THOMAS O’MALLEY AND DUCHESS IN VIGEVANO

THOMAS O’MALLEY AND DUCHESS IN VIGEVANO

Feb 16, 2025 | WHO CARES, WHO CARES

From 14 to 16 February, Vigevano welcomes lovers who want to spend romantic moments in our Piazza Ducale, and everywhere in general.

Vigevano in love.

I particularly appreciate two things of this event :

– one of the slogans that invites the people of Vigevano to fall in love with their city, something that is urgently needed, given the sudden decline to which we are subjected

– the ‘testimonials’, namely Thomas O’Malley and Duchess from The Aristocats, whom I obviously love.

 

In addition, representing the romance of their crossed tails above the rooftops, Thomas O’Malley and Duchess in Vigevano also introduce International Cat Day, the 17th because Vigevano is also ‘The City of Cats’ along with Rome and Milan.

 

The protagonists of ‘The city of Cats’ are the Disney cats.

Do you remember all their names?

I will write their initials at the end, but I am sure you will have already guessed them before reading.

Did you celebrate Valentine’s Day and/or Cat  Day?

A colleague of mine brought some Baci Perugina to the office to sweeten an uphill Friday and discovered that the cards inside no longer bear the famous quotes. 

In their place is a QR code and the quote is viewable via mobile phone.

I know, I’m about to admit something apparently tragic: I’ve grown old, I’ll pass.

CATS

Alice in Wonderland = C.
Cinderella = L.
Mickey Mouse = P.
Donald Duck = T.
Pinocchio = F.
101 Dalmatians = T.

Who’s missing?

Yours is missing. What’s his name?

TASHIROJIMA: ISLAND OF CATS

TASHIROJIMA: ISLAND OF CATS

Mar 30, 2024 | WHO CARES, WHO CARES

Tashirojima 田代島 is an enchanting island populated mainly by cats. 


Hidden among the waves of the Sea of Japan, Tashirojima emerges as an enchanted oasis where pussycats reign supreme.

Located in Miyagi Prefecture, this small island has become world famous as ‘The Island of Cats’, a place where feline inhabitants outnumber humans and where the presence of these creatures is honoured as an ancient tradition.

The history of Tashirojima is intertwined with the bond between the island and its cats. Over the centuries, local fishermen are said to have believed that the presence of cats brought good luck and prosperity to their boats and fishing.

Today, Tashirojima is a unique tourist destination, captivating visitors from all over the world with its picturesque landscape and feline population.

Wild cats roam freely around the island’s streets, interacting with tourists and providing moments of joy and entertainment.

The islanders have also built several ‘neko-jinja’ (cat shrines) in honour of their furry friends, where visitors can pay their respects and leave offerings such as toys or food for the cats.

In addition, there are also some tourist facilities on the island that welcome visitors eager to experience the unique atmosphere of this feline community.

For cat lovers, Tashirojima is a true paradise on earth.

Here they can stroll through the island’s picturesque coastal landscapes, interact with a diverse cat population and fully immerse themselves in the culture and tradition surrounding these fascinating animals.

In conclusion, Tashirojima is much more than just an island: it is a world apart, where the presence of cats is considered sacred and where daily life is permeated by the magic and affection of these adorable animals.

For anyone seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life and a unique encounter with Japanese nature and culture, Tashirojima is the perfect place to explore and discover.

Massimo

BIRTHDAY GIFT

BIRTHDAY GIFT

Dec 16, 2023 | WHO CARES

SPECIAL birthday present for KCDC!

Keep Calm & Drink Coffee turns four years old, I just ten lustres older, but we both received this fantastic gift from Elisa Mirko and Diego. 

Don’t you think it’s perfect?

As you know I love cats, the coffee cup is really cute and the attitude is absolutely iconic.

Speaking of iconic cats, do you have a favourite?

Maybe Sylvester Cat, from Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies.

Or Tom from Hanna-Barbera. 

Maybe Felix the cat. 

Or Garfield. 

In my memories of fairy tales is Puss in Boots,  the one about the Marquis of Carbas.

Also nice is the version of Puss in Boots from Shrek.

The kitty Keep Calm & Drink Coffee on the other hand, what do we call him?

Did you know that cats sleep an average of 12 to 16 hours with peaks of 18 hours?

Practically twice as long as we sleep.

What can we say? We have only to learn!

KCDC kitty even has an eye mask!

I’d launch a poll to see what the favourite name is, for example, between:

SLIPPER

SLIPPERS & COFFEE

SLEEPY SLIPPER

KEEP CALM A CAT

KEEP CALM & WEAR SLIPPERS

PURRED COFFEE

KEEP CALM & PURRED COFFEE

CUPCAT

THE CAT IN SLIPPERS

But I’m sure you’ll come up with a better idea!

So tell me! What name shall we give the birthday present?

CATS

CATS

Mar 4, 2023 | A COFFEE WITH, A COFFEE WITH

A-mici in città is a focus on cats by Legambiente, which offered an opportunity to survey some data.

The aspect I would like to focus on is this: at the feline registry, the municipality with the highest number of cats per number of inhabitants is the town of Sant’Angelo in Lomellina: more than one cat for every two citizens.

We may say that in these parts cats do particularly well 🙂

In fact, Gravellona even boasts a cat mayor.

I can’t help but immediately think of the cats from the famous “junkyard somewhere in London” … did you guess yet?!

I’m talking about the legendary Jellicle Cats!

There is no need for me to add anything else, is there?

If anything, I should add gratitude to Andrew Lloyd Webber for giving us Cats: a joyously engaging musical, full of vitality, and magically kaleidoscopic.

Wonderful music, stunning costumes and makeup, enchanting choreography.

Source of inspiration: Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Elliot. 

I still remember my amazement the first time: immediately enraptured by the thought of the three names:

The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn’t just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter.
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.

How many names do you have?

Actually we humans have more names too, don’t we?

One of the nicknames I have always used is really the name of one of the characters in Cats.

My husband gave me the musical dvd back in the days when it was not so easy to get this kind of things, and he gave me even more: we saw Cats at the Arcimboldi! Sitting in our seats as the Jellicle Cats peeked out around us, I’m still heart-eyed 🙂

May I invite you to review a small excerpt together?

Now would you tell me about the cats living with you or near you?

LA FAMIGLIA FORTUNATA – THE LUCKY FAMILY

LA FAMIGLIA FORTUNATA – THE LUCKY FAMILY

Oct 15, 2021 | BOOKS

The lucky family is the further translation requested to Laura by Enzo Migliaccio, founder of the Imagaenaria bookshop in Ischia Ponte and of the publishing house of the same name, author of the series Works from three pennies for four cats that I had already mentioned for La Pietra Cantante. 

Here you can find another fantastic photo of Cenerella, which Laura introduced us on the blog Al tavola di Amalia, and I couldn’t help but immediately think of the Acqua Alta bookshop. 

Books and cats, isn’t it a perfect match?

Returning to the reading: I was immediately struck by another “familiar” aspect: the character who introduces the reader to the story is called Pisani.

Very popular surname in the country where I was born!

Since we are very far from Ischia, it seemed to me a curious connection as if The family of the title could somehow take on a universal connotation.

The lucky family.
Luck is what each of us represents a bit synonymous with fulfilled wishes.

Or the other way around?
As this quote from the Dalai Lama suggests
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

I was very curious to find out how Vilhelm Bergsøe would represent this good fortune.

Obviously I don’t tell the plot, but I would like to ask: how would you represent a lucky family?

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