Catknit

So Linda K from Seattle is the latest donor to the Keep Konchog Kookin’ Fund. So far, she gets the cornucopia prize. Inside the box I found two different varieties of Peet’s Coffee (totally enjoyed the Sulawesi this morning) –amazingly, she didn’t duplicate any of the five roasts Anne sent me – as well as two warm felt hats and two kinds of kitty toys for The Mooj! A thousand thanks; I’ve been spoiled rotten. I’m also a touch embarrassed. I had no idea how exorbitantly expensive it was to mail packages to Mongolia; in most cases it’s been more than the value of the contents. If I’d known, I’d never have asked and I’m touched by the generosity.

At least in one case, however, we’ve contributed to adult education. I had a Skype chat with my funny girl Sarah yesterday. She had me in stitches relating the tale of her encounter with a Portland, OR postal clerk. Sarah presented her package and the clerk squinted at it, looked up and informed her, “Mongolia’s not the country.” A bit stunned, Sarah replied, “Why, sure it is. My friend lives there. Sent me horse pictures.” Clerk sets her jaw. “No. It’s not.” Resisting the impulse to retort “is too,” Sarah suggested the clerk look it up. “I will.”

Tap tap tap. Tap tap tap.

(pause)

“Huh,” clerk said, “I’ll be damned.”

I see a t-shirt line developing. We can call it something like Declarations and launch with “Buddhists are NOT Hindus” and “Mongolia IS a Country.”

I do have unfortunate news, however. Moojgai is the only cat I’ve ever known who doesn’t care for catnip. And not just doesn’t care, but actually recoiled at the smell and trotted away. It was like one of those reverse rebellion moments where I’m waving the toys under his nose and pleading with him, “But Mooj, it’s drugs! Expensive drugs! They’re fun!” and he’s saying, “No, Dad! I’m sorry, but I’m just saying no. And by the way, have you given any thought to my request to go to Bible Camp next summer?” But to those of you who have sent catnip toys, don’t feel too bad. I’ve gotten him other manufactured toys that he’s sniffed at, then glared at me with that “you must be joking” look before stomping off. He’s really like the kids who tear open all their Christmas presents only to leave them abandoned to go make a fort with the sofa cushions. The only toy he plays with, and I’m talking endlessly, is a wadded up piece of notebook paper or newspaper I’ve wrapped in packing tape.

Not only that, but he plays fetch. Swear it’s true. I’ve never seen a cat do this. I live in a shotgun apartment, with two rectangular rooms end to end. My desk is in the back bedroom. When it’s time to play, The Mooj will walk in (like right this second) with the nasty, filthy ball in his mouth and drop it at my feet. My job is to toss it into the living room for him to chase, bat around, bring back, and drop once more at my feet. Repeat about 649 times. He must have been a border collie in his previous life. Here’s how he confronts me every day, about three times a day (though not necessarily with his tail in the light socket like in this pic):

These are the lovely toys he’s rejected (sorry, Linda; I know a charity cat they can go to):

And here’s the revolting ball that’s his best friend:

The Mooj, however, has quite the karma. In at least two American states, there are individuals hand-knitting him toys (Go kayinnewmexico! Go Franklin!). Now, for them who are going to all that trouble I have good news. I know Mooj has a thing for wool. On one of the cold days I brought out a pair of socks knit for me by Cuzzin Ryan. Hadn’t put them on yet, and left the room for a minute. When I returned, I found The Mooj locked into such an intimate, kicking and chewing embrace with one of them that I averted my eyes and blushed before shooing him away. (As if to illustrate the point, he’s currently tunneling under my wool blanket). I have hopes for those mice.

Not to be outdone, Lee Ann knits vampire bunnies.

Oh, and need I even say it? The Mooj romps with gleeful abandon in the empty boxes you sent stuff in.

Comments

[Linda "K"]

My favorite part of Xmas was always the empty boxes....

Not to worry about the catnip thing - there must be MongoLIan street kitties who would luuuuv to have them. Surprised the crinkle balls didn't get him tho.

Don't worry about postage - those of us whole mail can choose our rate of speed vs. $ and have done so consciously.

The hats I'm calling HeadGer....nark nark. Pass them to whoever likes them.

Linda "K"

[Nancy O.]

One of my cats fetches too. It's nice to know he's not the only one. Maybe he and Mooj share a space on the same cosmic plane. :)

[Carol]

We had a cat when I was a kid that would fetch too. His favorite was the crinkled cellophane wrapper from a pack of cigarettes. One of our current kitties just loves to move stuff around with his paw. We leave small rocks on the tiled porch, and he'll sit there for ages, just pushing them back and forth. It's cute, until he's knocking everything off my bedside table at 4am. I think he thinks he's urging me to get up and do my yoga!

[Robert]

I've changed my mind about being "clubbed" with Hindus and Jains. It's not saying we are Hindus or Jains, just that we are in the same club. If the club has a nice gym and maybe a pool, it sounds good to me. ;^)

[Konchog]

And espresso drinks and the New Yorker! Yeah, maybe you're right. The Jains'll have to put on some clothes, though...

[Phyllis]

delurking to comment:

None of my cats have ever liked catnip. I think there is some surprisingly large percentage of cats (as in 30% maybe) who are not affected by it.

As for toys, my cats have the bestest cat toy EVER--the white tip on my basset's tail. We have HOURS of fun time with the dog wagging his tail and the cat trying to catch the white tip...

I really enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

[Sarah]

Just wanna say that, aside from my dear departed Stanley C. Whitebread, Mooj has to be the handsomest boy ever. You can tell him I say so.

[Robert]

Konchog, have you become nudephobic?

[Lee Ann]

I have yet to feed a vampire bunny to a cat, however.

(I've only ever knit one vampire bunny. I can stop any time I want.)

[Carol]

Here Konchog, maybe this owner's manual will help you figure Mooj.
http://www.andreas.com/catman.html