the cat collector
Cat lover, cat enthusiast, crazy about cats! These are just a few of the descriptions that come to mind when I think of the passionate cats in my life.
I have lived with cats, I have worked with cats and I have written about cats. My house is full of cat stuff – I’m a cat dealer’s dream! I can’t really remember the first cat item I bought, but I’m guessing it dates back to elementary school. I amassed a collection of over 50 novelty salt and pepper shakers, and I’m sure there were several sets of cats hanging around.
I recently visited home to take inventory of my collection. Where to start? At one point, I made an attempt to keep all the “cat stuff” in one or two rooms. That has been moderately successful. Cats don’t like to be cooped up, and I find that objects turn up in the strangest places: clothing closets, jewelry boxes, and kitchen cabinets. I collect books, jewelry, figurines, pictures, Christmas decorations, sweaters, garden statues, teapots, cookie jars, Halloween black cats, and amateur photography. Oh, I must have forgotten something. That can’t be all!
Let’s start on the lower level of the house. The guest bedroom features a dozen framed cat paw prints. A collection of cat figurines sleeps on various shelves in a bookstore. On the middle level of the home, the kitchen is watched over by a shelf filled with 1940s Japanese black cat teapots. 1950s cat cookie jars rest on a cabinet and numerous sets of embroidered towels for cats with the 7 days of the week complete the kitchen. As we climb the stairs to the upper level, a cat gallery in the hallway displays my amateur photos of Noelle, Tatianna, Taittinger, Marnie, Katarina, and Lexie Lee. My office houses cat novels, cat reference books, and cat picture books. Across the hall in the master suite, you’ll find cat collars, vintage brooches, and Christmas cat sweaters.
During October, Halloween black cats roam the house. But the Christmas cats really take over in December when the ornament collection of over 300 cats graces my living room tree. The whimsical tree complete with cat garland is a legacy to all my cats and cats to come. To change the pace for all the cats, let’s just get out in the backyard. Well guess what! I can’t even escape outside without glimpses of cat statues peeking out from under the area’s palm trees and other cats sleeping on wrought-iron chairs amidst flowering plants.
Yes, I agree, collecting cats is my obsession, but my friends and family love it. After all, they can never go wrong giving me a cat-related gift. Overall, being around my favorite “cat stuff” is fun and light-hearted, as is living with my precious Norwegian Forest Cat, Lexie Lee. It’s probably time to edit out the massive collection, but the guardian is always dear, sweet Lexie Lee!
What is the most unusual cat item you have seen?
