"J'ai Sommeil": The Life of a French Cat

Is it possible to get as comfortable as a cat?  I don't think so. Though they sometimes pick the funniest places to sleep.  Here are some French felines I've snapped, including ours, in the yawning stage, in dream mode, or simply out cold.  PHOTO:  Welcome mat-cat, spotted in northern Burgundy.

This relaxed cat slept right by our table during the entire meal, at a restaurant in the Var.

"And you woke me up WHY?"  A nest among le linge.

In Italy, we watched all the hotel guests step right over this cat, who never even opened an eye.

Fangs:  Under no circumstances should you disturb this cat.

Our rescue cat Domino, sleeping in Ron's desk chair at the chat-eau.  But wait, don't empty that trash can!  Our neighbor's cat Meepia, also known as The Guest Cat, has snuck in once again. (She is sometimes also called Cupcake, in memory of the day this rotunde gourmand cleared several of them off of our kitchen counter).

These cats are definately headed for un petit dodo (that's French for cat nap).

 

In the COMMENTS:  Funny, two readers mentioned Shaker Lemon Pie, which I had never heard of.  And yes Suzanne, we'd love the recipe!  Linda, how do we get on the list for one of those Christmas boxes? And going back to the fall roses, Paula I will make note of those varieties, as a few of those beetles have made it over to our garden too!

Christmas shopping tip:  My friend Chris over at European Market has great presents, all carefully chosen from his travels in Europe.  Like the gorgeous stadium blanket featured in Traditional Homes ’20 Gifts for Him’ gift guide this month.  Check out European Market here.

Favorite Reads:  Big book news this week:  One of our readers, Josh Chalmers, has published a children's book, and it's a very special one you'll want to know about.  It's called Change the World Before Bedtime , and it's about kids around the globe exploring ways to be generous and help their neighbors, friends, and the less fortunate.  I'll be getting a copy for my grandkids. Felicitations, Josh.

Comments

[French Girl in Seattle]

Bonjour! Thank you for sharing these great shots of "les chats..." I am assuming you know the great book "The French Cat," that I listed in today's post about French-themed Christmas gifts? If you don't have it yet, ask le Père Noël to bring it to you. You will like it. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

[Sandy Vann]

Adorable...love this! We are currently enjoying the company of the
of our neighbors cats where we rented a small apartment in Salon de Provence Lynn. So wanting to have our own again.
Joyeux Noel and thanks for the wonderful book recommendation and website. We can all learn from these sage furry friends, take time
to savor each moment and certainly every nap. Joyeux Noel. Sandy

[Josh Chalmers]

Thank you, thank you, for sharing news of our book! I'm so happy to see it flying off the shelves here, and finding its way to bookstores in other countries, too. And, just yesterday, we were the recipients of the Mom's Choice Awards, Gold level! Now it's time for me to start working on the French translation of it, right?

[Mary James]

Cute post Lynn. And always love your responses to comments. Not many people do that. In this one, it seems the links for European Market are not working. Joyeux Noel!

[Lynn McBride]

Hi Mary James,
Thanks so much, and merci for the quick heads-up on the broken link, which is now fixed. Merry Christmas to you too.

[Katie (frenchcravings.com)]

Cute pics! I particularly enjoyed the trash can kitty and the laundry basket one. I suppose its about the cats' "re-purposing" the baskets for their own preferred use. Have a super weekend!

[Chris]

A big EuropeanMarket "merci" for including us in today's blog. As usual, today's entry is a terrific read. Plus, the cat photos are adorable. If anyone is looking for EuropeanMarket, we're at: EuropeanMarket.US. Enjoy your weekend.

[Barbara - California]

Wonderful shots of those cuties. Think of mine often and with the best memories. Joyous Noel Lynn!

[Julie Farrar]

Thanks for the photos of les chats. Because I'm a dog person, for a long time I was obsessed with taking pictures of dogs in all the unlikely places (department stores, in the markets, sitting in chairs at the café). Then one evening I noticed a cat walking along the roof-ridge of a medieval building and have been snapping them in their unlikely places ever since. I love my "cats on windowsills" and "cats in restaurant windows" the best.

[Katie]

Very cute!

[Ido]

Lovely photos Lynn. We don't have a cat, but our neighbors cat loves to visit every day.
Have a wonderful weekend
XXX Ido

[Christine Webb-Curtis]

Love this post, Lynn. We've been here in France now for two and a half months and are missing our own cats and our dog terribly. These help. We, too, enjoyed a cat on the windowsill while we were dining in Cereste. And now we like to go to the nearby boulangerie in our rental in Landes--just to pet the baker's cat.

Chris

[Mickey]

Lynn ....for your information. Cats recognize a camera when they see one and so they pose!!! .Mickey

[Augusta]

I'm so glad the French aren't uptight about cats in restaurants. They add such a warm, home-y touch, don't they? Written with my beautiful beef-cat Frédy waiting (im)patiently at my feet for me to vacate my computer chair, so he can curl up on it :-)

[Natalia]

Hi Lynn,
Thank you for these wonderful cuties!!
(What's that expression? One picture worth a thousand words??
Adorable!!!)
We always had animals when I was growing up,from kitties to dogs to horses,chickens and cattle.
My dear mom rescued so many sweet meows; at one point we had 20 that we simultaneously found homes for.
Since 1969,my hubby and I have had Yorkshire Terriers as our cherished companions.
How blessed we all are to have the love and devotion of four pawed 'kids'!

[Lynn McBride]

By email from Jacki In Boise (sorry the site was misbehaving, Jacki!)
Always such happy things come via your blog, Lynn. First, the cat pictures reminded me of a happy pair I shot in Lourmarin on the steps of our B*B a few years ago, which led me to an hour of browsing happy memories of that trip.
Then the book you mentioned looks wonderful. I said two days ago that my Christmas shopping was done, but went straight to Amazon to order the book for my grandchildren.
Joyeux Noel !

[Suzanne Hurst]

Will send you some photos of my cat, Hannah, when I get back online.

[Terry B Gardner (@tbgdesign)]

kitties...love 'em.

[Transfer Geneva to les gets]

Cats have comfort genes. Never seen single depressed cat in my life.

[JULES GREER - PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO]

Hi Lynn,

Kristi sent me over here bright and early this morning. I remember this wonderful post and I am so happy to see your work again this morning. I will always remember the first moment I met you at the gate at Kristi's house years ago.

XOXO

JULES