I am sitting on the floor in the kitchen, leaning up against the cabinet, drinking my coffee. Trygg is eating breakfast. This is what led up to this new arrangement.
I wake up this morning, reasonably early. No Trygg. I go out to the kitchen to pour my coffee. I see Trygg sitting in the parlour in his bathrobe, sulking. He's sitting in my spot.
I go into the kitchen. The coffee pot hasn't been plugged in. I plug it in. I can see that Trygg hasn't had breakfast yet. He's scrupulous about putting his dishes in the sink when he's finished and there are no dishes in the sink. Also he's scrupulous about plugging in the coffee. I don't say anything. I think I know what this is all about.
Last night, I sat in Trygg's chair. Trygg's chair is an overstuffed armchair in the parlour. It used to be my chair. But that was before Trygg came along. I switched to the sofa. Also before Trygg came along.
After Trygg moved in, he started to feel his way around. At one point he started taking his evening nap on the chair before going to bed. Then he started sitting on the back of the chair during the afternoons. Lately, he hasn't been using the chair at all.
I thought nothing of sitting in this comfortable, stuffed, armchair early yesterday evening. After I did, Trygg jumped up onto the back of the chair. I thought he was being friendly. So, I turned to start to pet him. He made a gesture as if he were about to nip me. I scolded him. "No biting." He swiped at me with his paw. Well, I said to myself, if that's the way you want to be, fine. I went to sit on the sofa.
Trygg got up and went to the door. I figured he wanted to make a statement. I was tempted not to let him out. But I decided to be the better person. I opened the door and let him out. Later, when he returned, everything sort of blew over.
This morning, I thought he was miffed about last night. He sometimes accuses me of over reacting. I sometimes accuse him of letting things fester. But it never gets out of hand. I mean, we're guys. When we have a little tiff, we just man up and move on. But this had nothing to do with the incident on the chair.
After I pour my coffee I sit down at the table to have my coffee. Trygg looks up.
"That's right. Sit at the table. It always has to be your way, doesn't it?"
I get up, go into the parlour, and sit next to Trygg on the sofa and look right at him.
"Okay, Trygg. What's bothering you?"
"Don't I always plug in the coffee pot every morning so you can have your coffee when you get up?"
"Yes. And I always thank you. And sometimes I return the favour by doing your dinner plates, and helping you make your bed, even though those are some of your chores. You do get an allowance."
"It's not about the money."
"What's it about?"
"When it's time for dinner, don't I always join you?"
"Yes, you do. And we're happy for the company."
"And when you have dinner, don't you always have dinner at the table?"
"Yes. No eating in the parlour. Except on special occasions."
I pause. I am beginning to see what this is all about.
"Go on," I say.
"Did you ever think that some mornings it would be nice if your joined me for breakfast on the floor?"
Now I see what has Trygg in his sulky mood.
"All right, let's go."
Trygg looks up and gives me a big smile. He takes off his bathrobe--
"First let me hang this up."
"That's okay. I'll hang it up when I go in to shave."
"Thank you."
I get up and go into the kitchen bringing my coffee with me. Trygg walks along next to me. He's looking up at me, beaming. I keep forgetting that, even though he doesn't say it, he does look up to me.
In the kitchen, I open up Trygg's breakfast, put it on his plate, and put his plate on the floor. I sit down next to him to have my coffee as he eats breakfast.
When we're through he says, "I'll get the dishes."
"That's okay. I'll do them later. You can lick yourself and go out to meet your friends."
"Thank you. And thanks for having breakfast with me on the floor."
"Actually, I enjoyed it."
After letting Trygg out, I pour another coffee and go into the parlour to watch the news.
Even the cat winks =^.~=
Sincerest regards,
Slim
Male slimfairview@yahoo.com
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
Showing posts with label a cat in your life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a cat in your life. Show all posts
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Trygg's New Adage
Trygg taped this to the refrigerator late last night. I don't know if it's his new adage or a bit of satire:
"I really do know what I know. How do I know what I know? That I don't know. But I never claimed that I did." Trygg
I had scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. Trygg wasn't talking. Did you ever try to remove the sheets from a bed without waking the cat still sleeping on the bed?
In the community where we live, we have laundry service. I decide to strip the bed for housekeeping. (They used to make the bed, I asked them to just drop off the sheets so I can do it. It may seem to work out better for Trygg than for me, but it works out well for me in the long run.)
Trygg went back to sleep. I decided to wait for later to make the bed. I left. Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
http://eventhecatwinks.blogspot.com/
"I really do know what I know. How do I know what I know? That I don't know. But I never claimed that I did." Trygg
I had scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. Trygg wasn't talking. Did you ever try to remove the sheets from a bed without waking the cat still sleeping on the bed?
In the community where we live, we have laundry service. I decide to strip the bed for housekeeping. (They used to make the bed, I asked them to just drop off the sheets so I can do it. It may seem to work out better for Trygg than for me, but it works out well for me in the long run.)
Trygg went back to sleep. I decided to wait for later to make the bed. I left. Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
http://eventhecatwinks.blogspot.com/
Monday, April 11, 2011
Trygg's Secret Social Life
Yesterday was a quiet Sunday. (Once my wife and I reconciled ourselves to Trygg's schedule.)
I don't have a problem with Trygg getting up early. Okay, very early. My wife, however, is seldom amused.
None-the-less, as a gracious turn, my wife put on the coffee and let me go back to sleep for another hour. I went for the papers, Trygg made his own breakfast, and all was quiet.
Outside, Pood and Friend were lying alternately on the picnic table or in the grass. Buddy's two spent the day. The boy in the grass, the little one under the bush. Cali came by for breakfast, but left early.
Now, the Penguin was by very early. Or very late. It all depends on how you define 3:30. I still don't know if Trygg considers that 3:30 am or 3:30 pm. He would, however, have to wait. Trygg wasn't about, and I am not running a diner. I told Trygg to pass the word on to his friends.
Now, it is usually considered rude to abandon your guests, but as the patio looked like a Frat-house the morning after, everyone sleeping about, I guess Trygg disappearing wasn't the worst thing. He ate about 1:30 then left. (In the afternoon.) The problem was, he didn't come back for supper. Or later that evening. And my wife was very upset.
We decided to go to bed about 10 but my wife decided to stay up another half an hour. When my wife came to bed, still no Trygg.
I didn't say anything to my wife, but I saw that when Trygg left, he didn't take his wallet or his cell phone. Now, I know if he wants to call me, he can always borrow someone's phone, but what if everyone decided to chip in for something? In addition to his allowance, I usually make sure that he has a few extra dollars for emergencies.
Trygg didn't come home til about 6 this morning. My wife was happy to see him. He knew I was miffed. Neither of us discussed the matter.
I don't know what I'm going home to, but I do expect an explanation. We're having sausage and mash with peas. If he has any sense, he'll come clean.
The only thing my wife said was that he must have slept somewhere because usually when he's gone a long time, the first thing he does is jump onto the bed and go to sleep. This morning he ate and went back out.
There will be a discussion.
Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
slimfairview@yahoo.com
I don't have a problem with Trygg getting up early. Okay, very early. My wife, however, is seldom amused.
None-the-less, as a gracious turn, my wife put on the coffee and let me go back to sleep for another hour. I went for the papers, Trygg made his own breakfast, and all was quiet.
Outside, Pood and Friend were lying alternately on the picnic table or in the grass. Buddy's two spent the day. The boy in the grass, the little one under the bush. Cali came by for breakfast, but left early.
Now, the Penguin was by very early. Or very late. It all depends on how you define 3:30. I still don't know if Trygg considers that 3:30 am or 3:30 pm. He would, however, have to wait. Trygg wasn't about, and I am not running a diner. I told Trygg to pass the word on to his friends.
Now, it is usually considered rude to abandon your guests, but as the patio looked like a Frat-house the morning after, everyone sleeping about, I guess Trygg disappearing wasn't the worst thing. He ate about 1:30 then left. (In the afternoon.) The problem was, he didn't come back for supper. Or later that evening. And my wife was very upset.
We decided to go to bed about 10 but my wife decided to stay up another half an hour. When my wife came to bed, still no Trygg.
I didn't say anything to my wife, but I saw that when Trygg left, he didn't take his wallet or his cell phone. Now, I know if he wants to call me, he can always borrow someone's phone, but what if everyone decided to chip in for something? In addition to his allowance, I usually make sure that he has a few extra dollars for emergencies.
Trygg didn't come home til about 6 this morning. My wife was happy to see him. He knew I was miffed. Neither of us discussed the matter.
I don't know what I'm going home to, but I do expect an explanation. We're having sausage and mash with peas. If he has any sense, he'll come clean.
The only thing my wife said was that he must have slept somewhere because usually when he's gone a long time, the first thing he does is jump onto the bed and go to sleep. This morning he ate and went back out.
There will be a discussion.
Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
slimfairview@yahoo.com
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Trygg Likes Miranda. How do I know?
Miranda has a cat. How do I know this? I am watching Sex and the City. Why? This is what happened.
I'm channel surfing. It is my night for the remote. Trygg walks by. He sees me pass Sex and the City. He asks me for the remote. We both know it's my night for the remote. However, he let me have one of his nights last week so I can hardly say, no. I give him the remote.
He clicks back to Sex and the City. He thought it was Sex and the Kitty. Still, that is not what really caught his attention. What really caught his attention was the fact that Miranda has a cat lying in her bed. Trygg is very big on the issue of cats in the media. Specially on television.
As Trygg put it:
"Did you ever see a sofa in a movie theatre?"
"No."
"That's why you never see cats in movie theatres."
We watch Sex and the City. Carrie walks her boyfriend's dog. Trygg gives me back the remote. I start to set up the coffee for the morning. Trygg sees me starting to turn out the lights and knows that bedtime is scant seconds away. He sits by the door to go out. Very nonchalant. He doesn't really expect this trick to work. It doesn't. Off we go, to bed. And to sleep. Me, straight away. Trygg, goes to lie on the back of the sofa. I don't really know what time he went to bed.
This morning, Trygg sees me watching football. Wolverhampton v. Everton. Trygg is still feeling guilty about what happened two weeks ago. I'm a Wolverhampton supporter. Trygg is an Arsenal supporter. My team is in the bottom three. Trygg's team is in the top three.
Bragging rights are one thing. Trygg was a bit mean spirited about it. What bothers him the most is that I decided to just man up and take it. That made Trygg feel worse. Then I felt guilty because I knew that it would. Detente.
This morning he comes in and sits beside me on the sofa. The Wolves--0, lose to Everton--3.
Trygg is rooting for the Wolves. I don't say a word. He looks up at me, and pokes me.
"What?"
"I'm rooting for the Wolves."
"Why?"
"The Wolves are in gold.
"And?"
"Well, after all, I am a "golden" Tabby." (Officially, he's an orange Tabby. Still, his words, not mine. And I do appreciate the sentiment.)
My Wolves lose. Trygg is sympathetic. I get up to get dressed to leave. By the time I leave Trygg is already gone. Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
I'm channel surfing. It is my night for the remote. Trygg walks by. He sees me pass Sex and the City. He asks me for the remote. We both know it's my night for the remote. However, he let me have one of his nights last week so I can hardly say, no. I give him the remote.
He clicks back to Sex and the City. He thought it was Sex and the Kitty. Still, that is not what really caught his attention. What really caught his attention was the fact that Miranda has a cat lying in her bed. Trygg is very big on the issue of cats in the media. Specially on television.
As Trygg put it:
"Did you ever see a sofa in a movie theatre?"
"No."
"That's why you never see cats in movie theatres."
We watch Sex and the City. Carrie walks her boyfriend's dog. Trygg gives me back the remote. I start to set up the coffee for the morning. Trygg sees me starting to turn out the lights and knows that bedtime is scant seconds away. He sits by the door to go out. Very nonchalant. He doesn't really expect this trick to work. It doesn't. Off we go, to bed. And to sleep. Me, straight away. Trygg, goes to lie on the back of the sofa. I don't really know what time he went to bed.
This morning, Trygg sees me watching football. Wolverhampton v. Everton. Trygg is still feeling guilty about what happened two weeks ago. I'm a Wolverhampton supporter. Trygg is an Arsenal supporter. My team is in the bottom three. Trygg's team is in the top three.
Bragging rights are one thing. Trygg was a bit mean spirited about it. What bothers him the most is that I decided to just man up and take it. That made Trygg feel worse. Then I felt guilty because I knew that it would. Detente.
This morning he comes in and sits beside me on the sofa. The Wolves--0, lose to Everton--3.
Trygg is rooting for the Wolves. I don't say a word. He looks up at me, and pokes me.
"What?"
"I'm rooting for the Wolves."
"Why?"
"The Wolves are in gold.
"And?"
"Well, after all, I am a "golden" Tabby." (Officially, he's an orange Tabby. Still, his words, not mine. And I do appreciate the sentiment.)
My Wolves lose. Trygg is sympathetic. I get up to get dressed to leave. By the time I leave Trygg is already gone. Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
Monday, April 4, 2011
Trygg Signs Up For His G.E.D.
I'm sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper. Trygg hops up on the far end. I can see he has a notebook and two pencils. One is tucked behind his ear. They are both sharp. I assume he is going to do the crossword puzzle. (We still have this thing about whether to do it in pen or pencil.)
I can also see a copy of Cat Fancy magazine tucked into his notebook. I gave him the subscription because I assumed he'd like it. At first there was a problem.
"Why would I want that? I am not a fancy cat."
"It's Cat Fancy not Fancy Cat. It's basically a magazine for..." I pause. Trygg gives me that knowing look. It's a magazine for people who fancy (like) cats.
"Okay, I'll try it. Thanks."
It turns out he likes it. It's also a marketing tool. He circles articles and leaves the magazine around where I can see them.
Today, however, Trygg is neither reading the magazine nor doing the crossword. He is looking furtive, if not guilty.
"Doing anything special?"
"No. No, no. Just flipping through a few things."
I don't say anything. Then he asks,
"What's our zip code?"
"Why?"
"No reason."
"Trygg?"
"All right. I'm just filling out a form."
"What for?"
Trygg looks away. I realise then that it's not guilt. It's embarrassment. I slide over next to him.
"What is it, Trygg? You know you can tell me anything. And you usually do."
"Well, when I first moved in, there was something I didn't tell you about me."
"What?"
"I never got my High School Diploma." He looks down. "So, I'm signing up for my G.E.D. I just didn't want you to know, that's all. I figured I'd tell you about it when I got it. If I get it."
"Trygg. That's nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, I'm really quite proud of you. Not only are you going for your G.E.D. but you took the initiative to get the information. I really am proud of you, Trygg."
Trygg looked up at me and smiled.
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Will you help me?"
"Help?"
"Yes. You know. You told me you started out in life as an English majored. Then you switched to Finance. I figured maybe you could help me with the English and the Math part."
"All right. But I won't do your work for you. You have to do your own work."
"Okay. And you'll help me with the History part too, right? I mean after all--"
"After all, what?"
"Well, I mean, when you were at school you had current events, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Then you can help me with the History part too."
"Okay, I'll help with the History part too."
Trygg smiled. We filled out the application, I got an envelope and stamps and we walked to the Post Office together. After, I bought two ice-cream sodas sodas and we sat in one of the back booths for a little bonding time.
I am so proud of Trygg.
Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
I can also see a copy of Cat Fancy magazine tucked into his notebook. I gave him the subscription because I assumed he'd like it. At first there was a problem.
"Why would I want that? I am not a fancy cat."
"It's Cat Fancy not Fancy Cat. It's basically a magazine for..." I pause. Trygg gives me that knowing look. It's a magazine for people who fancy (like) cats.
"Okay, I'll try it. Thanks."
It turns out he likes it. It's also a marketing tool. He circles articles and leaves the magazine around where I can see them.
Today, however, Trygg is neither reading the magazine nor doing the crossword. He is looking furtive, if not guilty.
"Doing anything special?"
"No. No, no. Just flipping through a few things."
I don't say anything. Then he asks,
"What's our zip code?"
"Why?"
"No reason."
"Trygg?"
"All right. I'm just filling out a form."
"What for?"
Trygg looks away. I realise then that it's not guilt. It's embarrassment. I slide over next to him.
"What is it, Trygg? You know you can tell me anything. And you usually do."
"Well, when I first moved in, there was something I didn't tell you about me."
"What?"
"I never got my High School Diploma." He looks down. "So, I'm signing up for my G.E.D. I just didn't want you to know, that's all. I figured I'd tell you about it when I got it. If I get it."
"Trygg. That's nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, I'm really quite proud of you. Not only are you going for your G.E.D. but you took the initiative to get the information. I really am proud of you, Trygg."
Trygg looked up at me and smiled.
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Will you help me?"
"Help?"
"Yes. You know. You told me you started out in life as an English majored. Then you switched to Finance. I figured maybe you could help me with the English and the Math part."
"All right. But I won't do your work for you. You have to do your own work."
"Okay. And you'll help me with the History part too, right? I mean after all--"
"After all, what?"
"Well, I mean, when you were at school you had current events, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Then you can help me with the History part too."
"Okay, I'll help with the History part too."
Trygg smiled. We filled out the application, I got an envelope and stamps and we walked to the Post Office together. After, I bought two ice-cream sodas sodas and we sat in one of the back booths for a little bonding time.
I am so proud of Trygg.
Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
Friday, April 1, 2011
In the Bean Bag
Trygg can be predictable. He is not wearing his glasses. I still owe him a lunch, and he still drops pencils in my lap every time I do the crossword puzzle.
On the upside, he does make his bed without asking and agreed not to use my email address.
Then comes this morning.
I'm up early to put on the coffee and I see him skulking out of the house. He has a bag full of sandwiches and he's carrying a thermos. I figured out the part about the sandwiches from the empty tuna cans in the recycle bin. However, I was a bit concerned about the thermos. Then I saw the coffee filtre with the grounds in the trash. (All I had to do was to follow the bits of coffee grounds along the floor.) Then I realised, Trygg doesn't have thermos. Mine is still in the cupboard, so I check the recycle bin again. There, under the back issues of cat magazines and crossword puzzle books (done in pencil) is an empty box from L. L. Bean.
I don't say a word about the thermos when Trygg gets back later.
"Have a nice day?"
"It was okay."
"Do anything special?"
"No."
Trygg settles down next to the sofa to freshen up. (I wish he'd do that in the bathroom, but as he says, "I'm a cat.")
"It's Friday. We're having fish for dinner. "
Trygg is quiet. Then...
"I went fishing, okay?"
"Did I say anything?"
"No. And that's how I know you know I'm guilty. Whenever you don't say anything it's because I'm guilty of something."
"What are you guilty of doing. Or not doing?"
"I wanted to surprise you, so I went fishing. I thought I'd catch tonight's supper."
"You already told me that."
"And I bought a thermos. Oh, yeah, and I made tuna sandwiches for my friends."
"No a problem. I like your friends."
"You knew about the thermos."
"Just bring it in and wash it out."
Trygg gets the thermos, washes it out, and puts it in the drain board.
"Aren't you going to start cooking?"
"I made gravlax."
"Can you make some gravlaxsås?"
"Okay."
Trygg goes to wash up. It's my turn to set the table. Even the cat winks. =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
slimfairview@yahoo.com
On the upside, he does make his bed without asking and agreed not to use my email address.
Then comes this morning.
I'm up early to put on the coffee and I see him skulking out of the house. He has a bag full of sandwiches and he's carrying a thermos. I figured out the part about the sandwiches from the empty tuna cans in the recycle bin. However, I was a bit concerned about the thermos. Then I saw the coffee filtre with the grounds in the trash. (All I had to do was to follow the bits of coffee grounds along the floor.) Then I realised, Trygg doesn't have thermos. Mine is still in the cupboard, so I check the recycle bin again. There, under the back issues of cat magazines and crossword puzzle books (done in pencil) is an empty box from L. L. Bean.
I don't say a word about the thermos when Trygg gets back later.
"Have a nice day?"
"It was okay."
"Do anything special?"
"No."
Trygg settles down next to the sofa to freshen up. (I wish he'd do that in the bathroom, but as he says, "I'm a cat.")
"It's Friday. We're having fish for dinner. "
Trygg is quiet. Then...
"I went fishing, okay?"
"Did I say anything?"
"No. And that's how I know you know I'm guilty. Whenever you don't say anything it's because I'm guilty of something."
"What are you guilty of doing. Or not doing?"
"I wanted to surprise you, so I went fishing. I thought I'd catch tonight's supper."
"You already told me that."
"And I bought a thermos. Oh, yeah, and I made tuna sandwiches for my friends."
"No a problem. I like your friends."
"You knew about the thermos."
"Just bring it in and wash it out."
Trygg gets the thermos, washes it out, and puts it in the drain board.
"Aren't you going to start cooking?"
"I made gravlax."
"Can you make some gravlaxsås?"
"Okay."
Trygg goes to wash up. It's my turn to set the table. Even the cat winks. =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
slimfairview@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Trygg's Eye Exam
Trygg wanted me to schedule him for an eye-exam. I asked him why. He said he wanted to have his vision checked.
I said, "I never saw a cat wearing glasses."
He said, "Slim, let me let you in on a big secret. Cats are vain."
I don't take the bait.
That was a couple of weeks ago. I thought he was just looking for attention. Then I get an email reminding me of his appointment. Now I'm upset.
"I thought I told you I don't want you using my email account."
"That seemed to me to be the only way to get your attention."
"You're serious about this, aren't you?"
He nodded. (Now I feel really bad.)
"I still have to say, I've never seen a cat with glasses. What do they do, wear contacts?"
He looks away. Guilt!
Anyway, I take him to have his eyes checked. The doctor said, "Slim, Trygg's vision is fine." We leave.
The next day, he comes back from roaming around and he goes straight to his supper dish as usual. Then he skulks into the bedroom. I follow him.
"All right. What are you hiding?"
He's wearing a pair of those drug-store readers. They're kind of a half-lens perched down on his nose.
"Did you spend your allowance on glasses you don't need?"
"I needed glasses."
He walks out.
When I pass through the living room to start supper, I see Trygg sitting at the table reading. I know it's wrong, but I look over his shoulder. He's reading the pet column. He's looking over the top of his glasses. Then I get it. I wear glasses. He's trying to copy me. Just like that tie thing. Now I really feel bad.
I open up a can of tuna and ask him if he'd like a snack. He appreciates the gesture, takes his glasses off, looks up at me, and smiles. I give him the tuna.
"What is it, Trygg? Really."
"I just noticed that when you have your glasses on you looked more distinguished. Intelligent."
I give him a pat on the head and go back to fixing dinner. Then I get the subtle nuance of his comment.
I go into the bedroom and stand in front of the mirror. I look at myself in front of the mirror with my glasses on. I look at myself in front of the mirror with my glasses off. I think I looked better without my glasses.
I go back into the kitchen to continue making dinner. Trygg already put the paper away. He's setting the table. I just smile. Trygg starts folding the napkins. I go back to what I was doing. Even the cat winks. =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright © 2011 Slim Fairview
I said, "I never saw a cat wearing glasses."
He said, "Slim, let me let you in on a big secret. Cats are vain."
I don't take the bait.
That was a couple of weeks ago. I thought he was just looking for attention. Then I get an email reminding me of his appointment. Now I'm upset.
"I thought I told you I don't want you using my email account."
"That seemed to me to be the only way to get your attention."
"You're serious about this, aren't you?"
He nodded. (Now I feel really bad.)
"I still have to say, I've never seen a cat with glasses. What do they do, wear contacts?"
He looks away. Guilt!
Anyway, I take him to have his eyes checked. The doctor said, "Slim, Trygg's vision is fine." We leave.
The next day, he comes back from roaming around and he goes straight to his supper dish as usual. Then he skulks into the bedroom. I follow him.
"All right. What are you hiding?"
He's wearing a pair of those drug-store readers. They're kind of a half-lens perched down on his nose.
"Did you spend your allowance on glasses you don't need?"
"I needed glasses."
He walks out.
When I pass through the living room to start supper, I see Trygg sitting at the table reading. I know it's wrong, but I look over his shoulder. He's reading the pet column. He's looking over the top of his glasses. Then I get it. I wear glasses. He's trying to copy me. Just like that tie thing. Now I really feel bad.
I open up a can of tuna and ask him if he'd like a snack. He appreciates the gesture, takes his glasses off, looks up at me, and smiles. I give him the tuna.
"What is it, Trygg? Really."
"I just noticed that when you have your glasses on you looked more distinguished. Intelligent."
I give him a pat on the head and go back to fixing dinner. Then I get the subtle nuance of his comment.
I go into the bedroom and stand in front of the mirror. I look at myself in front of the mirror with my glasses on. I look at myself in front of the mirror with my glasses off. I think I looked better without my glasses.
I go back into the kitchen to continue making dinner. Trygg already put the paper away. He's setting the table. I just smile. Trygg starts folding the napkins. I go back to what I was doing. Even the cat winks. =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright © 2011 Slim Fairview
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Trygg Becomes a Consultant
There was a joke back in the 80s.
"What are you doing now?"
"I'm writing a screenplay."
"Everybody's writing a screenplay."
Trygg does not find that funny. He's decided to become a consultant. What upset him the most was not that I didn't take him seriously, but that I didn't understand the joke.
"You don't get it, do you? Everyone's becoming a consultant."
"Okay."
Trygg opens up his notebook and takes out the pen I'd given him as a gift. At first, I thought he just wanted to show his gratitude by using the pen to show me he likes it. He calls the notebook and pen his think pad and stylus.
"You've heard the expression, "It's like trying to herd cats?""
"Yes."
"Okay, here is the real problem. Say you decide you want to try to herd cats. So, you make a sackful of tuna sandwiches thinking that will attract the cats. Well, you're half right. What happens is this: One cat walks off looking for a jar of gherkins. Another cat goes rooting through the cupboard looking for the crisps. Another cat wants a napkin. Who wants whole wheat? Who wants it on a roll? Who's on a low-carb diet? You see? Now, instead of an organised herd of cats, you have chaos."
"A catastrophe."
Trygg doesn't smile. "May I?"
"This is like the story about who's going to hang the bell around the cat's neck. Simple solutions may work better than complex solutions; but simplistic solutions routinely don't work. That is why you need a consultant."
"To explain what?"
"Cats."
"I have you for that."
"True. However, there are many people who share space with cats yet have no idea what we're like. Hence, they have problems."
"Unintended consequences?"
"There is no such thing as unintended consequences. Only unwanted consequences."
"Which is why you've decided to become a consultant."
"Exactly. Case in point: Isn't it almost time for lunch?"
"I'm making tuna. Care to join me?"
"Hold the mayo."
Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
"What are you doing now?"
"I'm writing a screenplay."
"Everybody's writing a screenplay."
Trygg does not find that funny. He's decided to become a consultant. What upset him the most was not that I didn't take him seriously, but that I didn't understand the joke.
"You don't get it, do you? Everyone's becoming a consultant."
"Okay."
Trygg opens up his notebook and takes out the pen I'd given him as a gift. At first, I thought he just wanted to show his gratitude by using the pen to show me he likes it. He calls the notebook and pen his think pad and stylus.
"You've heard the expression, "It's like trying to herd cats?""
"Yes."
"Okay, here is the real problem. Say you decide you want to try to herd cats. So, you make a sackful of tuna sandwiches thinking that will attract the cats. Well, you're half right. What happens is this: One cat walks off looking for a jar of gherkins. Another cat goes rooting through the cupboard looking for the crisps. Another cat wants a napkin. Who wants whole wheat? Who wants it on a roll? Who's on a low-carb diet? You see? Now, instead of an organised herd of cats, you have chaos."
"A catastrophe."
Trygg doesn't smile. "May I?"
"This is like the story about who's going to hang the bell around the cat's neck. Simple solutions may work better than complex solutions; but simplistic solutions routinely don't work. That is why you need a consultant."
"To explain what?"
"Cats."
"I have you for that."
"True. However, there are many people who share space with cats yet have no idea what we're like. Hence, they have problems."
"Unintended consequences?"
"There is no such thing as unintended consequences. Only unwanted consequences."
"Which is why you've decided to become a consultant."
"Exactly. Case in point: Isn't it almost time for lunch?"
"I'm making tuna. Care to join me?"
"Hold the mayo."
Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
Monday, March 28, 2011
Cats are not Hypochondriacs
Trygg isn't getting aggressive, he's just been a bit cranky lately. I think he has a cold. He sneezed a few times. That, and he keeps walking around in his robe and slippers with a thermometer in his mouth.
(Drama Queen)
I don't say anything. He doesn't like being ignored. He says to me, "It's not about how much life in your cat, it's about how much cat in your life."
Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
(Drama Queen)
I don't say anything. He doesn't like being ignored. He says to me, "It's not about how much life in your cat, it's about how much cat in your life."
Even the cat winks =^.~=
Regards,
Slim
Copyright (c) 2011 Slim Fairview
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