Big Thanks to Sandy Frost, Kohala, cats and frog

[Frostfrog]

Okay, Cataholic (and the rest of you) - a few details:

You probably know by now that I am a professional photographer (and writer) and I do a lot of traveling. Most of that is in Alaska, but sometimes I go Outside, too (5 Outside trips in 2002 - four to the Lower 48 and one to Northeast Canada). Back when my daughters were small, I began photographing cats that I would meet along the way. I would learn what I could about those cats and then when I came home, I would scan the images into my computer (this was before most people even knew about digital imaging) and then I would call my daughters in, pull up the pictures and tell them whatever stories I had learned about the cats. They were always very eager to see what kind of cats I had met.

My youngest just turned 17, but I still do this and they still appreciate it. Someday, I plan to compile a selection of these photos into a book or two along with the stories told to my daughters.

Through Cat of the Day and Pet Talk, both Kohala and Sandy had become e-pals, so when I found out I was going to San Diego, I asked for permission to come by and photograph the cats (and Darwin, the frog), offered to provide evidence that I was not just another cyber-psycho and thus was granted the privilege.

As to the Midwest - my youngest daughter is a big fan of the Chicago Cubs and of the city of Chicago itself (these two facts account for the name of our calico) and I have promised her a trip to the Windy City to take in a Cubs game. We had intended to do it this past summer, but my schedule was ruthless and the trip had to be postponed.

But a promise is a promise and I still must take her down there before she goes off to college somewhere (this is her junior year in high school).

Now... as to that shopping center part... I'd rather face an angry and hungry polar bear unarmed. The only places in shopping centers that I even care to go are the food courts, and any stores that might have little airplanes or small, ceramic cats.

I have excellent relationships with my wife and daughters, but whenever they drag me into a shopping mall I am a miserable man, indeed.

Thanks again, Sandy and Kohala (and for the book part, too).

And to the rest of you - it would be fun to meet you and your cats (okay - dogs and other critters, too) down the road.

BTw - the blac cat us heremaking it difficult to type. What a buddy he is!