The Guests are Coming

Tonight, through the foggy sky, Graham's sister, Coreen, and her two year old daughter are coming to stay for five days. This means we are shacking up in our tiny apartment, rearranging furniture so that the four of us can sleep properly (which means sleeping at all), and trying to send telepathic messages to the cats to let them know: YOUR WORLD IS ABOUT TO BE ROCKED.

Coreen and Lauren came last year, about this time. Sleater-Kitty had been living with us for about six weeks, and we already knew that she had EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS, and was very, ahem, SENSITIVE from whatever traumatic history she had. Not like I can EMPATHISE or anything. Nothing prepared us however for the STRONG REACTION she would have to the invasion of another small being, the one year old Lauren. Lauren immediately loved Sleater-Kitty with an unbridled passion, that filled her entire body. When she went to show her love, Sleater batted at her and fled. Lauren then would see her, and stand rigidly about three feet away from her, and literally SHAKE with her love that had to remain a LONG DISTANCE love. Sleater showed her feelings in a slightly different way.

Graham and I decided to try and sleep out in the living room. Not only did she pace all night, around and on top of us, but then came a particular WITCHING HOUR, when we would hear her digging around in her litter box, only to stick her little white butt OUTSIDE the door of her box PROJECTILE POO. Then, she would WALK THROUGH IT. This didn't happen just one night, this happened EVERY SINGLE NIGHT that Coreen and Lauren were staying with us. Graham and I couldn't sleep a wink for FEAR of the DREADED scratch in the litter box sound, which then followed with us blocking her inside the bathroom, cleaning up the poo and her. MIRACULOUSLY the projectile poo STOPPED the day they were gone.

Coincidence? I think not.

We are trying things a bit differently this year. Sleater-Kitty has grown up quite a bit. She's had babies, she now lives with another cat, and there have been other house guests. She is also less of a spaz now in the POO and ATTACK areas. She actually LIKES being held now, which is a totally new development. Also, we have replaced the lid covered litter box with a larger tray model--to give her AMPLE aiming room. Best of all, this time she won't have us sleeping in the living room. Graham and I are sleeping in my studio, with the DOOR SHUT, thank you very much.

We spent all day yesterday cleaning up, rearranging, and getting ready. I finished the above painting made out of my old beloved satin pajamas that had turned to rags, and acrylic paint. Just a last minute bit of art making, before the desk gets moved and the bed gets placed. My cats aren't the only ones who have rituals that make them feel safe. Difference is, I can HOLD IT for a few days.