And Its Goodnight From Me - Crookshanks and Tigger

Crookshanks, named after a cat from Harry Potter, and his brother Tigger, named after the bouncy friend of Pooh, are tabby and white tom cats.

Crookshanks is solid and muscular whereas Tigger is slim line and sleek. They are both friendly gentlemen and very placid unless wound up, which as they are older boys the younger ones have learned not to do too often.

The cat is described as graceful and agile, whoever came up with that had not met this clumsy pair of clowns, but what they lack in cat style and panache they make up for by the bucket load with their loving natures.

Tigger is more aloof than his brother, preferring not to rough it with the floor cats. Crookshanks is that little bit more into mog socializing.

Tigger owns Paul and will seek him out above any other human. When Paul is as college or out with his girlfriend Tigger will be by the door at the time he is due home. If Paul is late he will be made to feel totally guilty.

Crookshanks employs Jamie as fuss giver and ear scratcher. He is a really special cat having given Jamie, who suffers from ADHD and Asperger's, a sense of calm and security.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Bad Language

In addition to my morning and evening pages I am going to also do 60o seconds at lunch.

Yesterday's morning page was far to deep for my just waking up brain. So at lunch time I am going to do a 600 second scribble on a set topic or question. No limits, whatever comes up from the prompts. I will have a go at it. I apologise now if the language gets a little fresh but I do not believe in hiding behind a fear of a word. Personally I do not think any words are bad language in the right context. It is the intent behind the usage of the word not the word itself that can be good or bad.

Copyright:JeMs2007

And It's Goodnight From Me - Mrs Pooh

Pooh, named after AA Milne's bear with little brain, is a smokey grey and white mother cat. She is mummy to Waya, Nightmare and Nobby.

Pooh is a wonderful mum too, very attentive to her babies who are now weaned and ignore her, much like human kids really.

Pooh is a quiet little moggie unless she is calling the kits to bed, for a wash or a meal. Then she finds her delicate, little meow.

Like all queen cats Pooh is elegant and serene, friendly but that little bit aloof. Pooh's best friend is Tiddles, who I suspect is also daddy to the kits.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - What Part of Your Body is Most Sensuous?

Is it the fingers that can caress so gently, stroke so vigorously and probe so divinely? Or is it the mouth, lips and tongue which sucks eagerly, licks so fast and leaves butterflies as they kiss? Oh my god I am sure I am not the right person to answer that!!! Surely that is a question for the one receiving the attention not the one giving it. My kick is causing and seeing reaction with and for my lover so maybe it is my eyes as they observe.

Actually I would say no to all of the above, the most sensuous and erotic part of he body is ' the little grey cells'. Where is the sense of erotica and desire fed most, the brain, of course.

Sensuality is not just doing touchy, feely, licky, licky. Its using the lust, love, need and desire of myself and my lover to enhance, heighten and develop pure pleasure, using the act of sex as a tool to release the senses to fly without wings and barriers.

Imaginative sex keeps the intimate side of a relationship vital and alive, allowing a little fantasy to become a safe reality. To be on a level of physical intamacy way beyond that of the casual-one-night-stand-lust-satisfying-fuck needs thought and effort. The act of love should be a respite from the daily grind and not a part of it. To allow sex to become mundane runs the risk of lessening a deep relationship.

Copyright:JeMs2007

And It's Goodnight From Me - The First of the Girls, Waya

Waya is the youngest grey kitten, she is given the Tsgali name for she wolf, named after me and the Celtic goddess of the wolf. Her wolf grey eyes hopefully will not change to the cat standard green or amber.

Waya is lively and full of mischief, a typical young, playful kitten. Her sleep place, if she escapes mummy Pooh putting her to bed, is snuggled up with a group of moggies at the back of under the couch. Out of reach of all the human staff, but as yet she cannot find a place where Ferret cannot find her.

Waya's favourite game is shoe kayaking, especially with my trainers and clogs.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Childhood Heroes

'Who was your childhood hero?' asks the journal prompt. Can I even remember that far back. Well yes I vaguely remember being fanatical, no make that obsessive, about Enid Blyton's 'Famous Five'. My hero was George, short for Georgina, and a world class tom boy, so a natural hero for me.

Julian and Dick, being boys held no interest for me and at my young age boys were definitely yucky, very yucky. Anne was too girly girl and then there was Timmy, George's dog and he was a babe.

I don't really remember their adventures but somehow this group of boarding school kids got into dangerous and exciting adventures even if they were unlikely.

Naturally their adventures included picnics and ginger beer. Every meal it seems included ginger beer.

If I remember rightly George's dad was a scientist and her mum, as was typical to the time era, was a housewife, cook' cleaner etc.I think she even makes the ginger beer.

Copyright:JeMs2007

And It's Goodnight From Me - Mr Snowy

Snowy is another gentleman tom cat. As his name suggests he is predominantly white apart from his tabby ears and snowflake tipped tail. The only thing missing from this dapper gentleman's appearance is a bow tie and monocle. Mr Snowy is suave and sophisticated to look at.

Snowy likes to play ball even consenting ti pick it up and bring it back. Well that way he gets to play longer, he is not a just a pretty cat.

Snowy's sleep place is on top of the wardrobe and he will gently nuzzle, from above, the head of the human staff so he gets his fuss.

Snowy is a bit of a ladies man but a gent and not a cad. The tortoiseshell girls, Topaz and Roo, are frequently his companions or if he is spending time with the chaps he is found with his best buddies Spike and Charlie.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Simply Painting

Much like my Morning Pages my Simply Painting is my free writing equivalent with pencil and paint.

And much like my free writing the ideas jump all over the place. I wonder if anyone will ever make sense out of either journal.

Both are sure fun to do and look back at. I know from my art journals the base of many an idea that has become a painting has been born this way. Hopefully that is the same for a writing journal. I guess all good stories started as a glimmer of a thought.

Now I am wondering if classics like The Hobbit came from some nugget Tolkien put in his journal one day. Its hard to imagine that an epic novel such as Lord of the Rings came from a mere nugget of thought. Could that really happen?

Copyright:JeMs2007

And Its Goodnight From Me - Ferret Wishes to Introduce his Brother Smurf

Smurf is a fluffier version of Ferret, still the same bluey grey colouring though. He tends to stay in his brother's shadow being the timid one of the two. However, he is the first to his brother's side if needed.

Smurf is a very pretty cat, the sort of mog that appears on chocolate boxes or jigsaw puzzles, a real cutie pie cat.

Smurf also likes to sleep on the pillow, Ferret's pillow, on my bed, which being Ferret's place, he is one of the select few permitted to do so. He also helps out with the kitten sitting. Perhaps they get paid in catnip.

Smurf enjoys watching the fishing programs on TV if I remember i
to switch over before I go to bed.He's a very quiet cat with simple pleasures, the cat type you don't know is there.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - The Devil Wears Prada

My new read is 'The Devil Wears Prada', I have not seen the movie as yet or even read the first page of the book but thought I would use the title for my journal prompt anyway.

So is the old devil label concious? A fashion guru even? I can't see it somehow. The concept of the evil lord mincing about in high fashion doesn't really work for me. Then again the concept of the devils doesn't work either. Perhaps he looks like Jeff Banks or David Emanuelle.

Wh would the devil wear Prada? Is he loyal to one fashion housed or designer? Or is there Gucci and Versace in his wardrobe too? Maybe even Nike flashed trainers for his more casual days.

I am sure the devil would be a well heeled gentleman, the bad guys always are, Count Dracula for one. Suave evening dress, cape and cane a right dandy. Do they have dress down days in hell? Let's face it the bad boys would look just as hunky in levis and leather jackets.

I would have thought the point would be to live unnoticed in the world of man and in today's world, although it is gorgeous to see a guy dressed as a gentleman of style, dressed up in man speak means a clean t shirt, is if he posesses such, and a scrape or two with a gillette. OK us girls are not much better prefering to wear denim to elegant dresses (never even owned an elegant dress me).

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - The Stones at Avebury

For me the stone circle at Avebury is my spiritual home. It is the one place I feel absolutely in tune with the powers that be. I am learning my Pagan path, and will be till my dying day, oddly enough that involves journalling too, so many aspects of my life do to some level. I always find it easier to write and paint sat in the stones, maybe that is because all my ' stop don't do that's leave me and I am free creatively. In my other writing class we had to choose a decade from our life and name it. Mine 1996 -2006 and I call it enlightenment.

Copyright:JeMs2007

And Its Goodnight From Me - Let's Meet Ferret

Ferret is a Burmese grey gentleman cat.A cat of honour, courage and principle. He is an extremely loyal and trustworthy young man, not normal traits in any cat, though mere humans are still staff.

Ferret's protective nature means he spends a lot of his time 'on duty' with the young kittens, Nipper, Nobby, Waya and Nightmare. These four bundles of mischief run poor Ferret ragged but he is so patient with them.

Ferret's sleep place is on a pillow, his pillow, on my bed or if he is cat napping on my wardrobe where he can open his eyes and see exactly whats going on.

Ferret's distinguished air and graceful movement are a delight but even so when the mood takes him he will drop all his airs and graces and run hectic after a ping pong ball.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Poppy Red

I'm really getting into abstract flower photography. If you zoom in close enough you can trip the mind to a different thing entirely. Also a lot of my art work is 'fairy' and there is always the flower fairy connection going on. The abstracts of flowers started as an exercise in research for detailing my fairies. This poppy became a set of crimson wings. Yeah OK my mind is warped i know that and have known that since I was a little kid. I never did see things as 'normal' people do.The little girl in her own make believe world my mum used to say.I am not so sure it is make believe now, my mind still pulls things from images and events. The images are real, the events really happen so just maybe its remotely possible what I see is really there. I hope so. It is kind of nice to think the fairy folk make things beautiful and magical. Not that mankind deserves it of course.

Copyright:JeMs2007

And Its Goodnight From Me - Introducing Raven

Raven is a smooth-haired black as night tom cat. An affectionate to the point of being totally over familiar mog. This endless loving affection and his bad eyesight allow him to get a way with a bit more than most cats. A gentle nature except when He wants a fuss, then the gentle paw will smack if he doesn't get a cuddle or allowed to perch on a shoulder. Raven is one of the shelf cats prefering to share a dish of cat kibble with Tigger and Feather than hob nobbing with the floor cats. hHe is definitely an aristocat, a monocle would suit his demeanour as well has improve his lousy eyesight. There is an air of 'Lord Peter Wimsey' about Raven.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Another Trip to Zen

'Every obstacle is an opportunity'. Well yes that is true, so very true, seeing it, however, can be somewhat difficult,

Sometimes I think maybe life's obstacles are fate's sign posts to guide us back in the right direction. Being that creature human we are apt to getting it so very wrong at times.

As an artist a lot of my work involves what I call 'happy accidents. My medium of watercolour sometimes seems to have its own ideas how things should be, and frequently that doesn't concur with mine. Invariably, on those 'happy accidents' I am wrong and the paint has it spot on. So I have learned not to argue or fight with it.

I suppose writing can be the same if the ideas decide they want to do different to the writer, maybe not that sounds just a slightly nuts.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Zen Thoughts

Yep I have woken up on planet Zen again. Actually I don't do that as often as I would like as one needs a peaceful mind for that. I went to sleep with a calm CD on and woke up in a really relaxed state. So I am making an informed guess that it works.
I bought it for my lone yoga sessions as that is about inner peace too. Now doing half an hour or so each day and feeling much more at ease for it.

Anyway the Zen quote in my diary, the last place anything remotely peaceful and philosophical should be, is 'When making choices in life... don't forget to live!' I really quite like that and can relate to it too.

I am one of those dreadful to do lists people and have an ever growing list o n my cork board of things I should do, want to do, need to do and have to do. Funny thing is the I want to do's never move up much as work , family, house and of course the cats all have things that need doing first.

I have made yoga a must do and I am sure the cats think I am mad as I move between asanas on my purple mat. Queen cat Ashley just looks on and I am sure she shakes her head at me. Whatever she does after a few minutes she pointedly looks away, aghast into space - totally impressed not! Not sure how I will deal with Crowe, he's convinced me going all medative means jump on me

Copyright:JeMs2007

And Its Goodnight From Me - If a Picture Paints 1000 words...

If that really is the case why do i find writing a hell of a lot more difficult. I can paint without thinking most days, if i try and write it oh boy, its tough.Maybe i should read a dictionary and get some word power.

Thinking about it, which i am not meant to do when free writing, when I started drawing and then painting it was the same. I am guessing it is really about confidence - Andy thinks I should write up my characters using our cats for inspiration. That could be kind of fun, and I don't suppose the mogs would mind, some would be shocked i hadn't been doing that anyway. So maybe i will give that a go when I get back from Sussex. Give me a laugh before bed if nothing else and will keep the bedtime entries going for a couple of months or so, yes we have a lot of cats.

Copyright:JeMs2007

And Its Goodnight From Me - Feeling More Positive

Got lost in my world of pictures today, which for me is good, good, oh ya please that's so good!! My mind is kicking back in seeing stories behind the images and I noted them down as I went hopefully might have a snippet or two to play with.

Did loads of walking too, which is something I really need to do more of. Yeah Jem when you gonna do that then your diary is like crammed full of crap already girl!

Still reading Anne Rice - horror fiction Jackanory style - a thrilling installment each night. I used to love Jackanory as a kid too. Why did the stop that? Oh yeah kids aren't allowed to dwell in fantasy or dream anymore. Shame on our society for that one. OK I'll shut up before I get on my illustrious soap box.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Did Ya Miss Me?

OK life got in the way of my writing time and everything else I do that is mine. I really need to start making Jems time one of my list of priorities. I won't of course, always bottom of life's laundry basket me.

I bet you didn't even notice I wasn't about. Or more like you noticed and sighed with relief at not having to put up with my mutterings. That's more like it! Not feeling to good about me today. I'm my own worst enemy really.

Copyright:JeMs2007

And Its Goodnight From Me - Argh Leave Me Alone

Did me saying 'Fed' put a homing beacon on me or what? Everywhere I have been,everything I have tried to do , there is 'Fred'. Stress out time!!!! Thankfully my bedroom is a 'Fred' free zone and will forever remain so.

Yeah OK its 8.30pm and I'm already hiding in my bedroom. Unheard of for me I am a night owl or howl if its a full moon. Actually am snugged up with an Anne Rice novel, haven't been in touch with her writing for too many years. Maybe I should set the vamps after 'Fred'. Too delicious a thought right now and far too tempting!!!

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Trick of the Eye

OK back to picture inspired entries. I love this picture. Its so clever but not pretentious. I'm not sure if its natural beauty or beauty in nature probably both.

I've painted this picture more times than I have had chocolate cake and maybe its easy as it never goes wrong on me. I prefer to say its my own trick to get my artist mojo moving.

I also feel it proves the point that if we take time to look there is beauty and magic everywhere. A message to the world to open their eyes because life is beautiful and we are missing it.

Copyright:JeMs2007

And Its Goodnight From Me - 'Fred' People

I just re-read my Morning Pages and realise nobody else has a clue what I mean by a 'Fred' person. So a quick definition from the world of 'Fred'

'Fred's are people of narrow and closed minds and ways. They refuse to change with the times, or allow people to live their lives as they see fit. It comes courtesy of the original Fred, my step grandad who is so stuck in his own ways and routines that a tornado couldn't move the old sod.

On that I apologise to the guy in the photo you are probably a very nice man but sorry mate you look like a 'Fred'.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Writing Lives

Today I have a writing class, not really sure what to expect from this one, the course notes weren't that informative so I guess a surprise awaits me.

I'm going to the library after I need some quiet time to work. That is just not happening at home. No real surprise there.

I started writing the first task for Vanda. A character profile. Seems to be going OK or that could be that the female picture just says something to me. The male is definitely a 'Fred' person so I'm going to leave him be.

Copyright:JeMs2007

And Its Goodnight From Me - Awesomely Relaxed

Oh wow! Yoga was something else! Why was I ever so nervous!

It's not just physical training -- you wouldn't catch me doing it if it were. It's about complete well being and I feel like I stepped of the planet for a precious moment. Everything was just so still, so perfectly peaceful. I need more of that please!!!

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Asana Day

It's my first group yoga session today and for all the zen and inner calm I;m excited. Yeah surprise surprise Jems the tree hugger is into yoga and meditation. Up until today that has been something I practiced privately. Now I have a lil bit of confidence I;m going to try and do it with a group.

I got my mat and blanket (for some crazy reason I really chill out during chill out). Honest I really am not going to curl up on my mat and take a kip.

Copyright:JeMs2007

And Its Goodnight From Me - Exhausted

It has been a wonderful day and I am absolutely exhausted but in a satisfied, I done good, way. I really enjoy painting with Sue she let's my mind do its thang. Not many can or do, always telling me to stop thinking and grow up. Why would I want to do that? Whilst Tolkien remains in print it will never happen.

This morning I think I shocked Sue by not choosing the fairy picture as my study piece. She and everyone else had my name on that one. OK any other day of the week they would have been right. I love my fairies. I am even keeping myself on my toes.

I did a little research on Andrew Wyeth, he's still with us at 90. Christina sadly died in 1968. Anyway I have a little information to work with when I can get to my PC.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Christina's World

Painting class started today so I forgot to write my journal as I got all hassled getting my kit together - well it was together just not boxed up. I could use the class materials but like most artists I have my fave brush, paints, palettes, I am even lil Miss Particular about what pencil I draw or sketch with. I'm just as freaky about writing tools too. I wouldn't sit down to write without Parker and Quink.

Anyway to today's topic, Sue has suggested I do a write up to accompany my piece at class. So Vanda when you read this, is that allowable? I'd kinda like to take up the challenge.

Everyone says Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth is a sad picture yet I don't see sadness and barely feel it either. Christina has/had some sort of degenerative disability, yes that is sad I know. But when you read of her determination and refusal to let that beat her then for me the picture is full of hope, determination and inspiration.

Sketching the piece, I wanted so much to focus on how Christina saw things so now as I am painting it I keep finding myself trying to focus on her view so am finding work on anything below her nigh on impossible. I so want to do this and unite my writing and art for the first time. I want to but also feel nervy -- how bizarre I don't get nerves. I know a fair few people who will delight in that thought.

Copyright:JeMs2007

And Its Goodnight From Me - In the Context of Eternity Time Doesn't Matter

This is one of my favourite zen quotes. How so much of our lives is governed by the clock? How many of us don't have enough time?

Time takes over our lives and we end up rushing about like headless chickens not allowing ourselves to pause or reflect. Its not healthy for anyone of us.

So what if taking a few minutes for a breath makes us a little late for something. Surely by allowing ourselves a moment of stillness we are more efficient and able to do what we do.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - Ferry Across The Mersey

The mighty river Mersey, the Liver building and Liverpool the city always tell me I am home or leaving, either way the Scouser I am is awakened.

When I was growing up the Mersey was sad and dying, her once prestigious docks stood still and empty. A symbol of the downside of Thatcherism, high unemployment and poverty. The Scouse accent told the world you were a scally, untrustworthy and probably stupid. So when I left home I lost the accent to make myself credible and employable. I left my beloved home town behind me. Now I cherish my Scouse roots nowhere else is home to my heart and nowhere else ever will be.

Now free enterprise has given a breath of life and regeneration to the Mersey's mighty docks. Now they are homes and distractions to the affluent. Out of reach of the average scally Scouse but I can't hate that. Liverpool needed something to happen.

Not that it was ever as poor as its image. The community has always been a rich combination of cultures, religions and races. An extremely dodgy flirtation with the slave trade helped there.

To me the streets of Liverpool are home, where I played without fear. I am sure things happened but the public glare that happens today just didn't occur so us street kids were not wrapped in cotton wool or scared of being outside. The price of openness maybe is fear.

Copyright:JeMs2007

Morning Pages - My Fair Lady

Morning Pages

No I am not going to do a rewrite of a classic -- I couldn't improve it anyway. My photo today (Oh lucky me) is Audrey ( the Diva) Hepburn.

Anyone who knows me knows AH is to be the absolute ideal of femininity and woman hood. Beautiful, elegant, graceful and always a lady.

AH is the subject of many of my paintings and I have no doubt will be subject on more than one occasion in my journals. It is always a pleasure to see her.

I have often asked myself why AH? I still don't know what it is about her. Maybe the mysterious X factor does exist.

Perhaps we all have an ideal -- a person we would like to emulate. Yeah right Jems no chance, not even close. Maybe its her sheer essence of grace that entraps me. Well if that is the case if I glean a little grace it is a 100% improvement on the tom boy that I am and always have been. I cannot see AH climbing trees or jumping out of aeroplanes. Did she want to? Was she trapped in her image? I hope not.

Jems 1 September 2007

Copyright:JeMs2007

And Its Goodnight From Me - If Birds Didn't Use Their Wings...

A line from a TV advertisement and no I can't remember what the ad was for, that one line grabbed my imagination. Not a good result for the ad makers I guess.

The idea of all the birds walking instead of flying, would there be any room left for the human kind? Probably tidier as can't see Sally sparrow dropping litter too often. The eagle would lose its elegance of soaring to the greatest heights that makes it king of the birds. Would man have ever been inspired to create the machines of flight we all take for granted?

No aeroplanes, no cheap flights to the sun. Is that such a bad thing? The tree hugger in me doesn't think so. The only loss would be to mankind's enormous damaging carbon footprints. Maybe we would learn to love and appreciate the local world around us instead of searching for the exotic excitement.

Copyright:JeMs2007