Tag: animals

The Perfect Match

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I would compare myself to a cat. Why? I seem to have an affinity with and for them and I see their qualities reflected back in me.

First of all, I don’t just see them as animals. Chachi, the cat, is my constant companion, my baby, and a confidante of sorts. He is quiet, introspective, independent, loves his alone time and affectionate but on his own terms. Exactly the way I am. He loves working out, yes working out, and joins me when I start my workouts. Nature is his preoccupation and he loves spending time at the big window in the kitchen watching life go by and since he is not an outdoor cat, it’s the best part of his day. We have a connection to nature in that respect.

We love to cuddle and we talk to each other, well I talk and he meows. The little things make us happy and life as we know it is on an even keel and that is how we like it. Hygiene is of the utmost importance, his is to fastidiously clean himself both morning and nights and sometimes in between as well! I ditto that concept. Cleanliness is next to Godliness as they say and cats are incredibly clean creatures.

Finally, we don’t like to be touched unnecessarily. Hands off is my stance and it is the same with him. However, he has a harder time saying no since I pick him up and shower kisses whenever I feel like it and he puts up with it even if at times he shows disdain for this “human” showing affection thing! We are connected in so many ways and we are at peace in each other’s company and sometimes I have this feeling that I used to be a CAT in a former lifetime! Perhaps that’s the connection between us.

Daily writing prompt
Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?
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The Straggler

I took a walk the other day. Walking is one of my favorite things to do. When the weather is nice, I am out there. When it’s cold, I am out there and during the in-between times I am out there. Lately I’ve had to put this passion of mine on the backburner because freezing weather has moved in and in between navigating the iced up patches of water and the muddy pathways, it has taken the joy out of an activity that I love.

I was bundled up but my face was exposed and the wind had decided to kiss my nose with its icy fingers to make its presence known. Just as I was about to give up and head back to the cosy interior of my place, I heard some squawking above. Looking up and to my surprise I noticed a flock of birds, they could have been ducks or geese, not sure which they were but they were flying in a L-formation, usually they fly in a V-formation heading to warmer temperatures down south. These were late heading out and there weren’t enough to form the V-formation either. Are they stragglers? When used in ornithology, it is defined as a stray, or strayed bird, out of its usual range or off its regular migration pattern. What had they been doing to throw them off course? Procrastinating? Couldn’t care less? We’ll make the journey when we feel like it? Or simply, we’ll move when the time suits us and not before.

Another definition for a straggler defines it as a person in a group who becomes separated from the others, typically because of moving more slowly. How many times have we experienced that? I know I have when life throws a curveball and I come to a complete standstill. At these times, I unsync myself and step out of the norm and what is expected of me.  I move slowly and take my time and sometimes not at all. I stood watching as the migratory birds headed out, trying to keep up with what was expected of them and a thought ran through my mind. ”It is never too late” and another one followed suit, “Better late than never.” However, stepping out for a little while is ok but stepping back in and not letting too much time pass by is the key to moving on. You have to know the difference between the two..

Choosing to be a straggler is not always a good thing, keeping up with the status quo might be a better way of doing things but there are those of us who choose to be different. We tend to do things our way and if that means it takes a little longer to get there, to get back into the moment, so be it. Just so we never stop moving and we get to where we need to on time or a little late dragging ourselves to the finish line.

“Focus on what lights a fire inside of you and use that passion to fill a white space. Don’t be afraid of the challenges, the missteps, and the setbacks along the way. What matters is that you keep going.” Kendra Scott

I watched the birds fly out of sight knowing full well that some will make it and some won’t and that is the sad part because they waited and took their time. Reminding myself to get back on track, I walked home having learned a lesson from nature.

“The man on top of the mountain didn’t just fall there.” Vince Lombardi