Oxbow's World

Well if ever there were a day to live by the saying “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” today is it!

So here I am today, catching a nice spring breeze and working out my ears in an effort to look like a bunny. Maybe next year I’ll be in one of those commercials in which various animals audition to be the Cadbury Easter bunny, and I won’t even have to wear cheesy props! Those Two always tell me I have rabbit-like feet, so I think that part is all set.

Well that’s it for today. Not another peep out of me.

… to me! Well, not exactly. Today is the day Those Two arbitrarily chose to celebrate my birthday. That’s because when they adopted me in 2012, my birth records were a little vague, and the best guess was that I was born in March 2011. Those Two decided on the 26th because 26 is our street address.

My, what a crazy seven years it’s been! Birthdays are always a time for reflection, and I know some humans don’t like to engage in it. I’m not sure what they’re afraid of. To me, each year is an opportunity to have some more fun, just like the previous year. Where they see the end of something, I see the beginning.

As the saying goes, when one drawer closes, another opens.

What? That’s not quite right? Oh well, close enough … you get the idea. A happy day to all of you, too!

I just love the fact that I have Those Two wrapped around my little paws. Take last night, for instance. Mama G returned from Stop & Shop empty-handed, at least from my perspective, after she had promised to get me more treats. My bag had been empty for a day, and I wasn’t happy about it. I let her know it, too, with plenty of pouty looks and my pathetic little kitten-like cry.

She had screwed up, and she knew it. But she didn’t really feel like going all the way back to Stop & Shop, so instead she went to the little mom-and-pop convenience store just a couple miles away.  It’s the kind of place where locals go in a pinch to get all their essentials, which as near as I can tell consist of cigarettes, beer, propane and lottery tickets. Anyway, their selection of cat treats is not great: in fact, they had only one kind. I know Mama G was probably worried I wouldn’t like them, because I can be pretty finicky, but instead I couldn’t wait to pounce on those treats! Delicious!

Mama G also got a treat for herself, so I’m not sure her motives were entirely altruistic, but still, it was nice of her.

 

Yeah, baby, it’s cold outside! But inside, it’s pretty nice and toasty!

I understand that March isn’t working out quite like humans in New England had hoped, what with all the nor’easters and snow and cold. But if it’s one thing I know about human nature, it’s that soon everyone will be complaining about how hot it is! I don’t really get it, because I’m an even-keeled, happy-go-lucky kind of guy, but humans sure do seem to love to complain.

So for those of you who are shivering and throwing on an extra blanket right now, I hope this photo gives you a little ray of hope. It really is all just a state of mind.

I was not myself yesterday. I felt very sad and out of sorts, and spent most of the day atop the comforter on the spare bed, which is not my usual resting spot. Yesterday Mama C went back to work after having been home for nearly three months following surgery. During that time, I grew even more attached to her than I already was. She was always by my side, 24/7, and I liked that. Her absence yesterday hurt.

I can’t believe I’ve grown so fond of humans. They’re a curious breed, but I’m glad they’ve been domesticated.

Keep it simple. Yes, it’s that simple. We can make our lives too complicated sometimes. Take that giant basket of toys sitting in the corner, the toys I rarely touch. Sure, Those Two meant well, but do I really need a fishing pole with a glittery fish attached?

I see the beauty and possibility in ordinary things, like that object I found on the bathroom floor this morning. It kept me entertained for hours!

I could wax poetic about the joys of simplicity, but you probably don’t want an earful.

 

It’s a good thing I’m not president, because I’d declare all U.S. airspace a no-fly zone. You see, I hate flies. They’re just dirty, pesky creatures that seem to serve no useful purpose whatsoever. So when I spotted one the other night in the bathroom, the hunt was on!

And isn’t it a bit early to be seeing flies? Do you think it’s a sign of an early spring?

Oh man, foiled again! And I was hoping for a tasty little snack.

You know, maybe I would make a good president. After all, my orange fur is full and natural and not some ridiculous combover, and I think my heart and head are in the right place. My first order of business would be to catch that annoying little Twitter bird.

Mama C used to bemoan the fact that I was not a “lap cat.” Oh sure, I’ve always liked to be near or next to Those Two, but not on them. My predecessor, Carrot, was apparently an extreme lap cat, much to the annoyance of Mama G, who likes her space. But Mama C was disappointed when I didn’t follow in his footsteps.

Last week Those Two returned from a trip — their second in as many weeks! — and I have to admit, I was feeling particularly clingy after being left alone twice. So when Mama C settled in to watch some TV, I climbed up onto her lap, uninvited. She was delighted! The next night I did the same thing, and again the next. Last night I overheard her tell Mama G that my new routine was starting to get a bit uncomfortable, because she felt like she couldn’t move for fear of disturbing me.

As the saying goes, “Be careful what you wish for!”

If the organizers of the next Olympic Games are looking for a new event, I have an idea: pairs figure sleeping. The idea was inspired by this photo that Mama G snapped last night of me and Mama C teetering on the edge of consciousness after watching the women’s downhill.  We’re blaming Bode Miller.

Now we’re talking about a sport in which humans hurtle themselves down icy mountains at 70 miles an hour or more while wearing little clothing and a pair of sticks attached to their feet, so it’s hard to imagine that anyone could make it boring. But Bode’s incessant monotone commentary worked like a cocktail and an Ambien on us.

We’re hoping to do better during tonight’s alpine combined event. Maybe we’ll try watching with the sound off.

 

 

The Human says …

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Oxbow says …

At its core, this is a silly expression. Everyone knows humans are supposed to consume four to five servings of fruit a day.