My good friends are all well aware of how much I adore scented candles, because there is an assortment of them throughout my home. I am definitely not talking about candles from TJ Maxx or Marshall’s, or Yankee Candles, which are made with paraffin wax and soy wax and look and smell tacky. Thanks to my cousin Rose, who gifted me with two Voluspa candles on Christmas Eve 2020, I got swept up into the world of candles. Rose also inspired me to develop a nightly ritual in which I select a fragrance which resonates with me at that moment, light the candle, and enjoy the soft glow and wonderful aroma while winding down for the late afternoon into evening.
I have sampled other candle brands, but I keep coming back to Voluspa, which features eco-friendly and clean burning coconut wax. In addition, the vessels which Voluspa uses are absolutely gorgeous, so much so that it seems a shame not to repurpose every single one once the candle wax has completely melted. Lastly, the fragrances are outstanding, and they continue to add incredible new scents to their collection. At this point, I have ten favorites in their lineup, and two of them are relatively new:
Mind you, this is not a sponsored post in any way, shape or form. I simply love Voluspa candles, reed diffusers, diffuser oils, and room sprays, and intend to continue to feature their products in my home. What I love about Voluspa fragrances is that they are distinctive, unique, complex, and beautiful, similar to fine body fragrances. These aren’t cheap, flat scents, but layered, elegant, and deep olfactory journeys.
Taiko, a Platinum American Burmese Male – My first Burmese love…
Since 1986, I have had fourteen different cats, and cannot imagine life without felines in my household. Six of the cats I had have been of mixed breed, while the other eight were purebred. Of those pure breeds, I have had a Blue Point Birman (Natasha, b1991-d2000), a Snow Bengal (Abbey, b2002-2005 not due to death), a Scottish Fold (Sophie, b2000-d2009), two European Burmese (Kazu, b2009-d2023, and Sumi, born in 2023), and three American Burmese (Taiko b2001-d2009, Tenshi, born in 2008, Koji, born in 2021). From the moment I brought Taiko, a platinum male, home, I actually enjoyed how intensely social and needy Taiko was, and I completely fell in love with his doglike personality, which I quickly learned was characteristic of Burmese cats. It was enough to solidify my preference for Burmese cats, and now I insist on always having Burmese cats in my life.
Tenshi, my Blue American Burmese Male
Burmese cats truly are extremely friendly, need to be around their humans the majority of the time, and are so drawn to laps that they are referred to as “lap Velcro”. Having lived with Burmese since 2001, I can definitely vouch for the fact that these felines are attention whores, which is quite the opposite of what some cat haters think about cat temperament. My cats are social, playful, gentle, and intelligent, and they often want to cuddle, sometimes when I am trying to do housework or telemedicine! I’m also accustomed to having all my cats on my bed at some point during every night. These cats have tons of personality!
Kazu, my Cream European Burmese Female (4.2.2009 – 5.12.2023)
There are some minor physical differences between American Burms and European Burms, such as head shape (American Burms have more rounded skulls, while European Burms have a slight wedge shape), and there are colors which are unique to E Burms (such as Cream, which is what my Kazu was), but both Burmese versions are very similar and also feature the same loveable personality profile. It is much more difficult to find European Burmese breeders in the United States, so if you have your heart set on an E Burm, you will probably have to travel out of state to find one.
Koji, my Sable American Burmese Male
As a matter of fact, I flew to Philadelphia in June of 2023 to scoop up a beautiful cream European Burmese female, whom I named Sumi. Sumi very quickly adopted the dual roles of official greeter and main bed buddy, both of which my dear, departed Kazu performed like a champ. It was absolutely worth it for me to fly across the country to get another blondie, because Sumi truly has become a snuggly sweetheart and a welcome addition to the family.
Sumi, my Cream European Burmese Female
The following are breed descriptions from CFA.org and TICA.org respectively. The CFA recognizes the American Burmese, while TICA recognizes the European Burmese.
AMERICAN BURMESE BREED DESCRIPTON:
The Burmese breed first came to America in 1930 when Dr. Joseph Thompson of San Francisco brought a small walnut brown female cat from Burma. He named her Wong Mau and bred her to Siamese cats. Through selective breeding the unique solid brown colored coat, now known as Sable, was isolated. This work demonstrated that these Burmese cats were a distinct breed and ultimately led the breeders to request championship recognition from the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). Along the way, the other colors seen in the Siamese breed were also seen in litters. Over time and with much controversy, these other colors were accepted by CFA. The four colors we now recognize in CFA are Sable, a rich dark brown; Champagne, a warm beige; Platinum, a pale gray with fawn undertones; and Blue, a medium gray with fawn undertones.
Burmese cats carry surprising weight for their size. Their coats are short and close-lying, and they have a very silky texture. They need very little grooming, usually requiring only some daily petting. You will see a range of styles of Burmese cats, with those with rounder heads and shorter bodies being the show cats. Their large, expressive eyes radiate an innocence that will seduce you, and they have an irresistible appeal that has won over many a person who thought he didn’t like cats. Burmese cats have an endearing quality that has won the hearts of those lucky enough to be owned by one. They have great affection for their people, wanting to be with them as much as possible without being overly demanding. Many Burmese will even play fetch with a toy, given the chance.
Burmese kittens can be quite spirited. They are playful and fearless, attempting feats beyond their means and landing on their sturdy little rear ends. A Burmese kitten will remain playful well into adulthood. As they mature, their unique intelligence will reveal itself as their personalities unfold. They will soon grow into confident and charming little executives who will rule the house and your heart. Burmese are soft-spoken beings who have little trouble making their wishes known. They adore their people and are known for being good with children as well as liking (or at least tolerating) the family dog. Burmese are extremely people-oriented companions. Their personalities are almost dog-like. They will follow you from room to room, and they greatly desire to give and receive affection. They seek out warm laps and gentle strokes of your hand, and they love to snuggle up with their owners when they are reading or watching TV. Come bedtime they look forward to sleeping in or on your bed if allowed. Burmese are convinced that it is their job to run the house. Females tend to demand center stage and take an active role in managing the household. Males on the other hand tend to be more relaxed, managing from a comfortable spot on your lap. Be forewarned – Burmese cats can be addictive! It is not uncommon for someone to acquire a Burmese and find one is not enough. Many people ultimately have two or more Burmese, one of each gender or of different colors. Being one of the most trusting cat breeds, Burmese should never be allowed outside. https://cfa.org/burmese/
EUROPEAN BURMESE BREED DESCRIPTION:
Burmese can be found in a range of solid and tortoiseshell colors: rich, dark sable brown; medium, warm blue; warm, honey beige chocolate with pink or fawn tints; lilac that ranges in tone from a bright pinkish grey to a silvery platinum with pink tints; reds of a light, golden apricot with melon-orange overtones; rich, warm deep creams with hints of apricot; and the soft mingling of red or cream with sable, chocolate, blue or lilac found in the tortoiseshells. In young cats, the points will be darker but as the cat gets older and the coat matures the body color becomes deeper and richer until there is only a very slight difference between its body and the color on the legs, head and tail. On Mar 29 1955, the first blue Burmese kitten, Sealcoat Blue Surprise, was born in England. Cats other than sable had appeared earlier, but most Burmese breeders chose to breed only the sable cats. It is now believed that Wong Mau also carried the genes for dilution and chocolate that resulted in the appearance of chocolate, blue and lilac kittens. The red factor was added later in Europe. The Burmese was one of the original breeds TICA recognized in June 1979.
I just stumbled across this video which I had recorded at the beginning of last year. It clearly shows my most robust Hoya linearis (nicknamed Superstar) in bloom, which was a lovely surprise. Alas, Superstar has not given me blooms since, but perhaps she will in a few months.
Bidets have surged in popularity over the past four years, primarily due to COVID lockdown restrictions and the toilet paper shortage. But while over 80% of households in Japan have bidets, the United States only boasts about 6% of households which feature bidets, even post-COVID. As someone who has a bidet, and had basic bidet attachments since 2016, I strongly believe that they are far superior to toilet paper and wipes for cleaning the area down under, and they result in a dramatic decrease in toilet paper use. Bidets are environmentally friendly, hygienic, and generally better for your bottom.
Since most American households don’t have bidets, I thought I would share the following video so that you will know what to do if you find yourself perched on a bidet toilet while visiting friends, and are curious about how to use one:
I encourage those of you who haven’t used a bidet before to try one when you get the chance. I know the sensation of having water shooting up your keister hole is very strange, but once you get over the initial shock, I promise that you will feel so clean after you use it. No amount of wiping with toilet paper will ever get you completely clean, but water will definitely wash all the residue away.
The history of the bidet is also quite interesting, as bidets were originally an upgrade from a chamber pot. For more information on the history of the bidet, check out this great article:
I am sharing an article written by Claire Thornton of USA TODAY which details a fun story about a man who was instructed to hide his boat. Read on for the article, or click HERE to see the original post.
A California boat owner’s ingenuity is gaining attention after he commissioned a mural of his vessel to sidestep demands from officials while complying with city codes in his own “tongue-in-cheek” way.
Officials in Seaside, California, told Etienne Constable the boat parked in his driveway needed to be hidden from view or Constable could face a $100 fine. So, the homeowner erected a fence in the middle of his driveway, hiding the boat.
Sort of.
Because the fence showcases a hyper-realistic mural depicting the 19-foot Arima Sea Ranger, the view from the street hasn’t changed much. The “illusion,” as the mural’s artist describes it, lines up perfectly with elements of the real world, like shrubs, as well as the side of Constable’s home, which is just northeast of Monterrey.
“This struck me as the right way to go, and something that makes my house unique,” Constable told USA TODAY.
Next-door neighbor and longtime artist Hanif Yanni painted the mural − and Constable paid him far more than $100 to do so, the artist said.
City Hall officials, rather than feel defeated by Constable’s roundabout compliance, celebrated his idea.
“I applaud the constituent’s creative approach, which not only addresses compliance but also showcases a community-driven solution,” City Council member Alexis García-Arrazola told USA TODAY.
Artist relied on photos for hyper-realistic look
Yanni said he was motivated to paint the mural because he wanted to help Constable jump through a “bureaucratic hoop” while complying with the rules in a creative way. Now, he said, passersby will be able to view art that didn’t exist before, he said.
Yanni, 42, and Constable, 61, took photos of the boat sitting in the driveway and the artist sketched out an outline on the fence before he began painting.
“It’s kind of this illusion where you can see the boat, and what’s behind it is mixed with the mural,” he said, describing the final product, completed May 3.
In 2023, a Seaside code compliance specialist sent Constable a notice telling him he was in violation of a rule prohibiting residents from parking boats, RVs and trailers in public view − including vehicles parked on private property.
To avoid a fine, Constable needed to erect a screen or other covering shielding his boat from the street.
Such ordinances ensure large vehicles, which can be difficult to maintain, are hidden from sight to keep overall property values high, City Manager Nick Borges told USA TODAY. Sometimes, Borges said, vehicle owners don’t do a job good of cleaning up leaking oil and other sanitary problems tied to vehicles.
“There’s an importance to some of these codes, so that doesn’t occur,” Borges said.
At the time Constable received his notice about the boat, Borges said, the city was ramping up its code enforcement efforts after years of letting violations fall by the wayside. As a result, Constable was notified of his violation for the first time in July 2023 after having parked the boat in the same spot for around four years, Constable said.
It makes sense that Constable was frustrated, Borges said, because his boat has always appeared to be well-maintained. In the end, the mural was a fun solution, the city manager said.
“The only action to take at this point is a high-five to the owner,” Borges said.
Constable said he wanted to make a point about “ridiculous” city codes without getting into a legal battle with the mayor’s office.
“I did it to stick my thumb in your eye, but I did it in a way that’s nonoffensive, doesn’t hurt anybody, doesn’t take anything from anyone,” Constable said. “I feel like I hit the sweet spot, and got my point across.”
Constable got the boat four years ago, and often takes it out into Monterrey Bay and toward Santa Cruz and Big Sur, he said. He’s a fan of fishing, often hunting for halibut and rockfish, and when he can, salmon and tuna, he said.
Now, having the mural be a public, artistic part of the neighborhood “is something I’m very proud of,” he said.
I have to admit that I have become a huge fan of scented candles in the past few years, preferably from Voluspa. There is something incredibly enjoyable about lighting a favorite candle each afternoon or evening and allowing the fragrance to permeate the room, evoking a certain mood. Since I don’t always want to smell the same aroma, I have numerous different scented candles nestled in various parts of the house, and will even ask guests to select a fragrance which resonates with them.
The reason why I prefer Voluspa candles is because they are of excellent quality, the vessels are beautiful, and many of the fragrances are absolutely divine. Whether I decide to experience a scrumptious fruit melange, an exotic woody bamboo, or a magical spice, I absolutely love the nightly ritual I have developed of lighting a candle and enjoying the illumination, the beauty of the candle jar, and the bouquet which these candles impart. Voluspa candle jars are so incredibly gorgeous and versatile that I have cleaned many of them and repurposed them to store things like cotton balls, makeup brushes, etc. There is even a suggestion from Voluspa to repurpose their 5-wick hearth candles into champagne buckets, which actually makes perfect sense.
If you want to fill your home with delicious fragrance, I would highly recommend checking out Voluspa, and no, this is not a sponsored post. That’s how much I appreciate candles from this master candle making house.
There are two full-time biscuit makers in my household, and they certainly take their roles very seriously, especially since their roles were self-appointed. The first is my 15-year-old blue American Burmese cat Tenshi, who likes to make mini biscuits, seen here:
Then there is my 1-year-old cream European Burmese cat Sumi, who is a diligent worker who puts in several shifts each day in order to make sure biscuit production is optimal. Her work sessions are intense and focused:
I realize that I may be dating myself when I say this, but I honestly think that Temu has become the modern version of Harriet Carter, a catalog known for its unusual and practical household items. l remember getting Harriet Carter catalogs in the mail on occasion, and there were times when I would thumb through it, and even made a few purchases. I recall seeing nifty things like strainers which you could prop up on the edges of your sink so that you could wash vegetables right in the sink basin. Harriet Carter would often feature As Seen On TV items in their catalog, which always meant that the products were either quite revolutionary or complete duds.
Now we have Temu, which has continued the tradition of offering affordable and unique household items. Catalogs like Harriet Carter were known for their eclectic selections, featuring everything from clever gadgets to unconventional solutions for common problems around the house. Temu also features similar quirky items, but the odd thing I have noticed about Temu is that very few of their items feature brand names. I would venture to say that Temu’s pricing strategy is even more enticing than Harriet Carter’s, because some of the gadgets they sell are incredibly cheap. But you get what you pay for, and I can speak from personal experience and state that many of the items which Temu sells are pure junk and don’t even work.
A case in point is a hair trimmer which I ordered from Temu which was a mere $1.29. I received the item, put batteries in it, and of course it did not work. Temu issued a refund within minutes of my request to return the item. Another time I ordered three cabinet lights which I wanted to use on my stairs to provide illumination, and when I received them, I made sure to charge them completely before using them. Six days later, all three lights ran out of charge, so I recharged them fully once again. Six days after that, the lights stopped working again. It was at that point that I requested a refund, then promptly ordered lights from Amazon which were just like the ones I had purchased from Amazon for my other set of stairs, and which had been proven to hold a charge for approximately 1-1/2 to 2 months.
Temu gives me the same impression that Harriet Carter once did, that it offers a plethora of nifty and sometimes odd items that I never thought I would need, such as a mesh cover for the condenser unit for our HVAC system, and a telescoping duster specifically designed to clean ceiling fan blades. But there are limits to what I would be willing to purchase from Temu, just as there were limits with Harriet Carter. I won’t order anything which is either chargeable or battery powered from Temu ever again, and I would advise anyone to do the same.
I know that there are dogs who obsess over blankets and often claim a special one as theirs, but I have had two cats over the decades who have had their own blankets. The first one was Pebbles (1988-2000), an extremely sassy but loveable tortoiseshell who essentially threw hints at me while I was analyzing a knitted afghan project. I had laid out eight knitted squares in front of me and was trying to decide whether to continue, or unravel the squares and start over, when Pebbles proceeded to walk onto the squares and knead on them. The gesture amused me so much that I figured I would stitch the squares together and see if Pebbles would continue with her biscuit making. She indeed did continue to knead on what I later referred to as her blanket, and she would also suckle on the blanket and drag it around while it was hanging out of her mouth.
Whenever I threw the blanket in the washing machine, Pebbles would become quite agitated and would keep meowing at me until the blanket was fully dry and ready for her. I’m not exaggerating when I say that Pebbles’ sessions with the blankets occurred several times daily, up through October of 2000 when she became very ill with kidney disease. She was so attached to that thing! When Pebbles passed away in December of 2000, I put the blanket in storage, and I still have the blanket to this day.
The second cat in my household who has exhibited a keen interest in a blanket is Tenshi, my blue American Burmese who just turned 15 years old on December 29th. Last February, we had an issue with our HVAC furnace, resulting in home temperatures around 58 degrees Fahrenheit (NOT fun). The property owner dropped off a heated throw to help us battle the cold, and Tenshi promptly claimed the throw as his main hangout spot, visiting it on a daily basis. He will knead it every once in a while, but since he isn’t a wool sucker like Pebbles was, he doesn’t engage in that bizarre behavior. The main draw for Tenshi with the heated throw is that it imparts lovely warmth which his arthritic super senior body definitely appreciates. We have even gotten into a routine in which I turn on the throw right when I enter the living room each morning, and Tenshi heads over to it within a few minutes and settles in for a snooze.
I have lived with cats for close to 38 years, and until several months ago when I got my now 1-year-old cat Sumi, I never experienced a duo of cats who had their own secret language. Sumi was introduced into the household in June, and she quickly bonded with my 2-1/2-year-old cat Koji, which made perfect sense since she was only six months old at the time and wasn’t nearly as interested in being around my two senior cats. A couple of weeks later, I started hearing some very bizarre vocalizations which I knew were coming from Sumi or Koji, but I wasn’t sure which one was making these noises.
The vocalizations I am referring to sound like a combination of meowing and cooing, and they are only heard when Koji and Sumi are play-fighting. Initially, I had assumed that the sounds were emanating from Koji, so I started watching the two kids so that I could find out which feline was making such bizarre noises. I was able to confirm on two occasions that Koji was making those utterances, but then a couple of other times, I distinctly saw that Sumi was the one with her mouth open, creating those sounds. There was also one instance in which I saw both cats making their ridiculous babble, and they were actually doing it in sequence, as if they were communicating with each other.
I have determined that Koji is the instigator, and definitely chatters at Sumi more than she does with him, but they both engage in this adorable and funny vocal interchange quite frequently during playtime.
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