The Gentle Art

The gentle art of making music. My studio technician Jimi wanted a new computer because the current 8-year-old Intel iMac was too slow and couldn’t run the recent music apps and heavy sample libraries smoothly. So with some reluctance I went shopping at the Apple Store and bought a Mac Studio (Max) computer and a 27″ Studio Display. Getting everything back to work took a long time, almost 20 h. After using the Migration Assistant app, checking and updating a lot of stuff and solving some compatibility issues, I was back in business.

I was also pleasantly surprised by Jimi a few days ago. After ignoring Mr. Bowie’s cat bed for almost 3 years, he finally decided it was time to sleep in this comfortable king size luxurious bed. It seems everybody is very happy right now.

I’ve just started reading The Gentle Art of Tramping by Stephen Graham, originally published in 1926. Stephen Graham was a British journalist, travel-writer, essayist and novelist. The Gentle Art of Tramping is a guide for anyone who has dreamed of taking to the road with nothing more than a bag full of essentials and big ideas. It gives guidance on walking, being open to discovery and being kind – advice as relevant now as it was then. ‘The adventure is not the getting there, it is the on-the-way. It is not the expected; it is the surprise; not the fulfilment of prophecy but the providence of something better than prophesied.’ Tramping is a way of approach, to nature, to your fellow-man, to a nation, to beauty, to life itself.

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

Sunshine Boy

Remembering Mr. Bowie. Given the traumatic nature of 9/11, it’s not surprising that this event, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, affects a lot people every year, all over the world. For me there’s also an additional heavy feeling. Today, a year ago, Mr. Bowie passed away peacefully after fighting an aggressive blood cancer and kidney problems.

I am honoured and privileged to have spent 10 years of my life knowing and having Bowie as my beloved friend. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him.

I know you’re listening out there, somewhere. Forever in my heart, my sweet sunshine boy.

Teared Up A Little Bit

I have to admit I’d get a little misty. Mr. Bowie would have turned 11 today. I still miss him every day. But knowing a lot of people from all over the world share beautiful memories of my sweet boy comforts me. Happy Birthday, my dear Bowie.

Mr. Bowie enjoying the spring sun in 2019.

 

Ciara & Dennis

Stormy Sundays. The Storm Ciara, one of the most violent for years, battered this part of the world last week and left a trail of destruction. Today, Storm Dennis brings ferocious wind and heavy rain. The Storm Ciara blew the roof off my best friends house last Saturday. Thank goodness no one get injured.

We also had cold but sunny days during the week. I enjoyed my walks in the nature but had to wear a warm, woolen hat and some gloves. Sir Jimi stayed inside and turned into a ginger cat. He loves the sunshine entering the living room through the roof window. I’m sure he will enjoy all the sunny spots in the garden next spring and summer.

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

12/21

SAD, again. December 21 is the shortest day of the year in this part of the world. This day will boost my mental energy because the days themselves will only keep getting longer. This thought helps me to fight my SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I need to go outside and enjoy my walks in the sun. And have espressos. And chocolate.

Get up, Sir Jimi! Don’t feel sad, spring is just around the corner, well kinda…  

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

Small Box

What to pack in small boxes. Don’t look so upset, angry and disappointed, Jimi. I gave you the nickname Skinny Jimi because you’re so small. This box should be big enough for you. Don’t think big, my friend, you should enjoy the little things in life. One day you may look back and realise they were the big things.

Give a smile to a stranger and you may get one back. Enjoy a small gesture of kindness from someone who loves you. Enjoy dark chocolate. Enjoy your coffee in the morning.

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

To Catch a Thief

Wireless home door window burglar alarm DIY safety security alarm system. To prove his innocence after a spate of candy thefts, a young cat must catch a burglar. Or some pesky sparrows and blackbirds.

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

Steppin’ Out

Jimi’s first days out. I let Jimi outside in the garden a few days ago. The first time he was very cautious but the second day he was climbing into all the espaliers trees. And that’s a big problem… If he reaches the top of the trees, it’s rather easy to jump on the roof of my neighbours garage. And then it’s very easy to get in their garden. But my neighbours got a big mean dog, one of the breed that loves to chase terrorists in dark tunnels… Mr. Bowie never climbed into a tree and the fence was high enough to keep him inside the garden. I’m not sure what I’m going to do in the future, keep Jimi inside or let him out again. I’m afraid that Jimi wants to discover the world on the other side of the fence after a while…

Meanwhile I received a photograph of 2 Maltese dogs who follow Jimi’s blog. I wonder if Jimi would love to play with his 2 new friends… 

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

Poor Poor Pitiful Jimi

Oh no…!! I had to take Jimi to the veterinarian hospital, this afternoon. Last Saturday, I noticed he was suffering a bit from a swelling under a healed wound on his right paw. Today he stopped playing and wanted to be left alone. Just to be sure, I called for an appointment at the hospital.

Jimi doesn’t like the car rides as Mr. Bowie did. Bowie always enjoyed the car rides, even if it meant an irritating medical check up. Jimi’s medical check up all went well. It seems he was suffering from an infected wound. Jimi was treated with appropriate medication after they cleaned and disinfected the wound and the abscess. All should be well and healed very soon.

Afterwards, back home, Jimi needed to take some time to relax and recover from this first stressful event with his new human. I needed time to relax too. No espresso please, I’ll go for some dark chocolate…

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

Higher Ground

What’s up, Jimi? Jimi is doing fine, but he wants my attention and food all the time. That’s why I gave him Skinny Jimi as nickname, because he needs to put on some weight. Mr. Bowie could disappear for hours or a day, but you knew he was around somewhere. I had time to read the newspapers, clean up the house or do anything I wanted to do. Ok, Mr. Bowie was 10 years old and a happy relaxed cat; Jimi is a young hyperactive cat who enjoys your attention and wants to play (and sleep) all the time. I have to keep this in mind and drink less coffee, I guess…

A few days ago I found Jimi on top of the bookcase. What happened, Jimi? Did you hear about the global warming and the sea level rise? Did you hear the Blonde Pillow Thief is back in town and wants to pay you a visit? Or did you want to check out Mr. Bowie’s safe shelter?

Jimi loves Mr. Bowie’s King size bed. It took Mr. Bowie almost a year before he decided to sleep in this luxurious cat bed. Jimi made up his mind from day one. If you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time for another espresso while Jimi’s asleep…

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

The Spirit of Mr. Bowie

Adapting to a new environment. Adjusting to a new home is never easy, but who is to say that it’s impossible? Jimi’s adjusting quickly to his new home. It almost seems an invisible force guides him, as if the spirit of Mr. Bowie guides Jimi in his new forever home. Sometimes I notice an astonishing resemblance with Mr. Bowie, but on other moments he reacts completely different. Well, I guess we have to get used to each other.

Meanwhile Jimi likes to keep me company while I’m working in the studio. He seems to like my musical projects but I had to turn down the volume. In fact, Jimi can complete a traineeship for the job of studio technician. He’s very interested in all the wires and cables and maybe he can hit some hot jazz notes too!

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

A Boy Called Misa

About. No data are available about Jimi. He’s a common domestic cat, also known as the European Shorthair. People say he got a touch of the Russian Blue cat breed. There’s even a distinct possibility Jimi was born in Turkey. The previous owner didn’t take the cat to a veterinarian for a medical check-up or vaccinations. Thank goodness Jimi was in good condition when he was brought to the shelter. The local vet estimated Jimi was born early September 2018 and wrote down ‘2018, September 1’ in the Date of Birth box on the registration papers.

Jimi Day 1

 

So far, the change in Jimi’s life went extremely smooth and did exceed my expectations. He was very cautious on the first day but seemed to trust my experience with cats. The second day he was walking around in every room to check out the interesting spots. On the third day it seemed as he lived here for years. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Okay, there was one minor thing, he got diarrhoea on the first two days. I called the vet and he told me to change his food for a few days and give Jimi a gastrointestinal diet food. The problem was already solved the next day, it’s also possible it was stress related.

Jimi Day 2

 

I had two cat names in mind for a shelter cat before I found Jimi: Kiki for a female cat and Iggy for a male cat. Jimi’s original name was Misa. Someone told me the name Misa (a baby name for girls) means ‘Beautiful Bloom’ and is of Japanese origin. In the beginning it sounded good to me. But the first day I met Misa in the shelter I was wearing my Jimi Hendrix t-shirt. Driving back home I suddenly decided to call him Jimi if I could adopt him. So now we share the same family name. You know, it was probably the result of a coincidence, in the mood of the moment.

Jimi Day 3

 

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

Welcome Home, Jimi!

New kid in town. Okay, I feel guilty towards Bowie and towards what I said in my previous post. I didn’t planned to adopt another cat so soon, especially a young one. But sometimes you just can’t control the way your life goes. Let me explain… 

I contacted a few local cat shelters to ask them if I could donate Mr. Bowie’s special diet food, medicines, hygiene products and other stuff. When I was checking out their websites I noticed a message about a 1 year old grey male cat who was dropped off in the shelter. The owner of the cat moved to a foreign country and didn’t care about his cat. The little one needed quickly a forever home because he was too anxious at the shelter. I decided to visit the cat. Much to my surprise the little cat immediately walked towards me. The other cats in the room weren’t interested in me. The little grey one started to rub his head on me and I could pet him. Maybe it’s a bit weird, but I felt some kind of connection. My heart melted and I decided to fill in the adoption papers. After a few days they called me and said I could adopt the cat. I was in cat heaven.

Jimi in the shelter

 

So welcome home, Jimi! Glad you decided to pick me. Let’s hope we get along and will be best friends forever. Now let’s take it easy and get to know each other better. I’ll keep posting on the blog and talk about my new adventures. And I’ll keep on talking about Mr. Bowie. We will never forget him.

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

Leaving Home, Coming Home

Bowie is back home. I picked up his ashes at the crematorium. The manager also gave me a condolence card with Bowie’s personal paw print in black inkt and a little box with some small tufts of Bowie’s fur. I went for an individual cremation, it’s a bit more expensive than a ‘group’ cremation but hey, now I’m sure it’s Mr. Bowie who returns to my home, to his home. And Bowie deserves to come back home for giving me so much love all these years.

I placed the urn in the bookcase of the living room.  The house still feels so empty and silent. I miss my friend so much. You know that one day your pet will die, but Bowie passed away too soon. I don’t know if I’m ready for another cat soon but I think I would try to save an older cat from a local shelter to give it a forever home.

I was pleasantly surprised after reading all your heartwarming words of comfort. I didn’t expected the farewell post would create such impact and sadness to all my followers and visitors. Reading so many comments from all over the world… It comforts me to know Bowie was loved by so many people. It comforts me to know that people found strength to go on after reading posts on the blog. It comforts me knowing that people started smiling after reading a post. It comforts me knowing Bowie made people feel better.

Daydreaming in the bookcase. One of the last photographs of Mr. Bowie.

 

I don’t know what will happen with this blog but I will keep it online. Maybe I still got many stories to tell, many photographs to show. Unfortunately, the stories will be in the past tense. Maybe it’s not a bad idea to write a few posts every month. For now, I will be taking it slowly I guess… 

I want to thank you with all my heart. All your heartwarming comments made me feel better and helped me get through these empty and sad days. I sincerely apologise for not replying to your comments.

Farewell, My Sweet Mr. Bowie

Bowie, º May 19, 2009 – † September 11, 2019. It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Bowie. Bowie passed away at noon. He has been suffering from kidney problems and aggressive blood cancer over the last weeks. Unfortunately, nobody saw or noticed any symptoms on time, due to his other medical issues. Bowie was hospitalised for 3 days and thoroughly examined. The results were dramatic and I was in shock. The veterinarian said it was better to put Bowie to sleep and avoid any unnecessary suffering, pain or distress. Bowie passed away peacefully while I was holding him gently in my arms.

 I am honoured and privileged to have spent 10 years of my life knowing and having Bowie as my beloved friend. I will always remember the last warm days we shared this summer, sitting on the wooden bench outside in the garden and enjoying the evening sun. 

My sadness over missing you leaves me numb and unmotivated. You were an important part of my life. I can’t see or hear you anymore, but it doesn’t mean you’re not here. I like to believe you are somewhere very, very near. I love you so much but it’s time to say: Goodbye my dear Friend. Thank you for coming into my life and giving me joy. Thank you for loving me and receiving my love in return. Rest in peace, Bowie. I’m sure that you are in a better place where there is no pain or discomfort. Sleep well, my sweet friend. Until we meet again, somewhere, sometime.

A Room with a View

Hot (hotter, hottest). Okay, I’m going to huff and puff during the making of this post. I will try to be brief. For the third time this year, we’re having a heat wave. A recurrent phenomenon the last 3-4 years that deserves our attention and more research. Thank goodness there’s ice cream and cool milkshakes to comfort me…

As you probably remember, I did a complete makeover in my house. All the curtains were also removed and replaced with black, aluminium blinds. Mr. Bowie prefers them a little bit up so he can still enjoy the view outside.

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

 

Theremin

Ghostly sound. I bought myself a theremin, a belated birthday present. A theremin is an electronically musical instrument controlled without physical contact by the player. The exact date of the theremin’s invention is unknown, historians place it somewhere between late 1919 and early 1920. It’s named after its inventor, Léon Theremin, who patented the device in 1928. The instrument has been used in movie soundtracks (such as Bernard Herrmann’s The Day the Earth Stood Still and recently Justin Hurwitz’s First Man), concert music, popular music, television and video games, (info Wikipedia). Feel free to check out some clips on YouTube.

I used a friend’s theremin years ago for a few musical and sound design projects. I never became a professional player but I loved using the device. Now it will be mostly used as decoration. As you know from previous posts, my house got a complete makeover. I created an industrial style living room and the theremin will look very good on the dresser.

Mr. Bowie was also very interested in the device. Or maybe he was only waiting to get into the box? Rock on, Mr. Bowie! Right now I’m working on an experimental electronic piece, maybe I can throw in some theremin sounds?

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding. 

Record-Breaking Heat Wave

Another record-smashing heat wave! This week the Belgian’s all-time record temperature will be broken, with highs of above 40°C forecast. The Heat Health Alert level Code Red is in force since yesterday. We need to stay inside, drink a lot of water and have a lot of ice cream, of course.

This morning, while Mr. Bowie was having a break, the temperature was already above 30°C in the shade. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have to get ready to go swimming and have another dose of ice cream.

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

Pancakes/Ice Cream?

Summer’s here! June 21 marks the summer solstice in this part of the world, which is the day of the year with the most hours of daylight. This always make me feel good and happy. I bought some extra vanilla and coffee ice cream to help me cool down next week. Weatherman predicts the first heatwave with temperatures going up to 38 degrees Celsius. Looking forward to having breakfast and reading the newspaper outside in the garden.

Pritty, Mr. Bowie’s mom, prefers pancakes but it looks like we are going for ice cream next week…

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

Right Tool for the Job

The importance of providing the right tools for the job.  Maybe “use the right tool for the job” is a pretty tired cliche, but not for Mr. Bowie. It looks like he’s trying to break into the treats locker. What sharp little eyes you have, Mr. Bowie…

Meanwhile, the painters finished their job inside the house and we might get some peace and quiet here. Next week they will start outside painting the doors and windows.

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

 

Lazing

I’ll be lazing on a Sunday
Lazing on a Sunday
Lazing on a Sunday afternoon

“Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon” – Queen

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

Ten

Mr. B turns ten today. According to his cat years, it looks like he’s older and wiser than I am. A recent study in cognitive science pointed out that older cats have much more information in their brains than younger humans. Happy Birthday Mr. Bowie! Catnip and treats for all the furry ones all over the world. Let’s party!

Meanwhile, Mr. Bowie’s checking if the paint is dry by touching an inconspicuous area with his paw. If the paint is not tacky and feels dry to the paw touch, it is dry.

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

Three Shades of Grey

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

The Pop-up Cat

Come out, come out, wherever you are and meet the cat. Mr. Bowie loves to play hide-and-seek under the protection covers and blankets used by the painters. It looks like he enjoys their presence in the house, although he doesn’t like the sound of a sanding machine and a drilling machine. If all goes well, the painters will finish their work next week.

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.

The Platform Cat

Me: “How is the new paint project going?” Mr. Bowie: “Right on track! I’m on top of it while you were having coffee and chocolates.” 

Enjoy this beautiful day, my friends, wherever you are. Peace, love and understanding.