Figures...

 

Here Kitty Kitty...

  This gem is from Bored Panda:

Dolph Volker, a wildlife photographer, woke up from a nap under a tree -- and found a sleeping cheetah snuggled up next to him. 

    "Keep petting me, Buddy...or things could get interesting."

This is billed as a true story! Actually, it is... but Dolph was at a cheetah sanctuary, volunteering at the time. That makes a lot more sense.

Ummm...

 

I guess -- but it's still funny!

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: Eensy (Not so Weensy) Spider

       A huge spider builds a web over the back deck steps -- then it mostly disappears every morning. Turns out she's an 'orb-weaver'...and eats her web, including its victims, every night! 

     Daughter #2 named her Charlotte. She's high enough that the dogs won't bother her, but Son #1 and the Brick have to be careful not to bump her web's bottom edge. 

     I hope she stays into the fall. 

Charlotte, in all her glory --  at least half-dollar size.

 She's having a real impact on the pesky moths that have been hanging around. 

You go, Charlotte!

Meanwhile:

More than 270 Mozart statuettes stolen in Salzburg!  You and I both are wondering- why?? (I would guess tourists and locals are picking them up as 'souvenirs.')

The best deer-resistent perennials that thrive in sun. Which we get plenty of around here! (You'll also see a link for deer-resistant perennials that prefer shade. Thanks, Frugal Farm Girl.

Homemade food gifts for Christmas. Who says these can't be used for birthdays and other holidays??  (Thanks, Frugal Farm Girl.)

One woman's (Ruth Rogers) life collection.

Fifteen treasures that tell the story of America.

How this print swept the world -- and changed views on Japanese art forever.  

(This print, "The Great Wave" by Hokusai, sold as part of a 36-piece set for 1,646,000 pounds in June this year at a Christie's auction in Paris. You read that right -- more than $2,225,000 USD.)

Random ways people made a fortune. 

'Hyperbolic fiction' -- or making up your life, in hopes that no one else finds out. (The ex-Cambridge professor is in this category. (Sadly, he committed suicide recently.) He's not the first, nor the last -- novelist H.G. Carillo, also a professor, made a lot of his Cuban roots in his book, Loosing My Espanish. After his death from cancer, it turns out, among other falsities,  he was Herman Glenn Carroll -- born in Detroit. But hey, a good writer!

A fun interview with Dan Ackroyd.  I really admire this guy.

"Top 10 simple financial tips" -- from Quora readers. 

Massachusetts joins the growing list of states that allow you to kill your baby up to the moment of birth. Sadly, Colorado is also on this list.

Dance for a minute or so -- and get a discount on your gas?  I'd do it!

Deepfaking -- happening to influencers and celebrities alike.

Have a great week. Stay authentic!

Utagawa Hiroshige

 Utagawa Hiroshige -- 1797-1858. This 19th century Japanese artist is considered one of the premiere woodblock printers -- ever. If you're a fan of Japanese art (as I am), you'll recognize his name. 

A collection of Hiroshige's prints sold at Christie's auction some years ago. Why am I telling you this? Because the prints, estimated value $15,000-25,000 each, mostly sold for a stunning $118,000, instead. Or more.

Now THAT'S a markup. 

Why am I also telling you this? Because a 600-piece collection of Hiroshige woodblock prints is set to auction at Christie's soon. It will be interesting to see if the prints hold their value, appraisal-wise. The first installment auction starts September 15.

Take a look for yourself at the 2020-21 auction, including realized prices.  Meanwhile, here are more of his prints for you to admire. Lovely. 

'Nihonbashi Bridge'

'Ryogoku Fireworks'

(a print of this is part of the Sept. 15 auction)

'Shona'

'53 Stations of the Tokaido' -- selected examples

Makes Sense...

 

More kitty comics here.

For All My Earlybird Friends...