Some days should be set aside for a quiet time of reflection, enjoying the moment before the day’s activities begin.
Even for intrepid explorers and hunters, sometimes it’s best to watch and appreciate rather than jumping into action. There are enough days when the world is nonstop. Relish those that are.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
As summer approaches and hopefully warmer weather, as spring time has been a bit wacky, I know two little guys who will spend their days relaxing outdoors, enjoying the sunshine, or shade by product, as they refine the art of “cat napping’. Something not to be taken lightly.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Temperatures in the Siouxland recently have reached into the 50’s and some places even 60’s. It’s a nice relief to feel the warm sunshine and see snow melt and brown grass once again reappear. Eventually that grass will turn green weather forecasters are predicting an unusual spring with roller coaster weather patterns involving severe storms and yet more cold temperatures.
When summer arrives with the heat and humidity, I am sure the thoughts of cold mornings may not surface as one might complain about the heat and humidity. But for now, living in the moment and enjoying sitting outside and reading is something to relish and enjoy, until one can’t.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Sometimes one just needs to get away from it all in Siouxland, looking for a place to crash and enjoy a little peace and along time. And some times one doesn’t have to travel very far to find that peace and alone time. It just depends on where one looks for it.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Finding an out of the way place for a nap, a kitten decides no one would find him here, Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
One recent warm day in February a stray cat found a perch on a stone wall and just enjoyed himself sunbathing. However I take it one of the locals was not happy and was keeping a wary eye. The squirrels have grown used to my own cats who don’t bother them as they go about frolicking in the neighborhood, but once a distant cousin moves through the area or stops to sunbathe, the chatty refrain begins and the alerts are sounded.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Every year when winter descends on Siouxland like it does every other temperate zoned place, my two little friends, Poof and Small Fry become a little sullen and “patiently” wait for the return of Spring. On those days when the temps are in the high 30’s, or like recently, 40’s, and the sun is shining, they will venture for a while outside. But most days find them contemplating their anticipated Spring antics from their nap posts, enjoying what sunshine there is and waiting for warmer days.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
During the fall months and even warmer days in December, I like to sit on my porch swing to read or just enjoy the neighborhood. And my cat does as well. On those chillier days I am not against taking a fleece blanket out with me to wrap up in and cover my legs, must like being on a cruise ship. It’s a nice place to read and spend some time. And my cat likes to jump up onto my lap and burrow itself down into the fleece.
One day I noticed the swing moving through the window, and thought it odd, since the wind was not really blowing day. Then I noticed the little fur ball hunkered down, getting comfy, and figured out that my cat enjoys the swing as much as I do, not worrying as it gently rocks itself into place after leaping onto it. It was a bit surprising. But pets can be that sometimes.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Small Fry sitting on the porch swing Dec. 5, 2015, enjoying a warming trend for the week. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga ©)
Some days I feel I am running a cat hostel. The neighbor’s cat, Clyde, has been a frequent guest. Recently, another stray, neighborhood cat (called Pumpkin for want of a name) drops by and is friendly enough. And eats. He doesn’t get to come inside as he is not yet fixed. Should we become friendlier and he does get fixed, that could change. But he eats, and likes a treat every now and again and some catnip. Then he likes to lay in the sun. But Clyde and Pumpkin are not permanent guests.
Poof, one of mine, is older and tends to stay on the deck, well above the fray. As a younger cat, she was a bit of a hellion and taught some neighborhood males to stay out of her yard. But with age, she has mellowed, which thrills me, since the vet bills become more minimal without check ups for bites and such. Everyone keeps a decent demeanor for the most part. And when they sometimes congregate in the yard at the same time, I play traffic cop, scolding and shooing each in a different direction. The yard is big enough, even though the cats might think otherwise.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Everyone, most everyone, has had a pet at one time or another. Growing up and living on a farm, there was one family dog and then the barn cats. Having been away from the farm many years, and inheriting a cat many, many years ago, which is now chasing mice in that cat heaven somewhere, I still have cats for pets. Generally, they are lower maintenance. No being there to let them in out and to take care of business when a litter box will do.
But no matter what kind of pet you have, dog, cat, gerbel, fish, mice, etc., they generally each have their own personality and traits which takes a little time to learn. I have an older cat, that these days likes to sleep, eat, and occasionally wants to be petted, and a younger cat, that still likes being a bit mischievous but can be sweet when it wants to be. Like people, you have to take them for who they are, and for all one’s foibles, they still like you at the end of the day.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
There is a neighbor’s cat that for some reason likes to come over and visit from time to time. Clyde, as the neighbor kids call him, seems to know when it’s lunch time, meows outside the door, saunters in and eats whatever my cats are having. Then for a digestif afterwards, he goes crazy for a little catnap, before he finds a place to take a nap. Sometimes I believe he is a Yogi and returned to this life as a cat from the variety of different positions he assumes as he manages to pass an entire afternoon on the couch, or bed, or window spot that he sometimes likes. My cats, begrudgingly, allow Clyde to nap and they find their own space. Then later, when it’s time for a snack, he awakes, then saunters to the door with a meow to let me know it’s time for him to depart. In my next life…….
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
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