It isn’t just me. Or I. Yes: It isn’t just I who have a nutty cat. In fact, I’m beginning to suspect that the term “nutty cat” is redundant.
The last time I saw Babs, she said, “Oh, I need to send you a Caturday post!” And she did.
Most homes have a watch dog. I apparently have a watch CAT.
But unlike most watch dogs, who would be useful at keeping away creatures and robbers and other unsavory characters, Jacksie only seems interested in watching one thing: Pam, my secretary.
Because of my kids receiving autism therapy over the years, its been more convenient for me to have my law practice in the house than away from home. (Which brings to mind some of the other unsavory characters I mentioned before). Ever since Pam joined me as my occasional assistant, though, this cat has been on the prowl.
Bless her heart, Pam’s allergic to cats, so while she’s tried to maintain peace with occasional pats and quick handwashes, for the most part she has to just let Jacksie do her thing.
And her thing is this:
Once she comes in, saunters across the desk with that You best watch yourself, my friend look, then she settles in on the window sill next to the desk just like this. One false move, and you just know its all over.
Here’s looking at you, kid. And oh yes, I’m looking. Still watching.
Still watching.
Dont even think about it.
(dozing off )
(jerk up, wide awake)
Still watching.
You betcha.
Checking you out.
Watching watching watching.
Sun is nice and warm here huh? Mmm. Nice, warm sun. (dozing off )
(twitch awake an hour later)
Hey, where’d you go?
Barbara Mountjoy has been writing ever since she was a little girl, unable to control the urge of stories that wanted to percolate through her fingers into the keyboard. Or back then, onto the old Royal typewriter. (Before the TRS-80 even! Wow!) She’s been a published writer for over thirty-five years, spent seven years as a news reporter and editor in South Florida, and has published nine novels to date, with eight more under contract at the present time. She lives with her computer geek husband, three children and 11 computers in their home in northwest Pennsylvania.
Okay, yeah, that would be extremely disconcerting, even to someone not allergic to cats!
Thanks, Babs, for sharing this really kinda creepy cat story with us on this pre-Halloween weekend. Boo!
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: A character becomes aware of another person’s cat staring, staring, watching, watching….
MA
Jack Tyler
October 27, 2012 at 8:31amI have my watch CAT also at home. 🙂
Marian Allen
October 27, 2012 at 9:18pmJack, I wish all my cat did was watch. She creeps up next to me, then sticks a soft little paw up to my arm or leg, then the tips of the claws come out….
Marion Driessen
October 27, 2012 at 8:56amHehehe, huge grin here. I love both writing pieces! Yours, Marian, and Babs’ Caturday Post.
My Bandit is a true cat. He sleeps. Moves, stretches, eats and sleeps 😉
Marian Allen
October 27, 2012 at 9:20pmAren’t cats great? Naughty or nice, they’re wonderful to have around. 🙂
Babs Mountjoy
October 27, 2012 at 11:16amIt’s about the only useful thing she does… the other one chases down all the mice, squirrels, etc. She just….likes to watch.
(hmm that is a little creepy, huh….)
Andrea
October 27, 2012 at 2:04pmI also have a nutty cat and even very naughty. I have 5 cats at home and most of them are too playful. How many cats do you have and how old are they?
-Andrea
Marian Allen
October 27, 2012 at 9:12pmI think Babs has two cats. I have one cat now. We used to have another two, but Al passed away last year at the age of 19. The cat we have now, Katya, is 12.
Cassie B.
October 27, 2012 at 3:17pmThis made me smile! I don’t have a watch-cat. I have a watch-parrot. She sits on her perch and stares at me. Every now and then she chuckles darkly to herself. It’s pretty crazy.
Marian Allen
October 27, 2012 at 9:15pmOooo, kinda creepy. Wonder what she’s chuckling about….
Jane
October 28, 2012 at 10:42amAhem. Just one word: Chiquita. (Sorry about the purse.)
Marian Allen
October 28, 2012 at 5:30pmDat wasn’t Chiquita, it was Tootsie. I’ll always remember: It wasn’t the loss of the purse that hurt, it was the disappointment in learning that she wasn’t chumming up to me after all. lol
Jane
October 29, 2012 at 11:51amShe used to bite neat, square little holes in my sheets.
Marian Allen
October 29, 2012 at 11:56amYou have GOT to do a Caturday post for me! 😀