Ode to Mist

Yesterday was a day of sadness and anger for me, for the youngest of our feral cats walked across the Rainbow Bridge entering the Summerland. The sadness was for the loss of a free spirit and the anger at whoever poisoned her, and some anger that I have not been able to find work that would allow me to better take care of the cats.

Mist showed up as a very small kitten between Christmas 2011 and Jan 1st, 2012. A solid grey cat with a touch of white on its chest. The kitten was very small with crossed eyes. Laura and I, originally thought that the crossed eyes would be a hindrance for Mist, but it didn't seem to prevent her from running, jumping or hunting.

I do believe that it did prevent her from seeing things up close, and for the longest time she would move away if we tried to approach her. These last two month she actually would come up to us and allow us to pet her. Thus another reason for the sadness in my heart.

Mist was one of the fastest cats I have ever seen. That was one reason why I decide to name her Mist, for trying to catch her,  was like trying to grab and hold the early morning mist.

She was also a good hunter, often bringing down squirrels that were larger that she was.

She disappeared for five days and when she returned she was very emaciated, and she allowed me to hold her and pet her, trying to send healing energy to her. Before she disappeared she was a healthy, vibrant 1 3/4 year old cat.

It was hard to watch her go, and she would often wander away from the bed we made for her on the back porch. She wanted to still run and be free.

There are three other ferals or abandoned cats in our yard and of course the neighbor cats now lives in our yard 20 hours a day. Mist was the only one that liked to wander and explore, the others stay mostly in our yard or on the back porch.

Laura and I buried her last night and planted a Japanese Maple over her, the tree was on the deck in a pot that Mist would often lay beneath the tree in the pot.

Green Man Mask Autumn

My hand painted mixed media mask to celebrate the fall season. 

The Last Rose of Summer

A rose bush in our yard which produce one bloom on the last day of summer. The stem is about four feet long, and this is the only blossom on the bush. Unlike Thomas Moore poem, I will not 

pluck the beautiful rose before its time.

A rose bush in our yard which produce one bloom on the last day of summer. The stem is about four feet long, and this is the only blossom on the bush. Unlike Thomas Moore poem, I will not pluck the beautiful rose before its time.

'TIS the last rose of summer,
Left blooming alone ;
All her lovely companions
Are faded and gone ;
No flower of her kindred,
No rose-bud is nigh,
To reflect back her blushes,
Or give sigh for sigh.

I'll not leave thee, thou lone one !
To pine on the stem ;
Since the lovely are sleeping,
Go sleep thou with them.
Thus kindly I scatter
Thy leaves o'er the bed,
Where thy mates of the garden
Lie scentless and dead.

So soon may I follow,
When friendships decay,
And from Love's shining circle
The gems drop away.
When true hearts lie wither'd,
And fond ones are flown,
Oh ! who would inhabit
This bleak world alone ?
~ Thomas More

 

Attacl Cat

bible stumper thumping at door
Luna meow furiously
they flee

© 2013 Andy Laighleis All rights reserved. No publishing, copying, downloading without my written permission.

Harvested Wheat Field

Large rolled bales of hay waiting to be transferred to the barn.

Images are highly suited for use as home décor, offices, medical establishments, or for use in advertising, promotions and books. Available on canvas or as metal prints, acrylic prints, framed prints, gallery prints and fine art greeting cards.

© 2013 Andy Lawless

Flight to Freedom

A seagull taking flight to eat or perhaps to follow in the buffing wings of Jonathan Living Seagull.

Samhain Full Moon

Mix-Media Acrylic painting on canvas. A local gallery requested some Halloween themed art work, so I attempted a painting.