Caturday Art

As you've probably noticed over the past couple of weeks, I've been feeling a bit fanciful and bookish during my doodle sessions. That's why today's doodle is yet another one in that realm of things.

I think doodles like that one up there are my absolute favorite to create. I hope to create more like it very soon, but I now have a new series of doodles starting tomorrow. The reason for this shift in doodles is that I'll be participating in an art fair in a couple of weeks. This art fair will be benefiting the American Legion, an organization for United States war veterans. There's also something else extra fun about this particular art fair. And what's that, you ask? It's theme is Christmas in July!

So, all of that being said, we will be having a number of patriotic doodles coming up, as well as those fitting the theme of Christmas in July. We hope you don't mind seeing some weird and random doodles to match those concepts. There will be lots of red, white, and blue, and of course red and green, and probably some Santa hats strangely worn in some blisteringly hot July weather, and how about some beachy sand versions of snowkitties? This is going to strange, that's what I'm thinking. We hope you all don't mind.

Well, I should probably stop rambling now. We can't forget to remind you all to visit Athena, our host for the Caturday Art blog hop!

Happy Caturday, friends!

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Our Tip of the Day:

Over the past couple of days, we've talked about the option of having cat grass available for your kitty to snack on or play in, or even using artificial grass to give your kitty a mock grassy area for napping or playing. Today, we're yet again expanding on this idea by suggesting that, if possible, you can start a cat garden for your kitty's enjoyment. This can be outdoor or indoor, of course assuming that your kitty does not put itself in any danger by having access to a large quantity of pet-friendly plants.

So, what could you put in a cat garden? First, of course, you could have cat grass and catnip. Also don't forget about valerian, which is a great alternative to catnip. Another option is cat thyme, which is known to make cats feel more content than plants such as catnip. Keep in mind, though, that some people find the odor of cat thyme to be rather unappealing. The traditional thyme herb is also non-toxic to cats, if you're looking to give your kitty even more variety. You can plant these goodies in separate pots throughout your kitty's favorite room, or you can plant them all together in one large pot, to give your kitty his or her own little jungle. An added bonus is that, if you have other plants in the home that are pet-friendly but which you'd like to keep safe from curious paws and teeth, offering a cat garden can help distract your kitty from these other plants.

It is worth mentioning that some sites online will mention adding other plants or herbs to a cat garden for more variety. If you are looking up such information online, always be cautious and careful to double check the safety of any plant you place in a garden for your cat. For example, lemon grass and chamomile are sometimes indicated as safe for pets, but such plants have been known to cause issues such as upset stomach and vomiting. Another example is parsley, which is typically harmless in small amounts, but which can lead to sensitivity to the sun and sunburn if consumed in large quantities. When in doubt, of course consult a veterinarian regarding safe plants, or visit the ASPCA's list of toxic and non-toxic plants.