Saluting Terrific Tabbies! #NationalTabbyCatDay

To find out more about the artist that created the absolutely adorable and precious painting above, visit us this Monday, May 6th. But...I WILL tell you it was created by KittyCatArtStudio.com   (and it was a result of my winning a give-away from the beautiful and talented Ingrid King of The Conscious Cat.) If you would like to do some Mother's Day shopping KittyCatArtStudio is offering 10% off of many items from May 1st through Mother's Day. I will be featuring other examples of her work on May 6th, but for those of you who stopped by today, you get a head-start!

TO LEARN MORE

ABOUT TABBY CATS

CLICK HERE

FOR A COMPLETE LIST 

OF 2019 PET HOLIDAYS CLICK HERE

• “Perhaps one reason we are fascinated by cats is because such a small animal can contain so much independence, dignity, and freedom of spirit. Unlike the dog, the cat’s personality is never bet on a human’s. He demands acceptance on his own terms.” – Lloyd Alexander

Cat Book Feature: Harry the Wonder Cat: The Legend of the Pink Diamond by Denise Brixey

Harry, the Wonder Cat, is no ordinary cat! Two centuries ago, he had received eternal life and extraordinary powers.  He was ordered to use his gifts to care for the Johnson family, helping them through life's ups and downs. 

Fast forward to the present. This story begins when Nikki Johnson, accompanied by her close friend Heather Murphy, had planned her annual quiet and relaxing Christmas visit to Harrot Reef to visit her beloved Aunt Lynn. Plans changed when Nikki’s aunt summoned her to come earlier because something was terribly wrong. The two friends arrived the next day to a shocking discovery. Loud howling led them to the library where they found Aunt Lynn’s crumpled body lying on the floor with her cat, Harry, next to her. The two women landed in the middle of a mystery. The only clues consist of a teacup, a copy of Agatha Christie’s “The Mysterious Affair at Styles”, and a note on the mantle. 

Sheriff O’Neil, who has had it out for the Johnsons since Nikki’s father stole the girl that he loved, saw this as a perfect chance for revenge.  What could be better than to have the last of the  oldest family in Harrot Reef, behind bars for the murder of her own aunt?

When Nikki gets bailed out by her friend, Heather, they team up with the deputy to find the real killer.  Little do they know, Harry  is using his magic to save the day.  This Christmas visit was going to be anything but quiet and relaxing.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Denise Brixey grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, where she studied writing.  During her many years of living in a big city from birth into adulthood, she had more than her share of challenges. When she left the big city life to move up to a small town in the Gold Country, Denise volunteered at a cat rescue. She soon discovered that, while she was working to save them, it was she who was magically being rescued by the cats! 

Felines have been a meaningful part of Denise’s world ever since: starring in blogs, social media pages, and currently, her new book series. Although he’s been physically absent for years, the original Harry, a.k.a. Monkeyface, continues to magically impact her life through his teleportation that continues to fuel Denise’s passion for writing and love for her cats. Harry will live forever, so Denise started her series, Harry, the Wonder Cat, to share all his antics and spread meaning and joy to the lives of readers. You can follow Denise on her blog Harry the Wondercat

In full Disclosure: this book is presented as a "feature" because I have not read the book. I think the world of Denise, and when she approached me asking me if I would feature her book, I happily agreed to do so.

Happy Passover and Happy Easter!

WHAT IS PASSOVER?
FROM CHABAD.ORG

What Is Passover?

The eight-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan, April 10–18, 2017. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is observed by avoiding leaven, and highlighted by the Seder meals that include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus. In 2017,

In Hebrew it is known as Pesach (which means “to pass over”), because G‑dpassed over the Jewish homes when killing the Egyptian firstborn on the very first Passover eve.

The Passover Story in a Nutshell

After many decades of slavery to the Egyptian pharaohs, during which time the Israelites were subjected to backbreaking labor and unbearable horrors, G‑d saw the people’s distress and sent Moses to Pharaoh with a message: “Send forth My people, so that they may serve Me.” But despite numerous warnings, Pharaoh refused to heed G‑d’s command. G‑d then sent upon Egypt ten devastating plagues, afflicting them and destroying everything from their livestock to their crops.

At the stroke of midnight of 15 Nissan in the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE), G‑d visited the last of the ten plagues on the Egyptians, killing all their firstborn. While doing so, G‑d spared the children of Israel, “passing over” their homes—hence the name of the holiday. Pharaoh’s resistance was broken, and he virtually chased his former slaves out of the land. The Israelites left in such a hurry, in fact, that the bread they baked as provisions for the way did not have time to rise. Six hundred thousand adult males, plus many more women and children, left Egypt on that day and began the trek to Mount Sinai and their birth as G‑d’s chosen people.

To read the complete Passover story click here
To our Jewish friends:

Card from care2.com

To those who celebrate,
Chag Sameach!!

To our friends who will celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 21st, we  wish you a Happy Easter!!!