Kitten in a Christmas Stocking

Naughty or Nice?

 Don't you just love all that cute innocence? They are full of energy, into everything, and life is just one long playtime to them. If there is nothing going on, they start something and they can make toys out of the most common objects. And nothing is off limits, at least they don't think so. Christmas seems to have been made for them and they enjoy it to the fullest - from the bright shiny ornaments to  all the smells of dinner being cooked.  But it is the trees that especially attract them. "A tree in the house! How exciting. This is here for me to climb, right? Why else would it be here? I can go way, way up, clear to the top! ....OOOOPS!!! This is a very unsturdy tree!!!"  That was several years ago, when I decided that there are things more important than tradition and that artificial trees are not so bad after all. 

This is a busy time of year for everyone. There is shopping to do, there are people to see, there are meals to plan and decorations to be hung.  But I pray that somehow this year I can experience some of  playfulness of a kitten or a puppy and just ENJOY.  I would have added "a child" to that list, but I don't think that children exhibit that pure joy so much any more. Everything is somehow attached to an electronic device - TVs, cell phones, computer games. iPods and the like. No, this isn't a criticism of modern technology, or of the younger generation. I use some of these devices myself and they do make my life easier.  It is the brave new world, and no one really wants to stop progress. But it does make me sad, because something has been lost...

So whenever things get too hectic, when there is just too much to do, too many people to please and no time to breathe,  think of this little kitten and make yourself some joy - the pure, simple kind.  Remember, this was meant to be a Birthday celebration! I hope that you have a wonderful, fun, merry Christmas Season! 

This painting is an acrylic on stretched, wrapped canvas, 10 x 8, standard depth. It is available through Art Helping Animals, and can be seen on Daily Painters as well.  10% of the sale will be donated to Tabby's Place, to help the cats and kittens who don't have a home this Christmas.

Naughty or Nice

Acrylic on Canvas

10 x 8, standard depth

$85

includes shipping within the United States