A special bond exists between conductor and soloist, even when one of them happens to be a human being, as is Maestro Tim Ribchester. Tim is also a pianist and a vocal coach. And while he and I have yet to perform together, he is a fan of yours truly and of CATcerto, the piece written by Mindaugas Piecaitis, and based on my piano stylings. Who knows what the future holds. One day you may, indeed, see our names sharing the same markee. Wouldn’t that be grand?

Check out http://timribchester.com for more about this very talented homosapien.

Edited with BlogPad Pro

Yes, that’s true! The maestros Piecaitis and Rosenberg paid me a visit in 2012. It was a first-time meeting for all of us. Piecaitis, composer of CATcerto, came all the way from Lithuania to meet his muse. Rosenberg didn’t have to travel quite so far. He and his wife, Caitlin, drove from Chestertown, Maryland in the United States. Maestro Rosenberg is the artistic director of the National Music Festival, and he has conducted CATcerto (with yours truly on the big screen) four times, including the U.S. premiere in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His wife, Caitlin Patton, is the executive director of the NMF.

Here’s a short video with highlights of the visit.

When is a cat carrier not a cat carrier? No, that’s not a Zen koan. It’s a real question, and the answer comes in the form of a story. You see, it all began when my sibling, Ellie, needed a trip to the vet. As you may know, Ellie was a bit wild when she came to us three years ago, and she’s still not very approachable. She won’t tolerate being picked up like a normal house cat. In fact she will only come to you if you are lying down or sitting on the floor. And then she comes only briefly and only for petting. Any move to pick her up and she’s gone in a flash. So anytime a vet visit is called for, it becomes quite a production for Burnell, our resident cat wrangler.

First the cat carrier is brought up to the bedroom a few days before the appointment so Ellie can get used to it being in the room. Then the morning of the appointment, the carrier is left upended at the end of the bed with the door open. Next, Burnell sits on the floor near the carrier and begins playing with us using what he and Betsy call a “cat toy,” which is usually something noisy and small tied to a string. We all play along and pretend to be amused. Eventually, if things go as planned, Ellie will decide she doesn’t want to be left out of the game and she’ll come close enough for Burnell to grab her by the scruff of her neck and lift her up, at which time she goes completely limp. It’s really quite remarkable, actually. I hear it goes back to when we were newborns and our mothers carried us that way. Anyway, Burnell will then struggle to get to his feet all the while holding Ellie in this position (he also supports her weight with the other hand up where her front legs meet her body). Now it’s into the carrier. Since it’s upended with the door open, he simply has to lower her into the carrier, release her and then quickly close the door before she can jump out. Of course, that’s if everything goes as planned. Needless to say, it didn’t. Ellie is fast and furious and on the day in question, she was obviously more than a little suspicious. After trying for two hours to coax her close enough to effect a grab and lift maneuver, Burnell gave up and called the vet to reschedule the appointment for another day.

Now back to my original question: When is a cat carrier not a cat carrier? It ‘s when a cat, not unlike myself – actually it was me – decides to take up residence in said carrier and even goes so far as to schedule an appointment with an interior decorator. I’m thinking a nice Sahara Sand for the walls. What do you think?

(Click image to view larger.)

It’s my eighth birthday today, September 10th, and I’d like to thank the individuals and organizations responsible for me being here. First of all, let me thank my mother, a stray cat on the streets of Camden, NJ. Then there’s the woman who rescued me as a kitten and took me to Furrever Friends, a no-kill animal shelter. Thanks, guys. They maintained a pet adoption center at the Pet Smart (bless them), and that’s where I ended up in a big cage with a tag that said “Bossy.” That’s where I first met Burnell and Betsy, the lovely couple who adopted me and became my personal assistants. Who knows what course my life might have taken had I not ended up with them. I am deeply grateful for all the love and care and inspiration they have given me the last eight years. I’d also like to thank Dr. Wellens and the wonderful, caring vets and staff of Queen Village Animal Hospital where I get my regular checkups. And then there are my many fans who have nurtured my time on this planet with their comments and compliments and expressions of love and appreciation. Thank you all so very much.

There are two fans I’d like to send special thanks to: One is my licensing agent, Laura Becker of Moxie & Company, for her tireless efforts on my behalf. The other is composer/conductor Mindaugas Piecaitis, who saw the potential in my music and brought it to the concert stage through his creation of CATcerto. His marvelous talent and passion for music is an inspiration to so many.

I would be amiss if I failed to mention my fellow adopted siblings: Max, Rennie, Clara, Gabby, Jenny, and Ellie. Though we have not always seen eye to eye, especially if they came too close to my piano (especially Max). I do appreciate the warmth and joy they have added to our home and to the lives of Burnell and Betsy. And a happy personal assistant is a good personal assistant.

Thank you all,
Your Diva,
Nora

A single moment of stillness, purring quietly in the warming rays of the sun.