Musical accompaniment: Superstition by Blanche
Cats are fascinating animals. Black cats especially have quite a reputation and are associated with magic. Going all the way back to ancient times, cats symbolized protection and were considered sacred animals.
Perhaps cats’ mystical reputation is due to the fact they’re nocturnal and tend to be solitary. Or maybe it’s the unusual way cats move and pose. Cats’ ability to climb on narrow ledges and railings inspired the term catwalk referring to any narrow walkway that requires agility to navigate. Cats use their tails and whiskers for balance.
In the Dark Ages, black cats were thought to protect witches. They were called familiars. “See that black cat with the green eyes? He’s the witch’s familiar.” A familiar could help with casting a spell or any number of witchy activities. Because of their strong association with witches, many people were afraid of black cats. By the time the Renaissance began, cats were again seen as signs of good fortune. Leonardo da Vinci loved to observe cats and made at least 11 sketches of them.
I came across this picture made in 1900 by British artist Christopher Nevinson. It looks like a photograph but it’s aquatint and etching. Nevinson certainly captured the mysterious, watchful essence of a cat very well!
Cleveland Museum of Art
Tonight there’s a full moon. It looked so beautiful I took a picture, though I never have much luck with night sky images. The way the light reflected gives it a much different appearance than I anticipated but I like it!
old spirituals 
i like this one ! i love the song and the full moon pic. what kind of filter did you use? i like birds better than cats but they are interesting animals
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Thanks Ruby! I didn’t use a filter. I’m more at the point and click level of expertise! 😂 I like how independent cats are.
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If the photo of the moon was taken on November 5, 2025, it is a Supermoon. A Supermoon occurs when the moon is the closest to the earth in its orbit. There will be another Supermoon on December 4, 2025. It is given that name because the moon is closer to Earth making it appears brighter and larger.
Some believe that a Supermoon causes natural disasters, but there is no scientific evidence of that being a credible hypothesis.
And, then of course, there is the Harvest Moon. That occurs between September 8 and October 7. In 2025 it occurred on October 6-7. The name came from farmers who would harvest late at night in the unusually bright moon light. The name also is rooted in Native American culture which named every full moon of the year.
Regarding the uniqueness of “felines,” I do appreciate their attributes. Frankly, I find them fascinating, especially the large cats of prey in other parts of the world. Nonetheless, I prefer a dog as a pet.
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I’ve had cats and dogs as pets. The main difference in my experience is a dog needs more attention and they usually loves everybody. Cats are more transactional (you have to earn their affection) and more selective about who they love 😹 Cats are probably smarter!
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Cats and dogs followed different evolutionary paths. Which is more intelligent depends on how you define intelligence. I believe each exhibit different types of intelligent. Because dogs are pack animals they relate to humans better and willing follow human commands. Cats, on the other hand, are highly independent. That is why dogs can be trained for police work, to detect drugs, explosives, and cancer on and in humans. Cats are independent thinkers and highly adaptable to new environments. Cats are more able to survive if abandoned.
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Probably dogs are the more intelligent animal. I was thinking when you call a dog it gets up and comes right to you. A cat usually won’t, though he knows his name and that you want him to come over. They just think to themselves, “If you want to see me, you can walk over here to me.”
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Purr-fectly spooky! Love this feline full moon magic for Halloween! 🎃🐈⬛
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Why, thank you!
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Awesome post! meow
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Thank you!!
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I’m definitely a cat lover! I love their independence and beauty. I especially love the Tuxedo, although I’ve had different types over my lifetime. I like dogs, but they require a lot of attention. I get to enjoy my daughter’s Corgi without all the work!
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Judy, I also enjoyed my daughter’s dog. “Ozzie” was a mix of a couple breeds of terrier. If nature allowed me to create the perfect dog it would be “Ozzie.” I never complained when she asked us to “dog-sit.” Frankly, the extra care was only having to walk him. I used him as motivation to get several daily walks into my regime. “Ozzie” is now gone, but I still have a photo of him in my phone. He was a great dog!
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I had a Russian Blue Tuxedo mix years ago. Somebody had declawed him and then put him outside. I called him Mayday because I found him in dire distress. He was a sweet boy.
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A neighbor had a huge Maine Coon Cat . . . Tabby. But its name should have been Hermit. He prowled the neighborhood at night. Not a mouse, rat or other type of rodent was ever seen thanks to Tabby. Saw a moon lit chase very late one evening; Tabby chasing an opossum across my front yard. Tabby and I became best friends after I gave him the cooked turkey neck one Thanksgiving. Our neighbor said he didn’t take to anyone except me.
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Yes… cats are selective! It’s a compliment if a cat really likes you!
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