From the page at http://www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily/2012/01/will-the-maine-coon-become-an-american-icon.html

There are three popular, believable Maine Coon creation myths. (There is a fourth anatomically impossible story about Maine Coons evolving from raccoons.) [ French and English fantasies deleted] The last story traces the Coon’s lineage back to the Vikings. When the Norsemen sailed to America in the 11th Century they brought Skogkatts – Norwegian Forest Cats – along with them as mousers, some of whom, like their marauding owners, forced themselves upon the native population, creating the first batch of Maine Coon kittens.

Cats do like music. Some studies have shown that for it to be an effective relaxation tool, music must have a consistently smooth, soothing dynamic from start to finish with no abrupt changes in tempo, volume or rhythm. On the other hand, our Maine Coon likes Tori Amos, “Little Earquakes”.

..wisdom comes to us when it can no longer do any good.
from Love in the Time of Cholera ~Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Sometimes you just need a gentle touch. Thank you, ani.

It takes 5-8 days for a short-haired kitten to open her eyes. It takes 10-14 days for a long-haired kitten. It’s another week after that before they focus well enough to see and navigate.

Thank you for the photo