On The Fly

First of all, we want to thank you all for your warm, heartfelt wishes and kind words of encouragement about the loss of our dearest member of the family, Junior. I realize with all that’s happening in the world, the war in Israel, and Ukraine, the ridiculous amount of school shootings and gun violence, and in general, the Bad News you hear about every night on the television, the passing of a cat may seem quiet trivial in perspective.  However, I’m afraid our TV generation of violence and killings has calloused our emotional system, and somehow, we’ve become the automatons we fear in the AI sector of our world. Allow me to remind you of something: when you lose a family member, that shield disappears completely, and if you are human at all, you can’t help but break down suddenly at any given moment into a blubbering mass with tears and uncontrolled sobbing. Thank God for our pets, family, and friends and for building into the human spirit that emotional thermostat. In a recent ...

This morning, there is something missing from my life. There's an empty space on the back of our sofa where my companion Tony Junior (Jr.) usually sleeps or watches the world go by through the window, perched on his soft, red, fuzzy blanket. There, he waits for me to join him in a nap so he can climb onto my chest, settle in, and purr as I gently scratch his chin and behind his left ear. You see, last night, October 10, 2023, Jr. quietly passed at about 11:30 p.m. Needless to say, I’m heartbroken. As I write this, tears are streaming down my cheeks. You see, Jr. was my special friend like no other. He never complained; he was always there to greet me every morning, at night, returning from a mountain trip, or just from a daily walk around the neighborhood. Junior, our indoor cat, had a routine of following me around the house. He never wanted to venture outside - he considered our home “his castle.” I could set my watch to his predictable daily routines. And he knew mine. See What ...

In this episode - Juniors' Jungle Gym . . . Does a cat own you? Then I'm sure you know what it's like to be a Jungle Gym. You Don't? Well, allow me to explain. It begins early each morning (usually 4:30 a.m.) Whomp, you hear the cat, Junior, jump onto the bed. He climbs onto your chest and sticks his nose directly to mine. A friendly face greets me with two large, bright, golden-greenish eyes, white whiskers, and what appears to be a smiling face. Meow, translation - ”Time to get up.” "Good morning Junior. (Jr.) Ok, ok, I'm getting up.” Stretching, you make your way to the bathroom, have a seat, then Whomp , Jr. leaps from the floor to your shoulders and starts his motor purring in your ear. "What's up, Jr.? Where's Missy.” Both Junior and his sister Missy spend their days lounging around the house, mainly sleeping.  They are decidedly indoor cats. Over the years, we've lost too many cats to varmints that populate the open space behind our hou...

In this episode - Christmas-Eve Day . . . When was the last time your neighbors surprised you? Ours did this past weekend. One young family who passes by our home every day around 5:00 p.m. came to our door, dressed in red, (the little guy peeked in our window) holding a tray of Christmas treats. “You did get Snoopy up for the Holidays, we love Snoopy, thank you.” “Merry Christmas,” he said while extending his platter wrapped in foil. This reminded me of a Holiday poem we recorded to share with our family. We want to share it with you - enjoy. Christmas-Eve Day . . . “Twas the day before Christmas," and all through our house, The kitties were stirring, in search of their mouse. With Missy on guard, and Junior prowling ‘round. We were watching TV, not making a sound.   The stockings were hung on the mantel with care, In hopes that Junior would not go on a tear. Filled with ornaments and lights, to brighten the season, Our house was all warmed . . . 'gainst the chill was the rea...

“Twas Christmas-Eve day," and all through our house, The kitties were stirring, in search of a mouse. With Missy on guard, and Junior prowling ‘round. We were watching TV, not making a sound.   The stockings were hung on the mantel with care, In hopes that Junior would not go on a tear. Filled with ornaments and lights, to brighten the season, The house was all warmed . . . 'gainst the cold was the reason. Mother was nestled all snug her chair, While the TV was blaring with holiday fares. Me in my sweater, with Junior in lap, Had just settled in for an afternoon nap. Sunlight caressed the freshly mown lawn, Gave warmth to the day, as dog-walkers trudged on. Then the doorbell rang, there arose such a clatter, Junior sprang from my lap to see what was the matter. Away to the window, he flew like a flash, Tore open my leg, while Missy chewed on the sash. When what to my drowsy eyes should appear, But gift-bearing neighbors, w...

“Para bailar La Bamba -  Para bailar La Bamba . . .” Podcast - What the Cat Heard . . .  If you’re reading this post you may recognize the lyrics to the adaptation of the Mexican folk song, La Bamba , released October 18, 1958, by Richie Valens. I’m certain, listening to this tune played on the guitar you would quickly find yourself tapping your toe to the beat. And doing your best to sing along. Me, I’m still wondering what the cat heard? Cat lovers out there maybe you can provide some insight.   While playing the introduction to La Bamba, my cat (Junior), jumps to my shoulders, needles a little, settles in, and meows in my ear. I suppose if he could talk he would say: “Dude, how many times do you have to repeat the same segment to get it right?” No doubt, his comments might be a lot more entertaining than listening to me attempt this catchy tune on my guitar. Allow met to set the stage. Every morning I strap on my guitar, check the tuning, and begin to practice. For fl...

“Twas the day before Christmas," and all through our house, Everyone was stirring, including the mouse. The stockings were hung on the mantle with care, In hopes that Junior would not go on a tear. Filled with ornaments and lights, to brighten the season, Our house was all warmed . . . 'gainst the cold was the reason. The family was nestled all snug in their chairs, While the TV was blaring with holiday fares. Me in my sweater, with Junior in my lap, Had just settled in for an afternoon nap. Then the doorbell rang, there arose such a clatter, Junior jumped from my lap to see what was the matter.  Away to the window he flew like a flash, Tore open my leg, while Missy chewed on the sash. The sun on the edge of the newly mowed lawn, Gave warmth to the day as dog-walkers trudged on. When what to my wandering eyes should appear, But gift bearing neighbors, with sweet Christmas cheer. The mother was jolly, so  lively  and quick, I knew in a inst...

Juniors' Buddy Nightly, when I get home from work, I’m greeted at the door by a friendly face with two large, bright, golden-greenish eyes, white whiskers, and what appears to be a smiling face. It’s my buddy, Tony Junior (Jr.), our Tabby. Early evening is when Junior with long, lanky  stretches  - wakes up from his daily snooze. Both Junior and his sister Missy spend their days, lounging around the house, sleeping. They are decidedly indoor cats. Over the years, we’ve lost too many cats to varmints that roam the open space behind our house. Jr. and Missy were four months old when we adopted them from the shelter. Thank goodness they are content to roam the house and sit in the window sills to watch the world pass by. Don’t be fooled, now, four years old, as much as I would like to think I’m Jr’s buddy, he is persnickety. With a rather demanding - meow, he runs to his chair, (my recliner) in the TV room, leaps to the back, turns to look at me as if to say, "A b...