The last weekend witnessed

interesting scenery for the cat boys: a steaming tree, post cold evening rain;

a bold tulip tree, blooming robustly in spite of the extreme temperatures;
a dusting of snow flakes in our very own foothills not even 2 miles away.
In addition, I witnessed a curious cat absorbing the sights and smells with delight, he is the one and only Augustus!
There was also the Ollie cat in deep contemplation, "what naughtiness can I come up with today" is the thought on his mind.
A nicely divided blue and white sky as we all looked up at the sky.
Two dudes starting their exploration is my favorite scene, no doubt.
Ollie wants to know what is on the agenda besides tuna, tales and toys.
Augustus thinks that he'd better take a good look around to ensure our safety!
A meditative Augustus perched himself on a patio wall in the cool morning hours under the warming rays of sun.
Chubby cheeks, aka, Mr Puffy Pants, sniffed flowers.

The collective we only had enough focus to read a brief passage and this was it:

"Know that the order and the perfection of the whole universe require that existence should appear in numberless forms. For existing beings could not be embodied in only one degree, one station, one kind, one species and one class; undoubtedly, the difference of degrees and distinction of forms, and the variety of genus and species, are necessary -- that is to say, the degree of mineral, vegetable, animal substances, and of man, are inevitable; for the world could not be arranged, adorned, organized and perfected with man alone. In the same way, with only animals, only plants or only minerals, this world could not show forth beautiful scenery, exact organization and exquisite adornment. Without doubt it is because of the varieties of degrees, stations, species and classes that existence becomes resplendent with utmost perfection." (Some Answered Questions)

Cat dudes filled their faithful paws with loads of fresh kisses and blew them in the air for you...grab one because you will need it this week.

Ciao everyone!

Post yesterday's rain

the boys sprinted for the outdoors, each grabbing a wall to conquer.

King Ollie Puffy Pants-

King Augustus the Foofer-



Recent disruptions around the world had them pondering about governance, justice, fairness and the such. So we read and reflected on the following:

"No power on earth can prevail against the armies of justice, and every citadel must fall before them; for men willingly go down under the triumphant strokes of this decisive blade, and desolate places bloom and flourish under the tramplings of this host. There are two mighty banners which, when they cast their shadow across the crown of any king, will cause the influence of his government quickly and easily to penetrate the whole earth, even as if it were the light of the sun: the first of these two banners is wisdom; the second is justice. Against these two most potent forces, the iron hills cannot prevail, and Alexander's wall will break before them. It is clear that life in this fast-fading world is as fleeting and inconstant as the morning wind, and this being so, how fortunate are the great who leave a good name behind them, and the memory of a lifetime spent in the pathway of the good pleasure of God.

It is all one, if it be a throne

Or the bare ground under the open sky,

Where the pure soul lays him

Down to die.[1]"

[1 Sa'di, The Gulistan, On the Conduct of Kings.]

The cat boys felt pretty good about this reading and roamed quite a bit more pretending to be just kings, and that they are. The game had to end pretty quickly though since kings don't know how to fill their paws with love kisses and the boys do, so kisses were made and blown in the air. Wishing everyone a lovely rest of the week.

Ciao!

away from the hurried and grinding

One day last week when we were in our modest backyard I told Ollie about this hurried life...

He said that he understood!
Augustus, well Augustus was hearing things...his super special cat ears were at work.
Yup, I think he heard an ant or a bug, he hunted it and beat it around a few times.
Then he relaxed. I think he was telling me that there was no reason to get caught into an uncontrollable stream, he was telling me to listen carefully, hunt and roll in the dirt.
Ollie found this behavior somewhat strange and thought he'd better check the rolling site out for himself,
and so he went to sniff for himself (independent investigation of facts by Mr Puffy Pants).
When I saw him coming towards me
I knew that I was in for some kisses.

So, there we have it, one kittie tells me to relax and take it easy, and the other gives me kisses...I believe that I am in a very good place!

Cat boys reflected on this

"To listen another's soul into a condition of disclosure and discovery may be almost the greatest service that any human being ever performs for another."

- Douglas V. Steere, Quaker Spirituality

and then filled their love paws with love kisses, which they blew in the air for YOU! Happy Wednesday everyone!

Cat boys practicing reflection

Feeling somewhat random inside, I knew what I needed was focus, reflection. We went to the modest backyard of our condo, looked about.

I told the cat boys that we needed to practice to reflect.

Augustus immediately sat in silence and showed me a few postures that could induce reflection.

Here's one:
Here's another:
Ollie got the giggles! So much for focus and reflections!

We read this later:

"The source of crafts, sciences and arts is the power of reflection. Make ye every effort that out of this ideal mine there may gleam forth such pearls of wisdom and utterance as will promote the well-being and harmony of all the kindreds of the earth..."

The cat boys had no problems focussing on making kisses, and so they did and they blew them in the air for you, for today, tomorrow and the weekend too! Wishing all a lovely Valentine's day!

Ciao!

Yesterday afternoon...

This is yesterday afternoon. I spent a good bit of time observing and reading signals. They spent a good bit of time being and making signals.
Ollie in ambush but Gussy is no fool!
Here comes mischief in puffy pants.
Tip tip toe...
I call Ollie's name, plot ruined, 'what does she want' he is thinking.
I said, "come over and make some kisses".
Look at him make kissy lips!

Two naughty cat brothers now plotting against me? Perhaps? Yes? No?
Nope. They were ready for reading and reflection.
I did not have much to read yesterday but I gave them some ideas to toss around in their advanced feline heads, some ideas about progress-

how to cultivate an atmosphere that encouraged the individuals "to be methodical but not rigid, creative but not haphazard, decisive but not hasty, careful but not controlling, recognizing that in the final analysis, it is not the technique but unity of thought, consistent action, and dedication to learning which will bring about progress." (UHJ2011)

They promised to think as hard as they could and they made the usual pawfuls of juicy kisses, which they blew in the air for you.

Ciao everyone!

Running to that secret cat school

where they teach cat tricks and dominion...I followed these doodles one morning or afternoon! Ollie pretending to be on a squirrel inspection...

Augustus checking around the corners to see if the coast is clear...

Look at them go, they think no one is watching.

They are going to that famous cat school where they learn dominion!

Once they see me they freeze and pretend like nothing. I did remind them yet again that I was not born yesterday!

We read this together

O SON OF MAN!

Thou art My dominion and My dominion perisheth not; wherefore fearest thou thy perishing? Thou art My light and My light shall never be extinguished; why dost thou dread extinction? Thou art My glory and My glory fadeth not; thou art My robe and My robe shall never be outworn. Abide then in thy love for Me, that thou mayest find Me in the realm of glory.

and then I let them go to school and so they did only after filling their little paws with kisses, blowing them in the air and dancing away.

Wishing you a lovely week....Ciao everyone!

Those cat eyes...

The boys meditated on this today:

"Thine eye is My trust, suffer not the dust of vain desires to becloud its luster. Thine ear is a sign of My bounty, let not the tumult of unseemly motives turn it away from My Word that encompasseth all creation. Thine heart is My treasury, allow not the treacherous hand of self to rob thee of the pearls which I have treasured therein. Thine hand is a symbol of My loving-kindness, hinder it not from holding fast unto My guarded and hidden Tablets…. Unasked, I have showered upon thee My grace. Unpetitioned, I have fulfilled thy wish. In spite of thy undeserving, I have singled thee out for My richest, My incalculable favors…. O My servants! Be as resigned and submissive as the earth, that from the soil of your being there may blossom the fragrant, the holy and multicolored hyacinths of My knowledge. Be ablaze as the fire, that ye may burn away the veils of heedlessness and set aglow, through the quickening energies of the love of God, the chilled and wayward heart. Be light and untrammeled as the breeze, that ye may obtain admittance into the precincts of My court, My inviolable Sanctuary."(Gleanings)

Augustus was immersed in deep reflection and so asked Ollie to collect his kisses and blow them in the air.

Ollie came indoors, laid upside down in my lap and blew air kisses...

We wish you all lovely cat kisses and a grand middle of the week!

Ciao everyone!