AngelKat

@angelkat.bsky.social

2114 Followers 1029 Following

Cat lover, avid reader, amateur gardener and perpetually curious.

View of my carton of Chobani PUMPKIN SPICE coffee creamer sitting in my refrigerator, condensation running down its sides b/c it’s so dang hot outside!! Dedpite it only being mid August, noticed this at my Sam’s Club run this morning … adding it to my shoppping cart 🛒 somewhat eased the pain I experienced there at the gas pump 😳⛽️ before I headed inside to buy my biweekly produce.
A little surprise gift from my friend who appreciates & supports my cat lady status even though she’s very much a dog momma. Front View: Stacking teapot & teacup with a lime green background and 2 black kitties that have curly tails on the teapot at the top and black kitty paws on the teacup in the bottom.
Raphi 🐈, my Creamsicle bff, insisting we get breakfast service going NOW! (He’s just heard the trash pickup truck 🚛 noise, so ears are very alert). Raphi is very much a morning guy. Grr.
Book Cover: What I Loved, written by Siri Hustvedt. There was a LOT going on in this book. A very cerebral story. Mostly sad, but also a true portrayal of the complexities of life & relationships. Unique (to me) about a deep & meaningful friendship between two men that are trying to be there for their families & navigate complex situations.
A double coffee with lots of cinnamon sprinkled on top. Only way to start a 100° Monday.
Completed 1,000 piece circular jigsaw puzzle 🧩, Spring Floral Wreath, by artist Katie Daisy ( 🌼 I love that her last name is Daisy). This puzzle 🧩 was a trade from my neighbor puzzler friend. She had a Post It®️ note in the box saying “Challenging”. She was correct! The circular shape presented a challenge with aligning the inner & outer border pieces, not to mention the tiny shapes of more than a few of the border pieces. I do love a challenge though - it was fun & rewarding!
Lemon bar - very tart @ yummy. Had to use up some eggs that are fast approaching their Best By date. 🍋
The American Beautyberry berries have begun their color change. Despite 100°+ temperatures for the foreseeable future, nature tells us this miserable summer will soon wane, thankfully. 🥵
3 White balsamic vinegar bottles - Left to Right: Mango White Raspberry Cilantro Garlic I still have a bit of Cranberry Pear, but running too low for comfort! The ones I intended to get were the Elderberry & the Watermelon Mint. But, I really liked these 3 today, so embracing the opportunity for change. 😊
Bee 🐝 on today’s Sweet Potato Vine flower bloom.
Bath 🛁 time is another opportunity for together time… 🐈💬 I love this guy so much. 🧡
Book Cover: 10 Minutes 38 Seconds In This Strange World, written by Elif Shafak. The title refers to this: “Researchers at various world-renowned institutions had observed persistent brain activity in people who had just died; in some cases this had lasted for only a few minutes. In others, for as much as ten minutes and thirty-eight seconds. What happened during that time? Did the dead remember the past, and, if so, which parts of it, and in what order? How could the mind condense an entire life into the time it took to boil a kettle? Successive research had also shown that more than a thousand genes continued to function in cadavers days after the person had been pronounced dead.” Here we learn of Leila’s 5 best friends. She chose well. The author has a PhD in political science and is the most widely read female author in Turkey, per her bio. This is my 2nd book by her…she writes really well & her knowledge & empathy resonate.
As a reminder, Suz is going to give this surprise quilt to her lifelong bestie, Mel, who is being a breast cancer warrior - just had her double mastectomy 3 weeks ago now as of this coming Tuesday. The photos of this quilt were taken this morning at my friend Leslie’s backyard. Leslie is still fighting her cancer battle and has the 1st quilt I made in this pattern (w/different fabrics). She actually helped me do the initial ironing of the 18 fat quarters of fabric used for this quilt before all the cutting process. It takes a village! I think it turned out lovely. Now to get it to Suz, who is going to make some kind of arrangements with Mel to get it to her soon (she has no idea about this quilt!). Can’t wait. 😊
Raphi, my Creamsicle bff, is loving the new catnip I put on the scratcher mat after running the scary vacuum cleaner. I think I’m forgiven.
The Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal are regulars at the feeder. I’ve strategically hung it so that I have a 24/7 view from my sofa. Better viewing than anything on TV. 📺
Let’s see what I threw together on yet another too hot day. Chicken sausages stuffed w/gouda (Sam’s Club), heated sauerkraut sprinkled w/lots of caraway seeds (the German in me craves this stuff), salad 🥗 of diced tomatoes, cucumbers 🥒, red onion 🔴🧅 , radishes 🫜 S&P, EVOO, white balsamic vinegar, sprinkled w/feta. Overall very healthy, quick, satisfying early dinner. Made a plate for a neighbor friend too. 😊
Blooms on the Sweet Potato Vine I planted for the first time this year in the large blue planter pot out front. Never expected there to be blooms, just a hanging vine for decorative purposes. Nice surprise. 🪴
Raphi 🐈, my Creamsicle bff, laying on top of his sofa cushion, ready to snooze, but too lazy to get up and hit the actual bed in the bedroom.
Now, just over 5 months since 2/22/26 when the 2-leaf comeback began, the indoor Calathea plant has 9 happy leaves! It once was very large and healthy, but dwindled to nothingness literally over a few days recently for some unknown reason. Hope, TLC and sunshine are real tonics — to this plant, and to our anxious hearts and heads. 💟 🪴
🧩 Close Up: 2 kitties, lounging on the porch steps of the Capeside Victorian house.
Book Cover: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter, written by Heather Fawcett. Oh did I need this book after my last few reads that were very dark. This tale was so well spun and so smart (had quite a few words I had to look up)…and it was truly magical. I’m not typically a fan of fantasy, but this felt so human, that I was enthralled. And let’s face it — it revolves around shelter cats! Agnes was so relateful in her love for all the stray cats and her desire to rescue them & find the right forever homes. Her faith in the goodness of people was her greatest strength, as was her sister who kept her grounded and protected from those who might use Agnes’ kindness. And then there’s Havelock — who has the power to make magic. What could go wrong — or perfectly right? You’ll see… Had a few notable quotes that struck me, a few of which are here: “Is there anything more contrary and self-centred than a cat? Yet I'd risk my life for them." “People with too much power aren't usually the ones harmed by their mistakes, are they?" “…And yet, wasn't I used to the feeling by now? How many times had I told myself that I could make things better, only to have the world remind me how small I was, a leaf in a vast river whose currents were governed by forces I could barely understand?”
While I read, nibbled on random things from the fridge: hard salami (not healthy, but it’s so good), muffuletta 🫒, sliced minu yellow bell peppers 🫑 , sliced cucumbers 🥒, sliced tomatoes w/feta cheese crumbles & cottage cheese in the middle. All sprinkled with Einstein Bros Everything Bagels Spice Blend (lots of it!).
A glass bowl of plain Greek yogurt 🍦 w/honey mixed in 🍯 & strawberries 🍓 on top. And a cup of coffee w/hazelnut non-dairy creamer stirred in. I made myself do 100 jump ropes before indulging. I recently started the 100 jump rope thing before starting each day when I got bone density test results back of osteopenia. Dammit, getting old sure is a blessing and a curse.😠
My outdoor Galileo thermometer in the shaded entryway on the front patio. It’s showing 80° in the shade. I’ve had this thermometer for decades - am obsessed with them. Have several indoors too.
Maui Ixora bloom. I just hand watered all the potted plants 🪴 in the back patio. It’s going to be another scorcher day. 💦
🧩 A black kitty sitting on a windowsill 🪟, looking out over NYC skyscrapers.
Maddie 🐈‍⬛, my spicy sweet Tortie, just tucked herself in for the night. 💤 🛏️ I think she’s got the right idea & we are going to follow her lead.
Book Cover: The Summer That Melted Everything, written by Tiffany McDaniel. The boys, Fielding and his brother, Grand, along with Sal, are so lovable. Their hot summer days and nights are just more than boys should ever have to endure.
Completed 1,000 piece jigsaw 🧩 puzzle, titled Colorful Cats & Flowers.
Ingredients: 🫘🍅🌽🫑🌶️🧅🥒🫜 This bowl & bag went to my bestie neighbor. I have a batch of slightly greater size to munch on the next several days. Helps to not have to cook or decide what to eat for dinner when the heat is energy zapping.
My super special friend, Suz, and I went to my favorite quilt store on Tuesday (Quilt Country in Lewisville, TX) & selected the backing and binding fabrics. As a reminder, Suz is going to give this surprise quilt to her lifelong bestie, Mel, who is being a breast cancer warrior - just had her double mastectomy last Tuesday. This quilt is very meaningful & I’m pretty honored to be a part of this in a small way by sewing away. 😊 So, today I’ll be piecing the quilt back, ironing & starching everything, cutting the batting & getting it ready to take to Julie, my community college quilt classmate friend, who is going to longarm it. Stay tuned!! I think it’s going to be so lovely.
Raphi 🐈, my Creamsicle bff, on early squirrel 🐿️ patrol at the crack of dawn this morning, turning to see if I see what he’s seeing - a squirrel sitting in the hanging bird feeder.
Book Cover: The King Of Diamonds, written by Rena Pederson. Being a local, this was a fun read. I’ve driven through the wealthiest neighborhoods this jewelry burglar hit, ate 🍕 at the infamous Campisi’s restaurant where the rich crowd and rumored mafioso gathered, and danced at a few of the nightclubs that were still around in the late 70s, early 80’s. The jewelry burglar was never officially caught - the wealthy victims, often involved in shady deals, associated with high political folks, gambling, sexual promiscuity, and dangerous mafia ties, protected their reputations over mere loss of jewels that were replaceable. Wild times, crazy money 💰. Great read, especially for us locals.
Happy birthday from black kitty with party hat. Kitty has given the best gift ever — a mouse 🐭 (sadly, a 4 paws up mouse). 🥳🎁
4 O’Clock pink blooms in the blue/green planter pot in the back patio tonight. I planted these from seed last year & they survived overwintering.
Bowling cat image 🐈‍⬛ 🎳 (Pinterest - Redbubble)
My concoction of whipped espresso powder, 2 oz. hot water, brown sugar, honey, ice cubes and whole milk. I added my own flair with a drizzle of chocolate on top because I could. 🫘
Today’s Morning Glory blooms. 😊
Book Cover: That Old Cape Magic, written by Richard Russo. What a mid-life crisis for stubborn Griffin. He really has it all, but can’t seem to stop second guessing everything. A wife of 30+ years who tries to get him out of his funk, but then tires of all the effort. It’s a fun read about what goes through this man’s mind, but too stubborn to ask questions or seek answers to things bothering him. Oy.
Raphi, my bestie Creamsicle bff 🐈, contemplating giving in to the sleeps in lieu of more play time.
Fideo (Mexican chicken soup). Made it with Knorr’s Caldo de Tomate bouillon, added leftover rotisserie chicken, spiced it up with lots of Mexican Oregano, fresh cilantro & topped w/ feta because that’s what I had. 2 slices of a baguette 🥖 for soaking up the broth.
American Pokeweed in the front garden today. The berries are very eye-catching and pretty. The birds are landing in it, feeding off the berries. I hate this thing (over 3 feet tall now), but keep it for the birds who “planted” it in my yard in the first place. Nature.
Baby lizard 🦎 in the Lantana - nice camouflage! 💚
Morning Glory this morning…the vine is finally starting to bloom more. 💜
Book Cover: Run, written by Ann Patchett. A 24 hour period in the lives of a well off family with 2 adopted black boys, their biological white son, being raised by their only surviving parent, their dad. But an accident in a Boston snowstorm changes everything and brings into focus the issues of race, privilege and ultimately family (with a dose of politics sprinkled in). I loved this book, especially the found sister of the adopted boys, Kenya.
Ta da! The strawberry 🍓 ice cream 🍨 is perfection. Shared with 2 friends today, because if I didn’t, the lbs would be out of control. 🤭
I very rarely think twice about undoing a completed jigsaw, often within hours of completing, but this one was different. Also, I can’t remember doing a jigsaw twice, on purpose anyway, but this is the first one I actually wanted to glue together and hang. This might be a do-over, frame & hang. 🖼️ 🧩🌻
Book Cover: The Elements, written by John Boyne. A very disturbing read, albeit well-written. Was not surprised after reading this, to learn that the author was abused as a teen. This one will stick with me for a while, much like “A Little Life” has.
Completed 500 piece jigsaw puzzle 🧩, Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. This is the most gold-foiled jigsaw puzzle I’ve ever completed. Just beautiful. And the pieces were cut in such a manner that you had to make sure the continuity of the foil lines lined up to actually know if the piece was in the right place. Loved this challenge! (As a side note, my puzzler friend gave up on this one within under an hour —too frustrating…I’ve never known her to do that!).