#SoCS: Anyway Times Two

Gibbs and Hoshi fill in for the human…discussing chicken, Christmas and being a cat, among other things.

Anyway…

What did you say, little peanut?

Nothing…maybe something…I said “anyway. Anyway.”

And what is that supposed to mean?

I dunno. I heard the big, tall one say that.

You mean “mom,” the human?

Is that what we call it? I didn’t know. I only know it gives me food and cuddles and lets me sleep under the covers.

SHE is not an IT. And she also yells at you a lot.

Yeah, I don’t like that. Why does she do that and sprays water at me? I like to drink water and play in it, but I don’t like it sprayed on me.

It’s because you’re a naughty girl and never stay out of the forbidden zone where she makes food and eats it.

I like the forbidden zone. There’s lots to see and do there. I don’t know why she doesn’t let me stay. And, by the way, you go in there too.

You’re a bad example and I can’t help myself sometimes. But I don’t make a habit of it.

You go in there at night when “mom” is sleeping. I’ve seen you.

Sssshhhhh!!! Not so loud! You have a lot to learn, Hoshi. It’s a secret that I go in the zone at night. If the human is sleeping, she doesn’t know. What she doesn’t know saves me getting wet. You, on the other hand, do that right in front of her. What do you expect from mom other than yelling and a shower?

Don’t worry, Gibbs, I won’t share your secret if you don’t tell the tall one that I am engaging her in a test of wills. I want to see if she’ll give up first and let me have free reign.

Ha! Dreamer! I doubt you will win.

I’m incessant and determined. Anyway, where is mom? Is she not here or just not paying attention to me?

Us, girlie. She’s not paying attention to us.

Whatever.

That’s my line…and mom has been busy with cookie baking, decorating with pretty things, going to parties and getting ready for two other humans to show up in a few days.

I don’t know what all of that is, but I wish she would pay more attention to me…us…pay more attention to the both of us. Some days I’m bored and just want to sleep.

That’s called being a cat, Hoshi. You are growing into a cat. We sleep, eat, poop, occasionally play and get into trouble, and demand attention.

Am I going to remember all of this?

You don’t have to. It’s instinctual.

Instink…what?

It means you will act that way without trying or thinking. It comes natural to us.

Is it natural for me to be a little scared of other humans? Until I get to know them?

For some cats it is. I have never been afraid of people because I know that living in his place, our mom would never let anyone hurt us.

Will I learn that or always be afraid at first?

That’s up to you, but I’m telling you that no one is going to hurt you. I won’t let them either.

Awww…Gibbs…that’s really nice of you.

Yeah, well remember that the next time you jump on my back and chew on my neck.

I’m just playing.

Whatever. Anyway, you can follow my lead when people come over. And if you are still scared, there are plenty of places to hide around here.

Why are there other humans coming in a few days? I thought last week, when there were too many to count, that it would be the end of it.

The two humans coming are family and they are here for Christmas.

What is family and Christmas? And how do you know this stuff?

I know because of age, little one, and keeping my ears open. You are only seven months wet behind the ears and I am almost 14 years smarter. I’ve been around and time has taught me many things. Family is like what you had when you were born and really small. You had a mom and probably brothers and sisters that you played with.

Oh, yeah. And Christmas?

Christmas is a holiday for humans. They put up trees in their homes and add lights and dangly things to it.

Ooooo…dangly things…

That’s why mom’s Christmas tree is on top of the kitchen cupboard this year. Because you attack anything that dangles.

It’s my right.

Not really, but to continue…humans put up the trees and lights and other decorations. They spend hours wrapping boxes in pretty papers, only to rip them up days later. Mom’s kitchen smells really good this time of year and she sings special songs about someone named Jesus and things like chestnuts, sleigh rides and jingle bells. Mom is always in a good mood and perhaps she’ll spray you a little less this coming week out of the goodness of her heart.

Wow, that sounds cool. Should I go into the forbidden zone now and test your theory?

No. There’s also the theory that if you are too naughty, the tall human will not give you paper-wrapped boxes or treats and instead will feed you black coal for a week.

Black coal? I don’t know what that is, but it doesn’t sound good.

From what I’ve heard, it’s not. So mind your manners, Missy, for more than five minutes. Okay?

Well, okay, I’ll try. Maybe. Anyway…

Anyway, what?

Maybe we should go take a nap and dream of things like chicken treats and dangly things and a place where there is no forbidden zone.

You know, that sounds good to me, but first we have to do something important.

What is that?

We have to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas with lots of presents and Jesus and chicken treats. I think everyone loves chicken and it should always come wrapped in a box with a bow.

Right you are Gibbs! Merry Christmas to all and I hope you get your happiness in a box, with no forbidden zones.

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Thanks for listening to the furry kids babble on about life and the holidays. We all wish you a wonderful season, surrounded by faith and those you love, with a chicken on the table and pretty presents under the tree. Much love to those who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other traditions.

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday is the brainchild of author Linda G. Hill. Every Friday, Linda provides her followers with an inspiring blogger’s prompt. It can be a word or words and sometimes bonus points are involved (my favorite). Linda asks us to write without editing, other than correcting spelling errors.

Just go with the flow.

Like a babbling brook or rain drops. Click HERE if this type of writing floats your boat or helps with your decision-making. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “start your post or one paragraph with the word ‘anyway.’” Bonus points if you start your post with “anyway” and regular points if you use it in a paragraph somewhere else in your post. Enjoy!