A Cat Tail

I originally posted this store back in 2010.  I am reposting it today because this morning our cat Murphy passed away.  For 18 years Murphy let us pet him, feed him, scratch his ears, and spoil him rotten.  Murphy was a big part of our lives and he will be sorely missed.  Murphy was also a very special cat who always kept us entertained as you will see in the following story.

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2010

Hi! My name is Murphy!

Eric works in the construction field and wears big heavy boots that lace up past the ankles. In the evenings he usually leaves them under our kitchen table and sometimes Murphy likes to play with the laces. So it’s not unusual to find the boots knocked over or in disarray as they were one morning several years ago.

That fateful morning Eric put on the boots lacing them all the way up as usual, then stood up. Something felt a little odd about one boot. He sat down, untied the boot, took it off and straightened his sock - thinking that would fix the problem. He put the boot back on, laced it up and stood up. Darn! Something still felt a little odd.

This whole time - Murphy is just sitting there watching as though he was really interested in this strange human behavior.

Eric sat down again, took the boot off. This time he stood up and turned so the ceiling light was aimed down the boot. Then - YES - he did exactly what you know you shouldn’t do!!!! He stuck his hand in that big black hole while trying to see into the boot.

Here it is! Are you ready???? A mole, yes a mole (you know - one of those furry small rodents that tunnel through your yard) raced up his arm and took a flying leap off his shoulder onto the kitchen floor The race was on. This was exactly what Murphy had been waiting on.

It happened so fast - it took Eric a few minutes to figure out what had happened. And then he had to join the race. Eric won, disposed of the mole, took another shower and left for work.

It was just another day with Murphy.

New Release

Black Cat On A Blue Floor

Our Cat, Murphy, continues to be the subject of many of my photographs.  He hasn't always been quite so willing  to have his photo made.   Maybe as he's gotten older, he's gotten slower.  Murphy is about 18 years old.  Let's see.  In Cat years that would be .....

Why Can't I Get Any Work Done?????

It's Murphy.  Since we got Maggie, our new puppy - Murphy has been very demanding.  And since the dog can't get up on my desk, Murphy thinks when I'm sitting at it - he deserves my undivided attention.  If I put him down on the floor, he gets right back up here.  Then he wants to sit in the desk chair with me.  He crawls up behind me and wedges himself between my back and the back of the chair.  And when I get up, he just takes over the whole chair.  Urrghhhhh!!!!!

New Family Member

For a year or so now Eric and I have talked about getting a small dog to add some excitement to our lives and to keep Murphy entertained.    Right after Christmas, opportunity struck - so - now we've added a new member to our new family.

Meet Maggie.  She's only about 3 months old, a Boston Terrier.  My nephew and his wife raise these sweet little dogs in Ripley, Tennessee.    So far, Maggie has been a real bundle of joy.

It doesn't take much to keep her occupied.

As for Murphy ....

He's still here and just as ornery as ever. 

Murphy Look-A-Like

I didn't take this photo.  I got it here.

But the cat on the left could be Murphy's twin. 

I know, all you can see are eyes, but they look just like his. 

The white cat is so gorgeous.

Murphy is currently laying in the middle of the den floor, basking in the light of a floor lamp. I would post a photo but he is showing the bald spot on his tummy ... and we all know he is a little sensitive about that.

Playing Catch Up

Since my last post … first of all it takes me a few days to get over an art show. I have to put everything back where it was, or at least place it with a vendor. It has to be for sale somewhere. Just having artwork and jewelry sitting around my house doesn’t do me a bit of good. But before I can put it back on display I have to clean everything. You’d be surprised how much dust you collect in an outdoor show and how many finger prints you get when food is for sale and you have lots of kids who want to touch everything. I’m not complaining - it’s just a fact of life.

So - got the prints and print rack all cleaned up and took in back to Homestead Gardens & Gifts. Took some photos while I was there … and haven’t posted them yet, but I will.  Maybe in November.






Talked with Treva Tayloe over at Paris On The Square. She agreed to carry my jewelry and letter art.

Click here for more information.

And then of course, in the middle of all this I was trying to get the maps published for the Paris Landing Area - which I accomplished, but then I had to hand them all out to my wonderful advertisers which you can see here on my blog about Paris Landing.  And of course, I have also been taking photos for the Paris Landing blog … which … I need to post.  Maybe in November.

I also dog sat for 3 weeks for  my sister, Anne, who took a wonderful trip to Ireland. Murphy tried hard to ignore a sweet little dog name Lady. (Earlier this summer I dog sat for my little brother Art. Maybe I’ve found a new career in dog sitting.) Anne has photos, lots of photos of Ireland which I want to see and play with. Maybe in November.

Then on one of several trips over to the Fishtale Lodge, my looney friend Sharon tried to convince me to create jewelry for your boots.

Sharon multi-tasking - modeling, answering the phone, making reservations.

I think the boot jewelry is wonderful idea.  Maybe in November.

While I was there I woke up Jewels just to catch a quick snap shot.

Murphy wasn't as cooperative.  He said he's just not quick anymore.

Did I mention I also hooked up with this California Girl?

Her name is Alysia Sofias and she is here because Google sent her here to write a book about Paris.  Yeh - that's right, Paris Tennessee.  You can read about her on the Simon & Schuster website.   The above photo was taken at the Paris Winery.  I also gave her a tour of downtown Paris and lots of other places.

Don't you just love the new signs they have in downtown Paris?  And of course, on this grand tour I took more photos that I might get posted by November.

More to come .....

Where's Murphy????

I've been trying to simplify my life lately and moved all the stuff from Murphy's blog, Cat Tales by Murphy, to this blog.  That seemed to help but then I forgot to post my latest on him.  This is from a few weeks ago when our grand daughters visited. 

This is Aubrey, the oldest of our granddaughters, sneaking up on Murphy first thing in the morning. Murphy usually flees the scene when our grandchildren arrive. One of their favorite past times is trying to find Murphy so they can hug on him and love him. He just doesn’t appreciate it.

This is Aubrey scratching Murphy’s ears. This is about 2 seconds before Murphy’s paw shoots out

and pops her on the arm … and he flees the scene.

This is Murphy hiding out on the porch where he thinks no one can see him.

Yes, Murphy is alive and doing well.

White Paper

If anyone places anything white on our floor, Murphy thinks it is his job to sit on it.

It doesn't make any difference what the white thing is ... a piece of paper, bed linens, my underwear .... just anything white.  And he always has the same pose or sits the same way, like he's trying to hatch it.

We used to have a dog that did the same thing.

Does anyone know why they do this?

A New Love

Took Murphy to the vet yesterday. It was time for his annual visit, plus I wanted to ask about THE baldness problem. There is a new vet at our clinic, Lakeway Animal Clinic.

After I dumped Murphy out of his cat carrier (which requires me to turn the box on it’s end and shake) he strutted his stuff across the metal examination table. The new vet, Dr. K. rubbed his back, scratched his ears and then she leaned over and kissed him right on top of his head.

I was a little surprised and said, “Did you just kiss him on his head.” She said , “Yes. I really didn’t mean to be so obvious about it.” She was embarrassed, but she shouldn’t have been. I have also kissed Murphy on his head before. He’s a very kissable fellow. I would probably kiss him more often if he weren’t covered from head to toe in fine black hair … except for that one bald spot.

At any rate, she won me over. I figure anyone who loves animals so much she kisses them, …. Well, she’s got to be a pretty wonderful vet. Murphy agreed. He’s forgotten all about Jewels the Fishtale Cat (she had her chance) and he is now in love with Dr. K over at Lakeway Animal Clinic.

 Back to the baldness. As it turns out, no, he should not have a naked tummy. Dr. K says he could be a little OCD, and he’s just doing a little obsessive grooming, or something could be irritating his tummy causing him to nibble and pull out the hair, OR (and yes this is a big OR) he could be dragging it across something that is pulling the hair off. Like maybe his tummy drags over the edge of those really rough steps out in his bachelor pad.

We are supposed to keep a close eye on him and see if we can figure out the problem.

I just knew it had to be the steps. So far Murphy and I have had two Mexican standoffs. Both of us standing   in the back yard staring at the steps. I want to see him walk up them so I can tell if his tummy is dragging. He’s just standing there, probably wondering what I’m doing out there in his bachelor pad. I gave up first the first time. It was about 95 degrees and really hot. The second time, rather than walk up the steps as he always does, he went to the side of the steps and simply leapt onto the landing and then shot through the pet door.

Somehow, I knew this wouldn’t be easy.

The Jigs Up

I guess the jig is up.

Murphy needs a toupee.

In Love

Murphy is in love!

He hasn't met her yet. He's just seen her photos on the computer.

She lives over at the Fishtale Lodge.  Her favorite perch is in a kitchen window behind the curtains.

Her name is "Jewels."   This is why.

Isn't she gorgeous!

In or Out? What's it going to be???

Okay Murphy!  It's only about 40 degrees outside.  Do you want in or out???

In .... or out?????  Murphy?

In ... or out??? Which do you want???

Murphy???  Hey!   Murphy!!!!

The Word "No"

After about 16 - 17 years (we aren't sure how old Murphy is) he seems to be actually responding to the word "No."  Has he finally figured out what it means or is this just a courtesy considering our long friendship.  But at least now when I say "No!" he at least pauses in his misdeeds, looks at me and seems to consider what I have said.  Then he usually goes ahead and does whatever he want to do.

The War on Cat Hair and Dander

Found a new weapon this morning for my war on cat hair and dander ... the vacuum cleaner.  Not on the floor ... on Murphy. Can't believe he actually let Eric vacuum him.  Eric had the brush attachement on the hose rubbing it all over Murph.  He seemed to really enjoy it.

Lost Notes

Dear Friend,

This morning I found the note I wrote myself to remind me that I was supposed to be at your house yesterday to look at your yard project. The note was on the floor under my desk. It had two tiny little holes in it and had been slightly masticated. I asked Murphy if he knew how this had happened and all he could say was, “Ich, ich…” I really have no excuses except to blame it on Murphy.  http://cattalesbymurphy.blogspot.com/

Blame It On Murphy The Devil Cat

I'm pretty good on computers.  I can type really good and maneuver my way through the Internet.  And most of the time if I am just using the mouse I can even do it all with this sitting on my arm.

Murphy has a fascination for sitting on my arm while I am on the computer.  This could be for several reasons.

1. He's watching the screen just like me.
2. It's the mouse.  How smart is Murphy? Does he know that we call that thing a mouse?
3. It's the big red roller ball on my mouse.  He has a big red ball of yarn that he likes to play with.
4. Or it's because this is a perfect position for him to get his ears scratched.  Sorry there is no photo of this. I need at least one hand to take the photo.

I say it's number 4 above.  Murphy is very smart.  He knows he can put his butt in my nice comfy lap while he has the front part of his body propped on my desk.  He has to actually lay over my arm for security.  And of course while I am operating the mouse with my right hand ... that leaves the left hand free to scratch his ears.  And that is what Murphy is all about - ear scratching.  (Yes his ears are clean.  We check them all the time.)  Ear scratching must be just the most wonderful thing in the world to all cats.

So what am I blaming on Murphy?  Boo boos and gibberish.  Notice the proximity between Murphy and the "enter" button on the keyboard.  Murphy is notorious for sticking that left paw out and hitting the enter key.  He's also been known to have a cat fit and run across the keyboard causing all sorts of problems.  And occasionally when I have left the computer unattended for a few minutes, I have caught him trying to roll the red ball on the mouse while he is sitting on the keyboard.

So if you see gibberish from me, incomplete posts, or deleted posts ... in all likelihood it was Murphy - the Devil Cat.

Cabin Fever

Someone has cabin fever!!

It snowed here last night.  Murphy's outdoor bachelor pad and litter box

are buried under a couple of inches of snow.

Needless to say, cats and snow don't really go together.  So Murphy has to

resort to other forms of entertainment today.

He doesn't usually sit in this window. Such a thoughtful pose.  I think I know what he wants.

An ear scratch!

This would be a great shot but the light's all wrong.  Ever try to photograph a black cat???

Maybe I can play with it later.

Thanksgiving Photo

I'm crazy about this cat.  He is cantankerous sometimes, he drives me crazy wanting me to scratch his ears, and Lord knows how many times I have stepped on his tail.  But then he lets me take a photo of him like this ...  

and I remember how sweet he really is.

This photo was taken on Thanksgiving morning before our 25 guest showed up.  He stayed under the bed for most of the festivities, only making one mad dash through the living room as he headed out to his bachelor pad for a call of nature.  He was so stealthy about it, I don't think anyone else noticed.

Murphy's Bachelor Pad

Murphy is a pretty lucky cat.  In addition to having the run of the house and a screened in porch, he also has his own private fenced in yard with a cat door so he can come and go as he pleases.

The textured fiberglass steps are one of his favorite features. 

They have a nice rough texture that is especially nice for back scratching.

And head rolling.

This is Murphy's Exorcist impersonation.

It's not a very large yard. 

The see-through fence allows plenty of entertainment.   Murphy can watch for hours - kind of like watching TV.  In addition to human entertainment from across the road, Murphy has many night time visitors -deer, wild turkey, raccoons, opposums, the occasional mole or baby rabbit, lunar moths, and of course neighborhood cats. 

Another favorite feature for Murphy (and for Lee and Eric) is this outdoor sand/litter box and scratching post combination. The landscape timber holding back the sand is Murphy's favorite scratching spot. 

All in all, it's not a bad deal.