Mollie Hunt's Blog, page 56

Lynley Cannon’s FRIDAY FELINE FACTS & FANCIES, Cat Food

 

Lynley Cannon, star of the Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery series, is often referred to as a crazy cat lady herself, but when it comes to the feline species, she knows her stuff. Check here each Friday for instructive and intriguing information on our favorite subject: cats.

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Painting by HORATIO HENRY COULDERY

Cats hunt more than 1,000 species for food.

~Cats’ Eyes, chapter 28

 

Check out more of Lynley’s kitty tips, tricks, and facts preceding each chapter in Cats’ Eyes, Copy Cats, and Cat’s Paw.

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BLACK CAT APPRECIATION DAY, by Little, a black cat

 

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~Little~

Some call me shadowcat; others, chat noir; and still others, little panther. (Little Panther was actually my name when I first came to my forever home, but Mom began calling me Little and it stuck.) Any way you look at me, I am a black cat.

I don’t know what all the fuss is about. Yes, I had a couple of tough years before Mom adopted me from the shelter, but since then, my life’s been a bowl of tuna. But I hear the rumors, that not all human people like cats of the color, black. Some are afraid or believe in silly superstitions, and others just want a cat with more pizazz to their coat. Anyway, black cats seem to get left at the shelter longer than some others, even when we’re outgoing, friendly, and obviously the most beautiful felines there.

So someone came up with the idea of giving us our special day, Black Cat Appreciation Day. It doesn’t mean much to me, because it seems only logical that every day should be a day to appreciate your cat, no matter what they look like. Still, if it helps get the word out, and finds us forever homes, let them have at it.

Here are a few noir friends available right now:

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Barry, 1 year old

This handsome guy is looking for a mellow, low traffic home where he is pampered and adored. Barry can be nervous in new situations but give him the time he needs to adjust and he’ll be your friend in no time. Once he feels comfortable, Barry gives the best head-butts and purrs like a champ! Give this gorgeous boy a second chance at love!

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Shadow, 12 years old

Meet Shadow! He is a sweet and loving fella that can’t wait to find his new best friend in life. He is FIV+ so he will need to be indoors only with access to high grade food and regular vet visits. This little man is looking for a place to call his own and a companion to spend lots of time with. Shadow would enjoy playing with you, napping in the sun and chatting about his day. His handsome face and endearing personality will capture your heart and make you ask yourself how you ever lived without him. Is Shadow the feline friend you have been searching for?

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Thor, 8 years old

This shy fellow is Thor, and he would love a safe and loving home of his own. He’s very timid around new people and in new situations, and it takes him a while to learn to trust.  He is a gentle soul who would like a quiet home where he is provided the patience and time to adjust to his new surroundings.

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Hedgehog, 6 months old and Leah, 3 months old

These adorable little kittens are playful and sweet! Play is an important part of their development at this age and they will need you to be patient with them as they learn what it means to be a cat. They would love to have access to lots of toys and daily playtime. If you are ready to care for an adorable boy or girl (or both!) and give them what kittens need for a lifetime of health and happiness, they will repay you with lots of fun and love!

All the above adoptable cats are at the Oregon Humane Society, the place I came from many years ago. They would love to see you and get to go to a forever home, like me.

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Lynley Cannon’s FRIDAY FELINE FACTS & FANCIES, Hissy-fits

 

Lynley Cannon, star of the Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery series, is often referred to as a crazy cat lady herself, but when it comes to the feline species, she knows her stuff. Check here each Friday for instructive and intriguing information on our favorite subject: cats.

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bakeneko, by reicheran

When a cat hisses, he’s trying to tell you something. It’s important to discern whether he is being defensive, aggressive, or frightened. A defensive or aggressive cat may attack; a frightened cat, unless cornered, would prefer to run away. ~Cat’s Paw, chapter 24

 

Check out more of Lynley’s kitty tips, tricks, and facts preceding each chapter in Cats’ Eyes, Copy Cats, and Cat’s Paw.

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STAR TREK CONVENTION EPILOGUE

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It was a hard decision, but this is my final year for the Las Vegas con. I began this journey with Creation Entertainment in 2003, their 2nd con in Vegas. I have amazing memories, a room full of autographs, portfolios full of pictures. I have met wonderful people, some of whom will be friends for life. I’ve laughed, cried, and learned things I didn’t know I needed to learn. I will miss this safe, strange, diverse, inclusive, kind, hopeful environment. I miss it already.

I hope you enjoyed my brief peek into a Star Trek convention. The next time someone makes comments about trekkies, you will have an understanding they may lack, that Star Trek goes far beyond a TV show to a vision of a better world.

Live long and prosper.

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STAR TREK CONVENTION, DAY 5, FINALE

These 5 days go by so fast, a time warp of sorts. Now it’s almost over, only one day left…

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First panel, Voyager, with Robert Duncan McNeil, Garrett Wang, and Tim Russ behind the water bottle. Yes, I spent way too much time obsessing over that bottle being in the way of my shot.

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Then Karl Urban from the new movies. They moved the bottle but now Karl put his coffee cup there. Ah, well.

Star Trek 4? Unfortunately no news, yet. It could go either way. I really liked Star Trek Beyond.

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Another panel, DS9 Panel with Jeffrey Combs, Casey Biggs, Nichole de Boer, James Darren, and Marc Alaimo. (Wayoon, DeMar, Ezri Dax, Vic Fontaine, Gul Dukat) Also writer Ira Steven Behr with the blue beard. For next year’s 25th anniversary, he is producing the DS9 documentary, “What We Left Behind,” and promises never seen before footage and new insights to this Star Trek middle child.

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The Borg Queen. Isn’t she beautiful? Alice Krige, Shakespearean actor with all sorts of credentials, gives her impression of joining the ST family as an alien arch enemy. She is so soft spoken it’s hard to believe she can make it work, but they played a clip and her quiet certitude gave me chills. “I am Borg.”

 

 

STAR TREK CON, DAY 4, DETAILS

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What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the words, Star Trek convention (besides nerds)? Costumes! I think anybody who says they don’t like to play dress up is lying. Whether it’s wearing a designer dress to an event or donning pajamas to go to a wrestling match, it’s dress up. I say embrace it and have fun.

Before we get into cosplay though, I want to share some of the guests we saw today.

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George Takei started us off this morning with birthday greetings to President Obama.

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Gotta love Kate Mulgrew! Always generous and beautiful, a straight speaker, she minces no words. Captain Janeway and so much more.

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Then there is Bill. William Shatner is the most driven man I’ve ever known. Currently working on movies, television, and books, he waxed poetic about horses and all they bring to humanity. His charity helps handicapped children and veterans with PTSD using horses for therapy.

If you haven’t seen the TNG episode, “Inner Light”, find it and watch it. Don’t read anything about it first because the shocker ending is part of its beauty. We had a panel with main actors Margot Rose, Sir Patrick Stewart, and writer Morgan Gendel but I forgot to take a photo.

But you want to see more costumes, don’t you?

Until tomorrow, the finale.

STAR TREK CON, DAY 3, GETTING BUSY

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First I just want to say it’s raining here in Las Vegas. Looks like what Portland used to be.

Lines are fun. At least that’s what I have to tell myself when I’m in them. A big part of the con is taken up in one line or another, but it can be a good thing. You meet new people; learn new things. And eventually, if you’re patient, you get whatever it was you were waiting for. This morning, it was an autograph from a TNG guest star.[image error]

Today was focused on ST The Next Generation which premiered 30 years ago. 1987. I remember a group of us got together to watch. Followers of the original series, we were ready to love it and hate it. Happy there was a new series but assured it could never compare with the old.

The first 2 years of TNG were a bit of a wash with some notably terrible episodes. (Even the actors agree on that one) But by the third season, it was coming into it’s own. For the next 5 years, it put forth some excellent television in the tradition of Gene Roddenberry, taking on difficult moral, political, and philosophical subjects, boldly going where no one had gone before.

The panels began with 1 or 2 guests and culminated in a reunion of a good percentage of the complete cast.

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Marina Sirtis and Michael Dorn.

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Gates McFadden and Denise Crosby.

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John de Lancie.

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Sir Patrick Stewart.

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I hope you’re enjoying this mini-blog about my adventures in Trek Land. See you tomorrow.

LLAP

 

 

Lynley Cannon’s FRIDAY FELINE FACTS & FANCIES, Lapsitters

 

Lynley Cannon, star of the Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery series, is often referred to as a crazy cat lady herself, but when it comes to the feline species, she knows her stuff. Check here each Friday for instructive and intriguing information on our favorite subject: cats.

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STAR TREK CON, DAY 2: STAR STARS

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Day 2 of the con kicked off with the iconic Walter Koenig. At 81, he is as astute and funny as ever. I’ve seen him at cons for the past 20 years and watched him evolve over time. He went through a dark period but seems to have come to terms with his demons. Someone asked if there was something more he would have liked his character Chekov to achieve. “To make Chekov real,” he replied, then said he had finally attained that goal in the fan-produced StarTrek New Voyages episode, “To Serve All His Days” which allowed the character his “final send-off.”

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There were more stars and guest stars than I can name without losing your attention. Conner Trinneer and Dominic Keating we’re hilarious, as we’re the Voyager panel.

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One thing many of the actors talked about was how they got the job. They told about the audition process, and it’s not for the faint of heart! Each of them threw their entire acting presence into those short readings. Some dressed the part; some assumed voices. You’ve all heard of flash fiction; this is flash performance.

A few words of wisdom about acting:

Think in character. Understand their needs, wants, and the stakes they have in their situation.

The alien costumes and makeup do the acting for you. The character emerges from it’s facade.

Trust the words and listen.

There are no bad actors: only actors and non-actors. If you are an actor, you have no choice but to act.

Acting is a con game, the irresistible urge to pretend in public.

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This is why I come to these conventions, to peek behind the scenes and learn the secrets of the story tellers.

After the show, we had our gala dinner at the Voodoo Lounge on the 50th floor. It makes me dizzy but the city is beautiful.

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STAR TREK CON, DAY 1

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Ok, here we are. Day 1 is all about remembering: where the bathrooms are; how to navigate the hotel; what it feels like to wear the uniform. Remembering the inclusion, diversity, and friendship that Star Trek engenders. Laughter and tears and hope, something that’s been lacking for a very long time.

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First this morning was “Gaaaaays in Spaaaaaace”, hosted by Nana Visitor. Even in the Roddenberry universe, it took 50 years to get a gay couple on the show. (Star Trek Discovery)

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Dr. Mae Jemison, the astronaut and friend of Nichelle Nichols, was exciting to see. A very positive person who believes cats make good roll models. Right?

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We also had a Deep Space 9 panel with a whole group of actors: Nana Visitor, Rene Auberjoinois, Armin Shimerman, Aron Eisenberg, writer Ira Steven Behr, and a drop-in from Terry Ferrell. There is a wild and uncensored documentary being made about DS9 called “What We Left Behind” and it looks like we may be part of it.

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Off to an autograph session. See you tomorrow.