cute animals

All posts tagged cute animals

Lou Christie, Long Branch, New Jersey

Published August 16, 2015 by Maryanne

SAM_8240Lou Christie

One of my all time favorite artists, Lou Christie, gave a free show in Long Branch, New Jersey, last night. It was a perfect August night, warm, no humidity, and romantically shared with my husband.

This has to be at least the sixth or seventh time we saw Lou and it just keeps getting better and better. First, the band was off the hook! The sound was amazing and Lou was still hitting those high notes and his back-up singers, The Crayons were right on the money. It was like listening to a record and then some, that’s just how PERFECT it was.

This was the first time Lou didn’t open up with my favorite “I’m Gonna Make You Mine,” but saved it for next to last, followed by his biggest hit, “Lightning Strikes.”

Other songs included “The Gypsy Cried,” “Two Faces Have I,” “Love is a Many Splendid Thing,” “Theme from a Summer Place” (which brought tears to my eyes), and “Beyond the Blue Horizon,” which I recognized that one right off the bat and gave a little yell. Lou acknowledged me and said, “I like that one too!”

My husband and I gave Lou several standing ovations. I think of all the performances we saw, this could be close to my favorite. He added some new songs to the set which added to the excitement. And he joked around a lot with the crowd. He acknowledged “the wine lady” — who is a friend of mine, Louise, who brings him wine and has been following his shows since the 1960s! I met her last summer at another Lou Christie show and we have since become friends on Face Book.

SAM_8222Me on the left, with Debbie (center) and right, Louise (the wine lady)

Prior to Lou’s performance, it was announced there was a special guest in the audience, Robert John, who had a hit in 1979 with “Sad Eyes (Turn the Other Way).” He came onstage and lip-synched to his hit.

SAM_8231Robert John, hit song “Sad Eyes (Turn the Other Way)”

And so cute that a guy in the audience had a poodle and a parrot. Where did he sit? Right next to me — the ultimate animal lover!

SAM_8237How cute is this?!

SAM_8246Can we teach him to sing like Lou?!

After the show, my husband and I decided to take a walk near the water and we found this cool boat that went with the theme of the night. Can you guess what the theme was? Look at the picture, then figure out before you look at the caption 🙂

SAM_8245The “Gypsea” Cried! 🙂

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta is the author of “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/162903908X

Her third book, “The Gypsy Smiled” was inspired by Lou Christie and will be published in 2016.

Aw, National Pig Day Today!

Published March 1, 2015 by Maryanne

pigs(Photo by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta)

Piggies(Photo by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta)

Aw, National Pig Day, today! I fell in love with pigs after seeing “Charlotte’s Web” in the movies. I started reading everything I could about pigs.

For pig lovers, I highly recommend “The Good Good Pig” by Sy Montgomery, the true story about a woman who kept a pig for a pet. Sy illustrates how incredibly smart pigs are — equivalent to a 3-year-old toddler! Or check out “The Christmas Pig” by Kinky Friedman, a fictitious tear-jerker about a young boy’s friendship with a barnyard pig.

I took the two above photos at various visits to farms. Aren’t they the cutest things?

My Cat’s Got Sunshine, On a Cloudy Day

Published November 19, 2014 by Maryanne

MareDerickMe and Derick, 2005

My husband swore to God this happened last night and wishes I was awake to see it.

Now, all pet owners know first hand how loving pets can be, to the point where they do the cutest, unbelievable things. My 18-year-old cat, Derick, has always been “Mommy’s Little Heart.” From day one, as a kitten, he rarely left my side. He follows me around the house like a shadow.

Last night my husband put on a movie about The Temptations. I love them, but I’m a bit run down and I fell asleep on the couch while the movie was on. Derick was lying next to me, facing the television.

My husband said that as soon as they started performing “My Girl,” Derick moved to face me and was staring at me during the entire song! You can’t make this stuff up! I guess I’m my cat’s sunshine on a cloudy day! (And of course Derick is right on my lap as I type this blog!)

SAM_6304October 2014, still together

Our song 🙂

Billy Cat Update!

Published July 16, 2013 by Maryanne

SAM_1220

Billy, 19, has thyroid issues and arthritis, but is not in pain.

My husband has been taking him for acupuncture treatments in order to help him walk, as his hind legs have been giving out. He’s been staying in one spot behind the couch for several weeks now, unable to climb stairs, unable to lift his paws into the litter box.

He’s been making leaps and bounds with his holistic treatments. He’s making the effort to walk. His body is FINALLY absorbing all the nutrients so he gained five ounces back! We have him on B-12 vitamins and both holistic and thyroid medications.

The holistic vet is pleased with his progress and so are we. Today the vet used aqua-puncture, which is hypodermic needles filled with vitamins, shot in acupuncture areas for healing. He’s doing so well, his regular acupuncture treatments will now only be once a month.

But it’s still very sad to have an old, sick pet, that isn’t what he used to be. It breaks our hearts.

His illness is truly taking a toll on us, as the stress has been affecting my back. I went to the chiropractor twice this week, after not having to go for two months.

But we are doing our best to make Billy as comfortable and happy as possible. Sacrificing portions of our Sundays together to stay home with Billy and make sure he’s okay. Whenever we spend a lot of time with him, he really makes the effort to improve.

Tonite, we’re treating ourselves. Going to an outdoor concert with a few of our friends. Mommy and Daddy need a night out.

 

I Believe in Good Omens

Published June 19, 2013 by Maryanne

SAM_1220My beautiful Billy Cat, age 19

My heart has been breaking into pieces this past week as I’m watching my kitty’s health get worse and worse. He’s been back and forth to the vet so many times. The main issue is arthritis and thyroid trouble. About a month ago we had to put an additional litter box downstairs because Billy couldn’t climb the stairs anymore. He lost so much weight, he’s like a little bag of bones. Now he’s having the worst time walking.

Dennis and I are babying him, but also trying to encourage him to walk to help build up strength. His new “home” is hiding behind the sofa. We put a little cat bed back there, along with a stuffed animal and an electric blanket. Last night my husband massaged Billy’s backside as he laid on the living room floor. I laid next to him and he was holding me with his paw. Billy and I fell asleep together.

Tomorrow he’s going to an animal hospital that has a veterinary acupuncturist on staff.

I’m a firm believer in acupuncture. It cured my husband’s allergies. It got rid of my pre-menstral breast pain. It always helps when I have back pain or sciatica — so much so that I don’t have to go again for months. Here’s an article I wrote about acupuncture for a health column I used to have: http://verona.patch.com/articles/the-benefits-of-acupuncture-no-pain-all-gain

Interesting, just a few hours after my husband told me about Billy’s appointment, I received a phone call from one of my editors asking if I’d cover a story at the children’s hospital tomorrow.

And guess what the story is about? Little cancer patients who are gaining strength through acupuncture and other natural therapies! What a coincidence and what a good omen. This is definitely God’s way of telling us there is always HOPE.

I am ecstatic and honored to write such a positive story! Tomorrow will definitely be a celebration of natural remedies. I think my Billy will be on the road to a new life in his golden years!

I’m so excited for him!