Post Pink Toy Trauma Recovery

Something tells us a little Daddy time heals all wounds.

Sunday's Shelter Sweetheart: Jordan

"So there I was, livin' life on the lam on the mean streets of Independence, Missouri.

Don't ask me how I got there, or how long I was "at large", as they say. (I'm not very good with calendars.) All I know is my roaming days were numbered. Yep, animal control! Busted!

So then I end up here at Great Plains SPCA, where they treated me to a little surgery to curb my wanton ways. Ahem."

"Well, I couldn't let that pass, so I decided to give them a bit of hard time. A little kitty attitude, if you get my drift. And that's when it happened.

They banished me from the general population and sent me to a place called "Tish's Office". Ahhhhh, Tish's office!!! Cat nirvana!!!

And that was it. Bye-bye catitude!!! Hello easy streets!!! Now, I'm livin' the good life. Three squares a day and a nice warm bed. Plenty of cat toys to keep me busy. And Tish, of course! That Tish is quite a cat whisperer! And now Tish tells me things are about to get even better! Better than nirvana? Yep, she swears it's true.

Though I've had a long, hard journey up till now, she says someone will fall in love with me soon and take me to something called a forever home. Hey, this forever home thing sounds pretty sweet! I've been dreaming of what it will be like, and I'd really like a home with a human or humans who are willing to play with me.

I've got lots of energy and need to burn off a little steam each day. I'm an ace with a wand toy! Also hoping my new human likes to have a sidekick around. I'm a smart guy, and I enjoy mental stimulation and human companionship.

I'd love to help you work on your computer, do some chores or snuggle up next to you in the evening while you read a book. But most of all, I'm dreaming of a home that's filled with love. Tish has taught me a lot about this love thing. And now I'm ready to find my very own human to love. Have I mentioned that I give great kitty kisses????

 So, how about it? Is there room in your family for a reformed fella like me? If so, come on down to Great Plains and let's spend a little time together. I may even show you Tish's office.

Just ask for Jordan. I'll be waiting! And hoping!"

Jordan's available at the Independence campus of Great Plains SPCA!

Color or Black & White: Can you tell?

Today's Photohunt word is "Colour". So we thought we'd combine it with our Cat Art Blog Hop entry and pose the following question:

Is this a black and white photo, or not?

You can probably tell that there is just the barest shade of color added back into Faraday's eyes. While experimenting with contrast and color settings, I noticed that adding a shade of color back in brought more life to the photo.

Any more and it looked odd. Any less and it looked flat.

There are many famous photographers who use selective color to great effect.
If you're interested in seeing more, click this link here!

And for more great Cat Art Blog Hop entries, click here!

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Faraday's First Fridays

Welcome to my monthly Advice Column.
These gems of Wit and Wisdom are for Felines Only.
No Humans (or Big Sisters) Allowed.

How to Handle your Sister's Favorite Toy, Part 1.

Step 1: Investigate carefully to ensure you have the correct item. Pink? Check.

Step 2: Convince Innocent Party (aka the Fall Guy Cat) to relocate said toy.

Maxwell: "You're sure Allie told you she wanted it inside the vent???"

Step 3: Practice look of innocence when approached.

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"Nipcoin" for your thoughts?

Your opinion is very important to us, and we'd love to hear from you.  Would you mind taking our very brief survey at our Monday post, here?

We promise we won't share the results with Faraday. And we'd be happy to trade you one of Sparkle's Nipcoins for your trouble. Thank you ever so much!

Thursday Trivia: Rock Hound

"rock-hound (n.)
1921, from rock (n.1) + hound (n.). Used variously of geologists, mineralogists, and amateur collectors."


If you’ve ever been drawn into the fascinating world of geology – rock collecting, spelunking, the works – then you’ve probably heard this phrase.

Girl dogs are rock hounds, too! Photo: misshappiness

“Rock hound” is what is known in the Word World as an Americanism. Basically, slang that has its roots in the U.S.A. That being the case, it’s necessarily a lot younger than many phrases we’ve researched in this series!

public domain

The Online Etymology Dictionary points us to the Roaring Twenties for this phrase’s origins. And indeed it was.

It took a little digging, but we found its first known use in print in a November, 1920 issue of a trade magazine called Natural Gas:

“C.A. Warner, ex-field geologist for the Empire Gas & Fuel Company, has written an interesting book, “A Book of Practical Field Methods,” that does away with much of the uncertainty of field mapping.

"It also explains how a “rock hound” may more efficiently collect information after an area has begun to produce either oil or gas.”


We were actually kind of surprised to discover that a term for studying rocks had its origins in the early days of gas and oil.

We would have thought its roots were more pure (e.g. associated with the study of rock formations, etc).

But then again, our first guesses are often misplaced, which is what makes this series so much fun for us to write!

Every good rock hound has a chisel!
Photo: Miguel Vera

____________
Sources:
Dictionary.com Definition
Etymology Online
Memidex: Rock hound
Natural Gas Magazine, Volumes 1-2, Natural Gas Publishing Company, 1920

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"Nipcoin" for your thoughts?

Your opinion is very important to us, and we'd love to hear from you.  Would you mind taking our very brief survey at our Monday post, here?

We promise we won't share the results with Faraday. And we'd be happy to trade you one of Sparkle's Nipcoins for your trouble. Thank you ever so much!

Wordless Wednesday

 ***

"Nipcoin" for your thoughts?

Your opinion is very important to us, and we'd love to hear from you.  Would you mind taking our very brief survey at our Monday post, here?

We promise we won't share the results with Faraday. And we'd be happy to trade you one of Sparkle's Nipcoins for your trouble. Thank you ever so much!

Wednesday's Waif: Bengal

Who wouldn't want this handsome boy? Why, with those gorgeous, speaking eyes, he could be Waffles' older brother!

Yet for some reason, he's one of the kitties who has been at Wayside the longest. We just can't figure this out.

"Are you looking for someone extraordinary?
Do typical tabbies and pedestrian pussycats make you sigh with ennui as you meet their commonplace green or yellow eyes?

If so, I invite you to gaze into my opulent orange orbs. These twinkling topaz gems compliment my gorgeous ginger fur in a way that makes me absolutely unforgettable!

As you might imagine, a creature as refined and rare as I am has class and decorum emitting from the proverbial wazoo. I don't jump into the arms of every human I meet but rather delight in the slow blooming of friendship.

To be frank, I find humans who hover and grab a bit shocking. Let me get to know you with delicate sniffs of my rosebud nose. Once we have become acquainted, I'll allow you to caress my ears slowly.
In time, we will be on lap-sitting terms, having become the best of companions!

Naturally, a feline of my class has... certain standards. I don't enjoy associating with uncouth cats and those most vile of barbarians: dogs!

If you share my enlightened sensibilities, I implore you to call on me in my chambers here at Wayside Waifs.

I'm sure my assistants can pencil in a time for us to meet.

Most sophistcatedly,
Bengal"





You can meet this amazing kitty in person, at Allie's Alma Mater: