LUMA

“Invent yourself and then reinvent yourself, don’t swim in the same slough. Invent yourself and then reinvent yourself and stay out of the clutches of mediocrity. Invent yourself and then reinvent yourself, change your tone and shape so often that they can never categorize you. Reinvigorate yourself and accept what is but only on the terms that you have invented and reinvented. Be self-taught. And reinvent your life because you must; it is your life and its history and the present belong only to you.” - Bukowski

via Eugenia Vela

Photo: Cathryn

Now for something completely different … I’m not sure how I feel about this - a book featuring photos of white cats dressed up in costumes ! - but the images are awfully sweet looking and creative. “Fashion Cats” consists of the creations of Japanese “cat tailor” Takako Iwasa. 

In an interview last year in the Global Post, the designer, known as Iwasa-San, advised on how to implement the clothing: “First, dress her [your cat] up. Cheer or yell. Do whatever you like to enjoy the moment with your family.
 Second, after you are enough with your joy, take a photo!
 And third, remove her clothes and give her a hug, say ‘Thank you!’”

I am actually not advocating this although Iwasa-San comes across as a very genuine, cat-loving person. The article clarifies that “While Cat Prin enjoys a status as popular sensation in Japan, you don’t see many costumed cats paraded in the streets of Tokyo.” Thankfully!

One idea that I have that I’d like to set up with my book (when it is ultimately done!) is that some money would go towards animal rescue, adoption and advocacy. It’d be great if “Fashion Cats” did that as well. Perhaps the author will when the book comes out April 19th.

If you don’t have a cat, or have only one (I believe everyone should have at least two!), maybe this will be your incentive to adopt one!

In New York City, with its high kill shelter system, 13,000 animals were killed last year. People drop them off there for a myriad of reasons; it’s uncertain if they realize the likely sad fate that is in store. If you are in NYC, to save an animal’s life, visit the ACC or learn of animals on “Death Row” via Facebook. Outside NYC, please visit your local shelter and let’s all advocate for a No-Kill system. These animals would be happy to have a great, new home — even if that meant being dressed up in a costume once in awhile!

As I was writing this, Bella, my gorgeous calico cat, insisted on sitting on the computer. I picked her up and looked deep in her eyes and said “Stop! Or I’m going to dress you up in a costume.”

She’s now keeping her distance.

** Additional photos at Power House books. 

The view out the back window of my previous Park Slope, Brooklyn apartment where Snow White and The Little Mermaid are seen frolicking. (One day the pictures disappeared and it was just a plain blank canvas again.)

Found sitting on top of a dead rabbit in the middle of Route 17M in rural upstate New York, it was discovered that this Red Tail Hawk had a band on her. Upon further investigation, rehabilitators realized that she is 27 years old, one of the oldest living hawks known.

New York Times:

“A motorist, worried that the bird would be hit by a car, stopped to pick her up after seeing her feeding on a rabbit carcass in the road. When the bird didn’t fight him and wouldn’t let the rabbit go, he figured there was something wrong with her and put her in the back of his van, where she perched on a mop handle.”

The bird is now at The Raptor Trust in Millington, New Jersey. She “will be fed and observed at least through the winter. If she is fully healed and able to fly, she will probably be released back into the wild.”

Good luck, RTH!

Photo: Yana Paskova for the New York Times

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

~Dr. Seuss

This photo was taken earlier this year on a near perfect February day outside Vox Pop (“Voice of the People”), the former coffee shop/political space/restaurant/bar/book store in Brooklyn neighborhood Ditmas Park/Flatbush. Everyone was inside - except — unless you look closely, you’ll miss him! — for this funny dog seated on a bench right outside the window.

Vox Pop was known for its unique role as a successful political and community gathering space, operating as such since 2004.

For my birthday this year, I invited friends to join me on Cortelyou Road, a strip which features a mix of the eclectic, the hip, and the old school. First stop: drinks at flower-shop-by-day, bar-at-night Sycamore, then dinner at tiny Tibetan restaurant, Cafe Tibet. Our last stop for tea & cake was Vox Pop, never anticipating in a few months, it would be closed for good.

Beginning late 2009, Vox Pop’s financial troubles came to light and the cafe was shut down. In a major effort, neighbors and fans rallied to save it. The corporation’s board put shares up for purchase (I own one share!) to further involve the community in the coffee shop’s future and help pay off the debts. It felt like Vox Pop would make it.

A lack of transparency, oversight and bad business decisions put Vox Pop in jeopardy again and on August 24th it was seized by the state for failure to pay back taxes. This time, this unparalleled space will not be reopening.

Vox Pop … Now:

Photos: Cathryn

“It was high counsel I once heard given to a young person. Always do what you are afraid to do.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photo: Timothy K. Hamilton