Jolicure Cats

Africa

2012-02-09T08:51:00.000-08:00

DayOne: Tuesday

WeArrive in Nairobi

Wearrive in Nairobi at 7:00 am, after a long flight from Amsterdam, with verylittle sleep behind us. It seems to take forever to get our Kenyan visa and to clearcustoms, but the good news is that both our bags are waiting for us. (Ourcarefully packed carry-ons were not accepted on the Amsterdam-Nairobi flight – wewere over by just a few kilos!)

Inthe reception hall we scan the various signs being held up and see our names.Jackson is to be our driver and guide but all we want to do is go to the hoteland sleep. After a short drive through third world city chaos we arrive at the SerenaHotel. Our first hint that there is more than a little bit of tension stilllingering in Nairobi (regarding the recent Somali Al Quaeda kidnappings andmurder of tourists off the north Kenyan coast) is the major security at thehotel. Our van is stopped at the gate by guards with machine guns, then theunder-carriage checked with mirrors before the barrier rises. At the front doorwe, and our baggage, pass through scanners similar to an airport’s and Jacksontells us, yes, it is due to the Al-Qaida threat. But once inside, the hotel islovely, luxurious ... and our room inviting.

Wesleep soundly most of the afternoon (after a light lunch) and then dine in theexquisite, comfortable bar ... while the night chirpers in the gardens are singingtheir evening songs. We begin to feel the lure of Africa and are excited aboutwhat lies ahead.

Itis amazing that we can sleep more but we do (well, David is up pretty much awakeat midnight and is trying to get some e-mails sent … but it seems Aliantweb-mail does not like dealing with Africa and so he has a frustrating time).He orders coffee and toast about 4:00 am – “the best meal of the trip,” he sayslater – and then sleeps until ourwake-up call at 6:30.

Canadian author Lorrie Bell Hawkins wins five awards at Cat Writers’ Association annual conference in New York

2010-11-23T04:02:00.000-08:00

White Plains, New York — Canadian author Lorrie Bell Hawkins took home 5 awards Saturday evening at the Cat Writers Association's 17th annual awards banquet for her book Jolicure Cats. Two Certificates of Excellence and Muse Medallions were awarded to Bell Hawkins in the categories of memoir and illustration. In addition, the book received the coveted Kuykendall Image Award for illustration, graphics and design.

Jolicure Cats was first released in the fall of 2009 by Percheron Press of Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada. It was produced and distributed by Goose Lane Editions of Fredericton, New Brunswick.

The book tells the stories of 14 family cats — all but one with a connection to Jolicure, New Brunswick, a small farming community on the Tantramar Marsh close to Sackville. It features reproductions of original oil paintings by the much-celebrated American illustrator and muralist, Dwight Kirkland of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania.

The portraits were specially commissioned by the author and each is based on a visual montage created by Lorrie Bell Hawkins herself who conceived of the project and acted as its overall creative director.

"I had a very clear idea of how I wanted the book and illustrations to look. So, sometime in 2007 I went on a global search for just the right illustrator for the Jolicure Cats stories she said . "I received submissions from over 40 truly outstanding artists. It was really challenging to make a final selection, they were all so talented. But, Dwight's work was compelling to me and we seemed to have a good creative and artistic rapport. I just knew that we would work well together so he was my choice."

“When I received his finished oil portraits of my cats, I was overwhelmed. They were all so beautiful, just as I remembered each of them and he had captured their unique personalities.

“I'm thrilled and honoured to receive these awards and I know that Dwight is too. It was a true collaboration. Really, we both created the book, along with Goose Lane’s art director and designer, Julie Scriver who also played a very important role.

“I am deeply grateful to both of them and to the Cat Writers Association which does so much to encourage authors to write on a wide variety of topics of interest to cat and animal lovers. There are those who specialize in cat care, cat rescue, veterinary services, nutrition, training and handling, breeding, and showing, while others write cat-themed novels, memoirs, short stories, poetry and more.”

Jolicure Cats is available at bookstores throughout Canada and through online retailers such as Chapters Indigo, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Percheron Press Canada was founded in the early 1980s and continues to be dedicated to helping emerging writers get published. Over the years various books on a variety of subjects - local history, poetry, cooking, personal reflections - and authored by interesting and talented writers saw their way into print as the little press quietly met its mission

Goose Lane Editions is Canada’s oldest independent publisher. Based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, it specializes in the publication of contemporary literary fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. The company also provides book packaging and custom publishing services to trade and institutional publishers.

The Cat Writer’s Association, Inc. (CWA) is an international association of professional communicators who provide to the general public and to specialized audiences news, information, education and works of literary and graphic art that help describe, dramatize, explain and illuminate the myriad aspects of felines, especially domestic cats, and their place in human life and culture. CWA members promote the best interests of all cats through a variety of media and formats, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, web sites, blogs, public relations and publicity, photojournalism, illustration, fine arts, photography, video, podcasts, speech, technical writing and more. Members strive always to observe and promote the highest standard of ethics in the generation and publication of cat information in all genres and media.

Endleaf of Jolicure Cats

2010-07-01T10:14:00.000-07:00

Many people have asked me about the painting used on the endleaf of Jolicure Cats. It is actually a slice from a larger painting of me and my first horse, Mammy. It was done by my cousin, Barbara Safran, sometime in the early seventies. The painting is called "July in Jolicure".

The field was across the street from the farm where I lived with my parents. In the background you can see some cows, a couple of marsh barns and the Pointe-de-Bute ridge. I believe this field, is actually the Jolicure cemetery, but at the time it was in a state of total disrepair.

Barbara still paints and her work can be seen on her website at: www.safranstudios.com

2010-05-28T06:40:00.000-07:00

The American Cat Fanciers Association - Championship & Household Pet Cat Show, will be held in Fredericton, New Brunswick, at the Capital Exhibit Centre on Saturday & Sunday, June 19 & 20. The Benefit Organization is ca-r-ma cat rescue. Last years one-day only show brought in over 3000 spectators!

This is a fun event that not only celebrates cats but also provides awareness about cat welfare and responsible cat ownership.

I will have a booth at the trade show, with "Jolicure Cats". A portion of book sale proceeds will go to to ca-r-ma.

Unfortunately, Minou will have to stay home... but I think she would steal the show for sweetness!

Florenceville students receive "Jolicure Cats"!

2010-02-04T09:48:00.000-08:00

One of the highlights of the fall book tour of Jolicure Cats, was a visit to Florenceville, New Brunswick, where in the beautiful Andrew & Laura McCain Library, I read to Ms. Debbie Brown’s grade seven/eight Language Arts class. They were such an attentive group and had some great questions after the reading. I proposed that anyone so inclined, write a story, or poem about a cat (or any pet), that had made a difference in his/her life and send it to me - I would choose one, and the author would receive a copy of Jolicure Cats. Shortly before Christmas I received the following seven poems.

They are written with humour, with love, with grief … heartfelt in every way. It was clear to me that each author was a “winner” – for more than anything, by simply sitting down and writing that first word. Recently the students were presented their books at an assembly … and have given me permission to publish their poems here. They are as they were written, with maybe one or two minor spelling corrections…

My Cat Marble
by Alexandra Green

My cat Marble,
she is no marvel,
she is scared of fleas,
and green peas,
but I don’t really know why.

She is my cat,
the most unlikely mat,
of fur,
who likes to purr.

Sleeping in the Night
Brittany Demerchant

Getting ready for bed
I put on my pajamas
And waiting for me is my
Cat!
She knows when it is bedtime!
Then she starts to “Meow”.

As I get into my bed
I pull the blankets up to my face
And I fall asleep!

While I am sleeping during the night
I wake up and as I try to roll over I can’t
Move my legs!
My cat is lying on my feet.
It feels like a brick but in real life she is only
A 7 pound cat!

The Mouse’s Worst Enemy
by Olivia Tingley

I watch him
seek his prey.
In ready position
his eyes switch directions…

What could he have seen?
Then I see it.
The mouse is scurrying.

But it simply can not beat
my cat’s
POUNCE.

Twin Trouble Makers
by Morgan Myshrall

No sleep all play that’s their motto
breaking things is their game
“I don’t sleep”
“you don’t either”
is what they want
they make me mad
but you can’t be mad
at the cutest
kittens

Whiskers

by Megan Groves

White,

and full of love!

Your days

in your favourite spot

brought happiness to us.

I would smile

every time you would suck

on our ears.

Now your spot

lies empty

at night.

The loud

purr in my ear is no longer

there.

I miss you!

I still can’t forget

the day I only thought you

went for a check-up

but now you are in a better place!

I won’t say good-bye;

instead I’ll say I can’t wait to see you

at rainbow bridge!

PS: I love you Whiskers. You are my cat!

My Wild Animal

by Tanner Colpitts

My kitten is a crazy cat

I swear it’s true

if he could chew

he climbs up my legs

if he weren’t so cute he’d be gone

My kitten is a crazy cat

I swear it’s true

when I hope he’s done for now

he’ll get up and attack

My kitten is a crazy cat

I swear it’s true

he’s a monster at play

but I love him anyway

by Cameron MacIntyre

In the morning I wake up to find

a cat, my cat

at the bottom of my bed.

He lays there with me

all night long

he may come and go but I will never know.

During the day he runs with his sister

Princess is her name

they like to play and fight in the night

but to me it’s all the same.

When I get home

he rushes to the door

I miss him all day

and he misses me more.

Book Signings

2009-11-29T11:14:00.000-08:00

The book signings at the regional maritime Chapters/Coles/Indigo stores has been a lot of fun. Thanks to all who stopped by the table to say hello and buy a copy of Jolicure Cats. Still some time left before Christmas , if you haven't had a chance to get that special cat or animal lover on your list the perfect gift. Visit your local bookstore and ask for Jolicure Cats... or contact me and Minou at jolicurecats@nb.aibn.com.

Local author releases new work

2009-10-20T05:53:00.000-07:00

A native of Montreal and now living in Dieppe, she moved with her parents to Jolicure in 1969 and recalls why the switch was made from big city life to rural New Brunswick.

"My parents (Lorne and Jo Anne Bell) had both gone to Mount Allison University; my brothers and sisters had gone there and my grandparents went to Mount Allison, so there was a lot of connections with Sackville -- and Mount Allison in particular.

"I did not go to Mount Allison. I worked there for a couple of years, but I went to the New Brunswick Craft School in the early '70s instead."

Living on a farm in Jolicure, of course, meant barn cats, and it wasn't long before those felines made their way to the big house and became personal pets. Lorrie was inspired over time by these several cats, and captured them in a story for her mother. The subject matter, with a few additions, eventually became her fourth book -- Jolicure Cats.

"By 1979, the original nine cats had either died or disappeared, being rural cats. So I wrote a little book for my mother (My Mother's 9 Cats) and gave it to her. She loved it. It was just one copy, and I left it at that. Then about two years ago I lost a cat of mine (Smudge) that I was very close to, and I started to write her story. I realized that I would bring that manuscript (My Mother's 9 Cats) back to life and add other cats that we'd had since that time, and just tell their stories."

A silversmith (she only dabbles now) and an active weaver, writing has also long been an interest for Lorrie. Retired for eight years now from the family business (she and David have Percheron Press), she's pursuing her writing career with gusto. The recently launched Jolicure Cats is evidence of that, and it's been well received.

"I'm very happy with it," she says. "The illustrations are incredible.

"The illustrator is Dwight Kirkland, and he did a fabulous job. I think we're both proud of the result. Goose Lane (Editions) did a wonderful job.

"They did the design work for it and printing ... and I'm really happy with the way it came out. It's exciting."

To her credit also are Rabbit Dreams; a family cookbook entitled Nutty Green Beans, and a poetry collection -- Moving Poems. She's currently working on a collection of short stories, and future plans include expanding Rabbit Dreams to a "full children's format."

"Reasonably laid back," Lorrie enjoys life -- including family: step-daughters Britt, Erin and Michelle, and granddaughter, Grace. She also horseback rides on her 22 year-old quarterhorse, High, and has one cat, Minou. She likes the arts, outdoor activities, flower gardening and doing intricate bead work.

Writing for Lorrie Bell Hawkins is also the realization of her heart's desire, and a most satisfying experience.

"I enjoy the craft of writing. When people enjoy your stories," she says, "that's always rewarding."

From 15 Minutes of Fame, Moncton Times & Transcript, Monday, October 19 2009, by Linda Hersey

Review from the "Daily Gleaner"

2009-09-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Jolicure Cats

By Lorrie Bell Hawkins

Illustrated by Dwight Kirkland

(Percheron Press)

Lorrie Bell Hawkins has written of her life-long love affair with cats in her new book Jolicure Cats about 14 of her feline friends.

As each delightful cat is introduced we experience the bond that goes beyond the basic animal lover. These stories, these mini-biographies, are glimpses into honest companionship told with love, humour and sadness that exemplify the individuality of cat personalities.

In the spring of 1969 the author's parents, Lorne and Joanne Bell, moved their family from Montreal to the small farming community Jolicure, N.B. A 17-year-old Lorrie was eager to explore country life and shared with her mother the hopes of getting a family pet, a cat.

Lorrie's father reluctantly consented and here begins the Jolicure Cats with the arrival of two active kittens, Alice and Lucy. Then came sweet Sydney, Molly who thought she was bird, stately Louie who slept in a frying pan, Sally the mothering cat, Alex the dog's companion, Elise the recluse, prickly Lily, telepathic Tigger, Fluffy, Joanne's last cat, Puss, Lorne's favourite, and wandering Smudge.

Each cat story, lovingly told, also examines the hardships of rural animals in terms of abandonment, neglect and often meeting tragic endings. There is also joy and in every story an expression of companionship.

The cats are truly brought to life with the lovely and realistic illustrations by Dwight Kirkland. And as each cat gets a special portrait, he has charmingly captured the individuality and special characteristics of each Jolicure cat featuring them with a special item or environment. Kirkland is a renowned illustrator specializing in wildlife as well as a successful mural artist.

At times the stories can be difficult yet heartwarming as the author explores the intense emotional connections to her cats and how they have effected other areas of her life.

Any animal lover, especially feline fans, will appreciate the tenderness and deep personal reflections on how each animal crept its way into the homes and heart of the author and her family.

- reviewed by GLORIA NICKERSON

For The Daily Gleaner

Q & A's on Jolicure Cats

2009-09-16T03:41:00.000-07:00

Why did you decide to write this book?    

Quite simply, I wrote the first draft as a gift for my mother. There was just one copy, and I bound it, illustrated it, and called it, My Mother’s Nine Cats.    

This was in 1979, after we had lived on our farm for 10 years and our original family of cats had died or disappeared. My mother had never really recovered from losing Louie — her “Sun King,” as she called him — and when Elsie, the last of the barn cats died . . . she said, “No more!”    

But of course, there were more cats.    

In 2007, during a tumultuous move, I lost my ten-year-old cat Smudge. As a remedy for my grief, I began to write about her and, in doing so, thought about the original manuscript of My Mother’s Nine Cats.    

I can only say I felt compelled to begin again the stories of the cats that, often too briefly, touched my life as only a cat can do.  

What is it about cats that make them so special? Or maybe, what was it about your cats? They're not always the friendliest of creatures!

My cats have been no more special than any other cat — they are simply special to me because I have paid attention to their personalities and needs, for which they have rewarded me with companionship.

There’s a misconception about cats not being friendly. They are — very. They simply make friends on their own terms. Cats play, they communicate, they comfort . . . but unlike dogs, who live to please their humans, cats live to please themselves. In my view, no one said it better than Kipling — “The cat, he walked by himself, and all places were alike to him.” This independence seems to translate, for people who don’t care for cats, as aloofness or even wickedness, but I think it is this independent spirit that cat people love.

In the book you write about your ability to communicate on an almost telepathic level with some of your cats. How did that develop?

I became aware of it with a cat named Louie. I would have to say he trained us (my mother and me), and it began with food. When his kibble dish was empty, he quietly entered the room where one or both of us were, sat down, and stared. At first we ignored him . . . but we noticed if someone went towards him, he took off to the pantry where his food was kept. We were quick learners. However, it eventually got so that Louie did not even have to enter the room. I can only say it was like this . . . he went into the pantry and patiently summoned us! “I think Louie wants chow,” one of us would say, looking up from the TV . . and sure enough, there he would be sitting on the counter beside the box of cat chow.

The illustrations are beautiful. How did you come to commission Dwight Kirkland? And what can you tell us about him?

I had a very definite idea in my mind as to how I wanted the stories illustrated — a realistic portrait in a setting that was unique to each cat. So I needed someone who could not only illustrate cats well, but someone who could read the personality of the cat as well as someone who could “read my thoughts.” A colleague directed me to a website dedicated to freelance artists, and I timidly (I must say) posted my job. Much to my surprise, I had over 60 responses — probably ten of which were very, very good. Oddly enough, Dwight was my very first response . . . and he remained number one until the end. I just really like the way he captured his animals in their natural settings — I did not simply want a “portrait.”

As for telling you about him . . . well I can only say he is one talented guy. Go to his website, and you will see. He lives in Pennsylvania with his family — and we have never met — but we sure did have a lot of correspondence for several months, and by the way, he pretty much got every illustration the way I envisioned it the first time . . . so I guess you could say he read my mind!

Why did you want to share these stories with an audience?

Once I began to write the stories and actively look for an illustrator, I realized I was no longer doing the book just for me. I also noticed that there were very few books of cat stories in bookstores compared to those of dogs and horses. I shared the manuscript with a few people, and the response was very positive, so I thought — hey — there are a lot of cat people out there, and I’m sure these stories would have meaning for them. I know I buy every cat book — not cat care, but cat stories — that I come across.

Is there a special cat in your life right now?

Minou. She came to us through the Moncton SPCA. I had been to the SPCA a couple of times to look at cats, but I would get so confused — it is so heartbreaking to be surrounded by so many cats needing homes. But then I got a call about Minou, and when I saw her, I knew instantly that she was the one. She was extremely timid — possibly the result of abuse — and spent about a week under the bed when I brought her home. After almost a year, she has perfectly settled into life with my husband and me. But the best thing is that David has finally fallen in love with a cat!

First Interview

2009-09-14T14:09:00.001-07:00

yea... first interview done! Jolicure cats are on the prowl...

Posted via email from jolicurecats's posterous

Jolicure Cats

2009-08-31T21:23:00.000-07:00

In the spring of 1969, Lorne and JoAnne Bell, moved from Montreal to the small farming community of Jolicure, New Brunswick with their seventeen-year-old daughter, Lorrie.

(Read More)

For JoAnne the move meant she could finally get a cat. Lorne, who staunchly maintained that he could never bear the creatures, grudgingly agreed. For Lorrie, that decision launched a life-long series of feline friendships that continues to this day.

With the arrival of two feisty kittens, Alice and Lucy, a new era dawned: the era of the Jolicure cats.

Over the ensuing years many cats and kittens - smug ones, aloof ones, affectionate ones and wild ones - cats of many colours and cats with many toes – came and went. But a few, the ones that even Lorne came to love, stood out from the rest. Jolicure Cats tells their stories.

There was Louie, who slept in a frying pan and willingly wore little horn-rimmed glasses; Elsie who disappeared one day, was gone for several months, and returned home never to roam again; Tigger who, when caught in a snare, telepathically communicated to Lorrie her desperate need for rescue; Molly who thought she was a bird and spent most of her time in the porch vines; Smudge who became a widely-travelled kitty, spending winter ski vacations at Sugarloaf in Maine and demonstrating impeccable behaviour as a guest of inns and B&B's across the Maritimes and northern New England.

Jolicure Cats is at once a deeply personal memoir and a realistic tribute to the emotional journey experienced by those are chosen by cats to be their companions and who accept that choice without reservation. Accompanied by realistic portraits, these twelve stories are mini-biographies of real cats, told with love, humour, tenderness and sometimes heartbreaking sorrow.

It will appeal to animal-lovers of all ages.