Sunday, May 1, 2011

The Literate Cat


 
There are cats and cats. - Denis Diderot

Patricia Highsmith with "Ripley"


 W.H. Auden with "Pangur"

"Pangur, white Pangur, How happy we are
Alone together, scholar and cat." 




 Aldous Huxley with "Limbo"

"No man ever dared to manifest his boredom so insolently as does a Siamese tomcat when he yawns in the face of his amorously importunate wife." - Aldous Huxley

Sylvia Plath with "Daddy"

"And I a smiling woman. 
I am only thirty. 
And like the cat I have nine times to die."

Doris Lessing with "Black Madonna"

 Samuel Beckett with "Murphy" and "Watt"

 Mark Twain with "Huckleberry"

George Bernard Shaw with "Pygmalion"

 William Carlos Williams with "Adam and Eve"

As the cat
by William Carlos Williams

As the cat
climbed over
the top of

the jamcloset
first the right
forefoot

carefully
then the hind
stepped down
into the pit of
the empty
flowerpot


 Gore Vidal with "Caligula"

 Randall Jarrell with "Little Friend"

Edward Gorey with "Harp, Brown and Company"

 Ezra Pound with his three cats (also tried for high treason after the war)

Tame Cat
by Ezra Pound

It rests me to be among beautiful women
Why should one always lie about such matters?
I repeat:
It rests me to converse with beautiful women
Even though we talk nothing but nonsense,

The purring of the invisible antennae
Is both stimulating and delightful.  


 Ernest Hemingway with "Nick"

Ernest Hemingway had an affinity for many things, his feline companions being one of them. The “Hemingway Cat,” or polydactyl, is a feline that, instead of the normal 18 toes, has six or more toes on the front feet and sometimes an extra toe on the rear. Hemingway had many talents and interests. He was an extreme cat-lover because he admired the spirit and independence of the species. He acquired his first feline from a ship’s captain in Key West, Florida, where he made his home for many years. Today, around 60 felines live at the Ernest Hemingway Museum and Home in Key West. They are protected by the terms left in his will.  
 

 Raymond Chandler with "Big Sleep"

 Truman Capote with "Tiffany"

"She was still hugging the cat. "Poor slob," she said, tickling his head, "poor slob without a name. It's a little inconvenient, his not having a name. But I haven't any right to give him one: he'll have to wait until he belongs to somebody. We just sort of took up by the river one day, we don't belong to each other: he's an independent, and so am I. I don't want to own anything until I know I've found the place where me and things belong together. I'm not quite sure where that is just yet. But I know what it's like." She smiled, and let the cat drop to the floor. "It's like Tiffany's," she said." 




Elizabeth Bishop with "Minnow"

Lullaby for the Cat
by Elizabeth Bishop

Minnow go to sleep and dream,
Close your great big eyes:
Round your bed Events prepare
The pleasentest surprise.

Darling Minnow, drop that frown,
Just cooperate.
Not a kitten shall be drowned
In the Marxist State.

Joy and Love will both be yours,
Minnow, don’t be glum.
Happy days are coming soon –
Sleep, and let them come . . .


Churchill with "Marmelade"


While many bits of trivia might be known about Winston Churchill, his love of felines isn't necessarily one of them. Nevertheless, he owned several cats and, during his later years, was particularly fond of Jock, who was a "ginger tom" (a "marmalade cat"). During his time as PM, his best-known cat was a grey called Nelson. During a dinner at the PM's country residence, Chequers, American war correspondent Quentin Reynolds noted Churchill as saying: "Nelson is the bravest cat I ever knew. I once saw him chase a huge dog out of the Admiralty. I decided to adopt him and name him after our great Admiral." During dinner, Reynolds noted, "When Mrs. Churchill was not looking, the Prime Minister sneaked pieces of salmon to Nelson." There were even rumors that Nelson sat in with his master during Cabinet meetings, and Churchill once told a colleague that Nelson was doing more than he was for the war effort.


Allen Ginsberg with "Howl"

"I saw the best cats of my generation destroyed by madness."


 Jack Kerouac with "Tyke"

 "Holding up my 
purring cat to the moon 
I sighed."

 William S. Burroughs with "Junkie"

Charles Bukowski with "Factotum"

The History Of One Tough Motherfucker
by Charles Bukowski (last verse)

I shake the cat, hold him up in 
the smoky and drunken light, he's relaxed he knows... 
it's then that the interviews end 
although I am proud sometimes when I see the pictures 
later and there I am and there is the cat and we are photo- 
graphed together. 
he too knows it's bullshit but that somehow it all helps.

 Don Delillo with "Mao II"

Hermann Hesse with "Narciss"

Jorge Luis Borges with "Aleph"

Julio Cortázar with "Bestiario"

 Alberto Moravia with "Agostino"

 Jospeh Brodsky with "Urania"

Haruki Murakami with Kafka

 André Bazin with "Chaplin"

 Louis-Ferdinand Céline with "Mea Culpa"

Françoise Sagan with "Brahms"

Jean-Paul Sartre with "Nothing"

Albert Camus with "Stranger"

Jaques Derrida with "Logos"

"Logos, a living, animate creature, is thus also an organism that has been engendered. An organism: a differentiated body proper, with a center and extremities, joints, a head, and feet."   (Jaques Derrida, Plato's Pharmacy)


 Michel Foucault with "Insanity"

Robert Frost

The cat comes into the room.
I put the cat out.
The cat comes in again.
(Robert Frost)


The Ad-dressing of Cats
by T.S. Eliot 

You've read of several kinds of Cat,
And my opinion now is that 
You should need no interpreter 
To understand their character.
You now have learned enough to see
That Cats are much like you and me
And other people whom we find
Possessed of various types of mind.
For some are same and some are mad
And some are good and some are bad
And some are better, some are worse--
But all may be described in verse.
You've seen them both at work and games,
And learnt about their proper names,
Their habits and their habitat:
But how would you ad-dress a Cat?

So first, your memory I'll jog,
And say:  A CAT IS NOT A DOG.

And you might now and then supply
Some caviare, or Strassburg Pie,
Some potted grouse, or salmon paste--
He's sure to have his personal taste.
(I know a Cat, who makes a habit
Of eating nothing else but rabbit,
And when he's finished, licks his paws
So's not to waste the onion sauce.)
A Cat's entitled to expect
These evidences of respect.
And so in time you reach your aim,
And finally call him by his NAME.

So this is this, and that is that:
And there's how you AD-DRESS A CAT.
 
Jean Gaumy
 
Most photos thanks to writersandkitties 

75 comments:

  1. Vraiment, Gunther, les mots me manquent.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You just convinced me to have a cat. I think the whole world is in the difference between a cat and a dog. Whole world, really.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for providing definitive evidence that cats are truly superior beings. Except maybe Borges' cat. He seems a little "special."

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had not thought of a cat as a muse. Perhaps literature owes more to the feline race than we have realized?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have had and have cats that look like a few shown, but as of late they have become hogs for attention. I feel like a tree with them climbing all over me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a great post. Cats are cool in a way that no other animal can ever hope to emulate and now I find that some of my literary heroes were/are as wild about them as I am. Yay.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Awesome photos. I think this post has inspired my next "to read" list.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is a wonderful collection. Thank you for putting it together.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is an amazing collection - thank you for compiling it! Cats are the perfect companions for a writer.

    Kind Regards
    H

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fabulous post, congratulations! I already shared it on my Facebook page.

    Diva Drusilla and Agripina, my adored cats, also loved it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kafka - Murakami, so i now ther hi take the persons

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wirklich sehr gut, wie immer. Vielen herzlichen Dank für diese sehr ausführliche Dokumentation
    "le chat est à nos côtés le souvenir chaud, poilu, moustachu et ronronnant d'un paradis perdu" - Leonor Fini

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fabulous post. I must admit that I sometimes get impatient with my cat, Harry, when he strides across the keyboard or plays "ruffle the notebook" with the pages of my latest draft. But this makes me appreciate him --and all these literary cats more.

    ReplyDelete
  15. nice post.
    but are u sure about that?
    all the cats have their owners` books names?
    cheers,
    ana f.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is an amazing post. Must go give kisses to my cats right now!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Extremely useful information specifically the last part :) gas chromatography vials

    ReplyDelete
  18. i truthfully enjoy your own writing kind, very remarkable,
    don’t give up as well as keep writing due to the fact that it simply just worth to follow it.
    looking forward to see a whole lot more of your current well written articles, enjoy your day



    sex on camstrippers vegas

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am thoroughly convinced in this said post. I am currently searching for ways in which I could enhance my knowledge in this said topic you have posted here. It does help me a lot knowing that you have shared this information here freely. I love the way the people here interact and shared their opinions too. I would love to track your future posts pertaining to the said topic we are able to read.


    free camsalvia online

    ReplyDelete
  20. I hated cats. I seriously thought that they were only appropriate for Chinese food recipes, and crazy, old spinsters who lived in shabby Victorian houses.

    Back in 2003, I was adopted by a yellow tiger named Rumford. He immediately instructed me as to the error of my ways. I now share my life with six of them, and would never be without a feline in my life again.

    Wisdom does come with age. It also comes with cat ownership (the cat owning the human).

    ReplyDelete
  21. A wonderful tribute to literary cats. I have had at least one cat as my companion since I was a young girl, and will have one until I die.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am thoroughly convinced in this said post. I am currently searching for ways in which I could enhance my knowledge in this said topic you have posted here
    sex facebook

    ReplyDelete
  23. WOW! such a beautifull post. As a cat lover I feel so proud of sharing my crazy love for this fantastic animals with such members of art.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The “Hemingway Cat,” or polydactyl, is a feline that, instead of the normal 18 toes, has six or more toes on the front feet and ... catbedslarge.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. nice that is great, i am really inspires from your thought Lost and found

    ReplyDelete
  26. In any case, never purchase a feline or cat from a pet store. Not exclusively do these parasitic affiliations add to the catlike overpopulation issue, a tremendous section of these felines begin from kitty plants - cash making feline age lines tormented by illness and abuse. There are pet supply stores that offer space to mindful social solicitations to hold gathering days, some even have task moves right in the store. These are the capable corporate tenants you should reinforce with your business.
    funny gifts for cat lovers

    ReplyDelete
  27. Can Cat and Cats coexist peacefully? This may be one of man's biggest conundrums. Dogs, according to most all cartoons, are supposed to chase cats and cats are, in return, expected to spit, hiss, and claw them. Well, if you get a new dog or cat and introduce them to the older, established one without taking the time to make slow, peaceful introductions you may see some bad results. Here are some tips to make 

    ReplyDelete
  28. get rid of cat smell

    Are you tired of using cat litter odor eliminator that doesn't work? even the best odor eliminating cat litter, the best clumping cat litter, or any cat litter. It is frustrating isn't it? KittyVent eliminates litter box smell better than the world's best cat litter. It is the ultimate cat odor ventilator!

    https://kittyvent.com/

    ReplyDelete
  29. Looking great work dear, I really appreciated to you on this quality work. Nice post!! these tips may help me for future.
    carolynmiller

    ReplyDelete
  30. Believe it or not, there are no bad cats. Cats are just unique. They live in a cat world and do what cats do, no matter what you try to say or do to convince them to adjust to your world. brush for a cat

    ReplyDelete
  31. The article is helpful and worth reading. Thanks for the tips. Your blog always made a positive difference in my life.
    want to earn more points in then try this auto clicker for games

    ReplyDelete

  32. sphynx kittens for sale
    We have absolutely stunning litter of girls and boys of pure beauty Sphynx kittens. They are perfectly content curled up on your lap! More than just cats, they are members of the family and whilst they exude grace and sophistication, they are outgoing, sociable and playful. Kittens are registered with TICA. Have microchip, have been worm&flea treated , have 1st vaccination. Kittens are ready to go to the new family. Text (580) 725-7562 or Visit our website below: http://sphynxs4homes.company.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Types of Cats By Names – The Most Beautiful Cat In The World


    ReplyDelete
  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sphynx kittens for sale
    We have an absolutely stunning litter of girls and boys of pure beauty Sphynx kittens. They are perfectly

    content curled up on your lap! More than just cats, they are members of the family and whilst they exude

    grace and sophistication, they are outgoing, sociable and playful. Kittens are registered with TICA. Have

    microchip, have been worm&flea treated , have 1st vaccination. Kittens are ready to go to the new

    family.Reach out to us for more info and pics..

    Website: http://sphynxs4homes.company.com

    Call / Text / WhatsApp: +1(580) 725-7562

    EMAIL: noraymaio12@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. an especially shocking web diary. if you need to examine more online diaries like this, you can take a gander at the association furry beings

    ReplyDelete
  37. SPHYNX KITTENS FOR SALE
    We are a licensed cattery with TICA/CFA Registered Sphynx Kittens for sale,Black Sphynx Kitten,Bambino Sphynx Kittens, -Elf Sphynx Kitten,Canadian Sphynx Kittensand sphynx kittens for sale near me. The most distinctive feature of the sphynx cat is its appearance of hairlessness.

    http://sphynx.company.com/

    ReplyDelete
  38. I think your suggestion would be helpful for me. I will let you know if its function for me too. Thank you for sharing this beautiful articles. thanks a lot
    Big Buck Hunter Pro Pinball Machine

    ReplyDelete
  39. wood sauna heater

    WAJA sauna is specialist manufacturer of top quality sauna products. Products include sauna rooms, steam rooms, barrel saunas, wooden hot tubs, and all kinds of sauna accessories.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Are you looking for that lifelong companion that will be a perfect partner? Your search is finally over. We specialize in breeding small, teacup, toy, and miniature puppies for sale me now ready for any lovely home. They are vet checked and potty trained, mom and dad are AKC registered and have all papers: Visit Our Website: https://sunshineteacuppuppieshome.com/


    teacup french bulldogs for sale
    mini french bulldog puppies for sale
    french bulldog puppies for sale
    micro french bulldogs for sale near me
    french bulldog for sale near me
    miniature french bulldog puppie for sale
    mini teacup french bulldogs for sale

    ReplyDelete
  41. Sphynx kitten for sale or sphynx cat for sale
    Absolutely Gorgeous Kittens with Big blue eyes and amazing Coloring, they are full of personality already. Notable for its hairless coat, the sphynx is also a friendly, loving, and energetic show-off who craves human attention. In contrast to her regal looks and serious expression, the sphynx is an acrobatic clown who doesn’t take herself too seriously. She loves to entertain and delight her humans and will follow you around the house like a puppy. If you’re thinking about adopting a sphynx cat or Kitten visit: https://www.royaltykitten.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Great article! Keep posting the goog work, thanks for sharing. book flight tickets at Frontier Airlines Booking
    sphynx cat for sale
    sphynx cats for sale
    hairless cat for sale
    hairless cats for sale
    sphynx kittens for sale

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hey,

    Thanks for sharing such informative content related to Unique British Kittens. Things are well defined and the way of defining is really awesome. Most of the things were unknown for me.

    Thanks for sharing such informative guide.

    british blue kittens for sale


    Contact Us

    E-Mail: uniquebritishshorthairkittens@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete


  44. https://www.chihuahuapuppiesforsale1.com/
    https://www.chihuahuapuppiesforsale1.com/chihuahua-puppies-for-sale-near-me/
    https://www.chihuahuapuppiesforsale1.com/teacup-chihuahuas-puppies-for-sale/
    https://www.chihuahuapuppiesforsale1.com/chihuahuas-for-sale/
    https://www.chihuahuapuppiesforsale1.com/teacup-chihuahuas-for-sale/
    https://www.chihuahuapuppiesforsale1.com/chihuahua-pupies-for-sale/
    https://www.chihuahuapuppiesforsale1.com/chihuahua-puppies-near-me/
    https://www.chihuahuapuppiesforsale1.com/chihuahua-for-sale/
    https://www.chihuahuapuppiesforsale1.com/teacup-chihuahua-puppies-for-sale-2/



    ReplyDelete
  45. https://www.yorkiespuppiessale.com/
    https://www.yorkiespuppiessale.com/teacup-yorkie-for-sale/
    https://www.yorkiespuppiessale.com/yorkie-puppies-for-sale/
    https://www.yorkiespuppiessale.com/yorkies-puppy-for-sale/
    https://www.yorkiespuppiessale.com/yorkshire-puppies-for-sale/
    https://www.yorkiespuppiessale.com/yorkie-puppy-for-sale/
    https://www.yorkiespuppiessale.com/yorkies-for-sale/
    https://www.yorkiespuppiessale.com/yorkie-for-sale/
    https://www.yorkiespuppiessale.com/teacup-yorkies-for-sale/
    https://www.yorkiespuppiessale.com/yorkshire-for-sale/

    ReplyDelete
  46. I love your suggestion. It was so nice and adroble. but you can also love my content i hope that you like that Names that Mean Cat. if you can also read a free essay simply visit on Cat Essay. And you can also visit my web MyNameGuide.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi There,
    Thank you for sharing the knowledgeable blog with us I hope that you will post many more blog with us:-
    Owning a pug puppy is hard work, making sure they are raised and trained properly can be overwhelming at first, but by offering our customers a great amount of support, we assist in the preparations to make it less stressful. To provide a completely different environment for our puppies, we thoroughly researched and make sure these puppies will only go to respectable.
    Email:frenchiepugsforsale@gmail.com
    Click here for more information:- more details

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi There,
    Thank you for sharing the knowledgeable blog with us I hope that you will post many more blog with us:-
    Making sure they are raised and trained properly can be overwhelming at first, but by offering our customers a great amount of support, we assist in the preparations to make it less stressful. To provide a completely different environment for our puppies.

    Email:frenchiepugsforsale@gmail.com
    Phone: +1 ‪(804) 596-2239‬

    Click here for more information:- more details

    ReplyDelete
  49. At Celeb Thanks for this amazing content.

    ReplyDelete
  50. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  51. We have a selection of munchkin kittens for sale and munchkin cat for sale. If you have always wanted a munchkin, or you're looking for a munchkin as a gift, we have the right cat for you! All of our munchkins are registered via the International Cat Association, and come with a written guarantee of parentage and health. Munchkin kittens and cats are very rare, so if you're looking for a unique gift for a loved one, or you just can't get enough of the unique munchkin breed, come visit the munchkin kittens and cats for sale at our store! (


    https://munchkincatbreed.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Home of Super Special Sphynx, Sphynx Bambino, Sphynx Elf & Sphynx Dwelf Kitties and bengal kittens.
    We breed and offer sphynx kittens for sale.

    Get in touch for more PARADISKITTENS.COM

    Where to get the Sphynx Cat?

    Before buying a cat, talk and spend time with the breeder. The kitten must be kept at home. It is important to see the mother and siblings. The farmer can provide information to the kitten and its mother about the condition of the heart and a copy of the scans. There are still very few breeders in the UK so we have to wait after paying. Sphynx cats are available for adoption at ParadisSphynxKittens, so you can adopt them as well.


    How much does a Sphynx cat cost?

    Pedigree kittens that are properly bred range from $ 350 to $ 1100. A security deposit is required to hold the kitten and the rest is paid when collected. Kittens are harvested between 12-14 weeks. The price for kittens includes the first two vaccinations against the plague, veterinary checks, deworming, blankets, sweaters and registration letters.

    Kittens leave with written health insurance. The cost of insuring the Sphynx was approximately $ 34.48 per month. The premium for a pet depends on factors such as the cat's location, age, whether he has been neutered or neutered etc. Sphynx cats need the highest quality food, with prices ranging from $ 20 to $ 30 per month. It is important to consider the cost of veterinary care before buying.

    Health and care of Sphynx Cats

    The Sphynx cat is very well groomed. Caring for them takes a lot of hard work because they don't have a coat to protect them from outside influences. Even though there is no brushing, they require very good care and care. Here are some tips on how to care for a hairless cat. Take the benefit of Hairless Cats Near Me for Sale at ParadisSphynxKittens.
    Bath the cat regularly; Sphynx cats need frequent baths. Your skin usually accumulates oil and dirt, and this can lead to irritation and infection. Bathe with warm water and a good quality pet shampoo at least every other week to keep your skin healthy and clean. Make sure to clean between your toes. When you shower, always make sure all the shampoo is washed off, as any residue can irritate your skin as it dries. Dry immediately after showering so you don't get chilled with residual moisture. After bathing, cats can stain furniture.
    Clean your cat's ears as often as possible. Since cats don't have hair in their ears, this can lead to buildup and blockage of the ear canals. Wipe the inside of the cat's ears with a damp or soft cloth. The best time to clean your ears is after you shower, as the wax is soft. Clean it carefully. Ear cleaner can be used for cats. Consult your vet before using a cat cleaning kit to avoid complications. Ear cleaning should be done several times a week to avoid infection.
    Keep the cat warm; This cat is susceptible to hot and cold temperatures. They are naked their entire life and have different ways of retaining body heat. Maintaining body temperature can be a challenge. The cat stays warm with a hug, feeds them more often, wraps them in blankets, keeps the temperature in the house, puts beds in the sun, and buys them sweaters. Their clothes have to be washed frequently because their skin is oily and sweaty. Give them cool air on hot, humid days as they can easily overheat.

    ReplyDelete
  53. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  54. A few scientists are persuaded that marijuana has some helpful potential against neurological infections like various sclerosis. Explicit mixtures extricated from cannabis have solid restorative potential. Click here THC Diamonds

    ReplyDelete
  55. Clonazepam may be used as an adjunct treatment in bipolar disorder, a mood disorder characterized by cycles of depression and mania. It can help manage anxiety and agitation during manic episodes. Buy clonazepam online usa

    ReplyDelete