We have many incredibly beautiful and unusual new stones in the shop. They are delightful.

Less than one week ago, the Supreme Court ruled to continue to allow the sale and distribution of crush videos. Since it finally hit the public media, I feel more free now to talk about it with various individuals. The hard part is, all the people who love animals and are involved in various levels of rescue and correcting wrongs towards animals, are almost unable to get their minds around it. The shock is overwhelming if they haven't already heard. Nevertheless, we are committed to stopping this ______ act. There does not exist, in my opinion, a descriptor adequate to describe this _______ act.

On a happier note, I direct you to http://www.hulu.com/watch/3524/saturday-night-live-inside-the-actors-studio to watch Will Ferrell as James Lipton where he invents the word "Scrumtrulescent:adj: so great that any other word employed would be woefully insufficient, and would serve only to limit the sheer magnitude of the greatness intended as a descriptor."

At the farthest opposite point in the universe from the word Scrumtrulescent resides the word that adequately captures crush videos.

Cats-No Middle Ground

Since the earliest recorded history, cats have been loved and revered, or hated and persecuted. There is virtually no one in the middle when it comes to cats.

One of the earliest historic evidences of humans and cats was discovered in 1983 in Cyprus.The grave of an 8 month-old cat was found within 18 inches of a human grave. Both skeletons were oriented in a westward direction. The graves dated to 7500 BC.

As early as 3500 BCE, the ancient Egyptians revered cats, as they did all animals, believing cats represented and even encapsulated attributes of the divine. If a human killed a cat, even accidentally, they would be put to death. Eventual corruption of their belief system resulted in cats being exploited and sacrificed in a gross perversion of the original belief. This perversion was motivated by greed, the great human constant.

Indian writings from 500 CE revere the cat. The prophet Muhammad (570 – 632) cut off the sleeve of his robe rather than disturb the cat who was sleeping on it.

In the 900s, the Welsh recognized the value of cats and imposed strict penalties for murdering or stealing cats.

But in 1232, Pope Gregory IX declared cats were diabolical agents of the devil. From 1230 to 1700, millions of cats were murdered, often along with their disenfranchised human, usually a woman. This unbridled slaughter of cats opened the door for the Black Plague to sweep through Europe as it was overrun with disease-infested rats brought in by ships from Asia. Those people who were able to keep their cats were much more likely to survive the scourge. Many erroneous beliefs about cats that still permeate our society today find their roots in those dark times.

Present day society is no different. Countless advocates for the welfare of cats work endlessly to save as many cats as possible while the worst of the worst of humanity cause the unspeakable suffering and death of cats for their own amusement and profit.

“Crushing,” “deadcat.com” and the recent string of torture-related abominable cat murders across the U.S. has given us cause to wonder if we are reverting to our own Dark Ages or are already there.

So, here it is! Spring, believe it or not, has come at last! Easter is the herald of spring; the forebearer of summer tidings and as such, a time of renewal, of joy in the sound of birds chirping and things springing to life again. Gone is the sleepiness of winter and now we can sing! Our darling little bunnies and other animals are bursting with anticipation!

Come in and see all the new items we have around the store, bringing joy and light to the season. Want a new look for your table? Bastet's Kindle has a lovely selection of new spring plates to update your table and renew your spirit. Candles a favorite? Well, come see our extensive collection of candle sticks to hold all those lovely spring candles. A little change like that can shift your whole room and bring a new energy and lightness of being. Take all the cozy, darker things away for the spring/summer season and inexpensively replace them with a lighter palate, that anticipates the summer. We have yellow and blue ceramics, lovely serving bowls and glasses, ice tea sets (what fun is that?) and all sorts of accoutrements for your house and home.

On another joyful note, our beloved and sweet Zeus has been adopted! Luckily for Zeus, he got a new mommy who has the time to coax him out of his fear and enjoy the sweet, deep purr of joy from this little tiny boy with a huge heart. Ashkey is our newest baby, a dilute calico who has come to join us in the hopes of such a lovely thing happening to her too. We would hope you would stop in and greet our newest arrival and of course, say hello to our lovely Gracie, who believes SHE is Bastet's Kindle. Ashkey is looking for a loving home and from what we can tell, she LOVES men! Little did we know that we would have a flirtatious May maiden joining us but hey, that is what spring is about! ....lolol

So, be joyous this week. Enjoy this herald of spring and remember, that all these showers will bring us much joy and many flowers.....and in the meantime, wander in and see our treasures, browse, relax and greet our two sweet girls. Life is waiting!