I took zero pictures today. I really did not do a whole lot and nothing picture-worthy seemed to be part of the little I did do. I could take a picture of the washed, dried, and folded laundry I did but for the fact that it's all still in the dryer and I suppose I'll get around to folding it at some point. I thought about taking a picture of our breakfast wherein I made a sort of frittata or Spanish tortilla or whatever you want to call an egg pie made in a skillet with vegetables and ham and cheese. It was good, whatever it is called, and since it had vegetables in it, so very, very healthy!
But I did not take a picture.
Oh well.
For the first time in five days, Maurice has not brought me a squirrel tail. I guess she cleaned out the entire nest. She is outside right now though, prowling along her patrol borders so things could change at any moment. Glen and I had a long talk this morning about how impossible it is for humans to fathom what or how a cat (or dog) thinks. We know that our animals have emotions. That's all there is to it. And those can be, or at least appear to be, very much like ours in some cases. We know when they are content, we know when they want attention, we know when they're not happy, we know when they are jealous or, at least in the case of Maurice, pissed off because one or both of us has deserted her for a period of time.
But beyond that- we are merely anthropomorphizing their actions (and probably emotions, too) with only our own experience and how we take in and view our environment and react to it. We have no idea what things even look like to our pets, not to mention the difference in various other sensory abilities. Think of the constant bombardment of smells that dogs have! That must surely form and inform their behavior. Do cats have a hyper sense of smell? I have no idea. Frankly, I think our pets may well have a sort of sixth sense that I believe humans have too, although ours has paled considerably over the eons, or at least we do not recognize it for what it is. But I believe science will one day figure this out and prove it to be true. It's not woo-woo. It's evolution.
Well, anyway, I have no idea what I'm talking about but I suppose the gist of it is simply that although Mr. Moon and I think we should be able to understand Maurice and the things she does, we really cannot.
Hell, humans are often baffled by the things we ourselves do!
Moving on.
One of the things Glen and I did today was to finish shelling the very last field peas of the season. While we did that, we watched a little bit of a new series we've dipped into called "The Lowdown." It stars Ethan Hawke who I can almost confidently say has had no work done on his face and I admire that so much.
SO MUCH!
And he's really excellent in the role of a journalist who calls himself a "truthstorian" who is not, shall we say, riding a cresting wave of good luck, fortune, wealth, and fame. The rest of the cast is great so far and today I figured out why it has captured me so entirely when I saw that Sterlin Harjo is the creator and writer of the series. Sterlin Harjo was also the creator of "Reservation Dogs" which I loved beyond measure and in "The Lowdown" I get the same vibe with the exceptional and interesting characters, the writing, the dark humor, the settings, and also, the music.
I am looking forward to a run with this one.
Speaking of actors, I was so sorry to hear that Diane Keaton had died. When I first heard her age at death, which was 79, I immediately thought, "Oh, too young!" but then I realized that actually, 79 is a pretty good age. And if anyone had a good run, it was her. Never married, a long string of what must have been fabulously interesting lovers, including the author Larry McMurtry, and a body of work that few could match. Although she always seemed to bring herself to her characters, each one was unique and although we often think of her in the rom-coms she so royally brought to life, I think of her role as the mother/matriarch in "The Family Stone" and I am reminded of how truly great her range was.
My friend Sue and I both loved "Baby Boom" so much. A film she did in 1987 in which she co-starred with Sam Shephard. It was, I suppose, a rom com but it was also a study in the roles of women at that time, how women perceived themselves and wanted others to perceive them, how impossible it was to achieve all the things that we assured ourselves we were capable of, and how to come to terms with all of that. I still love that movie.
Love...Ms. Moon
Nice to read about your continuing contentment with Mr moon! With or without chores accomplished.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that we frequently remember why we fell in love.
DeleteBaby Boom is one of my favourite movies, I have my own copy.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you and Mr Moon found each other all those years ago.
I am so glad we found each other too.
Deletelove with not only Mr Moon....but in your life, is always something to cherish. Folding laundry can wait till tomorrow! LOL! Diane Keaton. Loved her work...all of it- my favorite, I believe, was *Somethings got to give* with Jack Nicholson. That movie just spoke to me in so many ways. RIP Diane, you were a beautiful and vibrant woman in so many ways
ReplyDeleteSusan M
"Something's Got To Give" was indeed a good movie and I enjoyed watching her with Jack Nicholson but I think I prefer her deeper roles. Perhaps I should say darker roles. I don't know. But she was a very talented, beautiful, and vibrant woman.
DeleteI was also sad to hear of Diane Keaton passing. She was a treasure and much loved. La di da, la di da.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember her eternally, it will be for those three words, repeated.
DeleteHave you seen '5 Flights Up' with Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman? Because it is about a love that lasts. It is about changes. It reminds me of this blog post.
ReplyDeleteI DID see it but had forgotten about it. It was so good! I need to watch that again. Thank you for reminding me.
DeleteLovely tribute to Diane Keaton. She was a fave of mine too.
ReplyDeleteIt was hard not to like her, if not love her.
DeleteDianne Keaton… always found her calming and kind.
ReplyDeletePets …..love them .Even those I would never ever own…. like a chihuahua . Hate them but their carers obviously love them and that’s good enough for me.
Our current girl loves my singing…..will see me and rollover for a song…when we go out for coffee she has a bed, a blankie and a couple of her toys in the car. We idolise her and would be totally lost without her. She reads stress like no one else and stays by your side until you have calmed down.
I imagine your Maurice is a great comfort and companion, and that you have the best conversations with him without him answering back!
No. I am not sure I see the charm of a chihuahua either but many must.
DeleteYour now-doggy sounds like a very lucky, loved, and loving sweetheart. It's good that she can read stress. Maurice seems to sense when something is not right with one of us. I've often called her (she is a female) my nurse cat. When I broke my ribs she was right by my side for a month.
Yes, it's mind-boggling to think about what our pets experience and how they feel. It's hard to know what Maurice sees when she looks at you -- both in terms of rank within the "pride" and physical image. Does she think she is dominant? Entirely possible!
ReplyDeleteI always liked Diane Keaton in "Manhattan," a beautiful movie that has not aged well in its subject matter. I haven't thought of "Baby Boom" in ages. In fact I'm not sure I've ever seen it.
Hmmm...
DeleteDoes she thinks she dominant? That is such a good question. That may well be the case. It would explain why she brings in game- to teach me to hunt, and why she scratches and bites. I imagine that's how mama lions tell their cubs to knock it off. But I don't have a thick fur skin! Who knows?
"Baby Boom" is worth watching for Sam Shepard if for no other reason. If, of course, you like that kind of quirky good looks. Which I do. Very much.
Animals are weird, like people:) Our cat is pissed right now because it has turned cold and the deck furniture has been stored in the basement, so no more outdoor beds for her. She goes in and out a lot, hoping to find a door into summer. She stalks into the house, waves of irritation coming off her as she goes to find a warm place to sleep.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe Diane Keaton had died either. She was the same age as my father when he died. I don't know what she died of, but I bet she went out on her own terms. I loved her in "Something's Gotta Give" and "The Family Stone".
Do you remember Robert Heinlein's book with that same title? The Door into Summer? I liked that book a lot. And yes, I've seen Maurice do the same thing but trying to find a door where it's not raining outside rather than it being too cold.
DeleteI read a book of hers and she talked a great deal about her mother's death. As I recall, the family just pulled tightly together and loved her for quite awhile. I would hope Diane got that too.
I do remember that book and it always reminds me of cats.
DeleteI looked up how many movies Diane Keaton made...at least 54. I've seen a few. And 79 is a pretty long life but at me 75 it seems very short.
ReplyDeleteLife expresses itself in n abundance of ways with different faculties with which to experience the experience. Humans think they are the epitome of this experiment but I imagine every creature thinks the same.
She was definitely a true working actress!
DeleteYeah. 79 is getting younger-sounding every day.
Oh yes. Of course we humans believe that we do indeed have dominion over everything on the planet because we are the supreme creation.
Haha!
RIP DK. She had a good run and was a wonderful actress with many movies during her long career. I had no idea she was ill. It was a shock to hear she is no longer with us.
ReplyDeleteI've read that dogs/cats know when something is not right with their owners. They pick up on emotional energy.
Some are very alpha, and others are more submissive (and everything in between). Just like people.
I didn't know she was ill either. That was one of the reasons it was such a shock.
DeleteI do very much believe that about our pets picking up on our emotions. For sure. And yes, just as no two people are exactly alike, no two dogs or cats are exactly alike, I am sure.
I remember watching Reds - a VERY long movie - and how we all cried.
ReplyDeleteI know that my cats communicated with us, at least they tried and sometimes we got the message.
BTW, my hoover/vacuum is a Miele, yet another German manufacturer , that during World War II, produced weapons for the German nazi army using slave labor.
God that WAS a long movie. I had forgotten!
DeleteYes. Sometimes we get the message that our cats try to give us. I am sure they are so frustrated when we don't. "Stupid humans!" I can hear Maurice say.
All right. Miele. I have heard that name. Did not know about their beginnings. Definitely not the only ones.
I agree about our pets. We are constantly trying to impose on their behaviors our rules and reason (well, sometimes we have reason).
ReplyDeleteSome things are obvious. Like when Dudo gets pissed off because Moose is on HIS chair. But other times we’re just guessing. And they are so much more sensitive to their environment. Knowing when the elevator door opens, a LONG way down the hall and unheard by me in the apartment, that it’s SG and not someone else. How do they know these things?!? I found this post wonderful and very clear. I’m now thinking of all the great roles Diane Keaton played. I thought the same thing about her age and then realized the same as you. At the moment, I’m glad life and love are lasting.
Oh yes. Cats can be plain as day about how they are feeling, can't they? Maurice certainly is but some of her behavior is just so ridiculously mysterious. WHY must she show her displeasure with us by drawing blood? And what have we done to make her so displeased?
DeleteThat is so interesting about Dudu and Moose know the elevator has arrived and that is SG on it. I am sure they do the same when you come home. That's what I'm talking about. How do they know? It's not magic. It's something explainable but NOT YET!
Do you have a favorite Diane Keaton movie?
I do not have a favorite Diane Keaton movie. When I name one, I roll onto another. She will, however, always be Annie Hall.
DeleteI was so saddened to hear Diane Keaton had passed. She has been one of my favorite actresses for many years. I love the movie Baby Boom and watch it probably at least once a year. The kiss between her and Sam Shepard when she has the flat tire is the best kiss in a movie in my book. I very often replay that section when watching the movie.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of that movie is when Sam comes home with Diane (or their characters, anyway) and they're standing in front of the refrigerator and she offers him some pureed squash or something ridiculous like that and he says, "Maybe later." I don't know why but that just tickles me. Probably his delivery of the line.
DeleteHave you seen "Shoot the Moon"? Drama with Diane Keaton and Albert Finney. Plus some adorable child actors.
ReplyDeleteYes! The scene with her in the bathtub smoking a joint and singing "In My Life." Oh my god.
DeleteWe got to see Diane Keaton at a local Event, she dresses like she does in her Movies and was such a Kind Celebrity and not at all pretentious. I'm glad she had a good long run to attain 79. They say the Average Life Expectancy in American right now is 76, anything beyond that is a Bonus I guess.
ReplyDelete