Loved and Missed

Only one year ago.

Cold and Sunny

A cold and sunny day called me out for a walk.

Some bird is missing this downy bit of fluff. I hope he or she is warm.










Cherry Beach...






At the far end of my walk, I paused to watch the lake. I found a hair on my jacket, distinctly Tibby's with its ginger tip. These yoga pants are looking a little worn, but seeing that sign from Tibby warmed me well. :)




On the coldest day, there is always colour to be found.

Happy Trails, Ginger Donut

It's with a heavy heart that I report the passing of our dear old Tibby. My parents' home feels a little empty tonight, so they are visiting me after a long, hard day, the only day he was ever really ill. This morning Tibby was a bit lethargic, with some bad breathing. Kind Dr. Aarabi came to my parents' home this evening and it was all over very soon, with no need for a stressful trip to the vet. Tibby's problem was heart failure. We have shed so many tears but now are drinking toasts with Orvieto Classico and - for me - Guinness.

Readers of this blog, and all our friends know what a gentle and funny cat he was, and what a handsome fellow too, as his photographs attest. You can visit him here.

R.I.P. dear Tibby. We love you so much.

Tib in the Bag

It's been too long since we've had a Tibby reportage. So here is the latest.

He's a little too chunky to actually get in the bag.

Incoming Kisses... NOT! (Sigh)

The softest place on earth: the top of Tibby's head. Except, when I visit him, I can't kiss him any more because I'm a bit allergic.

Argh!!!




Hey... where are my kisses?

Instead, I swirl a finger in the axis of snorgleness, on Tibby's neck and cheek, the second softest spot on earth.

A few Pics of Inspector Tibblesworth

Tibby's (and my) parents have been in Mexico for two months. Knowing they're missing their huge ginger tabby, I thought a few pictures of the old moggy would please them. I took these some while back, while Tibby lay in my mum's arms, which he loves to do every evening.

The top of Tibby's head, which I could kiss for hours. You can see his nose on the left of the picture:




Tibby, the big baby, with my mum:

This photograph makes my dad laugh each time he sees it:

Into the Woods

Adrian (referring to sex): I can't! It's disgusting!
Andrew: How can it be disgusting? I don't even have my clothes off.

Mary Steenbergen as Adrian and Woody Allen as Andrew in A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy (1982). This is one of those films I'd heard about for years, and seen bits from on television from time to time, and it was a delight to see it finally in its entirety. It's not the greatest Woody Allen film, but in its homage to Bergman and its upper New York State, hazy summer's day setting, it's a sweet and funny escape. The acting company is impressive: Tony Roberts (of course), Julie (my favourite stewardess) Hagerty, Mia Farrow and Jose Ferrer round it out and, all looking splendid in Santo Loquasto's Edwardian costumes. The photography is beautiful and made me long to be in the woods again. Between Mia Farrow's golden halo of hair and the dappled forest glades, there are unexpected moments of almost Pre-Raphaelite beauty.




This was followed up by a true classic.

Grumpy: Angel, ha! She's a female! And all females is poison! They're full of wicked wiles!
Bashful: What are wicked wiles?
Grumpy: I don't know, but I'm agin' 'em.

Pinto Colvig as the voice of Grumpy and Scotty Mattraw as Bashful in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). It's sad that the actors behind the voices in animated movies in those days were kept under wraps. Now it's a major appeal behind the big films. The songs in Snow White are as sweet as the day I first heard them. The moment I always look for is when Snow White kisses the dove and it flies to Prince Charming to bestow the kiss. That coy, blushing bird is one of the sweetest, silliest things on film. Disney has released Snow White with newly painted borders on the sides of the picture to fill in the screen for wide-screen viewing. It's very well done and we enjoyed it on my dad's new BluRay disk.




So did Tibby, whose ears went flat during that forest scene, which gets to me too. It remains terrifying no matter how old you get!

I'd Rather be Laying Down

As I've been planning a short getaway next week, I've had little trouble deciding between a short plane trip and a longer train journey. It's going to be the train, as - for an idler like me - to sit for four or five hours, gazing out of a window, watching clouds and day dreaming, is pure heaven, and something I rarely indulge in. Plus, you're more likely to meet the most interesting people, including quite possibly secret agents, when you're on a train.

But if I had felt indecisive, I think the recently updated carry-on policy for Canadian flight passengers would have made the decision pretty easy. I'm more frightened of the over-paid security policy analysts that came up with this. And it just serves to remind me of how very unglamorous plane travel has become, whereas the train still has, in some instances, a real allure.

This is part of what we are allowed to carry with us:



Does the presence of wool prove the innocent intentions of the bearer of knitting needles? Are terrorists smart enough to remind their compatriots: "Hey Bob! Don't forget the wool... and while you're waiting in the check-in line, knit a few rows, that'll fool them good and proper! Hey, and use that soft, pastel baby wool!"? And anyway, as any Bond fan knows, any operative worth the trouble can kill with their hair, or their thighs.

Speaking of not flying, did you see this news item?

(Associated Press) WASHINGTON - A mystery object from space is about to whizz close by Earth on Wednesday. It will not hit the planet, but scientists are stumped by what exactly it is.

Astronomers say it may be space junk or it could be a tiny asteroid, too small to cause damage even if it hit. It is 33 to 50 feet (10 to 15 metres) wide at most.

NASA says that on Wednesday at 7:47 a.m. EST, (1247 GMT) it will streak by, missing Earth by about 80,000 miles (128,750 kilometres).


I think it's aliens whizzing by in their souped-up weekend machines, going "Nyeahhhhhh losers!" to us here on earth.

Crazy world. I think Tibby has the right answer.

Three Moods of Inspector Tibblesworth

There's something interesting happening! Is it worth me moving?

Smoooooove T.

Love me.



I visited Tibby and his (and my) folks on Saturday to give him his Christmas manicure (I wasn't up to tackling the pedicure) and he was in fine form. I'm biased, but - seriously - what a good-looking cat!

That Demmed Elusive Tibblesworth

If he's not asleep, he's fidgety. So I was amazed to get two good headshots of the dashing redhead tonight as I visited my folks for Thanksgiving.

(And that's my holey sock in the bottom picture. I was holding the camera over and in front of Tibby, and he was momentarily mesmerized by the camera strap.)

Catching up with Tibby

These are for the fans (and I know at least three of them out there!)

The Eagle Spreads His Wings Once More

A year and a week after his arrival, Tibby's mum and dad have their home ready and so he's off today to their new digs. I'm going to miss my ginger donut, but, as he's about a five minute walk away, I'll get lots of visits in.

Last night I poked my camera between the branches of my Christmas tree and got this shot of him watching the lights, as he seems to enjoy doing most nights.

Happy trails Inspector Tibblesworth!

He Guards the Tree

Does he look like he's kidding?

He Just has one Question

We popped the cork and celebrated as Obama made his speech in Grant Park last night.

Tibby has just one concern:

"A PUPPY????"



(Tibby on the morning after the night before.)

Flying Post

It's been a hectic few days. And then tonight when I came home, I discovered this sweet award! Protege, over at Life, Work and Pleasure - a most charming blog covering a wide range of topics - has bestowed it upon me. Thank you Protege!

Old Tibby is still managing to squeeze in about 23 hours a day of sleep. It's this time of year, with the shortening days and my bed being extra cosy and welcoming, that I envy him! You can watch him here as he spent an exciting hour last Sunday evening watching Nature, on PBS. I think he's especially attracted to F. Murray Abraham's voice over.

It's not him... It's the way I tell them

Q: Tibby, what do you call a cat who eats a whole duck?

A: A duck-filled fatty puss!

Rainy Afternoon + Cat + Brush = New Look

Clever Old Photoshop

Here is Tibby as he actually appears (top) and as he appears after applying "palette knife" to him in Photoshop (bottom) . He said it wasn't at all painful, but would I now let him sleep and get on with some picture hanging. Oh, okay!

Food Film Fiction XTREME Closeup