Franklin shows off his feet
Black Cat Appreciation Day is August 17th! This is our celebration party starring our black cats, and our cats of other colors are joining the festivities too! We’re still using old pictures because we’re still trying to get all ducks in a row to shift the computer stuff around.
In that first picture our young Franklin suns himself from a high spot, doing a three paw dangle. Franklin is our little wild boy!
I like and try for a more natural look in photos now, but I do enjoy bringing colors up or down, and working with patterns, the way I used to work on a painting or collage. I’m really not a photographer.
Boss on left, Moonpie on right
Siblings Boss and Moonpie in late summer.
Beautiful black cats come to us from nature and stay a part of it though they inhabit our lives too. That’s why they, and indeed all cats, make our hearts soar so much, especially in autumn when our focus is on the beauties and bounties of the natural world. They are all-natural, not supernatural. I’ve tried to express that before, and haven’t always succeeded in getting through. Maybe I’m writing too subtle; I write in older ways. Today’s writing is more direct and explanatory. Cats have mysteries but scientific study via careful observation will lead to explanations, eventually. Meanwhile, I try to depict and describe them in ways of poetry, analogy, and rhapsody. Black fur on cats is one permutation of the earth’s beguiling color ranges that show up on animals, plants, rocks and minerals; the earth scenery we live with. It’s all good.
Spooky Girl
Spooky the tuxie girl is named for her spookiness towards humans. She is slowly sweetening up though.
The computer I work on is having random reboots. Time to transfer everything to another computer is scarce.
Little Moonpie
Moonpie was the smallest of the kittens. She still is, but she has grown a bit. She’s a darling!
News: I’ve started posting a little on Instagram. Once I learned how, it was easy and I enjoy it more than I thought I would. I still prefer posting here and I will when I can. So, go there and check it out!
Handsome Boss in younger days
Boss is a mini-panther of deep wisdom, he has a really knowing gaze!
More news: As part of their ongoing series, the Cat Writers’ Association published my “How My Cat (Writing) Career Started” article, on their Facebook page and their Instagram. For some historical insight into a fascination that really started with our first cat over 50 years ago, and sparked a writing project that began in 2004, go check it out at either one of those sites!
Lynxie Boy!
Our Household Lynx greets y’all! We are partying with and for all cats today, Black Cat Appreciation Day. We appreciate all cats, in any and all of nature’s magnificent varieties of coloration!
Also news: We are over the moon and back with joy that Sawyer has returned home safe! His peeps run The Cat on My Head blog. Check them out! The Cat On My Head
We are also terribly sad for all whose kitties have gone on to The Rainbow Bridge and we wish their peeps peace and comfort.
Our Stripey is grand!
Stripey is an adorable kitty, the largest of them all, and very affectionate! Celebrating and showing all our kitties, and all kitties everywhere today!
News: I finished Catwoods Volume 2! Unless another stray thought strolls by . . . Most of it was written a long time ago but since “ending” it in 2018, we’ve had new cats enter our home and I’ve had a few more ideas I wanted to add. I’d really like to publish it this year but I don’t know if that’s possible.
Black Cat Appreciation Day News: There is a book launch of Mollie Hunt’s newest book on August 17th, with a beautiful cover featuring a black cat. I’ll put the link to the advance notice on her blog here, and change it when it’s updated: BOOK LAUNCH LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY
More Black Cat Appreciation Day News: Rosa has included my Catwoods book in a post on Katzenworld called 10 Books to Read on Black Cat Appreciation Day The kitties and I thank you, Rosa!
A tech glitch of some sort: Whenever anyone ‘likes’ a comment I make on someone else’s blog, I go back to see if there is an answer. I always try to ‘like’ the answer but these days, the function won’t always work. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. It may be that the old program I’m using doesn’t interface well somehow with the newer tech of WordPress. So maybe the upcoming changes we are trying to make will help.
Beautiful Shelley
Shelley is our friend’s beautiful tortie.
All these cats say “Phssssst” to any silly ideas about luck! If you have the love of a beautiful black cat, or any cat, you are lucky indeed!
All of the kitties in this post came directly from the streets. We always check to be sure a cat or cats do not have an owner(s) looking for him or her before taking the cat(s) into our home or rehoming them. If they have feral pals or elders around, as our kittens did, we continue to feed those ferals and spay and neuter them. Please spay and neuter cats. The population of new kittens seems high this summer, as reported by all the rescue groups I follow.
Also please consider getting a copy of our book which tells, in depth, of our long history of cat keeping. It celebrates cats as marvelous pets and hopefully, inspires more adoptions. There’s a lot in it about black cats, as well as all our cats of other colors and patterns. Book sales also help us keep helping more cats as well as our own kitties! Click the Amazon page at the upper right, or go direct to Borgo Publishing from the “Order the Catwoods Book Online” page, linked to under the banner. I know the Amazon page is a little different from most, you have to click on the “1 new from . . .” and sometimes it says “2 new from . . . ” From there you purchase the book direct from Borgo Publishing, a reliable local publisher.
There several other posts on this blog that celebrate black kitties as the all-natural beings they are, here are two:
I live near a creek in a forest, in close observation and awe of the wildlife outside, as well as the domestic animals of the household. I'm writer Leah T. Alford. I was "catwoods" on this site Catwoods Porch Party, Itchmo Forums for Cats and Dogs, and a few other sites that may or may not exist now. I have now published a book, and the publisher wanted it called Catwoods. I never expected the book title to be the same as my username, so for now I've changed the username to Leah. For more info, click the "About" button above.
Catwoods Porch Party 
The kitties are all beautiful, Leah, and thank you for the name of your publisher. That will make your books easier to find.
The kitties and I thank you Lavinia, we appreciate it! And thank you for your interest in my books!
Love those House Panthers
Thanks so much, Timmy Tomcat, the house panthers and I appreciate it!
Oh I love seeing every beautiful fur family member and Spooky, your mustache almost reminds me of a tiny bow tie!
Katie Isabella on BLOGSPOT
The kitties and I thank you, Katie Isabella! Spooky especially thanks you for noticing her little mustache. She got it from the kittens’ mom, Groucho, a (now-spayed) feral we keep fed. After finding out Groucho was a girl, I didn’t want to change the name. Stripey got half a little mustache from mom on one side.
And seeing all of them was a treat to my eye. I enjoyed knowing a bit about their backgrounds.
The kitties and I thank you, Carole!
Our seal pointed kitties had black stocking and masks…does that count?? LOL!
All your kitties are gorgeous, and the not so black ones are too…why, of course, naturally!
That pic of the two on the microwave is priceless! Must have been an warm perch to attract them?
Seal-pointed kitties definitely count as black, in fact I think I read somewhere that genetically Siamese are actually dark in color but the color just doesn’t develop in the warmer parts of their bodies.
The kitties and thank you for your kind words, they love to hear about how gorgeous they are . . .
I think it stays cool on the top of the microwave and that’s why the kitties like it, because it’s often hot or at least warm here, even in winter months we may have a spell of warmer weather. And, it’s up high so they like that too!
Black cats can be so hard to photograph! You’re well-owned by housepanthers [and other beautiful kits] though!
The kitties and I thank you, mommacatandherbearcat! True, black cats can be challenging to photograph especially when you want a really natural look. I’m not really too swift at photography and I have some problems doing digital, poor fine finger coordination due to a neurological condition . . . but I find edited alternatives l do like, silhouettes, others. And as you say, it’s wonderful to be owned by kitties. Just the daily visual experiences of being in the company of house panthers and other cats goes far beyond what could ever be captured in photos.
What furabuluss fotoss of all of youss’ there! Liss Leah an Franklin an THE gang an Shelley two mee apawlogizess on bee-half of LadyMew. Shee iss still ahvin major health issuess an iss *hot* an hue-mid here so her Aszmah iss horrabad.
Wee so far beehind….
Wee DUE hope yore OKay Miss Leah??? Wee think of you an Franklin offen!
***purrss*** BellaDharma an ❤ LadyMew
Hi BellaDharma and LadyMew, the kitties and I are very happy to know y’all like our pictures! We’ve had horrible humidity here too, it has been raining every day. the only break we are getting is that while we are usually steaming hot in August, we are a bit cooler than usual this year. So sorry to hear about your medical issues, I am doing okay, about the same, which isn’t terrific but I am getting by. I am so behind on everything too! Purrs and Meows and Cheers from Leah and the kitties!
Wee two have had alot of rain an hue-midity…..it sorta kewlss off an then WHAMO! iss *hot* an hue-mid again. At leest THE Wildyfiress are mostly out up North…it made thingss even werser here!
Wee glad you all rite butt wish you felt bettur. LadyMew gotted her Lidocaine shotss butt they are not werkin so guud.
Maybee you an LadyMew cuud start THE “Allwayss Beehind Club”??? Mew mew mew….
***purrss*** BellaDharma an ❤ LadyMew
Always Behind Club, ahahahaha, oh yeah, that’s where I’m at! Hope those shots help LadyMew soon! I’m glad most of those fires are out, I wish they all were! They’ve made things very rough.
Purrs from us!
Fore short you can call THE Club THE A Bee Cee Club Miss Leah, mew mew mew….
‘Tween Wildy firess all over North American an Greece an so much floodin efurrywhere else iss a furry scarey Summer inndeed!!! 😉
It is for sure!
Wee just found out wee mute bee inn **heet wave** til end of week…it iss PAWFUL .Poor fanss are werkin like crazy to keep us comfy….not reelly kewl….but as long as wee in shade an can breethe that iss most impawtent!
Oh no, that is horrible indeed. Stay as cool and safe as you can! We’re the ones who are supposed to have broiling heat this time of year, and it’s cooler than usual. Really strange weather! Purrs for better temps!
Wee cuud use yore kewler tempss here Miss Leah. Wee sittin inn here with blackout drapess closed…can still feel THE *heet* 😦
I wish I could send you some cooler air! Drink plenty of water and don’t overdo, rest between tasks, that’s a way to get through it. We are supposed to heat up too over the next few days. We use an attic fan to pull in the cooler night air, so that helps. The wordpress system cuts us off after ten comments here on one area and I don’t know how to stop that. But let me know how you are in the heat, just start another comment.
Happy “Black Cat Appreciation Day! “… you know dear Leah I love all cats big and small, black and white, any of them for me great creature… I loved all your photographs, Blessing and Happiness to you all Cat Human families, Love, nia
Thank you Nia, we did have a good day! And I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos! I love cats of all colors too and have always had cats of all colors, though I think the black kitties are some of the prettiest. I’ve always taken in the cats who show up at the door! Wishing you and your family and friends and kitties all good things, Love, Leah
Little cuties!
The kitties and I thank you, Pam!
♥️
My Dixie is mostly black with white chest and paws. =^..^=
Awww, she sounds like a cutie! A tuxie like our Spooky!
Black cats, white, cream, brown, gray, torti…. we don’t care. We’re all about purrsonality here.
The kitties and I can relate, we’ve always taken in the cats who came to the door, of all colors and patterns. Many of those happened to be black kitties. And since they tend to get a bum rap with the general public and often aren’t adopted as much as the kitties of other colors, we like to celebrate them and tell about what wonderful pets they make!
Oh my whiskers, what majestic house panthers!! (Not that the rest of you guys aren’t pawsome but it’s a Black Cat Appreciation post)
Purrs & Head Bonks
Alberto (an “almost” black cat
Our panthers and kitties thank you so much, Alberto, and send purrs and meows!
Happy *belated* Black Cat Appreciation Day!
The kitties and I thank you, FACE Foundation, and wish you the same!
You have such beautiful babies!
Thank you Mocha’s Mysteries and Meows! The kitties and I appreciate it!
Lot to absorb today. Enjoyed seeing all the photos today new or old it doesn’t matter. Black Cat Day is a big day at your house for sure!
LOL we had a serious Black Cat Appreciation Day and we partied hearty! I’m happy you enjoyed the photos! I like to keep things seasonal if I can but outdoor photos and more recent kitty photos are staying in camera and phone for now. Except for a few on Instagram.
What beautiful, beautiful, cats! And your photos are always so gorgeous.
The kitties and I thank you so much, we appreciate it!
Aww, we love this post! Moonpie, Spooky, Boss and Franklin are all so beautiful. That’s so exciting about you completing another book, Leah. Congratulations! We look forward to reading it when it is published!
The kitties and I thank you meowmeowmans! And many thanks for your encouraging words about the completion of the second book. We’ll try but I don’t know if it will be out this year, as the year is going so fast!
Leah, glad to see that the link is in there and works PURRFECT! 💞
It does, and thanks again for finding it! I am so not tech-savvy!
You’re more than welcome and you’re an excellent writer and story teller!!! 💞
Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day Moonpie, Spooky, Boss and Franklin!! Congrats on completing another book- I look forward to reading it. XO
The kitties and I thank you Ellen! And thank you for the kind words about wanting to read my 2nd book, I appreciate it and I’m happy you liked the first one! XO
Leah, you’ve done black cats proud with this post. I wish you could join my BCAD party on Clubhouse today !
Layla thank you so much, that means a lot to me! Unfortunately I’m kind of exhausted from lots of activity today . . . I’m sort of drowsing my way through the rest of the day . . . concentration is difficult at the moment. I always hope for better and I hope one day my pace will slow down or I will have more energy and then I can join you on Clubhouse meetings.
What a beautiful tribute! Gorgeous photos as always. 🙂
Thank you so much, the kitties and I appreciate it! And we send you and your kitty purrs!
We had a black cat named Sam who had six claws on each front paw. (She also had blue eyes as a kitten, although I think the color changed later.)
Very cool, Pete! One of our cats, a black one with radial hypoplasia, was polydactyl on his back feet and had 6 back toes instead of the usual four.
All kittens do have blue eyes when their eyes first open. At the age of about 4 weeks, the melanin in the eyes starts to develop and they will be about 10 weeks old when it becomes the adult eye color. Most adult black cats have gold eyes; a few have green eyes, and a very few have blue eyes.
Good to see you getting around the web!
All y’all really are special! Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day!!!
The kitties and I thank you so much for the kind words, Brian, and send Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day greetings, and purrs, in return!
Charlee: “Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day!”
Chaplin: “Nice to see all your beauties!”
Charlee and Chaplin, the kitties and I thank you for your kind words and wish y’all a Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day too!
Black Cats Appreciation Day–I had no idea it existed, but I’m so glad it does. All cats are special and beautiful, and that certainly includes the black ones who are so often foolishly overlooked in the shelters. I’ve known many, and inside that shiny black fur resides seductively mysterious cat thoughts just as they do in all cats. The main character in my novel was and had to be a black cat. I couldn’t resist.
Thank you for once again reminding us that cats absolutely rule!
Thanks Barbara C., I’m happy to spread the word about Black Cat Appreciation Day! There are other Black Cat Days too but this one seems to be the most well known. I’ve always found black cats to be really beautiful and very sweet, and it is sad that they are overlooked by adopters, either due to crazy beliefs or because they are viewed as harder to photograph. Actually there are so many techniques today that can make them stand out in photos. I may be slow to learn them but techier folks can master them easily.
Very cool that you made your main character a black cat, this is something that also helps raise the image of black cats in the public’s imagination! Let me second what a friend said on facebook, you might consider joining the Cat Writers’ Association.
I’ve got it bookmarked on Facebook with full plans to join, though I must admit that Facebook has always confused me. I never seem to know who’s talking to whom. Must be my age.
Facebook can be confusing . . . Here’s a link to the CWA website. Click “Join Us” for full instructions about how to apply. I think they are going to change the website around some time soon but that’s the way it is right now: https://catwriters.com/wp_meow/
Or, if you like you can use facebook messaging to ask other members about it, too.
Thank you! That saves me from getting lost along the way.
Dearest Leah,
Finally I can reply after having read both full stories, on the mentioned FB Page, for which I gave you the link earlier, here above.
So glad to read that your 2nd book is done now and hoping you manage to get it published this year.
Left you a comment and screenshot of my Amazon review on the Cat Writers’ Association post: https://www.facebook.com/CatWriters/posts/1875141529325022
Hoping this will help others in deciding to order your book(s). Plural now – almost… CONGRATS.
We both as authors know what it all takes to write and for trying to weave in also some scientific things it has to be thoroughly weighed out.
Big hugs from all our kitties, we had a tornado passing through around 6:00 AM. Only Spunky girl stayed outside, she was wet when she came for breakfast. Hope she hid somewhere safe. She’s always been that way, prefers to be out of the house…
Mariette
Mariette, thank you for both of those links! So sorry to hear a tornado went by, I hope that’s over now; I haven’t seen the weather but I know that the tropical storm is going through your area today. There can be tornadoes if you are on the eastern side of the storm. Stay safe!
All is calm now Leah… 🤗
Good to hear!
💞
Just before I continue to read, here is the link that you couldn’t do for linking back to your article: https://www.facebook.com/CatWriters/posts/1875141529325022
Thank you Mariette, I will work it into the post later today.
You’re quite welcome Leah!
Beautiful! All of them
The kitties and I thank you so much, Luisa!
The pleasure is all mine 😘
All beautiful!
The kitties and I thank you so much, Kate!
Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day. Beautiful kitties.
The kitties and I thank you Correne!
They are all fine, good-looking felines!!!! Happy Black Cat appreciation day!!! Love to all.
Thank you pollymorse, the kitties and I appreciate it! Happy black Cat Appreciation Day to you and love and purrs! ❤
The kitties and I thank you Garfield Hug! Franklin does have especially big eyes!
Your meowies are so gorgeously beautiful. Love their eyes – Franklin’s eyes shine out against his beautiful black coat!
I very much enjoy seeing your kitty photos. 🙂 They are all so beautiful. Enjoy Black Cat Appreciation Day!
Thank you Lynette, The kitties and I are happy you liked the pictures! We do plan to party!
It’s nice to see you back, Leah. Your cats are beautiful!
Thanks John, I’m glad to be back, somewhat . . . still have to sort out computers. The kitties and I thank you for your kind words!
Your welcome, Leah. 😻😻😍😍
What fun to read and linger with the photos! Reading this right before I go to bed … maybe there will be black cats prancing in my dreams!
Jazz, I’m happy you enjoyed the post! Black cat dreams would be fun indeed!
I did not know it was black cat appreciation day. Black cats think they should be appreciated everyday, which ours are, and so your yours. I love all your beautiful kitties.
I posted a little early, it starts on the 17th. Ours demand everyday appreciation too! I love all your gorgeous kitties too!
It will be seen on the day for most people.