An ode to Memphis, my first true and feline pet love

in all the commotion that has been welcoming Lincoln into our lives, it's important that we pause and pay homage to the one, the only Memphis. his highness has handled the transition rather remarkably if I do say so myself. I was worried that there would never be peace in this household again. A persnickety cat and a new puppy? I anticipated chaos.

Instead, we've been pleasantly surprised by how respectful and gentle Lincoln has been in his approach towards Memphis. in turn, Memphis has been more than patient, accommodating and dare I say....even a little interested in the new four legged creature taking up residence in our home. They've crossed over into each other's orbit many, many times now and even touched noses a time or two! people, we have a miracle in progress! are pigs flying? how's the weather in hell these days? freezing???

because that's about when I thought I'd ever see the day that my sweet Memphis welcomed a (massive) puppy into his home without a complete and chaotic meltdown.

o and btw, memphis now does this...

!!!

hashtag warm and fuzzy all over

my heart that is

Interpretive Mood Assessment As Enacted by Memphis

Have you ever heard of interpretive dancing? Like, just move with the music and let your mind and body guide you. Then, its up to the audience to interpret what you're trying to communicate. 

Well, lets apply the same notion here. You're the audience, and Memphis is the dancer. Memphis is dancing for how I'm feeling today.

Dance away Memphis. 

Anyone care to interpret?

If you said tired and little listless, you'd be right.


Good work Memphis! You're a complete natural at this interpretive thing.

Sleep

I used to be a champion sleeper. If it was a sport, I'm pretty sure I would win.

Let me give you an example.

One summer I was coaching basketball at a weeklong camp.
I was tired.
We were offsite and at a gym for the whole day with 80 tween girls.
We broke for lunch.
I decided to 'rest my eyes' and lay down on the gym floor.
On the hardwood, gym floor.
Fell asleep in t minus 3 seconds.
Didn't wake up for all the basketball bouncing, tweeny-bopper, Beiber-lovin' gigglers and the noise they were making.
Had to be physically shaken awake by my fellow coaches.
That and one of my little campers lost track of her basketball and it smoked me in the head. But that's neither here nor there.

My point?

Sleeping skills people. sleeping skills.

Anyway, the new development is this: I don't sleep that well anymore. Thats all. Nothing major. I'm just no longer a champ at it. It takes a little longer to fall asleep and sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night. You know. Probably the way most people sleep. 

Now, this isn't necessarily the problem. I could take not sleeping as well as I have in the past. It was inevitable. I knew at some point, I'd have to say so long to the splendid sleep celebrations of my past.

The problem is this.

Who me?

Yes you.

It would be one thing if my sleeping abilities had simply lessened with time.

But it is quite another to live with this sultan of sleep. Every day, around every corner, he waits for me. Flaunting his sleep mastery.

But he's cute. So I'm gonna let is slide.

Lil rascal.

Mouse Down

Someone, who shall remain nameless, is pretty pleased with himself.

One of the things this feline is known around here for, is mouse huntin'. If the mice are real, then great.  I'm very pleased.  The thing is, I have yet to see a live or recently deceased mouse around our home...so, fingers crossed, he either eats them all or .... unfortunately for him, there are none.  

Now, the mice I'm sure we have around here, are of the artificial, play toy variety.  

And one of them just recently bit the dust. 

Memphis vs. Lil Wiry.

Memphis 1 - Lil Wiry 0. 

It was a sad day for Lil Wiry, but a happy one for Memphis.  Being an indoor cat, he's got to get his kicks in where he can.  I'm happy to see he's keep his predatory drive strong. I mean, you never know when that will come in handy.  

Still in the line-up, imminently awaiting their demise, are the following cast of characters.  

Mangey: A small, cotton (?) fluffball that once resembled a mouse. He's been pretty beat up, and chances are, he'll be the next one to go. 

I should note that his name was originally Whitey (See: Twin brother Brownie below), but as his life has run it's course, he's inherited one of those descriptor nicknames you sometimes hear in the movies. Except this one isn't ironic, like Tiny, when really, Tiny is a super huge dude. Mangey is called Mangey because he's Mangey. Period.

Brownie: Brownie is Mangey's twin, but that's about where the similarities stop. As you can see, Brownie's kept his  physique in rather fine form over the past few months, as compared to his less fortunate brother. He's the quickest and wiliest of the play toy mouses, and so far, that skill set has served him well.  

Posh: Posh is named so for her impeccable physique and because of her upper crust pedigree. You see, Posh was purchased by my Mom at Crate & Barrel as a Christmas gift for Memphis. Ya, he's spoiled. And ya, Posh is, well, super posh. If she could even get any more ostentatious, you'll be happy to know, she's filled with organic cat nip. How's that for high maintenance? And, to her credit, she's managed to evade a fate similar to Lil Wiry thus far. Turns out there's a little brains mixed in with this beauty.  

And that's the cast of characters as it stands in Memphis' world. Lil Wirey has bit the dust while a few others continue to fight the good fight. 

In the meantime, Memphis is resting up. The guy's pooped.

Happy Monday

Hopefully your weekend was restful and/or you got everything on your to-do list accomplished.

Ours was filled with trips to Ikea & Costco (Mental Note: Ikea & Costco are complete mayhem on weekends. Be smarter. Shop on weekdays.), a little time spent with family & friends and a major garage cleaning.  One of those icky spring jobs that just has to get done this time of year.  

Well its done, alright.  And at this moment, we feel about as tired as Memphis looks...

Off to recover so we can (*fingers crossed*) get up in time for work tomorrow.  Hope you have a great Monday!