Catymology

My recent activities have revolved around napping. Meanwhile, the humans seem to have spent time several days a week at "the Y." Since they are always hungry and thirsty when they return from "the Y," I guess they are doing a lot of hunting. (That is what I wish I were doing right now!) But, you know, the fact that they return hungry and thirsty means that they are not very good hunters.

It's a good thing that they have those plastic card things that let them buy food for me and them, 'cause they're obviously bad hunters!

The Friday Ark is up at Modulator. Sunday's Carnival of the Cats is hosted by none other than Laurence Simon.

Labels: fun and games

When decorating your house for the holidays, do include a variety of seasonal plants, such as the poinsettia and Christmas cactus. Just don't forget to leave room for a pear-shaped cat!

Labels: happy holidays

In case you missed my Winter Solstice poem, here it is again:

A pear-shaped cat contemplates the Winter Solstice

The shortest of days has come again
Freezing rain and darkness falling
The humans keep a candle burning
To call the sunlight back to earth

Later, they’ll go to bed and dream
Of peace for earth and all its creatures
While I keep watch throughout the night
My eyes refracting paradise.



The winter solstice takes place today or early tomorrow morning. Here in the North American Central Time Zone, it will be at 12:08 a.m. December 22. Lots more about the Solstice is at Candlegrove.

Visit all the other creatures at Modulator's Friday Ark. Missy, KC and Bear will host the Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.

Labels: poetry

This is a very exciting day! For two years, amanuensis has been searching high and low for a recording of The Yule Cat sung by the Icelandic artist, Bjork. And here it is!



In Icelandic, the Yule Cat is Jolakotterinn. The song apppeared on the compilation album Hvít Er Borg Og Bær in December 1987. Bjork was in the band called the Sugarcubes at the time.

Thanks to a fan of Bjork's music, here's an English translation of the lyrics. The translator seems to be unsure whether the Yule Cat was male or female, but you get the idea that he (or she) liked to eat children! Arghh!


You know the Christmas cat
- that cat is very large
We don't know where he came from
nor where he has gone

He opened his eyes widely
glowing both of them
it was not for cowards
to look into them

His hair sharp as needles
his back was high and bulgy
and claws on his hairy paw
were not a pretty sight

Therefore the women competed
to rock and sow and spin
and knitted colorful clothes
or one little sock

For the cat could not come
and get the little children
they had to get new clothes
from the grownups

When Christmas Eve was lighted
and the cat looked inside
the children stood straight and red-cheeked
with their presents

He waved his strong tail
he jumped, scratched and blew
and was either in the valley
or out on the headland

He walked about, hungry and mean
in hurtfully cold christmas snow
and kindled the hearts with fear
in every town

If outside one heard a weak "meaow"
then unluck was sure to happen
all knew he hunted men
and didn't want mice

He followed the poorer people
who didn't get any new clothing
near Christmas - and tried and lived
in poorest conditions

From them he took at the same time
all their Christmas food
and ate them also themselves
if he could

Therefore the women competed
to rock and sow and spin
and knitted colorful clothes
or one little sock

Some had gotten an apron
and some had got a new shoe
or anything that was needful
but that was enough

For pussy should not eat no-one
who got some new piece of clothes
She hissed with her ugly voice
and ran away

If she still exists I don't know
but for nothing would be his trip
if everybody would get next Christmas
some new rag

You may want to keep it in mind
to help if there is need
for somewhere there might be children
who get nothing at all

Mayhap that looking for those who suffer
from lack of plentiful lights
will give you a happy season
and merry Christmas

Labels: Bjork, music

Labels: happy holidays

Yo, cats and catted ones! Darcy here.

If you're old enough to read Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials (or to see the movie that opens tomorrow), you're old enough to have your own daemon. The viral marketing team at New Line Cinema just sent me mine.

Here she is:





My daemon, Kyana, is supposed to be a reflection of my personality; after I answered 20 questions, I learned that I am "modest, assertive, competitive, and a leader." Modest? Moi? Who are they kidding?

Anyway, if you're interested, you can get your own daemon at the Golden Compass website.

I'm outta here!

Darcy X

Labels: daemon, Golden Compass, movies

I am thankful that my human has left the gently heated pad on the couch! Now that winter is here, it's my favorite place to sit.

Visit the Friday Ark at Modulator. Carnival of the Cats this weekend at Bad Kitty Cats!