A CAT DAY

Sharon Brogan (www.sbpoet.com) began Friday cat days long ago and that's how I met her.  She is in Montana, but on the west side of the Rockies, which makes a lot of difference.  She's a good poet and a fine photographer.  Me, not so much.  This is a bit of an homage to Sharon, who has again begun to blog.  Spread the word!

FIRST some home shots.  The yellow cat is Crackers.  The tortoiseshell is Squibs.  Their names come from an old prairie story in which a man calls his britches his "squibs and crackers."  These cats are too fat.  They were the only kittens in one last batch from an elderly calico.  Crackers has all the personality of a sofa pillow.  Her coat is rough, she has sinus trouble and is probably diabetic.  She sleeps with me at night.  She sleeps without me all day.  Squibs is a much softer and far more active cat.  She has a not-too-bad overbite and something is wrong with her rear gear, possibly from being thrown (the kittens came from a Great Falls  Air Force family in the midst of a divorce -- lots of angry people) or possibly from falling, since she has always climbed a little beyond her ability level.

This window looks into the back yard and is next to my computer.  

This is supposed to be my reading chair.

Crackers likes something against her back, especially if the electric mattress warmer is still on.

A heating pad will do.

But the computer lamp is also good.

Squibs thinks the back garage belongs to her and anytime the weather permits, she's out there supervising.  In front of her is a hole just the right size for a cat.  This requires extra vigilance.

Mr. Puss is a tuxedo cat, hence the formality.  Not My Cat.  (NMC for texters.)

Pele was either named for the footballer champion or for the Hawaiian god of fire, lightning and volcanoes.  He is exceptionally athletic but more light than heat.  (NMC)

Baby pictures.  Crackers "fronted" for Squibs when they were little.

Unknown tortie from the newspaper.  Torties tend to be compact, vigorous, and clever.  They are always female because the have three colors and the third color is on the second X.  (NMC)

The two most important sentry points are in the back of the house next to the computer . . .

and the front of the house where a cat can get up high and peer out between the blue bottles.

Every cat needs a good buddy for a nap, though Paul claims he hates cats and says this was his girl friend's cat.  (NMC)  Paul likes chickens but I don't think he naps with them.

Cats love readers and have discovered how to manage brain to brain transmission.  Sue is a constant reader and her husband is a constant photographer.  (Photo by Clyde)  Boots is a constant presence. (NMC)

That's a cat policy.