More Meeting Night in City Park

Every creation has a sense of humor. There’s a rule somewhere; you can’t give what you don’t have. The creator must have a sense of humor.

Whether, a species knows it’s creator in their heads or in their hearts, or both, all of creation wants to be in harmony with that from which they have sprung.  Given the chance who wouldn’t want to know from which they came?   It’s in our hearts, when we have a full tummy and lie in the sun. We purr the happy harmony that comes with alignment to Pacamama or Gaia.

The more gifted species needs to learn, that the earth is a single organism. Maybe they will understand what it means to hurt the single big before all smalls are lost, and my Dear Kittens, we are among the many smalls that the gifted species controls, so we must purr for them.  There is a lot to like about people- not perfect, but we must hope and purr for them.

The tiny torti then, talked of the questions all species have of the creator.

Which species was created in the image of the creator has been discussed by the holy everywhere. The answer is simple. God’s consciousness evolved first. God did not want to be alone, so in a big bang the physical realm was created. We all evolved from God’s imagination. We are ALL the physical manifestation of God. God is standing next to you in every being you see. We are what the creator banged into creation, if you’ll forgive the pun.  

In a timid voice Lemon asked, “Why are some so bad, so mean?”

“An excellent question, Mother Cat; do you remember how much pain you endured when your kittens were born?”

“Like it was yesterday,” Lemon replied.

“Can you imagine how much pain you would feel, if you gave birth to an entire universe?” Sister Cat’s tail quivered to punctuate.  

“No, not really,” Lemon shook her head.” Who would ever think of that?”

“We all are God’s mirror. Our purpose is to evolve into positive, happy beings to balance out the pain of creation, which is the source of evil. God did not just turn loose bad angels for us to deal with. Evil, pain and suffering was an unintended by-product of creation.”

A cat called from the audience. “Do you mean God doesn’t know everything?”

The little cat said simply, “How can anyone know completely, that which has never been done before?”

Another cat called, “Are you saying God made a mistake?”

“No, unless you think creating us was a mistake.”

All agreed that creating cats was no mistake.

Please, think about what I have said. The take away message is to treat each other with the love and reverence you have for your creator. God needs our positive energy to contend with the forces of pain and darkness. It could be that the choice for God is to wipe it all out and be alone again. No one wants that. We all must be more involved in the destiny of the universe.

God is love and light. We are all invited to share more fully in these gifts.

I will be here for a week, conferring with the Black Cats and other leaders. Let’s purr positive energy into the cosmos.

Joy flowed as a million cats purred into the night.

 Meanwhile in the Neighborhood

“I want my mama,” cried Sweet Susie Dipstick. “Those ugly raccoons scare me with their backs humped up all the time.”

Run, duck for cover under a bush terrified kittens evaded the invasion force. Lumbering along in groups of three, raccoons patrolled General Diaz. Scared babies didn’t know what to do. Huddled under a strange bush, they shivered.

On the corner by the ball field parking lot, the frightening hoard set up base camp. Access to food, ease of retreat, if necessary, the storm drains and the ball fields, in case they needed to beat feet a hasty retreat made it perfect. After all, without battlefield morphine and wound care what sane species risks mortal wounds, so really fighting is a last, last resort.

A master stroke of recon and planning gave the raccoons only infants, injured, ill or elderly to intimidate into submission. Sassy under six month kittens showed their puny weaponry. The pillagers smiled behind their masks, as they displayed enormous spiky dentition and incredibly foul breath. Babies fled.

With scrappy cats willing to risk injury to defend their resources away for the evening, the interlopers investigated at leisure, picking the best dens to defend. Teams began to search the yards for food sources, points of entry, etc. Raccoon Leader’s unit would be entrenched in time to give some kitty cat shock.

Raccoon Leader’s eyes brightened in awe of the future he saw. His lips turned up with just a touch of pride. Man, he thought what an easy ride; better to defend what you possess, than grapple from an opponent.

Secret be told, Raccoon became the Leader because great credit he took, said he’d done his RECON by the book. He bragged to be a military mastermind. Patience, surveillance it took. He wanted to be leader rook.

Lookouts posted high in trees or hidden low in the periscope of the streets to the underground highways or as people call them, the storm drains. The cats will be back by morning sun. He intended to be done. The grey brutes would lay waiting. They intended to send the cats back to the park.

Louie, Rico, Tico and Susie galloped to the next block to see Old Tuxedo Guy. When the kittens were only eights weeks old, mom took them to the backyard where Old Tuxedo Guy lives to play in the yard that looked like a jungle with a trellis. Louie felt certain Old Guy could tell them what to do. They would be safer with him.

Head between his front paws with curled up to his shoulder, Old Guy slept soundly on a cushioned chair pushed in at the patio table in a verdant courtyard surrounded by a stout wooden fence.

 Tico got there first. He pushed his way under the fence at the hole near the back. What a relief! All kittens held the belief, all is right when an adult is in sight.

“Guy! Guy! Save us! Raccons roam everywhere. What do we do?  They made us get away from our food! Help us!” The kittens mewed loudly.

Slowly Guy opened an eye. “What do you want?” He demanded to know.

“Help, save us! Raccoons, everywhere!!”

Old Guy opened the other eye as he spoke. “Yes, I know… Can’t do anything to save myself; how, am I gonna help you?”

Sweet Susie sniffed, “All big cats on our block are gone. Raccoons took over my mama’s bed under the shed, my mama’s bed. My mama needs her bed.” Susie sobbed with a yaaarroohgh, the baby sang the blues.

The old tuxedo cat looked as faded as his fur. He drew a great breath, and then exhaled in a long laborious sigh. “I don’t know what to tell you.” Resignation radiated from the weary frame. “Kittens, they left you on your own, deal with it. That’s the way the world is.” With that he closed his eyes again.

The kittens just stood there, looking at each other. Then Louie looked at Old Tuxedo Guy with compassion. “Guy, what can we do for you?”

Guy opened his eyes wide. He had experienced the kindness of the woman who loved him and of no other for the other cats were jealous of the gifts that came with the woman’s love. The gesture of kindness from another touched his tired heart.  “Kittens, stay out of their way. They won’t go out of their way to hurt you. They want what we have. They want people to put food out for them. Few people do because they are wild. Cats know how to get along, thanks to the rules the Black Cat teaches. Raccoons need some of us, so the people put food out. If you bump into one, be polite, back away, show respect. Do you understand?”

Rico’s yellow, green eyes brightened with understanding, “They won’t just kill us?”

Old Guy, shook his head no, but his eyes said caution.

Tico wanted to know, “What will happen when the big cats come home?”

The Old Guys eyes narrowed and brightened at the same time as he reminisced. “War,” he coughed and shouted. We ambush the bandits; bite and scratch like fury and then make a rapid retreat before we can become mortally wounded. “

Guy continued, “Raccoons will bully or kill a cat, but cats will harass a raccoon with bite and scratch runs. Fast cats be in and out, before those robbers know what hit em’.  They go back to the wild where they belong, if they want peace. We used to drill about that all the time, when I was young. You youngsters lay low. Big cats be back by morning.”

Sweet Susie asked, “How will my mama know the raccoons are here?”

Little Kitty, I don’t know. Don’t ask more questions. I’ve told you all I know.” Old Guys shut his eyes and the world was outside.

The kittens huddled, “Cat Rule #3 Loyalty,” said Louie.

Tico, “How can we stop an ambush?”

Rico, “The raccoons aren’t patrolling the ball fields. We can hide there. We’ll see the cats come home before they do.”

Susie, “What if we see the raccoons?”

Louie, “We’ll run to the end of the ball field closest to the big building. Brothers, you will scout a good hiding spot, where you can see the big cats coming home. Susie and I will hide by the ball field fence; until you disappear. We’ll follow slowly, so you can find a hide for us.”

“We’re on it,” the boys announced and took off on their mission. Susie and Louie caught up with Tico and Rico in a parking lot behind new construction off Navarre.

The Meeting in City Park

The Meeting

On the Black Cat’s signal with a wave of cats, the fierce four, Calico Grace, Torti Dahlene, and the Bright brothers, crossed Orleans, as the wind blew. At last, the cats stood under the live oak trees hung with Spanish Moss in beautiful City Park.

Tommy and Sunny scampered over to playground equipment. “Wow, cool, this is better than the stuff by Delgado.” Tommy exclaimed as the boys climbed a large jungle gym, balancing on the bars until they fell off.

A Gray Cat on the playground told the boys, “When you, Big Cats done playing, go to the north. You wanna be in the stadium soon.”

“Yahoo!”  Tommy and Sunny arched their backs and pounced around like kittens. “Toys, I love toys,” the boys proclaimed in unison. Face to face, the boys grabbed each other in bear hugs using every claw on all four limbs and rolled in the grass, trying to get the best bite on the other’s neck in hope of not being the first to cry in pain, all in good fun.

Under the long drooping arm of a nearby live oak tree, Grace and Dahlene conferred. Grace whispered, “The Gray said the gazebo they call Popp’s Bandstand is to the southeast. We could run over there, see where it is and come back before the boys know we’re gone.”

The torti retorted, “Grace, do you really think the Gray will show up there after the meeting?”

“Dahlene, how would you feel, if he did, and we weren’t there? He’d never give us another tumble. He said he’d leave his mark. Let’s go see if he did.”

The smooth gray way with the ladies got them every time. The girls ran pell-mell across the open field in search of the band stand with the Gray’s mark.

The wind diminished. Dark settled in the park. Sensitive cat ears detected a faint hum. Soon anxiety faded, peace pervaded. The boys looked up from their play.

“We’d better go. Where are the girls? Knowing Grace, she’s already there saving us a place.”

A great multitude of cats headed to the stadium. Sunny looked around, to his surprise he recognized none of these cats.  Suddenly, Sunny became aware that he was participating in an important event in cat history. He could hardly contain himself. He buddy bumped his brother with his right shoulder, “Pretty cool, huh, Tommy.”

Tommy had his mind on a black and white doll faced frisky female in the crowd.

The hum grew louder. The wind slowed to a pleasant breeze blowing towards the stadium. Kittens ran ahead of their families. Mothers called, “Don’t get too far ahead. Stay where I can see you.”

Black Cats and Gray guided the throng towards easy access points in the fence. The crowd of cats became quite dense, the hum intense, like a massive purr.

 Just outside the gate, sides heaving rapidly, as she panted in pain, Old Lemon laid with her bad hip popped out. Sunny saw her.

“Mom! Are you alright? I’m so sorry, what can I do? I knew you shouldn’t have come.”

“Son, I’ll be fine. It’s just this old hip of mine.”

Twitching his toes, Tommy looked down at the ground. He was always shallow as a saucer, but the sight of his mother in agony, hurt him to the core. He didn’t know what to do.

Yarrowgh, he howled.

“Please, Boys, go inside. I’ll be in, when I catch my breath, if I have to hobble on three legs. This is special. You don’t want to miss it.”

 Old Lemon nodded her head with parental authority for the brothers to go. Reluctantly, they entered the stadium.

A million cats’ eyes glowed in the dark. The purring pulsed, OHMMM.

As the cats arrived, they looked around curiously, but then joined in the purring, chanting, OHMM. The sound vibrated through their bodies. It vibrated through the walls. The light from their eyes lit the stadium in a soft yellow glow.

The Big Black Cat took the podium on the stage at the edge of the track. With a flick of his tail, the crowd silenced.

“Welcome, my Brothers and Sisters, You’ve journeyed far to meet an extraordinary cat. Sleek Black will make a few announcements, and then I will introduce you to our very special guest.”

Sleek Black stepped on stage with all the pomp and circumstance he could muster. He stood tall with his head held high, neck arched and shiny coat gleaming.

“I am so proud to be here at this monumental occasion. Many generations of cats have not been blessed with what we are about to experience,” Sleek Black gushed. He was not about to be rushed, until he saw Big Black’s ears fold back. “Without further adieu.”

“Ahem, Sleek, the announcements,” Big Black prodded.

“Oh, yes, no pooping or peeing in the stadium, only outside, and cover your excrement. We want to be welcome here again.

Water can be found by all exits. When you leave, be cautious. If you get confused about the direction home, get help from any Black or Gray on the way. We all want to get home safely.”

OHMMM, the vibrating pulsing sound began again. A million chanting cats resonated in heaven.

Outside the gate a little moth eaten looking light grey and brown tortoiseshell feline crawled on her belly to Old Lemon’s side. “Mother Cat, can you make it inside?” She questioned as she rubbed Lemon’s cheek with her forehead.

Lemon said, “I think I can make it, Sister.”

“Good, we want you in there, my Dear.” The tiny torti stroked Lemon’s sore hip with her head.

The yellow glow brightened. The chanting grew louder. Six big, burly Black Cats surrounded the pair by the gate. The team leader said, “Sister Cat, we have to go. Big Black is ready to introduce you.”

Sister Cat, “This mother cat has travelled in distress. See that her suffering is rewarded with a seat on the stage, where I can see her and be inspired.”

“Yes, Sister,” the Black Cat said as he bowed his head in reverence.

Big Black took the podium. Our speaker has sat in the lap of Tenzin Gyatso, fourteenth Dalia Lama. Karol Józef Wojtyła, Pope John Paul II told his troubles to this cat. This cat prayed with Evo Morales, President of Bolivia when that country took the unprecedented step of granting legal rights to Mother Earth. I give you Sister Cat.

Inside a V formed by six big burly Black Cats, the diminutive Sister Cat and Lemon made their way to the stage. Lemon took a seat on the side. A surprised hush enveloped the crowd. The small cat sat in the middle of the stage with her tail wrapped around her feet and tucked under her butt.

“Beloved, thank you for coming.” Sister Cat spoke softly, but her voice rang strong and clear and true. “Did you know that the mighty humans have the same questions about God that we do? Yes, it’s true. God is so far beyond our comprehension that our murky view is filled with mystery and magic.

People want to know the creator in their heads. They have wonderfully insightful theories. String theory unites the other theories and answers it all, their brightest of scholars have finally declared. Well, what did they think we’ve been trying to tell them all these years? It’s the string, Einstein. Humans were an ambitious creation.

Invasion

Shimmying down Bayou St. John, ducking under houses, traveling quickly in the neutral ground, the cats poured into City Park. Lightning and thunder ignored by cats is hard to believe, but Black Cats don’t call meetings often. In fact the last meeting called was after Katrina. The Black Cats laid out plans for rebuilding feline society. Cats learned that it takes a pride to raise kittens to flourish in street society and cat culture.  The wind huffed and puffed. Few people lingered in the park. Not a one noticed the onslaught of cats under every tree and bush. Clouds obscured the sun before dusk. Shadows whipped in a frenzy, yet not a drop of water fell from the sky. You see, all bets would be off in the event of rain. CATS GO NO WHERE IN THE RAIN, a rule the Black Cats do not need to tell.

A team of Black Cats provided privacy for the visiting speaker. Black Cats with the aid of The Grays handled crowd safety and organization. Perimeter Protection Units safely crossed waves of cats on Orleans and City Park Avenues. The Black Cat Cadre checked the bordering neighborhoods for stragglers.  Kittens under six months, those too sick or injured to attend, stayed home with the Black Cats’ Blessing. These got a last little mew before they were left on their own.

 Delgado Community College borders part of the west side of City Park.  The west side of the campus is dedicated to the sport of baseball. A parking lot divides the practice fields from the stadium, which beckons young competitors to test their skills. Neighborhood cats dine on the tastiest treats almost nightly compliments of the sloven.

On the block by the entrance to the parking lot, only a quartet of four month old kittens roamed. Sweet Susie Dip Stick was “it” so she hid from her half brothers under an elephant ear on the side of a house. The three white booted golden tabby brothers: Rico, Tico and Louie played “king of the car hood.”  As soon as she popped out of hiding, Rico and Tico called, “Yeowwgh, I found you” and pounced on her.

Tico bounced off like a kitten, but looked around; suddenly he was the big cat on the street. Tico took strides of the tiger as he inspected between the houses with a look to the left and an inspection of the right, just like the grownup guys do it.

Rico clambered up a pine tree next to the garage on the corner house.. Rico snagged a chick right out of the nest and leaped to the roof of the garage, where he devoured it in front of parents, who flapped their wings and screamed and swore.

The Black Cat Cadre had warned the boys to lay low, to stay off the street, but baby boys love playing big boys, so Tico and Rico ran down the block, as wild as the wind.

Brother Louie, the white booted golden tabby played tag with his sister Susie. They rolled on the lawn laughing in the middle of the block. Louie tickled Susie with his claws. Good brother, Louie, his mother’s pride showed signs of being special from the time they were weaned. All the queens noticed his erect head carriage, “What bearing and demeanor this young cat has!” many queens commented. Louie saw things other kittens didn’t like: bees pollinating flowers or squirrel young learning how to traverse a wire. He listened to the crows as they talked about what happened in the neighborhood. Even the grackles and the mockingbirds spoke to Louie. Tommy and Sunny Bright, the golden’s older cousins rough housed and teased Rico and Tico, but treated Louie with deference.

When the last Black Cat had checked in on the kittens before heading off the meeting in the park, he said, “Be cautious. Stay out of trouble. We’ll all be back before morning.”

Sweet Susie said, “Yes, Sir, we’ll be good.” Louie asked to go with, but the Black Cat said, ”No.”

As clouds covered the setting sun and wind whipped through the leaves, four kittens headed to the corner for a last nibble before bed. Tico and Rico ran ahead to grab first bite. They were sure this was the best day-ever. Louie walked slowly with Susie, all good with the siblings.

Ch-ch-ch, the sound emanated from the storm drains. Ch-ch-ch- grew louder and louder. The confused kittens looked around. Marching down the curb, single file like storm troopers the lead interloper stopped in front of the youngsters. “Step away from the food. You cats have had it easy. We want the food put out each morning and evening. We are stronger, smarter. We are the future. Get out while you can.”

Tico arched his back. His hair stood on end. He looked as big as a little cat could. He opened his mouth wide showing all his baby teeth. He spit in the leader’s face. The leader laughed, opened his long jaw exposing a mouthful of pointed teeth. A growl gurgled deep in his throat. It shot saliva into Tico’s face. All four ran for their lives. The masked bandits rolled in laughter. We win. We win. A bloodless invasion, let’s hear it for the raccoons.

And They're Off

The orange and white Bright brothers, Sunny and Tommy, Calico Grace and sultry tortoiseshell Dahlene convened under the cypress tree in front of the “Rags” Scheuermann Field entrance, as cars zipped into position. The game would begin shortly. Little League and tee-ball were already in session on the other side of the parking lot.

Sunny said, Let’s zigzag through the parking lot. If we get separated, we’ll meet under the bushes by the Student Life Center just past the tables with the umbrellas. Can you see it at the end of the parking lot? Y’all ready?

Each cat mewed and nodded. Sunny took off at a run with Tommy in hot pursuit.
The girls looked at each other for a moment. Are you sure? Grace said to Dahlene.  Don’t be such a little pussy. We’re here now; let’s go! Dahlene stretched out her long, sleek body to strides that would make a panther proud with Grace struggling to keep up.

People getting out of cars, heading to watch the baseball game caused the boys to duck and cover under a Dart. Crawling on bellies between cars where people stood talking, the boys were GI Joes. One brother looked out, while the other slipped to the next car. This was a game they practiced since they were kittens. End of the parking lot, just a sprint across the grassy knoll with the stone tables and they could catch their breath under the cover of the bushes.

Dahlene and Grace veered to the right to run along the stadium fence line away from the people and cars. Hidden fur balls with paws tucked tightly under their chests, hearts pounded as they waited for the boys to finish their game of tag under the cars.

Oh, look Dahlene, old Lemon and the Dipsticks are belly crawling down the ball field fence, now they got themselves another parking lot to cross. It was shorter the way we came. Guess that’s why they call em dipsticks.

Tommy and Sunny slid into base next to the girls.  Scent marking and bush rubbing mandatory beffore settling into new habitat: Macho Rule #42.

Whoa, Bro, did you see that woman with the ugly flip-flops? Plastic flowers, what was she thinking? Sunny rolled his head in disdain.

Yeah, Cat, and that man tried to kick me. He walked a duck. You remember those Muscovies we saw here, when we came to Delgado in the spring? His feet looked like those ugly ducks’ feet. He was no challenge to this cat. Tommy replied.

If your male bonding time is over, let’s get on with it. I saw the Dipsticks and old Lemon head down the ball field fence. And, there’s a Black Cat under the Jaguar in the parking lot. Grace reported.

Stay close to the building, when in new or dangerous territory: Cat Rule#5.

Braver than she’s ever been before, Grace ran down the west length of the building. She rounded the southwest corner, as her three buds scrambled to their paws.
Across the grass, along another wall scampered old Lemon and the Dipsticks.
Grace broke into a gallop up an incline. At the top, Grace realized how far she was from cover. She poured on the speed. At the southeast corner an Azalea offered shelter. Grace’s heart beat pounded in her ears. She opened her mouth to pant; something Grace had never done before. Excited, scared, Grace settled while Dahlene and the Bright boys scampered along choosing not to traverse the incline, but to hug the outer wall closer to cover.  

Girl, you been in the catnip patch?  What got into you? First thing I know, you’re gone like a fur ball on fire. Do you know where you’re going? I don’t like running after your bushy tail. Ya, hear? Dahlene rebuked the calico.

Grace, you have to be cautious, all kinds of dangerous things around here.  Sunny warned.  

The wind whipped, clouds dimmed the glow of sunset. Shadows undulated with the leaves. The Dipsticks and old Lemon continued, as the foursome bickered under a bush.

Y’all are always picking on me, sayin what a prissy feline I am, so persnickety. I know what y’all say behind my back. See, I’m no scaredy cat.

Tommy purred approval, once this femme makes up her mind, bam, she does it. You are the ocelot of the parking lot, Babe.

If we’re gonna go, I want a good seat, not out in the parking lot. Are you kittens ready?

 Grace tried to stay close to the wal,l but water, more presisely, a pond made it impossible. Amazingly, she began broken field running from shrub to shrub. She slipped over a bridge to get close to the building again. The calico stopped under fan shaped palms near the bust of F. Edward Herbert, Congressman, Patriot, Journalist, and Statesman. Her excitement and confidence soared.

Twilight and the wind converged on the island in the pond. A shadowy form slid into the water. Grace focused, as it floated to the shore near her. The shape emerged. Dahlene and the boys joined her under the palms.

We should be acting like a pride of lions, not lone Bengal Tigers, Grace. Dahlene chided. Neither one of us ever been more than a block or two away in our lives and here you go like you know what you are doing. Girl, you’re goin to be the death of me.

The boys had come this far before, but they came down with an acute case of homesick. The creature they encountered on the way or may not have had anything to do with it. Tommy and Sunny circled Grace and Dahlene, as Dahlene arched her back and shook her tail at Grace, who kept looking past Dahlene, which annoyed the impatient queen.

Grace, look at me when I’m talking to you. Grace motioned with her head for Dahlene to look. What kind of demon is that? Dahlene shrieked.

Yaoworrorrroh,  all cats screamed as the siloettes waddled into sight. The wind blew their feathers up. One flapped its wings. The large, squat birds with huge webbed feet shuffled towards the cats. Their large yellow beaks were covered red, maybe, the flesh of another foe. The cats turned to run back over the bridge and came face to face with a big evil fowl with feathers all over. Dahlene reared up on her hind end with both front paws held high, ready to strike, she hissed and spat in it's face. They just stood there. The brothers ran for cover by the building. The wind escalated. The branches bowed to the pressure. The largest Muscovy extended its wings into the wind. It looked fierce. The calico screamed, Dahlene, let’s go.

As much as Dahlene loves a good scrap, she knew it was time to cut and run. Next time you big buzzard.

The fattest fowl with red piled high on his bill flapped its wings, quack, quack- come back scaredy cat. Quack, quack, ha-ha. The hen caught up with her hero. Honey, watch how you talk in front of the chicks, she chortled as they waddled into the wind.

All in a row along building twenty-three, the east side of the Student Life Center, the cats stood with hair standing on end, their backs arched and  bottle brush tails. Run for your lives, Grace cried. Crouching low, the cats scurried across the campus. In a dead heap they arrived by the book drop box in front of building ten. Eyes bulging, hearts pounding, they huddled together to calm down.

Those vultures were ready to pick our bones, exclaimed Tommy. We’re too fast for those feathered freaks. Did you see? They wanted a piece of me. I knew they were killer ducks, when I saw them last spring.He preened and gestured in the direction of the birds settling down for the night.

The cat companions rested until their pulses were normal. Half of the journey to the park completed; they only had the east parking lot, no man’s land and north and south Orleans to go to get to City Park.