Laura M
@highlandlaura.bsky.social
Scottish, neurodivergent, socially anxious introvert, feminist social historian by training, former yarn dyer, LGBTQIA+, bibliophile. Dabbles in a bit of crafting and photography sometimes. AKA leapylees in some other places.
This well-camouflaged beauty appeared on my walk today. They sniffed my fingers, made a flehmen face and backed off a little (presumably detected my own cats). Obviously cautious so I will try again for pets if I see them again. @thecatreviewer.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 8:30 PM
This well-camouflaged beauty appeared on my walk today. They sniffed my fingers, made a flehmen face and backed off a little (presumably detected my own cats). Obviously cautious so I will try again for pets if I see them again. @thecatreviewer.bsky.social
Another in an occasional series from my family photo archive. Initially I only saw one kitten, then realised there are two. My grandmother is on the left, but I don't know who the other people are. Date? 1920s I'd estimate.
November 14, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Another in an occasional series from my family photo archive. Initially I only saw one kitten, then realised there are two. My grandmother is on the left, but I don't know who the other people are. Date? 1920s I'd estimate.
I think I might have peaked too early by posting one of the best cat photos in my collection on Saturday. More to come and this one is more typical. Meet Samson, photo taken in Rye, NY in 1953.
July 21, 2025 at 9:49 AM
I think I might have peaked too early by posting one of the best cat photos in my collection on Saturday. More to come and this one is more typical. Meet Samson, photo taken in Rye, NY in 1953.
I'm a fan of @catsofyore.bsky.social and have family cat photos, so I might share a few. Many of them were taken by my grandmother, Elisabeth Phillips (nee Fritze) who was a professional photographer before she married in 1933. This is my mother, aged 12, in 1952 with Sylvester (taken in Rye, NY).
July 19, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I'm a fan of @catsofyore.bsky.social and have family cat photos, so I might share a few. Many of them were taken by my grandmother, Elisabeth Phillips (nee Fritze) who was a professional photographer before she married in 1933. This is my mother, aged 12, in 1952 with Sylvester (taken in Rye, NY).
10pm the other night was when these two decided it was a good time to do the photoshoot for their new album.
June 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM
10pm the other night was when these two decided it was a good time to do the photoshoot for their new album.
Hello there fluffy pollinator!
I just thought I'd let you know that you've got something on your face.
I just thought I'd let you know that you've got something on your face.
June 8, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Hello there fluffy pollinator!
I just thought I'd let you know that you've got something on your face.
I just thought I'd let you know that you've got something on your face.
Every morning... These two, in my face, clambering all over me and providing a Crystal Maze level puzzle experience just getting out of bed. Get one leg out of bed, nope, there's now a cat sitting on the other leg, and on my chest. (Of course the photo is blurry with this level of intimacy).
June 1, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Every morning... These two, in my face, clambering all over me and providing a Crystal Maze level puzzle experience just getting out of bed. Get one leg out of bed, nope, there's now a cat sitting on the other leg, and on my chest. (Of course the photo is blurry with this level of intimacy).
I assume this scene in my local M&S is due to the aftermath of the cyber attack and not the locals getting absolutely hammered because the sun is out. This is worse than a couple of days ago when they'd spread a few bottles out to make those shelves look better stocked.
May 18, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I assume this scene in my local M&S is due to the aftermath of the cyber attack and not the locals getting absolutely hammered because the sun is out. This is worse than a couple of days ago when they'd spread a few bottles out to make those shelves look better stocked.
Taken on a good day last week, Finn's sister Dru is a thief of freshly washed hoodies ( it needed a good dehairing after this occupation).
May 17, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Taken on a good day last week, Finn's sister Dru is a thief of freshly washed hoodies ( it needed a good dehairing after this occupation).
Last summer the weather was so awful I sat outside only once. It's good for my mental health so I am determined to make the most of the good weather. So, it seems, is Finn.
May 17, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Last summer the weather was so awful I sat outside only once. It's good for my mental health so I am determined to make the most of the good weather. So, it seems, is Finn.
Finn is confused about tariffs and the methodology used to calculate them.
April 4, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Finn is confused about tariffs and the methodology used to calculate them.
A glorious spring day for a good walk. I was amused by this fence post's mossy hat and the clichéd cherry blossom pic had to be done.
March 30, 2025 at 7:09 PM
A glorious spring day for a good walk. I was amused by this fence post's mossy hat and the clichéd cherry blossom pic had to be done.
Whaddya mean it's not a word?
March 20, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Whaddya mean it's not a word?
This is my Finn, here in Scotland. We adopted him and his sister from the local cat shelter four years ago. He's still shy but has a naughty streak. Here he borrowed under the blanket, ran around under it and finally decided to wear it.
March 13, 2025 at 11:06 AM
This is my Finn, here in Scotland. We adopted him and his sister from the local cat shelter four years ago. He's still shy but has a naughty streak. Here he borrowed under the blanket, ran around under it and finally decided to wear it.
I enjoyed doing my second-favourite local walk today, which I haven't done for a while. This is an old pic from the same walk - it was lovely today, but hazy, this obscuring the mountains in the distance.
March 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I enjoyed doing my second-favourite local walk today, which I haven't done for a while. This is an old pic from the same walk - it was lovely today, but hazy, this obscuring the mountains in the distance.
Is there a national bean shortage, or is just my local branch of Tesco? No bananas either.
March 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Is there a national bean shortage, or is just my local branch of Tesco? No bananas either.
It was my birthday a couple of days ago and I'm very happy with the gifts from my partner. The Squishmallows have a practical purpose - to stop me giving myself sore wrists from sleeping with t-rex arms - seems to be working so far.
March 5, 2025 at 3:25 PM
It was my birthday a couple of days ago and I'm very happy with the gifts from my partner. The Squishmallows have a practical purpose - to stop me giving myself sore wrists from sleeping with t-rex arms - seems to be working so far.
Photographic evidence that I am ZX81 old. It was my Dad's computer, until I discovered it. We didn't have any of the extras so if I wanted to play a game I had to type out the whole programme every single time.
February 4, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Photographic evidence that I am ZX81 old. It was my Dad's computer, until I discovered it. We didn't have any of the extras so if I wanted to play a game I had to type out the whole programme every single time.
My partner almost got me "Butter" for Christmas but he wasn't sure because it had mixed reviews. I'd also considered it buuuut mixed reviews. Then I decided no, then yes, but not at £14.99, I'd look out for a secondhand copy. 50p on our local Tesco's charity bookcase was a no-brainer.
January 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
My partner almost got me "Butter" for Christmas but he wasn't sure because it had mixed reviews. I'd also considered it buuuut mixed reviews. Then I decided no, then yes, but not at £14.99, I'd look out for a secondhand copy. 50p on our local Tesco's charity bookcase was a no-brainer.
A most satisfying delivery last week. Reaktionbooks.bsky.social had a big sale at Christmas. I've been building my collection of their Animal series of books for ~20 years and this took my collection to 64. Over 100 in the series, so lots more to get eventually (shame a lot are out of print).
January 14, 2025 at 11:02 AM
A most satisfying delivery last week. Reaktionbooks.bsky.social had a big sale at Christmas. I've been building my collection of their Animal series of books for ~20 years and this took my collection to 64. Over 100 in the series, so lots more to get eventually (shame a lot are out of print).
One of the farm cats I sometimes meet. Quite small (maybe still a kitten) and very forceful in demanding petting. Caution advised: may scratch when overexcited, and then begs for more petting. @thecatreviewer.bsky.social
December 3, 2024 at 2:32 PM
One of the farm cats I sometimes meet. Quite small (maybe still a kitten) and very forceful in demanding petting. Caution advised: may scratch when overexcited, and then begs for more petting. @thecatreviewer.bsky.social
One of two similar looking cats that live near the railway station. Both are friendly but this is the shyer of the two. Its housemate is known for following the pet shop owner to his shop and also begging commuters for treats inside the railway station waiting room. @thecatreviewer.bsky.social
December 2, 2024 at 6:44 PM
One of two similar looking cats that live near the railway station. Both are friendly but this is the shyer of the two. Its housemate is known for following the pet shop owner to his shop and also begging commuters for treats inside the railway station waiting room. @thecatreviewer.bsky.social
A mild, dreich Sunday afternoon is perfect for working on this blanket I'm crocheting for a Christmas gift (I'm way behind), listening to carols on Radio 3 and drinking big mugs of tea. And being angered and disgusted by Gregg Wallace.
December 1, 2024 at 3:10 PM
A mild, dreich Sunday afternoon is perfect for working on this blanket I'm crocheting for a Christmas gift (I'm way behind), listening to carols on Radio 3 and drinking big mugs of tea. And being angered and disgusted by Gregg Wallace.
In the summer I found my German grandmother's recipe book among family papers. It's mostly in German with some recipes in English (and at least one switches between languages). I was tempted to try making the strawberry shortcake but the note at the end makes me think it wasn't entirely successful.
November 25, 2024 at 8:35 PM
In the summer I found my German grandmother's recipe book among family papers. It's mostly in German with some recipes in English (and at least one switches between languages). I was tempted to try making the strawberry shortcake but the note at the end makes me think it wasn't entirely successful.
Apparently Stirling has had heavy snow and has lying snow. Meanwhile, a few miles away we have disgusting slush with wind and sleet. It's definitely a day for staying in with big mugs of tea and a good book or two. The cats are also disgusted by the weather.
November 23, 2024 at 10:46 AM
Apparently Stirling has had heavy snow and has lying snow. Meanwhile, a few miles away we have disgusting slush with wind and sleet. It's definitely a day for staying in with big mugs of tea and a good book or two. The cats are also disgusted by the weather.