gosh this is so sweet

Yeah, it is, even if Umbra was caught a little by surprise. This is one of the reasons why I like this particular artist, 'sweet' and 'macro' aren't things that a lot of people do well together.

I love it 💓💓💓

This is a fun one, isn't it?

Is Umbra an associate of yours or ours I've not yet met, my cat? I had put aside my worldbuilding and background design for Willow/Sheilagh- the 'earth-goddess cat' I've imagined is a friendly rival and counterpart in parallel you encountered when you first came to Sol III where I was born, a very long time ago- but I suspect Umbra might be a Nu'un-cat (the Sea of Stars, as in) to your Star-feline self.

That said, I've been getting back into the saddle regarding projects I've put on hold, and the Coal-Seamed Heather- that's the Blackwillow Mountain Sheila, or the Shilleigleagh- is one of our goodbean divinities I've chosen for for novel and profound development soon to come.

-2Paw.

Umbra's one of SonicSweeti's characters, who's listed as a 'solar cat' over on her ref sheet. In early conversations with the artist, I joked a bit about that since I'd been 'living star' for' years at that point, and partly as a result of that, I've had some pictures of myself and Umbra together. Umbra's a bit more of the 'actively playful and prankster' sort, a little more boundary-pushing than I am, but also usually lazy enough to not bother going past the boundary.

I should probably be better at giving character ownership in my descriptions.

Oh, that makes sense; I'm sorry if I stuck my snooter in unkindly about one of SonicSweeti's rogues'-gallery, even if no harm was done. I shouldn't yeet around assumptions like that in either fashion and I'll do better going forth. At least I know Umbra is one of her beans and you both have a respectfully mutual arrangement about Umbra's inclusion herein.

I suppose that's not unlike your permission gifted my way to develop the formerly-anonymous but mighty feline giantess in your spot commission from a while back, into the character I've shepherded into the good heather-feline divinity Blackwillow-Shilleiglaigh, whom you've allowed me to respectfully and creatively fashion and foster into a furson with a background and nomen of her own.

Also, can you believe McDonald's wants $5.50 and tax (Canadian funds) for a large order of french fries now? I stopped in at the location across from Matty Ecklar, right in front of Gerrard Square on my way home from writing there with my laptop last night. I sustain that I did not indulge in any french fries, but instead a double cheeseburger, no pickles and no onions.

The price, again, was a bit ritzier than I remember for a standard sandwich but it was just as good as a decade and a half ago, and the young lady who took my order brought my food over to me at a very comfy seat and table; the location had been remodeled a while back and it was my first time there after the fact.

I would not have asked that of her even if I was still strong on my feet (I was very tired, and likely was visibly unsteady and not a small bit exhausted) but it was a wonderful kindness I did not expect, and it really made me feel at home while I ate. I thanked her kindly before I headed out to wait for the next 506 tram westward, then transferring to a northbound streetcar on Broadview and got off at Wolfrey before walking home.

-2Paw.

No worries, you reminded me that I really should be clearer on this and not assume that people have been following my gallery for years to have seen any previous pictures.

Umbra's the same cat from the 'running an ice cream truck down my spine' a couple of years ago, and a couple of other pics in my gallery/

Haven't actually been inside a McDonald's in a while now. The one that used to be up at the corner of Eglinton and Dufferin has been a Butter Chicken Roti for the last few years, but that just closed down a week or so ago and looks like it's being replaced by a Turkish place. Hunh, now that I think about it, I think the last time I was in a McDonald's was in Ottawa when I was up there for CanFurence. Sadly the area in the core of downtown where the hotel is has a very distinct lack of inexpensive restaurants, especially if you want anything open late.

Oh, I remember that one; the 'icy beach shloop!', also drawn by Amber as you said. In a very real way remembering that drawing reinforces my choice to not involve extreme temperature change or sensory 'shock' in my play with you anyone else, unless it's specific to our choice of fun or the environment involved.

In Amber's drawing you're definitely IC startled but the important difference is that you and SonicSweeti planned it in advance. I absolutely hate getting tickled- and I think you've told me more than once over the years your own tolerances IC if not also IRL are along those lines- and one of the last times it happened to me unbidden was the one time I broke my father's nose, lashing out halfway panicked and halfway stranger-danger offense with my leg and cracking him in the middle of his face soundly with my heelbone, using the transmissive fulcrum of my thigh, knee and shin.

He genuinely never up 'til that point took that particular tolerance of mine to heart, that it affected me that badly and after I realized I'd hurt him rather badly he apologized to me, and we spent the evening in quiet company after he calmed me down. I was more upset by then that I'd hurt my father and that the blood gushing from his nose had been my doing, the one and only time I ever injured him badly in a physical fashion.

The point being that it's not just a matter of my particular sensitivity or aversion to soft-strong pressure or deep touch, atypically and not predictably, but that most people react poorly to any sudden or sharp sensory shock and few people if anyone like the rug pulled out from under them most of the time. It's one of the worst things that can fudge a person up, especially reinforced after multiple exposures in a vulnerable or insecure way or place, not that my position thus I imagine is terribly profound. It's not funny unless it's funny for both parties, not play unless you're both having fun. Take that away and it's careless at best, abusive at worst.

I think you mentioned the Turkish restaurant that's opening up a few weeks back, and it's not the one you've eaten at before, of course. The double cheeseburger at the Gerrard Square McDo's was really good, expensive, yes, but it was definitely as good and I felt wonderfully welcome thanks to the hospitality of the young lady who served me at the cash, told me the price points for the items I remembered and asked about, and really was exemplary when it came to being a new, friendly face at a franchise I hadn't been to in longer than my veterancy as a professional writer.

It won't be every day I go there on the way home from Matty Ecklar but knowing I'm welcome there- and that the food is still just as good as I recall- will be a wonderful reinforcement for the treat I allow myself on occasion, and my enjoyment at being a good guest in a place that reminds me of the precious quality of hospitality in a place of food-sharing, something that is often alien to me because of the limitations I have that I know you know well enough.

It may not be adherent to the precise detail of my McDo's visit on Monday Night but my wolf's earthy gratitude suggests I have a kindness to pay forward, and that it will be an element of a tale I'm currently writing or soon will write.

-2Paw.

Awwww:) So nice! Thank you for sharing..especially for this month!

As I said, yeah, I wanted at least one thematically appropriate pic this month.

"Some folks are just cute when they're flustered."

(Evalia: "I sure wouldn't know anything about flustered feline friends, nope... not even a little bit.")

Vixens don't even have to be giant to manage that, just need to be... in the appropriate locations. (Or inappropriate locations, depending on how you define that...)

(Evalia: "And the less said further on this, the better! Well, for now.")

All I'll say is, "I found some old logs."

I've got a few, just need a way to parse iChat logs.
... also might have something to do with other felines.
(Evalia: "Mmhmm...")