Of a Sort

One of my regular weekly chores is helping sort the recycling. I am exceedingly dexterous and therefore more than qualified to shuffle all the various pieces of detritus into their designated areas of the kitchen floor, in preparation for their trip outside to the bins. (The latter portion of the task is one that, I must admit, I cannot do alone. But please refrain from telling anyone I granted that point). I usually spend a few hours rolling around in the profusion before getting down to business... One must always be mindful of including some amount of fun into any necessary responsibilities.

Nightowl

When else but under cover of darkness can I surreptitiously leave my dainty footprints all over the local cars?

Special Spot

Alfresco

Hitch

I wanted to go filming. I suspect I would be quite an insightful cinematographer. But, sadly, I was not allowed on this particular shooting expedition. Not for lack of trying, however.

Herbage

I have my very own plant in the front-steps herb-garden. It is thriving through my daily ministrations; I never neglect to trim and care for my plant. This regularity sometimes leaves me slightly tipsy, but I shall not be deterred. (Besides, I believe the tipsiness is part of the plant's irresistible charm).

Repast

I have a regular evening ritual of sitting out on the front stoop, watching the goings on in the yard, the sidewalk, the street, the sky. I enjoy this time to myself amidst the potted herb-garden and simply taking in the view. It is quite effective for stimulating philosophical thought.

It also allows me focused occasion to bathe and groom myself.

Installation

I assisted in planting the newest piece of vegetation in the back yard: a plum tree, apparently. I do not know if I care for plums, I do not recall ever tasting one. But as I am an expert surveyor and excavator, I felt I should offer my services. The establishment was a great success.

Laundry Day

Sandwich

I love visitors. They make great props for napping.

Polecat

I have to ask to come inside. Ask. I am not at all happy about this. I am used to being able to come and go as I please when I am at home in my city, but in this particular house there are no windows suitable for my personal-sized door. So, I have to demean myself by asking whatever human happens to be within earshot to open the human-sized door for me. And I make sure that earshot can be as far as the next block over -- why should I be polite about such a state of affairs? If the door is off the latch I can open it myself -- I do this as often as I can to remind them that I am perfectly capable of doing things by myself when given an opportunity. Occasionally I make quite a show of wanting to come indoors -- like on this particular evening, when I hopped up as close to the window as I could get, which happened to be at the highest point on the front stoop's railing.

Once I'd made my desires known, I then pretended like I didn't care. I have to retain as much dignity as I can.

Huffy Puff

When I wish to sulk or otherwise express my objections to a particular state of affairs, this is the stance I unfailingly adopt. By placing (in sooth, loudly flopping) myself bang in the middle of any possible trajectory it is impossible for my dissatisfaction to be ignored. On rare occasions and quite to my amusement, I believe this posture has the delightful effect of giving the impression I have, as they say, bought the farm: this causes a great commotion and more to the point even more attenti0n is drawn to the fact that I am displeased. On the other hand, if I am roundly ignored I will begin to assume grander and far more sensational variations in an attempt to secure whatever thing or outcome I desire, like so:


It has been said that this demonstration of sentiment is the analog to a two-year-old's tantrum, but I should think it perfectly obvious that such a comparison is a grievous injustice by anthropomorphism.

Virescence

I spend much time out of doors now, enjoying the (long-overdue, in My Opinion) change in the elements and thus the panorama. I had begun to forget what alternative colors might exist in nature apart from white, gray and brown. It makes one rather intoxicated with delight to finally experience this change to something far more sensible in the way of weather -- perhaps this inebriation is one rationale humans employ to justify living in such an entirely abusive climate.

Somillier Extraordinare

My friends Matt and Emily came over for dinner.







I like these humans; each can unfailingly be relied upon to give me an amount of attention in line with or exceeding my requirements.



As the familial companion of an accomplished connoisseur, I was of course given the task of selecting the appropriate wine to be served. I dare say their expectations were exceeded in my choice.


Naturally, I conducted a thorough sampling before settling on the most suitable vintage.

A Stretch

One of my favorite disciplines is the practice of yoga. I am quite accomplished at a number of postures, and make time daily to learn and invent new ones. Here are a few of my choicest positions:

Grimalkin-Hero's Pose


Child's Pose, au Sofa

Sleeping-Ostrich-Asana

Downward-facing Cat


Forward Fold from Catnapasana


Dead Duck


Savasana XII

Morning

Less White

It is starting to get a slight bit warmer. Or at least, there are places on the ground that are becoming some other color than white. Now that I can, I do my best to avoid walking on the snow; when I must, I move as quickly as possible. I have overheard this being called "scampering" -- I prefer to think of it as "hightailing".

Wild Thing

New Toy (oayo)

This is the new, fascinating thing in my life. I spend quite a lot of time stalking, killing, and pretending to ignore this thing. Sometimes I contemplate why it has such a hold over me... but I rarely have time for contemplation, as the thing generally keeps me firmly under its spell.

Entrapment

So. It has been mandated that I wear a collar. A collar with a noisy metal tag. And that shines quite brightly if light catches it. This was not my idea. I have never been subjected to such constraints before, and at the moment I am rather disgruntled. I am told I will get used to this. I am not convinced. I keep trying to scratch it off, but it seems that, at least until I discern another way out of it, this state of affairs is unavoidable.

Out of Doors

Now that I have been prescribed a collar (more on this indignity later) and what is being called an "adjustment period" has passed (humans do have such interesting notions), I am now allowed to be outside when I ask. It is as white, and all of what that means, as I expected.

Company

There are three new people in the house. I am told this is for the weekend only, but they seem cheerful enough and are easily maneuvered into giving me the attention I desire whenever I like, and so I am content to have them here for as long as they wish to stay.

Their arrival seems to be why there are a great number more pleasing smells in the kitchen, and I have 6 more legs to rub against and be in the way of while they do whatever it is that creates those smells. I have new bags and belongings to poke though, new opportunities to teach exactly how I wish to be scratched, and new collections of anatomy to drape myself over or sleep on at night.

These people seem quite as fond of my nap spot as I am myself.






I have communicated my feelings on the subject.

Naps

Tales of an Exploring Philosopher

After a good several-days sleep, I am now taking a more detailed measure of where I now find myself. I am told that I will not be allowed outside for a time, which I naturally gave the impression I objected to (but truthfully was perfectly satisfied to comply with, especially given that what I see from the windows looks to be excessively white).

After nearly half a day's worth of wandering, I felt it necessary to explore potential napping spots. My favorite so far is in the brown room with the red feather-filled high place. It shall be mine from now on.