It’s short for “tortoiseshell.” It is a coat color combination related to calico. The calico has white, red, black, and tan in patches. The tortie has the colors more integrated where different colored hairs may be all mixed together.
I love the great big house – I’m sure that must be exactly where The Boys believe they live! And poor Pucky, being blamed for the mess the Ghost of Tillie caused!
They ARE friends — it’s already been established that Elvis doesn’t want Tommy outside anymore, for fear he might get lost again. (That’s why he thought up the “mega-network,” so Tommy could report from inside his home.)
Ohhhh the intrigue! The graveyard so close O.O Who was Quinn? Is he important to the story? What is going on upstairs? What is the new addition? Why am i suddenly finding a pink house spooky? o.O
i love Tillie such an adorable ghost. And i just love when Elvis gets all puffy and protective <3 and Puck with a flower, i could forgive that boy anything <3
It’s not an *exact* depiction of the house we live in, (since, “the Internet” and all, haha!) but it is a combination of 2-3 homes in our neighborhood. We do live in a painted Victorian converted into apartments, it’s a lovely old building and I wanted the apartment building in the comic to be the same kind of set up. (It’s a very popular way to create apartments in New England).
Oh wow!! Amazing! I just knew the baby could see her! *clapping hands* Tommy is soooo precious with his in-depth knowledge of kitty ghosts! <3 He's so very welcoming and friendly to the ghost cats and even the ghost kitty in the Victorian house's window is so antisocial! And Miss Tillie wants to go upstairs? Uh-oh . . . this can only mean mayhem. :p *cheeky giggles* "You can't stretch a paw without kicking a headstone." Ha! I love it! I'm originally from San Antonio, Texas where there's little romance of any sort, but now I live in beautiful, breathtaking, and rich with history Sheffield, England where you literally can't go five minutes in any direction without happening upon an old Victorian (or later) cemetery buried and forgotten in the woods! It's grand.
Okay, now, this is just getting weird. How did the house/apartment/residence just turn into a Victorian gingerbread? Where did the cemetery come from? What’s upstairs? The mystery deepens…..!
Had to look up tortie, hope we get to see her in full color! I love her spunk and zest, & so cute with Gwen, who can see her, wonderful!! Will the toddler? Beautiful house, wow, love it!! Are the Quinns relatives? nothing came up immediately on google. Hmmmm, maybe it would be more fun if I just let you unfold the story without trying to figure it out.
There will be an explanation on that to come–the front yard and the back yard of the BCN house are very different! The floors are still the same (another angle will show the house built into a hill… That may play a part in the laundry room’s location. As we learn more about the BCN house, I may add a little ‘about’ section for their fictional home. It’s the setting for most of their adventures, after all!)
Yay!! My childhood home was built on a small hill, and our first house in WA was too. In my head it made a lot of sense, but drawn out without the entire backyard drawn out too… Bahhh. I need to do a little “map of the house” one day.
Well, that answers my question about why we could see Tommy at the window when they turn out to be on the second floor. (I knew I’d find the answer if I looked in the comments! LOL!) I work in a building that’s built into a hill. Have to constantly remind the client that the 2nd floor is the main floor if they want to exit the building!
Jenna asked what a tortie is—–I have a dilute tortie named Cleo. She’s tan and gray, like a calico without white. A regular tortie or tortiseshell is black and a darker tan. Very pretty color.
I love this story especially when Tillie the tortie runs across shelf knocking down kick knacks and Puck looks like he’s responsible! And Tommy reporting from the graveyard.
I love how protective Elvis is of Tommy now as well. It’s so sweet. And Puck’s “I would never . . . ” Who hasn’t seen that look from their cat? (Usually preceded by a very large crash or bang!)
I can’t tell you how comforting it is to follow BCN these days. My wife went through a debilitating illness which culminated in her passing away in late August at far too early an age. It’s just me and our cats Jake and Elwood right now, and following the story here is one of those little things in my life that somehow manage to lift my spirits. Thank you, Georgia, for what you bring to my life and to the lives of all your readers! Wishing you the very best.
Thank you, Fritz! I’m so sorry to hear of your wife’s passing. I’m glad the comic can be a bright spot; that is the best kind of compliment I could hope for when I set out to create this comic for people to tune into and hopefully enjoy week after week. I cannot thank you enough for reaching out to share that with me, and I offer my sympathies again. I hope that the comic can keep bringing you some comfort and a smile. (And I absolutely love your cats’ names )
Well, whether your cats have seen any ghosts or not, I have a feeling that your comment “what a weird morning” and at least some of their actions come straight out of real life.
So excited that Tillie is a tortie! Our beautiful tortie girl Katzen brings much joy into our lives. Torties have such beautiful coloring and are very spunky and opinionated so a perfect choice!
And at least one Kid CAN see Tillie! The one who can’t talk, of course. Can’t wait to learn more about Tillie and the Resident Tortie Ghost in the RL house.
I love your work Georgia. The cats are so colorful & full of themselves! You have captured them perfectly. =^~^=
Love that gorgeous Victorian too. Widow’s walk and everything. So very New England. I lived there for 19 years (NH) and I miss it.
I have changed a few of the details of the outside, but yes, we do live in an old Victorian like this one that was converted into apartments! A lot of Victorians in New England get split into apartments with common hallways/laundry rooms/basements, etc
This story just keeps getting better. I’m with Elvis about ghost but ghost cat is a cutie. I have always loved Victorian houses. My friend just got a long hair tortie.She is a sweet kitten.
Love the comic every day. I’m just surprised that Lupin and Elvis can’t see Tillie – usually all cats can see ghosts.
Oh, and Tillie said that the baby was ‘old news’. Georgia, are you pregnant again?
Too much wonderful stuff! Grew up in New England hearing of para normal events that became family history. Lived in a house with a ghost for 30 years in the mid west and now in California where so far have had no “visitors” but have heard many many stories of many restless ghosts. When a phone rings I still pretty much know who will be on the line. In the mid west house I would start upstairs from the basement because I knew the phone was going to ring … strange. The cats have it right!
The addition isn’t a person. I’ve been thinking that it’s an architectural feature, added in Tillie’s day. Do folks outside the northeast not talk about building additions? Perhaps buildings elsewhere in the U.S. are just not old enough to have hundred year old additions built onto them. (And our non-U.S. friends laugh at what we consider old buildings here! My apartment building is young at 125 years old.)
I was thinking that too! Or if it’s a building addition currently happening maybe that explains Tillie’s recent appearance…could there be a pet cemetery that’s been disturbed? I don’t know that may be too dark, although it is halloween! I’m excited to hear more, thanks Georgia – love your comic!
Georgia, I have been following your strip for the past couple of months and I just cannot believe it is getting better and better. You know kitties. I wish there was a new one everyday but I do understand the time effort to create a new strip. I think all the cat lovers that view your strip may enjoy my website. No sales or commercial stuff, just a fun place to visit. the url is http://www.jolleysites.com/catsofspicewood/index.html. I hope everyone enjoys it and comes back to see my updates. Again, thank you for a truly wonderful strip.
Mark
I love the house.
Love the Elvis paws on the window. He is such a cranky kitty. Love also the floral logo for Tommy, and the comment about “touching all our stuff”
Tommy’s floral logo looks like *Trillium grandiflorum* to me–a common wildflower in the woods of New England, so very appropriate.
What’s a tortie?
It’s short for “tortoiseshell.” It is a coat color combination related to calico. The calico has white, red, black, and tan in patches. The tortie has the colors more integrated where different colored hairs may be all mixed together.
Wikipedia has some good pictures: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortoiseshell_cat
Thank you!
I love the great big house – I’m sure that must be exactly where The Boys believe they live! And poor Pucky, being blamed for the mess the Ghost of Tillie caused!
So Tommy and the baby can see the ghost, too?
Are the Quinns your maternal grandparents? This is a very sweet storyline. Why is Elvis angry to see Tommy outside? I thought they became friends.
They ARE friends — it’s already been established that Elvis doesn’t want Tommy outside anymore, for fear he might get lost again. (That’s why he thought up the “mega-network,” so Tommy could report from inside his home.)
Thanks! That thought occurred to me a few hours later…
Ohhhh the intrigue! The graveyard so close O.O Who was Quinn? Is he important to the story? What is going on upstairs? What is the new addition? Why am i suddenly finding a pink house spooky? o.O
such an adorable ghost. And i just love when Elvis gets all puffy and protective <3 and Puck with a flower, i could forgive that boy anything <3
i love Tillie
Shh: the new addition is the baby. I’m pretty sure.
Is that your house? It’s gorgeous!
Also, CAN’T WAIT to see what “new addition” Tillie is talking about!
It’s not an *exact* depiction of the house we live in, (since, “the Internet” and all, haha!) but it is a combination of 2-3 homes in our neighborhood. We do live in a painted Victorian converted into apartments, it’s a lovely old building and I wanted the apartment building in the comic to be the same kind of set up.
(It’s a very popular way to create apartments in New England).
Thank you for this bit of happy before I go into work!
I am in love with the house! Love!
Oh wow!! Amazing! I just knew the baby could see her! *clapping hands* Tommy is soooo precious with his in-depth knowledge of kitty ghosts! <3 He's so very welcoming and friendly to the ghost cats and even the ghost kitty in the Victorian house's window is so antisocial! And Miss Tillie wants to go upstairs? Uh-oh . . . this can only mean mayhem. :p *cheeky giggles* "You can't stretch a paw without kicking a headstone." Ha! I love it!
I'm originally from San Antonio, Texas where there's little romance of any sort, but now I live in beautiful, breathtaking, and rich with history Sheffield, England where you literally can't go five minutes in any direction without happening upon an old Victorian (or later) cemetery buried and forgotten in the woods! It's grand.
Okay, now, this is just getting weird. How did the house/apartment/residence just turn into a Victorian gingerbread? Where did the cemetery come from? What’s upstairs? The mystery deepens…..!
Oooo correction! Instead of “later” I meant to say earlier! Pressed Post Comment way too soon!
I love the way your imagination works Georgia! I can’t wait to see the next part!
Gosh!!! Exciting! Thanks x
I’m dizzy with the confusion – love the house
Wow, the BCN house is gorgeous.
Wonderful arc; so spooky!
Is that your house?
Who is W. M. Quinn?
Will these questions be answered in the next installments?
They will come into play later
And this is not exactly our house, but we do rent an apartment in a Victorian.
…And ourselves and the neighbors may have reasons to believe the building has a little tortie cat ghost.
Not that Elvis believes in such nonsense….
I love that the baby can see the ghost, because everyone knows babies can see ghosts.
…………..
……..Wow…..ummm….
Dunno where to start…
Tillie and the baby,
Elvis’s “concern” for Tommy’s safety,
The House!
I wonder if Tillie is going to visit Figaro and Tabitha…
Had to look up tortie, hope we get to see her in full color! I love her spunk and zest, & so cute with Gwen, who can see her, wonderful!! Will the toddler? Beautiful house, wow, love it!! Are the Quinns relatives? nothing came up immediately on google. Hmmmm, maybe it would be more fun if I just let you unfold the story without trying to figure it out.
Hmmm….new addition. Upstairs cats. Is there a new kitty upstairs?
Gasp, Pucky would! When he was in his cute bunny slipper and pjs, trying to help the man sleep.
Just love it. I see you have “moved” to the second floor. Are the ceiling cats on the 3rd floor?
Can’t wait till Monday!
There will be an explanation on that to come–the front yard and the back yard of the BCN house are very different! The floors are still the same (another angle will show the house built into a hill… That may play a part in the laundry room’s location.
As we learn more about the BCN house, I may add a little ‘about’ section for their fictional home. It’s the setting for most of their adventures, after all!)
I’m from Pittsburgh, know all about houses built on hills.
Yay!! My childhood home was built on a small hill, and our first house in WA was too. In my head it made a lot of sense, but drawn out without the entire backyard drawn out too… Bahhh. I need to do a little “map of the house” one day.
Well, that answers my question about why we could see Tommy at the window when they turn out to be on the second floor. (I knew I’d find the answer if I looked in the comments! LOL!) I work in a building that’s built into a hill. Have to constantly remind the client that the 2nd floor is the main floor if they want to exit the building!
Ooo!! Wonderful!
Hmmmm. I wonder if the “House on a hill” has something to do with how the Ceiling Cats get into the laundry room without using a laundry chute.
Very intriguing and mysterious. Can’t wait for the next installment. I love your ‘boys’ and am so happy to see Tommy more often, too.
Jenna asked what a tortie is—–I have a dilute tortie named Cleo. She’s tan and gray, like a calico without white. A regular tortie or tortiseshell is black and a darker tan. Very pretty color.
I love this story especially when Tillie the tortie runs across shelf knocking down kick knacks and Puck looks like he’s responsible! And Tommy reporting from the graveyard.
I love how protective Elvis is of Tommy now as well. It’s so sweet. And Puck’s “I would never . . . ” Who hasn’t seen that look from their cat? (Usually preceded by a very large crash or bang!)
I showed my son this for the first time and he asked me if its like Breaking Bad.
Hahaha!!!!!
So…the new addition is the baby! Tillie has been watching over “her” house?
I can’t tell you how comforting it is to follow BCN these days. My wife went through a debilitating illness which culminated in her passing away in late August at far too early an age. It’s just me and our cats Jake and Elwood right now, and following the story here is one of those little things in my life that somehow manage to lift my spirits. Thank you, Georgia, for what you bring to my life and to the lives of all your readers! Wishing you the very best.
Thank you, Fritz! I’m so sorry to hear of your wife’s passing.
I’m glad the comic can be a bright spot; that is the best kind of compliment I could hope for when I set out to create this comic for people to tune into and hopefully enjoy week after week. I cannot thank you enough for reaching out to share that with me, and I offer my sympathies again. I hope that the comic can keep bringing you some comfort and a smile. (And I absolutely love your cats’ names 
)
I’m still dying to know if any of this involves the robber mice!
This isn’t the first time the name Quinn has showed up.
I don’t remember seeing it before. Drat, now i have to go back and re-read from the beginning. Not looking forward to it
Me too, just can’t let it go, have to look for it. Post if you find it.
Yes! Now it’s going to irk me!! I’ll have to go back and re-read from the beginning.
Ahhh who am I kiddin’? I do that anyway. :p
But has anyone found it yet ?????
Quinn cat shelter from the special report on shelter cats.
In the special report, the name of the shelter is “Quinn Cat Shelter.”
THANK YOU!!!! That was driving me crazy, I re-read them all from the beginning (love to do that anyway) but missed it.
Well, whether your cats have seen any ghosts or not, I have a feeling that your comment “what a weird morning” and at least some of their actions come straight out of real life.
Hahaha! YUP.
So excited that Tillie is a tortie! Our beautiful tortie girl Katzen brings much joy into our lives. Torties have such beautiful coloring and are very spunky and opinionated so a perfect choice!
Soooo … ghost cats like babies! Who knew?
Elvis’ “Go Home!” is so adorable – as is the big panel
Such talents you have!
And at least one Kid CAN see Tillie! The one who can’t talk, of course. Can’t wait to learn more about Tillie and the Resident Tortie Ghost in the RL house.
“I would NEVER…” as he’s eating the flower! Ah, Pucky, you are the best (but don’t tell Maus I said that).
Elvis is so kewl!!!!!!! Love the whole comic today!!
I love your work Georgia. The cats are so colorful & full of themselves! You have captured them perfectly. =^~^=
Love that gorgeous Victorian too. Widow’s walk and everything. So very New England. I lived there for 19 years (NH) and I miss it.
I hadn’t realized Elvis was left-pawed until now! Still loving his soft gooey center in terms of Tommy.
“So, we’re entertaining this, then?” Love you, Elvis!
I never realized how ghostly looking their house is!And yes, I did figure out how to know what kind of cat she was.=^~^=
Is that house your real house? From the comic I always imagined an apartment building or small house… Or is this house just for effect?
I have changed a few of the details of the outside, but yes, we do live in an old Victorian like this one that was converted into apartments!
A lot of Victorians in New England get split into apartments with common hallways/laundry rooms/basements, etc
This story just keeps getting better. I’m with Elvis about ghost but ghost cat is a cutie. I have always loved Victorian houses. My friend just got a long hair tortie.She is a sweet kitten.
As a fellow New Englander I can confirm that you can’t throw a brick without hitting a cemetery. One of the many things I like about living here. =)
What a fabulous story arc — so many things to just laugh/cry about.
We had a torte named Tinkerbell for many years — I miss her.
Love the comic every day. I’m just surprised that Lupin and Elvis can’t see Tillie – usually all cats can see ghosts.
Oh, and Tillie said that the baby was ‘old news’. Georgia, are you pregnant again?
I wanna see cat heaven!
uh-oh, is Puck going to be blamed for everything Tillie breaks, now?
Aww! I had a tortie girl once. She had a meow that sounded like Edward G Robinson.
Love Elvis being all concerned for Tommy.
But I’m very excited that Tillie is going to visit the ceiling cats! Figaro and Tabitha should have a few things to say about her!
I can’t wait to see the subtitles and tabithas reaction.
Just now noticed that Elvis is a southpaw.
Too much wonderful stuff! Grew up in New England hearing of para normal events that became family history. Lived in a house with a ghost for 30 years in the mid west and now in California where so far have had no “visitors” but have heard many many stories of many restless ghosts. When a phone rings I still pretty much know who will be on the line. In the mid west house I would start upstairs from the basement because I knew the phone was going to ring … strange. The cats have it right!
The addition isn’t a person. I’ve been thinking that it’s an architectural feature, added in Tillie’s day. Do folks outside the northeast not talk about building additions? Perhaps buildings elsewhere in the U.S. are just not old enough to have hundred year old additions built onto them. (And our non-U.S. friends laugh at what we consider old buildings here! My apartment building is young at 125 years old.)
I was thinking that too! Or if it’s a building addition currently happening maybe that explains Tillie’s recent appearance…could there be a pet cemetery that’s been disturbed? I don’t know that may be too dark,
although it is halloween! I’m excited to hear more, thanks Georgia – love your comic!
Georgia, I have been following your strip for the past couple of months and I just cannot believe it is getting better and better. You know kitties. I wish there was a new one everyday but I do understand the time effort to create a new strip. I think all the cat lovers that view your strip may enjoy my website. No sales or commercial stuff, just a fun place to visit. the url is http://www.jolleysites.com/catsofspicewood/index.html. I hope everyone enjoys it and comes back to see my updates. Again, thank you for a truly wonderful strip.
Mark
“…she’s a tortie…. she’s knocking everything off the shelf.”
Well of course she is.
I squealed when I saw you’d added a tortie! Your comics make me smile every time. Can’t wait to see where this story is going.
This entire series is great !!! Poor Elvis ! He has such a difficult time with new things!