesMaisons. This is a snip of the bio on site about Kathleen:

"Dr. DesMaisons has authored the international best seller, Potatoes Not Prozac and a number of other books including The Sugar Addict’s Total Recovery Program, Your Last Diet, Your Body Speaks, Little Sugar Addicts and Radiant Recipes. She has developed a highly active web community at www.radiantrecovery.com that maintains more than 100 email support lists, a community forum with more than a half a million messages and serves thousands daily online."

Since I was well on my way with giving up my sugar addiction, I decided to begin the potato before bed program mentioned on the website even before the book arrived here! :Smile:

I printed out the instructions from the site, read them to my partner, and began last night with two small delicious baked Yukon gold potatoes! My partner ate his with nothing on it, but I added butter, salt, and pepper.

I had no problem convincing my partner to experiment with a potato before bed because he's an Irishman, and he absolutely LOVES potatoes. Plus Kathleen mentions so many benefits such as making you feel "more confident, competent, creative and optimistic".

In the online article, she states, "If you find that you are having wild dreams on the nights you have your potato, this is a clue that you have low serotonin".

And that's exactly what my partner reported to me this morning! Very interesting!! I'll keep you updated on our potato program in future posts. It has been said that happiness is an inside job, and I feel this nightly potato snack might very well contribute to more happiness.

The Gift of Knowledge

2008-01-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

Since I'm a 'book-aholic', one of the gifts you can never go wrong giving me is a book. I treasure books and have a large library! The new high-tech 'reader' gadgets for sale don't interest me at all because I love the feel of a honest-to-god book in my hands.

And so I get the gifts of books frequently...and this Christmas (once again), my partner gifted me with lots of books. I've been slowly nibbling my way through this new pile, and the book I'm relishing right now is "Life After Death" with the subtitle "The Burden of Proof" by Deepak Chopra.

I have many books on death, and I'm interested in the subject of death even though I feel the word death is really a misnomer. Death is merely a change in address, but very few know what the forwarding address is.

Many people aren't interested in reading about death. They find the subject too morbid or gruesome, but I find so-called 'death' a fascinating riddle.

It was at my grandmother's funeral where I witnessed everyone weeping over her death that I first realized I didn't view death the way others did. I thought it was so funny that people were crying because I could see Grandma walking around the room. I came down with a fit of the giggles which disrupted others and caused my Mother to angrily pull me out of the funeral parlor. I couldn't make her understand why I was giggling.

I'm a big fan of the work of Deepak Chopra, and his skill at weaving complex ideas together by bridging science and ancient wisdom is masterful. This book doesn't disappoint me.

Cats On Tuesday--Just The Two of Us

2008-01-08T11:17:00.001-08:00

My partner has been away from home attending the BCS Championship Game in New Orleans, and after he left, the relationship dynamic with Anela and me changed. It's so amusing to me to watch her step up to the plate and act like my 'buddy' once again!

Here's some of the behavioral changes she's made in the days he's been away:

no longer meowing...errr demanding treats
hanging around me more
sleeping with me instead of in her own bedroom
more relaxed
AND funniest of all, she has been sleeping at night on my altar chair in my bedroom! You can see her curled up here in the photo above. She has never slept there before in all the years!

It'll be very interesting to observe how she behaves when he returns. I suspect she'll return to her old manipulative methods. However, I rather like the way she's been behaving, and I'd prefer my buddy Anela to remain!

Detox Experimentation

2008-01-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

One of the reasons I've not been posting very often on this blog is that I've been involved in a time-consuming research project. I've been investigating alternative health remedies and experimenting on myself.

Two of the modalities that I've been using to detox you might want to check-out for yourself. The first is called Oil Pulling. When I first heard this term, I went, "What?!" It sounded so very strange. Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy with many benefits, so I decided to try it.

Thus, the first thing I do when I get up in the morning now is to swirl a tablespoon of a product called "Spectrum Organic Cold Pressed Sesame Oil" in my mouth. I have to do this for 10 minutes. Because of my restless nature, I have to do something else too, so I usually read my email as I'm swirling. Then the process requires you to spit it out in the toilet and flush it immediately because what you're spitting out is now very toxic and you don't want it in your sink. The oil has turned white from the toxins being "pulled". Then I rinse my mouth out, and I drink two glasses of water. The first sign of improvement is the teeth which become firm and white. Then comes renewed energy, better sleep etc.

This remedy addresses so many body health conditions it would take me a long time to type them all in. "Dr. (med.) Karach said the OP heals totally “head-aches, bronchitis, tooth pain, thrombosis, eczema, ulcers and diseases of stomach, intestines, heart, blood, kidney, liver, lungs and women’s diseases. It heals diseases of nerves, paralysis, and encephalitis. It prevents the growth of malignant tumors, cuts and heals them. Chronic sleeplessness is cured.” and if you'd like more info, click here.

It took me awhile to get used to putting oil in my mouth first thing in the morning, but now I'm good with it. And I can see my teeth growing whiter already. :Smile: I purchase my sesame oil from Maui Herbs which is a wonderful resource for all things ayurvedic on Maui.

The second product I've been experimenting with is Therapeutic Living Clay which is an all natural calcium Bentonite Clay. I purchased it from Global Light Network, and this is what they write about it, "Global Light Network is pleased to offer the finest all natural Calcium Bentonite Clay from a pristine source. This superior clay from the Montmorillonite-Smectite family of clays has a 9.7 pH, an extremely strong detoxing power, and its unique mineral composition make it the best all purpose natural clay on the market today. Therapeutic Living Clay is odorless, highly energized and is a 325 screen mesh, making it hydrate to a smooth non-gritty consistency like thick, creamy pudding." Read more by clicking here.

As I'm writing this post, I'm sitting here with a face mask on made from this living clay, and my face is a pale lime green color--not so pretty to look at! However, one of the many benefits of the living clay besides detoxing is face tightening, and so I try to give myself a mask several times a week using this product. I've noticed a difference in my skin...it's so soft and clear. I'd rather use this than a cosmetic product with all sorts of chemicals in it. What's really cool is that neither of these products (the sesame oil or the clay) is expensive! They are very affordable.

In future posts, I'll share more of the alternative health information I've come across in my research which is exciting me.

This Week I.....

2007-12-28T14:10:00.000-08:00

Opened and Gave Christmas Gifts

Prepared My Famous Sweet (no sugar!)Potato Dish (three of them) for a Christmas Day party--a very popular dish with my friends

Cleaned-up the after-Christmas mess around our home

Put Christmas photos in new Christmas frames

Made a pact with my partner for continuing our healthy eating plan

Been catching-up on snail mail correspondence and email

Organizing and cleaning-out old STUFF in preparation for the New Year

Reading a chapter or two in some of the new books I was given for Christmas

Updating my blogs so that I feel RELIEF on New Year's Day 2008

Making plans for my 2008 priorities

Enjoying the beautiful Maui weather--it's absolute perfection!

Making lists of places to travel in 2008 beside the ones already planned

Feeling GRATITUDE that I survived my viral pneumonia and pleurisy this year and that my great health and vigor is returning

Watching very little television because of the re-runs. Thank Goddess for Tyra and Oprah so I can still hold onto my last vice--watching tv!

Listening to firecrackers and rockets going off in the neighborhood. People are already ready to celebrate the New Year. 2007 was so rough for everyone I think.

Reading all the many online HEALTH newsletters that I signed up for when I became sick. Now I'm flooded with daily emails and newsletters, and I'm becoming even more knowledgeable about alternative medicine, anti-aging and health issues! I plan to share much of this information with you in future posts.

Catching a few good movies here and there on the Big Screen

And NOW I'm thanking you for reading my blog posts this year. You're the greatest!

Happy Holy Days!

2007-12-24T13:59:00.000-08:00

May your Holiday Season be healthy, joyful, peaceful, and LOVING!

Mahalo Nui Loa for your visits and comments this year--everyone of you is loved and appreciated!

I'm sharing the following quote which was sent to me because it really resonated with me and felt perfect for this blog. Perhaps it will resonate with you too!

"Your work is to create the new heaven and the new earth. Therefore do not dwell on the troubles and tribulations, on the disease and suffering, on the wars and strife in the world. Do not allow yourself to become involved in it, for if you do, you will become part of the disease not the cure. As you raise your consciousness, you become immunized against the trouble in the world, and you can live and work with it all about you and yet it will not be able to affect or touch you in any way. A doctor or nurse has to be immunized to be able to work freely with highly infectious diseases, and there must be no fear in them. Let there be no fear in you as you watch the situation in the world become worse. Never despair. Simply hold on in faith, let your mind be stayed on Me, and know that all is very, very well."

Source- "Opening Doors Within" by Eileen Caddy

Are You A Christmas Gift Procrastinator Too?

2007-12-20T14:07:00.001-08:00

I didn't intend to be a PROCRASTINATOR this Christmas Holiday season, but that's what has happened. Even though I shop for Christmas gifts all year long, the illness which surprised and side-lined me this Autumn (and kept me slow for the ensuing three months) has thrown me way behind with purchasing Christmas gifts.

So I was delighted to discover there was a way to send a healthy gift basket through 1-800-flowers! Usually most gift baskets include an insane amount of sugar products in their gift baskets! If you've read some of my past posts on this blog, you will remember that I've totally gone off of food and drink with toxic sugar! And furthermore, my ethics require me to NOT send a gift basket with sugar-y products in it to others.

If you click under the topic Christmas on the 1-800-flowers website, you will see they offer a great selection of organic, natural, and healthy gift baskets. For example, the Treleela Organic Tea Experience (the photo is shown above). The site EVEN has the option to send fair-trade certified roses! How cool is that?!

I like it that such a big company is getting with the program of healthy, fair-trade, organic and natural!

So if you're a Christmas gift procrastinator like me, you NOW have the option of a fast, last-minute and healthy gift solution!

Cats On Tuesday--Anela Shares Her Wisdom

2007-12-18T10:49:00.001-08:00

Anela meditates frequently (as you can see in the photo above), and she has asked me to share some Wise Old Cat Wisdom:

1. Don't limit yourself! If you can manipulate treats out of both of your cat slaves at different times, go for it. Why not?!

2. Detach yourself from the battles of others. Let the other neighborhood cats fight if they wish. Serenity is achieved by remaining aloof from their squabbles.

3. Be Still and Observe. By remaining quiet, one can perceive more of the Big Picture.

Anela and Kuanyin wish ALL OF YOU a very Merry Christmas and Joyful Holiday Season!

Christmas Without Sugar

2007-12-12T17:35:00.000-08:00

This is the most wonderful time of the year for many people: Christmas. And what does this mean for most: SUGAR in the form of holiday drinks, cookies, pies, chocolates, candies, cakes, etc.

And this year will be my first year WITHOUT any sugar whatsoever! When I became sick this year, I changed my diet to an alkaline diet. Since sugar is acidic, out went all foods and drinks with sugar in them!

This wellness plan is working for me, and I'm feeling so much better without eating sugar. Plus the extra weight I've been carrying around is easily falling off me. I've dropped one size already.

Giving up sugar was easy for me since I had an obvious choice: good health or suffering! For many who don't have such clarity, giving up sugar isn't so easy, especially this time of the year when all the parties and events have sugar highlighted in some form or other.

Tomorrow I'll be attending a "cookie" party, and I've informed the hostess I don't eat sugar or drink alcohol, so she's assured me, she'll have something special for me. As the odd person out, it'll be interesting to see if I resonate with others who are getting high on sugar. :Smile:

Cats on Tuesday

2007-12-11T09:53:00.001-08:00

This past Tuesday I posted that Anela was apprehensive about the weather, and as it turned out, she was a BETTER weather forecaster than the professionals who said there would only be gusty conditions. Instead Maui experienced without a doubt the worst storm in at least 50 years!

There was a power outage island-wide with some folks being without power for four days. Flooding and never-ending rain went on for nearly a week, and trees downed on roadways kept many people from going to work. Schools were closed. And during this time, Anela wisely stayed in HER bedroom and didn't even come down to eat her breakfast on some days.

Now that the sun has returned, Anela is sleeping in her favorite sun-bathing spots, and she's a happy cat again.

Cats On Tuesday

2007-12-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

The weather has been bewildering and unsettling for Anela lately. First, there was rain for several days which wasn't to her liking. Now it's very sunny & windy, and she keeps looking out the window with apprehension. The radio news says to tie everything down outside because for the next two days it's going to be very gusty. I told Anela to be careful and try not to get blown away like in the Wizard of Oz.

I took this photo of her today on the stairs leading up to what she thinks is HER bedroom. Actually, it's our gym, art studio, and guest bedroom, but she has a different opinion. It's very challenging to get a shot of Anela looking at the camera because she's really camera shy, so this one little close-up took me many attempts.

Shine On With Solio

2007-11-29T17:54:00.000-08:00

I often read the reports on the net about How To Prepare for this and that as well as news of power outages in various cities. And since I've got a bit of the Nancy Drew character in me and always attempt to be prepared for emergencies (thus, the stuff I haul around in my purse and car), I've wondered what would happen if a power outage happened for a long time? Our computers wouldn't work. Our cell phones couldn't be re-charged. Our GPS units wouldn't work! Same goes for PDA's, headphones, game consoles, and iPods. Not a good scenario all told.

Thus, I was eager to test out the Solio Hybrid 1000 which is a universal charger for electronic devices that stores power. "An internal rechargeable battery stores power for up to one year."

And for me--living on sunny Maui--I can plug my cell phone, computers, and other devices into Solio and charge them through the solar panel. Or I could charge it from a USB port if I wished. The Solio package comes with three charging tips, and a USB cable. If the tip you need isn't in the box, you can aquire it through Solio.

I'm very happy knowing I have a "back-up" with Solio....just in case! It's been working for me now, but I hope I never have to use in an emergency. However, the peace of mind knowing that I have it handy is priceless to me.

Cats On Tuesday--Anela and the Ants

2007-11-20T08:43:00.001-08:00

In the tropics, bugs are abundant and often challenging if they invade your home. My partner detests bugs, ants, and spiders, so we have our home sprayed quite often by a company, both inside and out. And yet, the resilient ants always return--despite the ant traps and spraying.

The only wet food Anela gets served is for breakfast, and most often, she doesn't finish her bowl of food, so it attracts ants. If I haven't gotten to the bowl by morning, lots of ants are swarming it. I don't even know where these ants come from--it's as if they teleported into the bowl of cat food!

Anela likes variety, and so this breakfast bowl is often placed at different locations. She directs my partner to put it in these different places by her meows. And he follows her orders. So yesterday, he placed her bowl on her favorite rug, a thick, wool Tibetan rug with a double-dragon design. You might have noticed it in prior photos I've posted of Anela. This is the rug where she hangs-out and sleeps most often.

As I was whizzing by in the afternoon, I noticed Anela on her rug with her bowl of old breakfast food which was covered with tiny black ants. If I had a camera for the disgusted look she gave me at that moment, the photo would have been priceless. But Anela didn't even raise her head, she just laid there watching the ants eat her food. Of course, I grabbed the bowl and washed it as soon as I sized-up the situation. Bye-bye little ants! I don't like killing them, but whatcha gonna do?! And such is life with Anela and the ants.

Cats On Tuesday--Anela's Reaction

2007-11-13T09:24:00.001-08:00

When I came home from the hospital recently, I was very groggy and full of pain pills. I imagine my energy body was totally out of whack. I crawled into bed, propped up. Anela walks into the room, takes one look at me in my frightful condition, and if I had a camera in my hand at that moment, I would have had the funniest photo in the world.

It's as if Anela's eyes grew HUGE like one of the LOL cats or cartoon cats. She stopped in her tracks and stared at me with these giant eyes. Then she ran out of the room as fast as if a ghost was chasing her!

During my early recovery period (I'm now knock-on-wood in my late recovery period!), she would avoid me! And I can't say I blame her. Yesterday was the FIRST day that she came around to hang out with me.

I was sitting at my altar in my bedroom where I meditate, pray, and count my blessings. My altar is a gorgeous two-tier built-in with candles, sculptures of Kuanyin, Tara, Mother Mary, Lakshmi, and others, chatchkas of all kinds, and beautiful framed paintings. As I sat there, I suddenly hear a quiet snuffle. I opened my eyes to see Anela lying peacefully beside me as she used to do when I meditated. She opened her eyes and this time her expression was one of peace and love. I cried because I was re-united with my best buddy.

*******

On another note, I have joined a free site called Predictify where you can submit stories, predict outcomes, and earn money. If you're interested, here's the link to click to join up.

Healing Tools

2007-11-12T17:14:00.000-08:00

While recovering from pneumonia and a pleural effusion procedure at our local hospital, I've been supporting my healing through bodywork, chiropractic, ayurvedic, herbal, and other modalities. One friend has me on her ZEB machine. Another is sending me Reiki healing, and so it goes. I feel all these tools are working together for my wellness.

Another great tool I've discovered that I've installed on my computer this past week is a very special radionics tool developed by Simeon of Spirit Heart Sanctuary. I'll let Simeon describe it in his own words from an email he sent me:

"I am calling this new category of offerings, "SpiritWare™ ~ software for the soul."

http://www.shsstore.org/spiritware/mg_thoth.html

The first in this series is the Thoth Master Guardian v1.0. This is an actual computer program that runs a high-level radionics program through your computer's crystalline and gold circuitry and facilitates a stronger connection between your computer, you and your intentions, the space around your computer, and the streaming of Master Intelligence represented, in this case Thoth.

This is accomplished through the radionics program making an inter-dimensional connection to the Pymander Inner Earth Elohim computer. Additionally, in the SpiritWare™ Master Guardian program there are three different animations created using Maia's psionic energy art which are further attunements to the Master Being, in this case Thoth. In this version there is an animation of Thoth's mandala, his medallion, and his akashic portrait.

There are also personal settings in the program and you can program it with your own intentions and it remembers your intention and all your settings from one session to the next until you change them.

One of the very nice things about this is that the program is small in size, and has a transparent background, and stays on top of other programs while you work in them (unless you de-select that option)! So you can have Thoth sitting there looking at you (he even blinks) while you work complete with special Light FX and a Golden Ankh coming out of his third eye and a golden rainbow- aura emanating from his head periodically, and more, its really cool! :-)

There is a FREE TRIAL version available for download right now. I am also making this available at a special introductory price. The normal cost of this item is $33.33, but between now and the Full Moon on 11/24/07 I AM offering it for roughly 44% off which comes to $18.88.

You can read more about it, see screen shots and purchase or download the FREE TRIAL version here:

http://www.shsstore.org/spiritware/mg_thoth.html

The more of these we have installed on computer systems around the world the stronger these Master Streams of consciousness become in the planetary etheric and electromagnetic fields! You know what this means."

Lifelines

2007-11-09T14:09:00.000-08:00

Recently I suffered through an illness which ended up landing me in the hospital. I'm now out of the hospital and slowly recuperating at home. Through this challenging time, I have reflected upon the great importance of my cherished personal relationships, not only locally, but internationally. I have called upon my friends to help me through this time, and prayers and healing have been sent my way from all over the world.

The support I have received has been so nourishing for my soul. These connections mean so much to me, and I strongly believe these links are one of my most powerful healing and recovery tools. They're my LIFELINES! They matter more than anything, and I'm so grateful for each and every friendship I have.

If you're reading this and you're one of my connections, I wish to send you a HUGE HUG and Mahalo Nui Loa for your presence in my life! You're what makes my life bright and shining. You're my angels, and I Love You!

Wordless Wednesday--Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T10:27:00.001-07:00

Cats On Tuesday

2007-10-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

This past year we had a mango tree which kept producing an incredible harvest of magnificent mangoes. There were so many mangoes constantly falling from this 'giving tree' that we attracted a large fruit rat which chomped on many of them. We didn't care because there were more than enough mangoes to go around. After the mango season was over, we wondered what happened to our fruit rat. This past week, we found out.

Anela presented us her gift of a very bloody mess of a formerly fat fruit rat on our outside carpet near our sliding door. My partner saw it first, and since I'm normally the one who cleans up after Anela, it would have been my job to clean this mess up. However, since I've been ill, the job fell upon my partner's shoulders, and he wasn't at all happy about the clean-up. However, Anela I'm sure felt very proud of herself because this rat was a BIG one, and she had accomplished her kill. We praised her. She's still got a lot of good 'mouser' in her even though she's growing older!

Waking-Up To The Radiation Hazards

2007-10-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

Since my recent do-si-do with health, I have become even more diligent and dedicated to researching health issues. In the process, I've come across lots of astonishing, eye-opening information. I was aware to some extent of the hazards of cell phone towers, cell phones, and microwave radiation, but not the extent detailed in the article by Amy Worthington titled "The Radiation Poisoning of America". Even though this article is titled "....of America", this radiation hazard includes many other places in the world. This is a long, well-researched article with lots of links. I highly recommend it.

Click here to read it.

One of the links within this article is for an environmental consultation firm called Sage Associates which can monitor your home and business for EMF. There are also links for gadgets which you can purchase to do your own investigations.

Further posts on this blog will continue my research into what I consider information everyone should be informed about.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-10-24T10:34:00.001-07:00

Cats On Tuesday

2007-10-23T12:03:00.001-07:00

Some people say pets resemble their owners. There is a website I've seen with photos of people with their pets right next to them that illustrate this point. Perhaps you've seen it? It's really quite amazing the similarities. I would add a corollary to this theory which is: our pets often reflect our state of health.

As some of you may know, I've been very ill for the last month, specifically the last two weeks which have been the worst. I've not been blogging very much, eating very much, barely talking, and have been trying to manage my health crisis. AND DURING THIS SAME TIME PERIOD, Anela has responded my turning her nose up at her morning breakfast of wet food--a breakfast which she usually gobbles down with zest. My partner has been concerned why she hasn't been eating her food! I know why. She's reflecting/mirroring back to me/us.

This morning was the first morning in several weeks in which I feel half-way normal. Breakthrough is happening. I'm feeling better. And guess what? Anela ate her whole breakfast bowl this morning! It was a sure sign to me that she/I are now on the mend.