LISA

       

On May 20, we lost our sweet, 9.5# pound Lisa. She and her brother Bart were born about September 14, 2024 and came to us when they were 5-weeks-old. They were bonded but orphaned.

Since first allowed to venture outside at 6 months of age, together Lisa and Bart became excellent hunters. Lisa was the main huntress while Bart always seemed to be her understudy. On their nocturnal forays, they explored the gardens and forest for mice, voles and shrews to bring into the house for us to enjoy in the morning (or in the middle of the night!). Occasionally, they were unsuccessful but those were rare occasions. One particular night, the two of them brought in 7 rodents! They were so proud!

Over the many years we have lived here, all of our kitties have enjoyed exploring this wonderful, creekside paradise. They've been allowed to come and go as they pleased partly because we would never have gotten any sleep had we locked the cat door(!) and partly because it is in their nature to hunt.

In this valley, coyotes, bobcats, cougars, bears, fox and raccoons roam the hills and ravines. They can pose a threat to family pets. Fortunately, our felines have previously been smart and fortunate to have avoided encounters with these natural predators.

When Lisa did not return that morning, we searched and searched and, a day later, saw a large bobcat saunter across the creek and head up our driveway. We knew it was probably the coyotes who found her but hoped it was the bobcat - a more merciful demise.

We were devastated to lose our sweet kitty and poor Bart was at a loss for over a week. He didn't go out at night, cowered when he heard coyotes howling in the night and lost his appetite. Eventually, he became more calm and after about 2 weeks, he started to hunt again though we began to lock him indoors at night for his safety. Though he isn't entirely happy with this arrangement, Bart is a gentle soul and has accepted this new restriction without much complaint.

In late summer or early fall, we may try to find a new feline to add to our family. We shall see.

May all your family pets remain safe in your care.

 BIRDS WATCHING

After visiting our garden full of Tom's sculptures, our friend Bonnie asked Tom to create "something fun with crazy birds" to place in front of a blank wall in her back garden.

 

Tom started building 'Mr. Hootenizer' out of bits and pieces of recycled material...a cooking pot lid for the head, overhead light fixtures and green, glass drawer pulls for eyes, recycled copper feathers from a cruise ship remodel a friend worked on 20 years ago, pewter wine goblets for leg feathers, a rooftop vent for the body and wings and can openers for the feet. LISA approved!

      

                                 Installed today!

    

'Peeking Duck' with a Field Guide to People Watching

 'Big Bird'

'Knot Head'

We enjoyed watching Tom sketch and create these crazy birds! 

                                                                          Yours Truly,

                                                                              LISA

                                                                                BART

  FISHING BELLS

Recently, the wife of a friend contacted Tom 

asking if he could make her a memorial sculpture 

to honor her late father who loved

to fish on the white, sandy beaches of Hawaii.  

She had inherited her father's fishing bells and 

wanted to incorporate them into an art piece 

she could keep in her home.

Joy shared her story:

"My father, Charlie, was born and raised in 

Palolo Valley on the island of Oahu. Being a local boy 

meant spending a lot of time at the beach. 

His entire family (father, mother, brothers and sisters)

 grew up camping and fishing. When my father started 

a family of his own, he would often take his kids

 to be a part of his family tradition. 

One of my favorite memories

 is how they would attach bells to their fishing poles

after casting the line out into the ocean - 

that way they knew when a fish was biting. 

I can remember the excitement that ensued when 

someone's bell started ringing - 

yelling to wake everyone up and running

 down the beach to start reeling in their catch. 

I never noticed until much later how 

each bell had a different pitch. 

The bells I kept after my father died 

represent the simple joys of life back then."

Tom's sculpture includes the three brass fishing 

bells, a steel base and frame, brass 'fishing line' and 

fishing lure and the tip of a fiberglass fishing rod

   

Lisa inspecting the lure

       Very truly yours,

LISA

 *****************

Joy shared this photo of 

'Dad's Fishing Bells', Tom's gift

in honor of her father Charlie