Bob's Corner
Frankly (or Robertly as the case may be) I was not going to write about our newest kitty cat because I wasn’t feeling too jovial. As a former managing editor I knew used to say, when you’d ask how it was going: “I’m swamped and bleeding from the ears.” OK, so I like to exaggerate.
Let’s just say that sometimes the amount of work here seems overwhelming, especially dealing with these doggone electronical PCs. (Electronical is a word I just invented.) qwwwwww For your information, that last bit of the alphabet is from our new cat, Jelly, who stepped on my keyboard, and who’s also hanging off the side of my monitor trying to rip off my stuffed mascot dinosaur. Jelly is at the office this day, climbing all over the chairs, desks; and my legs, neck and back, because neither Jan nor I were going to be home.
We didn’t want to leave him home alone with our four big cats. Not yet. One of them, whom I won’t name, but whose initials are Maui, has smacked him a few times. She’s sooo mean; hates all other cats, especially newcomers. Bubba Big Foot also has “played” a bit too rough a few times. We’re afraid he might eat the new kid until he gets bigger. Deckster (who was living under our front deck until we adopted him) is a little afraid of Jelly, and has hissed menacingly at his approach. Only our gentle Flint “Flinty” Eastwood plays nice all the time. He’s even a bit protective of the new little guy.
Why the name Jelly? Because our new tuxedo buddy is a Jellicle cat. The Jellicle cats, or simply the Jellicles, are a type of feline mentioned in T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. Introduced in his poem, Song of the Jellicles, they were originally depicted by Eliot as common black-and-white cats whose daytime nature is peaceful, pleasant and restive — but who possess an active love of nightlife. Specifically, Eliot mentions that they like to gather at an event called the “Jellicle Ball.” Get the picture?
Actually, probably because he’s so young (6 or 7 weeks at this point) Jelly is still real active during daylight. But he sleeps well all night, right between us, although sometimes it’s 10 or 11 before he settles down. He’s a real character, and probably will start looking for the “Jellicle Ball” when he gets a bit older.
We got him at the I.V. Lions Club Labor Day Festival. A nice family was carrying him and his siblings in a box. Jan saw him, fell in love, and we brought him home. He checked out well at our veterinarian's office. And so we again have five housecats, as our previous tuxedo companion, Charlie, who’s also a Jellicle, is living it up down south with our granddaughters Natalie and Ella.
Jelly has the typical sharp claws and teeth with which all kittens come equipped. And I have the scratches and scars to prove it. He’s a cool cat though; we’re enjoying him, especially his fantastically active antics when he streaks about the house, moon walks, and performs all those amazing actions that seem impossible, but which kittens do with ease. He’s faster than a speeding bullet, and can jump like a flea.
And we never have to worry about what will eventually happen to our menagerie.
Natalie, who just turned 5, said that when she grows up, and can live anywhere, she will live with Nonna and PopPop in Oregon. She pointed out that if we get old and die, and our cats didn’t, then someone would be there to take care of them. Oh good, now I’m feeling jovial. In a Jellicle way.
