Tuesday, 18 June 2024

 

Pussy cat, pussy cat . . .  

 


where have you been are you going?

This cat came to live with us a little while ago. He just looks like a boy cat to me and I love his smiling face and pink cheeks.

He is going to live on the front door step, with a pretty plant growing in him.

I actually bought a plant – the one plant I bought at the garden centre a while ago - a bright verbena, which may have been pink or red. I cannot tell the colour now, as it seems to have died a death. I suppose it may resurrect itself but I’m not optimistic.

I’m considering what I might try in there instead. At the moment, I’m thinking of nasturtiums, but I’m not sure. I’ll keep you posted.

Pussy cat, pussy cat,

Where have you been?

I’ve been up to London

To look at the Queen.

 

Pussy cat, pussy cat,

What did you there?

I frightened a little mouse

Under her chair.

This traditional rhyme was first published in 1805. The queen referred to in the nursery rhyme is believed to have been Elizabeth I, who reigned from 1558 until 1603. Illustrations often depict the queen of the verse in Elizabethan costume, some 200 years after her death. Some suggest the queen might have been Caroline of Brunswick, the estranged wife of George IV, again based on the style of dress illustrated, but she was queen from 1820 until 1821. The truth is that we do not know the exact origins of the rhyme and it really doesn’t matter.          

28 comments:

  1. I planted some blackberries today that looked more dead than alive. We shall see! I really have to stop procrastinating so much. Plant lives have been lost to my lack of action!

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    1. It's so easy to think, 'I'll water that later' and then forget ;-)

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  2. He's a pretty boy. Perhaps you could plant cat mint in him.

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    1. That's a good idea - appropriate, too:-)

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  3. Hi Janice - pussy cat pussy cat where have you been - always here! Lovely little rhyme. Fun post - cheers Hilary

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    1. Quite why a cat would travel to London is anyone's guess!

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  4. He does look like a boy, I would pop a small grass in him, I think a spiky top would suit him.

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    1. That's another good idea. I'm going to need more cat planters!

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  5. Good of you to adopt that cat. He certainly seems pleased anyway.

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    1. Is he like the Cheshire cat, do you think?

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  6. I think verbena is a declared pest species here...checking.... yes, environmental weed. It's a cute rhyme and I first heard it when I was very young.

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    1. Isn't it funny how plants can be loved in some countries and despised in others? I love agapanthus, but New Zealanders regard it as a pest, I think.

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  7. That's not true ! you have stolen MY cat !!! It sat for years in our stone garden in front of the house with a petunia in it !!! Isn't that funny. When we sold the house all my "outside cats" went to different friend's gardens ! The little poem is cute, I just imagine the mouse under Camilla's skirt ! Do you think she would jump up ???

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    1. Oh, dear, sorry, Ingrid ;-)
      I think Camilla would take it in her stride - such things don't upset countrywomen.

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  8. It resembles a cartoon from Japan series I know. So cute and innocent.

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    1. Innocent is the right word. We could do with more innocence and simplicity in this wicked world.

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  9. Very cute flower pot and I definitely remember the poem. Hope your plant survives or else you find another one to use.

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    1. It's not looking very hopeful at present . . .

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  10. Perhaps if the verbena doesn't work, a pot of catgrass (wheat grass) for the felines in your life (and to give your cat a spiky back).

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    1. It might stop them sampling the rest of the plants, too. Perverse, as they are, they have never been interested in the catmint in the garden!

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  11. Koleanchoe? They seem to like little pots and they seem pretty durable. That is a cute planter though.

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    1. Funnily enough, I've never had much success with those. Good thought, though.

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  12. I think whatever you decide to put in the planter the cat will be happy with it.

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  13. I think your cat flower pot is very cute, his smile is very welcoming.
    That rhyme/poem is good, I do remember it.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. Little things please little minds - and he does please me ;-)

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  14. Cute pot for - catnip? Catgrass? Actually catnip might attract all the neighborhood cats, so maybe not....

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    1. My cats don't take any notice of catnip, sadly.

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