Wednesday, July 22, 2009

What happens if you give a bobcat catnip?

The girls are spending their afternoons this week at the local natural history museum attending camp. They are aliens from the planet Rootbeer, their mission is to explore the life of planet Earth. When I first saw their alien masks I couldn't stop laughing!


This is what I do while they are enjoying camp. Lots of quality and peaceful sewing time!

Madison the Bobcat
I had just been reading about catnip in "stalking the healthful herbs," by Euell Gibbons. This is what Ms. Gibbons had to say in regards to cats and catnip, "The most remarkable thing about catnip is the strange fascination this plant has for members of the cat family, not just the domestic cat, but all felines from great lions and tigers down to tiny civets.....trappers are able to lure the wily lynx just by bating thier traps with a few drops of oil of catnip." Incredible!
I know it sends our house cats into crazyland, but does it really do this to the wild variety of cat? I wondered if the naturals history museum's resident bobcat, Madison, would be put in a tizzy if she had some catnip. My baby sis, Robin, works at the museum, loved the idea, and told us to bring in catnip, lavender and grapefruit mint for Madison to play with. The museum was curious to see which herb she would like the most. She was very intrigued by all the herbs and rubbed her cute little face over all three, but catnip was by far her favorite! The Little Ladies were pleased with their gift to Madison!


20 comments:

Erin said...

What a beautiful Bobcat! And those are some "out-of-this-world" alien masks...lol.

Tammy said...

Hee hee hee on the alien masks! The girls are waaaaaay cute in them. :)

And the bobcat is so pretty. What a nice opportunity for the girls.

kyndale said...

I like the straw addition. Cool bobcat story :)

Shady Lady said...

Those alien masks rock! What a cool experiment with the bobcat.

Anet said...

I want to travel to Plant Rootbeer!
so funny:)
I'm just about to do a post about catnip... no bobcats, just three fat cats.
I just bet tigers and lions would like catnip too!

Val in the Rose Garden said...

I love their masks! How completley cute!

And being able to do an experiment with a bobcat? Your kids are so lucky! What a fun experiment too. :) Happy kitty.

Val

KrisMrsBBradley said...

Awesome masks!

And how cool to get to make a bobcat's day!

The Magic Onions said...

Oh, sweet... he LOVES it!
Blessings and magic.

Crescent Moon said...

Do we have some kind of cultural exchange with the planet Rootbeer? While they are studying our planet, I'd like to learn more about theirs.
The catnip experiment was so cool!

Amy Perrotti said...

"Aliens from the planet Rootbeer" That is Great! lol or as my friend Douglas would say, "That is RICH!".

Joyce said...

I love the mask and cuffs! Very cute little ones you have!! xoxo

Erin said...

I am loving the silver wrist band. :)

Pussnae said...

What a fun experiment and a cute bobcat! I love the masks too.

Annie said...

Hilarious masks!

dongdong said...

That first picture of Rainy made me smile too. :)

Somehow I didn't realize you love to sew. I thought it was the creating because you create so many beautiful felt things. Good for you!

Kelly said...

What fun masks. Your girls must have enjoyed those! Beautiful bobcat.

MommyWise said...

That's really interesting. I would have guessed "wild" cats would NOT react to it...btw...I LOVE your blog.. :-)

Tara said...

Very authentic alien masks!

caitlin said...

Oh my.. those costumes! Hysterical!

Cate said...

how cool! my uncle had a bobcat living with him for a while (he's very eccentric). eventually, his wife threatened to leave him if he didn't let somebody adopt the bobcat. the bobcat got a new home.

such a fun post.