Yesterday was a restful, enjoyable Fourth catching up on some loose ends. Tuesday, Roxie’s remains were removed from the alley. If only it were so easy to remove her memory. Getting perspective has helped. Jean Claude, the black Bombay cat, seems to have settled down after time at CCL’s house. I did a radio interview yesterday about the attack that killed Roxie. DC Animal Control has expanded its case to find the dogs and their owner. Healing continues. There are a lot of people I know who deal daily with grief, loss, the deteriorating health or sudden death of a loved one/and or family member. They handle their life situations with aplomb, letting joy not bitterness dictate their circumstances. They take the higher road to personal growth by expanding themselves and anchor themselves to new tomorrows filled with hope and promise. The hurt and pain is still there over Roxie’s demise but I know I should honor her memory and I must continue to grow as well.
Roxie Remains Remain
It’s day four after the vicious dog attack that left our precious Japanese bobtail Roxie dead. The sanitation department asked us to put her body in a trash bag or box beside the trash can last Friday. We did so before the vicious storms that attacked the D.C. area. But today- day four after her death – Roxie’s remains remain in the back alley behind the yard. Sunday I arrived home from a family trip I took the day of Roxie’s demise to find Jean Claude calling for Roxie, looking under the bed, running to the basement to announce my arrival from the trip. He hollered most of the night. It had been suggested I take Jean Claude to the bag with her remains and let him know that she has moved on- but some said not to do so because it would make him sad and protective of her space. Calls to the sanitation department so far have not resulted in no action. I realize the storm clean up is taking up a lot of time but hopefully the matter will be resolved today. Tomorrow is a holiday and I’m certain Roxie would like everyone to have a good time.
Superheroes Walk Among Us
Finally, time permitting I went to see the film “The Avengers.” The title reminded me of the British television show with Diana Rigg (Mrs. Peel) and Patrick MaNee (John Steed) from the 1960s. Always a lot of fun but not quite as colorful or awe inspiring as the current version in theatres featuring the Marvel Comic characters, Iron Man (Robert Downey), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) , Thor (Chris Hemsworth) , and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). The plot goes something like this: Loki (adopted half brother of Thor) has formed a scheme with some other spacevillian types to destroy the Earth. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) concocts a scheme to revive S.H.I. E.L.D, a sort of space terrorist fighting organization with the reluctant heroes who have been living on earth doing their routine – for some extraordinairy – routines. In the film they come together and save the world (or at least New York City) from destruction. There are a lot of superheroes among us here on Earth. Most going on with their routine routines which are, if not extradinairy, at least awe inspirting but without special effects. Those persons in my life include the male co-worker with the even-handed humor who shows quiet strength and is always ready to do the right thing, the friend who cares for his elderly uncle and mentors students and my brother, a fairly new but very present father, who is starting a business and cares for my mom and my sister. And of course Jean Claude, the male Bombay cat, who daily manages Roxie, the Japanese bobtail and provides serenity to all he encounters. Heroes among us. Happy Father’s Day.
Slugs and Validation
- Roxie
As I was tending my garden I realized that I would soon need to start treating it for slugs. Slugs are bottom feeders who not only feed on scraps but sometimes suck the life right out of beautiful plants and flowers. There are people like those worms. They practice “leveling” as a contact sport. The common term for them is “playa haters.” Such people use weaponry of harmful words, ‘accidental forgetting,” glances, snickers, misdirection and direct insult to level the playing field. They are “jealous spirits” – some with no hope of recovery. Like many folk, I have on occasion, sought validation from these types, who depending on their own sense of self at the moment, might parcel out faint praise or at least be nice to me. Now as I enter an age of enlightenment and self-worth I chose, when I can, to be around people who like themselves and like me genuinely. Choosing one’s audience is important. Still it’s not the only course of action against slugs. Prayer and wishing your enemy the best are good tactics to take out the sting of cruel or lying words or misdeeds. As misery likes company sometimes you have to stay away from whole groups and institutions. Some places such as one’s job are filled with people who have no purpose or sense of self. There you can just “grin and bear it” – a trick I learned from my late father who simply would smile at people spoutting nonsense or exhibiting petty cruelty. So next time try a simple smile and/ or even compassion for your “playa hating” enemy or frenemy – the unfortunate behavior won’t stop but you’ll be able to deal with the situation with grace and gain instant peace of mind. Playa haters’ jealousy or envy can only bring you down if you let it. Take a page from Roxie and Jean Claude. Some would say Roxie is more possessed than self-possessed but then she doesn’t give a juggernaut what is said about her.
Cats & All That ™ 