Book of Jamez

55 y/o malcontent, something of a writer

Category: Cats

  • A Real Boy

    All Q ever wanted was a real boy, he sits in the window pane watching the little boys toss a ball or frisbee, running about here and there. If he glances back inside he sees me in front of the PC or TV lost in some fantasy world.

    He’ll drag a string or cat nip toy to me and “MEOW” loudly. I’ll bring down a hand to pet him, but he’s learned to be far enough back that I have to tear my eyes from the screen to find him. He’ll “MEOW” again, the toy strategically placed in front of him, he even motions to it with his eyes. I’ll promise to play with him later, or tomorrow and focus my attention back to my fun.

    He may try one more “MEOW” or jump on the desk, sprawling right in the perimeter of the keyboard or mouse pad. His tail whips about, deliberately aiming for the keyboard or mouse as he knows one keystroke with his tail grabs my attention faster than twelve “MEOWS”.

    Mostly, he sits on the window ledge; eyes darting this way and that, dreaming of the little boy he always wanted.

  • To Boldly Go Where No Cat Has Gone Before…

    I’ve gotten a little smarter, I no longer spend 45 minutes attempting to put the cats in their carriers, I just scoop them up one at a time and carry them to the vehicle. “It’s ok baby, it will be ok, I’m right here.”

    The UHaul Truck proved to be better than most for the cats, they could crawl under the drivers seat and just hide there and cry, so they did. The antennae for the radio-coat hanger bent just so, maybe that’s why the stations came in so beautifully. The air condition unit, if you could call it that, spewed forth noxious fumes that made me and the cats sleepy… so I turned it off and opened the window. As soon as there was fresh air again the cats would start to howl… so I’d roll up the windows and blast the A/C til they were snoozing again, and I’d almost drift off myself. Sure it was risky, but the quiet was well worth it.

    Unloaded about half the truck, still have some bigger things to unload today. I’m tired and sore and for all the wrong reasons. The cats are exploring, but very happy. Mouse tipped over the litter pan last night (you can see she did this the first night in Chesapeake also in the September archives). Q hid for 3 hours, then he came out, plopped himself in the middle of the living room and purred. I think the cats are happy to be home. And I am too!!!

  • Ready, Set…

    I’m packed, mostly, the computer is still up (obviously) and I have some cleaning to do… but I am ready.

    I think it will be ok if I leave today, so that’s my goal, to head out for DC now, otherwise I’m basically sleeping on the floor tonight anyway.

  • Ghosts

    I’m staying at my old place in DC over the weekend.
    I walk into the kitchen and my cats do not appear at my feet hustling for treats
    They do not race up and down the stairs or peek through the railing, as if to smile from a afar
    The old blue couch is gone, moved to Chesapeake with me, so I can’t lie back and nap
    Maybe tomorrow when Gary is here it wont seem so empty and silent
    Maybe I wont miss my cats so much then

  • Dark and Handsome

    As I turn to leave I see the desperation in his eyes begging me to come back to bed for one last kiss. I would love to lay next to him, running my hands over his body, my fingers through his dark hair.

    He never wants me to leave, it’s always the same: his needs his wants come first in his mind. Nothing but my presence next to him will do, he loves no other.

    Finally I succumb to his desires and bend down for one last kiss.

    “Meowr” Q says, hoping, just hoping I don’t walk out the door to school.

  • Carpets, Cats and Coffee

    The cats aren’t sleeping, I don’t think they are even eating much. When then venture from under the bed or the couch they only do so if I’m in view… sometimes Q wont come out even then. They jump at every noise, they aren’t interested in the windows nor their catnip toys… even the feather (Q’s favorite) is ignored.

    There is carpet in every room and closet of the apartment, except the bathroom and kitchen, the cats like this I think. I can’t hear the pitter, patter of little cat paws anymore, so they are both wearing their collars with bells.

    I am awakened each night/morning around 3 and then 4 and then 5 by a meow or a scratching somewhere in the apartment. This morning Mouse managed to flip the litter box over… no idea how this happened… luckily it was a fresh box… but litter was in her hair, all over the carpet, all over the kitchen… so I had to vacuum… this was @ 5:30 a.m.

    The coffee can’t possibly be strong enough to make up for the lack of sleep that I am experiencing. My sleep schedule is all screwed up and I’m a little cranky.

    I hope the cats adjust soon, I need sleep to be ready for school.