Between 2010 and 2019, Cauli Le Chat (2006?-2020), feline roving reporter for Mooresville Public Library (Mooresville, Indiana), reported all things interesting to cats (and humans) happening at the library. Related stories from across the state (and beyond) were also included.
Earlier today, my blog reached half a million views.
Click Image to Bigify
If that doesn't deserve some canned tuna-in-oil, I don't know what would. Minions, make with the can openers.
That's What I'm Talking About
Thanks so much to all my loyal readers for helping us reach a half mill. That's quite a milestone for a small township public library like mine. If you missed the recent article about it in my hometown newspaper, take a peek here.
I had my minions collect viewership statistics for my blog for the past month, and I discovered something quite interesting. See if you can tell what it is.
My Most Popular Blog Posts (For This Past Month)
(Click Images to Bigify)
Blog Post Pageviews
Wait for it . . .
Pageviews by Countries
(For the Past Month)
Notice that there has been a huge spike in views from France. Well, that makes sense, since I am, after all, a French feline. My genealogy proves it. Plus, my ancestor Hippolyte, founding feline of Mooresville, Indiana, was descended from cats who lived in the French settlements in colonial Indiana, particularly Fort Ouiatenon along the Wabash River near present day Lafayette (and West Lafayette), which is named after the famous French military strategist, Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, who fought with the Continental Army and helped the American colonists win their independence from Great Britain.
So modern French folks are reading my blog, big-time! That shows just how truly sophisticated my fellow country-humans are. They recognize quality when they see it.
To all my loyal compatriots, let moi make this most heartfelt statement:
Merci, mes compatriotes français, félins et humains, pour votre soutien merveilleux et généreux de mon blog. C'est un témoignage de notre culture historique que nous pouvons rassembler sur mon blog pour rire et, espérons-le, obtenir du thon dans l'huile en conserve, parce que c'est l'heure du souper, après tout. Longue vie à la France! Soulevez notre drapeau pour célébrer notre liberté et notre héritage français!
For my English-speaking readers, Google makes the following translation:
Click Text Above to Bigify
The Lady With the Red Hair, who studied French in college (about the time of the French Revolution, I'd venture), says that my French above is pretty rough. Well, we French felines are a rough-and-tugged bunch. I mean, tough-and-rugged. (Maybe my English isn't so sharp, either.) Well, the point is, we French invented tough.
Anyway, I'm a cat, so I'm allowed a little linguistic leeway. Cut moi some slack, I say.
Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,
Cauli Le Chat
P.S. Here's a short instrumental version of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise.
Anybody out there have a smartphone app that makes people's heads look bigger? I've got a photo of Scowl-Face upon which to experiment. Just saying.
We need to release some of that ego pressure from Scowl-Face's noggin. This should do the trick.
Congratulations, MPL, on your video success. Now, let's get serious. Somebody needs lunch. Hop to it, minions. Those cans of tuna-in-oil don't open themselves.
The Decorinator and BizMeister have been plenty busy putting up holiday displays for December. They created some nice new ones to go along with old favorites. As always, click the photos to bigify.
Many happy returns to you, too
There's a huge wreath above the automated book return next to the Friends of the Library book sale room.
Straight from the Arctic Circle (or maybe the Circle K)
This nifty igloo is constructed from plastic milk and water gallon jugs. It looks cold, but actually it's quite comfortable to lay inside.
Hank and Willie looking dapper in their holiday gear
Can you see the lights?
Our stuffed slobberdog warms up by the faux fireplace
As you may recall, we've had some close calls with the faux fireplace in the past, especially with my "flat" counterparts.
Holiday books, movies, music, etc., available to checkout
One of my personal favorite DVDs
Our other faux fireplace
This fireplace is an actual heater that blows real heat. The blower is turned off right now, though, so only the pretty fire is running.
Flames look plenty real to moi
Mr. & Mrs. Claus light-up the bottom of our automated book return
Stop by the library sometime in December to see all these (and many other) wonderful decorations. Once again, the Decorinator and BizMeister have outdone themselves with their creativity.
But life is all about second chances, as Tober well knew. His life significantly improved when TPL adopted him, and he made the lives of TPL's staff and patrons (as well as all of us who followed his blog) immeasurably happier. He would be glad to see another street feline have such a wonderful forever home.
A couple of months ago, TPL adopted another friendly feline to be their resident library cat. His name is Chance, and, given the tough life he's had before his new job at TPL, he has been given a second chance at life.
We've borrowed a few photos of Chance from TPL's Facebook page, where you may see additional pictures and learn more about this handsome boy. As always, click the images to bigify (as Tober used to say).
Chance, TPL Resident Cat
Chance will be writing to Tober's blog, so be sure to take a peek. Looks like TPL has a superb new library greeter and PR man. You've got big paws to fill, Chance, but you'll be fine, I can tell. Welcome! Now tell your minions to get to work. Treats and belly scratches don't do themselves, you know.
Five years ago today (December 19), I started this blog. (Here's my first post.) It's been fun, and we've helped folks keep up with what's happening at Mooresville Public Library. I've written 1,301 blog posts--thanks, minions, for your assistance--but now is a good time to wrap things up.
Officially, I retired last March as the official MPL feline roving reporter, but I've continued to post the occasional article to this blog. As I review all these postings, I'm amazed at where the journey has taken moi. I hope you've enjoyed it, too.
I'll leave all my posts up so you can read (or re-read) anything interesting.
It would have been really something to have seen a real elkenfroster (what humans call a reindeer) playing a dulcimer at the Library's portion of Mooresville's Victorian Christmas celebration today (December 5). But real life isn't a Disney cartoon, so we had to have separate events.
Silly Safaris (with Candy Cane Chris) brought the elkenfroster for a meet & greet photo op with our patrons. Click the photos to bigify.
There was a lively turnout, as always for these programs. If you weren't able to attend this time, there's always next year. Or you could build a time machine and travel to the past to see previous celebrations. Or you could just look at some photos I've posted from past events. It's your call.
