Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003
Dear Diary:

As I write this the downstairs of the house is full of the sound of carpentry--wood being planed, chiselling, a drill buzzing. We (this would be the Marn we, meaning the spousal unit doing something I consider A Good Thing) are installing a cat door between the porch/laundry room/food storage room (where we enter the house) and the adjoining kitchen.

Now normally when you use the term "cat door" you're talking about a small opening with a flap, said opening installed in a pre-existing door so a cat can enter and exit at will. In this case we are going to the time and expense of installing An Actual Freaking Door.

Do we need a door there? No, not really except that everything we've read about integrating adult cats into a home that already has an adult cat says it's wise to feed them on opposite sides of a door for the first few weeks. Apparently this helps them associate each other's smells with good times, to gradually ease into acknowledging each other's presence.

Our tiny log house is open plan with very few spots you can put a door. We like it open like this. Yet, we are installing a door. A door we don't really need. A door which will be used for about half an hour a day for about two weeks.

A cat door.

Stop snickering. Stop it right now.

We Are NOT whipped.

Norma supervising renovations to her home.  The spousal unit says she is not too hard to work for.Oh, who am I trying to kid? We are so whipped it's pitiful, really. I mean, look at this picture. Norma has spent the morning supervising the spousal unit as he works. The word pitiful probably isn't big enough to hold what is happening here.

I know, this is a lot of bother for three animals. But the thing is, our last two cats each lived more than 18 years. Do I want to spend the next 18 years or so of my life refereeing cat fights? Does hauling semi-mauled cats off to the vet appeal to me? In a word, no.

I Want The Love. Whether or not I can get the love is a whole other kettle of fish.

Norma has pretty much decided that she is now the owner of our little log home and we are her peons. It appears that we will be allowed to give her unlimited affection, food, water and fresh kitty litter and in exchange we can stay here. From a cat's point of view, this is pretty darned decent.

Norma is not sure yet about Enid. Enid, it appears, is on probation for her open-hearted kittenish ways, for the way she loves to gambol, for her thick-headed inability to see that She Is Living in Norma's House. Enid loves the world. Every time Enid tries to show Norma the slightest bit of affection, Norma responds with a hiss, a swipe and a look that screams, "Who the heck invited HER?"

Oh, and our original cat, Zubby? Well, he is sulking. He has barely come into the house at all since the new arrivals came, even for food. This morning I went outside and literally carried him into the house, petting him until he reluctantly agreed to try a nap on our bed.

The cat door should be installed sometime this afternoon. At that point The Ultimate Treat, an actual can of real tuna fish, is going to be opened and distributed among three stupidly spoiled cats. I scored a small container of the crack of the cat world, kitty treats, which will be distributed to reward even the slightest sign of mutual acceptance. If the experts are right, the secret to kitty peace appears to be in making sure there are good snacks during crucial meetings.

Hrm, do you think it might help towards world peace, as well?

--Marn

Mileage on the Marnometer: 373.18 miles (600.6 kilometers) Ten percent there rubber duck.Ten percent there rubber duck.Ten percent there rubber duck.Ten percent there rubber duck. Half way smoochTen percent there rubber duck.Ten percent there rubber duck.
Goal for 2003: 500 miles - 804.5 kilometers

Going Nowhere Collaboration

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