>>>>

Wednesday, February 04, 2026

Cats of Marrakech! (And Virginia!)


Wasn't there a movie somewhere where the cats were space aliens, and more intelligent than humans and they were plotting to rule the world?

Or was that just my imagination?

I remember while visiting Egypt that the cats were everywhere and revered.  Fed.  Vaccinated. Taken care of by EVERYONE.

I saw the same thing happening in Marrakech.

And this cat loving mama enjoyed every one I saw.  From Marketplace to Mosque - the world is being run by cats.

Here's a little compilation video:


Tula was on my mind.  She was home being taken care of by Hubster Dave and having these other cats around telling me she was going to be okay (Or at least I thought they were!) was helpful.

And all around me I saw kindness to these animals.  Dishes of food.  People stopping to pet them and talk to them.  They are part of everyday life in Morocco.

I can get down with that - 

And evidently the direct cat chat line from Morocco to Virginia was buzzing with conversation because this happened yesterday:


Who is this?!

Can someone tell the cat distribution system that we are full up?
 
This grey fluffer was found on our porch yesterday morning.
 
After this video I was able to pick it up and do a bit of investigation and I believe this is a female though I could be wrong with cats this furry.
 
At any rate I think we are dating now! LOL!
 
Her belly fur is as curly as Tula's and she has all of Tula's mannerisms.
 
Jeff said he saw her coming out from under the old general store.

I posted this to Facebook - and I also posted and DELETED a follow up.  She came meowing to the QPO studio door.  I was just leaving. I couldn't take her in.

And people were MAD and saying I was cruel for not taking her in.


She is not my cat.  I don't know where she came from (if she is a she?!) and we are down to one vehicle and I didn't have a way to get her to a vet (nearly an hour away) to have her checked for a chip or to shave her belly to see if there is a spay scar.

Before Hubster Dave picked me back up in the afternoon I had fed her. She was starving. Flash doesn't seem to mind her. (if it is a her?) 

And honestly - I don't think she is as feral as Flash is.  She was quite trusting and lovey.

I thought about it all night.  Do I need a 5th cat? NO! 

But can I really consider Flash as a pet? NO!  He gets food - because I'm not cruel, but he is not a pet. He will not let anyone close.

I don't know if she'll be there this morning.

Maybe she is just on her journey home and needed some fuel in the form of food and she will have gone back to where she came from by the time I get there.

Or is 64 the age where we really bloom into our full Crazy Cat Lady chapter of our lives?


I tried talking to Ivy about it.  But she wasn't listening as I tried to also work on this binding.


Talk to the paw and leave me alone....


As long as you don't bring her here, I don't see a problem?

Tula is doing well - I think? I know she is healing. She loves pets and purrs. But any time I bring her downstairs to roam around and get some exercise - along with trying to accept some lap relaxation and pets - after 10 or so minutes she begs to be put down and takes herself right back upstairs to the bathroom she calls home.


Lola didn't have an opinion either - she just stuck her head in the quilt and said "Whatever. Just don't bring her here."

Things are thawing finally.  It got to 42 yesterday and snow is melting at a rapid pace.  We will be in the 50s by next week.

When I can safely get the van back down (and have the ability to get back up) the drive if she is still around I'll see about a chip and go a bit further.

I've put out messages to people in the area that I know to help get the word out.

As for the rest of yesterday -

I spent the entirety of my time at the QPO at my desk working on contracts and pattern writing.

Other than sewing some of the binding down last night - it was a new sew day.

Those are always so disappointing! LOL! But things need to be taken care of as we prepare to kick off retreats starting next week.

Let's hope there is some sew time today!

And I know there will be incoming comments telling me what to do with this cat situation.

Please be kind.  Take into consideration that it is a 45 minute drive the a vet AT LEAST in any direction. I have no one near who has a chip scanner.  I know its cold, but there is shelter on the porch, under the porch, under the general store or wherever she came from.

I can't rescue them all.  There are decisions to be made.

I couldn't bring her into the QPO or garage with no litter box or supplies and I could not bring her home here. I wanted to give her the chance to go home if she chose.

I'll let you know what happens today.


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

You can start over any place you like!
 
I'm all about yellow and quilts these days. Isn't this a gorgeous one?

When I lived in North Carolina the forsythia would bloom bright yellow in February.

It'll be a long time before they bloom up here but the yellow brings me sunshine even while we are snow covered.
 
When they do bloom, I'll be ready!

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone-

 

14 comments:

  1. Thanks for all you do for all the kitties - I think there is some "transmission" system around you that kitties are loved at your place!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous9:19 AM EST

    Your new kitty visitor is beautiful. 😻

    Best wishes for a lovely day of sewing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous9:20 AM EST

    Bonnie- I follow your blog and enjoy your posts and appreciate the beauty in your work. It’s really uplifting.
    And, I want to say: you’re a kind and generous soul. To us, your blog followers and to the creatures you encounter in daily life. You really don’t need to explain yourself and your decisions. I’m sorry some people make you feel like you need to justify your decisions. Oy!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous9:26 AM EST

    I think you're doing wonderfully with what you're doing. Flash is feral and I applaud you for leaving him be. My grandmother always said, "do the best you can with what you have.". Lori Lively

    ReplyDelete
  5. Julie Letvin9:40 AM EST

    I soooo feel your pain! They just keep showing up here too. And when they are long-haired like that, I always think....they must live inside! That fur will just be a mess if they are left outside - haha. If any more show up here, I just have to close my eyes and pretend they aren't here. But, like you...I just can't do it. They just passed an ordinance in a nearby town that if you feed feral cats you get a $50 fine. What in the world!? Are we supposed to let them starve?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lucy Shepherd9:41 AM EST

    She's a beautiful kitty, wish I lived close by. Hopefully she found her way home.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous9:53 AM EST

    Bonnie, as I get older I’m finding it easier to just say no. Except for the new kitty that found us in September! LOL Good luck with whatever you decide is best. Fran in Washington

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cats of Rekavik Iceland too! 🤣

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous10:20 AM EST

    My sister has a similar problem with cats being drawn to her. I kid her that in the cat social world, the word is out that if you are down on your luck or pregnant, here’s where you go for help! Every time she gets one or more adopted, another shows up to take its place as though they know there’s a vacancy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous10:21 AM EST

    My dad always told us about the hoboes who used to get off the train near his house in the 30’s and walk directly to the back door to get a handout from my grandmother. It was not the only house on the street. He swore it was marked as a good place for a handout, but they could never find anything. Your cat story made me think of this. Maybe the cats have marked you as a good way station. 😆. Connie Taylor

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anna in IL10:25 AM EST

    She doesn't look like she's been out too long or isn't getting fed, so I think she's fine. As you said, she has food and access to dry and warmer shelter. I have a few outside cats that I feed and I have shelters out for them. Sometimes, the cat distribution link sends me too many but the cats have been known to double up in the shelters if need be.
    Hoping when the weather gets better, you are able to find that she has a chip or can find her a good place to call home.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think you are doing the right thing with the new kitty. I just so love the yellow quilt! So bright and happy! What type batting do you use? The quilt seems so fluffy and not stiff at all.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous10:53 AM EST

    I work at an animal shelter, and I'm here to tell you that you are doing everything absolutely correctly. You're unerringly kind to your feline visitors (and yes, maybe the word is out in catdom). You are not obliged to adopt every stray that comes your way. The cold hard truth is that there are many cats who, for a variety of reasons, are homeless; you are doing so much to provide respite and comfort. That may well be all this puss needs. Pat yourself on the back and do NOT feel guilty about any of it. Your grey fluffer is not feral, you can't pick up a feral kitty, so it may be that someone is missing her. Or dumped her. Or...? In any event, good on you, and keep up the good, kind work.

    ReplyDelete
  14. thank you for sharing your vacation cats! what fun

    ReplyDelete

If you are commenting as "anonymous" please leave your name at the end of your comment.

Did you know that ad space on this blog provides for all of the free patterns and free mysteries and challenges at no cost to you? Without ads, this blog would not be possible.

Thank you for understanding the many hours that go into this blog 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. :)