I'll Call It Like I See It

by sheila morris

storytelling for truth lovers

  • was Fats Domino in love with a cat?

    was Fats Domino in love with a cat?


    I’m walkin’, yes indeed
    And I’m talkin’ about you and me
    I’m hopin’ that you’ll come back to me, yeah

    (lyrics from I’m Walkin by Dave Bartholomew/Antoine Domino)

    Carport Kitty spied on morning walk today

    under Neighbor John’s truck

    Carport Kitty has been a no show in our carport for the past couple of days which is always worrisome for the Alarmist in me, but this morning I saw her in one of her favorite spots under Neighbor John’s truck. Neighbor John is the creator of the cat bed and breakfast where stray cats spend the night during cold weather – I am always happy to see CK in John’s driveway as I walk past even though she rarely acknowledges my overtures of good will.

    In the interim, whether sent as an ambassador by Carport Kitty or just another entrepreneur looking for food, this cat visited yesterday afternoon at CK’s feeding time.

    yellow cat

    I made this mistake.

    not a full meal, mind you – not Fancy Feast – just snack

    Later in the afternoon Bully Cat and a small black cat were seen running for cover out of our carport when Pretty and I opened the kitchen door to leave for the Gamecock women’s basketball game last night. (We crushed Kansas State to remain undefeated.)

    But why is Carport Kitty so fickle?

    I’m lonely as I can be
    I’m waiting for your company
    I’m hoping that you’ll come back to me    .

    Okay, Antoine better known to me as Fats, you must have been in love with a stray cat. I totally get it.

    Carport Kitty

    **************

    Stay safe, stay sane, get vaccinated and please stay tuned.

  • reflecting on President Lincoln’s Thanksgiving message as we Build Back Better

    reflecting on President Lincoln’s Thanksgiving message as we Build Back Better


    I’m sure many of you received this email today from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; but for anyone who missed it, I will happily share.

    Read, reflect, repeat.

    Dear friends,
    Again and again, I write to express my gratitude for your support to make the future better.  In that spirit, I am writing to tell you that during Thanksgiving week, the San Francisco Interfaith Council gathered to honor the 100th birthday of its founder Rita Semel, who enjoyed every moment of it.  The ceremony was a glorious one of faith and love and unity.
    A highlight of the occasion was the invoking of Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Day proclamation, which he issued On October 3rd, 1863 and states: “I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens… and implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it… to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.”
    As always, President Lincoln’s patriotic words then are an inspiration to us now.
    I hope that your Thanksgiving was a blessed one.
    Gratefully,
    Nancy
          
    Stay safe, stay sane, get vaccinated and please stay tuned.
  • train up a child in the way she should go…

    train up a child in the way she should go…


    and when she is old, she will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6 or something like that)

    Or in our house, it’s more like bring up the little girl as a University of South Carolina Gamecock fan and, hopefully, she’s a fan for life. Not that it will be an easy life. Haha. But she comes from a long line of Gamecocks who have endured the good and lean years in athletics and remained loyal forever to thee, Carolina.

    Teesa, will I meet Cocky

    I love a basketball gym, but where is Cocky

    Nay Nay, did someone say something about my bow

    Teesa, I love the Gamecocks –

    even if I didn’t meet Cocky this time

    Alas, Cocky was spotted below where we sat several times and of course often in the spotlight in the middle of the arena performing his Mascot duties, but by the time Teesa maneuvered her way with Ella to the floor, Cocky had walked out through a different exit. Bummer. Next time.

    The Gamecock women’s basketball team continues to be ranked #1 in the nation in the Associated Press poll of the top 25 NCAA programs. We have a large target on our backs now, but team veterans as well as newcomers are stepping up. And yesterday in their victory over Elon they had another newcomer waving her white towel during sand storm at Colonial Life Arena.

    Go Gamecocks!

    *************

    Stay safe, stay sane, get vaccinated and please stay tuned.

  • The Words She Didn’t Say

    The Words She Didn’t Say


    She wanted to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.

    They stuck in her mind like pavement to gum.

    Release me, release me the words cried today.

    I’m afraid, she said, as she held them at bay.

    We will be heard, they told her with force.

    She shook her head to quiet their source.

    They rattled around in the core of her brain,

    But got up again and began to raise Cain.

    Leave me alone, she shouted out loud.

    They mocked her and told her they came in a crowd.

    So even if caught and turned  out to sea,

    Others would come and one day be free.

    It must be the holidays because I’ve just written a poem with the same meter as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Good Lord.

    My usually introspective self typically becomes more reflective during the holiday season, and I believe this poem officially crosses the line to brooding.  However, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year, and Teresa and I once again look forward to making the trip to the Upstate to spend an evening with her family in the recreation hall of the First Baptist Church of Fingerville, South Carolina.  Even if I didn’t love her family, I’d go to a Baptist Church with that name.

    To everything there is a season, and this is the season for being thankful before the madness that is Christmas and New Year’s Day overwhelms us.  My wish for each of you is the familiar admonition to count your blessings and name them one by one. And if there are words you want or need to say to someone, set them free.

    From our family to yours – have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

    **************

    I published this originally in 2013 and read it now with fresh eyes and less brooding, but still sadness for the losses of many friends and family members to Covid in the past year including three of Pretty’s aunts (Iris, Thelma and Cooter) who always made our Thanksgiving experience at the First Baptist Church of Fingerville a special time. We give thanks for them today, and I dedicate this post to their memories.

  • are Carport Kitty and Bully Cat an item?

    are Carport Kitty and Bully Cat an item?


    Every new relationship has its highs and lows – peaks and valleys can be expected. Carport Kitty and I are no exception; we have developed a pattern I call Now you see me, Now you don’t. I leave you to surmise who’s the Now you don’t see me actor.

    Yesterday I made a plan to skulk (as opposed to stalk) around Neighbor John’s driveway on my early morning walk to try to catch a glimpse of Carport Kitty who was in the Now you don’t see me phase for the past three days. I peered over his hedges as I walked down Cardinal toward home and saw that only one of John’s trucks was there. When I reached his driveway and could see above the hedges, I looked anxiously for CK. No cat in sight. Sigh. Major disappointment. I was about to just walk on by when I looked down, startled to see a multicolored ball of fur sitting very still near my feet.

    …calmly curled at the bottom of the driveway next to the street…

    Carport Kitty soaking up the early morning sun

    I told Pretty when I got home I was sure CK would be dropping in for a Fancy Feast meal at some point during the day since she had clearly been waiting for me plus I knew she’d been impressed by my reminding her of the yummy meals we served in our carport (even though she never acknowledged my presence by a glance in my direction). Pretty shook her head and repeated her mantra I think she’ll show up when she’s hungry. Pretty stands by her cattitudes.

    Alas, she was neither hungry nor thirsty yesterday apparently. Now you don’t see me was still in effect.

    Today was a new day. Would I ever see Carport Kitty again, I wondered.

    Why, yes. Late this afternoon someone was hungry.

    She waited at the bottom of the kitchen steps while I prepared fresh water and her dinner. She didn’t rush to eat but seemed to be keeping an eye out for something or someone else. I thought I had seen the blur of Bully Cat leaping in the air and running away when I opened the kitchen door to pick up Carport Kitty’s food bowl. To quote Tweety Bird, I ‘tawt I taw a puddy tat.

    Maybe CK was afraid to eat because Bully Cat lingered in the bushes somewhere. I stood guard while Carport Kitty ate.

    I spotted Bully Cat at the edge of our yard next to the fence

    Ha. He sees me guarding poor pitiful Carport Kitty’s dining experience with her over the shoulder fearful glances.

    She carefully ate her Fancy Feast broiled chicken pate, and then she walked away but hid under our car. Now why would she do that? She knew I was protecting her from Bully Cat.

    she left her Meow Mix – someone had drawn closer

    Bully Cat enjoyed the dry food left by Carport Kitty

    Thanks to my followers who are much more cat savvy than I am – you recognized the possibility of a food scam and figured my relationship with Carport Kitty was apt to be a threesome.

    Bully for you!

    ************

    Stay safe, stay sane, get vaccinated, Happy Thanksgiving! and stay tuned.