About the Author

Nukhet Barlas is a free-lance senior environmental consultant. She has a BS degree in industrial engineering, and an MS degree in environmental science. After 14 years of graduate study and work Atlanta & Cincinnati, USA, she now lives in Istanbul. The author is also a hobby photographer. Most of the photographs used on this site were shot by herself.

AUTHOR'S CATS

Onyx is the new family member. Extremely friendly, he is only 3 months old in October 2011.

Sedef was a cream tabby. She was born about the time Kara died. She is a Turkish Angora mix. She is a bit moody, typical of Angora's but extremely playful and intelligent. She loved to tease you. Died of cancer in 2009.

Kara was black. He died in 2005 at age 19. He was an American short-hair. He was very gentle and smart.

Tombik was the family cat when the author was a teenager. She also was a Turkish Angora. Died at age 16.

Minik was the family cat when the author was in elementary school. He was a mix long hair tabby. He lived only a couple of years. He was extremely friendly and nice tempered.

PARAKEETS

The author had these parakeets (1980s). The green female Cucuk was special. She shared author's home with Kara, the cat.