GG Chic - The Catwalk Cats

Ooh la la. It's raining, as people say, cats & dogs. We love this adorable French cat with beret by Claire Owen. It reminded us of genius Grace Coddington's wonderful The Catwalk Cats. Here's a link to a Steidl Books illustration slideshow from the 2007 book. (No, we don't own it but someday...Giulia needs to earn some pocket money. We'll let you know how that turns out. Ahem. She's asleep right now, of course. Rainy day deep sleep.) We're also reminded of a favorite artist who channels cats, Jamie Shelman. Have you visited her Small Expectations blog? No? Immediately go there, well, here.

ciao-damp-meow/GG's editor

(French cat by Clare Owen via Audrey Hepburn Complex)

Flora's Feast - Autumnal Edition

"The hollyhock his standard high/ Bears proudly to the autumn sky" & "There still in triumph, stiff with gold/ The rich chrysanthemums unfold." & "That, reddening on the Triton's spear/ Foretells the waning of the year."(From FLORA'S FEAST, A MASQUE OF FLOWERS, written and drawn by Walter Crane, 1899, via LIFE archives)

ciao-meow/GG's floral coordinator

Cat Macros

While researching photographs entirely unrelated to cats, we came across the origin story of lolcats. Or at least the the forerunner. According to Wikipedia (& what better source of knowledge exists in the universe, really?):

Cat macros have existed since at least the 1870s, when British portrait photographer Harry Pointer created a carte de visite series featuring felines posed in various situations, to which he added amusing text intended to further enhance their appeal.

ciao-cheerio-meow/GG Central

(1905 cat postcard by Harry Whittier Frees; Harry Pointer cat macro, 1870s)

Sunday Squirrel

GG & her editor love this adorable squirrel photo. Here are some squirrel facts via National Geographic. It's a cooler (thank goodness) September Sunday here in Washington, DC. See you next week. For Australian & other friends who are already into Monday, don't forget to check our links to DPDO, Enough Project, & UNICEF. Thanks!

(My Morning Bagel by Jessie Millan on flickr, via animalphoto)

Giulia - The Harmless, Necessary Cat - Week's End

Giulia & her editor wish everyone a lovely first autumn weekend. The Harvest moon is still very large & beautiful. We hope you've seen it (this is it until 2029). We've been hanging upside down & backwards on a bed to look through a large window. It's very exciting. Less exciting, by far, is the hunt for the masses of brown marmorated stink bugs (see here) marching into our apartment. We add that this is futile, this effort of theirs. We have an arsenal of tissues at hand & a great cat huntress on alert. (When she's not hanging upside down like a bat looking at the moon.)

Back to the sky, the following is via SPACE.com: Jupiter, Uranus and the nearly full Harvest Moon met in a rare cosmic lineup late yesterday (Sept. 22), just two days after Jupiter made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 50 years. Wednesday night's sky show also occurred on the equinox, marking the official start of the fall season in Earth's Northern Hemisphere, and spring in the south. If you missed the sky show, don't despair. Jupiter will continue to be a bright skywatching target for several weeks, according to the skywatching website Spaceweather.com.

There are so many photographs of the moon to see elsewhere, but where else can you see GG? (Well, on her editor's blog, bricolage.) This is GG doing a little sky-watching. Until next week,

ciao-heavenly-meow/GG Central

From Kids to Kids

GG & her editor would be so very happy to hear from readers who decide to participate in this program. Hone your correspondence skills by writing to our friends! ciao-meow on the first day of autumn/GG Central

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The Darfur Schools Program has seen tremendous support from schools across the U.S. Students ranging from kindergarten through college have held successful fundraisers and community awareness events. No matter how big or small, their goal is the same: to bring much-needed relief to the people of Darfur.

This fall, DPDO is initiating From Kids to Kids, an informal pen-pal project. Students in the U.S. can create artwork, take photos, and write notes that will be delivered to a school in Darfur. These messages of hope and peace will brighten classrooms in Darfur and spirits of Darfuri students. DPDO encourages student supporters in the US to send correspondence to:

Darfur Peace & Development Organization

“From Kids to Kids”

P.O. Box 66475
Washington, DC 20035-6475

Correspondence packages will be delivered to a Darfur School of Peace. When possible, photos and drawings from that classroom will be sent back to DPDO.

Contact katherine@darfurpeace.org with any questions. Please notify DPDO before sending any boxes heavier than 48 ounces (3 lbs).

(Photographs: Girls sitting in classroom at Ain Siro School- Sept. 2009; Decorated box sent by California students/DPDO/all rights reserved)

Annabelle in Autumn

Autumn officially arrives tonight (at GG Central) at 11:09 Eastern Daylight Time. Herewith, a fun autumnal equinox article (with a pop quiz) from the CS Monitor. GG & her editor would feel much better if the weather would cooperate & knock it off. 90 degrees is not autumnal. Still, we know many people have entered the zone of cooler weather & might be looking for a good recipe. Try Nigella's Supper Onion Pie (for Tough Times)...we posted about it in 2008 before we understood how to regulate font sizes, etc. But follow the links to Nami-Nami food blog & Pille will guide you to a successful outcome (& some variations).

ciao-meow/GG Central

(Annabelle in Vermont--isn't she cute? By Paul Moody via flickr)

Strasbourg Swan

Have a lovely evening. We thought our readers might like to see a pretty photograph of Strasbourg, where GG's editor went to school. (by somebody2131 via deviantArt)

Buy a Book, Help an Animal

It's a deal. We hang our head in shame for using an lolcat, but at least he/she looks like Giulia. This cat looks like it needs a good book to dig its claws into. The following is via our favorite bookstore's website. GG is low energy these days. Giulia would like to add that WARL cats are as nice & cute as can be...it's not all about the dogs. Don't forget about Thursday evening's fall fashion event to benefit the Washington Human Society (& Hope for Henry, here).

ciao-floopy-meow/GG's town crier

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Politics & Prose is delighted to support the local community with Partnership Fridays by joining with area businesses, government agencies and nonprofits, and the schools or literacy projects they support. On September 24, the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) is holding its Partnership Friday on September 24. As part of their event, the League will be hosting a "puppy playpen" in front of the store from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Take this opportunity to talk with WARL staff and learn about adopting a pet. For more information about WARL, call 202-726-2556 or visit their website.

National Book Festival 2010

It's that time of year again--the National Book Festival is Saturday, 25 September 2010. Giulia is pitching a hissy again because...she can. And because there is no way she's going this year & she has been told early & often. (She just voted for her favorite author, though, here.)

We are very disappointed in the mysterious disappearing poetry section of the festival. Read here for poet Bernadette Geyer's analysis. We agree heartily & wonder what poets are going to do about it? Huh? Put up your dukes & fight, people. (Not literally.) 2010 festival poster artist, Peter Ferguson

ciao-cheesed-off-meow/GG's literary editor

Autumn Approaches - Week's End

It's not here yet, but on the way - next week. We hope to begin posting more about Darfur Peace & Development Organization's latest activities & the basket collective very soon. Have a wonderful weekend. (photograph via bohemea tumblr)

ciao-meow/GG Central

Paris Breakfasts in Washington, DC

Now hear this: Ahem. GG has a sweet tip for you. If you will be in Washington, DC tomorrow, you have until 4pm (tomorrow, 17 Sept. 2010) to call & RSVP to attend the opening reception (described below). If you will be there, send us an email or tweet (juliethecat). We'd love to meet you. If you can't go, the exhibit runs through 1 Nov. 2010.

ciao-meow/GG's events coordinator (running late!)

PS: Giulia doesn't know about this or she would hop into her bag & demand to attend. We would have asked, but we have a feeling that when in America, zee French are not too cool about cats at a party. We could be wrong (often are).

New York City–based watercolor artist Carol Gillott travels to Paris three or four times a year to soak up inspiration and shoot thousands of photos to paint from.

Her Alliance Française exhibit, Paris Façades, features her charming paintings of Parisien boulangeries and patisseries.

For the artist, the heart and soul of Paris is revealed at street level by its shop façades where “There's just as much glamour and mystery in the quotidien boulangerie or fruitier as the grand Michelin restaurant"

It is this bright contrast that makes Paris the perfect subject for Carol Gillot and her delightful watercolors of everyday Parisian scenes, from les boulangeries to les lèche-vitrines.

Visit carolgillott.com & www.parisbreakfast.com

Opening reception is free, but reservations are required. Call 202-234-7911 x31 for reservations.

Reservations will be accepted until 4pm the day of the event. The exhibit runs through 1 November 2010.

(via Alliance Française website & Paris Sunset via places I wish I were tumblr)

GG Reads Persephone Books

Busted. She listens to books read aloud to her. We recently received the lovely Persephone Catalogue, the Persephone Biannually, & a lovely bookmark. What more do you want? Some books? Yes, us too. We only have one so far. But go here, & read about the publishers, the Bloomsbury bookstore, & how to sign up for snail mail of your very own. Also, the really sweet Persephone staff writes a blog that we follow. (We were pleased to see their post about neighborhood book shops--they included the one we frequent in Washington, DC.) GG wants to go to London & hang out there. (What does she care about rain? She doesn't go outside unless in her travel bag.)

Persephone is devoted to publishing neglected literature written by women; the books are lovingly designed with such an eye to detail that you might forget to read it. (Don't do that!) Here is a beautifully photographed & written post by our pal in San Francisco, Tina Tarnoff of Thought Patterns. (While you're there, please check out Tina's beautiful art & jewellry. Some of which we do own & wear proudly.)

ciao-cheerio-meow/GG's literary editor

(Persephone book images via Thought Patterns)

GG Garden Reminder - Flower Bulbs

Though the illustrations & exhortation below are from the archives, we're running it a month early. There are sales everywhere online & in stores on bulbs. GG is sorry that her editor did not buy more bulbs last year (before they ran out...see? Happened to us, too). Giulia likes to lounge in front of floral displays, so as to set off her expensive highlighted fur to best advantage. Oh, & on another note, The Harmless, Necessary Cat is starring on her editor's blog, bricolage, right now. ciao-meow

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This is a reminder to lay in some bulbs--soon. We don't have a garden either (anymore) but are fairly adept at 'persuading the paperwhite.' Actually paperwhites are easy & in stores now. However, if you buy some bulbs on the weekend, you can force those as well. (We prefer the word persuade.) Follow-up links & reminders to articles forthcoming but you have to buy the bulbs really, really soon. Or you'll be green with envy over all those displays of tulips & other bulbs from the holidays into next spring. We really don't want to hear complaining! (And while you're at it, what do you mean you don't have a pumpkin yet? OK. Well, neither do we...)

ciao-meow/GG's gardener & pumpkin carver

(vintage illustrations via Free Vintage Flowers & Seed Packets/GG collage)

La Vendange at French-Word-A-Day

Wanna go to "grape camp"? No? Yes, you do. Because we said so, that's why.

Harvesting grapes is really, really hard, let GG's editor tell you. But it can be fun, too. Kristin Espinasse's post about la vendange at her family's vineyard is most amusing & has lots of vocabulary. (ah ouais, a big red wine vineyard--the harvest began today. Their fourth. Congratulations!)

Our piddly posting continues as we remain under-the-weather. Now, go go go to France, if you please, & learn all about grenache grapes & so much more. (There are some cute beer-drinking guys in the fields.) Kristin has taken beautiful photographs that you can ogle over there. (Lovely red maple photograph by Jen Gotch)

ciao-meow/GG's sommelier

Sunday Style - Become Fashionably Enlightened

Here's your passport to style if you live in the Washington area Thursday, 23 September 2010. GG's editor would love to see you there. (YSL blue coat, Paul Schutzer for LIFE, via myvintagevogue)

ciao-charmed-meow/GG's personal stylist

The Girl Effect, Redux - Week's End

Humor us. We apologize in advance that this lacks cupcakes, cute babies, fabulous dinner party plans, what-to-buy, gratuitous exclamation points, pink objects, & baby animals. (The Girl Effect website) [Domino Cascade photograph]

ciao-meow/GG Central

Blue & Yellow & Orange

There is no blue without yellow and without orange.--Van Gogh

GG's editor used this gorgeous photograph, here, this summer. Oh for a working camera, sigh. Enjoy!

ciao-cheery-meow/GG Central

From the photographer Robin Scott: We came across this colourful grandly named little gem while getting lost in Kinsale (sometimes it's better not to have a GPS). Looks like the window box might have been fitted after a night out. In a street of similar buildings, the one next door is named The Giant's Cottage. The giant would need to bend to get in the door.-- Robin Scott (via here)

Fireflies

Fairy lights aren't just for the holidays. GG & her editor love Tim Walker's fashion photography. You can read a little more, here. These remind us of fireflies that light up a pine tree near our house.

Have a lovely, glowing evening tonight - wherever you are.

ciao-sparkly-meow/GG Central

Stop Violence Against a Woman - Urgent

No! No! No! Information that might help Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, scheduled for death by stoning in Iran. This could happen as early as Friday. (This post's links are not graphic.)

Please use care when visiting sites if you do a search; some are right-wing cesspools. If that's your thing, we feel sorry for you & hope you see the error of your unkind ways & soon. We will add more sites as we examine them. Meanwhile, these are the only stones acceptable in our home this evening.

Thank you.

(heart stones photograph D Sharon Pruitt; Some rights reserved by Pink Sherbet Photography)

GG's La Rentreé Delay

Dearest Friends,

Upon looking at last year's entry on la rentreé, we realized that this state of affairs is not new. GG's editor is quite busy with an investigation as to why she is under-the-weather & how to come out from under it. Giulia, as we all know, hides her secret opposable thumbs & is of no help. She maintains that she is a publisher-muse, not a suffering writer. What cat suffers willingly? Or does anything uncomfortable?

Therefore, for the next week or so, we will run some popular posts from the archives that have been tweaked somewhat for timeliness, better photographs, & so forth. GG's editor's bricolage blog is up & running but at half-speed. We welcome your input on either blog. (You can make comments on GG on Facebook). There are excellent links on both pages. It's been a rather difficult summer here in Washington, DC & so we beg your indulgence.

ciao-meow/GG's editor

[This lovely photograph by thexmunichxromance reminds us of university days in Strasbourg, France. Via deviantArt]