Andy hops onto the television stand to avoid me.
Maybe a bit too obvious, so he hops onto the ottoman.
He can ignore me, too, close up!
The little poop!
Yeah, rub it in my face.
Pretend you are unaware of me again. “You don’t exist. I am cat!”
“Andy!” I say his name, and he gives himself away. He knows his name. He knows who I am! I exist!
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If you are familiar with Jean Cocteau’s classic “La Belle et la Bête”, you will note the beast bears a very close resemblance to a Persian kitty, Andy even! LOL!
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Día de los Muertos-eve is today for my Mexican and Mexican American friends and families. To those who observe this holiday I send this greeting: “No se pare en mi tumba a llorar. No estoy ahí. No duermo.” No, I’m still above ground, so maybe I should say, “¿De quién es la vida que celebras hoy?”
To many non Hispanics, Día de los Muertos may seem morbid, yet there is a loveliness about celebrating the lives of the departed with food, drink, flowers, family on both sides of the earth. Greetings to you on the Day of the Dead, tomorrow!
Day of the Dead: How, Where & When to Celebrate This Year | Cake Blog (joincake.com)
The holiday is a three day event. Which day actually is the Day of the Dead is confusing to those who don’t observe it. October 31 is Halloween; November1st is All Saints Day; November 2nd is the actual Día de los Muertos. Regardless, a notable tip of the hat to the holiday occurs in Malcolm Lowry’s novel, published in 1947, Under the Volcano. It’s a bit of a slog to read (which I have), but here’s a Wikipedia summary of the book for people who find anything by Lowry “a bit of a slog”. And, all the drunken action takes place on All Saints Day, November 1, 1937.
A movie was made of the novel, with John Huston directing. Even with an exceptional cast, a Lowry novel in cinematic form still is a bit of a slog. I didn’t think it followed the novel well enough, which surely wouldn’t have happened if the author had been around to micromanage production – Lowry was dead himself at age 47 in 1957; the film came out in 1984.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088322/
Fun post, Doug! The Japanese have their own day of the dead, known as O-bon. It’s celebrated in the summer, usually in July when the weather is at its hottest: it’s why ghost stories are often told by professional storytellers during this time—this was before air conditioned movie theaters and Netflix—to give their audience the chills and supposedly cool them off! But like the Mexican version, it’s supposed to be a happy time, when your deceased loved ones come home to visit. Festivals are held with lots of dancing, music and food. But at the end, the living launch floating lanterns on the nearby rivers so the dead can follow them back to the underworld. I guess even a ghost guest can overstay its welcome!
China has a similar festival, but it’s regarded as an unfortunate time where one has to be careful to appease the hungry ghosts with lots of food and drink. If one doesn’t keep them fed and happy, the ghosts may come after you!
Interesting! I was unaware of these celebrations. Seems Japan (and China) have lots of festivals.
Mom says she hasn’t seen that movie you mention, but will put it on her list. She loves to watch old movies and especially spooky ones. What does Andy think of you saying the werewolf in the movie reminds you of a Persian kitty? I’m guessing he didn’t appreciate your comment since werewolves are dog like and not like us pussycats at all. Tee hee hee.
I don’t think the beast in this film is ever identified as being of any given species, but I think Andy would object to being characterized as a beast!
The only one here who at least flicks her ears is Shoko. Tyebe sometimes knows her name. They both are well aware of their names when the treats are shaken.
LOL! Indeed! Shake the Greenies here, and you bring Andy from anywhere in the apartment.
I add I like http://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/ comment.
Dolly always has something interesting to add. Her blog is one of my favorites, especially since she ties recipes for traditional foods in with explanations of Jewish life. Always informative, Ms. Dolly!
Two parts in this post, Doug:
– about Andy behavior : complex ! 🙂
BTW did you notice his left eye. It always is half open or half close ?
– about Dia de los Muerto, you quote “la belle et la bête ” movie by Jean Cocteau . I watched this movie when I was around 18 years old . It was fascinating at this time . Perhaps Andy is like a charming prince wiht awful beast appearence.
In France All Saints Day is today and to morrow it will be “deads’ Day )
In friendship
Michel
Andy has a bit of nerve damage that causes that business with the one eye. Curiously enough, when I had shingles, I was left with one eye (right one) that matches Andy’s!
If Andy is la bête, perhaps he should find his Belle to bring him back to his persona as the handsome prince! (My kisses have no effect on him….LOL! I saw the movie once when I was a university student, then twice again several years later. It was an interesting introduction to French cinema! I especially enjoy Lou Malle’s movies, though any good story, well presented I enjoy.
Very interesting post and answer ,Doug.
Thank you.
Thanks, Michel! Once3 you are aware of that eye business, you never will see either of us in life or photos without being aware of our eyes.
Mr Andy is definitely much more handsome than Jean Marais in that horrendous make up that had taken about 4 hours to put on and about as long to remove (according to the actor’s interview I had read years ago).
Funny coincidence: this morning my husband and I discussed Cocteau and La Belle et la Bête. I recalled also reading years ago that Cocteau was asked how, after important philosophical concepts (Antigone, Orphee, Oedipus Rex, etc.) he switched to such a light theme. His claim was that “it was Jean who kept complaining about being tired of playing swashbuckling Dumas character and asking me to write something different for him. So I did, and who says that it was less philosophical.”
I always love it when you manage to get Andy in a close up, Doug.
Interesting that anyone would bring up Cocteau’s film, let alone both (all) of us as it came out two years (1946) before I was even born! It makes an impact on one, for sure. I can imagine the make up process was not only an ordeal of endurance, it must have been uncomfortable as well.
(Curiously enough, having watched too many horror films the past few day, an introductory commentary about Boris Karloff’s monster make up for “Frankenstein” was a five hour process both ways. Any ordeal for arty, eh?!)
Too bad he was tired of the swashbuckling roles. I love a good costume drama!
Andy, apparently, rates thousands of photos, thanks to being my primary model. LOL!
And what a perfect model Mr Andy is!
I believe in serendipity, rather than coincidences. The night before this conversation we finished watching a Russian film based on Dumas’ La Dame de Monsoreau (very well done, with star cast and beautiful filmography and costumes), and as we discussed it, my husband mentioned the old Count de Monte Cristo film with Jean Marais, and I brought up Cocteau and ‘the swashbuckling parts.”
Then I opened up your newest installment of Mr Andy Saga, and – lo and behold! – there they were, the subjects of our conversation.
I always enjoy French costume dramas – “Farinelli” and “Tous les Matins du Monde” especially appealed to me because of the Baroque music – but a bit of swashbuckling in a movie can’t hurt!
Both films are about Baroque music and musicians; I don’t doubt you’ve enjoyed them. “Farinelli” was a joint production, but what a glorious production! I think they made a wise decision to computer-generate his legendary voice, all the counter-tenors proliferating today notwithstanding. I also enjoy historical costume dramas, and not only French, and love swashbuckling. Remember Jean Marais in “the Mysteries of Paris”?
Yeah!
he’s always adorable but the head on pic is my favorite!
It’s fun catching him close up. He can’t help being adorable, and has been from the first time I met him as a five week old kitten!
La Bête does look a bit like a cat! 🙂
Surprising, isn’t it? Till I had Andy and Dougy, I didn’t see that resemblance. The last time I watched the film I had had the kitty boys a few years.
Cats acknowledge us just so we’re aware we’re being ignored. 😸
LOL! Isn’t that the truth!
he has this special catti-tude… but at least you exist, that is a lot.. I mean they are still gods ;O)
Yes, and we are their minions! “On your knees, slave! And open that can of kitty food first.”