Gentle Morning Paws š¾
A fluffy little thing, a great book rec, and a fun fact about fashionista reptilians
Hello everyone!
Hope youāve all had a fantastic couple of weeks. Spring is properly with us now, and the bluebells have started coming up this week-have you seen any yet?
Iāve also got myself some new neighbours in the form of some robins nesting in the extractor pipe hole just outside my kitchen window-and yes I do say hello to them whenever Iām in the kitchen and hear them flapping away.
This weekās newsletter is lovely and cosy-a fluffy little story, a great book bringing together art, obsession and Victoriana, and a little fact about some very fashionable reptilians.
Letās grab a cuppa and take 5 minutes to focus on the little things! ā
Mel xxx
P.S Want to be part of growing the newsletter? Look for more details on how you can get involved at the bottom of the post š
Gentle Morning Paws
I am stirred by a gentle thump at the end of the bed. I keep my eyes closed, but feel something padding up the bed and over my body as its nestled in the duvet covers.
The padding is accompanied by purrs. Long purrs, continual purrs, happy contented vibrations as she makes her way towards me.
I feel her beside my face and before I know it, a gentle fluffy morning paw boops my nose. I smile.
I open my eyes, sun streaming through the window-that beautiful moment of light of a new day while itās still not time to get up. Itās the liminal space between the days.
Jazzy sees my eyes open and the purrs grow in volume. Her fluffy head boofs into my hand as I reach out my hand to give her a fuss, a lilā neck scritch, my hand sinking into her fur. I always wonder how she is so soft. Nothing else is as soft as her, not even the fluffiest blanket.
She keeps boofing my hand, pacing back and forward excitedly, and another gentle boop, but this time her nose to mine, making me giggle. I whisper to her itās not quite time for breakfast yet, soon. Ā
I think forward to when I get up. Her chirps amongst the continuing purrs as she follows me to the bathroom, nuzzling my legs, knowing my routine. She even runs ahead of me and waits for me to open the bathroom door, knowing thatās my first step before her breakfast biscuits are served. Undoubtedly, her tail will vibrate with excitement, a dancing feather duster.
When fed, she will go off in search for sunbeams. But for now, she slowly gets the message and settles. She finds a nook beside me and lies down, her body against mine. My hand lies beside her and she puts her fluffy paw on top of it, followed soon by her head.
We doze together in the early morning light.
What Iāve been reading
The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal
After reading one of her other novels (The Circus of Wonders) last year, I was super excited to get hold of this one.
Set in Victorian England at the time of the Great Exhibition, we follow Iris, a young woman who paints dollās heads with her sister in London. However, she wants to become an artist. After accepting an offer to model for Louis (one of the Pre Raphaelite Brotherhood) in exchange for painting lessons, she is shunned by her sister and family, leaving her old world behind. However, Louis is not the only one with an eye for Iris, and a taxidermistās obsession with her leads to Irisā worst nightmare.
This book is gripping from start to finish and perfect for anyone who likes to read about:
š Strong Female Characters
š The perception of bodies
š Victorian obsessions with oddities
š Painting and Art
Oh, and thereās a wombat called Guinevere.
Your Little Things
I love hearing what little things youāve been enjoying this past couple of weeks-thanks to Sarah for hers from a walk along the coast:
āIām in Borth y Gest with my mum and dad and weāve had a lovely walk with my dad today on coast path, showed him moon snail egg collars, whelk egg sacs and sea potatoes or heart anemones. Also sat by the sea in Criccieth with mum watching the sea sparkle like millions of diamonds. And my favourite- hearing then seeing our oystercatcher friendsā¦love their pipping and saw a big crowd of them yesterday early afternoon.ā
And finallyā¦.a weird animal fact!
Crocodiles and alligators put sticks on their heads.
Scientists believe it could be to lure birds in with free nesting material. If this is true, itās the first known evidence of reptiles using tools!
However, research is still inconclusive-maybe itās for purpose, maybe itās just a fancy fashion statement.
What little things are you enjoying?
I want to hear from you!
For future newsletters, Iām planning on including a little thing from one of you guys each week alongside the regular content.
It could be anything, from something you saw on a walk, to that great hot chocolate you had, to finally beating that boss on a game youāve been stuck on for ages.
If youād like to share yours, then comment below or send me a message. They will be anonymised.
Canāt wait to see what you all are enjoying!
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it-feel free to let me know what you think, and what youād like to see in future editions. If you know someone else who would like it, please share and letās grow the newsletter!
Canāt wait to hear from you, and have a great day! āļø