Happy Halloween, everyone! In our neck of the woods, the trees are getting really pretty, there’s a nip in the air, and I’m scouring Pinterest for decor ideas and recipes to enhance the Halloween fun here at Casa Owen. Our cat Tora is starting to snuggle on my lap for longer stretches of time as I work at the keyboard.
Speaking of cats, Halloween isn’t the only occasion to celebrate this week. Did you know that October 29th is National Cat Day? Of course, as Tora would point out, every day should be cat day. I know, right? Of course, some people may celebrate both occasions by dressing up their cats in Halloween costumes, though I would advise against it:
But there’s more to our beloved felines than their tolerance (or lack thereof) for funny costumes. As history attests, they have gone beyond bringing us live crickets or licking our hair to wake us up in the morning. Cats actually lived aboard U.S. Naval ships in the nineteenth century, and served with sailors and soldiers during the first world war.
Here’s what Wiki has to say about cats “keeping the free world free” during WWI:
Throughout the “war to end all wars,” cats were a common sight in the trenches and aboard ships, where they hunted mice and rats. Beyond their “official” duties, they were also embraced as mascots and pets by the soldiers and sailors with whom they served.
Wow, who knew? Cats served in the Second World War, too. Maybe Cleo threw up in the Nazis’ boots. Serves them right.
Want to read more? Check out these sources:
These Are the Brave and Fluffy Cats Who Served in World War I
Cats in the Sea Services | U.S. Naval Institute
So if a cat (black or otherwise) crosses your path this Halloween, I’d say it was good luck!
What are your plans this Halloween? Do you have a cat? Do you dress him/her up in a costume? I’d love to hear from you.
~Kathy
…and in case you missed it:
Just Released: a new Concordia Wells Mystery!
Unseemly Ambition: book 4 of the Concordia Wells Mysteries
Murder aboard the Overland Limited…
It is the summer of 1898. Professor Concordia Wells is eager to accompany her friend, Pinkerton detective Penelope Hamilton, on a cross-country train trip to San Francisco. Breathless vistas and exciting locales will be a welcome change from a fiancé impatient to set a wedding date and the threat of revenge from the remaining Inner Circle members back in Hartford.
But Concordia should know there is no such thing as a free ride. When the Pinkerton Agency switches assignments at the last minute, she and Miss Hamilton have their work cut out for them. Fellow passengers prove to be both help and hindrance: a lady reporter in hiding, a con man…and a corpse or two. Then there is the handsome gentleman with the dark hair, green eyes, and a secret agenda of his own. Good thing Concordia is an engaged lady. Or is it?
Start reading at the click of a button:
Did you know the ‘Olympia’ is docked right here in Philly? Maybe the descendants of the WWI kitties are still on duty aboard her!?
Wow, really? How cool! Who knows…maybe the descendants ARE prowling the decks! 😉
Oh, I so miss actual autumn, Kathy! And I don’t see anything wrong at all with having Tora curl up on you while you work. One of our dogs would do that if he were small enough. As it is, he has to settle for nesting near my feet. Happy Cat Day!
Aww, that’s cute, Margot! Dogs always think they are smaller than they are for their favorite person’s lap. Yep, she keeps me warm. Stop by and see us if you’re missing fall! 😉
I’ll take Halloween, but you can keep your cats. I’m just not into cats with their slanty eyes and their razor sharp claws and hacking up hairballs. Give me a big dumb dog any day.
Thanks for the sharing the fun tidbits though. I always learn something here.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
LOL, Patricia, never had a hairball hacked up yet! But I understand why people love dogs, too. Thanks for stopping by!
I had never heard that! But I think it’s brilliant
Thanks so much, Amy! 😉
Cats do own the internet, even though I am a dog guy, I love all animals. Oh, and Halloween is my fav! I usually dress up every year but still not sure about this one. Hmmm…..
Ooops = sorry for the big picture of me. I was playing with the image button and goofed!
Hahaha, Phil, I like the big pic! Really classes up the joint. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you DO dress up for Halloween! 😉
Great post. And I like the pictures.
Thanks so much, Bill! 🙂