This Issa’s cat image was inspired by a photo I found on the web. I’ve seen it on more than one post but here’s a site which has some other fun photos to check out – Abnormal Photography. (To see more recent uploads click “home” at the bottom of the page.)
Don’t forget to check out Le 12 tomorrow for the full Issa’s Cat Dreams sequence en français! It is now up – see link!
Image (cc) 2009 Hilary Farmer
And is this mousie
dreaming it’s a ball of string
or, is the… just pounce!
This cartoon and image started with a conversation about mice and balls of string. Is it that mice are designed by a cruel twist of fate to look like a cat’s favourite toy or… well, likely the other way round – lol.
Image and haiku (cc) 2009 Hilary Farmer
Here’s a little doodle I did – a portrait of sorts.
Well, it has been a busy few days and not likely to get much less busy for the next while! I will be taking a break from posting on the blog for the next two weeks and hope to have lots of new doodles to share starting up again after that!
It’s finally feeling like summer so enjoy… and for a change try a Taiwan bubble tea. One of my favourite flavours is the simple green tea – “lu cha”. The bubbles or “pearls” are large large tapioca beads. When served cold, the whole is delicious and refreshing in this kind of weather.
My Issa’s cat comic “My Fish!” has been posted as “Mon Poisson!” on Le 12!
Image (cc) 2009 Hilary Farmer
So am I a cat
dreaming I’m a butterfly
or really flying?
After eating a big fish all to himself – Issa’s cat definitely needed a bit of a nap and big meals can make for the most interesting dreams!
I thought I’d try writing my own haiku this time – Issa’s cat’s dream is based on the famous Chinese philosopher Chuang Tsu (Zhuangzi) story. One day he dreamt he was a butterfly. When he awoke he was no longer sure if he was a man who had dreamt he was a butterfly or a butterfly now dreaming he was a man.
As always, comments and alternate poetic responses are welcome!
image and haiku (cc) 2009 Hilary Farmer
Mutual interests
are the foundation of love
but this is my fish!
Following on with the Issa’s cat story, a new haiku from Tom Radcliffe inspired the above comic. Perhaps though, there’s a little regret in that backwards glance – or maybe just confirming a good decision. I think she was only into him for his fish anyway!
This is number three in the Issa’s Cat series. To see them all, click the Issa’s Cat comic category on the side.
Now on Le 12 as “Mon Poisson!”
Image (cc) 2009 Hilary Farmer
Caught red-pawed!
Issa’s cat is caught!
But a cat may look a king
right in the eye.
Poetry thanks again to Tom Radcliffe in the comments! There is also an interesting commentary there if you want to check it out.
On another note, you can see the adventures of quite a different sort of animal when a camel gets feisty with a bucket on cute overload. It’s pretty amusing – don’t forget the hover text is more than half the fun!
This sequence now available en français on Le 12!
Image (cc) 2009 Hilary Farmer
Best not leave the kitchen unattended with an open door…
I’m pretty sure that means “seize the carp” lol
A chef’s inattention
is a cat’s invitation.
Carpe piscem!
Thanks to Tom Radcliffe in the comments for the poetic intervention!
image (cc) 2009 Hilary Farmer
There can be some distractions on the road looking for love… and Issa’s cat is fairly easily distracted.
The scent of fish is strong near the cafe by the wharf and a cat could score a fine dinner if his timing is right! Just waiting for the perfect opportunity to get something a bit tastier than fishbones…
A fragrant fish
piques that most feline feature:
curiosity!
A new haiku to accompany the image thanks to Tom Radcliffe in the comments!
image (cc) 2009 Hilary Farmer
Green Tea Doodles 
