Greetings from Ickushouse.
Thank you for your visit.
I am honored to introduce myself as the new Director of Ickushouse, our esteemed institution founded in 1999. I am humbled to offer, as eulogy, a few words about our cherished founder, the late Ickus (1999-2012) whose memory shall continue to inspire and inform Ickushouse’s mission and programming.
Remembering Ickus
As the staff of Ickushouse will fondly remember, Ickus was not one to sacrifice life’s pleasures, simple or exquisite. First and foremost he enjoyed the plenty of a well-prepared table. Though a gourmand, Ickus did not eschew more humble and traditional offerings, enjoying all culinary delights from poisson vapeur au citron and roast duck, to artisanal pizza and shortbread cookies, to cafeteria pot roast. Of course his favorite dish (as we know from free verse dated February 2010) was the center-cut pork loin seared to bleu with sea salt (always served by the head I.H. chef on special occasions).
Ickus at home working on one of many special projects
In his prime Mr. Ickus was a man about town, frequenting restaurants al fresco, local shops, and private parties where, earlier as an adolescent, the young Ickus was oftimes mistaken for a small dog. Ickus’ film debut came with the 2005 feature-length documentary Viva les Amis, first screened at Austin’s own Alamo Drafthouse Downtown, at national film festivals, and later on TV.
Ickus would soon after retire from the public eye to spend time at the compound, where he could usually be found in one of his preferred spots: musing by the fire in his wicker or contemplating the wildlife in the Ickushouse gardens from his favorite window spot. It is there that Ickus allowed the fruits of Ickushouse to fully ripen before setting “pen to paper.”
– Eudo Oliphant Maxime Desyeux
Ickushouse 
I am happy that such an esteemed successor will uphold the high standards of our beloved Ickus. Aunty
Mr. Desyeux,
I am impressed by your posting about the beloved Ickus. Clearly, you have spent the time and effort necessary to learn the heart and soul of this organization.
I would like to know more about your priorities and strategies for the development of the Ickus House brand. Specifically, I am curious about any plans for acquisition of new pieces for the Ickus museum. Also, what is your stance on heating pad useage for the layabout hairless feline?
Dear Miss Katie:
Thank you for your inquiry and kind words.
At the helm of Ickushouse, I embrace and nurture the same vision as that of our dear founder. As Publisher, I intend to provide the same quality-first approach to content especially benefiting the hairless community, and to a certain degree our coated friends. Look for ongoing Ickushouse updates as well as –– time for research permitting –– informative articles on important issues of today.
The Ickushouse Museum did, in fact, de-acquisition part of the collection upon the death of Ickus. Certain objects such as the vial containing the needle and thread passed by the teen Ickus, the portrait collection, and the cardboard sign by which instructions were transmitted to the I.H. kitchen remain. I, myself, will be wearing on formal ceremonial occasions the precious jeweled Ickushouse collar with matching leash. There is also the Vivienne Westwood-inspired studded black leather piece for more unconventional cultural events. Since the passing of Ickus we have acquired additional functional design pieces, specifically to furnish my personal sleeping quarters, gym, spa, and table.
As to your final question about artificial warming devices, I have not yet formed a personal opinion since I have not yet experienced weather necessitating such an apparatus. There, however, is an Ickus-Approved human heating pad stored away here at Ickushouse. It is said that such pads, along with the low-brow spin-offs known as heated “pet” beds, provide much-needed relief. In response to your question I have consulted my staff and have learned that diligent care must be taken to ensure that the device does not become too hot as a delicate pink belly burns easily. This, in fact, could be an excellent Autumn article for our Ickushouse readership, and I thank you.
Sincerely yours,
E. Desyeux