Okay, I’ll admit it has been a long time since I’ve written about my “Life With Them”.

I don’t know why it’s been so long because life with them is never dull, but always an adventure. They provide lots of material.

Being a Certified Personality Trainer, I recognized the two colliding personalities in our cats right away. Abby Cat is a Peaceful Phlegmatic and Tomboy is a Playful Sanguine. Abby Cat wants peace and solitude at all times; Tomboy wants to play and romp at all times. The Peaceful Personality will try its best to stay peaceful, but if pushed, that Personality can make you sorry you ever dared disturb it.

On the other hand, Tomboy, the Playful Sanguine, was raised outdoors as a stray, and came to us very street-wise. You simply cannot hurt his feelings. You must outrun him if you want peace. Of course, you can’t hide from a cat with their second-only-to-a-dog ability to smell things. He knows where Abby Cat is hiding. I could say “He nose where Abby Cat is hiding”, couldn’t I?

Today I’ll focus on an important part of “Life With Them”…..their litter boxes. Yes, we have two and are often asked if each cat has its own box. No. Often Tomboy will prepare one box……dig, dig, dig, dig, rearrange the litter, stack it up just right….then step over to the other box to leave his deposit. Strange.

I’ve had a lot of experience with cats through the years but all by himself, Tomboy has done things with the litter boxes I’ve never seen before. For instance…….

 And then…this morning Abby Cat demonstrated that she is not to be outdone when it comes to originality with a litter box.

I like this quote by George F. Will________”The phrase ‘domestic cat’ is an oxymoron.”

Our Tiny Kitchen Tree

It is NEVER too soon to decorate for Christmas. Never!

Considering the sacred and divine reason for the Celebration of Christmas, it is relevant year round. The message of the coming to earth of the Second Person of The Holy Trinity, our Lord Jesus Christ, taking on human form,  is so profound and far-reaching, it cannot be repeated too often. You may remind me any time, any place, and frequently….please.

I love everything about Christmas, even fruitcake (but only from a special store in Corsicana, Texas). I love the music, the colors, the lights, the fragrances, the family get-togethers, the food, the little Snowmen figurines, church specials, cookies too pretty to eat, wrapping paper, tinsel, glitter, cats knocking over the tree, Christmas cards, selecting the perfect Christmas stamp, ugly Christmas sweaters, wreaths at the windows and doors, jingle bells, silly gift exchanges, (stop me….I could go on and on.)

And the graphics. Oh yes, the graphics of Christmas. I realize my noticing graphics comes from the fact that I’m an artist, but, oh my….have you ever wondered what our Christmases today would be like if it were not for graphic designers and artists the world over? They design decorations, wrapping paper, cards, toys, figurines, special chinaware, table decor, wreaths, candles, again….I could go on and on. I appreciate and thank the graphic designer/artists of the world.

Another reason I love Christmas is my birthday, which is very close to Christmas….very. I must have been about 8 years old before I realized the lovely decorations, special foods, guests, gifts and sweet attitudes were NOT because it was my birthday.

Don’t get me wrong, I love and celebrate Thanksgiving, too; turkey, dressing, family, pie, cranberry sauce, spiced peaches, and football games. But I can take in a lot of celebrating…all right on top of each other. It is all welcome in our house.

“We Need A Little Christmas!”

“Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.”

____ From the musical “Mame” by Jerry Herman

I think I’ll turn on some Christmas music.