Browse ›
An elderly woman in a floral apron sleeps in a rope hammock with a calico cat curled asleep on her lap in a backyard garden. 1 / 21

Abuela Rosa Only Meant to Rest Her Eyes. Canela Had a Better Plan.

AI imagecalico catgrandparentsbackyard nap

Somewhere between the potted plants and the old wooden fence, Abuela Rosa has given in to the afternoon. She is stretched out in a cream rope hammock strung between two tree trunks, a folded denim jacket tucked behind her head as a pillow, her rose-print apron still tied on from the morning. Curled across her lap is Canela, the calico, eyes squeezed shut, one orange-and-black ear flicking at nothing. Both of them have the same slightly smug look of someone who has decided the chores can wait.

Calico is a color pattern, not a breed, and it comes in many types of cats, from shorthairs to fluffy longhairs. The mix of orange, black, and white is tied to genes on the X chromosome, which is why nearly all calicos are female. Male calicos do exist, but they are rare and usually have an unusual chromosome makeup. Personality-wise, calicos are as varied as any other cat, though plenty of owners swear their calico has a little extra opinion to share. Whatever her coat, a cat who chooses to nap on you is offering real trust, because cats sleep most deeply where they feel safe.

A hammock and a warm cat might be the simplest recipe for a good afternoon. The tomatoes will still need watering later, and Canela will surely supervise. For now, the only job in this backyard is breathing slowly and letting the breeze rock the hammock back and forth.

More from this collection

All 21 →
A smiling elderly woman in glasses and a floral apron reads a book aloud to a calico cat sitting beside her on a beige couch.Abuela Rosa Started Reading Aloud. Her Calico Took the Story Very Seriously.An elderly woman in a floral apron sips iced lemonade on a lantern-lit wooden porch with a calico cat beside her.The Porch Light Came On, and Abuela Rosa's Calico Reported for Night Duty
An elderly woman in a floral apron naps on a cushioned porch swing with a calico cat asleep against her chest.The Porch Swing Stopped Moving. Abuela Rosa and Her Calico Didn't Notice.An elderly woman in a gray cardigan and floral apron tucks a calico cat under a cream blanket in a round plush pet bed.Abuela Rosa Has a Bedtime Ritual, and Her Calico Pretends Not to Love ItAn elderly woman in a purple cardigan sleeps in a brown recliner while a calico cat sits alert on the armrest.Abuela Rosa Fell Asleep in Her Recliner. Her Calico Stayed on Duty.An elderly woman wrapped in a patchwork quilt sits beside a lit fireplace with a fluffy calico cat nestled on her lap.A Gray Winter Day, a Patchwork Quilt, and One Calico Who Found the Best Seat