So, I’m not sure where to begin. I think I will start by saying that I have been feeling lazy and not interested in the blog recently. But here I am, so I guess I will push through it. Much has happened since my last communication “Shake, Shake, Shake your Lulav” not that long ago, actually. We have had weather that is beyond belief. When I say we, I don’t mean so much right here in Marietta, although we did have some wind and a big rain last week. The devastation to the lives of people and their animals from the flooding and wind of hurricanes Florence and Michael is hard to imagine. A great many of Mike and Judy’s friends have family members or friends directly impacted by the storms. This must be true for everyone here. Everybody pray, and do whatever else you are able to do to help.
Jackson had a “Well-cat” visit to the Extreme Vet a few days ago. He admits that he cried like a baby in the carrier on the way there. They poked around at him for a few minutes, stuffed him back into the carrier, and Mike and Judy brought him back home good as gold. He is 9 years old now, about 58 in people’s years.
Shayna Maidel has always been the fastest eater of the 4 of us. She acts like she has missed a lot of meals, although she never has. Mike and Judy brought her and Jackson home from the shelter as kittens. Recently, the bolting of her food has triggered immediate vomiting. She has barfed twice in her dish. Nice. So, Mike went to a pet supply store to buy a dish that slows down the eating. All they had was a dish for dogs, so, foolishly, Mike got it. None of us could reach the food. We have small, right-sized tongues, not those long slobbery things that dogs use to lick at everything imaginable. Mike will take the dish back once he locates the receipt. In the meantime, Judy took up our bowls and is putting our kibble in flat saucers. So far, so good.
So, partisan politics has met the #MeToo movement. It was a circus. It gives the term, “Sober as a Judge” a whole new meaning. I have never seen people so angry on both sides. I hear a lot of talk in Happy Meadows and on the TV and radio. Mike says the harsh feelings began when Senator McConnell wouldn’t call hearings on President Obama’s nomination of Judge Garland to the Supreme Court. The strenuous opposition to Judge Kavanaugh was payback. But, of course, it is much more than that. Women are speaking up about sexual manipulation as never before. Spoiled Donald, who has acknowledged such behavior in the past, says he feels sorry for young men these days. Their vulnerability, I guess, is to unfair accusations. This has been the case for black men, especially in the South where I live, for many years. Young white women have gotten black men sent to prison for life, or even lynched, with lies about sexual advances. No, the harsh feelings go back long before the unethical machinations of Senator McConnell. As I have said before, the American population is trending brown, and the white folks will soon be in the minority. White men in power will do whatever they are able to maintain the status quo, and it is the obligation to themselves of the brown and black people to assert their rights. If you think I have taken sides, don’t forget that I am a black cat. But really, things will work out only if principled people take charge and do the right thing. This is most likely to happen if people vote. We have an interesting election coming up. A black lady is running for governor here in Georgia. Mike thinks everyone should vote, what ever their politics. I agree. So get out there and vote, y’all.
In the midst of all the insanity, World Mental Health Day came and left on October 10. It’s a good idea to promote the recognition of mental illness as an ever-present problem in our communities and families. If mental illness is destigmatized more people will get necessary help sooner. See what you can do in your own communities to be of service. Here in Happy Meadows we are recognizing a substance abuse problem, and have opened our clubhouse to an AA group for a weekly meeting. Soon an Al-Anon meeting will meet here as well. Mike went to a community event last week sponsored by the Blue Dove Foundation in Atlanta. Their mission is to raise awareness of mental illness within the Jewish community. Much progress has already been made, and yet, there is a long way to go. I think if everyone devotes some time each week to a single cause that is important to them the world can save itself. The Jewish term is “Tikkun Olam.” This is a spiritual concept, but a practical one as well. It translates as “Repair of the World.” So, grab your toolbox, cast your ballot, and let’s all do better. So long for now from Happy Meadows!
Good one, Black Magic!