The Kindness of Strangers

Our kitty is still missing in action - cannot even begin to describe our angst.

What has been amazing is how wonderful people in the area have been. They have called to say that they saw a similar cat in their yard. They have called to see if a stray is ours (he was not). They have called to see if we have found him yet. They have called because their kid saw a similar cat at the bus stop. They have called to say that they looked in their garage and shed, and he was not trapped in there.

Mind you - most of these people are folks we do not even know. We are indeed surrounded by wonderful souls.

Rafiki MIA

Came home from the long weekend to find him gone. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

Inbox

I can tell it's going to be a busy day - just look at what is in the inbox!

Dental Appt

Nope, not for me - for this guy. He had to go in this morning for cleaning and possibly an extraction - ouch!

In preparation, he had to have no food after midnight yesterday. This morning he did everything but yell, "what's the matter with you guys? Where's my food bowl?". Poor baby . Felt incredibly guilty - should I not eat while he cannot? That lasted all of 5 seconds.

He howled all the way (2 miles) to the vet, and then I had to leave them there (still yowling). I get to pick him up later this afternoon. I am sure that I'll be more traumatized that he'll ever be. I have no idea how parents (of 2-legged ones) do this! Is it too early for a martini?

Lazy Days

Rafiki loves this spot in my study. As he gets older, lying on a heating pad feels good on his old bones. He has certainly taken over my desk. In my next life I want to come back as my cat.
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Professional cat on closed course. Do not attempt!

Cat Presents

Rafiki loves to bring me presents. Usually it is still alive when he lays it at my feet.

This morning, my present was a little field mouse. Do I know the difference between a field and house mouse? I do not. But since it was brown, assumed that meant it was a field mouse.

The little guy was in a state of shock. Rafiki drops it near my yoga mat while I’m in the boat pose. Well, got out of the boat in a flash. Must have startled the mouse who made a quick get-a-away dash. Yelled at Rafiki to “get him” and he obediently brought the mouse back. Frantically looked for a rag/towel/shirt to pick it up in, and then let him go outside. The little mouse fled down the stairs into the early morning darkness.

So here is my dilemma. Can one really scold a cat for showing love in the way he is programmed to show it? And to add to the confusion, I did tell him to catch it when it was trying to escape. At least this gift was living. Other gifts have not been so lucky, and then the entire saga takes on a dark tinge. The most exciting gifts are the ones that get away and hide under furniture. Ever tried to catch a chipmunk? They are darn fast.

"Productive" is my middle name

Well, it can also be "procrastinate" - as in not studying for my teacher certification science test, or not keeping up with my mail or cleaning up my study. Well, my friends have I have done all the above this morning, and it's just 11am!

I decided to start by tackling my study - which had gotten rather cluttered and untenable. What do you expect from one with so many hobbies? After I rousted Rafiki from his "sandy beach" (aka thick towel on my desk by the window), I started dusting, vacuuming and purging - amazing how much junk accumulates in one small room. I started this yesterday actually - but am still on that high, so it counts!

The next Everest in front of me was the several feet high stack of mail awaiting my attention. Does anyone really stay on top of all those credit card offers, etc? Decided to be merciless and purged and purged and purged. Good thing tomorrow is recycling day - got bags and bags of paper headed out the door. And my space (aka studio) feels wonderful this morning, as do I. Rafiki had to explore and make sure that I had not altered any of the things that contribute to his wa. When he was satisfied, he was back on the "beach" - patiently waiting for spring.

What about the science test you ask? Well anyone recall what a Cephalopod is?

They are mollusks with tentacles - your average octopuses, cuttlefish, squids, etc. My cranium sure is tingly!

Must be time for lunch.