My Fur Stole Likes to Chew on My Ear...

So, a woman walks into a bar wearing a deep red cocktail dress and a back fur stole draped around her neck. The sable fur contrasted the red dress beautifully and even the bartender, who was never a fan of fur garments, has to admit that it looks wonderful on her. As she approaches the bar the stole raises its head and looks at the bartender with sleepy yellow eyes. The fine fur garment is actually just a very sleepy, fluffy cat.

"Miss," the bartender starts, unsure of how to react, "do you know that you have a cat around your neck?"

The woman smiles and strokes the animal who closes its eyes and promptly falls back asleep. "yes, and doesn't he look lovely with my dress?"

***

I'm beginning to doubt that I adopted a cat at all. His favorite place to sleep seems to be draped across my shoulders or sprawled across my chest right up under my chin. He's not a cat, he's a shawl-in-training...

Anyways, so I had a stray stay with me for a night and then she was gone, but it reminded me how badly I've been missing a cat in my life. So yesterday Liz and I went to Petsmart and adopted a fluffy 5 month old Black & White Tuxedo cat. Me being me of course there was only one thing to name him: Mr. Mistoffelees! Who is doing his world renowned scarf impression as I sit on my living room floor typing this. Do you have any idea how hard it is to type with a cat on your shoulders purring away? Hard, so expect typos, He is the world's biggest cuddler and loves to walk right between your legs whenever you try to move. He's already tripped Liz who has never had to deal with a leg-cat before. For me at least it's a bit like riding a bike; I remembered how to cat-walk pretty quickly.

Can't say that I've been happier in a long, long time. I needed this kitty and by the way he clings to us I'd say he is really happy that we took him home too. Best 75 dollars ever. He's neutered, chipped, and I even get a free vet check up. He has his own proper collar now (though he still has the blue band in the pictures), bright red with a bell, and as I predicted our bead-curtain is the greatest cat-toy ever invented. He learned not to chew on our power cords and Christmas lights within the first couple hours. He's very clever for a kitten and extremely loving. He'll bounce off to play for a little while but he always comes back for a sunggle every few minutes. Or if you are sitting down he'll do his shawl impression for you and start purring right next to your ear. Vibrating shawls, I'm telling you he could be onto something here, might be the next big thing...
Pics!

Rain Rain, Stay Today, Find the Pain and Wash Away...

Nine-thirty at night, pouring rain and soaked to the bone; this is what I live for.

Not things, I will find and lose so many things over my lifetime, most of which I will never remember, but moments I can never forget.True feeling. The way the rain falls like crystal through the yellow glow of the mock-lantern lights on the side of the building, tumbling through the leaves on the trees. The way the lightning rips through the dark, revealing the roil of clouds overhead. The way the rain collects in my hair and runs down my face and neck, washing some more of the purple dye away. The way my black pants cling to my leg as I move, kicking at puddles in my flip-flops as I go. The smile of the cabby rushing out to his vehicle as I throw my arms wide to enjoy the sensation of cool rain on long over-heated skin. Staccato drumming of each drop as it falls on the carport roof that I should have long ago ducked back under as the lightning flashes across the skyline. Rain bleeding into my eyes as I stare unafraid into the dark, looking for the next spark of electricity.

How long has it been since I last stood alone in the rain and simply let sensation take over the commentary in my mind? Too long I think. No conversations, just raw basic awe, the primal thrill of a storm. As children, we are told to come back inside before we catch our death, before the lightning gets us. As an adult, we can chance the danger and just be. Soaked, and maybe relieved, relaxed for the first time in months. All the lies and deadlines and jagged edges of memories washed away. I feel myself settle in my skin again as the rain rinses off the layers of masks one by one. Disguise gone, I am calm once more. Danger is a risk, but a reward means nothing without it's opposite.