Frances Bavier as Aunt Bee.
Today, I was thinking about Aunt Bee, Frances Bavier, from “The Andy Griffith Show.”
After that show and a few other acting gigs, Bavier retired from show business in 1972 and moved to the picturesque little town of Siler City, North Carolina.
I tell you this because Brian and I lived in North Carolina at the time of her death and our local paper had a pretty huge write-up about her. The article stated that she had a reputation for being a difficult actress and apparently even had a few run-ins with Andy Griffith on the set. (Griffith said later that about 4 months before she died, she called him to apologize.) The story also said that when Bavier moved to North Carolina, she became quite a recluse. I read that Ron Howard came to visit once and she wouldn’t let him into her house.
Well, when she died in 1989, she left her estate to numerous local charities. It was also discovered that she left behind 15 cats.
It is the 15 cats that made me think of her. You see, we are now a four cat family (unless someone steps forward to take the newest addition, Charlie).
So I thought of Aunt Bee and her 15 cats today because we brought Charlie into the house. She is so cute and she is absolutely fearless! Sam Dog loves her and I hope he doesn’t eat her! The other cats aren’t real sure what they think, yet.
So, Aunt Bee died and her house stank like cats gone wild and everyone referred to her as “the crazy old cat lady.”
This is not me. No way. Nuh uh.
Here are a few pictures last weekend of our critters:
Sam and Charlie.
Sam is in bed with Brian. Where am I supposed to sleep?
We bought a new bed for Sam, and he likes it okay, just not for sleeping in. He'd rather sleep in our bed. Grace, on the other hand, thinks Sam's bed is pretty cool.
Tink is sleeping in a basket on the shelf above my computer.
Tess, known as "the baby," doesn't like the new kitten. I think she may worry that she'll lose her coveted status.
I like cats. Preferably as kebabs with a nice peanut chilli sauce. The trick is, they’ve got to be relaxed at the time of slaughter, otherwise the meat is too tough. So you have to pet the cat and talk gently to it and wait till it’s purring. THEN you turn it into kebabs.
Joking aside, your blog made me sad. Because my favourite dog got put to sleep this week. His heart gave out (he was about 12). I’d had to leave him in the South Island, living with my sister, when I moved north. He was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and was hilarious. He was always faithful and friendly. I miss him.
Lindsay, even though you crossed the line when you dissed cats, I’m very sorry to hear about your dog. You must be careful, Kiwi. Haha! Cats are clever and know what you’re thinking. Just saying…
Kara’s cats: Skittle and Kirby – Skittle HATES Kirby but he could care less. He’s a sweet, affectionate, mischieveous teenager. When anything goes missing, it’s Kirby’s handiwork. Skittle is a beautioful cat but has Asperger’s Syndrome. Isn’t it funny that Kara job is working with austic children. If anything EVER happens to one of these cats I don’t know what she would do! Seriously.
We just love cats. Steve especially is a cat person. But we’ve decided to be a one cat family. Seems to be working out for the best…Poogiecat is sooo happy ruling over this menagerie!
Be sure to give Tess and Grace extra special attention!
Yes, you are right. Grace has already let us know she is not happy right now. She sprayed the cover we had thrown over the loveseat!
Happy Birthday, Carrie!!!!
Thanks for the Birthday wishes!
Kara fears she is becoming the “crazy cat lady.” She has only two cats but her apartment is only about 500 sq. ft which makes for quite tight quarters. My Chloe must have been mistreated in her early life because sometimes she ATTACKS me and rips the heck out of me. Rich is never on the other side of her “going postal”! I feed her and change litter etc. and this is the thanks I get!
I wish I had a new baby like Charlie but Rich would kill me. Your Charlie is adorable. I think cats are endlessly fascinating.
Do Kara’s two cats get along? Tink started playing with Charlie yesterday, but Tess and Grace want nothing to do with her! How quickly they forget that I saved their asses from the wild, too! The funny part is that Sam just adores Charlie and they are becoming best friends. Charlie will always have the big dog to come to her rescue if the other cats pick on her!