My wife (the Motherthing) was chatting on the box tonight, eating the cereal I had fetched for her. The cats, of course are accustomed to getting the leftover milk from (non-chocolate) cereal.

Jack (short for Black Jack Pershing), our oldest Ghod-in-residence, felt she was not eating at a properly cat-reverent speed, and that she should eat faster and scratch him, as well. Initial ploy was to sit on the table next to the 'puter chair (the mousing surface).

I told her: "Step away from the milk, and no one gets hurt."

She, of course, laughed and continued to chat and eat.

Next ploy was to sit on the desk, next to the keyboard, which is in front of the lower left part of the monitor. Needless to say, this is where her chat window was...

I told her: "Step away from the milk, and no one gets hurt."

She, of course, laughed (harder) and continued to chat and eat.

Ploy 3 was to stand over ther mouse and cheek-scrub her shoulder. She said "Ja-a-ack!", and placed him on the floor.

I told her: "Step away from the milk, and no one gets hurt."

She, of course, laughed (harder) and continued to chat and eat.

The story goes on, however, and Ploy 4 comes into play. Walking across the desk, while taking care to step on as many keys as possible.

Naturally, I told her: "Step away from the milk, and no one gets hurt."

In between giggles, she finished her cereal (while cussing the cat). And Horror of horrors, there's only a trace of milk left in the bowl.

[sigh] Daddy put more milk in the bowl, so it all came out well in the end, right?

Copyright © Rusty the Bookman
March 17, 2002