The world is a mean place sometimes, especially where black animals are concerned. They’re typically the last to be adopted, the subject of superstition, and often the most at risk of abuse or torture.
My little bat cat is mischievous and temperamental at times but he’s also a sweetheart. I can testify that black cats really are the best little friends.
There are no evil cats but there are evil humans. Keep your black animals indoors and safe this Halloween. From me and my bat cat, have a safe and happy day.
Around here, I am freshly back from vacation and barely acclimating. I’m not one to rest well when I travel nor do I allow myself a lot of time to just breathe. If I’m going to the trouble of traveling someplace, I want to enjoy that place and see as much as possible. Then I was in hurry up and wait mode as air travel felt like more like a chore than a luxury this time.
So I came home tired, jet lagged and possibly fighting off a cold or something worse.
I slept about fifteen hours last night. While I regret missing so much of this day, I am glad to wake up feeling much better and less like knocking on death’s door.
Around here, the colors are muted, the sky is dull and it is chilly. It’s the perfect day to lollygag with a book and cat and to piddle around the house, putting things back in order. Dishes are done, the bedsheets are drying, and the bed is airing out while it waits to be made up.
It’s also a good day for soup. I found a recipe to try but I’m going to Brandify it so wish me luck. This could go well or be terrible.
Around here, I broke down and turned on the heat today. Overnight temperatures outside have been in the thirties since I got home. I play this game to see how long I can hold out before turning on the furnace. My goal is November 1. It’s October 25 and was 50 degrees inside when I got up.
I’m choosing comfort over valor this year.
Around here, I am five books behind on my annual reading goal with little hope of catching up by December 31. Thats ok. The reading goal is really designed to keep me pushing forward rather than to make me feel bad for missing the mark. In the end, I will still have read a ton of truly good books this year.
Around here I am contemplating what travel stories to tell you in the coming weeks. This trip to Cody was exactly what I needed – some museums, some outdoors, some shopping and some time with my friend who I miss very much.
There wasn’t any hiking though as my knee continues to be an issue. Instead, we did some sightseeing and even some off-roading in her Jeep. Cody isn’t especially friendly to those of us who don’t eat meat so I came home excited for vegetables and with few restaurant recommendations to share.
And much of what we learned in museums wasn’t especially cheerful. The most meaningful place we went was Heart Mountain, the site of an internment camp where Japanese Americans were held during World War II. Their interpretive center is a place I believe every American should experience at least once. Yet, I notice that people I have tried to talk to about it completely check out of the conversation because they don’t want to hear it.
Because ignoring it will certainly make it go away, right?
Around here I’m thinking a lot about the stories we tell ourselves, the ones we choose to hear, and how our ability to only be exposed to what we like or agree with is killing our nation.
Around here, I have a lot on my mind. But for now, I’ll cuddle my kitty cat who is desperately glad to have me here and I’ll make my soup and read my book and be glad to be back home.
Like Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, around here is a pretty cool place to be.
I tidied my writing table over the weekend so Scout had to check it out. I’m not sure why but his eyes were big as saucers as he investigated the lack of pens and scrap paper lying about. People say that cats are aloof and without personality but my experience is that they are little characters with big personalities and emotions as valid and worth expressing as any human I know.
My week has been unnecessarily stressful mostly because of the choices of others. I’m pretty good at keeping my life reasonably calm but struggle sometimes to navigate circumstances caused by others.
Since stress is bad for human health, I’m doing my best to deflect and tune out other people’s shenanigans. This is often easier said than done but I’m giving it the old college try.
Last night I tried some mushroom hot chocolate to help support my sleep. This book, though, foiled attempts to drift off early. The Peach Keeper is a page turner!
Scout’s also doing his part to keep life pleasant as he alternates between luxuriating in sunny patches and curling up next to me every chance he gets. He rests most peacefully when his little body is pressed against my side. His purrs are mixed with sweet snoring when he’s truly relaxed.
We’ve had a fair amount of rain this week and loads of morning fog. Yesterday I looked out to find the butterfly bush by the window filled with spider webs. Someone was very busy, creating these magnificently complex designs.
They’re mesmerizing.
They’re also a timely reminder of how everything is connected and how pulling one thread can unravel the whole darn thing – whether it be in nature or in society at-large or in someone’s incomprehensible actions.
Remember this, friends: no one deserves your peace, your time, or space in your head unless you believe them worthy. As life, work, and the news seemingly become more busy and more convoluted with every passing day, it’s best to draw some boundaries and then do your best to stick to them.
A cat, a book and a cup of hot chocolate are powerful tools for holding the line against stress in my corner of the world. I hope you find something that works for you as well!
I was relaxing on the couch with a book the other day while Scout napped at my feet. I shifted one foot just a fraction of an inch, thus disrupting his sleep and causing him to stir.
Who knew you could ruin someone’s day so easily?
He yawned big, gave me a look and jumped off the couch and onto the floor where he could stare at me pitifully. All was lost and the nap was ruined.
What was he to do?
Notice that in this picture he can hardly stand to look at me. His disappointment is clear.
Fast forward to about 4 a.m. the next morning when we both were awakened by a noisy car going by. As I attempted to drift off to sleep, he was digging through the bathroom trash can to locate a discarded q-tip which he brought to bed for some raucous play time.
I never did make it back to sleep. And you know something? When the alarm went off and I was headed to the shower, he was curling up with his head on my pillow and his tail wrapped under his nose.
When you’re a cat, revenge is a dish best served on your human’s pillow at 6 a.m.
