Temporary Shelter

So, it has been about a month since the last post on this blog. We haven't disappeared entirely, although it might seem like it. Life just isn't filled with a lot of happiness at the moment. Of course we are aware of others who are suffering far worse than ourselves, so that our approach to our own unhappiness seems even petty. But there it is. It's all we've got.

Not a lot to say. Just felt I should let those who might be interested know we are still alive and as well as we can be at the moment. Still waiting for that rainbow to shine a pot of gold upon us. Maybe tonight, right?

It hasn't all been unpleasant. In fact, I believe I can honestly state that of the four of us (myself, Spouse, Son, Firestar) there is one who is still happy about the move. Spouse and Son were excited - until we actually arrived. They've changed their tunes (as I knew they would).

But Firestar is happier, or seems to be most of the time. I think I know why. Stairs. He doesn't have to navigate any now.

The house was five levels, and we spent most of our time on levels one and three (with one being the highest floor). Firestar's personal bathroom (litter box) was on level four and his food was on level three. He liked to sleep on our bed, which was level one, and he liked to watch the rabbits from ground floor, which was level four. So, here is a typical day in the life of a cat in a five floor house.

Wake up on level one and go down thirteen steps to level two. Go down four steps to level three. Go down thirteen steps to level four. Use the litter box. Come back up thirteen steps to level three and get something to eat and drink. Go bother Bevie at the computer. Go back up four steps to level three. Go back up thirteen steps to level one and take Bevie's place on the bed. Repeat this scenario several times during the day.

Here at the apartment/flat there are three rooms. The living room is nearly filled with boxes, two office chairs, some banquet tables, a glider rocker, a treadmill (which won't work at the apartment), and a desk. There is a two foot wide path allowing passage from the kitchen to the sliding doors.

Son's room has no space for walking. His mattress takes up the room's center, his dresser one corner, his book shelves an entire wall, and his saxophone and tuba another corner.

The master bedroom actually has the most open floor space, but no wall space. Boxes have been stack too high.

So, Firestar never has to go very far at all before he has reached the end of how far he can go and has to turn around. We have the same problem, but it doesn't seem to bother him as much it does us. Even so, I think he misses the rabbits. And he has been going stir crazy more often this past week. Perhaps the novelty of living in a different place is wearing off for him, too.

For your (possible) enjoyment/amusement, here are some pictures Son and I took at our current place of residence.

Son doing his daily exercise under Firestar's intense tutelage.
Actually, this becomes my sanctuary to escape snores in the middle of the night.

Firestar after one of his campouts.
Actually, Firestar has a penchant for crawling into sleeping bags, under blankets and towels, and going to sleep.

Another good idea shelved.
This is one of two desktop shelf units I used at the house. After this picture was taken the shelf units were both moved and now I haven't a clue where they are - beyond some place in the apartment.

Local friends having a quiet chat.
When we first arrived there was a flock of swallows who were convinced our deck belonged to them. Haven't seen them now in more than a week.

Reflections of a cat's life.
This was taken from the deck. Firestar is in Son's room looking out. The glass is reflecting the pool area and parking lot below.

It isn't home and it isn't sweet, but this is where we live now.
It's a corner apartment, so the first two windows from the deck are Son's room and the master bedroom. The air condioning box on the wall has to cool off the entire apartment. That's all right this year because it's been so cool. My plastic white rocker, which is older than Son, is finally cracking apart. But I kept it anyway. It's one of the more comfortable chairs we have. We can't keep windows open long because absolutely everyone around us smokes and the smell congregates in that corner. Son actually gets sick and has to go back inside. I grew up around cigarette smoke, so it's only a nuisance for me.

What a bath tub!
Actually, it's our pool area, shared with about one hundred other units. The sign claims forty people can be in there. Maybe. If they're all leprechans. For normal sized people, though, I would say ten to twenty is max. And on the best days that is about how many are in there. Son and I had it to ourselves one day - when it wasn't too cold.

A symbolic end to a day and an era.
This was taken by Son from our deck, which faces west. It wasn't the prettiest sunset we've had, but it was nice. We're out of the house now, and unless it starts to rain money down upon us we will probably never again see the inside of one we call home. I must say, none of this makes any sense to me. But then I've always been thick.

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Comments for August Kitten of the Month

Shut Down

I apologize up front for this post's connection to cats is at best - remote. Stretched like cat gut harp strings. (I've played harp strung with cat gut.)

The past month or two I have often neglected this blog in favor of other things, and for that I also apologize. But now I am taking something of a forced sabbatical. I will be offline for a time. Any time from a day to infinity. Chances are it will only be for a few days, but there are no guarantees. So I want to take this opportunity to thank you cats, and cat lovers, for your visits and your comments.

Check every few days to see if anything new has been posted. If September arrives and you still haven't seen anything new you will know things have gone poorly. There are two more days for me to post, but I'm not sure I will on this blog. My mind is a bit stressed right now.

So, if you will, play the following YouTube link and sing along. This is what I'm listening to at the moment and this is how I'm feeling. You take care now, you hear?

Meow.

You tell 'em, Firestar.

Everytime that I look in the mirror
All these lines on my face gettin clearer
The past is gone
It went by like dust to dawn
Isnt that the way
Everybodys got their dues in life to pay

I know what nobody knows
Where it comes and where it goes
I know everybodys sins
You got to lose to know how to win

Half my life's in books written pages
Live and learn from fools and from sages
You know its true
All the things come back to you

Sing with me, sing for the years
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears
Sing with me, if its just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good lord will take you away
(x2)

Dream on, dream on
Dream yourself a dream come true
Dream on, dream on
Dream until your dream come true
Dream on, dream on, dream on...

Sing with me, sing for the years
Sing for the laughter and sing for the tears
Sing with me, if its just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good lord will take you away

New Kitten of the Month

Sorry I am late with this, but we have a new Kitten of the Month. She's a cute and shy little one named Tara.

Comments for July Kitten of the Month

Cats

The cat would walk around the house and meow at this or that

It rubbed its head on legs and chairs, because it was a cat

The cat would jump on window sills and stare out at the birds

And when a human called its name, it feigned it had not heard

At times the cat would sit on laps, and purr loudly half asleep

Other times the cat restlessly, about the house did leap

Aloof, alone, the cat did roam, and own the house it walked

And the looks it gave when spoken of, showed it knew of human talk

The cat comes not at request of others, for that it does ignore

Obeying others is not its way, what an unpleasant chore

But be interested in something else, and soon the cat is there

Demanding your attention, to show it that you care

Some do not care for cats at all, they hate the cat’s strong will

They do not comprehend the fact, that cats and love us still

We need not cat’s compliance, nor need them to obey

They need not come because we ask, nor remain when we say “stay”

A cat need not be else but what a cat can only be

A creature loving as ourselves, who just needs to be free

And so when a cat will come to me, because it wants my touch

That a cat should want my touch, you see, means to me oh so much

Culture Lesson - Class #1017

Just checked my email for the first time in weeks. Apparently I have won a lot of money. Now what's a cat supposed to do with money? Money's for humans. Now there was something about male enhancement, but Bevie deleted it before I could read what it was all about. I had kind of been hoping it was a way to reverse that trip to the vet I had a year or so ago. Now I'll never know. Humans.

Anyway, we have not had any real culture here in a while so I thought I would return to our lessons.

The information for this post has been taken from this site.

Cymric
(picture taken from this site)

The Cymric is a breed of long haired cat. They are often considered to be a long haired variety of the Manx breed of cats rather than being considered a completely distinct breed. In fact except for the long hair traits of cymric, both the breeds are similar to each other in all aspects. The word Cymru from which this name Cymric is derived is the indigenous Welsh name of Wales, though this is a myth that this breed of cat has any relation with the Welsh, the origin of cat is related to the successor of Manx Cats from the Isle of Man. Though most of the cat associations believe Cymric to be an original breed, the TICA and ACF regard it as a variety of the Manx.

History
Though the official acceptance of Cymric as a breed is a very recent phenomenon, the breed has existed on this earth for a long time. Their origin is traced back to the Isle of Man, an island located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland where it is said to be introduced by human settlers and explorers. Cymric was earlier known to be Longhaired Manx, its name was later changed to be the name was changed to Cymric in 1970s. According to the records of the island, the special trait of taillessness in Cymric began as a mutation amongst Isle of Man's domestic cat population. As there is not much scope of varied gene pool in this small island, this trait became dominant and was passes from one generation to other along with the long hair genes. Many long haired tailless kittens were born from Manx but were often discarded as mutants. However, when the same kinds of kitten were born in Canada in 1960, they were treated with much respect and some time later recognized as a breed.

Appearance
The Cymric cat is identified as a tailless furry cat with a round head and full eyes. It is compressed and chubby in appearance. It has a short and thick neck over a mall to medium-sized muscular body. Adult males of Cymric breed weigh 9 to 13 pounds; adult female cats weigh 7 to 11 pounds. The ears of Cymric cat are medium-sized and widely spaced, narrowing gradually to a rounded tip. The hair of Cymric cat is mid length and dense over the main body adding more to its chubby appearance. The hair gradually grows from shoulders to rump. The hair on the abdomen and neck ruff is usually longer than that on the main body. The cheeks of Cymric cats are thick and full and its facial hair extends towards its cheeks like bib. This cat breed has impressive tufts.

Personality
Cymric cats are intelligent, funny and are friendly with other pet animals. They are impressive learners and are very soft and non-fussy in nature. They are very obedient and loyal to their owners. Cymrics very quickly bond with their human companions. They love cuddling and lap swinging. Some of the Cymric cats' owners describe them as cute as teddy bears. Though they love company, they are usually not overly demanding of attention. They love water and love playing with it, however do not assume they love bathing. They are moderately active and playful.

Intelligent cats. Isn't that kind of redundant?

Obedient? What nonsense is this? Just who are they obeying? Other cats? Well, that would make sense. Loyal to owners. Nobody owns a cat.

Lap dance cats, huh? Now I really wish I had been given a chance to read that email.
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Don't Talk With Your Mouth Full

It has taken weeks, even months, to get this picture, and I didn't even get a good one. Had to snap it quickly, before the moment was lost.

I think Firestar gets nostalgic at times. I will hear him cry - almost whimper. Then, he will show up with his favorite toy in his mouth, as though wanting someone to throw it. Back when he was a kitten, he and Son would play catch for long periods. Son would toss the toy across the room and Firestar would chase it, sometimes catching it in the air. Then he would bring it back to repeat the process.

He will still chase the toy - sometimes. But never catches it and never, ever brings it back anymore. But every so often - particularly if someone has just left the house - he will carry his toy around the house and cry. I've tried several times to get a picture of it, but once he sees me he drops the toy, and it will be days before he picks it up again. Yesterday, right after Spouse left for work, he brought his toy downstairs. He got distracted by movement outside the dining room door and that gave me time to get the camera. Didn't have time to wait for it to focus. He was realizing I saw him and I had to snap the picture. This is what I got.

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