Flip Friday

The MiniCat is glad it's Friday!

YAY, FRIDAY!

Zoe and I are glad you're here, too, Friday. It means it's time for a Rabbit Movie, and it also means it's time for the weekend.

We have had yet a third entry to the Eat Like a Rabbit contest!! That entry will be the subject of Monday's post. When I emailed Official Judge and Contest Idea Creator, Emma to tell her there was another entry, she emailed back to say, "This contest is ON FIRE!!!"

So true. Miss Zoe likes that you are on fire to eat like a Rabbit. She especially likes, even if you don't submit a video or picture to the contest, that you enjoy watching Her eat like a Rabbit.

You do, don't you?

Yes, of course you do.

You have one more week to submit your entries. At first, we set the judging on Zoe's Birthday, March 5th, but now we are thinking that perhaps giving everyone a wee bit more time would behoove us.

(Not that Zoe has hooves, mind you. But She likes to be behooved. Who doesn't?)

And so, please feel free to submit up to and including next Friday, March 5th, Miss Zoe's Birthday (She wants to make sure you saw the part about Her Birthday).

Now on to the Rabbit Movie.

I fear that this movie is like an old 80s action movie we watched at some point in the not too distant past in which, when a certain scene was over, the Chick turned to me and said, "Well, THAT scene should have been cut!" It was some long, drawn out underwater something. A chase maybe? I don't know. I tuned out. The point was, it didn't move the plot along, but in the 80s, when it was filmed it was probably cutting edge filming. In the 2000's, it was just too long and kind of stupid.

Now, I'm not saying by ANY MEANS that today's Rabbit Movie is stupid!!! Good grief. Perish the thought.

All, I'm saying is that I'm not sure there's a lot of plot. But Miss Zoe wanted to try some new things, and there was a song She wanted to use, and well, you can see where this is going. Years later, when we rewatch it, Miss Zoe will look at me and yell, "Well THAT scene should have been cut!!"

You see what you think. Perhaps Her Great Beauty will enthrall you to the point at which the plot is moot? Perhaps.

Eat Like a Rabbit from marcy hall on Vimeo.

Happy Bunny Redux!

I told you last week that Zoe was happy.

On Monday, she was Not Happy.

Let us revisit that Unhappiness. In case you didn't get enough the first time.


Have you had enough?


Cry "UNCLE!!!!" Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaaase!!!!

Good Work!!! You did it. She is onto Something Else.

Now, it is safe to talk. :)

Zoe is Happy today, because we got another entry in our Eat Like a Rabbit Contest!!!

Because She now has two entries, it means it is Officially.... A CONTEST!

Here's this week's submission from Debra!!! See Debra's Blog Here!!!

Beginning to eat....

Ten Seconds in.....

AND SHE WINS THE GOLD!!!!!

An inventive and creative entry! Thanks Debra!

Good luck in that Canadian traffic, by the way. My Aunt and Uncle live in Vancouver, but they went to California for the month to avoid the crowds. We hope you're enjoying yourself.

Zoe and I love your mittens!

And of course we LOVE your Bunny Ears. Strange that you just had those...lying around...isn't it?

Notice how both entries have employed different but extremely satisfying Bunny Ears.

OK, who's next?

Tap tap tap.

We're waiting.

Monday, Monday, Monday

There is a lot going on right now at the Lilypad.

For one thing, there is baking.

Last week, for Fat Tuesday, we made donuts. I know, I know. It is practically already Tuesday again. But whatever. Here is a picture:

This is a shot of the donuts being made. Exciting!

Besides baking and frying, there is also Art happening here. I have been working on some Beer Portraits for a local event called Arts and Drafts coming up here in Erie in April. I have been painting Beer in its Natural Settings. Like this:

Beer on a Bar

Beer with a Dog

And, to top it off, Miss Zoe has a new chair in her room. And, She is not afraid to use it.

This is, in fact, the most Disapproving She has Ever Looked:

Besides looking disapproving BEYOND BELIEF, Miss Zoe is also molting. Here is a picture I took of her fur sitting next to a Hello Kitty pen for perspective:

See? I told you A LOT was goin on here at the Lilypad.

Baking.

Art.

Disapproval.

Molting.

What else do you want? Not much else could possibly happen.

I mean, it is only Monday.

What will happen on Wednesday?

Stay tuned to find out!

Flip Friday

It's time again for a Rabbit Movie.

This week, Zoe wanted to make a movie that shows you some tips about Her eating. You know, in case you ever want to eat like a Rabbit for some reason, and you need to know.

This is a Do It Yourself kind of video.

She would like you to pay special attention to the following while you watch the movie today:

1. Her rapid chewing (it is well-suited to a punk song beat);

2. Her body posture;

3. The way She uses Her ears (up down, turning them this way and that);

4. The Great Beauty She possesses (though that's really nothing you can compete with necessarily).

Zoe would also like to point out the cuteness of her Body Spots. That's just an aside, really. She just really likes Her Spots.

I was going to tell you about The Great Fat Tuesday Donut Making Extravaganza that happened here during the week this week, but Zoe discouraged that in order to keep Her Rabbit Movie lessons foremost in your mind. Zoe and I are going to be doing a bit of baking today in preparation for an evening soiree, so, next week, we will post the baking pictures all at once, perhaps even with recipes.

So that's up next week, along with a sneak peek at the art we have in the works right now!! We are very excited about that, but we haven't felt ready to share yet...

OK, so on to the movie. Zoe calls this movie "Rabbit also eat..." to remind you that sometimes Rabbits eat Rabbit Crunch besides eating salads and hay and stuff.

She's just sayin'.

Rabbits also eat Crunchies from marcy hall on Vimeo.

Who Are You?

AHEM! May I have your attention, please?

Miss Zoe has a question.

"Who Is ANONYMOUS??"

Every once in awhile, we get someone who comments on our blog who calls himself or herself "ANONYMOUS."

I'm sure you know the chap. If you are a blogger, you have certainly seen one or two of his earth-shattering comments posted somewhere along the way.

(Disclaimer: we are using the pronoun "he" to signify Anonymous, though Zoe would like to point out that the gender of Anonymous is Not Important. What is Important is the fact that She is sure that Anonymous is human. That in and of itself is bad enough.)

"Anonymous!!" Miss Zoe laughed" "So freaking mysterious," She continued as She chewed Her hay. "And he says the most intelligent things. You'd think he would want to leave a name."

I think She was being sarcastic.

Anonymous doesn't really say intelligent things as much as just....well...things.

Let's take a look at a couple of Anonymous' more recent quotes:

"洪爺色情漫畫洪爺ˊ洪爺觀賞影片洪爺論檀洪爺貼片洪爺貼"

"What? Oh, I guess I don't speak Anonymous."

"Wow," Zoe said as She rolled Her eyes. "After reading that, the whole world seems clearer to me."

And let's not forget this meaningful and insightful look at the post "Miss Zoe: Killer Bunny:"

"Good dispatch and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you seeking your information."

HUH?

Well, we think it's clear that this so called Anonymous needs to be called out!!

That's why we're challenging Anonymous to enter the Eat Like A Rabbit Contest.

"That's right, Anonymous. Put on your party hat."

A Note: based on our first and ONLY entry, we know who Anonymous IS NOT!! :)

I told Zoe that I don't think he'll enter, but....well, we'll see. One never knows what will happen under the auspices of ANONYMOUS.

In the meantime, while we wait, you can look forward to Friday, when we tell the story of us making donuts for Fat Tuesday, and we show a New and Positively Delightful Rabbit Movie!

Until then, Happy Weekdays.

A Very Happy Bunny

Look at the Smile on this Rabbit!!

Miss Zoe is Very Happy this morning!

Oh, wait. What?

You want to know why?

Why what?

OOOOHHHHH!!!! You want to know why Miss Zoe is Happy?

OK, here, she will show you why.

Click Here!!!

Can you see the Happiness emanating
from This Very Bunny???

Now you know what you need to do!!

Our sincerest thanks to the Great and All Powerful Kavindra, who has forged the way for you and Hundreds of Others to enter Zoe's Eat Like a Rabbit Contest!!

A note to readers: This entry shows some real gumption in its willingness to eat paper lettuce. Zoe encourages you to eat actual lettuce if at all possible. She, herself, would never eat paper lettuce even in the worst storm, as She has human minions to ferry her such things from the Whole Foods Coop. But She authorizes you to do Whatever It Takes to Win in this potentially Cut Throat Contest. And, She would like to say that She admires Kavindra's ingenuity and creativity in a dire situation in which she was OUT OF LETTUCE!!!!!

At any rate, this was a great show put forth by Kavindra. The added benefit is that you now also know what her Wild, Angry Rabbit face looks like. You know, in case you're up against her in some sort of eating competition in the future. If I saw her begin to make that Wild Rabbit Face, it would make me think twice about taking her lettuce! That is fierce!!!

Of course Zoe would just take it.

(Sorry, Kavindra, but I don't think you'd even put up a half-hearted fight in the presence of the Actual Miss Zoe.)

So, now, let's see some more entries!! You do want to see Miss Zoe keep smiling, don't you?

Well, yes. I thought so.

Have a great Monday!

Flip Friday

Thank you for your support!

Whew!

We made it to Friday.

Before we move on with Zoe's movie for this week, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you out there who have sent you love and good thoughts to me and to my family over the last week regarding the death of my Grandfather. I am attributing the fact that I feel so relatively good to all that support out there in the world from the people I know in person and from the people I know by name and word.

You are all special. Thank you.

You are special to me, I should say. To Zoe? Well.... sometimes that's a different story.

Zoe would like to say a few words about the contest SHe announced a week or so ago:

"Ahem. So far, we have gotten NO ENTRIES in the Eat Like A Rabbit Contest." (A shake of the ears. A waggle of the tail, composing herself.)

"This is a bit of a disappointment, as I fear the cause of this is that you think that how a Rabbit eats is uncivilized and silly. Let me assure you: THERE IS NOTHING UNCIVILIZED OR SILLY ABOUT THE WAY I EAT!!!!"

(Bouncing the the corner, getting in the hay box, fluffing out.)

"That's all. You can go now."

OK, so there you have it.

Don't forget
the Flip Friday: Eat Like a Rabbit Photo and Movie Contest.

Just don't.

And now, onto our movie...

Another Art Film from marcy hall on Vimeo.

Happy Valentine's Day Weekend to All, and to All A Good Night!

Sparkle Pond is Getting Crowded

Yesterday marked the passing of my final Grandparent, Harold Dwight Fitch.

I know this much: I was fortunate, lucky, and blessed to have my Grandparents in my life for as long as I did. All of them were around until I was into my 30s. They all lived to be in their 90s, and each one of them was of sound mind until the very end.

And Grandpa Fitch was the last of them all.

I will miss everything about my Grandpa. Everything. To know him was to love him -- just ask anyone who knew him. He was just Special.

Grandma and Grandpa Fitch
in front of their house in Titusville, PA

Grandpa and I seemed to love all the same things: Art and Drawing. Birds. Music, especially Jazz. Coffee. Animals (though not necessarily cats, and not necessarily Rabbits. When he met Zoe, however, he told her she was safe-- much too soft for a stew. Oh, Grandpa!). Ice Cream. Learning new things.

Oh, and we both loved Grandma.

Throughout my life, those were the subjects we always came back to.

Of course, there were some other things that he liked that weren't necessarily my thing: Math for one thing (he was an engineer). Also fishing. (I don't not like fishing exactly, but...)

Grandpa with a prized Something-
Fish. Bass? I don't know my fish.

Well, and Organ Music isn't my favorite either, but when Grandpa would sit down and start playing "Ain't She Sweet" I couldn't help but love it. He played by ear. I always thought this was the coolest thing in the world.

Me and my sister with Grandma and Grandpa
(I'm the cute and adorable baby. Apparently, I looked
drunk in pictures then, too.)

I loved staying at Grandma's and Grandpa's house when I was little. I was there a lot.

My parents were both teachers, so before I was old enough to start school, I went to Grandma's house everyday when my parents went off to school. My dad would drop me off on his way, and I would get there just before Grandpa would head off to work.

I loved that time in the mornings. I would run in their house, put on Grandpa's slippers and hat and go straight to the cupboard where the cookie jar lived, where many mornings "The Mousie" (a.k.a. Grandpa) would have left me a little note telling me not to eat all his cookies!

On Sunday, when I went to visit him, just two days ago, he said to me, "Remember that Mousie? He used to try to get your food, didn't he?"

"He sure did, Grandpa," I said. "But I think he usually gave up and let me eat it anyway."

When I would sleep over on weekends, we would watch Lawrence Welk together while Grandpa smoked his pipe and he and Grandma told me every little detail about all the performers on the show. They knew everything about those people! It was amazing!

Oh, and we watched a lot of cartoons. Grandpa loved Tom and Jerry and the Flintstones, Woody Woodpecker and Bugs Bunny. That Roadrunner and Wiley Coyote made him laugh every time.

Grandpa and Me enjoying some after-dinner coffee.
We have the same haircut in this picture.

I could go on for pages. I could probably fill a book with all my memories. And those would only be some of them. He was one of the most wonderful people I've ever known. I'm just lucky that he was also my Grandpa and that I got to spend so much time with him. And, that he loved me.

He was the one who nicknamed me "Frog" from a shirt I used to wear. The Chick never calls me anything but Frog to this day. I am Aunt Frog to my niece, and my sister calls me Frog, too.

If I were a Frog at Sparkle Pond (akin to a Fly on the Wall), I would get to see what Grandpa's up to now. My guess is that he's out on a boat (away from all the previously arrived cats of ours) and he's fishing and enjoying himself. When he's caught a few, he'll go to wherever he and Grandma call home now, and fry those fish up for dinner along with some onions.

For desert, they'll have an ice cream sundae.

Someday, I'll get to share ice cream with them both again. Not that I'm in a hurry. If I follow suit, I have about 50-60 years left in this life.

But, someday, I'll be at their house again, eating ice cream and watching reruns of Lawrence Welk while Grandma shakes her head saying, "Listen to Myron play that accordion, Harold," and Grandpa counts out, "And-a-one, and-a-two" in his best Lawrence Welk (Austrian?) accent.

I can hear it now.

More Gifts for A Beautiful Rabbit

(Another contribution to this blog from our Zoe the Rabbit.)

They are making me write this again. Something about Mama #1's grandpa possibly transitioning to his Sparkle Suit and so Mama #1 is sad. Sparkle suits are pretty and sometimes skin and fur suits just get so worn out.

That's all the Wisdom I have to share today, so onto something a bit lighter.

Onto Presents for This Rabbit!!

I love getting gifts, and it's appropriate that I get them. I am Beautiful, for example, so I should be showered with lovely things whenever possible.

A while ago -- and I've been a bit rude and have waited far too long to write about this -- a while ago, I got yet another box in the mail.

There was some stuff in it that seemed to have very little to do with me, so I shared with Mama #1.

Hint for Other Rabbits: Once in a while, it's a good idea to give your Servant, I mean, Mama a little something so that she feels appreciated for all the chores, I mean, love that she gives.

But then there were these and they are so obviously for me -- what with the Little Bunnies all over them! (We will forgive the lack of detail and try to appreciate the "artistry" of the prints.)


And though this is a little big (shhhh...don't tell), I still think I look Really Good:


I checked this hat out thoroughly and it is well constructed:


I put it through the rigorous and famous Rabbit Nail & Tooth Test and it passed:


Oh! And we also got one of these, though again, it's a little big for our Small and Delicate Head. It also seems that, not a surprise, the Rabbit fabric we got on ours is not available. I mean, duh! It probably sold out in, like, minutes.

That's all I have for today. I am quite busy right now with all the kissing and cuddling of Mama #1. I do really like her and want to do all I can to make her feel better. Mostly, I just stand there looking like cute little Me. That seems to do Wonders.

A Little House in the Big(gish) Woods

I returned from my retreat yesterday, refreshed and having written 50 new pages, BUT desperate (DUH!!!!) for the company of a Rabbit.

How can it be that I spent three days and two night in the woods and saw nary a Rabbit?

Zoe must have been punishing me for leaving.

The Punishment

Don’t tell Zoe, but it was a wonderfully refreshing (even if Rabbitless, Mammaless, and Chickless) retreat.

I spent a lot of time going for walks in the woods. It was cold, but not nearly as cold as it was last week. Everyday I was in the woods was at least 20ish degrees. It was like a heat wave compared to what it’s been like here lately!

The place where I went on retreat is on the grounds of Mt. St. Benedict’ Monastery here in Erie. One of the main tenants of the Benedictine’s belief is that of Hospitality, and that is why they have the cabins in the woods in the first place. Of course, you can eat with them, attend Mass and Prayer with them, and all that other stuff.

But I prefer to keep to myself while I’m there.

Zoe was Happy to have me home, I think.

This time, when I arrived, Sister Phyllis, the scheduler of the cabins, took me on an all inclusive tour of the Monastery, on which I got to see their gorgeous new Chapel and Sanctuary. The Benedictine’s are great supporters of the Arts, so their spaces are filled with Beautiful Things, including lots of lovely stained glass everywhere, paintings and photography in every hallway, and the amazing work of ceramic artist Brother Thomas, who lived with the Benedictine’s for 20 years.

A short walk from my cabin is a place called Camp Glinodo, where in the summer the Benedictine’s run summer programs for kids. It is like a park that runs right along Lake Erie, and it was there that I took delightful walks each day a few times a day to clear my head and listen to and enjoy the Outdoor Silence (as opposed to the Indoor Silence in my cabin, Hildegard.)

So, this week’s Flip Friday Feature stars not a Certain Rabbit you know and love, but...little old me. In the woods. Basically talking to myself. Oh, and you have to excuse all the weird faces I make. It was cold, and also, I'm not used to filming myself. Bear with me.

Hope you enjoy the journey!

In A Cabin In The Woods from marcy hall on Vimeo.

A VERY Disapproving Rabbit Lives Here

Okay. Before Marcy left for her little writing retreat in that delightful cabin near the Lake, she said to me, the Chick, "Don't worry...the Rabbit will write her own post for Wednesday. She has Things to Say."

This morning, I get up and check this blog and there's Nothing. Nothing! What the?

I thought perhaps the Rabbit forgot or didn't schedule Her post correctly, but, no, that couldn't be right. I mean the Rabbit Knows All. The thought of her...making a mistake...oh...that just makes my tummy do a flip. It would mean that all was not right with the world, ya know?

So I went to investigate and ask the Rabbit what was up and this is what I found:


That Rabbit is Not Talking. Though I think her message is loud and clear.

She approves of Marcy writing. But she doesn't think there is anything wrong with Marcy writing in the Rabbit's room. The Rabbit even has given her some designated space for this task -- a whole desk and chair and lamp. The Rabbit has been nothing but Generous.

And now this?

Like I said, the Rabbit is not talking so I am just speculating here as to the meaning of the above. But I think I know how that Rabbit thinks. She and I have a bond. It's different than the bond she has with Marcy but it's strong and I have a bit of rabbit in me so I can think like her...to an extent.

I mean...I am not nearly as smart as her; no, I would never imply that.

Oh, dear, better put extra banana in the salad today because I know she is going to read this and I could be in big trouble.

If you have any influence with the Rabbit, please ask her to forgive me.

By the way, don't forget to play along with our Eat Salad Like a Rabbit Video/Photo Contest. Please. I mean, I am already in trouble here.

A Hog Holiday

Groundhog, that is.

Yes, that's right, folks, tomorrow, Tuesday, February 2nd, is Groundhog Day.

(Incidentally, it's also the anniversary of my having eaten pizza that a dog licked at my friend Lori's birthday party when we were in, like, third or fourth grade. I always thought she was SO lucky to share her birthday with the Hog's Special Day. Anyhow, I left the room to use the bathroom or something, the dog licked my pizza while I was out of the room, and then my friends let me eat it like everything was fine. They told me when my pizza was gone. Some friends.)

For those of you who don't remember or DIDN'T know of Zoe at this time last year (GASP!!!), it was this exact time last year that I went to stay in a cabin in the woods a few miles from our house for a little Winter Retreat.

Let's take a walk down Memory Lane:

A "Snow Zoe" that I built in honor of the World's Best Rabbit

My Cabin, "Hildegard"

Me, relaxed, on retreat, in my Kitten Hat (with Hildie behind me)

Due to my weird work schedule this week, in which I worked Sunday and next Saturday like bookends, I have two days off in the middle of the week. With the addition of what should be a Federal Holiday, Groundhog Day, I have three days off and decided to inquire about the availability of my cabin. Hildegard was available, and so I am going Into the Woods.

It's practically Shakespearian.

Sadly, I cannot take Miss Zoe on my trip. Nor will I take Toby the Mini Cat, Miss Lilly the Great, The Wild and Crazy Miss Emmie, or F. Scott Fitzgerald, Famous Cat Writer. They will stay happily at home with the Chick in the Lilypad.

This year, I will do the same thing I did last year. I will take the writing I am currently working on and write, write, write!!! It will be funner than fun. Though I will miss my animals like CRAZY!!!!

Therefore, unless Zoe decides to write a blog on Wednesday, you will not hear from us for a couple of days. When I come back, we will share exclusive footage of my exciting stay in my Little House in the Big Woods.

Now it's positively Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Stay tuned for the excitement.

Last year, I saw this Woodpecker:


Will he be back?

"Ummmmm.....yeah. Who cares?"

Stay tuned to find out...

Oh, and HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY in the meantime.