Cat Club Watching

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

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

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

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

Leroy and Natasha

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

One of Our Visiting Members

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

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

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

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

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

Buddha, known as Buddha Minor...

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

Milkshake

More Members

Tucker

Jessie

Jasper (right), with Leroy

Introducing Our Members

Leroy and Natasha

Peake

Nutmeg