10.27.2009

Its Me, Ali Z!


Good morning, Kitties and Pups, we have a lot of mail today, so lets get at it!

Mom's good friend Khyra  wrote asking something to the efffect that if I was so smart(dogs get sooo threatened by a smart cat!)  "can woo operate a khamera"?    This is something we are not doing right now but we are working on it.    A question asked by Princess Eva and Brice has something to do with this and we will be discussing it further in next weeks blog.  Exciting stuff!

Max in South Africa asked if we had any idea as to the origins of the old saw 'curiosity killed the cat'.  Let me tell you Max, this goes way, way back. The original proverb was 'care killed the cat' and it was first recorded in the English playwright Ben Jonson's play Every Man in His Humour, 1598.  Care is meaning worry or sorrow in this case.  You can read more about it at The Phrase Finder.

Dave at the Army of Four is a jazz afficionado like me and asked if I knew any Dave Brubeck music, and also samba music?   You might be interested to know, Dave, I am an old Dave Brubeck fan,almost all cats love his piano work!  But I am more fond of samba music than anything.,  Antonio Carlos Jobim is a big favorite and I try to play this style music daily.  It is so exotic and I just love to move around to it.  Do you?
Corcovado is a big favorite, and I would love to know yours so I could work on it before you come to visit.

Tank suggested that I had too high an opinion of myself and cats vs.dogs.  He said he doesn't cough up hair balls or shed and I should try and beat that.  Tank, I am sorry to hear that you are ill and I do hope this didn't have any effect on making you sick.  You must try not to get too excited over things like this and upset yourself.  We are hoping for a fast recovery for you!

My good friend Hamish of Scotland said I feel as though we have this one important thing in common and that is that we are not lacking in self esteem. What about you?    I agree with you totally, Hamish, and also feel that self esteem is a most important part of any animals life.  It gives you the ability to convey what you believe, and to come across to others with strength.  And yes, it can mean to agree to disagree as we have many times.

The OP Pack asked me how the sardines tasted that I recommended last week.  They are just lovely, fishy and oily, full of goodness.  However, my mother has a new recipe she is going to try for just her and I called Linguine with Sardines and Parsley (note this Huffle!) .  This sounds so excellent and we may give Stella a little taste of it to see if she is the gourmand we are.  Don't forget to buy King Oscar tiny sardines, though!

Our little friend Cloud is still having problems with his cat Boomer (who seems to be his mother's favorite for obvious reasons!).  Cloud asks, Are cats psychic?  Since I posted about Boomer hitting me on the head she has done it more times than ever.  This will probably stun you to know, Cloud, but cats know what you are thinking before you think it.  For instance, the time you humped Boomer (a very elderly cat) she knew what you were going to do, but simply couldn't believe you would have the audacity to do it.  So when she smacks you for what you say is No Reason, she is really smacking you for your bad thoughts.  My suggestion?  Stay outdoors and bark at squirrels.!

Our last letter is from Steve, Kat and Wilbur and Steve wrote that Wilbur the Cat was laying next to their Mom when they went to bed.  Steve and Kat layed down next to Mom's legs and Wilbur the cat, hissed and hissed at them, even though Steve says he did nothing to Wilbur.   Ah Steve, I wonder if it isn't like our friend Cloud, who thinks unpleasant thoughts about his cat and she is able to read those thoughts.  If that is the case, perhaps you could gentle up your thoughts a bit, or perhaps let your Mom know she should stop him from doing this.  Or perhaps, Dr. Steve, you need to work one of your famous prescriptions for Wilbur!

Good luck to everybody, my thanks for writing and sharing your thoughts with me.  It looks as if Cloud will not be answering questions quite so frequently, but do check in and see what he is up to.

Meow, Meow,

Ali Zophia

14 comments:

The 'splorin' Wolfies said...

if you have so much confidence than why are you so scared of stella and retreat when she misbehaves. why not fight back? hehehe

The Army of Four said...

Antonio Carlos Jobim!?!?! Antonio Carlos Jobim?!?! I love that guy!!! Him and the whole team up with Stan Getz, João Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto! Wooo.... now you're purring my language, Ali Z! Who thought I'd have so much in common with a kit-cat!!?
Luv,
Dave

Martha said...

Ali Z, you are a cat of many parts!
Such diverse knowledge and interests.
We wondered if you like to dance when listening to your favourite music?
Is there a special someone in your life to share life's special moments?
love
Martha & Bailey xxx

Steve, Kat, & Wilbur said...

Excellent advice, as always, although I am worried about my question. If anyone was thinking bad thoughts about Wilbur, it was Kat. She doesn't like him, but he was hissing at me! Maybe he gets us confused. Second, my mom can't stop Wilbur from hissing, as she is terrified of him, having suffered many of his bites. I guess he's not as nice as you, Ali Z!

Steve

Hamish Westie said...

Hi Ali
So much good advice, as ever! As you have a keen interest in music, can I tell you about my latest favourite CD, The Edge, by the Patrick Kunka Quartet. They are a Scottish/American jazz ensemble who all met when studying at Berklee College in Boston and (just coincidentally) Gail happens to be friends with the drummer Patrick's mum and dad. I have been promised a special treat if I give them some good publicity......
Cheers, H.

Cloud the Wonder Dog said...

Ok Miss Ali. I will try to only think happy and good thoughts around Boomer. But she doesn't make it easy!

My question fur the week has to do wiff Boomer again, and mom is really quite stumped... yesterday Boomer was EATING SPIDERWEBS!!! Yes, you read that right! She was in a corner of the mudroom eating spiderwebs, and really seemed to be enjoying them! WHY WOULD BOOMER EAT THAT??? (Mom says please don't say that she needs to clean better, BOL! She already knows that, plus she let this particular spider live in the corner because it did such a good job catching bugs during the summer.)

I'm both in awe and slightly grossed out by Boomer now... Please help!

Luv,
Cloud

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

You sure have some great advice.. Perhaps a Dear Ali Z column is in the near future..

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

Ali Z...I have a question for next week. We are having a Smiley contest over at my backyard and only one cat entered. Do cats ever smile???

Thank you Smileys!
Dory

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

So, are woo getting a khollar kham?

How furry exciting!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: I'm sure Dr. Steve does know the preskhription fur Wilbur!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Thanks for the sardine answer, Ali Z. and do let us know how that new recipe turns out. Mom hasn't let Phantom try any sardines yet - he hasn't been feeling great this week and she doesn't want to test the tummy just yet.

Woos, the OP Pack

Anonymous said...

speaking of cats. The other day the cat decided to destroy the house. She tried to get this moth thing on the wall and tore down the huge picture and broke the lamp. in the process and then she was courious about what was on the entertainment center so she jumped up there and when she did she nocked down moms plant and everything up on the entertainment center. Mom had a HUGE mess to cleanup. Ill tell you I will never understand Cats!!

xxLicks and Slobbersxx

Maya

KB said...

Good laughs!!!

I didn't know that cats knew about so many things... Maybe I need a cat in my life :)

Maxmom said...

Hey there Ali-Z
Thanks for another wonderful post this week and thank you for answering my question about 'curiosity'. I thought "Curiosity" was some sort of super-hero, but it seems that I am mistaken.
Now...we love Cloud's question this week and would suggest that Boomer is just trying to confuse the Cloud! I don't trust kitties...is it correct not to trust at cat?
Lotsalicks and love to your mom,
MAXDOG IN SA

Teddy Westlife said...

Very good advice as always Ali Z. You are such a wise cat.