Recession-proof toys for your feline friends by Linda- Lambardi - AP

Brother, can you spare a twist-tie?
Hard economic times can mean fewer holiday gifts for your pets too. Fortunately, cats were into recycling and repurposing long before "green" became hot.
If you've ever seen you cat walk past a nice stuffed mouse to bat around one of those wire twist-ties that close a loaf of bread, why not take the hint? Here's what your feline family really wants you to do for the holidays or any day.
* Get milk? Or juice, as long as it's in a plastic jug. Those little caps make great toys, especially the kind with the tear-off plastic strip.
* Drink wine to relax. If watching your portfolio crash means you're going through more wine these days, you've also got more corks for your cat to bat around.
* Wear your wristwatch, even if you can't afford new batteries. On a sunny day, you can get the sun to reflect off it and make a spot of light that your cat will chase around the floor and walls - like a laser pointer, but totally free.
* Let your hair grow long. You'll save money on haircuts and once it's long enough for a ponytail, you share your can share hair accessories. Cassandra Zaruba of Westminster, MD, has a cat that loves a particular kind of hair ribbon.
* Buy presents for other people. Not because your cat is so generous but because your cat will enjoy trying to help wrap presents. Tear off a piece of the wrapping paper and crunch it up in a ball for her to chase. When you run out, try aluminum foil or candy wrappers.
* Shop by mail, online or catalog, it doesn't matter what you buy as long as it's delivered in a box. Leave the empty shipping carton on the floor or a table and cats are sucked in as if by a magical force.
* Shop local too. Your cat doesn't give a fig about keeping independent neighborhood shops in business but you'll bring things home in paper bags that are great for hiding in and make that irrsistible crinkly noise.
It's ok if you have to cut back on the shopping, because you only need a few of those boxes and bags.
"What I've discovered is that if you move them to a different location the cats think they're brand new and will start playing with them again," said Karen Duvall of Bend, OR.
Don't forget many activities you think are chores are reallly cat games. You want to tie your shoes; your cat will want to bat the shoelaces. You want to change the sheets on your bed; your cat will want to play hide and seek.
And if other worries are keeping you up at night you can both make use of another arrangement that pleases cats; read. Your cat loves to get in the way of a good book.
When your cat sits on the newspaper don't push him away. He'll be happy at no cost and maybe skipping that bad economic news will be good for your mood too.

Stardust

Our older sister, Stardust, (she's on mine and Tiger's pages) left for the Rainbow Bridge late this morning about 11:00 a.m.

Sad purrs,
Spark

It's Summer!!!

It's June 1st and in my book that means summertime is here! Since we'll be hitting 90 this weekend I think the weather knows it's summertime too. I love the new beach ball rosettes Catster has dreamed up. Too, too cute!!! IT's also the first official day of hurricane season and there is a tropical system in the Gulf of Mex. Wouldn't you know it! It doesn't amount to much and it will give central and south Fl. some much needed rain so these things aren't always so bad. OH! Get this...it's the second named system of the season. There was one last month off the coast of S.C. Can you believe it?!?!?!!!!!

Purrs,
Spark

OH MY CATNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE Diary Pick of the Day! MY picture on the home page. Oh I hope my whiskers are straight and clean. I'm so very honored the fine staff at Catster chose little ol' me as today's Diary Pick. I must find something appropriate to write.

For all my friends at Catster. Those I know and love dearly and those I've yet to meet...

Friends are the bacon bits in the salad bowl of life.
- Anon -

Friendship is one mind in two bodies.
- Mencius -

Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say.
- Anon -

We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere.
- Tim McGraw -

Many will walk in and out of your life but only true friends will leave footprints on your heart.
- Anon -

Surround yourself only with those who are going to lift you higher.

Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it is a comfort to go paw in paw.

We are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross -

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
- Walter Winchell -

If I had one gift I could give you, my friend, it would be the ability to see yourself as others see you, because only then would you how extremely special you are.
- B. A. Billingsly -

A true friend is someone who knows there is something wrong even when you have a smile on your face.

Friends are those rare people who ask how you are doing and then wait to hear the answer.

Warmest Purrs to all of Catster,
Sparkle

I've been tagged!!!

I'm only going to play halfway. I'll list 7 things about myself but I'm not tagging any kitties. We've been tagged 11 times and I'm not sure between the two of us we know 14 different kitties who haven't already tagged us first.

1. Much to mom's chagrin, I'm left pawed.
2. My front left paw smells like corn chips to mom.
3. The back of my ears seem to be turning blonde.
4. I have a hoarse meow. Mom says it's because I didn't have a feline mom to instruct me properly.
5. Mom says I snore but I don't believe her.
6. I'm petite with delicate features.
7. I adore having mom rub my nose and face with her wet hands right after she's had a hot shower.

Hmmmmmmmm, that wasn't so difficult after all.

Purrs,
Spark

Quips and Quotes

What I like doing best is Nothing. I can spend a huge amount of time doing Nothing without ever tiring of it. The best time for doing Nothing is when your humans are rushing about doing Everything and you just lie back comfortably, watching.
- Miss Fluffy -

If the laws of evolution hold true then through time humans will eventually become completely perfect - that is, they will evolve into cats.
- Pumpkin Puss -

As I grow old I will catch fewer mice. I will play less and less. I will sleep day and night. This is the time when you will need to love me most.
- Victoria -

A life devoid of cream is a life without purpose. Nothingness is what exists when the food bowl is empty.
- Mogg -

No matter how busy you are try to take time out to appreciate the arts. Spend a few moments clawing some expensive wall paper then lie back, relax and enjoy your creative efforts.
- Tapioca -

All humans are equal, whether you take up residence with a princess in a palace or a poor old lady in a tiny basement they must be treated in exactly the same manner - with considerable disdain.
- Vincent Mogg -

Any noise worth making is worth making at full volume in the middle of the night.

Sometimes the opposite of out is out.
- Socrakitty -

One cream cake in the paw is worth two in the refrigerator.

Quantum Cat Theory: Upon hearing the sound of a can being opened, it becomes possible for a cat to travel faster than the speed of light.

Did I just hear a can open...?

Purrs,
Spark

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

It's been such a long time since I wrote and then as quick as I did - poof! I'm a Daily Diary Pick. I have warm fuzzies all over. Ppppppppuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrsssssssssssssssss to all of Catster.

Warmest Purrs,
Spark

Long time, no write...

You never know what will show you the way to your life's work.

Everyday joy makes life rich.

Be open to love when it comes along.

When you give true love, it will be rewarded.

Willful waste brings woeful want; recycle and safeguard the earth.

Quiet vigilance and loving presence are the expression of perfect, trustful love.

Taking a chance on love and friendship is worth the risk.

Be open to the possibilities of love and friendship wherever, whenever you meet them.

There are times when you just have to put your paw down and make the right thing happen.

Don't draw hasty conclusions on the basis of appearances.

Sometimes love is not enough and other courses must be pursued. be brave and true to yourself in facing up to reality.

Never abandon a friend. Do what you must to go forward with your life, but never, ever be unfaithful in love or friendship.

Warm Purrs,
Spark

Friends---Dedicated to one of my very besties, McKenna the- Lovely

A real friend says, "What's new with you?" Instead of "Guess what I've been doing?"

Anyone can stand by you when you are right but a real friend will stand by you even when you are wrong...

A real friend says, "You've been whining about the same thing for 14 years. Get off your duff and do something about it."

A real friend has soggy shoulders from your tears.

A real friend has your parents names and phone numbers in his address book.

A real friend seeks to help you with your problem, not just talk about it.

A real friend doesn't act like a guest in your home, he opens your refrigerator and helps himself while asking what you want him to bring you.

A real friend knows it's not a friendship until you've weathered the fight.

A real friend expects to always be there for you.

To all my wonderful Catster friends,
Spark

Kitty Kat Believe It or Nots by Stephen Gardea

Rolled- toilet paper is a magnet to kitty feet and it takes a long time for them to break their paws free.

Cats can see ghosts and invisible creatures.

Oriental shorthairs think they can drink all the water out of a fish bowl and then eat the goldfish.

Dogs come when you call; cats have answering machines.

There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast.

The more money you spend on a cat toy the less the cat will play with it.

Two cats can shred an ordinary houseplant in three minutes or less.

No matter where you lost that newpaper rubber band your cat will find it eat it and barf it up on the newest piece of furniture you own.

A cat will shed every hair on its body within a year.

No matter how mad a Manx gets, it will never bush up its tail.

Siamese or Orientals curled up together will produce enough heat to make a waterbed boil.

Siamese cats actually think before they do something clumsy.

Cats really can understand what you are saying but choose to ignore you.

Oriental cats' diets are made up of socks and undergarments.

Manx cats really have brains.

Wherever you leave your Persian cat in the moring you'll find it there when you get home after work.

You will find cat hair on everthing you eat, even when you eat out.

You will never have a matching set of earrings for longer than a month.

No matter how late in life, a cat can still train a human.

Cats don't always land on their feet after falling asleep on top of the TV.

Warm purrs,
Spark