The Manic Mechanic

The cats that visit and hang out around the house, garage and yard are an endless source of entertainment for Jeff and I and, especially, Kodi. The cats (four regulars and a couple skittish visitors) know that Kodi will give chase at a moment's notice, and they've learned some tricks to send Kodi off on a wild goose cat chase when they are not up for it, but will indulge him now and then. I've figured a way to ensure a peaceable kingdom when it's feeding time. Everyone gets their own little pile of cat food, even Kodi. One of these days I gotta have my camera ready for one of these food fests, as everyone looks like part of the same litter.

All is not peaches and cream with these kitties, however. They've been clawing up the deck posts, one or more of them bit holes in a coiled hose that is used on the deck for watering plants. I was sitting on the deck in a funk during my Great LJ Blackout a little while ago talking situations out with Jeff. I noticed the hose full of teeth marks, and when I turned the water on, it was spraying everywhere. I figure since this is also where we get the water for the little varmints they figure they would try to get their own drink. The spigot is in the same area where we feed everyone. Ah well, one more thing to be replaced.

The kittehs put up with my silly playing, and they are great company. They all have been subjected to various LOLcat indignities (holding them like Longcat, smooshing up their faces like Serious Cat, asking if they want cheeseburgers, etc.) and they take it in stride. In fact, the more they get handled, the more wanting they become. But something strange happened the other day, and it proved a theory I had as to how one of the skylight screens got messed up a month or so ago.

A couple weeks ago Jeff heard a loud ruckus in the sunroom. He found TiggerToo meowing in the room. Thing is, all the doors were shut. The skylight screen was on the floor, now with a bent frame. The cats know how to easily get on the roof (jump up on the railing, then from there jump on the canvas pergola roof, then onto the house roof) and Pinky scared the absolute crap out of me while I was working on the skylights earlier (I should not have been on the ladder, but it had to be done). So, in my twisted little mind, I could see what TiggerToo was up to that day.

(TiggerToo climbs up on roof, finds open skylight)

TiggerToo: Guys? Hey guys! (nothing)

TiggerToo: Hey, I got a new LOLCat for you, since you like them so much! Guys? (nothing)

TiggerToo: Oh well, you'll love this anyway, here goes... (climbs into skylight)

TiggerToo: "Ceiling Cat is watching you maAAAAAAAAAHH!!!" (screen falls out of skylight, T2 rides it all the way down)

*CRASH*

*meow?*

Kitteh was not harmed, though the screen frame is kinked up pretty bad. More work for me.

Tonight, despite being in a serious world of hurt earlier, I managed to get into the garage and finish up part of a project I had going, putting larger wheels on the huge portable generator. I needed to make a new axle, make up spacers and bushings to fit the larger, one inch bore bearings, and mount everything up. The 400+ pound monster is next to impossible to push across lawns and soft ground with the dinky wheels it came with, so I rectified that. I will put the final touches on as much stuff as I can and attempt to change the oil and a couple burned out bulbs in Jeff's truck before my surgery. Everything else after that will have to wait till I recover.

I had company while I tinkered, it was T2, alone this time. Since I am stuck sitting on the floor, the cat insists on getting in my lap and pushing his face into whatever I am doing. I did notice something though, after I picked him up by the scruff of his neck to move him like kitteh moms do when they are kittens. T2, already purring, mewed a bit and started purring louder, then slowly wanted back in my lap, this time, he was nuzzling under my arm and burying his face in my lap, quietly kneading with his paws. I guess I brought back some kitten memories. Come to think of it, I had picked up each of these cats like this early one to determine the he- or she-ness of them, After doing that, they all seemed to like me even more. Must be a cat thing.

Reading about the massacre today at VA Tech was yet another moment that makes me think we might be seeing the downfall of the human race in progress. Climate change is currently on us, as the Northeast is getting socked in by snow or heavy rain, and I watch shingles flung off my roofs. Greed and self-centered behavior is the rule of the day everywhere it seems. It also seems people dont really care. I know I preach to the choir when I write here, since many, if not most of my readers share feelings similar to mine. But I look around at people during my daily grind and I sense that many seem to be lining up like so many lemmings in a marathon run that just might not have a pretty ending.

I think the human race is becoming a victim of it's own success.

I however always seem to hope for and see in people their ability to rise above adversity. Unfortunately, it often takes a catastrophe of large proportions to bring out that quality. You tend to not see it in those who 'have it made', as it were. And for the longest time, aside from a few spots of calamity, people have never had it so good, and it often shows but for the worst. Instant gratification is the word of the day. Mind-numbing venues of endless entertainment. Point-and-click, and it's yours. Use that cellphone any time you want. The list goes on. If not measured against disaster, lean times for all or some great calamity, people feel an overwhelming sense of entitlement and greed.

It is said that 'all good things must come to an end'. I feel this is true, for if nothing else, it gives us a gauge for when the next 'good things' come about. It gives people a common goal. And in the worst of times, you will often see the best that mankind has within itself.

I cannot help but feel that mankind will soon have to withstand it's greatest test yet. Let's hope for the best.