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Cat Magic
My basement back door until recently didn’t have a bottom screen, so when ever I opened the door Koko, the domestic shorthair ,would simply go between the security bars and out into the yard. Finally felt a little better and fixed it yesterday. This morning, though still a bit with cold, I decided to take to the yard to do a little pruning. I opened the basement door and BAM Koko ran straight up against the screen. No the little darling was not hurt, simply suprised as she tried to peel through the screen hole Jean Claude opened two years ago when he decided to re-enter my house without my help – March, 2010 blog “The Cat Door: Paging Mr. Serling.” Well she did..it.it nit So once I opened the door to let her out she was a little more cautious – first surveying the yard, going to sit on my new outdoor chair and then for a brief time coming inside for a few minutes. She darted in the yard and up her tree to watch the world. As Jean Claude, at peace, quietly chewed grass and contemplated his plans for the day.
Traveling as a Traveler
People everywhere take vacations. They travel down the street, across town, across state, across country, across oceans and soon across galaxies. Yet, many of these people will remain tourists and never become a traveler.
There is nothing wrong with being a tourist. You get to go cool places, see beautiful monuments and have great experiences.
But what is the difference between the two?
A traveler lets the travel experience change them. They seek out the travel in order to stretch themselves, try new things even while being a tourist. They go to the top of the Eiffel tower not to just see it, but to understand why the French wanted it torn down and why it was supposed to be temporary. They seek not to just pose in pictures but to let the picture become their life for a brief period.
Cats are travelers. This is evidenced by the difference in behaviors between the houses of CCL and Azeena. JC for example demands backyard access daily at Azeena’s house. At CCL, he demands he evening ration of Fancy Feast with Cheddar. Roxie used to have entirely different behaviors as well. At CCL she would frequently wake CCL up in the middle of the night. Azeena enjoyed peaceful nights but crazy mornings.
In every case the cats let themselves absorb the personality of the house owner.
We have a fixed core, but we can let those experiences while traveling, even just around the block, change us. Let us absorb them. Really try to see the world from their point of view. Why do they think differently? And you will too…
Fatique
I’ve noticed that although Koko and Jean Claude play hard they get their rest too! I’m taking their lead.
Road Trip
CCL and I have hit the road “over the river” and through Pennsylvania for family Thanksgiving dinner. Tradition, family and love. Just passed a herd of cows. Years ago my parents took my sister and me on road trips. My mom would have us count the cows on our sides of the car. Whoever got the biggest tally would win some candy. If you passed a graveyard it meant your tally was wiped out and you had to start over.
Cats & All That ™ 