I had a delightful lunch with a woman who is fully conversant in the ABCs: art, books, and cats.
I was flattered that she had read my CAT LADY CHRONICLES and wanted to get acquainted over French food at a neighborhood bistro. I don't know why I was caught by surprise when, the moment I entered the restaurant, she exclaimed, "How is that Lucius? What a character!"
Yes, Lucius was something else. Although I felt sad informing her that Lucius had passed away one year ago this month, I confessed that I believe he lives on in my book and always will.
Lucius was a true character, yet he was so much more than a fictional character who appears in ten chapters of a book. Lucius was an all-consuming force of nature that took over our house for fourteen years, and sometimes Cat Man and I have the odd sensation that Lucius is still among us. I can't imagine ever finding another orange tabby like that Lucius.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Fleeing from the Fleas
The past two weeks have been crazy-busy, which is why you have not heard from me. I had to fly the Catland coop, and while traveling I knew that our resident cats in the garage apartment--Lillie, T.J., Perkins, and Miss Tommie--would be in the capable hands of Cat Man. His duties also included manning the fort in the house proper.
When I returned to Houston, I was very upset to learn that we had a flea problem in the apartment. Cat Man had purchased every pet-friendly pesticide in sight, but nothing was working. Our always sweet 14-year-old cats were grumpy.
I frantically called Dr. O., always my hero, who helped me evacuate our four cats from the apartment. Other than Lillie, who has visited the Cat Doctor clinic for subcutaneous fluids, our cats had not left their home for eleven years (Dr. O. makes regular house calls). Cat Man calmly took the wheel of our getaway car, which quickly filled with the sound of nervous cats crying.
After the exterminating service further saved the day, I reconstructed the interior of the apartment so that Lillie, T.J., Perkins, and the very particular Miss Tommie would find their food and water bowls, litter boxes, and bedding in the same familiar places. Back to Dr. O.'s to retrieve our beloved cats and reinstate them in the apartment.
The look on Lillie's face was priceless. Once a Mama Kitty, always a Mama Kitty. When I opened the door to her pet carrier, Lillie immediately strutted around her flea-free home and nodded approvingly. Her children also emerged from their carriers and conveyed their appreciation to me.
The moral of this long-winded story: Cat Lady flees from fleas!
P.S. If you live in Houston, one of the flea capitals of the world, I highly recommend Integrated Pest Management to get the job done.
When I returned to Houston, I was very upset to learn that we had a flea problem in the apartment. Cat Man had purchased every pet-friendly pesticide in sight, but nothing was working. Our always sweet 14-year-old cats were grumpy.
I frantically called Dr. O., always my hero, who helped me evacuate our four cats from the apartment. Other than Lillie, who has visited the Cat Doctor clinic for subcutaneous fluids, our cats had not left their home for eleven years (Dr. O. makes regular house calls). Cat Man calmly took the wheel of our getaway car, which quickly filled with the sound of nervous cats crying.
After the exterminating service further saved the day, I reconstructed the interior of the apartment so that Lillie, T.J., Perkins, and the very particular Miss Tommie would find their food and water bowls, litter boxes, and bedding in the same familiar places. Back to Dr. O.'s to retrieve our beloved cats and reinstate them in the apartment.
The look on Lillie's face was priceless. Once a Mama Kitty, always a Mama Kitty. When I opened the door to her pet carrier, Lillie immediately strutted around her flea-free home and nodded approvingly. Her children also emerged from their carriers and conveyed their appreciation to me.
The moral of this long-winded story: Cat Lady flees from fleas!
P.S. If you live in Houston, one of the flea capitals of the world, I highly recommend Integrated Pest Management to get the job done.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Father's Day
My lead-in to commemorating Father's Day may be unconventional, but here it goes.
In Sandra Tsing Loh's new memoir "The Madwoman in the Volvo: My Year of Raging Hormones," the author writes: "Your first husband is the provider; your second husband is the one who talks to you; my third husband will be a cat. If I am lucky."
Here's to my multifaceted Cat Man, who has provided a wonderful life to many a cat. The kids and I raise a glass to you on Father's Day. We are the lucky ones!
In Sandra Tsing Loh's new memoir "The Madwoman in the Volvo: My Year of Raging Hormones," the author writes: "Your first husband is the provider; your second husband is the one who talks to you; my third husband will be a cat. If I am lucky."
Here's to my multifaceted Cat Man, who has provided a wonderful life to many a cat. The kids and I raise a glass to you on Father's Day. We are the lucky ones!
Thursday, June 12, 2014
More Strait Talk
Like millions of women, I can't get George Strait out of my mind.
Like millions of Cat Ladies, I want total world domination for cats.
Picture me standing at the center of this stage, and you'll understand my new ambition: 1M "Likes" for CAT LADY CHIC!
Help me, Cat Ladies, I know you're listening. We can take over a stadium and make our voices heard! Meanwhile, please chime in via https://www.facebook.com/catladychic
Like millions of Cat Ladies, I want total world domination for cats.
Picture me standing at the center of this stage, and you'll understand my new ambition: 1M "Likes" for CAT LADY CHIC!
Help me, Cat Ladies, I know you're listening. We can take over a stadium and make our voices heard! Meanwhile, please chime in via https://www.facebook.com/catladychic
 |
| Strait talkin' at AT&T Stadium/photo Getty Images |
Saturday, June 7, 2014
First a Bobcat, Forever a Cowboy
I can't let today go by without acknowledging that my favorite country singer, George Strait, is about to conclude his record-breaking "Cowboy Rides Away" tour in Arlington, Texas, just hours from now.
And to think that King George began his career singing while still a bobcat at Texas State University. There always has to be a cat connection with everything I do . . . .
So George, after you sing "Amarillo By Morning" to your 100,000+ adoring and screaming fans at the AT&T Stadium, would you perhaps consider adding "Catland Tomorrow Night" to your playlist?
And to think that King George began his career singing while still a bobcat at Texas State University. There always has to be a cat connection with everything I do . . . .
So George, after you sing "Amarillo By Morning" to your 100,000+ adoring and screaming fans at the AT&T Stadium, would you perhaps consider adding "Catland Tomorrow Night" to your playlist?
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Case Study
I know this feeling all too well.
Lucius, especially, often pulled this trick on me. I would arrive home from PetSmart, nearly falling on my face from juggling multiple cases of his favorite Fancy Feast flavor: chopped grill.
Upon serving His Lordship, Lucius would look at me studiously. I was expecting a follow-up expression of gratitude, but instead I thought I heard him say, "Why did you buy this terrible food? I HATE this flavor."
Ah, memories. . . .
Lucius, especially, often pulled this trick on me. I would arrive home from PetSmart, nearly falling on my face from juggling multiple cases of his favorite Fancy Feast flavor: chopped grill.
Upon serving His Lordship, Lucius would look at me studiously. I was expecting a follow-up expression of gratitude, but instead I thought I heard him say, "Why did you buy this terrible food? I HATE this flavor."
Ah, memories. . . .
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