The Circle Cat Club

Tardy Holiday Cheer

2008-12-29T16:59:00.007-05:00

Down at the town's gazebo, Leroy (left) and Natasha admires the festive holiday decorations.

Looking for a tardy present for a cat lover on your list? Our Video Unit's DVD collection of cat films, A Cat Compendium, is now available - only seven bucks! It includes hits like The Eternal Triangle (see below), Giant Squid vs. Cat (the original and the sequel both), Zombie Game, and the recent hit Maxine Doesn't Want to Play.

Circle Theatrics

2008-12-19T09:27:00.002-05:00

Max, Maxine and Peake in a brief but intense melodrama, The Eternal Triangle. From our new collection of Circle Cat Club videos, A Cat Compendium.

Holiday Catwalk

2008-11-27T17:39:00.001-05:00

Natasha and Leroy on a pre-turkey catwalk.

Catwalk Milestone

2008-11-09T10:49:00.003-05:00

From the left - Leroy, Nutmeg, and Milkshake: half of the company from yesterday's historic six cat catwalk - I think that must be a record.

Autumnal Catwalk, with Deer-Stalking

2008-11-02T17:04:00.003-05:00

A good snappy day for a catwalk with in the Washington Grove woods with Club members Natasha, Leroy, and Nutmeg; activities included tree climbing and deer-stalking.

More catwalk coverage here.

Her Accustomed Spot

2008-10-21T12:18:00.002-04:00

Milkshake in her favorite spot, the wallow under the tree in her yard, as previously shown on October 10, but now with more leaves.

Another by Max

2008-10-21T12:09:00.003-04:00

Portrait of Natasha by Max Gray

Nutmeg (and Gus) by Leroy

2008-10-17T18:42:00.002-04:00

Nutmeg in the woods, with a neighbor in the background. Photograph by Leroy, who has his own camera, and shows his work under the nom d'art of Max Gray. He's got an excellent eye, though his composition's a bit wild, occasionally.

Time Out

2008-10-13T22:59:00.006-04:00

Natasha and Nutmeg relax at the gazebo, gaily decked with flowers for a wedding...

... While Leroy has a relaxing flop in the middle of the path during today's catwalk.

Dans le Wallow

2008-10-12T12:08:00.004-04:00

Leroy in the North Wallow. Also popular with the members - the South Wallow.

One of the Neighbors

2008-10-12T11:57:00.004-04:00

Anna is not what you would call a Visiting Member of the Club - more like a Corresponding Member; she lives over on First Avenue with Booper and CVB. She looks like she's glaring at the camera in this shot, but she's actually very nice.

Chilling

2008-10-10T13:54:00.001-04:00

Milkshake and Nutmeg.

Circle Brew

2008-10-07T05:04:00.002-04:00

Leroy enjoys an afternoon beer in the Circle. I always remind him to put the bottle in a paper bag - he always "forgets".

Message to Bill

2008-10-05T14:33:00.001-04:00

Tucker (on porch) to Bill (watching TV): Sir! I say, sir! LET ME IN!!

Dealing With Dogs

2008-10-05T12:47:00.001-04:00

Leroy demonstrates a convenient way to avoid dogs.

High Altitude

2008-10-04T15:56:00.002-04:00

This afternoon's catwalk included a superb tree climbing exhibition by Natasha.

Thriller

2008-10-04T11:32:00.004-04:00

Here's a taut thriller starring Leroy and Natasha on location at the Old Footbridge in the Washington Grove Forest Preserve.

Heron Watching

2008-10-03T14:09:00.003-04:00

Cat Van Beek eyes a plastic blue heron warily.

At the Gazebo

2008-10-02T05:11:00.003-04:00

Booper gazes at the park from the shelter of the gazebo.

From the Porch Cam

2008-10-01T15:53:00.004-04:00

Oh, just one more Bittersweet Cottage Porch Cam shot of Natasha. This one, from last March, shows Natasha in a rare wistful mood.

Cat Club Watching

2008-09-30T08:31:00.000-04:00

Natasha on the Bittersweet Cottage Porch Cam

Circle Cat Club watchers worldwide can get frequent real-time sightings of Club members through the Bittersweet Cottage Porch Cam. Conveniently placed at cat level, the camera picks up all sorts of fascinating Club activity. Squirrels, deer, and humans show up on the cam at intervals, too. But keeping informed of the members' doings is the best feature - in my opinion.

Another Visiting Member

2008-09-29T19:04:00.001-04:00

Socks, also known as Cat Van Beek or CVB, is another of our Visiting Members - he lives on First Avenue with Booper. In his former career, he was a barn cat at a riding stable, so his manners with other cats can be a bit unpolished at times. Something not to miss - CVB chasing his tail - most amusing.

Beyond the Circle

2008-09-29T10:33:00.000-04:00

Not a member of the Club, but an actual working cat - a resident dairy farm barn cat, somewhere in Wisconsin, submitted by Ed Janus.

The Zombie Game

2008-09-29T08:50:00.000-04:00

The Zombie Game is a delightful game that we play with Natasha. One attempts to pet the cat; the cat evades the caress - pretty simple, but capable of high excitement and subtle strategy. It's called the Zombie Game because of the shambling, arm outstretched walk that one assumes during gameplay. It's excellent exercise, too.

Cat Noir

2008-09-29T07:06:00.002-04:00

Leroy and Natasha

Down at the gazebo, a catwalk suddenly takes a noir sort of turn.

One of Our Visiting Members

2008-09-28T22:56:00.000-04:00

Booper

Booper is one of our distinguished Visiting Members. He lives on First Avenue, but often strolls down to sit on the porch at 13 and visit with the humans in The Circle. The other members are none too fond of Booper, but he's a very fine fellow.

Weekend Activities of the Club

2008-09-28T22:46:00.001-04:00

From the left: Nutmeg, Leroy, Natasha

We got in a decent catwalk in the Washington Grove Forest Preserve on Saturday, but on Sunday...

Natasha, Nutmeg

... We made it as far as the gazebo before the rains returned. After a bit of a sit-down, the sun came out again, but the woods were too sopping for catwalking purposes.

The Club Environs

2008-09-28T17:10:00.001-04:00

This is The Circle, where Circle Club members hang out. Washington Grove was founded by the Methodists of the city of Washington as a summer campground in 1873. A tent tabernacle was erected each summer in The Circle, originally known as the Sacred Circle. Campers set up smaller tents around the tabernacle, and, eventually, cottages. Two of the original cottages are shown above - Bittersweet Cottage, on the left, is home to Peake and Nutmeg. Next to it is 13, The Circle, where Leroy and Natasha live. To the right is a newer house, 9 Circle - Buddha and Milkshake are resident there.

This is the other side of The Circle, as seen from the porch of 13 in autumn. Fall is a splendid time for Club Members - one can chase falling leaves, and the crisp temperatures are perfect for scampering.

More on the history of Washington Grove on the town's web site. Oh! Here's a half hour documentary on Washington Grove from 1989 - not a whole lot has changed since then.

One More Member

2008-09-28T17:03:00.001-04:00

Maple

Maple lives on The Circle, but spends much of her time elsewhere. Her visits to The Circle tend to be fraught with tension for the other Club members, since Maple can be a bit testy at times. But she's still a valued member of the Club.

Porch Activity

2008-09-28T15:51:00.000-04:00

Here are some comings and goings on the porch at 13, The Circle - Leroy, Natasha and Nutmeg appear and disappear in the course of a lazy afternoon - also appearing and disappearing is Gus, an elderly resident.

Yet More Members

2008-09-28T15:44:00.001-04:00

Buddha, known as Buddha Minor...

... So he shouldn't be confused with Buddha Major who lives up on Fifth Avenue.

Milkshake

More Members

2008-09-28T15:33:00.000-04:00

Tucker

Jessie

Jasper (right), with Leroy

Introducing Our Members

2008-09-28T15:03:00.001-04:00

Leroy and Natasha

Peake

Nutmeg