Isn't that strange?
I have so much to say and I want to be engaged, but delivering long-winded (and even short-winded) stories or explanations still wears me out. While getting ready for the Saturday wedding, simple questions like "Where does this platter go?" could make me weak in the knees.
Yesterday, 26 third and fourth grade students from the alternative Sequoyah School in Pasadena came to our yard to learn about the food exchange group and to pick fruit. We gathered under the massive avocado tree while I talked and answered questions about growing and sharing for 15 minutes. My coughing became out of control and I was soon exhausted. I was relieved to let the future gardeners scatter like squirrels to pick figs, avocados and persimmons.
When my loving brother recognized this tiring-talking phenomenon, he asked George to give the toast at his wedding. This morning I woke up filled with regret that I didn't give a toast to him and his beautiful bride Bonnie. The top of his wedding cake is in our freezer, so I'll have to wait until their one-year anniversary to make that toast.
Seems like my turn at being taciturn is just fine with our three cats. With them, the less yakking and yapping the better. Puss (the cat I adopted from my friend Bob) and I have become especially close over the last few days because I slept in "her bedroom" while house guests slept in the king-sized bed. Puss made a daily ritual of grooming my head of hair. She started by licking my curls with her tongue. Then she wet her paw and stroked my hair. She finished with gentle nibbles on my scalp. I never had to say a word.
And I haven't had to wash my hair for days.
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8 comments:
Smooky -
As long as your fingers can take over for your vocals, you're still safe to keep us informed on whatever's on your mind.
I was so enjoying the post and then you had to include that last line....not sure how to react to that one.
I have to admit that I am a total sucker for pet stories. Love the cat. So sweet.
I'm not a cat person, but that sure is a good cat story. If you don't feel like talking, then you're doing the right thing in resting. Talking takes a lot of energy! Once you take a break, you'll be re-energized.
I was just talking with a friend with a non-malignant chronic illness about this topic - the energy drain of talking. Until I went through treatment, I didn't realize how much energy it took to concentrate on what someone else is saying, process it, and hold onto any thoughts I might have until they are done talking.
That's why I leave all important phone calls for my "good" hours in the morning.
All your loving preparations and your presence at the blessed event were as good as any formal "toast" might be, don't you think?
With hope,
Wendy
I'm with you about the "talking". Save yourself for when you really feel like you have something to say. As for the kitty, sometimes they just know. Right before I was diagnosed my big orange kitty gave me tons of extra love, including tons of grooming. He loved to comb through my hair with his paws while I just held still and let him do his thing. Enjoy the kitty love. They're quite discriminating, don't you know.
m'dear, this is why I did things like start a blog, so I would NOT have to talk to everyone, repeating myself dozens of times just to tell friends I was feeling like cr@p. ;-)
Glad the cat is taking over for your grooming habits. I often get licked from here to there by dogs---tho I do hold the line at a few specific areas they need to keep out of---but darn if if it is not better than a shower sometimes!
Oh, I didn't realize Puss was your friend Bob's cat. And now Puss is looking after you. That's just so darned sweet.
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