The Catsman's Blog

The Daily Drivel(vol.4 issue 15)

Thecatsman — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:39:12 +0000

…Dateline The Cats Castle East Tennessee USA…

…A good Monday to one and all…

…I was out running errands this morning here in beautiful east Tennessee…

…Had a nice visit with the landlord,a good friend of Miss Leslie’s and by extension myself…

…Another of our market friends has come to call today…

…She has a soon to be daughter in law that works on the local Police Department…

…Seems she was on a domestic disturbance call last night and in the course of her duties noted that some children at the residence were in pretty bad need of some clothing…

…She had mentioned this to our friend and right this minute she and Miss Leslie are digging through our supplies of kids clothes to see what we can send on out for those kids…

…Now the point of this is NOT to draw any praise and of course we will donate these goods with a flat refusal to take anything but maybe a thank you…

…No the point of this writing is a thought that has happened into my oft befuddlerd mind as the gals take care of business…

…As proper members of this society we call human we often are called upon to do the right thing when it happens along our way…

…But I wonder how many of us LOOK for the OPPORTUNITY to do “the right thing”…

…As that is what is in process here at The Castle today…

…The Lady who was the responding officer saw a need…

…She took the opportunity to tell her future mother in law…

…Who in turn knew exactly what to do…

…Come to see us as she knows we are always LOOKING to help where we can…

…It’s part of the positive power we derive from the universe…

…You can do the right thing when it comes along…

…Or you can look for the chance to do the right thing…

…Possibly a fine distinction but to me an important one…

…Our friend will be meeting up with the Officer later out at our booth…

…Miss Leslie told them where to look and to take anything they need to help out those kids…

…We do what we do because of who we are,and we are who we are because of what we do…

…LIFE is about looking for opportunity,not to receive wealth but to DO THE RIGHT THING…

…Then to enjoy as the wealth of being human bestows itself in your soul…

…Ponder,ponder let your mind wander…

…Peace to you my friends…

………Thecatsman PhD(school of hard knocks..Ret.)……..

The Daily Drivel(vol.4 issue 8)

Thecatsman — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:59:35 +0000

…Dateline The Cats Castle East Tennessee USA…

…Once again the Football day has arrived and while I am excited for my beloved Green Bay Packers I am also disappointed that I will not have the game on in this market…

…Oh well that’s the way the football bounces…

…Rather an unpredictable thing the bounce of a football…

…Much like today’s edition of my particular brand of drivel…

…I’m setting football aside for a moment here and taking a very rare foray into the politics of this Great Land…

…My daughter posted on her FB that she is happy to see our troops comming home as I’m sure the large majority of Americans are also…

….Then My oldest son came by and posted his thoughts…

…”But on the other hand I believe this is just a political move by Obama to win re-election. Troops could have been home years ago. Or could have stayed longer but timing seems to be everything. Still won’t get my vote”…

…This leading to my next comment and the real context of this edition…

…”Well now Mr.Josh I see you have a sense of the REAL reason behind this withdraw.Now he(The President)can claim “I got the biggest fish and brought our troops home”…Yup that is the game…I am ecstatic and most grateful to all the fine people serving this country and those who came before them but this is a political game and to Obama those great people are just pieces on the gameboard”…

…Indeed my friends my eldest son has called the spade a spade and I couldn’t agree more…

…And that my fine feathered friends is one very rare look into my thinking on the matter of the man in the Office today whom I sincerely hope is voted out by a landslide in the next election…

…Right along with those self serving assholes on the Hill that have NO CONCEPT of what out lives are really like in this political climate of today…

…We now return you to your regularly schduled programing…

…GGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PACKERS…

…Yall have a great day now..Ya hear…

……….Thecatsman PhD(school of hard knocks..Ret.)……………

The Daily Drivel(vol.4 issue 7)

Thecatsman — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:42:56 +0000

…Dateline The Cats Castle East Tennessee USA…

…A beautiful morning has arrived here in the Great Smoky Mountains…

…Along with a little good news and temps passing 55 on their way to well over 60 today…

…This could well be the last day of the year to watch Miss Leslie do the roadside hustle…

…One would hope the sunshine and warm temps get some folks to stop on by…

…And actually get out of their cars and shop a little…

…Yes that would be nice cause yesterday it was reasonably warm but cloudy and nobody wanted to leave the comfort of their vehicles…

…Gonna be BARGINS GALORE today as I’d like to reduce the volume of merch out there for the winter…

…But no matter what happens one must always remember…

…That the good Lord and the Universe will bestow on you what you bestow on others…

…Indeed two phrases come to mind on this fantastic day that we would all do well to remember and try to live by…

…”Do unto others as you would have done unto you”…

…And my last thought for this fine morning…

…”As ye sow so shall ye reap”…

…Ok one more “last” thought from my days in Amway of all things…

…If you can conceive and you can believe you can achieve…

…Ponder,ponder let your mind wander over these thoughts through your days…

…And perhaps,just maybe with a little willingness to take a chance you will be found by what it is you think you’re looking for…

…Or maybe something even better…

…Yall have a GREAT day now..Ya hear.

…………..Thecatsman PhD(school of hard knocks..Ret.)…………………..

Risk Takers Reward

Thecatsman — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:30:03 +0000

If Wishes Were Fishes

…If wishes were fishes and I were a fisherman I’d have the material wealth I need to navigate this wondrously strange world.Could I be the knight in shining armour riding to the rescue of the princess who awaits my powerful magical kiss.The soldier gone to war who passes through hell and back again to return to the loving woman who has waited and worried that his return could never be.The magical mystery tour of hearts both real and imagined and stories often told to children as they grow.

…I woke up with a start as the sun was slowly beginning her task.Confused and befuddled of mind wondering where my soul had been traveling during the long restless night.Reality settled in so I needs must begin day of whatever would await.Will needs be met or should I place bet on wants gone by the way.If wishes were fishes and I were a fisherman I’d cast my line through wind and wave trying to catch a dream before it goes away.The knight in shining armour rode boldly to dragons liar slayed the beast that awaited him there.Soldier off to war his heart left in lovers care knowing if he survives he’ll find her waiting there.Can I conger up the dream,the fantasy abounding to fill my real life with happiness astounding.Questions,questions answers never revealed until it seems to late for dreams to be fulfilled.

…I sit before infernal machine the keys I’m simply pounding while thoughts and notions with mixed emotions set my heart to sounding.The ringing in my ears won’t stop and at times I feel simply desperate with needs gone by the wayside as I do abide what world deals to me.My fingers dance across the keys as wordsmith simply tries to please the man who lives within.What direction of perception will be dealt to me today I as man without a plan simply do not know.What is this thing this wonderous thing that seems to drive me so.

…If wishes were fishes and I were fisherman I’d cast my line into the brine of sea she is so deep.To sleep and dream of wonderous things will sun be red in morning for sailor to take warning or sun be red at night to bring to captains table a living fable of sweetness loves delight.I went to dragon’s den to slay the beast astounding returned to princess kiss with heart then set to pounding.Soldier off to war need not to implore heart his lover keep will he return or be interned in hero’s final sleep.These words I pound to page now filled with wonder I am sage the lowly sage the words be simply tools what proof have I to show that I am not just simple fool.

….If wishes were fishes and I were fisherman or knight or soldier but I am sage the simple sage who pounds his heart on to the page……….

The Captain’s Light

…Such a simple thing it is with my fingers and these keys sending words with which to please in early morning light.Awake today with break of day having passed another night.A fine good morning these keys to bring for eyes that long to see her lovers wares reflected there starts life together be.When morning brings the birds that sing and restlessness does strike to think of things that joy does bring and reach out at dawns first light.She sees him there his heart laid bare and quiet for the taking as birds they sing and light it brings her lover for the waking.To have to hold to be so bold she reaches to the place for lovers play at break of day with smile on her face.It’s so astounding she hears heart pounding is it his or maybe hers then knows then and there in mornings airs in matters not for birds that sing do surely bring desires well within.She has she holds and is so bold and lovers play begins.

…Twas once upon a dream it seems so very long ago on restless nights neath stars so bright a dream it did begin.A man was here a woman there and neither seemed fit in.Friendships made as notions played across the ethereal waves and words were made on great white page was magic to begin.First astounded fingers pounded that from deep within he cast his net on lovers bet out into the briny depths of human seas begin to wander there and wonder then at the man within.Without control his words did troll amidst the ones of others and that set he to pounding keys in search of she the other.His words they played upon the page her eyes then did to see the sages heart and wonder start could this man really be.I see him there his thoughts through airs to my heart they well have traveled he is there with heart laid bare and feelings now unraveled.Then she did begin with sheepish grin to read the words of sage and then to dare her comments there at first with shy chagrin to leave for sage upon the page and love it did begin.

…Time did pass and her love would last but would the sage take note his heart was there laid so bare in those words that he often wrote.To have to hold to be so bold as the dream he put to page wandering wondering where is love for lowly sage.Then came day with words at play they touched her heart so deep that boldness came replaced cautions game his attention she did seek.I see this man without a plan his heart it’s mine does seek with dreamers net cast to the depths of seas so dark and deep.If wishes were fishes and I were fisherman upon the page he wrote to join him there at Captain’s chair her heart now dared to hope for surely he would somehow see she waited on him there between the lines of words so fine she read the man within and his heart it found with loves abound together they should be.

…If wishes were fishes and I were fisherman I’d cast my net into the depths and hope for love to win.Red sun in morning red sun at night I raised my nets up from the depths and then I did surely see a lover fair was waiting there with eyes so bright to my delight the Captain she was wanting.The lowly sage then went to page and found his hearts delight to have to hold to be so bold they walked away from night.And so you see it came to be that wishes turned to fishes and in the Captain’s net she placed her bet his heart she set to win.The wheel it turned and sun she burned upon expectant mother earth then on starry night by full moons light his ship for her came in.Now hand in hand on lovers sands they walk together bright two hearts have found that love abounds and both have left their night.Red sun in morning red sun at night she has become the Captain’s light.

…………….Peace To All Who Pass This Way……………………………….

…………………The Catsman PhD (school of hard knocks)…………………

Prescription For Madness

Thecatsman — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:57:01 +0000

…Sleep 1 hour..wake up..repeat 3 more times…

…Give up,get up,serve Masters,repair coffee pot…

…Sit on deck with coffee and smokes,open door for Captain of the Gard…

…Repeat 3 times…

…Find young Master and install in bedroom….

…Remove the TWiger from same room to avoid early morning cat fights…

…Listen to him whine and crazy roosters barking at the moon…

…Enjoy broken record…

…It’s ok can’t lose sanity it’s already long gone on down the road…

…………..Thecatsman PhD(school of hard knocks..Ret.)……………

What A Difference A Year Makes…..(or does it) 2011

Thecatsman — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:53:12 +0000

….I sat on my porch and said good morning to the mountains as rooster began to crow and the dogs exchanged greetings.The highway’s song went silent and the train was not laboring on it’s way.I’m no longer at The Palace time and fate has brought me here to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.It’s 5 in the morning again on the Thanksgiving day and the mind is wandering and pondering what a difference a year can make.

…I am Master of this place I have fondly named The Cats Castle it has become home,the home I have not had in many a long year.My old friend Twinky (Old Three Fang) is here with me and has recently survived yet another event that could have taken hin “over the bridge” as they say about a cat’s passing.He sits next to me on the currently unoccupied other chair here in my little office,grooming,content,well fed and as always immensely pleased with himself and happy to be here with me as I am relieved and delighted to have him in my life for a while longer.There are four other friends somewhere here abouts doing their various catish things and one outside prowling the pre dawn darkness protecting our Castle’s lands and borders.

…Down the hallway the Lady Of The Castle yet sleeps in gentle repose.Yes I said Lady,a marvel of a woman who read between the lines of words that I pound to the great white page and somehow managed to see the real man who resides there.She caused the world to nearly stop turning with her bold determination to bring me here to this place so she could love this man she met in another lifetime,another time and place.A seamless bond has developed here and we joyously share this humble abode with our cat Masters and try to serve them well as we live this life we have found together.There is a passionately quiet affair going on here between the Lady and I as we relish in the magic of seamless bonded love and deep regard between man and woman in all the time honored ways of human affairs.

…I miss not much of my previous life as I believe that all the younger versions of self and the fates have combined to bring me here today to sit in front of this infernal machine and put to pages these the symbols of humanity.The mountains have embraced me and brought forth my spirit to travel them from clouded tops to misty valleys as I embrace again the miracle of my own life.I do miss my kids on occasion,the now young adults who took what their father imparted to them and eventually went about their own lives in the wide world.Somewhere along the line they began to teach me and that’s when I knew it was ok to let them fly solo.The oldest son has taught me to never stop learning while my daughter reminded me to never stop loving and the youngest son has taught me tolerance and to embrace change as opposed to struggling against it.There are many more things my children have taught me but this dissertation may never end if I count them all out here this early Thanksgiving morn.

…I used to walk the streets of my old hometown,a place I seldom traveled far from previous to coming here.In my oft then befuddled mind I would be thinking,wishing ,near to praying for a different time,a different place,a different reality.The spirit knew it was time to move on and now thanks to the powerful love of a beautiful woman I have indeed moved on.As I sat enjoying a smoke one evening outside the local auction house where we had gone for a little adventure I finally knew I had arrived.I have found my different time in this wonderful place with a marvelous woman to show me my next reality.

…So for my humble giving of thanks today I reflect and am thankful to where I’ve been,the people I have met and the few I have known.For the events that have conspired to bring me here to this place and for my new reality with a LIFE to live not an empire to build but most of all for this particular day I find I am most thankful to and for those three young adults who have raised their father well.

……A sad update to this story is my old friend Twinky passed over the Rainbow Bridge back in May of this year.I miss my old friend in ways that I can’t express but I am thankful for his friendship through many years of lonely times when I needed a friend.On the plus side the bond between Miss Leslie and I grows stronger and deeper every day.My old friend has left me in good hands.Be thankful on this the Day Of Giving Thanks my friends.For the souls that have been,are now and have yet to be a part of your life…..

……………..Thecatsman PhD/PPD(school of hard knocks..Ret.)……………

The Daily Drivel (vol.4 issue 1)

Thecatsman — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:30:43 +0000

…Dateline The Cats Castle East Tennessee USA…

…Well here we are at volume 4…

…I haven’t a clue how many times I have sat down if front of the Great White Page and put the Drivel to press…

…Sometimes in fun,others in jest,once in a while is deadly seriousness and often satirical…

…Today’s edition is dedicated to the great American smoke out and other such nonsense…

…That’s right I said NONSENSE…

…Smoking is bad for you…

…Don’t eat meat…

…Alwaysd where a helmet…

…Let’s protesrt and be a general pain in the ass till one group has “equal” rights,usualy translates to more as opposed to equal…

…And on and on and on and…

…Blah,blah,blah…

…Ya know I think I’m old enough to make my own choices…

…I live in the Great USA where I am allowed to do so…

…Just like all the don’t doer’s can spout off about whatever…

…So just remember…

…Don’t go out your front door you could trip and fall…

…Don’t cross the street ya might get run over…

…And NEVER breath the air somebody might be smoking over in the next county…

…And Please if you’re gonna stick your head up your butt do it in the privacy of your own home where you are safe and sound and nobody has to suffer by watching you…

…So dang many things we shouldn’t do cause they might bring us harm or worse yet…

…Displease others…

…Now I just wonder what would happen if…

…They discovered that your personal faith in The Lord could cause you cancer…

..Or have an adverse effect on your nieghbor…

…What CHOICE would you make…

…FOR YOURSELF…

…Try not to shoot me I’m simply making an example…

…Get it..got it..good…

…Yall have a wondeful day now..and be careful out there..Ya hear…

…Yup I went there…

……………..Thecatsman PhD/PPD(school of hard knocks..Ret.)…………..

PS..Don’t EVER have sex…It could kill ya…….or worse…

The Daily Drivel(vol.3 issue 49)

Thecatsman — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:30:46 +0000

…Dateline The Cats Castle East Tennessee USA…

…Well once again I have proven that some days I just shouldn’t be allowed out of the house alone…

…Had a couple errands that wanted doing..Off to the dump,drop off some stuff at the market,go to the grocery store…

…Just the mundanes..the mundanes and only the mundanes…

…But ya know the RODT had other ideas…

…Down the road right past the grocery store..that being the last stop I NEED to make…

…Where are we going I says to the truck…

…Yup you guessed it..no answer…

…Helplessly I drive the old beast as it drags me right through downtown Newport…

…Out across the Pigeon river headed towards North Carolina for crying out loud…

…But much to my relief the RODT has decided I’m going to the new indoor flea market off the other end of town…

…Well I figure I’m there so might as well have a look around…

…Lot’s of stuff,some really nice stuff but the dang place is priced for the tourist who happens on by…

…Or the folks wanting some goods to take home…

…NOT for a seasoned(cough,cough)Professional Procurement Dude like me…

…Having meandered around and satisfied myself that the RODT should not have brought me here I strat heading for the exit…

…And walk right up to a couple of BEAUTIFUL chest style dressers…

…I mean these suckers were 99% perfect and one was vintage bordering on antique…

…Nothing overly fancy but just wonderful pieces…

…Open the drawers and they glide with a smoothness seldom found even on new pieces…

…No repairs,scars,dents or dings and I just know better then to ask on price…

…But by now I hear the voices in my head so the yapper opens up with ye ages old qusetion..How much?…

…The answer was about what I expected at $75 per unit…

…Now is when I’m supposed to be walking away but instead the old yapper says..How much for the pair?…

…Well the nice old gent says I can’t go less than $65 each…

…Yup says I they’re sure woth that and more really..How about $100 for the pair?…

…Ya see the voices are nearly in total control now and the truck is hollering for something to take home to Miss Leslie…

…BUT I am a STRONG man and resisting the temptation…

…Well the nice man says I guess I could take $60 each if you want both…

…So I pull on the drawers,foldle them,start drooling and note the partial shipping tag on the one piece…

…And then..I wish the man a good day and walk out the door…

…Jump back in the RODT and head for the nearest grocery store to get what the Lady asked for…

…Stopped to drop my change in the Salvation Army guy’s bucket,went in got my stuff wishing I had brought a phone so I could call Miss Leslie and have her check on that partial tag…

…Next thing I know that danged old truck has taken me right back out to the indoor flea market…

…You just know what happened next…

…I marched right up to that nice man and we proceded to discuss how each of us was likely to get shot at the end of the day…

…Him for selling and I for BUYING those dressers at $120.00 for the pair…

…Turns out his wife runs the downtown antique store and I’ve seen her prices…

…Yup he’s goona git it..and I figure so am I cause I just blew my entire cash reserves and some of the site rent money…

…But hey the rent ain’t due till Tuesday next so it’s ok,ok,ummmm,yup it’s fine…

…Damn those voices in my head and that danged old truck…

…You know other men would surprise their gal with a dozen roses or something but not me,nope…

…I go home and tell Miss Leslie that that bottle of clam oil just cost her $122.50…

…And that,my fine feathered friends,is why I shouldn’t be let out alone…

…Yall have a GREAY day and hope for my survival now..Ya hear…

……….Thecatsman PhD/PPD(school of hard knocks..Ret.)………

The Daily Drivel(vol.3 issue 48)

Thecatsman — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:54:00 +0000

…Dateline The Cats Castle East Tennessee USA…

…A beautiful day is under way here in the Great Smoky Mountains…

…Bright,still warm,sun..blue sky with some whispy clouds floating by…

…Getting ready to head out to do the Roadside Hustle…

…Soon as I can get the Long Island Lady into those hip huggin jeans and dancin shoes…

…Oh my I’m crusin for a brusin here..lol…

…But that’s ok the Long Island Lady is a pretty easy goin gal to get along with…

…Her inborn ability to ACCEPT this Old Cat for who he is and who he is now evolving into is the core of this partnership…

…Of course that’s a two way street as I ACCEPT Miss Leslie for who she is also…

…Ya might say that ACCEPTANCE is the SECRET to our success…

…As this reuniting of two old souls has been a blessing in more ways than we have paws to count on here at The Cats Castle and we gots lots of paws…

…I guess if I think on it perhaps we both did take a huge chance but it has never really seemed that way to me…

…There are times in your life when the heart,mind and soul are in agreement and one must heed what the spirit is telling you…

…When heart,mind and soul are united in spirit the world becomes your’s for the taking…

…IF and it can be a mighty big IF you can see past the strife of daily life and realize that to get what you want you must be willing to let go of what you have…

…I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…

…Life is for the LIVING not the styling…

…The choice,my fine feathered friends,is your’s and your’s alone…

…Is it a lifestyle you wish to pursue to the ends of the earth…

…Or a life you wish to live in peace and harmony with your soul and perhaps if you’re paying attention…

…United with the soul of an other…

…Ponder,ponder let you mind wander…

…Yall have a GREAT day now..Ya hear…

The Daily Drivel(vol.3 issue 46)

Thecatsman — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:48:10 +0000

…Dateline The Cats Castle East Tennessee USA…

…Well after some getting to know each other chatting and a tad bit of negociating we bought the latest batch of merch…

…Smalls included along with that beautiful 6 place dinning set…

…Paid a preium price in my opinion but the good will points are more than worth it…

…These are good folks here in these parts and this IS a small town so we want folks to know we’re fair and will pay a good price for their yardsale leftovers and other goods…

…As long as they can understand that we ARE in buisness and DO have expenses and WORK very hard to earn what profits come our way…

…I look at it this way you can make your Karma with attitude and in our case we sometimes buy a little good Karma…

…Yup an odd concept but there are times we buy when we don’t need what is offered and pay more than we should just because the people involved need us to…

…Sometimes is a gut instinct thing as there seems to be no clear “reason” for the decision…

…I buy just about anything one particular young local fellow comes up with…

…He’s challanged in this tough economy to find work and well we like the fellow,he’s good people…

…And it never fails that the things we get from him sell..fast and almost always at a good margin…

…Funny thing is we usualy have a bunch of the same kind of stuff already on hand but if it comes from Six Dollar Mike,as I now call him,POOF off it goes..(Ask Miss Leslie about “Rocky Raccoon”)lol…

…I know this is because I have on more than one occasion bought from Mike just because I knew he needed the cash and not for any other reason…

…And in return his goods are blessed with good Karma..it never fails if it comes from Mike it won’t be at our place long and I would hope that the good Karma keeps right on traveling with the folks that buy the goods…

…We do believe there are times when you find yourself in a position to do a little something for others and just don’t ask questions or expect a return on a good deed…

…Frankly we are in tune with the universe on this and keep a sharp eye out for said oppertunities…

…Hence my coined phrase..Buying Karma…

…Afterall your “luck” and for certain your “Karma” are what YOU cause them to be and good luck follows good Karma…

…Ahhh well enough of my particular brand of drivel…

…Sometimes I just have to get up on that stage in my mind,ascending to my beloved Bully Pulpit and pass on my thougts and notions for all you good folks to gaurd or disregaurd as you see fit…

…Guess I am a tad selfish afterall..lol…

…Or perhaps just HUMAM…

…Yall have a good night now..Ya hear…

……………..Thecatsman PhD(school of hard knocks..Ret.)………………….