Monthly Archives: November 2010
Things That Go Bump In the Night
Is it something I Said?
Years ago Richard Pryor recorded an album “Is It Something I Said.” The album cover is a classic and features the comedian tied to the stake in front of a large group of people dressed in hooded robes holding flaming fire stakes.
Very funny and very obvious. Anger is an emotion we all experience. An unpleasant emotion yet a necessary one to expel the poisons that can inflict the soul. There are those who contain their anger as if it is something wrong in expessing it openly. So much hidden anger. As a cook I am aware that even a pot of food on simmer will eventually come to a boil. But there are a lot of flame throwers out there. People say things that are cloaked in thinly diguised rage. The veiled compliment. The query about your weight, height, sex, male friend or work life – with the added “You look tired. ” The poisonous fake concern. I am lucky that there are people (and animals) in my life with healthy dispositions and a sense of self. It is important to surround oneself with TRUE people who express themselves. People who are positive but let you know where you stand with them good or bad. As humans we get on each others nerves but conflict is necessary. Ultimately true friends lift the spirits. Those who care ,whether close friends or business associates, offer more with the candor in their everyday conversation than the curtain of a smile.
So apparently I come by it naturally
I’ve always thought that I was a cat person and that my parents merely tolerated my love of those feline critters. How wrong I was!
Having my mother look after Jean-Claude and Roxie, I see that she too is a cat love and now, I just found out my father is a cat person!
He called me one day, from SC where he lives, to tell me that a cat kept coming around and he was feeding it. Fast forward to a week later and the cat has moved in. Now he calls me with cat questions and cat updates. It’s the cutest thing (for the Family Guy fans, he’s acting just like Quagmire did when he got James). And the Cat (no name) is acting just like a cat. She wants to eat when she wants, be petted when she’s ready and has adopted the second bedroom as her own. She follows him around the house and is a good companion.
Cats choose their owners. Roxie tapped my leg with her paw and JC threw himself around my mom’s neck. In life most of us have this same instinct of “family”. People we just met that we feel like we’ve known for years. People we know will be a part of our life and people who can come in and out.
Here’s an email my dad sent me on Cat:
“Cat” seems perfectly fine that there are only 2 of us here. She spends her days sleeping and prowling, but last week when I had tours, she was shocked to stay outside all day. She hates the cold. If put out, she meows and hangs around until I let her in. Most cats escape; she’s the opposite. Within 15 min. oft my coming back, she’ll see the light on or hear movement and show up.
Now she wants to eat all the time. She thinks whenever I go to the kitchen she’s supposed to be fed. When she’s really full, she sacks out in [the guest] room. Otherwise, she’s burrowing under the covers, where she plays contently, or walking across my chest, after looking me straight in the eye from 3 inches away. She placed her dish next to the refrigerator where she prefers it. She likes dining out, too. On the step. She’s such a time player! Very in tune and intelligent. Plays w/ others well.
Watching Too Much Television
Roxie Watching Television
I watch too much TV. I always have watched too much. Old Law and Order episodes are still my favorite, followed by the Real Housewives of Atlanta (guilty pleasure). Of course Roxie shares my fascination with the RHOA.
Still Here
There are days when one needs inspiration. I think of Marvin Sapp’s “Praise Him in Advance.
Like everybody I think I let people turn me away from a primary mission, love of God, love of self, Love of my fellow human beings and animals. I compare myself to others and then I remember Roxie and Jean Claude who have a sense of who they are in the world. Sure they fight, I think mostly for fun but there is no question they are confident in who they are and their life purpose. Cats are all that.
Welcome Back
Roxie and Jean Claude have been at my house for all of one hour and as of this minute Jean Claude is now locked in my garage. I went in the garage to get a cat blanket to cover new ottoman. Didn’t see JC follow me in but I guess it was just too much for his need to explore. I did see Roxie try to follow me. I stopped her!! Jean Claude will just have to wait.
Saturday Nite
Roxie and Jean Claude Attending CCL's Party
CCL hosted a small party Saturday night. Jean Claude and Roxie had to be part of the action. They are very social animals. Roxie also watched television for a bit.
To Pee or Not to Pee
The Palace
Well, if you have animals you know they do things like pee on the rug, poop where you don’t want them to or have a hairball that you have to clean up.
Animals will also use this type of behavior as a means of communication. Roxie does this when she wants to show displeasure. I won’t get anymore graphic than to say, that Roxie can work a nerve. But you gotta love her.
However, my point is that we all should pee on the rug a little more often. When we are upset at someone, pee on their rug. Let them know you are upset and why you are upset. Cats don’t hold it in and neither should you!
