TheBanyanTree: I've nothing better to do

[John Bailey]

Sunday October 19, 2003

I'VE NOTHING BETTER TO DO

Today was the day when the carpet in the hall and downstairs loo came up, 
exposing bare concrete in preparation for the installation of new vinyl 
planking[1]. Dolly the Mega Cat was aghast. Horrified, even.

"Whatever is the matter with that cat?" Graham wondered as she picked her 
way across the concrete with as much care as you or I would devote to 
finding a safe path across a newly laid minefield.

"It's the concrete," I said. "She's never experienced concrete indoors before."

"Well, it's about time, then. Spoilt, that cat is."

Dolly gave us one of her best, most fearsome Medusa stares and, when we 
failed to turn into stone, treated us to a full-scale yowl from top to 
bottom of her vocal range and back again. Which is a long way. Yma Sumac at 
her peak had nothing in her reportoire to compare with a full range Dolly howl.

"Wow, Dolly, that was impressive," I said.

"She's not going to keep that up, is she?"

"Nah. I reckon she's done now, complaint registered and slightly warmed 
Carnation milk compensation secured."

At the sound of the magic words, Harry Cat came pittering through the hall 
and into the kitchen, completely ignoring the change of floor surface.

"There you are, Dolly," I said, doing my best to avoid tripping over a 
foot-winding Harry while I nuked a drop of Carnation Milk. "That's the way 
to do it."

"It's your fault, you know," said Graham.

"What is, and how do you make that out?"

"You spoil the little blighters."

"Ah well. I've nothing better to do. Coffee?"

-------------------

[1]  In normal times the thought of using vinyl planking on the floor would 
have me out manning the barricades, fighting on the beaches and protesting 
in other suitable ways. In this house, though, and in these circumstances, 
it's the right choice for the right reasons.


--
John Bailey   Carmarthenshire, Wales
journal of a writing man
<http://www.oldgreypoet.com>