Wise Old Cat

Movie List--In the cupboard

2008-05-24T07:47:00.001-04:00

Title Format
1776 VHS
2001 Space Odyssey DVD
2001 Space Odyssey VHS
2010 The Year we make contact DVD
A Baroque Odyssey (Cirque Du Soleil) VHS
A Charlie Brown Christmas DVD
A Charlie Brown Christmas VHS
A Pain in the Pullman VHS
Aerial Gunner DVD
Ali DVD
All Creatures Great and Small--Season 1 DVD
All Creatures Great and Small--Season 2 DVD
All Creatures Great and Small--Season 3 DVD
All that Jazz DVD
Alladin VHS
Amadeus DVD
Amelie DVD
America's Atomic Bomb Tests VHS
Animal House DVD
As Good As it Gets DVD
Atomic Age Classics DVD
Atomic Submarine, The VHS
Austin Powers The Spy Who Shagged Me VHS
Bambi DVD
Bananas DVD
Bananas 2 DVD
Battle of Britain DVD
Beautiful Mind, A DVD
Beauty and the Beast VHS
Bedford Incident, The DVD
Being There DVD
Big Broadcast (Bob Hope) DVD
Bill Cosby, Himself VHS
Blackadder the complete series DVD
Blazing Saddles DVD
Blondie DVD
Blue Planet HD-DVD
Boy who drew cats, The VHS
Breakfast at Tiffany's DVD
Broken Flowers DVD
Cars (Disney Pixar) DVD
Cat From Outer Space DVD
Catch 22 VHS
Chamberlain in Gettysburg VHS
Charade DVD
Chocolate DVD
Christmas Story VHS
Clear and Present Danger (Ford) DVD
Clockwork Orange DVD
Cosmos DVD
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon DVD
Curse of the Were Rabbit DVD
Dam Busters VHS
Dambuster Raid, The DVD
Danger UXB VHS
Das Boot Directors Cut VHS
Das Boot, Director's Cut DVD
Day of the Triffids VHS
Day One VHS
Day One VHS
Day the Earth Stood Still, The DVD
Diamonds are Forever (James Bond--Connery) DVD
Die Hard VHS
Die Hard 2 VHS
Die Hard with a Vengeance VHS
Disney Treasures--Walt Disney on the Front Lines DVD
Down Periscope DVD
Dr. Zhivago VHS
Dralion (Cirque du soleil) DVD
Edward R. Murrow DVD
Elton John Dream Ticket DVD
ET DVD
Eyewitness Cats VHS
Fahrenheit 9/11 DVD
Family Man DVD
Fantasia VHS
Father Ted Season 1 VHS
Father Ted--The Complete Series DVD
Felix the Cat VHS
Ferris Bueller's Day Off VHS
Finding Nemo DVD
Finest Hour, The Battle of Britain VHS
Fingerlakes interative DVD DVD
First Men in the Moon DVD
Flyboys DVD
Found Fathers (History Channel DVD
Garfield's Holiday Celebrations DVD
Gaspump Girls VHS
Gettysburg VHS
Ghosbusters DVD
Ghostbusters 2 DVD
Gigi DVD
Godfather DVD
Godfather 2 DVD
Godfather 3 DVD
Godzilla vs Gigan VHS
Godzilla vs Megalon VHS
Goldeneye (James Bond--Brosnan) VHS
Goldfinger (James Bond--Connery) DVD
Good Shepherd, The DVD
Good the Bad & the Ugly VHS
Great Escape, The DVD
Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown VHS
Great Road Trips & Scenic Drives DVD
Groundhog Day DVD
Hamlet VHS
Happy Gilmore DVD
Harvey DVD
Home Improvement--First Season DVD
House on Haunted Hill DVD
How the Grinch Stole Christmas VHS
Hung for Red October (Baldwin) DVD
Incubus (Shatner) DVD
Independence Day DVD
Inside La Nouba VHS
Invaders from Mars VHS
Iron Giant VHS
It's a Wonderful Life DVD
It's the Great Pumpking Charlie Brown DVD
Kicking & Screaming DVD
K-Pax DVD
Lady and the Tramp DVD
Les Miserables--the Dream Cast VHS
Lethal Weapon 4 DVD
Lewis & Clark (Ken Burns) DVD
Lion King DVD
Living Daylights (James Bond--Dalton) DVD
Local Hero DVD
Longest Day VHS
Looney Toons Golden Collection DVD
LOTR Fellowship of the ring DVD
LOTR Return of the King DVD
LOTR Two Towers DVD
Love Actually DVD
M*A*S*H Complete series DVD
M*A*S*H the movie DVD
Man with a Golden Gun (James Bond--Moore) DVD
Mary Poppins VHS
Master & Commander DVD
Matrix Reloaded DVD
Miracle DVD
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) VHS
Monster Mania VHS
Monty Python, The complete collection DVD
Moon Race: the History of Apollo VHS
Mosquito Squadron DVD
Mr. Bean The Amazing Adventures of Mr. Bean VHS
Mr. Bean The Merry Mishaps of Mr. Bean VHS
MST3K Egah VHS
MST3K Pod People VHS
MST3K Poopie VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 2--A Day at the Fair VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 2--Catching Trouble VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 2--Keeping Clean VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 2--Last Clear Chance VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 2--The Days of our Years VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 2--What to Do on a Date VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 3 Design for Dreaming VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 3 Is this Love VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 3 Once Upon a Honeymoon VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 3 Out of This World VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 3 The Selling Wizard VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol 3-Aquatic Wizards VHS
MST3K Shorts Vol. 3 Speech VHS
MST3K Shorts--A Date with Your Family VHS
MST3K Shorts--Body Care & Grooming VHS
MST3K Shorts--Cheating VHS
MST3K Shorts--Chicken of Tomorrow VHS
MST3K Shorts--Home Economics Story VHS
MST3K Shorts--Junior Rodeo Dare devils VHS
MST3K Shorts--Why Study Industrial Arts VHS
Mulan DVD
Muppet Christmas Carol DVD
Muppet Treasure Island DVD
News Radio (complete first & second seasons) DVD
Night of the Living Dead VHS
Nightmare Before Christmas VHS
North by Northwest DVD
Ocean's Eleven DVD
October Sky DVD
Office Space DVD
On Golden Pond DVD
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest DVD
One of Our Aircraft is Missing DVD
Operation Petticoat DVD
Parent Trap (Hayley Mills) DVD
Patriot Games--Ford DVD
Patton DVD
Patton (A&E Biography) VHS
Petticoat Junction DVD
Phantom of the Opera (1925) VHS
Phenomenon DVD
Pilates Workout for Dummies DVD
Pirates of the Caribbean DVD
Plan 9 from Outer Space VHS
Planet Earth DVD
Polar Express DVD
Pride & Prejudice (Keira Knightly) DVD
Princess Bride DVD
Prisoner, The Complete Series VHS
Quantum Leap Season 1 DVD
Quantum Leap Season 2 DVD
Quidam (Cirque du soleil) DVD
Rain Man DVD
Ratatouille DVD
Reach for the Sky VHS
Red Dwarf A-Z and smeg ups VHS
Red Dwarf Balance of Power VHS
Red Dwarf Better than Life VHS
Red Dwarf Epideme VHS
Red Dwarf Future Echoes VHS
Red Dwarf Nanarchy VHS
Red Dwarf Ouroboros (they find Kochanski) VHS
Red Dwarf Smeg Outs VHS
Red Dwarf Smeg Ups VHS
Red Dwarf Stoke me a Clipper VHS
Red Dwarf Thanks for the Memory VHS
Red Dwarf The End VHS
Red Dwarf The Inquisitor VHS
Red Dwarf Tikka to Ride VHS
Red Dwarf--Quarantine VHS
Red Dwarf--Terrorform VHS
RedDwarf Kryten VHS
Right Stuff, The DVD
Robin Hood (Disney) DVD
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead VHS
Rudoph the Red Nosed Reindeer DVD
Run Silent Run Deep DVD
Shall We Dance DVD
Shrek DVD
Shrek 2 DVD
Sideways DVD
Simpons Christmas DVD
Simpsons, The (TV highlights) DVD
Sink the Bismark DVD
Six Days and Seven Nights DVD
Sleepless in Seattle DVD
Sleuth DVD
Sneakers VHS
SNL Christmas DVD
SNL--Jon Lovitz DVD
Snowman, The VHS
Somewhere in Time DVD
Sound of Music DVD
South VHS
Spiderman DVD
Spiderman 2 DVD
Spitfire DVD
Squadron 633 DVD
ST I, Mudd DVD
ST First Contact DVD
ST Generations DVD
ST The Trouble with Tribbles DVD
ST Voyage Home DVD
ST Wrath of Kahn DVD
Stand By Me DVD
Star Wrek Zone VHS
Stargate DVD
STDS9 Emissary VHS
Stepmom DVD
STNG All Good Things VHS
STNG In Theory VHS
STNG Q-Who VHS
STNG The Best of Both Worlds--part 1 VHS
Submarine Warfare VHS
Submarines Secrets & Spies (nova) VHS
Swiss Family Robinson VHS
Sword in the Stone DVD
Terminators 2- Judgement Day VHS
The Thing DVD
They Were Expendable DVD
Thirteen Days DVD
Thomasina, the Three Lives of VHS
Time Machine, The VHS
To Kill a Mockingbird DVD
Tomorrow Never Dies (James Bond--Brosnan) VHS
Tora Tora Tora DVD
Tropical Fish Aquarium (and fire place) DVD
True Lies VHS
Up Periscope DVD
Waking Ned Devine DVD
Wallace and Grommit Incredible Adventures--Close Shave DVD
Wallace and Grommit Incredible Adventures--Grand Day Out DVD
Wallace and Grommit Incredible Adventures--Wrong Trousers DVD
Walt Disney World--the History Channel DVD
Warner Bros. Cartoons--Golden Jubilee VHS
Waynes World VHS
We Dive at Dawn DVD
Wedding Singer DVD
What Women Want DVD
Where Eagles Dare DVD
Who Framed Roger Rabbit DVD
Wild Hogs DVD
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder) VHS
WKRP the complete first season DVD
World is Not Enough (James Bond--Brosnin) DVD
Yoga Zone--Conditioning & Stress Release VHS
Yoga Zone--Evening Stress Release DVD
Yoga Zone--Fat Burning DVD
Yoga Zone--Flexibility & Tone VHS
Yoga Zone--Intro to Power Yoga DVD
Yoga Zone--Introduction to Yoga VHS
Yoga Zone--Meditation VHS
Yoga Zone--Stretching for Flexibility DVD
Yoga Zone--Total Body Conditioning DVD
Yoga Zone--Yoga for Abs DVD

What you think about is what you become.

2008-01-18T06:53:00.000-05:00

I am practicing visualization of calmness, health, strength . . .

Yesterday, during the day, I felt my blood in my arms and chest and felt ALIVE. Like it was working and tingling and doing good things.

There is a lot of literature out there about finding peace, losing weight and something about increasing your lucky numbers for winning the lottery (which if it WORKED, would bankrupt the state.)

I'm thinking of writing another book.
This one on the secrets of life that I have discovered.

It will probably be rather zen like. The secrets aren't complex. They are very simple.

For example.

What is the meaning of life? To Be.

what you think about is what you are

2007-07-20T07:52:00.000-04:00

If you spend your time thinking about hurt and blame, you feel hurt and you will blame.

If you spend your time thinking about how you are responsible for your own decisions, your own situation and your own life--you will have energy, strength and determination to do something that will make those things better.

It is easy to fall back into a trap of feeling hurt and wanting to lash out at someone else for making you feel hurt. It's easy to be judgemental and self-righteous and want the other person to REALLY FEEL THE PAIN before you will accept their apology.

But that's pointless.

Carrying a grudge because someone stepped on your tail deprives you of the love and tenderness that person is offering you when they realize their mistake.

Angry grudges only isolate and keep you angry, bitter and mean.

So it is better to step back--realize that . . . hey . . . life ISN'T fair. Not everyone even HAS tails, how sad is that? . . . But suck it up. This is YOUR life. This is the ONLY one you get. You didnt' get a tail. So what? You have opposable thumbs. So stop whining about it.

Focus on the stuff that brings you joy and release . . . let go . . . stop clinging to the stuff that makes you angry, bitter and unsatisfied.

Nothing that gives you that much pain is worth holding close to your heart.

Anger and bitterness are like a drop of dye in a jug of water--a little bit can contaminate the whole thing.

No . . . Dougal . . . life isn't fair. I'm sorry that you still believe that it can be--or should be. That is a myth. Good things happen to bad people. Bad things happen to good people

It isn't just. It isn't fair. It will be frustrating at times--but only YOU have the power to prevent your frustration and disappointment from burning out all the rest of the good things in your life.

Not every day brings a pony or a penguin.

Deal with it.

Find your own joy--in the moment, the morning, the sunshine . . . the love of your family.

For you are loved. We all are.

Even when were grouchy--we're loved.

Isn't that the most amazing miracle of all? Love isn't earned of conditional--it's grace--given freely without a balance sheet.

That's worth having a great day right there.

2007-07-07T06:29:00.000-04:00

And when I win the lottery, I'm going to have the basement refinished--using the plans we drew up a couple years ago.
It will include a cat walk and hotel.

And I'm going to by a Saturn Sky--in yellow . . . or red . . . or maybe black.
And I'm going to take a road trip--following as much of the historic Route 66 as I can find.
And I'm going to stop in Las Vegas and see Cirque du Soleil's LOVE.
And I'm going to get a tattoo.

Quilt patterns

2007-04-23T18:39:00.000-04:00

Jon's Pattern

Jim's pattern--but as a full quilt--not just a wall hanging.

Emotions are messy

2007-04-15T20:40:00.000-04:00

Even the most difficult emotions can point you in a better direction. They give us useful signals about our needs, desires and goals and how we're doing in relation to them. Think of them as telling you a story and ask what the mesage is behind the feeling.

Catching up.

2007-04-13T18:29:00.001-04:00

Mom hasn't been taking time to help us Blog lately and so we're waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay far behind.

She promised to help this weekend.

I hate to admit it, but she types much faster than we do.

A long stretch cat nappy kind of day

2007-03-12T21:00:00.000-04:00

Today was a very long day. It seems like it should count for two days and not just one. I am very tired this evening . . . It's a long stretch kind of cat nappy evening.

I wish that the wind wasn't whipping out there--we could have a fire if it wasn't so windy.

Best whisper ever

2007-03-07T19:41:00.000-05:00

The best compliment in the world is when you are cuddled and someone says, "I love you," in a very soft whispery voice. And then you get a soft gentle feather kiss and they add, "I really really do."

It makes you feel so . . . special. ~~sigh~~

It's cold and I'm hungry

2007-02-27T06:38:00.000-05:00

I'm really getting tired of all the snow and icky weather. It's been too windy for a fire in the fireplace and mom has hardened her heart. She no longer reaches for canned cat food when I complain.

I understand that it has something to do with "You don't need TWO cans a day! Eat the dry stuff." But I'm still hungry. And I prefer the wet stuff.

I would think that when you get to be old and cranky that people would stop being pains in the neck about simple things like a warm lap to nap on and canned cat food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Instead, the only entertainment we have right now is reading and watching those dippy squirrels.

~~heh~~

The squirrels are amusing. :)

Happiness

2007-02-18T12:55:00.000-05:00

While sitting in front of the fire last night, we had an impromtu Socrates club discussion about happiness. What is it? How do you know when you have it? Are there core elements of happiness, like the parts of an atom . . . or is it a core element itself?

Happiness for me is belonging . . . knowing I'm seen. Knowing I'm listened too, cared about, connected with others. Happiness is making a difference by being. That somehow what I do matters in this world. Happiness is the NOW. It is appreciating the smell, the sound of this moment. It is opening your soul to hear and be--right now. It is feeling the world around you and knowing you are a part of it.

Happiness is connectedness with others who care about your comfort, your emotions, your dreams, your visions . . .

Happiness is made up of contentedness and belonging and . . . peace of mind.

Joy is something that can appen when you let happiness blossom.

Happiness is a good thing.

Identity Theft

2007-02-12T05:45:00.000-05:00

Mom says this is kind of like how identity theft happens.

Harhumph . . . .

STILL not happy about it, but at least Tiger hasn't opened charge cards in my name.

I've been bumped

2007-02-10T12:51:00.000-05:00

I am required to switch to my gmail account and it's substituted Tiger's info for mine. This is MY blog . . . but it says it's Tiger's.

I am not happy. These are MY philosophical musings . . . not his.

Wednesday is the middle day

2007-02-07T17:36:00.000-05:00

Wednesday is the middle day.
A day of celebration.
A day when the effort to go up hill--becomes the effort to go down hill. MUCH easier. But sometimes much scarier to go down hill because world comes at you pretty fast.

Wednesday is the middle age of the week.

Weekends, on the other hand . . . are freebies.

I think that when we create the next calendar--we should add more weekends.

They are important elements of relaxation, meditation, joy, reflection (and a little cooking and cleaning--which makes a home smell nice.)

New Year's Resolutions

2007-01-07T12:56:00.000-05:00

Put First Things First

Do the important things first and the unimportant things last.

Take enjoyment out of the now. Cherishing every moment.

WHO is up so early?

2006-12-26T08:10:00.000-05:00

Naturally . . . it's DOUGAL. . . . .

Why Christmas Vacation is the best

2006-12-24T07:53:00.000-05:00

I like it best when everyone is home.
When no one is rushing off to go to work.
When the turkey's in the oven, smelling ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh so delicious.
And there are games and laughter.

There should be some snow. It makes it fun to watch the squirrels when they run in the snow. But really . . . it's pretty wonderful just the way it is.

Jumping out of airplanes

2006-12-21T06:02:00.000-05:00

I'm not a risk taker.
Give me a quiet evening by the fire with a good book anytime.

It's odd. Jumping out of an airplane this time, feels right. Feels good. Feels exciting and invigorating and CLEAN.

It's like when a fever burns through your body and kills off the virus. When the fever's done it's job, You wake up feeling a little tingly. A little . . . fresh. New. Ready to go go go!

Maybe this difference is--I choose to jump. The plane isn't about to crash and I'm not being kicked out of the airplane.

Being in charge of the decision does make a difference.

Santa's Sleigh Ride

2006-12-15T13:16:00.000-05:00

I would like to add a photo to today's blog, but the system is down. ~~sigh~~

It's a picture of me, flying in Santa's sleigh. He was on a training mission last night and gave free rides to Cats. Dougal missed it. He was sleeping.

Tiger and I rode up front and we got this GREAT picture . . . . maybe I can put it up tomorrow.

Rules and Traditions

2006-12-06T06:13:00.000-05:00

Around here we have some rules about birthdays. Mostly about Jim's birthday, which is at the beginning of December.

Dad will put up the outside Christmas lights, but they don't get turned on until December 3. AFTER Jim's birthday. It doesn't matter that Jim isn't even here right now--he's up at school. He'd never know if the lights were on early. And he's 22, he probably wouldn't mind if the Christmas lights went up early because the weather was nice.

But the rules stay the same.

I'm interested in that. Because some how that rule has become a TRADITION and tradition is an entirely different kind of thing than a rule, though it sort of is implemented the same way.

A rule means you DO this or DON'T do that.
A tradition means you DO this ir DON'T do that.

But a rule is confining. Seems like something that limits you. Might be something you don't really want to do.

A tradition is a connection to other times, other people, other places. A tradition . . . is time travelling. It's active memory. It's an homage to past and a participation in the present.

Gives you something to think about.

The Stinky Man

2006-11-28T06:28:00.000-05:00

Twas very odd yesterday. A stinky man came in and took out the old dishwasher and brought in the new one. He left the garage door open and Dougal said, "He stinks. Let's get out of here." But Tiger grabbed him by the collar and pushed him under the living room chair.

"There are a lot of things out there that stink. STAY put and wait until Mom gets rid of him."

There was another new machine brought in and then the stinky guy left. He smokes. He stinks.

Mom came and sang for us and brought us canned cat food, in the LIVING ROOM! It was very special. It made us all feel a little bit better.

SO . . . when life throws something icky at you. Hold your nose. Find a safe place to hide and wait for the food to be delivered.

I'm thankful for

2006-11-23T05:35:00.000-05:00

A warm home out of the strong elements. No Hurricanes or tornadoes.

That 1/3 can of canned mouse meat every evening.

Good friends and family . . . . even the young upstart.

Socrates Club.

My Book Club.

The liberal libertarian cats of America Club.

Being able to read, to think, to speak . . . .

Some of that silly squirrel TV channel. They run some intersting programming at times. Very few reruns.

Que Sera Sera

2006-11-22T17:32:00.000-05:00

I don't think it's wrong to want to know what the future will bring.

Problem is . . . there are just too many variables in the crystal ball and now they're saying there a millions of alternative universes.

It was so much easier when the world was flat.

Time for cats

2006-11-17T17:23:00.000-05:00

The long stare of a beloved cat--can read your mind.
The firm but gentle paw, with claws sheathed--can ground you.
A rough, sandpaper kiss on the cheek, can make the world slow down and steady.

Let there always be time for cats.

SARK advises me on writing

2006-11-16T06:06:00.000-05:00

The tiniest story in your life can deeply touch another.
You cannot know the effect your story might have.

" . . . . in which we are introduced to Winnie the Pooh and some bees, and the story begins . . ."

A story can travel without you and inspire many.

Every word you write changes the story of the world, revises the official version.

In our stories are seeds of our deepest longings and wishes. Through story, creative buds can burst into life.

Stories are our way to illuminate the path and find common ground.

Our illulsions of separation disappear when we hear stories of another's struggles or discoveries.

Oh puhleeze

2006-11-15T17:27:00.000-05:00

Who ELSE can get up there?

It certainly was't us old guys.

Not naming names

2006-11-15T17:25:00.000-05:00

Sound advice

2006-11-14T15:49:00.000-05:00

the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.

The second best time to plant a tree is NOW.

--chinese proverb

The wonderful thing about Tiggers

2006-11-12T19:52:00.000-05:00

They bounce.
They smile.
They're good to hug.
They're silly and playful and love to listen.
They're fun to watch TV with . . .
And they don't complain too much about TBS showing the Grinch Before Christmas . . . instead they sing and dance along.

. . . You nauseate me Mr. Grinch . . . .

Can you hear me now?

2006-11-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

You THINK you've communicated clearly.
And then you find out that instead of "On our way back to the cottage." sounds a lot like "On our way back from the cottage" when you're on a cell phone.

This is what I overheard from Mom and Dad last night. I am glad that I don't have a cell phone. Blue Tooth sounds a little scary. Like a disease or something.

Push your own buttons

2006-10-26T07:13:00.000-04:00

Socrates club examines the concept of setting the mood for your own motivation.

Do you live your life like a pilot who doesn't know what the buttons in the cockpit are for? (bring in the monkeys!)

From now on, make it a personal commitment to notice everything that pushes your buttons. Make a note of what inspires you. Create your own control panel. These buttons operate your whole system of personal motivation.

Motivation doesn't have to be accidental. If there are certain songs that help you pick up your spirits--get the iPod out--burn a disk and listen to them. Don't let the radio control you and make you wait.

Movies can help you feel more motivated too. Is there a movie that helps you feel like you're ready to take on the world? Then watch it.

You have more control over your environment than you realize. Start by being more consciously focused on what makes you feel good--when--what was the button--why? And start moving those buttons in front of the ones that make you feel bad about yourself, down, depressed, lazy and unmotivated.

=-----------------
This is an interesting concept . . . . I am motivated by certain colors. I love cobalt blue. But I don't want my entire world to be cobalt.

I like the sound of a crackling fire. It's peaceful and relaxing. Soothing.

I like the smell of spring or fall--the earthy moist ground--wow . . . that is very invigorating.

I like the crisp moist air after a heavy snowfall. The muffled quiet as you go outside, before the snowblowers and shovellers start.

So these are smell related, visual related . . . And they can easily be missed if I'm moving too fast.

Slow down. You move too fast.
Got to make the morning last.

Motivation

2006-10-25T06:24:00.000-04:00

Socrates Club is doing a book club this month. "100 ways to motivate yourself."

When we leave this world, we will ask ourselves one question: What's different? What's different because I was here? And the answer to that questions will be the difference that we made.

All of our thoughts and feelings won't matter.

What will matter is the action we took and the difference it made.

Throughout our lives we continue to obsess about our thoughts and become fascinated with our feelings. We are offended by others. We want to prove we're right. We want to show other people are wrong. We're disappointed in some--we resent others . . . it goes on and on and on.

But it doesn't matter.

What will matter is the action we took and the difference it made.

So how do you do that?

Aristotle believed it was through motion.

Think of a snow angel. You plop down in fresh clean snow and then you MOVE--and it is the motion of your arms and legs that creates the snow angel.

See . . . there's a link between self-motivation and self-creation.

Whatever we learn to do--we learn by actually doing it.

Sometimes it's GOOD that it was a bad dream.

2006-10-24T05:59:00.000-04:00

I dreamed last night that I had many reports to write and fill out and time cards to punch and when I woke up there was a brief instance of, "holy moses . . . I really need to get on those reports!" and then I realized . . . hey . . . that was a dream.

Cool.

Yes?

2006-10-11T17:35:00.000-04:00

You have a question?

Motivation

2006-10-10T06:33:00.000-04:00

Well done is better than well said. Benjamin Franklin

Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. Will Rodgers

For to seek grand results, without great effort, you are a fool to even dream it. Thomas Jefferson

This morning's presentation at Socrates Club was on the subject of motivation. What moves some people to achieve more than others? What drives people to break out of their comfort zone and head into the unknown?

What allows people to dream and think that there would be some chance that that dream could come true?

These are human characteristics. Unique to humans. And rather intriguing.

Are dreams the motivating factor . . . or is motivation (a desire for more) what creates the dream?

Friendship

2006-10-07T07:53:00.000-04:00

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words. Author Unknown

What is the key to people’s hearts? (Understanding.)
The most valuable thing in life is relationship (friendship).
Life cannot be real if relationships are not real.

Socrates Club spent time discussing the nature of friendship this morning. These were the starting thoughts. It has given us much to think about.

North by northwest

2006-10-06T04:14:00.000-04:00

As an ordinal, North gets a lot of positive publicity. Is it just because of Polaris and it's accidental coincindence of never appearing to change positition in the night sky? Is it the concept of magnetic poles and the constancy of a pull--a direction that is there--but not seen?

People refer to True North and Following your North Star. They are spoken of in positive ways--that True North is the best of intentions, best of directions. Your North Star is the best fit of your desire, talent and dreams.

So a constant--in the background--is by default--Good. It is your better self, your authentic self--which is by nature good and positive.

This is an interesting assumption. Is human nature basically good?

Another assumption--North the "best" direction?

Whatever happened to Go West?

Why don't people want to Go South?

Why isn't the symbol of setting goals and working towards them--the East--where the Sun comes up every morning?

Humans are an odd species. They set cultural assumptions and then build MORE cultural assumptions on top of that.

Very odd.

Magic

2006-10-05T06:21:00.000-04:00

~~sigh~~

This morning's Socrates Club questions came from Dougal so we were discussing magic. In most traditional fairy tales, the witch casts a spell to make the human ugly or undesireable. The implication is that they LOOK a they are in the inside--on the outside. For example: Beast from Beauty and the Beast.

Dougal says, "how do you know the SPELL makes him ugly? Maybe it's the spell that makes him handsome?"

We discussed the role of witches in mythology and that they are a plot device that allows the story to visualize all aspects of human nature . . . and Dougal says, "But they can make themselves beautiful . . . so why isn't that what they're doing to humans when they cast spells on them? Why are they turning them into newts? Why not ponies?"

There was a heated discussion about beauty and truth. Dougal pointed out that if you read the internet a lot of physically beautiful people are really just make up and magic and that in their hearts (as is witnessed by their behaviors) they are very selfish small people.

So he repeats . . . how do we know witches spells make people ugly? Maybe the things that are SPELLS are really making people pretty--hiding their ugliness from you until they have a chance to make you miserable.

The truly devastating spell would be one that made something LOOK perfect until you bit into it and then you discovered it was very nasty.

We began to realize that Dougal had a point. This was an interesting discussion item that goes beyond just magic. We discussed human nature, social masks, cultural assumptions of beauty and ugliness . . .

Fascinating.

Nurture vs nature

2006-10-04T17:15:00.000-04:00

This morning in Socrates Club we were discussing nurture and nature. Can you relearn a new way of doing things--eliminating bad habits? Or are the bad habits part of your nature?
A scientific survey says that 65% of the bad habits can't be changed. You just have to live with them. The other 35% CAN be changed, but requires a lot of positive reinforcement and concious effort.

Dougal didn't want to talk about either nurture or nature. He kept saying SHH! and "I can't hear you."

He's still just a kid.

Poor mom.

Happy Birthday

2006-10-04T06:27:00.000-04:00

Today is Aunt Kathy's Birthday.
Happy birthday!

The sound of silence . . .and the feel of quiet.

2006-10-03T19:48:00.000-04:00

There's a difference between silence and quiet.

I have decided that I like quiet. But silence . . . hurts my tummy.

I know . . . stay focused. Deep breaths. Eventually it won't be silent.

It's just hard. I feel like I've been abandoned when it's silent. Like I'm a kitten dropped off at a barn and told to fend for myself because I'm not cute anymore.

Quiet is different.

Quiet is warm and comfortable and involves hugs, sleeping in the sunshine and mom asking me if I know a four letter word for middle of the day sleep attacks.

Stargazing

2006-09-27T06:06:00.000-04:00

Dad was watching for satelites last night and he saw 3! One of them was an iridium flare--and we hadn't even been looking for it!

http://www.heavens-above.com/iridium.asp?lat=42.709&lng=-83.440&alt=303&loc=Clarkston&TZ=EST&Dur=2&Date=38985.4164351852

Autumn skies are wonderful. You can see so many many stars.

When pigs fly

2006-09-18T17:06:00.000-04:00

We had a discussion this morning about pigs.
Do they fly?
They don't look like can fly.
But we've heard it said.
When pigs fly.

Very confusing

Prediction of Rain

2006-09-07T18:37:00.000-04:00

Rain

no rain

~~
This morning at Socrates Club we had to sit with the back door closed. It was supposed to rain this morning. But no rain came.

Who decides these things? What makes them think they can outsmart nature?

You only know it's raining when it's raining--you can't predict these things.

Labor Day

2006-09-04T13:08:00.000-04:00

The air smells very nice this afternoon. It is Labor Day and it's quiet in the neighborhood. A couple people are mowing the lawns. There are a few bird songs.

But mostly it's a gentle cool breeze that ever so slightly musses my fur.

I like September.

I think . . . .

2006-09-03T18:18:00.000-04:00

Life is about connecting with friends and family.
Life is about being real.
Life is about sharing stories, laughter and art.
Life is about love.
Life is about friendship.
Life is about holding each other when you're scared or sad and feeling the support and caring that heals things up.
Life is about mistakes.
And it's about healing.
And it's about learning.
Life long learning.

Wisdom comes from reading and thinking

2006-08-27T15:41:00.000-04:00

Read wisdom literature every day. This is a way to focus your mind, train your thoughts and expand your happiness zone.

"Say little, and love much;
give all; judge no man;
aspire to all that is pure and good."
--White Eagle

"If you cannot
find the truth
right where you are,
where else do you
expect to find it?"
Zen Dogen

"The happiest excitement in life is to be convinced
that one is fighting for all one is worth on behalf
of some clearly seen and deeply felt good."
--Ruth Benedict

"Really listening and suspending one's own judgement
is necessary in order to understand other people
on their own terms . . . this is the process that requires trust and
builds trust."
--Mary Field Belenky

Radio on TV

2006-08-26T08:31:00.000-04:00

We're listening to music this morning. XM radio on the TV, that seems silly. But on the other hand. It's the best thing on TV right now.

They're playing nice songs . . .
True Colors
You'll always be beautiful to me
How Sweet it is to be loved by you

Stuff that's sentimental . . . it's nice for a rainy Saturday morning.

Secret Society

2006-08-16T07:30:00.000-04:00

Socrates Club

Today we addressed the topic of telling secrets.
What constitutes a secret?

Someone asked to give an example of a secret . . . and after telling, it's no longer a secret.

It got rather frustrating because after some heated discussion, we realized that we cannot talk about secrets without sharing the secrets and then they aren't secrets anymore.

Then it was pointed out that two or three of us could keep the same secret and as long as it's a secret from others--it's still a secret.

So . . . we know something you don't know.

Guest Speakers

2006-08-13T08:32:00.000-04:00

We had a guest speaker this morning. He was a relationship coach.

It was rather interesting to listen to him.

I have to say that I very much enjoy NPR, books, magazines and TV. They open lots of worlds to me and expand our discussions and philosophical understanding of the universe.

Well . . . some TV . . . some TV is just silly and makes me laugh.

Instinct

2006-08-11T08:02:00.000-04:00

Following our Socrates Club discussion yesterday on fight or flight . . . I did some research on the strong impulse of instinct.

The question came up that if you got your tail caught under a rocking chair, you'd never do THAT again, but how come we don't know enough not to sleep under a rocking chair in the first place? Clearly our instincts aren't all preprogrammed. Some instincts have to be learned. So does this make it instinct?

We call it instinct when we pull our tail in and avoid rocking chairs--we do it without thinking. It's something our subconscious takes care of for us. PROTECTION PROTECTION ROCKERS AHEAD! GET THE TAIL OUT OF THE WAY . . . . I don't consciously think these things . . . so it's instinct, right?

Yet I didn't know enough to protect my tail the first time, though logically the situation was always fraught with danger. If I had seriously looked over the operation of a rocking chair, I could have deduced that it was NOT a good place to fall asleep and forget about where my tail was.

Not really sure if it is instinct or not . . . but whatever it is, I'm glad I know better. My tail is sensitive and I like it.

Fight or flight

2006-08-10T05:58:00.000-04:00

Socrates club has spent several mornings discussing the fight or flight instinctual response to a threat of danger.

It started when Dougal found a chipmunk, sitting on the window sill and even after yelling at it, lunging at the window and saying very bad words, he wouldn't move. He ignored Dougal completely.

There's different levels of fight/flight . . . .

There's the level of . . . I'm bored. Let's fight.
There's the level of . . . I'm not bored! Stop FIGHTING WITH ME!
And there's the level of . . . real, scary fear.

When your heart is pounding and you feel your breath coming in shorter breaths--and you sense something terrible is about to happen.

Dougal said FLIGHT! run away!!!!!
Tiger said FIGHT! Make IT go away!
I said FIGHT! Make it go away . . . .

And then there are the rabbits.

They freeze. As if not moving, not showing emotion, not saying anything--makes them disappear. I don't know as that works very well. Not all preditors are fooled by this tactic. Lots of bunnies . . . become dinner because they don't know how to fight and are afraid to take flight.

I read once that bunnies can be so scared while they sit frozen, that their hearts pound so hard with fear that they have a heart attack and die.

I suppose . . . this isn't a very good conversation if there are young ones reading this blog. I should probably cheer it up a little.

None of us have ever scared a rabbit, or chased a rabbit or eaten rabbit. In fact . . . Dougal is pretty sure that Rabbits would scare him if they were let in the house.

Dougal has a pretty odd way of viewing threats.

Frankly something soft, fuzzy and quiet--shouldn't scare anybody. They don't even have fangs!

Dougal says, "They have fangs and wings and they fly in the night and howl at the moon and they knock on doors at 4:00 in the morning to say BOO!"

It is very hard to have a socrates club discussion with Dougal when he gets excitable.

2006-07-25T07:08:00.000-04:00

I've been troubled recently by thinking about the future. About what happens next. I used to think I knew the future--that it could be predicted. Now I'm not so sure. It's not really playing out like I expected.

It confuses me.

I want to be able to visualize the future--to move steadily towards that vision. But right now the vision is a little cloudy and uncertain.

I know that day to day my life doesn't really change that much. Seafood platter or Liver and Bacon Grill . . . those are the big choices.

But it feels like things are changing. More than that. That forces outside my control are making me older, a little creakier, a little more forgetful.

I woke up this morning and needed a kitty massage before being able to give a really big stretch.

This isn't the future I was planning. And I think the future is here now.

Life should be lived in FULL COLOR

2006-07-13T16:34:00.000-04:00

Summer Camp Lessons

2006-07-08T07:52:00.000-04:00

We spent the week at a "Seminar of the Now". It's run be wannabe Buddhists who teach you how to deprogram your inner clock, shut down the worry cycles and focus on the NOW.

They told us that there is no past, there is no future--those are merely "ideas" . . . that the only IS is NOW. If you squander your NOW by worrying about the past or worrying about the future . . . you squander your life.

It is actually kind of hard to take control of your thoughts. I have spent some time this week thinking about legacy--about what I will leave this world when i die. and it was kind of depressing. I am just a ripple.

Go to a book store and you see the absurdity of hype and marketing where people try to tell you what's important--but what they're really trying to do is separate you from your money.

If I have no money--they don't care about me.
If I have money--they want my money.

THAT is the big circle of life? It's all about economics? But not the economics of sharing but the economics of mine mine mine . . . .Dougal is starting a book by that title, by the way.

I'm torn. More is never enough. Conspicious consumption is simply stupid ego being manipulated by others who WANT your money and possessions.

Yet I like nice things. I like sleeping in a soft bed. I like meals on time and plenty of them. I enjoy very much sleeping in the sunshine.

So what have I learned about this week?

I do not like alarm clocks. I don't even care for the sound of the timer on the oven, letting me know when the scones are done. It's abrasive and intrusive.

I enjoy very very much sitting outside. even if it's a little humid, the fresh air, the birds calling, the sunlight . . . it is rejuvenating. It feels timeless.

To quiet my mind, I focus on detail projects of the now. Organizing and sorting. It is peaceful, but it is really an avoidance technique. I am filling time with Something--in order not to have the past or the future scare the hell out of me.

And there isn't an answer to "What's the meaning of life?" Or rather there are millions of answers.

In reality the answer is the question itself. Our life is journey with the question, not with the answer.

"How to spend the day"

2006-06-30T06:25:00.000-04:00

Socrates Club had a conference this morning.
We were discussing how to spend the day.

It was unanimous. Sleep, eat, run, play, take advantage of sunshine beams when they show up and make sure they know we love them.

The Tao of Happy

2006-06-16T20:23:00.000-04:00

When you are stressed, go to your happy place. Your happy place can be by a river or a lake. It can have flowers and sunshine. It can have friends and family there. And sometimes a midget on a stick pony.

Yes . . . we watched Happy Gilmore.

On the subject of birthdays

2006-06-13T20:00:00.000-04:00

When you got 'em.
Celebrate 'em.

Happiest of days.

Time to weed

2006-06-10T06:51:00.000-04:00

This morning I am going to commune with nature. I am going to speak to plants--talk to mosquitos and listen to the heartbeat of mother nature.

We are part of this magical universe.

Today I shall dedicate to enjoying my place in it.

Meditation

2006-06-09T06:30:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we sat by the back door. It was raining, lightly. So we were watching the rain fall. It was very peaceful.

Then someone put some music on. It was some electronica music with a nice slow jazz beat to it and we just watched the rain.

It was very peaceful. It was almost as good as yoga meditation.

Sometimes nature is the best. Better than TV. Better than catnip. Better than hot fudge sundaes.

me me me me

2006-05-31T06:21:00.000-04:00

If you blog and no one reads it

2006-05-31T05:59:00.000-04:00

Jim doesn't read my blog.

I know I shouldn't be . . . but I was a little hurt.

I haven't told the others yet. They will be more hurt.

So this morning we will be discussing "If a tree falls in the wood and there's noone around to hear it fall--does it make a sound?"

I'll close the group discussion with "If you blog and no one reads it . . . is a blog? is it a journal? or is it just vanity?

Perhaps someone else will read the blog.

Perhaps someone else will care about the wisdom of the universe.

Or maybe it is all about me and I just didn't want to admit it.

Magic?

2006-05-25T06:21:00.000-04:00

Is photography magic? Is it an illusion?

We capture the instant and gradually it fades.

Is photography external hard drive memory?

I was such a handsome kitten.

What you think when you're exercising

2006-05-23T06:37:00.000-04:00

I noticed while I was exercising yesterday that I think things. This song was stuck in my head.

Lover's Concerto
How gentle is the rain
That falls softly on the meadow
Birds high up in the trees
Serenade the clouds with their melody

Oh! See there beyond the hills
The bright colors of the rainbow
Some magic from above
Made this day for us
Just to fall in love
You hold me in your arms
And say once again you love me
And if your love is true
Everything will be just as wonderful

Now, I belong to you
From this day until forever
Just love me tenderly
And I'll give to you
Every part of me

Oh! Don't ever make me cry
Through long lonely nights without love
Be always true to me
Keep this day in your heart eternally
You hold me in your arms
And say once again you love me
And if your love is true
Everything will be just as wonderful

And at times I had a chant stuck in my head . . . "I am strong. I can do anything. I am strong. I am strong. I am strong."

And occasionally I had this song stuck in my head . . . .

I hear the train a comin
iit's rolling round the bend
and I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when,
I'm stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin' on
but that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Anton..
When I was just a baby my mama told me.
Son,always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns.
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
now every time I hear that whistle I hang my head and cry..

I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
they're probably drinkin' coffee and smoking big cigars.
Well I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
but those people keep a movin'and that's what tortures me...
Well if they'd free me from this prison,
if that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move just a little further down the line
far from Folsom prison, that's where I want to stay
and I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away.....

The last song is probably because I just watched "Walk the Line."

Birth Certificate

2006-05-22T06:40:00.000-04:00

Mom found my birth certificate over the weekend. Apparently I was born in July 1991 . . .which makes me a little bit older than they remembered me being.

Older than I remember being.

Tiger is older.

I don't remember my first mom and dad. I don't remember my first sisters and brothers.

I am glad I have the brothers I have, we get along pretty good. And I am very glad to have the mom and dad that I have now.

This is a good place to be a cat.

Happy mother's day

2006-05-14T07:16:00.000-04:00

It is a beautiful day even though it is raining.
It is a beautiful day because you're a part of it.

I love you. I am happy you are a part of my life.
I think you are a gift. Your love and your tenderness make life really really good.

Thanks for scratching me behind the ears. That was just perfect.

You know me so well.

They aren't just song lyrics

2006-05-11T06:16:00.000-04:00

Slow down
You move too fast
You've got to make the
Morning last

Another May Holiday

2006-05-05T06:28:00.000-04:00

Over a hot cup of green tea this morning, we realized that this was Cinco de Mayo . . but that noone seems to be keeping track of cat holidays.

So a subcommittee has been formed to create a calendar. They are supposed to give a report in a week. There was some discussion about can they make the weeks 8 days on our calendar--so there are 3 day weekends--and then it became 5 day weekends and then just ONE workday . . . it SO gets out of hand.

There are always the trouble makers in the group. We assigned him the task of drawing the pictures.

ninja cat dance

2006-05-01T07:56:00.000-04:00

It was still dark this morning, but the outdoor sky was graying up a bit. Birds had started to chirrup and mom was making coffee.

I sat next to her at the counter and we had a nice conversation. She asked how my arthritis is doing and gave me some gentle pets. I really like it when Mom spends time with just me.

Then there was a noise and we turned to look into the living room. Two silouetted cats were poised ninja style--opposing each other. It was still so dark it was hard to tell who was who. And then slowly very slowly there was increased threat on one side--by moving into a bigger posture . . . and the other side capitulated, matching the slow movements in speed--but going in the opposite direction.

I'm not sure what started it, but Dougal apolozied most obsequiously. Tiger gave him a bat on the head for good measure.

Youth . . . sometimes your mouth just gets away from you. Someday Dougal will learn to respect his elders.

Lounging around

2006-04-23T04:50:00.000-04:00

I do so enjoy my life!

Writer's Block (of cheese)

2006-04-20T06:20:00.000-04:00

I think we should write a cookbook.

Socrates Club: Comfort Food

2006-04-20T06:16:00.000-04:00

Socrates Club: Food

So this is the 5th discussion this month on food. We simply must get someone else to set the agendas. Dougal seems preoccupied.

So . . . food. This morning we were discussing comfort food. The very core of our being can be comforted by a food familiar to us from our childhood. Something that ALWAYS tastes right.

There was a vote for a McDonald's Cheeseburger or Filet of Fish.

Someone else said, Chocolate Milkshake and fries OR hot fudge sundae

Three votes for Macaroni and Cheese and then I reminded them of Tuna Casserole, which we haven't had in a very long time . . . . and there were many oooooos and aaahhhhs . . .

That's the power of tuna casserole.

Retro Chef

2006-04-20T06:14:00.000-04:00

Tuna Casserole. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Tuna

Healing places

2006-04-10T16:40:00.000-04:00

Ocean Waves--they remind us that there are reliable patterns like our breath.

Being old and wise.

2006-04-07T06:39:00.000-04:00

I know that I am old and wise, but I do not understand things sometimes.

I know what I experience. What I see. What I hear. What I feel . . . .

I remember.

Sometimes I get in conversations and it's like I'm the only person talking, that what I'm talking about never happened . . . and I am unsettled.

I know I am old and wise . . . but I am not senile yet.

My stomach hurts this morning. Maybe this old and wise thing is for the birds.

cold spring day

2006-04-06T14:58:00.000-04:00

I am very sad inside today.

~~sigh~~

Nobody has been home and it's lonely.

~~sigh~~

I don't feel loved.

~~sigh~~

I don't feel cherished.

~~sigh~~

I don't even feel real today.

~~sigh~~

It is hard to love . . . because when they forget about you . . . you are so very very much alone.

snow!

2006-04-04T15:58:00.000-04:00

It is snowing today.
~~heavy sigh~~

It's supposed to be spring.
Daylight savings time has begun . . . and we still have snow.

I am discouraged.

We found out this weekend that my older brother is 80 years old. So that makes me 76. I don't really feel that old. At least not on most days.

I do feel old some times.

Discuss or Do?

2006-03-29T05:45:00.000-05:00

Discuss the virtues of exercise.

Exercise. It's a touch choice.

Spring

2006-03-28T19:56:00.000-05:00

Let's just get nice and comfy.
Daylight savings time is on its way.

Can spring be far behind?

The hunter diet

2006-03-27T06:12:00.000-05:00

It's all about food.
I was perusing the newspaper this morning and realized that there were several articles talking about how fat Detroit is, how many slurpees people drink at 100 calories each, how the new diet fads talk about dieting in the grocery store and other stuff.

People are obsessed with food.

Never in human history has food been so available with such variety at such a low cost. People don't have to plant it, harvest it, hunt it, preserve it . . . they just run to the grocery store and impulsively buy something that looks pretty.

So to create a "Thrill of the hunt" grocery stores started a coupon game--sort of like stalking the great beast . . . but it turned into something more like picking flowers. Not everyone responded to the thrill of the hunt.

Now humans have created a new preditor game. This one involves stalking calories. Knowing how many are where and only eating the best calories.

It is still a very lame way to channel your inner hunter.

In the meantime humans are still eating too much, getting too fat and not really understanding that what you NEED is to get your own food. Not from the grocery store--but from the world.

It's too easy--and that's why you're fat.

Essays

2006-03-26T13:19:00.000-05:00

I helped read essays this morning. Some were interesting but missed the point. Some were TERRIBLE.

No one mentioned cats in any of their essays.

I was rather sad about that.

They've led sheltered lives.

Socrates Club discusses SPRING

2006-03-20T16:59:00.000-05:00

We had some serious discussions this morning.

It was about Spring. About rebirth and regeneration. The whole thing started with a report on the popping up of tulips in the front garden bed.

Discussions fell apart when some members questioned "What is a bed? THAT's not a bed." and digressed into general Spring time debates. Does Spring start today or does it start tomorrow? Can you pinpoint the exact time that Spring starts? Based on what? If it's still cold outside and miserable . . . why are we Hallmark carding the day as "Spring?"

Then we took a nap.

The nap was seriously joyous.

I love naps.

Be

2006-03-16T17:16:00.000-05:00

Let the sighs of past mistakes soften into gentle breathing.
Focus thoughts and energy stirring not on the past--but on breath
In
filling slowly
expanding
living
out
gentle
slowly exhaling
Feel what is now
Around you
inside you
Inhale and suckle sweet growth, hope
exhale and relax
further into relaxation
past regrets are lessons learned
They are not chains and handcuffs limiting your way in the world
breath in
breath out
be

Sunshine

2006-03-15T20:40:00.000-05:00

Sunshine
On my shoulders
Makes me happy.

Being a cat is pretty cool.

2006-03-14T18:57:00.000-05:00

Cats do not pay taxes.
Another good thing about being a cat.

Monday monday

2006-03-06T16:54:00.000-05:00

I know what you're thinking.
I know what you're feeling.
Isn't it wonderful?

Socrates Club

2006-03-05T09:09:00.000-05:00

We watched the stars last night. It was a very clear night. While some of us saw a meteor, I did not. Watching stars makes you philosophical. You cannot look at the stars and not feel humbled. We are so small in this great big universe. We are so insignificant.

And yet in our lives--our day to day experience--we have such an impact on the others we live with, come in contact with.

It is hard to hold two thoughts in your mind at the same time--that you are very very small and insignificant in the Cosmos--and you are very very large and impactful in your current environment--your NOW.

Then we started thinking about time. We were watching Orion move across the sky in a slow graceful sweep--timeless.

And we felt even smaller.

Our moment here is so short. Our impact can be so meaningless. It can so easily not matter--so easily not be enough--so easily be forgotten.

So what do we do? What is the purpose? Why, with these rules do we expect our own sense of self importance to matter?

This morning, sleepily . . . we were discussing what is real--What we see, touch, smell and experience with these corporal bodies--and what we know is out there. There was also some discussion about all the things we do not know. That was a lot of stuff--and became a little depressing so we went back to what is real.

Does it matter that we know the Earth to be round--when we experience it as flat?
Does it matter that we know that we revolve around the sun--when we experience it as going around us?

There were many many more questions like this. We got side tracked with the fact that math has been the key to knowledge--much more so than observation. So math is the language of the universe . . . thus the language of a higher being?

Or is math . . . a lanuage to explain what is--and is just as manmade and subjective as our development of the concept of time.

Or is time . . . math?

It was then brought up that we are cats and we do not accept the concept of time. It is a temporal connivance of Man--meant to frustrate and confuse the other species, such as ourselves.

When we are hungry we want to be fed--it should not matter what a clock says.
When we are sleepy and want to snuggle, we should be able to sleep--it should not matter what a clock says.

Eventually that's exactly what we choose to do . . . . sleep.

Walk the talk

2006-03-04T07:33:00.000-05:00

In the arena of human life the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action.
--Aristotle

Some advice to the maniac at city hall

2006-03-03T16:33:00.000-05:00

Can you dance between the lines?
Can you flit and flitter and stir up the cat litter?
Can you raise your nose high in the air and pretend you smell not a thing?

Perhaps you are meant for something important
Perhaps you have a destiny
Perhaps you have a mission from god

Or you could just be really really full of yourself
And unable to tell reality from fantasy

Time to call Canada to order more medications . . . because reality is about to kick you in the butt.

A short poem

2006-02-27T17:29:00.000-05:00

I am my own best friend.
the end.

Kitty Arthritis

2006-02-24T17:07:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure I like getting older. My elbow hurts. The doctor says it's arthritis . . . that's cause I'm old.

The best thing to do is keep moving.

That's what the doctor says.

So I'm on an exercise plan.

I don't like prescription exercise.

That's just wrong.

Mixed up weather

2006-02-23T17:06:00.000-05:00

The snow came back today.
A few flakes landed on the yard.
I saw the beginning sprouts of the tulips that were planted last November.

Can the summer and all the glorious things that come with summer . . . really be that far away?

Socrates Assignment

2006-02-20T08:25:00.000-05:00

Create a list of words that define your beliefs about life. Then write an affirmation using those words.

Love
Wisdom
Beauty
Peace

Wisdom is born out of pain and suffering. Beauty comes from seeing more than the surface. Peace in your heart and in your soul, comes from getting to know yourself, loving and trusting your self . . . Love is the strongest and the most gentle force out there.

Love is very interesting. I was reading an article in Oprah Magazine over the weekend. It started me thinking about the nature of love, and how in order to GET it, you have to give it away. But it isn't that the object of your love gives it to you . . . you actually give it to yourself when you love another. It's really really odd.

And it explains the whole "unrequited love" thing.

Thought for the day

2006-02-20T08:17:00.000-05:00

If you want to be a sharp thinker, be around sharp people.

Cold weather and toilets

2006-02-18T09:57:00.000-05:00

It is very very cold out this morning. The sun is shining brightly, so that's deceptive--but it is very cold. The thermometer says .6 degrees. And the wind is making it even colder.

These are the days when I am glad I am a cat with a loving family. I have soft comfy places to sleep, sunshine rays to nap in, yummy food--a warm bathroom . . . and all the love a kitty could want.

A friend of ours just got a new puppy and they tried to make her go outside to go potty. She was outside, inhaled, yelped, put her tail between her legs and ran so fast back inside that they couldnt' catch her for 10 minutes!

See . . . cats are smarter. We have a toilets inside. And if we really had to, we could use to learn YOUR toilet too. We think it's gross . . .but we can learn how to flush.

Yucky weather

2006-02-16T17:03:00.000-05:00

We are watching the weather report. High winds coming in with thunder and lightening. In winter.

Time to call out the cat nap squad.

Not nervous as a cat

2006-02-13T06:41:00.000-05:00

Anxiety is down this morning. My tummy was upset over the weekend, so that's probably why I was as nervous as a cat. This morning, though, life is good. I feel stretchy and playful and able to wiggle around.

My nerves are settled down and there's a report that we could see sunshine today. I'm really looking forward to sleeping in the sunshine. It is one of the best life experiences you can have.

Numbered dreams

2006-02-09T06:44:00.000-05:00

There were numbers in my dreams last night. I tried to remember them. It seemed important. But alas . . . I cannot remember them.

I think there was a nine.
Maybe a one.

I am sad. My dream must have MEANT something . . . and I have forgotten it.

Dreams

2006-02-08T06:05:00.000-05:00

Dreaming is a way to sort out data that you don't want to really deal with during your waking hours. Sometimes it's just unimportant data . . . stuff that fills your head but isn't important. Your brain just needs to sort through it and make some sense of it.

Sometimes it's stuff that you SHOULD be thinking about but don't want to. The brain is tricky. It disguises the message so it's THERE, but not so "in your face" that you can't deal with it.

Lately my dreams don't bring me a lot of peace.

I must be worried about something.

I wonder what it is?

Life Themes

2006-02-07T06:18:00.000-05:00

This morning we were talking about what our basic "themes" were. Dougal said it was FREEDOM, thus he enjoys games like run run run and past times like Pirate ship and Pirate Fort.

Tiger said his was SECURITY, thus he enjoys sitting on your lap . . . ALL THE TIME and "mrwah!" if you aren't noticing him and providing him creature comforts.

I'm not sure what my themes are. It is easier to see them in others, than to see them in yourself. I suppose INDEPENDENCE. I don't push to sit on laps like Tiger does, and I'm not really interested in interactive games. On the other hand, I enjoy company--from a distance. I am social. I just want to be social on my own terms. Yes . . . INDEPENDENCE is probably my theme. However, it is Independence without arrogance, and that makes a difference.