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!

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

Strait talkin' at AT&T Stadium/photo Getty Images

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?

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. . . .

Special

I needed to get some special-formula flea medication for the kids, and so off I went this morning to a nearby veterinary hospital that dispenses the greasy stuff.

It was easy to spot the hospital from a block away. A billboard-type sign, just like the kind you see outside a restaurant, advertised the daily special.

The sign read: NEUTER SPECIAL. Short, but not so sweet.

I can't speak completely for my male cats, but by the similar look on their faces after they had been neutered (now ages ago), I would venture to say that "special" was not at the forefront of their minds.

What is the "going rate" for neutering these days?  How much should a Cat Lady pay for a "neuter special"?

The Other Hat

I am delighted today to be wearing my other hat (the one without cat ears) and making a guest appearance on the Yale ARTbooks blog.

There is a "crazy" theme that runs throughout my post, but it certainly does not apply to Cat Ladies (never!).

My thanks go to my colleagues at Yale University Press for inviting me to blog in their space. You can check out my post here: http://artbooks.yupnet.org/2014/05/28/museum-quality-books-the-shadow-behind-the-scenes-in-the-crazy-business-of-museum-publishing/#comments

Here Comes the Bride

No, not that one. You know who. The bride who had a small, intimate affair today at Versailles or some such palace.

I am feeling nostalgic tonight about the kind of private family wedding where the woman to be married wore a tasteful bridal gown. And, if she was a Cat Lady, the bride not only wore white but also posed for her formal wedding portrait with her beloved cat by her side.

I was not a Cat Lady on the day I was married. But if Cat Man and I ever renew our vows, we'll need to find a venue with a sufficiently wide aisle to accommodate the procession of many furry ringbearers.