So many choices!
We especially loved Mado, Chloe, Sophie, Capucine, Amelie, Colette, Delphine and Kali, but "Manon" is the one J. and I agreed upon the most. Thanks to everyone who sent suggestions! Manon was Jean Morris' idea, so she will be receiving a book - and it's also the name of a friend here who we like a lot. As well as the tragi-comic heroine of Massenet's opera Manon, of course. I read the storyline (never having done so), and especially liked this bit, which somehow seems appropriately Quebeçois:
Des Grieux's father, the comte, greets de Brétigny and Manon overhears that her former lover is Chevalier no longer, but Abbé, having entered the seminary of Saint-Sulpice. Approaching the comte, Manon tries to discover whether his son still loves her. Guillot then attempts to win Manon over by bringing the ballet dancers of the Académie Royale de Musique, which she had expressed a desire to see. However Manon is seized by the desire to see des Grieux once more, and admits, when asked, that she paid no attention to the dancers, to Guillot's annoyance. She hurries off to Saint-Sulpice.
Scene 2: Saint-Sulpice:
From the chapel, the congregation is leaving, enthusiastic over the sermon of the new abbé (Quelle éloquence!). Des Grieux enters, in clerical garb, and his father adds his voice to the chorus of praise, but tries to dissuade his son from this new life, so that he can perpetuate the family name (Epouse quelque brave fille).
He leaves, having failed to shake his son's resolve and des Grieux, alone, relives memories of Manon (Ah! Fuyez, douce image). As he prays, Manon herself appears, to implore his forgiveness for her faithlessness. Furiously, he attempts to reject her, but when (in N'est-ce plus ma main?) she recalls their past intimacies, his resistance is overcome, and their voices join in an impassioned avowal of love.
And Manon the cat got her own reward: spring decorations and signage on the house she picked out herself (a cardboard box, of course, that she's been playing "hide" in for weeks.) As soon as I put it back down on the floor, she sniffed it, went inside, and approved.
I adore the cat's box. What a lucky kitty Manon is!
Posted by: Rana | April 14, 2011 at 03:46 PM
Oh the lucky car, lovely box, lovely owners and lovely name! I've always liked Manon, and of course there's 'Manon des sources' too...
Posted by: Lucy | April 14, 2011 at 03:59 PM
So sweet. A lovely addition to your home. x
Posted by: Ivy | April 14, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Love the name, love the box, love the cat. Hooray!
Posted by: Lorianne | April 14, 2011 at 06:04 PM
:-)
Posted by: dale | April 14, 2011 at 08:03 PM
Manon is perfect.
Posted by: Lilian Nattel | April 14, 2011 at 08:22 PM
Lovely home for the beautiful cat.
Posted by: Uma | April 15, 2011 at 01:09 AM
Aw, I'm so proud! I feel like I should send Manon a gift, rather than the other way around - like a godmother, you know? She is SO adorable, and I'm so happy she has found a home with you and J!
Posted by: Jean | April 15, 2011 at 07:25 AM
A darling kitten, and may she never lose her mittens!
Posted by: Hattie | April 15, 2011 at 03:09 PM
So happy for you all. She has a beautiful name!
Posted by: Deb | April 15, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Adorable kitty-house: and the flowery house and cat together conjuring Manon de Florette.
Posted by: marly youmans | April 16, 2011 at 12:51 AM
Hâte de connaître cette jolie "Manon des sources" qui deviendra sûrement source de beaucoup de joies!
Posted by: Martine | April 21, 2011 at 06:35 PM