Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Wednesday 24 August 2016

The Ginger Boys and a Silver Tabby

 

Finn, Jeanette and 2 knitted quilts

Pets on Quilts 2016 - it's here!

 

Over at  Lily Pad Quilting , …( hop there to find all the latest news and views for this show)  the fifth annual Pets on Quilts Show 2016 is under way. It was created by QuiltShopGal. There are several categories, and I have entered the one for Cats on Quilts.

As long as I can remember, there has always been a cat or two or more in my life. It began with Tuppence, a black and white  kitten,  when I was ONE..Then Fluff, a retired pedigree Persian, when I was in my  teens, and many more from then to now.

Felicity is the matriarch of our home, a silver tabby, now aged almost 18. She is asleep on her own knitted rug.

Felicity with one eye open

Then  in 2002, along came  Finn, a small ginger boy, who was so loved by our Japanese host daughter Mayumi.

Finn January 09

Tom arrived, quietly, at night, to have a secret feed, and gradually came to stay for a night or two, then off again on his travels. He loved to lie somewhere high, and survey everything that was going on.This Mariner’s Compass wasn’t finished, but he liked to stretch out on it regardless. Here he is,May, 2009.

Tom  on an unfinished Mariner's Compass wallhanging 8th May 2009

Not long after I took this next  photo, he left, early one morning, in April 2011,  and we didn’t see him again.

Tom by the tree framed

Last year, on Mother’s Day, 2015,  a tiny “Meow” at the back door .Outside the door was this ginger scrap, we think about 5 weeks old.  We called him Boris, which means “Warrior” in Slavic language. He was a lot of work in those first few months, a surrogate mother, or father, or both,  not  what I had thought was in my job description!!!,   He was  wonderful company for Hugh  who was waiting  for spinal surgery. He would be let out  of his overnight  LARGE  sleeping wooden box, early each morning,  and lie by Hugh,  or play on the purple fleece rug.Boris  13th May 2015Wiggle me strips and Boris playing

He found fun everywhere.We had always wondered where his Mum or Dad would be, then one day he met Max. Are you my Dad?

Two gingers, Boris and Max

The other ginger in our family is Max , the darling of my heart.A stray, a big beautiful, maybe part Norwegian Forest boy, who began his nightly visits at 10.30 p.m., a quick dash in for a feed then off just as fast. Gradually over almost 3 years,  I can now  give him a brush when he feeds, hold his paw as he sleeps, and comb out the knots in his magnificent coat. Here is the first photo of him as he walked off down the track to the stream, in  January 2014.

Max, his first photo , January 2014

Max  on the wall June 2015

Boris and Max in 2016.

Boris and  Max  April 2016

The photo for my entry in the Pets on Quilts Show 2016 is one of Finn, on his own knitted small woollen quilt, on another hand knitted leaf pattern full size bed quilt.Jeanette, a  very dear friend, has her hand on Finn, company together.

Yes, this photo is also at the beginning of my post today. Both Jeanette and Finn have left this world, and we remember them with so much love, and wonderful memories.

My Mum-in-law Muriel had severe arthritis in both her hands, from many years ago, and her doctor had suggested to keep them supple she knitted. Well, everyone in the family, extended family, had a knitted bedspread, and then another. When she and my Father-in-law came to live with us, she continued to knit. But then she decided that each of our 5 cats needed their own. This was Finn’s.

Finn, Jeanette and 2 knitted quilts

Quotation of the day, an Indian Proverb

“A cat is a lion in a jungle of very small bushes”

Greetings from Jean.

21 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i adore the 2nd to last photo - boris peering up at max. just wonderful. :) the quilt is a treasure, too.

QuiltinLibraryLady said...

I sure enjoyed seeing pictures of your kitties, past & present. I always had a cat or two around the house until this past year. My beautiful almost 16 yr. old black kitty died and I just haven't felt any urge to replace her. And no stray has come forward to apply for the vacancy so I guess I shall remain catless.

Fundy Blue said...

I loved this post, Jean! Your cats are adorable and hearing their stories, as well as about Jeanette and Muriel, was so interesting. I'll have to get my knitting needles out and give them another go. I'm sure that Hugh is relieved to have that spinal surgery behind him. How could someone not be helped by a kitty as cute as Boris? Have a great Wednesday!

Michele T said...

Beautiful and sweet cats!!! How wonderful that your mum-in-law made blankets for them too💕

Susan Heather said...

A home is not a home without a cat in the family.

Tanya said...

I have kept track of some of your kitties and remember how happy I was when you decided to keep Boris. And your newest is sure beautiful!!!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a sweet post about your felines and the little knitted blankies made for them. Your MIL inspires me to keep working with my hands.

Thank you for your kind and encouraging comment on my latest blog post.

Love and hugs to you both ~ FlowerLady

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jean, your kitties are all adorable. It was nice reading their stories. They must love their quilts, they all look so relaxed. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

Jenny said...

That's a lovely read Jean, with gorgeous photos.

Sally Trude said...

It appears that Boris has been taking fashion advice from a fox. And Tom's coat is amazing. And Max looks like he's still in the throes of kitten.

Lara B. said...

What a legacy of both kitties and creativity Jean. Your mother-in-law's knitting was a really great idea. The cats especially must have felt pampered. I love how you win over the strays. It's really sweet how Boris introduced himself.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

What a lovely post to honour all your furry family members (I am a red tabby Mum).

Nancy J said...

Thank you all for your words, I just scraped in, with not much time to spare, for this. And if you go to the web page, the link is there, you will see some wonderful photos and stories of not only cats but dogs too.

Susie said...

I love the pictures of your cats and their special quilts and places. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Susie x

Nancy J said...

Guess I had better hop on here and leave myself a comment. There are some wonderful entries in Pets on Quilts, and I have some fab new blogs I will follow. Cheers, Jean ( aka Nancy J)

Heide said...

What great photos, love the tiny little kitten, how fast they grow!

Christine M said...

Finn looks very comfortable on his blanket.

Brandy said...

Ok, and I was impressed with how many gingers we had before I read your post! Wow! I love how fluffy Max is, long hair cats are so impressive. It's very sweet of you to remember your two friends I this blog hop, thank you for sharing it all with us.

~Brandy

Jenn Jilks said...

These are so sweet! We've always had cats, too. xx

gpc said...

What beautiful cats. I love the idea of making a quilt for each of them, so sweet. :)

Teresa in Music City said...

I love the latest picture of Boris and Max - beautiful cats and beautifully photographed!!! My Gypsy was our matriarch until she passed away 1-1/2 years ago. She was 18 also and the love of our lives. We have Rocky now, who has added a big bouncy bundle of energy and joy to our household :*). Each new one adds a new layer of love, don't they?