Three Curved Blades

Finished these three high-carbon steel claw-shaped blades today.  The two small ones are SILK CUTTER, 3″ long, wirebrushed as forged and drilled (not polished); CAT CLAW AMULET, 3″ long including copper spiral loop with African bronze bead; edges and holes have a high polish.  The large blade is SERPENT’S TOOTH, nearly 7″ long.  It was forged some time ago but I added the decorative holes and texture, and ornaments of hot-forged silver and natural drilled snakeskin agate with African iron bead.

 

Adytum

In the secret innermost Sanctuary:  A precious one hidden from danger, a salvaged one undergoing a healing transformation, or a prisoner awaiting release?

 

 

Here is Beluga, He Who Circles, discovering the maze on our living room floor:

 

Beluga Comes Home

This week I adopted Beluga, the Hermitage Cat Shelter resident that I have sponsored for two years.  He is a slinky black shorthair with deep gold eyes.  A head injury when he was a kitten left him with neurological problems – he walks in circles and does not climb, jump, purr, or use a litterbox.  He is on medication for seizures and (temporarily, we hope) for asthma.   He is a beautiful, loving boy who enjoys being held and petted.  He has thoroughly explored the house and even looked at himself in the mirror.  We took a long nap together today, with him curled tightly around my hand.  The other five cats are avoiding him so far, because they recognize that he is “different” – or perhaps holy, since he has now been twice carried across the Abyss, and remains protected by many loving hands.