15 November 05
Kater Murr
I’ve been listening to the one CD of Schumann I have, Artur Rubenstein performing the Kreisleriana and the Fantasia Op. 17. Maybe this means it’s time to reread E.T.A. Hoffmann’s wild circa 1820 novel The Life and Opinions of Kater Murr, which was the inspiration for the Kreisleriana.
From the opening bits:
Well the editor promised to do his best for his literary colleague. It did rather surprise him when his friend confessed that the manuscript was the work of a tomcat called Murr, and contained an account of the cat’s life and opinions; however, he had given his word, and since the style of the opening struck him as quite good he went straight off, with the manuscript in his pocket to Herr Dümmler in Unter den Linden and offered him the right to publish the tomcat’s book.
Herr Dümmler said that although he had never numbered a cat among his authors before, nor did he know that any of his esteemed colleagues had taken on a man of that stamp, he was willing to make the attempt.
So printing began, and the editor saw the first clean proofs. Imagine his alarm, however, when he discovered that now and then Murr’s story breaks off, and there are interpolations of a different nature, which belong to another book, containing the biography of Kapellmeister Johannes Kreisler!
E.T.A. Hoffmann did actually have a cat named Murr.
7 October 05
Daily Habit
The Daily Kitten is always good for a smile, even on a bleak day.
28 September 05
Zen Hunting
If you meet the Buddha on the road, watch out, he may bear claws.
16 September 05
Friday Catblogging
Leaving the closet doors open can prove risky.
8 September 05
Out With The Laundry
This morning I got out of the shower, went to my closet in the bedroom, and noticed something odd about the laundry hamper. Charlie was dozing quite contentedly there, and I don’t know how long he stayed—I had to run to work!
29 August 05
Cats in Sinks
Our kitties view the bathroom countertop solely as the springboard for leaping up onto the windowsill, but these cats have other ideas.
21 August 05
Contentment
Let it never be said Charlie doesn’t know how to relax.
20 August 05
All Ready To Go
Last Saturday we took Diego to the vet for a checkup and shots (he didn’t like the experience one bit). This meant getting the cat carrier out from its storage place disassembled in my closet. Upon its return Charlie decided the carrier was a nice place to hang out and he has taken to dozing inside, as shown at right. Diego ventures inside it too, though he usually doesn’t stay as long.
4 August 05
Walks With Cats
Our kitties are indoors cats, but not wanting to deprive them utterly of outdoors life, early on we got them used to being on a leash and harness and started going for strolls with them outside. This has become a twice-daily routine, and they are very insistent especially in the morning that they get their little stroll.
As Pica illustrates here, such an outing is really a two-person job. The kitties are wont to go their own directions. Most of the duration we let them wander about without holding on to their leashes, and since they cut down the wheat, they have a large open field in which to romp.
25 July 05
Pseudogenes? I don't think so...
A paper published today in the Public Library of Science Genetics suggests that cats don’t have a taste receptor for sweet, unlike most if not all other mammals.
Charlie, at left here, comes running when he hears me crunch down on an apple, a pear, or even a peach. Not sure how this ultimately shakes down, but if it’s true, Charlie’s going on a sugar-free diet.