Saturday, November 22, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving From Our Family to Yours

We are going to be one of the few American families who will stay home and spend the holiday with our small family — our adult son, my wife and I, and our six cats: Emily, Polaris, Jessica, Athena, Lily, and Daisy.

We plan to have a very simple Thanksgiving meal of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. And of course, after dinner we will have pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

AAA says nearly 82 million Americans are projected to travel over Thanksgiving. They also project that at least 73 million people will travel by car — that’s nearly 90 percent of all Thanksgiving travelers, and about 1.3 million more people on the road compared to last year. That number could end up higher if some air travelers decide to drive following recent flight cancellations.

https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/11/aaa-thanksgiving-travel-forecast-2025/

Please drive carefully. Here is a brief weather prediction from Weather.com.

Thanksgiving Week Weather Summary (U.S.)

Thanksgiving travel begins under mostly calm skies, but several regions will see weather that could slow things down.

Saturday:
Mostly quiet nationwide. Morning showers and patchy fog in the East and South may cause delays in airports like Atlanta, NYC, and Washington, D.C. Storms in southern Arizona may bring heavy rain or hail near Phoenix. Light rain moves into the Northwest later in the day.

Sunday:
Storms move into Texas and Oklahoma, bringing heavy rain, hail, and possible delays in Dallas–Ft. Worth. The Northwest remains wet with coastal rain and mountain snow. Light snow may brush upstate New York and northern New England.

Monday:
A large storm spreads from Texas to the upper Mississippi Valley. Cities such as Dallas, Austin, and Little Rock may see strong storms with hail, damaging winds, or even a possible tornado. Heavy rain could cause flooded roads. Snow and strong winds impact the Northern Rockies and Cascades.

Tuesday:
Rain spreads across the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast. Thunderstorms are possible in the Southeast. Snow may develop in the Northern Plains and northern Great Lakes. The Northwest receives more rain and mountain snow.

Wednesday (Peak Travel Day):
Rain may linger in the East, especially in the morning, creating possible airport delays from Boston to Washington, D.C. Lake-effect snow begins near the Great Lakes, making travel risky in northern Michigan. The Northwest stays wet with potential heavy rain.

Thanksgiving Day:
Lake-effect snow continues in the Great Lakes snowbelts, along with strong winds and possible whiteout conditions. Snow falls in the northern Rockies and nearby High Plains. Chilly winds linger in the Northeast. Seattle may see some weather-related delays.

If you are like us and preparing a Thanksgiving dinner, we have a couple of videos that may be helpful.

Thanksgiving Music Video: Music to Relax To

And to help with a stress-free Thanksgiving meal:

Thanksgiving – Stress-Free Holiday Dinner Tips

We will not be posting or making videos again until after the holiday. Again, Happy Thanksgiving.

Sunday, November 16, 2025

Digital Watercolor Backgrounds

Fall Digital Background

We have just opened a Buy Us a Coffee account!
https://buymeacoffee.com/serenityofthemindyt

Buy Me a Coffee is a simple platform where creators and artists can offer exclusive content or receive support from their fans. We opened our page so anyone who wishes can support our YouTube Channel Serenity of the Mind or our blog:
https://serenityofthemindmusicvideosetc.blogspot.com/

If you are new to our blog, welcome! We create many different types of content on YouTube:

Funny cat compilations with cats from around the world
Our own clowder — Daisy, Emily, Lily, Polaris, Athena, and Jessica
Sleep videos and calm videos
Hand-painted watercolor animations created by our artist, Shy Artist

Why We Started Making Our Own Backgrounds

YouTube has recently updated several of its policies. Creators now must label AI-assisted content, and YouTube uses bots that automatically scan for AI. They also tightened their spam and repetitive-content rules.

When we first began almost four years ago, it was normal to combine free copyright-free clips and use YouTube’s free audio. Over time, thousands of channels used the same clips again and again, and eventually YouTube changed its rules.

Those changes turned out to be helpful for us.

They encouraged us to move toward real, human-made artwork. Now, Shy Artist hand-paints watercolor backgrounds that we animate for our videos. This helps our channel stand out and gives our work a calm, personal, handmade touch.

Introducing Our Digital Watercolor Backgrounds

Every background is painted by Shy Artist exclusively for Serenity of the Mind.
We use each painting once in our videos and then digitize it so other creators can enjoy it too.

Right now, we have one background available, and more will be added soon. Each artwork is scanned carefully and prepared as a high-quality digital file so you can easily include it in your own projects.

All artwork is original and copyright Serenity of the Mind.
Purchasing a background gives permission to use it in your own creative work, but the copyright remains with us.

Coming soon:

Animated watercolor green screens
Hand-painted seasonal and holiday backgrounds
More original Serenity of the Mind watercolor assets

We hope these creative resources will inspire other artists and help fellow creators add a soft, handcrafted beauty to their videos.

Saturday, November 8, 2025

How Our Cat Compilations Got Their Humor

By Serenity of the Mind

🎬 Watch the Short: Cat-titude Compilation — The Feline Mix of Personalities

How we first started four years ago on YouTube

When we first began on YouTube, there were a lot of people promoting the idea of using free copyright-free platforms like Pexels.com. The advice was simple: depending on the type of video you wanted to create, just paste together a bunch of clips until you reached the length you wanted.

For example, if I wanted to make a calming river video that was 15 minutes long, I would collect enough river clips to fill that time, and then go to YouTube Audio and add some music to match the mood.

Of course, these early videos never did very well. They were boring and repetitive. They were repetitive because everyone who was just starting out was using the same free footage and the same free music. Nothing about our videos stood out.

I don’t know if we ever would have changed direction if YouTube hadn’t introduced the Shorts platform. That new platform completely changed what we were doing on the channel.

We originally started with calm videos because all the YouTube influencers insisted you could “make a mint” with calming content — just paste clips together from Pexels.com and add free music. No one ever mentioned cats.

But I love cats, and one day I found a really cute clip of a cat walking on a piano. I thought, “Maybe I can use Shorts to advertise what we’re doing on the channel.”

Our very first Short was actually about a product we no longer have — the Mood Room — but the second one had that cat walking across a piano. It was promoting “Healing Sounds at Serenity of the Mind.”

Here is the video if you want to see it.

It was also the first time we got a reasonable number of views: 645 views and 25 likes. That’s when I realized — by accident — that people on YouTube really love cats.

The other thing I realized was that stitching together random clips with free music was boring, so I tried something new just to see how it would go. I started using our own cats in Shorts, at least here and there. But our own cats are actually pretty mellow. My wife began making costumes for them, so those videos did a bit better — like “Polaris Cat Stole the Christmas Gift.” That one showed our Siamese actually stealing a toy out of one of the stockings and playing with it. It got 354 views and 3 likes. Better, but still not like the piano-cat ad.

Then I got the idea to make the Shorts funny. “Cat-titude: The Feline Mix of Personalities” was one of our early attempts. We used AI voice-overs because so many YouTube influencers were pushing AI at the time. Later we found out people really don’t like AI, and once YouTube started adding banners to mark AI-generated content, we had to stop doing that. We were also still using free videos from Pexels, which meant we quickly ran out of unique cat clips to build Shorts from. And we were still using YouTube Audio.

But this was a turning point — it was the moment I decided to use humor in the cat Shorts.

And that idea came from my older brother… He and I have always had a fun relationship, and humor came naturally. (We were in a large family, too.) I learned from him to look at the funny side of life. So I’ll see, say, a cat climbing a screen door, and it becomes Ninja Cat Training.

We grew up in a household that ALWAYS had cats! Our two Siamese were a major part of our childhoods. We witnessed literally thousands of cat behaviors. Our Siamese (a neutered brother and sister) would sit in the front yard, waiting for the neighborhood dogs to walk by. One (the brother) would challenge the dog, and when it entered the property, the sister would charge it, blindsiding it with catlike fury!

Those cats were wise souls, too. They would tolerate childish behavior only for so long; at some time around 6 or 7 years old, they would Give Us The Word. Then we all got along, very well.

When I moved to another state we continued texting funny jokes until he passed away; I like to think I’m honoring his memory through our funny cat compilations.

Watch More Funny Cat Moments

🐾 Kitty Chronicals: A Tail of Laughter and Cuteness – YouTube Playlist

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Grooming a Norwegian Forest Cat at Home: Tools and Tips

Grooming a Norwegian Forest Cat at Home: Tools and Tips

A Little History of the Norwegian Forest Cat

Norwegian Forest Cats are believed to have developed naturally over centuries in the cold forests of Norway. These beautiful, sturdy cats adapted to the harsh climate with:

A thick double coat that keeps them warm and dry
Tufted ears and bushy tails for life in the snow and trees
Strong bodies built for climbing and hunting

Many stories say sailors during the Viking Age traveled with excellent mousers on their ships. Some people believe those cats found their way home with the Vikings to Norway. Others imagine long-haired cats arriving with traders or Crusaders and thriving in the Scandinavian forests.

No matter which theory you like best, one thing is certain: Norwegian Forest Cats became a beloved part of Norway’s culture over a very long time. They were officially recognized as a breed in Norway in the 1930s and later became known and appreciated around the world. Today, they are still admired for their majestic looks and friendly nature — and for the way they make a home feel complete.

Myths About the Norwegian Forest Cat

Folklore in Norway tells wonderful tales of magical, giant cats called skogkatt — forest cats. People believed these fairy cats were skilled climbers of cliffs and rocks, watching over the mountains and the people who lived near them.

One charming legend says that Freya, the Norse goddess of love and beauty, rode in a chariot pulled by huge cats that resemble today’s Norwegian Forest Cats. Because of this, farmers left bowls of milk out for her cats, hoping Freya would bless them with a good harvest. Another superstition said that girls who loved cats had a greater chance of a successful marriage — a very sweet thought for cat lovers!

Whether in stories of Vikings or mythology, it’s easy to see why these cats became symbols of strength, warmth, and loyalty.

How We Care for Daisy’s Beautiful Coat

As you’ve read, Norwegian Forest Cats have a double coat, and Daisy’s fur is one of her cutest and fluffiest features. Our vet showed us how to take care of it so she always feels her best. We brush her gently every day, and she enjoys every minute of it. I think she believes it’s just a long, relaxing massage!

Daily brushing also helps remove loose fur so she doesn’t have to deal with as much shed hair. Daisy is easygoing and happy during grooming — she even rolls over to show us the spots she wants done next.

Of course, things happen! Once Daisy got outside and rolled around in a bunch of foxtails. We were very worried because foxtails can be sticky and uncomfortable- and even dangerous to her health! We used a cat grooming rake to carefully remove them. Our vet doesn’t prefer rakes for everyday use, so we keep it only for emergencies and handle it very gently. It took us almost an hour, and Daisy was patient the whole time — she probably wanted those prickly plants gone just as badly as we did!

Even with regular grooming, little mats can still appear. Our vet recommended a special cat grooming razor that helps us gently trim small mats when we find them. We go slowly, take breaks, and always let Daisy decide when she’s had enough. She lets us know in her own sweet way.

Caring for Daisy’s coat is more than just brushing — it’s a special bonding time. Daisy purrs, relaxes, and feels safe, and we feel grateful every day that this loving girl is part of our family.

Thank You for Reading!

If you enjoyed learning a little about Norwegian Forest Cats and meeting Daisy, we invite you to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow our blog using the follow.it box on the sidebar. We love sharing stories from our home and our wonderful cats.

Resources

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Thanksgiving History: Pilgrims, Wampanoag, Native Perspectives & Why Gratitude Matters

Thanksgiving Music Video: Music to Relax to

A Brief History of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Many people connect its beginnings to a 1621 harvest meal in Plymouth, where English colonists and members of the Wampanoag Nation shared food after the settlers’ first successful growing season.

The Pilgrims had arrived the year before after a long and dangerous voyage from England. Their first winter was devastating — hunger, disease, and exposure claimed many lives. The Wampanoag, who had recently suffered a terrible loss of their own people due to disease brought by earlier Europeans, helped the weakened settlers. They taught them how to grow corn, fish local waters, and survive the climate.

That early relationship was not perfect, but for a brief period it included cooperation and a peace treaty that lasted more than 50 years. Later, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday during the Civil War, encouraging Americans to pause each year to give thanks.

The Native American Perspective

The way Thanksgiving is often taught in schools and shown in media leaves out much of the full story. For many Native Americans, the holiday can be a painful reminder of what followed after that short time of peace — the loss of land, culture, and countless Native lives as European settlement expanded.

Since 1970, some Native people and allies have gathered in Plymouth on the fourth Thursday in November to mark a National Day of Mourning. They honor their ancestors and draw attention to ongoing struggles Native communities still face.

However, Native voices are not all the same. Gratitude has always been an important part of Indigenous culture. Long before the Pilgrims arrived, many Native tribes held seasonal harvest celebrations, offering thanks for food, family, and the earth’s abundance.

Some Native Americans do not observe the holiday, while others choose to focus on togetherness and gratitude — enjoying meals with loved ones and remembering their deep traditions of giving and community.

How Serenity of the Mind Celebrates Thanksgiving

Here at Serenity of the Mind, we are a very multiethnic family and community. We understand that history can be complicated and often difficult to fully know. So for us, Thanksgiving is a simple reminder to be thankful — thankful for the people we love, the food we have, and the kindness we share every day.

We hope each person celebrates in their own meaningful way. At the top of this post, you will find our holiday video featuring a hand-painted animated festive table with calming music — something peaceful to enjoy no matter how you spend the day.

And if cooking brings you joy, we also include a second video with relaxing ideas for preparing a special meal without pressure or stress. Sometimes the celebration can be simple: sitting together, sharing a warm dish, or just taking a quiet moment to feel grateful for the good things in our lives.

From our family to yours, HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving-Stress-free Holiday Dinner Tips

References / Further Reading

History.com Editors. “History of Thanksgiving.” History.com. https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-thanksgiving
“Wampanoag Treaty.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wampanoag_treaty
Native Hope. “What Does Thanksgiving Mean to Native Americans?” NativeHope.org. https://blog.nativehope.org/what-does-thanksgiving-mean-to-native-americans

Monday, October 27, 2025

How I Design My Animated Watercolor

Every painting begins with an idea — sorry, no photo of my mind! Once I can see it in my imagination, I look for something to help me plan what I’ll paint and later animate.

1. Inspiration

Here is a leaf twig I found on Pixabay. It’s only to give me an idea of what to draw and paint.

(Photo of the leaf twig from Pixabay)

2. Painting the Leaf Twig

Here is the finished leaf twig painted with shimmering metallic gold watercolor. I really wanted it to shine.

(Photo of the finished leaf twig)

3. Size and Scale

I left it large because it’s always easier to make something smaller than larger when editing digitally.

4. Creating the Background

I painted the background using the wet-on-wet technique with Daniel Smith Prussian Blue. First, I brushed horizontally. After it dried, I turned the paper and painted vertically for the YouTube short format. The overlapping strokes created a beautiful tone.

(Photo of the finished background)

5. Setting Up for Animation

Before I paint, I use a special template that helps me match the proportions needed for a YouTube vertical short video. It shows me exactly where the main subject should go.

6. Why So Many Pieces?

I’m not painting for a gallery — I’m painting for animation. Each part becomes a separate layer that moves and transforms when I animate it. Because of this, I don’t need the most expensive watercolor paper. I use Fabriano 140-lb watercolor paper. It’s not the highest grade, but it’s perfect once stretched properly and can handle a reasonable amount of wash.

7. The (Future) Animation Plan

The leaf twig, painted with metallic gold watercolor, will eventually be animated in Canva (a gentle float from the top of the canopy to the bottom, where it dissolves) and finished on a green screen. The background is static — it doesn’t move — so I scan it, cut it to size, and place it into Clipchamp as the base layer.

The dissolve is another matter. I painted three versions of the dissolve:

One with a few small gold spots,
One with many more gold areas,
And one completely gold.

These stages will later be animated in Synfig, a vector-based animation program that uses tweening to make it look as if I painted hundreds of in-between steps.

8. Bringing It All Together

Right now, you can watch a short photo-video that walks through the finished watercolor steps. The full animation is still in progress and will be shared later.

Thank you for reading my watercolor process. Come back soon to see the completed watercolor animation of the golden leaf twig! I’ll also be sharing how I make my own metallic watercolor paints from scratch, using methods inspired by the old masters.

If you enjoyed this post and video, please follow our Serenity of the Mind YouTube Channel, and at the top of the side panel, you’ll find a place to follow the blog as well.

🌿 https://serenityofthemindmusicvideosetc.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Halloween Cat Costumes

🎃 Halloween Cat Costumes

Cats in Costume

Here is the video of some cats in Halloween Cat Costumes — we hope you enjoy it!

I thought these photos of real cats in the cutest costumes deserved to be seen in the proper environments. Cat costumes have really come into their own. I see online hundreds of costumes — from full-body outfits with headpieces (which only a few cats can tolerate!) to simple hats, character headgear, and “front-only” costumes with fake arms that make cats look like they’re walking on two feet. Those can be especially adorable!

We even used one of those for our short Wrath the Cat Wife. Honestly, I don’t know which kind I like best; they all look so cute on our feline friends.

A word about costumes: please never force a cat to wear something they don’t want to wear. It can be very upsetting for them.

The Costumes My Wife Makes for Our Own Cats

Written by my husband, for our YouTube channel — Serenity of the Mind.

My wife loves making costumes for our cats. Before creating anything, she considers each cat’s personality. We have six cats, and each one is different.

Emily is our oldest and easiest. We’re always careful not to make her uncomfortable. She’s the only cat who will tolerate wings or a halo. My wife uses soft elastic to keep them on and usually works with felt. We know felt isn’t fire-safe, but costumes are never left on for long and are kept away from any heat source. We’re always present during filming, and as soon as the photo or video is done, the costume comes off.

Emily is comfortable with small hats or halos that fit between or outside her ears. Occasionally she’ll wear a fuller costume, like when she was a leprechaun, but even then, my wife designed it more like a soft cape so Emily could move freely. In winter, Emily wears little coats to keep warm, but that’s about the only time she tolerates a full costume.

Daisy and Jessica are fine with hats as long as their ears aren’t squeezed. Neither likes the ear cutouts, so hats are measured between the ears. Jessica was a witch one year, and Daisy a scholar.

Lily and Polaris don’t like costumes at all. Polaris is too bouncy to measure, so she got a bow instead. Lily is shy and hides when measuring time comes, so my wife used an old collar of hers as a guide and made her a flower-petal collar.

Lastly, Athena — another shy one — allowed a quick measurement, so my wife crocheted a tiny, old-fashioned baby bonnet for her. She didn’t like it much, and my husband had to hold her for a quick photo before we removed it. That was the end of her Halloween adventure!

We might not do another Halloween with costumes — perhaps just some cute props, pumpkins, or special treats next time.

🕯️ The History of Cats and Halloween

Summarized from Upgrade Your Cat

Cats and Halloween go way back—centuries, actually—mixing history, folklore, and superstition into traditions that still shape the holiday.

Ancient Egypt: Cats were revered as sacred animals and linked to the goddess Bastet, who symbolized home, fertility, and protection. People believed cats brought divine favor, and harming one was a serious crime.

Celtic Legends: The Celts saw cats as mystical creatures tied to the Otherworld. The legendary Cat-Sìth, a large black fairy cat with a white spot, was said to guard the border between life and death.

Medieval Europe: During the Middle Ages, black cats were associated with witches and witchcraft. Some believed witches could transform into cats or that cats acted as their “familiars.” This fear spread through Europe and into America, giving black cats their mysterious reputation.

Modern Symbolism: Today, cats appear in Halloween décor, stories, and costumes as symbols of mystery, protection, and luck. Their deep roots in folklore remind us that Halloween’s imagery comes from centuries of myth and imagination.

🐾 Animal Safety in Pet Costumes

Source: Animal Med Care Center

Freedom of Movement: Make sure the costume allows your pet to walk, run, and move normally. Avoid tight or oversized outfits that cause tripping.
Avoid Flammable Materials: Choose natural, non-synthetic fabrics to reduce fire risk.
Watch Masks and Hats: These should fit snugly without blocking sight or breathing.
Skip Dangly Decorations: Buttons, ribbons, and trim can be choking hazards.
Leashes & Visibility: Costumes should allow a harness or leash and include reflective materials if you’re outside at night.
Be Patient: Introduce the costume gradually, and if your pet seems anxious, remove it right away. Some animals prefer a simple festive collar or bandana instead.

🧶 Cat Costume Safety Protocols

Source: Costume Shop

Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics that don’t overheat or irritate skin.
The costume should fit snugly but not tight, allowing easy movement.
Avoid small parts that could be chewed or swallowed.
Supervise constantly while your cat is in costume.
Introduce costumes gradually, letting your cat sniff and explore them before wearing.
Watch for stress signals like tail swishing, meowing, or hiding — if you see them, stop immediately.

A happy cat makes for the best photos — not a stressed one!

🏠 Cat Safety on Halloween

Source: Feline Behavior Solutions

Keep cats indoors before, during, and after Halloween — especially black cats, who are sadly at risk of pranks.
Provide identification — reflective collars and microchips can make a big difference if a cat slips outside.
Create a quiet safe room with food, litter, and toys during trick-or-treating.
Avoid candles and dangling decorations. Use battery-powered lights instead.
Limit costumes — only for quick photos, and remove them right after.
Watch the candy! Keep chocolate and wrappers out of reach.

🌟 Closing Thoughts

Whether you’re celebrating with homemade costumes, fun props, or just cozy time together, remember — our cats’ comfort and happiness always come first. The history and magic of Halloween remind us how special they’ve always been, but love and safety make the night truly meaningful.

If you enjoyed this post, we’d love for you to follow our blog!
Just enter your email in the Follow.it box at the top of the sidebar to stay up to date with our latest cat stories, creative projects, and behind-the-scenes moments from Serenity of the Mind.