Getting The Cat’s Fur Trimmed

            Simple tasks can turn into an event. Take for instance, taking your cat to the pet shop to get its fur trimmed when it is matted. First there is the carrier, which is an event all in itself. You have to move as a ninja and not let the cat even sense that it will be put in that ugly box.

What I usually do is put the carrier on top of the washing machine early in the morning so if (and she always does) my cat sees it there will be a memory loss until the actual time of getting in it. Oh yeah, and leave the door open. Then a few minutes before having to leave the house, I pick her up and treat her like a baby and gently take her over to the laundry room and place her in. Nowadays she is nine years old so calmly, without scratching my arms and hands, she goes in.

On the way to the pet shop all is calm and dandy. No stress. She is buckled up in the front seat, sometimes in the back seat but I have realized that if the cat keeps an eye on you it is less stressful for them and less dangerous for you.

Now, to get her out of the box is almost an impossible mission. It is as if she digs all her claws in the box and holds on with her life. After she is out, you have to quickly close the carrier door, otherwise she will quickly run back in and then it’ll be another handful of minutes to get her out.

As she lies there waiting for the razor to start for she knows what is about to happen, she gives you the eye. Yes, an eye that chills your spine; an eye that tells you that for sure she will get you back. The most my cat does is ignore me for the rest of the day and then by bedtime all is well again.

The process of eliminating a Persian cat’s fur takes around an hour or so. It is not painful, but it is stressful for the cat and for the owner. It is clear to see how much your cat wants to be left alone. There are some cats that get so angry during this process that they bite the person grooming them and sometimes even their owner. (My cat, however, tries to deal with the situation calmly, but giving the eye.)

After sixty minutes, the carrier door is opened and she flings from the trimming table right smack into the carrier and scrunches her back to the far end of it so as to hide. However, as soon as the box is opened at home, safe and sound territory, she walks out proud, tail high in the air, but funny looking due to the lack of fur. She walks over to her favorite spot and starts licking her coat over. Good thing this only takes place once a year.

Photo by Meire Marion ( Cookie - Sept. 25, 2012)

 (Written: September 25, 2012)

 copyright ©2012 - Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion.

The Wooden Chair

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She left the lab after a two-hour wait of blood tests. She still had to have lunch before she headed off to her next class. When she left the lab gate there were no buses or taxis, however, there was a chair and on this chair there was an envelope. The chair was an ordinary wooden chair. It didn’t have any wheels on it. It was just a simple brown wooden chair.

She took a closer look at the envelope and her name was written on it in big blue letters. She looked around to see if there was anyone that she recognized. This had to be a joke.

She picked up the envelope and it read: Sit comfortably and hold on tight.

She put the envelope in her bag and sat down on the chair and followed the instructions. She had nothing to lose.

Suddenly, the chair started moving. It went into the street and started heading down the street. The cars that went passed it did not realize that it was simply a chair. The wind blew in her face and she was happy that she had managed to get some kind of transportation and also that it wasn’t raining, she couldn’t afford to get wet. She still had classes to teach.

The chair turned right and then left and finally came to a stop in front of a restaurant. She looked at the envelope once again and this time the message had changed. It read: go in and eat something.

What was going on? She had never heard of anything like this. She checked around and everything seemed real. She was wide awake, but just maybe she was hallucinating because of all the blood that had been taken and her last meal had been the night before. But this was a far-fetched explanation. At that moment, she decided to just go with the flow of events and risk it. She had nothing to lose.

It was a self-service all-you-can-eat restaurant. She got in the lineup and chose her food carefully according to her diet. She was under medical treatment and although the doctors did not know what the matter was, she followed their advice.

Half plate of salad, grilled chicken steak, one table spoon of beans and two of rice and lastly the vegetables. Everything looked so delicious and colorful. She was really hungry.

She looked around for a place to sit and couldn’t spot one. A nice looking waiter came over to her and said that there were more tables on the top floor. She smiled and headed towards the stairs.

Going up those steps was not an easy task. She had to carry her tray and she could feel how tired she really was. To keep focused she counted twenty-fire steps. She looked around and there was a seat beside two men. She decided that she would sit there because it was the closest to the stairs.

-Excuse me. May I sit here?

There was no answer. They didn’t even look at her. Perhaps they were foreigners and didn’t speak her language. She sat there anyway.

During her meal she noticed that the men didn’t talk to each other. The man she sat next to was husky looking and never smiled. She had a strange feeling about him. But it really didn’t matter because she just had to eat and get on to her next class.

She ate and thought about the chair. She wanted to look at the envelope once again but she looked at her watch and noticed that she had to chew a bit faster if she was going to make it to her class on time.

All of a sudden the husky man started banging his left arm on her and  then his whole body making her spill her food all over the place and almost knocking her off her seat.

-Hey! What’s the matter?

She looked at him and it looked as if he were having a seizer.

-Help! He is not feeling well. Help!

Everybody stopped eating, looked at her and did nothing.

-I think he is going to fall down. Somebody help!

He started banging into her real hard. At this point there were standing and she was trying to hold him up with her back.

Out of the blue, he stopped, looked at her, took his tray and moved to the empty table to the left. Not only did he move, but the other guy did the same.

She could not make heads or tails of what had just happened. She sat down and was about to cry when a well dressed man came in.

-May I sit here?

-Yes, please do.

-Are you ok?

- I am afraid not.

She told him what had just happened.

-That’s the way it is here in this town.

-I’m sorry but what do you mean?

-People in this town treat strangers like that when they want the person to move.

-You’ve got to be kidding. But hey wait, I was born in this town.

- In this town?

-Yes, I have lived here all my life.

-Are you sure?

She was perplexed. What was this man trying to say? She got up that morning, went to the lab and then came to the restaurant. The streets hadn’t changed. The cars were the same. Those streets were part of her daily routine.

-You didn’t notice anything different this morning?

-It seems like you are reading my mind… I …

- We have that talent, let’s call it that, here.

-Here?

Something was going on and she started to feel scared.

-There is nothing to be afraid of.

He was doing it again. He could also read her feelings.

-You will eventually get used to this new place.

-You are blowing my mind Sir, please; please tell me what is going on.

-You will eventually figure it out.

With this he got up, excused himself and bid her a good day.

-No! Please don’t leave yet. You haven’t told me where I am.

He just smiled and from the top of the stairs said:

-Think back and recall what happened before you fell asleep last night.

         She couldn’t finish her meal; most of it was on the floor anyway due to the previous events. She just sat there and started thinking about what happened the night before when she was trying to fall asleep.

She recalled that she had seen a bright light come through her bedroom window. She had thought at that moment that that was really strange because the window shutters were closed and it had been made to hold back the lights of the city. But now, she remembered that the light did penetrate through the shutters.

-Excuse me miss, have you finished eating?

-Oh yes, would you like the table?

-Yes, please.

-Ok, I am sorry. I have to go anyway.

She got up and did not notice anything different about the couple who sat down at her table. She gathered her belongings and headed for the cash register. She tried to focus on what she was going to do in her class and came to the conclusion that all of this must be due to the medication that she was taking and the stress due to the blood tests and all the other medical tests that she had to have done to find out what was wrong with her.

Before reaching the cash register, she decided to go to the ladies room. The door opened by itself and there was a little old lady there at the sink washing her hands.

-I thought you’d never leave the table.

-Pardon me? Are you speaking to me?

-Yes. You sat at that table for so long and still haven’t figured out what is going on.

-Excuse me?

-Listen, last night a shiny bright light appeared in your bedroom, right?

She went into shock. Who was this lady? How did she know all of this? What was going on?

-All the answers will be revealed now for we do not have time to waste.

-What do you mean? Yes, I know I am late for my classes.

-Forget that! You will have enough time for that. Sit here and listen.

She was pointing to the toilet seat and she pulled up a stool and there they sat and she started to tell the whole story.

-Last night your life changed. The light that appeared in your bedroom was a shift in the worlds.

-A shift in the worlds? What worlds?

-The parallel worlds. I am sure you have read about this.

-I have, but I always thought that it was just a fantasy that some crazy person was trying to prove.

-Do you still think that is so? You were brought here on a plain wooden chair. Is that common in the other world?

-Nope. But…

-We don’t have time to waste. The portal was opened last night when the moon reached the Earth. Only the chosen ones noticed it.

-I was chosen? By whom? The moon reached the Earth?

-You ask too many questions. Can you please just listen?

So she did just that. She sat there and tried to take in everything this woman was telling her.

-The chosen ones have come into this world and have to be informed of their mission so they can protect themselves from those who are trying to take over.

-Protect ourselves? Like the guy who hit me in the restaurant?

-Yes. Now you are getting the hang of things. He is part of the group which I have just mentioned. You were lucky that one of us came around at the time to help you out.

-The nice guy who sat down and read my thoughts?

-There are two groups here, one that is good and the other bad. Let’s keep things simple. The bad group is killing the good group with their ways. They are not nice, they spread hate and violence. It is very painful for the good group, which is being outnumbered slowly and bitterly.

-People are being killed?

-Literally not killed, they just become bad and lead their lives in their evil ways.

-What is my mission then?

-The chosen ones were brought here to stop the bad group. When you came into the restaurant and before sitting down you politely asked if the seat was taken and if you could sit down. This weakened the bad guys.

- But they hurt me anyway.

-Yes, but they didn’t make you have the reaction that they wanted you to have which was get back at them and treat them exactly they way they were treating you. Instead you thought that the man was not feeling well and tried to help him.

-So simply by being polite and nice the chosen ones will be able to change things?

-Yes, that is correct. However, being kind is not an easy task. You need to be thoughtful of others for this to happen and nowadays people are more and more self-centered.

-That’s a fact. Even in the other world. Wait I am still confused.

-You will eventually get used to all of this.

-How do I know you are not a bad person?

-Good question. You are still pure and if you stopped to talk to me it means that you still have faith in people, otherwise, you would just have told me that you were in a hurry and wouldn’t have stopped to hear what I had to say.

-Hummm…

- You will go on with your life like you have always done, but just be aware of the people that come in contact with you. Be positive and be kind always and you will be fine.

With this she opened the bathroom door, paid her bill and walked outside. Tons of questions were running through her mind. The chair, the mind reading, good versus bad… Her head was starting to hurt.

Nothing had changed and at the same time, everything had changed.

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(Written: September 21, 2012 Based on a dream I had last night.)

copyright ©2012 - Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion.

Watch What You Say

The other Day I was at a friend’s when her son’s adolescent friend said with so much hatred “All policemen are good for nothing and should burn in hell.” He was referring to a specific policeman who had shot his martial arts teacher for no apparent reason, in his mind; for the newspapers claimed that the victim was carrying drugs and reached into his pocket and they thought he was going to attack them so they shot first. Deep down inside I can understand why he felt this way. He saw the good side of his instructor and death is not something that one naturally understands, especially under these circumstances.

What struck me hard was what he said. He generalized one crucial act and simply classified all other police officers in the same category as the one who shot at the instructor. I, for one, know several police officers who have good character and work in their service to defend others who are not corrupted by the temptations that cross their path. So when I heard him scream out his hate, I was offended.

People have the tendency to generalize everything. We hear things like:  “Teachers are mean. They want to ruin your lives.” “Mother’s are all alike just the addresses change.” “Teens are all rebels without a cause.” “School doesn’t teach you anything.” “Politicians are corrupt.”  I am sure you have heard many others. Just stop and think a moment about how these people feel when they hear one of these phrases. It really hurts, especially if you are not like this at all or you know someone who does not fit the description.

Since the boy’s outburst about the police, I have been thinking about this. I wanted to speak out at the time and tell him about the police officers that I know, but then again, I kept quiet for his rage was so great that perhaps the conversation would have turned into a fight. There are times that we must know when silence is the best remedy. However, I do hope that when his pain lessens, he will be able to rethink that maybe that specific officer is a good for nothing, but not all of them. That also goes for all the other generalizations.

I believe that most arguments start off with a generalization and if taken the wrong way it can start a fight or a greater problem. Simply choose your words before you speak. Think before you speak and if you have nothing to say, just be quiet.

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(Written: September 15, 2012)
copyright ©2012 - Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion.

The Moon in Songs

         There have been many songs written that the main theme is the moon and all its mystery. Here are just a few.

“Blue Moon” by Steve Holy … a phenomenon that happens when there are two full moons in the same month. Blue because I believe it just makes people sadder, it doesn’t look blue at all. This is where the expression “Once in a Blue Moon” comes from.

In “Jealous Moon” – by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, they sing about how there is a jealous man who lives on the moon and he is the only thing that is standing between the man in love and a girl. To me it reflects a platonic love affair. In the morning she is gone because she only lives in his dreams. However, when the moon is out, she is there smiling at him or is she smiling at the man on the moon?

 “When it's sugarcane time along around about June/ I'll be walking with sugar neath that old sugar moon/ Gonnna drop her a line to expect me soon/ Oh I’m craving some sugar neath the old sugar moon…”the opening lines to the song “Sugar Moon”  by Bob Wills .The moon is always seen as a time for romance. Deep down inside, it really is romantic to sit outside and look up at the moon with the one you love.

                “Shame on the Moon” – by Rodney Crowell is probably my all time favorite. It talks about life beside a man. Funny how the moon is always remarked as a she, but in this song he talks about a man’s feelings. I have always enjoyed singing this song, especially the part where he says: Ooh, blame it on midnight Uh, shame on the moon.

                Another one of my favorites is the song by Savage Garden “To the Moon and Back” where they sing …. I would fly you to the moon and back if you'll be, if you'll be my baby… This song is about a girl who has had relationship problems and drug problems and this boy would change her life if she simply accepted his true love. How romantic can that be?

I can’t leave this one out, “Fly Me to the Moon” – by George Strait & Frank Sinatra. It is a cute song where he wants to be flown to the moon so he can play with the stars and some of the planets. Then towards the end he confesses that he is in love and that the power of love can take him anywhere, even to the moon.

Are there any songs that you know that talk about the moon? If so, what does it mean to you?

Photo by : Meire Marion

( Written September 12, 2012)
copyright ©2012 - Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion.

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The Hobo

Wearing dirty torn clothes, he roamed the city on this dark cold night in search of a place to rest his weary body. He had lost everything in his life, family, friends, money, health, wealth and dignity. It was hard to believe that he had once been a multi millionaire and had been surrounded by beautiful people; well at least on the outside they were beautiful.

He walked and walked quite calmly because he had nothing to worry about. He wouldn’t be attached for he knew he stunk although not being able to notice the smell and it was clear to see that he didn’t own a thing. So he calmly walked along the streets looking for a place to sleep that night.

Ahead of him he noticed some people under an overpass. It looked like a pigsty because of some cars that had stopped and dumped some leftovers for those homeless people to eat. Besides that, there was the stench of urine. He didn’t want anything the other homeless were fighting over, for he had gotten used to eating just once a day and he was always blessed enough to find a good soul who would by him some lunch.

He managed to spot a place where he could lay out the cardboard box that he had been carrying with him throughout the day. He did just that. Some people looked at him but no one came over to kick him out of there or even to talk to him, so he stayed.

As he was laying back trying to fall asleep, his thoughts wandered to the past and he recalled what his life had been like a few years ago before his brother had set him up.

Rage started to fill his heart. His older brother, together with his wife had planned the whole thing. The hatred that he felt wasn’t towards these two, but towards his stupidity. He couldn’t believe he had been so blind and trusted them so much. He actually loved them and how could he have ever imagined that his own flesh and blood would one day betray him. With this one his mind, he managed to fall asleep.

On the following morning, it was quite early, the sun was just barely showing itself in the sky; he was awakened by a strong gust of water. He coughed and choked and started to roll down the street. The water was truly powerful.

When he finally managed to get a hold of himself, he could see what was going on. There was a gigantic city water truck washing the streets. The city workers did not care whether there were human beings among the litter. With the powerful gush of water, they just swept everyone and everything away. Right behind this truck there was another truck with a big scoop that just scrapped up the trash and threw it into the opening in the rear of the truck. The people scurried like mice to get away and not be hurt by the scrapper.

All you could hear was the sound of the water gushing out of the hose, the scoop scrapping the concrete ground, children crying and men and women screaming and yelling. It wasn’t a war scene but there was horror in the sounds those humans were producing.

As he walked away in tears, he remembered that it was election year and the government needed to clean up the city and it did just that.

Author’s note: I actually witnessed the city water truck cleaning the streets in downtown SP the other morning and it was a horrible scene.

(Written: September 13, 2012)

copyright ©2012 - Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion.

Venting

Today I woke up in so much pain. Every joint and muscle in my body ached, besides the burning sensation that normally comes from my legs. It felt like my whole body was being put through a minced meat machine. This is so mind boggling, for if doctors cannot figure out what is wrong with me, what is triggering this discomfort? At least I am awake and able to move. I do thank God for this every morning. I have read that there are people who feel so much paint hat they end up losing their walk because it hurts so much for them to put their feet on the ground.

Today it took me half an hour to get out of bed. I gave the usual commands, but the head pain was overwhelming. I managed to sit up; nonetheless, I needed to stretch despite the aches and painful stiffness.

Slowly I did and went to prepare my morning coffee.  This morning I was moving as if I was being filmed in slow motion. So slow that I delayed my morning routine and had to cancel my physiotherapy session. At least I got to speak to my therapist who gave me some stretching tips. She also agreed with me that driving today would not be recommended especially because my car is not automatic but stick shift, which is good for the exercise.

I do not moan, I do not groan, I do not cry nor do I scream although all of these actions cross my mind. But then again, what for? Who will hear me? Will it lessen the pain or make it go away? Why waste more energy? So, quietly and slowly I do what I have to do. I use the present tense here because this is on a daily basis; however, today it was stronger than most days.

Deep down inside I know that all if this will disappear one day and until that day comes I walk in faith.

( Written September 11, 2012)

copyright ©2012 - Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion.

Help Came on Two Wheels

The light turned red, He had reached the end of the sidewalk. He patiently waited for someone to approach him and help him cross for his white cane could see where he was going but not if it was ok for him to cross or not. He couldn’t budge and had to wait patiently after all he was visually impaired.

The drivers behind the wheels of the cars nervously awaited for the light to turn green but also looked at the poor blind man on the sidewalk. (Waiting for a traffic light to turn green can seem like eternity when in reality it is just a couple of minutes. This always makes a driver tense and anxious.) What if he took the risk and plunged onto the street?

The first vehicle at the stop light was not a car, but a motorcycle. The driver turned off it off and walked to the sidewalk. He said something to the man who instantly grabbed the kind driver’s elbow. Slowly they crossed over to the other side. R-e-a-l-l-y s-l-o-w!

While they were on their way, the traffic light turned green. None of the cars could move because the motorcycle was parked right in the middle of the street blocking off the cars. No one honked their horns; on the contrary, everyone waited for the visually impaired man to arrive safely at his destination- the other side of the street.

The light turned red again as soon as the motorcycle driver hopped on his bike and turned it on. Instead of waiting for the light to turn green again, he immediately took off.

He had done a great deed and had also broken the law.

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 (Written September 6, 2012)

copyright ©2012 - Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion.

Nothing But A Rollercoaster

You go up,

You come down.

You laugh,

You cry.

You rise,

You fall.

You fall,

You rise.

You bleed,

You heal.

You win,

You lose.

You ask,

You answer.

You love,

You hate.

You live,

You finally die.

That’s life: A rollercoaster filled with ups and downs.

Simple as that.

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(Written September 5, 2012)

copyright ©2012 - Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion.