Nora The Piano CatThere is a new video, rather one-sided, I might add, that is causing some stir on the internet. In the interest of truth and for the exposure of yet another example of manipulative use of the media, I am providing a link to this video.
I performed the “Thank You” concert on 1.23.2013, about a week after receiving hundreds of emails and Facebook comments wishing me a speedy recovery from a jealous sibling’s bite that, while not requiring stitches, did necessitate a trip to the vet to have the wound cleansed and to get a shot of antibiotics. And while I did lay low for a few days, partially to avoid my nemesis and partially to heal, it is always true that the show must go on, you know. So, it wasn’t long before I was back at the piano. And Burnell was there to capture it.
Last year, B&B bought a lovely red Honda CRV after their beloved Toyota Camry developed a crack in the cylinder block – whatever that is. Cadence, key and arpeggio I know. Cylinder block? Not a clue. Of course, I know it has something to do with a car, but cars are important to me only in that they deliver me to the vet for my twice yearly physical. So, you can imagine how much I absolutely adore the car.
Anyway, B&B seem to require it, so they bought it. And for over a year it has been parked or been driven to the vet or to flea markets, art shows, trips to the country, shopping for cat food, etc., and all the time it has had a decorative license plate on the front advertising the place where it was purchased. Isn’t that kind of like wearing your t-shirt inside out? Not that I would ever wear a t-shirt, mind you, even though a few fans have expressed an interest in dressing me up.
Well, finally B&B wised up and decided to advertise something really worth advertising – me! Now, wherever they drive to, no matter how far, I will always be the first to arrive. That’s kind of neat. (Click the photo to view it larger.)
But before you start thinking that maybe you’d like a Nora The Piano Cat decorative plate on the front of your car, beware that some States require a regular license plate, front and back. And some cars don’t have a plate holder on the front. You definitely need a plate holder to screw the aluminum plate to.
According to Cafepress, the following States require a regular State-issued license plate on both the front and the back of your car: WA, OR, ID, WY, MONT., ND, SD, MN, WI, NE, IA, IL, MO, CO, UT, NV, CA, TX, OH, VA, NY, NH, VT, ME, CT, NJ, RI, DC, HI, AK, MD.
If you are lucky enough to live in one of the other States (not on the list above), and you have a plate holder on the front of your car, and you would like me keeping my eyes on the road ahead as you travel through this magnificent land, you can get your very own Nora The Piano Cat aluminum decorative plate on the Raven’s Wing Studio online shop.
My newest calendar for 2011 features the seventeen winning poems from the 2010 Nora Purr-etry Contest. It also has all-new images of me. And check this out: the poems were written by my fans from around the world – as far away as South Africa and Australia. The photographs are by my personal assistant and chief photo guy, Burnell.
The calendar is available from my online store at: http://www.cafepress.com/ravenswingshop.493221550
Note: Authors of the seventeen winning entries each receive a 2011 Nora Purr-etry Calendar as part of their prize package.
The Cat Vet (Elizabeth McKinstry) at 2210 South Street in Philadelphia has a front window that, weather permitting, provides a play & snooze space for kittens looking for a new home and loving human companionship. Max, Gabby, and Rennie all won a place in B&B’s hearts with their rolling and tumbling and darting in and out of the large doll (cat) house that occupies about a quarter of the large front window. The two kittens pictured above are not my siblings, but I’m sure they both found good homes. They are awfully cute hanging out on the second floor balcony, though. Don’t you think?
After a few requests for greeting cards with images and quotes from my Tao of Nora calendar, my human, Burnell, rose to the occasion and created a series of blank greeting cards inspired by my calendar. You can buy them singly and in packs of ten or twenty. And if you don’t see the one you want, just let me know and I’ll see if Burnell can add it to the series. I can be reached at <norathepianocat@ravenswingstudio.com>. The Tao of Nora calendar can be found in my online shop, and the Tao of Nora greetings cards can be viewed and ordered by clicking HERE.
A larger version of the pictured card can be viewed by clicking the thumbnail.
Britain’s best-selling cat magazine Your Cat has just published another wonderful article on me by author Angela Lowe. It’s the August 2008 issue, page 16. Thanks Angela!
And guess what? They have ten copies of my new book Nora The Piano Cat’s Guide to Becomming a Good Musician, and are giving them away as prizes in a drawing (details on page 12 of the magazine).
If you’re not in Britain, you can download a pdf (636K) of the article.
Don’t miss this wonderful article titled Purrs in the Key of Life in the September 2008 issue of Cat Fancy Magazine. Author Anne Leighton writes “Nora the cat is a modern day equivalent of 1950s TV star Lassie the dog….” Now, I may never have saved Betsy from the bottom of a well the way Lassie saved Timmy, but I am honored by the comparison. Woof! 🙂
You can download a pdf (616K) of the article.
It’s here! My new book Nora the Piano Cat’s Guide to Becoming a Good Musician is available now from Amazon.com.
Following in the wake of The Tao of Nora 2008 Calendar (and inspired by my mentor Betsy Alexander’s teaching philosophy), the new book features sage (and serious) advice on things like picking an instrument, developing your ear, practicing, patience, and more. And it has some pretty cool photos of me taken by mixed media artist Burnell Yow! – who just happens to be my other human (and personal assistant).
This guide is only the first in a series of music-related books to come. So keep that ear cocked for all the latest mews…er…news.
ISBN 978-1438230566
To order from Amazon, click here.
Trade paperback, 5.25″ x 8″, 40 pages. (Click thumbnail to view larger image.)
Check out the article on me and my humans in the Philadelphia Inquirer. It was written by Daniel Rubin and the photos were taken by Ron Tarver.Click HERE to read it.Visit Ron Tarver’s website HERE.He’s really good!.Love, Nora