Lucky Cat(s): The Gift of Good Luck in the New Year

Just after Christmas and right at the New Year there was a knock on our door. I was surprised when our mail carrier was standing at the door holding a box that she said I had to sign for. Imagine my excitement when I looked at the return address on the box and it was from my dear friend Rosa from Cat Lady Confidential and the package had come all the way from Portugal!!!

When I opened the packaging I gasped audibly when my eyes saw one of the prettiest gift boxes I had ever seen!

My apologies for covering up
one of the faces of the cats
I didn't realize I had done this
until it was too late!

Many of you instantly know who these cats are. For those who don't, they are what is called Maneki Neko, which is a popular Asian figurine of a Cat with a raised paw, known as Beckoning Cat, Lucky Cat or Money Cat, which is believed to be a lucky charm that brings good luck and prosperity. It is common to be displayed in shops, restaurants, other businesses and, more recently, in private homes.

The Lucky Cat is usually represented with a red collar around his neck with a bell and is holding a coin. The raised right paw is associated with good luck and wealth. 

I opened the box and tears filled my eyes.

Inside the box was a beautiful hand-written note from Rosa, two  most beautiful and special Lucky Cat mugs and two little toys for Cody. For those that weren't readers of this blog in 2011, I did a book review called  I am Tama, Lucky Cat   , in that review it is ironic that I had written: 

I Am Tama, Lucky Cat "is a timeless story of friendship, generosity and kindness", something we all can never have enough of in our daily life.
Which is EXACTLY what Rosa exhibited when she sent me this most unexpected and deeply loved gift. I was beside myself! When I contacted Rosa shrieking through email about my excitement, asking her "why on earth she did this?", she told me it was a "thank you" for a few surprises I had sent to her MONTHS ago that I had forgotten about, (but no way did she have to buy ME anything!!).

What Rosa didn't know when she sent this, was for the past few weeks I have been feeling uncharacteristically low, there are a number of things that I am concerned about, and frankly, it has been hard to muster much enthusiasm for blogging or anything else lately. (Dakota's blog is suffering the worst, I haven't updated his since the New Year). 

I had decided during late November and December that in 2016 my plan would be to blog MUCH less. I will return to my original schedule of blogging that I had put in place in 2009, (and too often deviated from),  blogging on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on this blog and Dakota's, (if there is a need to blog any of the other days, or if I have something I want to post I will, but I plan on NOT doing that regularly). I deeply need some balance back in my life, and I plan on UNPLUGGING much more this year than I have done in the past six years.

There are also some things that I want to work on that can be tied to the book review I did this past Monday, and if one of them happens, it will be a childhood dream that came to fruition.

Another thing that Rosa did not know when she sent me these Lucky Cat mugs that are too pretty to drink out of, and  that I will cherish forever, is that her gift was just the "sign" that I needed that I am on the right track. Each color of the Maneki Neko Lucky Cat figure has a specific meaning. The white Lucky Cat I received, represents good luck, happiness, positive energy, the black Lucky Cat represents good luck, happy marriage, protection from the evil.

It doesn't get any better than that, now does it?

Hmmm, if I win Powerball tonight I might just have to fly to Portugal and thank Rosa in person.

Lucky Cats Paper Dolls-Maneki Neko-by Maggie Swanson

Many of you are familiar with the Legend of the Maneki Neko, but for those of you aren't:

From Lucky Cats Paper Dolls:

Literally translated as "the beckoning cat," a Maneki Neko is easy to recognize by its raised paw. This traditional symbol of prosperity originated in Japan and can be found around the world especially in shops and restaurants."

Illustrator Maggie Swanson has created a paper doll activity book  starring two of her own cats,"Tommie" and "Gracie" who are based on her own cat family. They are her "lucky cats."

Why?

 When Tommie was about 6 wks old he walked out of the woods by Maggie's house and "into her arms." She considers him to be a "gift from Mother Nature."

Gracie was adopted from the PAWS animal shelter in Norwalk, Connecticut where Maggie volunteers. She also has a blog: Sundays at the Shelter where she photographs and blogs about the "adoptables" that she meets there. Maggie considers Gracie to be her "reward" for all of the litter boxes that she cleans there.

I have to tell you, when I opened this paper doll book the illustrations are breathtakingly exquisite. In my opinion, they are too captivating to take out of the book!

Invite good fortune into your life with these adorable lucky cats!

The above photos are just a teaser of what you will find in this stunning and unique book.

You (or your little ones) can dress up Tommie and Gracie in Egyptian Pharaoh costumes, you can dress Gracie as a Geisha replete with a fan (for friendship, good wishes).

There are more than 40 costumes and accessories in this book that can be put on Tommie or Gracie, each costume has various "lucky" symbols such as:

• A cowboy costume with a lucky horse shoe
• A fisherman costume with a shark's tooth for protection and strength and a fish for abundance and faith.

There is a darling "gardening" outfit that comes with the meanings of various "lucky" flowers:

• tiger lily-wealth and prosperity
• golden rod-success
• clover-good luck
• cattail-peace and prosperity

Near the back of the book you will find a 11x17 poster featuring some of the most unique, captivating and colorful "lucky" kitty stickers that I have seen.

I feel that this is the sort of book that no review or feature can adequately do justice. You must purchase this book and EXPERIENCE it. The illustrations must be SEEN to be appreciated. It would make a wonderful holiday gift for children and adults alike! Who can't use a little good luck in their life? Children will be enthralled with the kitties and their costumes, while adults will be inclined to display the dressed up kitties in various locations in their home or office to encourage good luck!

It is geared for those in Grades 3 and up (ages 8 and up)

Maggie Swanson has illustrated OVER 100 children's books for many different publishers. Check a few of  them out here

You can purchase Lucky Cats Paper Dolls for the most affordable price of $9.99 on the Dover Publications website by clicking right here

Visit: Maggie Swanson Illustration here
Vist Maggie's blog Sundays at the Shelter here

ISBN 10: 0486486826 ISBN 13: 9780486486826