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Sunday Purrs: Fuzzy Resolutions

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Guest post by Angie Bailey

I’m not really one for New Year’s resolutions. I guess I believe in intentions that can change in any moment. I don’t need to wait until New Year’s Eve to decide what’s important to me and set goals for myself. But since many people use the new year as a kickoff point, I thought I’d once again look to my wise felines for cues as to what I’d like to intend for myself in the new year.

Be present with one thing at a time

I know I’m a good multi-tasker, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a great attribute. Sometimes when I’m busy with one activity, I’m thinking about something else. Cats are laser-focused on whatever they currently have their paws on, and when they’re finished, they move on to the next thing. Presence is something for which I constantly strive. Keeping one browser tab open at a time on the computer is a start. It’s way too easy to pop over to Facebook and waste some major time when I have an article deadline. I can find myself easily distracted — and that does nothing for my time management or presence. Cats don’t care about multi-tasking, tabs or time management — they just live in the flow, which is an excellent example for all of us.

Stare into space more oftenContinue Reading

Sunday Purrs: How Are Your New Year’s Resolutions Holding Up?

January

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. – Lao Tzu

The new year is only five days old today. How are your New Year’s resolutions holding up?

I’m all about reinventing yourself, and finding your bliss, and the clean slate of a new year seems to be as good a time for it as any. And therein probably lies one of the reasons why so many New Year’s resolution fail. Why only pick January 1 to change your life? You can change your life on any given day – it’s YOUR choice, YOUR time.

I stopped making New Year’s resolutions a few years ago. Since I still like the idea of a “fresh start” a new year offers, I set New Year’s intentions instead. I think New Year’s resolutions are destined to fail, because there’s an inherent flaw in the term “resolution.”Continue Reading

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Sunday Purrs: declutter your life before the New Year

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The week between Christmas and New Year can be a good time to clear the clutter from your life – and that includes both physical and mental clutter.

The physical surroundings we live in every day in our homes, offices and cars have a strong impact on us. Cluttered environments drain your energy. Just think about the last time you organized a drawer or cleaned your car – do you remember how accomplished you felt, and how you were able to approach the rest of your day from a much lighter perspective? That’s because you released stagnant, cluttered energy.

Allegra, Ruby and I have been working on decluttering for the past few days. Continue Reading

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Ruby’s Reflections: Undercover Kitty

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Hi everyone, it’s Ruby! Mom said I should tell you about where I sleep at night, because she thinks it’s just “so darn cute!” I don’t really know why she thinks it’s so cute. I don’t do it to be cute, I do it to stay warm!

When we go to bed at night, Allegra curls up on one side of Mom, and I curl up on her other side. Usually, Mom has her arms around me, and Allegra is wedged against her back. It’s nice and cozy, and a good way to start the night. But as the night goes on, I get a little chilly, and for the past few nights, I decided that Mom must be on to something, because she sleeps under a nice, warm comforter.

So I decided to check things out. I very quietly crawled under the comforter, being careful not to wake Mom. Continue Reading

Nutra-Thrive-Cat

Sunday Purrs: holiday memories

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Cats and Christmas trees can make for a challenging combination, but I love the holiday season, and one of my favorite parts has always been the annual decorating of the Christmas tree.  Until the tree is up, it just doesn’t feel like Christmas to me, and even though it’s been a little more challening for the past couple of years with two young cats, I’ve made it work.

I’ve collected ornaments for the past thirty some years, and inevitably, bringing out the ornaments each year leads to a lovely, if  sometimes bittersweet, trip down memory lane. I grew up in Germany, and traditionally, our Christmas tree was not decorated until Christmas Eve. As a small child, I was not allowed into the living room while the tree was being decked out in its holiday glory. I can still remember the eager and impatient anticipation of the moment when my parents would ring a small brass bell that hung on the tree, and I could finally enter the room. It was pure magic each time. The tree was decorated with multi-colored glass balls, sparkling tinsel, and real candles – something that we can’t even imagine in these safety conscious times we live in.

When I moved to the United States in my mid-twenties, I was introduced to the traditionContinue Reading

Ruby’s Reflections: sometimes a girl just needs a hug

hugging cat

Hi everyone, it’s Ruby! Today, I want to tell you about hugging. I just discovered it, and it’s so nice! Well, I guess I didn’t just discover it: Mom hugs me all the time. But until recently, I’ve never hugged her back. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when she hugs me. I purr, and rub my face against her arms, and sometimes, I get so excited from being hugged, I roll over on my back. But in all that time, I never tried hugging her back.

Until last week. I was sitting on Mom’s lap while she was working away at the computer, and even though it was nice and cozy, I was feeling a little ignored. So I sat up, and looked up at Mom. When she still didn’t stop typing, I stretched myself as tall as I could! Then I leaned against her, rubbed my head against her neck, and reached my paws up. That did  it. She stopped typing, and hugged me back. You can see from the smile on her face that she really liked being hugged by me!Continue Reading

Join me for a New York City Christmas

New York City Christmas

There’s nothing better than New York City at Christmas time. I love New York at any time of the year, but during the holidays, the city takes on a magic that you just can’t find anywhere else in the world. And this year, I get to be a part of the magic that is New York at Christmas time: I’ll be the guest of digital artist Deborah Julian at her booth at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market on December 19 from 1 to 8pm.

 cat christmas card

The Christmas card above is just one of the many beautiful pieces Deborah sells at her booth. Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: Embrace the season

cat_and_christmas_tree

Guest post by Angie Bailey

In Minnesota, it’s officially cold outside and the holiday season is in full swing. This time of year, I sometimes find myself complaining about the frigid temperatures and stressing about my massive Christmas card list, buying the perfect gifts, and baking 120 dozen treats. OK, I’m exaggerating a bit about the treats, but you get the point. Meanwhile, my cats leisurely nap under the tree, snuggle in cozy blankets and romp in and out of gift boxes. What’s wrong with this picture? Clue: It’s not the ones rolling around on crinkly wrapping paper.

First of all, let’s talk weather. Living in the Upper Midwest means several months of the year will present less-than-tropical temps. We can choose to whine through the inevitable or we can look for the snow cloud’s silver lining. My cats love the seasonal opportunity to press their entire bodies flat against heating vents. Continue Reading

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Reviewers love Purrs of Wisdom

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I’m so thrilled with some of the early reviews that are coming in for Purrs of Wisdom, I just have to share some of my favorite excerpts with you!

From Anna David, author of Animal Attraction:

“A perfect (restrained myself from writing purrfect) little gem of a book that explains life lessons the author learned through her cats, Purrs of Wisdom offers a slew of tips from a clear cat (and life) lover. Recommend it for cat people and non cat people alike!”

From Caren Gittleman at Cat Chat:

“Purrs of Wisdom will make you think, it will warm your soul,  it will wrap itself around your mind and your heart  like a soft-as-down kitty snuggling at your side.”

From Liz Eastwood at Natural Cat Care Blog:

Purrs of Wisdom makes a sweet gift for cat lovers who are setting the intention of a less cluttered and more wholesome life in the New Year. Consider wrapping it up with some herbal tea or catnip and giving someone (such as yourself) the gift of daily contemplations on intentional living, feline style.”

From Decca Price at Decca’s Cats:

“The golden thread running throughout the book is essential catness:Continue Reading