What's funny? The CAT thinks

Dear Mouse,

My brother Nes regularly sends me jokes or funny stories. Yesterday, it was not funny. He sent me a KISS (Keep ideas smart and simple). The cat thinks something funnier.

(1) Flies or bees bothering you? Spray them with hair spray and they will take a quick dive.

Cat thinks---Bees will come back with their Queen Bee for a hair do while flies come back with goggles and masks. hehehe

(2) Sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed. (hmmmmmm...)

Cat thinks - hmmmm not recommended for postal employees...hmmm and nosy parents

Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

Cat thinks-Not a good idea for “tabo” using ladies. Ask no more.

(4) For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dishwashing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.

Cat thinks - Not unless, the warm water freezes before it is mixed with the dishwashing liquid.

( 5) Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda.Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).

Cat thinks—better enroll the kids in art class.

(6) Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!): rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

Cat thinks-women should not use the brand B paper towel. It will give them Popeye- like muscle in the arms.

( 7) Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. And now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get sharpened this way!

Cat cannot think..kablammmm

(8) Opening brand new jars can be a feat in itself. Well, I have found a way to make it the easiest thing to do. Instead of banging a jar of jam, pickles, etc.,with a knife until it loosens up, I simply reach into the drawer and pull out the handy nutcracker. It adjusts to the size of the jar and I simply give it a good twist and off pops the lid!

Cat thinks- To crack the nuts, use the can opener. hehehe

( 9) Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time!

Cat thinks - Not recommended to Dracula. He will spend a great deal for the hydrogen peroxide.

(10) Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

Cat thinks - Use genuine vinegar only. To test the genuineness of the vinegar, immerse your jewelry. If it turns black, the vinegar is pure. If it does not turn black, the vinegar is fake.

(11)Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on. Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.

Cat thinks- Lauren, Calvin Klein, J.Glow ?????? A bottle of scent costs a fortune. I rather use mothballs for my dresser drawer. When I put on my clothes, moths will stay away, even friends too..

12) Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.

Cat thinks—As if the ref is not full of weird stuff for school lab specimen. Label them.

13) To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!

Cat thinks,-yum yum..Can I add pepper too.?

14) To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.

Cat thinks-good for 4 servings.

15) Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains. (Key Word: Tupperware)

Cat thinks-use cheaper food containers.

16) When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

Cat thinks – call the dough boy.

17) Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

Cat thinks-Do not forget the celery after weeks.

18) When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.

Cat thinks-when eating the corn, put salt.

(19) Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

Cat thinks-Do not throw away after use. Good for grilled fish. Yuck.

(20) Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces. (...leftover wine??)

Cat thinks-Keep out of reach. Tea on the rock may result in intoxication at home. Dangerous.

(21) Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

Cat thinks- Effective only if the ants are not too drunk to crawl out of the line.

22) When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

Cat thinks-A good substitute for deep-penetrating BIORE with an ouch.

23) Now look what you can do with Alka- Seltzer.

Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets,wait twenty minutes, brush and flush.

The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China. Clean a vase.

To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.

Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.

Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).

Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

Cat thinks- I’ll take it. Burp.

Quotation of the day

Life is like a box of candies, throw out the candies and make use of the box. -CAT (mwehehehe)

The Ca t

Strudels for the Spirit Learning Life's Lessons thru Letters

Dear Mouse,

Learning Life's Lessons thru Letters- -EDUCATING A CAT

Lesson 1 A Spiritual and Practical Course of RECOGNIZING A GIFT

I am enrolled in the University of Life. Naah, not that university in Pasig. I do not have a textbook, I do not have a formal curriculum and I do not have a classroom. I have professors. But we do not see each other. It is not an on-line course though but the lessons are sent thru messages, posts and e-mails. Learn with me.

Dear Cat,

My precious, before I forget, I better say this, as again we never know.... You are a rare breed, as you are IN TOUCH WITH YOUR EMOTIONS. Do you know that people go through life not knowing that they need to be in touch with their emotions???I think this is where our soul lies ... in our emotion. When you have a spare time, read the books "The Power of Now" By: Eckhart Tolle and "A Course In Miracles". I read "A Course in Miracles" years ago and it took me months to finish it. I was disable when I read that book. It was quite a struggle since my mind was functionally impaired. I still have the book and am revisiting it. It is heavy reading, but if there's any book that I suggest you should have outside of the Bible is this one. I just started "The Power of Now" a week ago and again, I'm taking it very slowly.

I'm sure you know how well blessed you are. Superior intellect is not a necessity for someone to have a "good/rich" life. This is even open to several interpretations, dependent on one's background. To some, this means material things. Personally, this is not what I mean. One can have all the material possessions, and still cannot claim having a good rich life. I believe we are able to be in this state of "good/rich" life when we make ourselves in touch with our emotions and keep it intact. To act on what we know or what we learned is also a difficult challenge to take on. It's like riding a horse; we fall at times, but we need to get back on the saddle to continue our journey. Naku!!! heavy na ito, halika, magtawanan na tayo at gusto ko lang na sabihing marami kang GIFTS and those gifts are to be shared to all....bisouxxxx

Philamgypsy

Quotation --

It is not what he has or what he does that expresses the worth of a man but for what he is -Henri Frederick Amiel

The Ca t

MADCAT-take a bow Many moons ago, in a far away forum, this cat engaged a consultant/columnist/businessman/educator in an unfriendly exchange of opinions. One thing that I learned from that exercise is that there are people who cannot accept defeat and that the perceived wrong is not only forever etched in their hearts but also perpetuated in their web site. The MADCAT ruffles a feather or two but this cat did not realize that the guy's ego was so shaken that the pages devoted about this CAT consumed several megabytes. As if it is not enough, the synopsis is carried in a friend's web site. Bite me. He wrote: I was surprised by the level of ignorance displayed about substantive topics affecting the Philippines. To give just one example, I mentioned my active involvement in the Philippine call center industry (serving on working groups, writing magazine articles, working on a white paper to influence public policy, etc.). This generated responses like the following: Madcat: So you plug RP when the government commissioned you to write PR materials for the government but in your website, all these positive pics that you draw about the country are wiped out with your sweeping generalizations about how bad our culture is. The attraction of putting up call centers in the Phils is not because of any write-up of anybody but because of the cost savings that these projects will bring the company... the cost/benefit/risk has been done before some expats are flown to the country.The people from Silicon Valley have been around and I'm sure they have seen places to make Manila seem like paradise. They have real fellows on payroll that have done the cost/benefit and risk analysis so most of the real work has been done before you meet them at the airport. All that you have to do is remind them how little they have to pay Filipinos to get high quality work to satisify the sharks in green shades and make sure they can find the local McDonalds and bars. I'm sure you'll do fine. You might not be a Peter Wallace but neither are you a Mike Wallace. He further wrote: Aside from the fact that I've never been paid for such industry activities, the irritating thing was that the comments were so far removed from reality. The "write-up(s) of anybody" are read by international investors and help build the "brand image" of the Philippines on the global stage. Sure, the MNCs do cost-benefit analysis before they come here. But they do not automatically choose the lowest cost offshore location and they never, ever make an investment decision without extensive fact-finding missions and comparative analysis with other offshore locations. For example, the leading flamer - whom I shall call Madcat - made a very puzzling post attacking Filipino Business World 101. This hypothetical case told the story of an ex-pat business consultant who completely screwed up an engagement because he failed to understand Philippine culture.(talking about himself-cat's comment) The column describes how the project fell apart because he failed to understand the importance of face, group norms, and basic cultural sensitivity. I am proud that the case has been used in MBA courses at both De La Salle and Ateneo de Manila, and that I have been asked to discuss it with students in those programs. Thus, I was astonished when Madcat attacked me for painting a portrait of inefficiency and blaming the Filipino workers for the fiasco. In fact, the case explicitly points out the mistakes made by the ex-pat consultant in failing to operate within Filipino cultural norms. The purpose was to educate international executives about basic Filipino values and to illustrate how they should not behave. Crystal clear. CAT:It is crystal clear that the consultant in real life is disgruntled that the project was terminated, period. In case writing, both sides are presented objectively to enable the class to identify as to whose viewpoints can be adopted in order to come up with a more acceptable and less prejudiced resolution of the problem at hand. He continued: Of the numerous other examples, one of the strangest and most off-the-wall concerned my Eva from Cebu column. Here's Madcat at her best: "Cut that crap of drumbeating that you write articles in order to promote the country which you learn to love. It is not spelled L-O-V-E for the host country. It is spelled PR and and sales promotion strategy for your consulting business" Here's one of my responses: I care deeply about the Philippines, and am amazed that there are Filipinos like you who would reject the possibility of a white boy actually having something to contribute or caring about what happens here. You should be ashamed of yourself. Madcat's all-too-predictable reaction: "I am touched. What really is the image that you would like to impress ? What is your crusade ? I see nothing but insights on how to be seen and heard in order to create a name in the consulting business. If ever you will hear me applaud, it is because I can see that you applying what you learned in Management and Consultancy Business 101 superbly. Huwag mo na kaming PAUTANGIN NA LOOB na ginagawa mo lang dahil sa kapakanan ng Pilipino (Rough translation: "Don't pretend that you're doing it out of the goodness of your heart or for the Filipinos"). Now I am drenched in tears. Let me wipe them off with the Dilbert funnies' pages." One of Madcat's major protestations was that my web site is horribly offensive because it presents itself as a business column, yet delves into places it's not supposed to go. She went on and on and on, questioning why I write about OFWs or bar girls or pagan rituals, asking why I didn't just stick to business issues like I should. What sez me ? Quotation- Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the offense cannot reach me - Rene Descartes

MUSINGS- The CAT is a rat.

Dear Mouse,

I got cold feet. I mean it literally and figuratively.

I got cold feet; I cannot face the truth. Somehow, something just kind of hit me; I am no longer a child. I should get past that age of rebelliousness. I should be in the stage figuring what life is...and please somebody stop the clock... there is so much pain before happiness ‘cause nothing good lasts forever...I am afraid to become who I really am. I am wondering what messages will I allow in my heart.

CAT: What ? Do not look at me. I am merely reading a diary of a lonely confused young lady about to add another year in her life.

Yes, I got cold feet and cold nose too. Where the hell are my socks. I thought I washed them last week. You got spare, Mr. Wanderlust ?...you know from straining coffee bits.

Quotation of the hour-

As a rule, for no one does life more disagreeably than for him who tries to speed up. ---Jean Paul Richter

The Ca t

POEM – Ahem – The CA T in a Poet’s hat

Dear Mouse,

Precious Moments, ahem

Precious moments are, when I quietly slip away beyond the realm of worldly cares,

Precious moments are, when I watch the sunbeams peeking through the window pane as if looking for that solitary figure in the shadows of a cozy candlelit room...

Precious moments are, when I know serenity, enjoying the silence of an afternoon, listening to the....

"I LOST MY NOSE." wailing of the brat CAN'T BREATHE.. he gets more hysterical... but your nose is right there. the sister interjects...HOWCUM,can't breathe? becuz you stuff it wid dat strip silly.itz supposed-to-be-stuck-in-the- middle-of-your-nose, stoopi...no-swearing- look-from auntie-moonlighting-baby sitter stopped –the older girl from saying the s..word...The kids’ mother's breathright strips.

*ahem* where was I ?

Drat, I lost my focus. Anybody who wants to adopt a cat?

Quotation of the day

I have never started a poem yet whose end I knew. Writing a poem is discovering. - T. S Eliot

The cat purrs.

The Ca t

GOTCHA- You have just been quoted by the CAT While I believe that what happens in one's bedroom is nobody's business, sex is supposed to be the ultimate expression of love and God's gift to mankind. It is not something to be abused, taken for granted or mistaken for lust.-VRodriguez on issue about sex.

A view from rose-colored glasses

Dear Mouse,

-CAT wearing shades hoping to get better service from humans at the coffee shop.

Jujulep - I can see through your eyes only if you wear my glasses! -

(CAT: try my cat’s eyes)

Wanderlust : Oh! definitely but tell me what color shade comes out of your eyes when you've got your glasses on? If it does not turn dark brown...I understand why our minds don't process the same thing.

(CAT:my coffee please...use the cup not the drinking glasses)

.Jujulep: With sunglasses on.... oh, goodness, who knows. I have been told that I have more pairs of sunglasses than Imelda did shoes. Red, yellow, blue, black, brown, pink, green, gray, etc., - lenses of all different shades! But, if I'm really mad or have been crying then, they are green. (and red - hahaha

(CAT: make mine pink..it's cool, )

Wanderlust: Very colorful.. I 'll stay away when they are going red.. they are infectious!

CAT: make mine, black, I mean the coffee)

Jujulep: Why would my eyes not turning dark brown have anything to our minds not processing the same thing?

(CAT: meow)

Wanderlust : Let's put it this way, Color shading the mind... color comes out at the right amount of light. If we are looking at the same object, it may be looked differently when it is seen at the direction of a rising sun than when it is seen from the direction of the setting of sun. But with the right amount of light.....without the glare of contrasting lights, you have the object's color right for you. You are the artist here. Tell me about it, J.

(CAT: meow)

Jujulep:Okay, regarding the shading.... Of course I understand what you mean in seeing things in a different light. Objects will definitely appear differently when viewed at different times of day, under fluorescent lights (like those awful things they put in bathrooms! LOL), in pure light, on a cloudy day or a sunny one. Not only will the shade of colour change but the tonal texture of the object will as well at times.

But I *may* understand what you are trying to say. It has nothing to do with an artist's palette. Are you referring to the fact that the sun rising from the East (as in your homeland) and setting in the West (as in America)? Given the fact that we were both born at opposite ends of the "light spectrum", if that is what you mean, I DO understand how the rising sun and the setting sun see things differently. With the right amount of light (let's say midday for the heck of it) with no glaring contraction coming from either a brightly rising sun or a setting one - then things become clearer. In other words, "Think in the middle" or "Be in the middle" to where you CAN see both sides and appreciate the value of what you are looking at. I find myself in the middle. I am an expat in my own motherland. I have no true home to speak of anymore. I DO see things from many different perspectives. Is that what you were getting at?

On the other hand...... I still don't see what the colour of our eyes have to do with it! LOL

(CAT: meow)Meow meow meow (translation: Help, I lost my voice. What did you put in my coffee, humans ?)

Proverb of the day for the cat

Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.

Mmm mmmm mmmm help. this tape is not funny at all.

Proverb of the day:

Some people complain why GOD put thorns on roses while others praise Him for putting Roses among thorns.

The Ca t

EDSA ANNIVERSARY

Dear Mouse,

– A reason for the CAT’s big faith to Filipinos

It is the 17th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA Revolution; the bloodless revolution which booted the dictator President and his wife from their oppressive rule. This was one moment when the Filipinos were admired all over the world. Other people in countries where despots ruled tried to replicate this people power movement. They failed. Some attributed the success of EDSA to Cardinal Sin, Ramos, Cory Aquino and other nameless and faceless heroes. This Ca t attributes this to the people--- The Filipinos whose heart and soul made this miracle possbile. These people who have a beautiful recipe of living.

While other people have so much time to worry about trifles, these two stanzas from a poem of Schultz can aptly describe this race.

A goodly bit of laughter

And a sky of fairest blue

A touch of true believing

And a bit of humor too

Some sunshine bright and golden

Yet a pinch of hurtful pain

A morning kissed by dewdrops

Then an afternoon of rain.

Mix them with love and kindsness

With a gentle heart that cares,

Quiet, moment’s -peace and friendship

and some tendered whispered prayers,

Some understanding always

And an outstretched helping hand

You've a recipe for living

In this bright and glorious land

.

Quotation of the day

Revolution is not a dinner party, not an essay, nor a painting; it cannot be advanced softly, gradually, carefully, considerately, politely, plainly and modestly ----Mao Tse Tung

The CAT says, not in EDSA.

The Ca t

Over a Cup of Coffee with a PolitiCAT

Dear mouse,

(Armchair Analyst Kuno)

Half full, half empty cup of coffee

CAT: The same situation can be viewed in either a negative or positive way. The optimist's cup is half full but the pessimist's is half empty.

In the Philippines Star news recently, Jaime Zobel Ayala, president and CEO of conglomerates that are responsible for several projects not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the globe, sees the workers' migration from the optimist half full point of view.

The cat purrs. (Agrees for you, humans). If the Philippines is no longer competitive in terms of attracting investors due to China's lower labor cost, then it should use its competitive edge which is the migrant work force. Like the beautician's simple rule of making an ugly duckling beautiful, enhance the assets that stand out.

Others may see this as a brain drain but one brain lost is a gain of two or more in terms of number of children sent to schools made possible by the OCW's remittances.

Government critics and armchair analysts see this as inability of the country to provide employment opportunities for the people. True. But this is just poking at one branch of the tree. The root is buried down under. It cannot be poked. It has to be uprooted.

If you think, the cat is trying to be intellectual, NO. My cup of coffee is really half full. Time for refill. Errrmm , Mr. Wanderlust, I can make use of refill right now. (price the same huh ?)

Wanderlust : One of the good traits of the majority of our people is their ability to come up with something to beat the odds. Now you are looking at people's perspective in an economic standpoint. While this is not very ideal, it is a way out.

Opportunities for greener pasture for most of our people are well received but not all who go abroad are as lucky. There are abuses and exploitations that our government should be able to protect its people from. We have yet to learn about sweatshops that China and other countries maintain to get their Commerce and Trade swinging. It has become prevalent for our people to contract and enslave themselves under such poor work condition in a foreign land just to hold a job to support his family and loved ones. True there is a need to uproot and I must go with your observation on how to take the hurdles of our lives.

Let me recite a poem that came to me that run this way:

Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl;

One was an optimistic soul

But the other took a gloomy view.

"I shall drown," he cried and so will you."

So with a last despairing cry,

He closed his eyes and said, "Good-bye!"

But the other frog, with merry grin,

Said,"I can't get out but I won't give in!

I swim around while my strength is spent,

For having tried, I die content."

Bravely he swam until it would seem

His struggles began to churn the cream.

On the top of the butter at last he stopped

And out of the bowl he happily hopped.

What is the moral? It's easily found, If you can't get out, keep swimming around.

So let's just keep swimming around... and around... :)

CAT: Errrmm, Mr. Wanderlust before this poor cat drown in a cup of coffee, you have strudel that goes with the coffee ? free ? heehehe

Proverb of the morning-

The cup is either half empty or half full.

Isn't it obvious ?

The Ca t

STRESS IN, STRESS OUT

Dear Mouse,

-The CAT in the Coffee POT in the Coffeeshop

What stresses women, be they career, business or plain housewives ?

Yes, housewives have a lot of stresses too...an upcoming dinner to host for some bigwigs from the office of the hubby, recitals of the kids, busted plumbing, redecorating projects..they could fill a book.

Let the cat bring you to her favorite coffeeshop where some humans are having their coffee break. Waiting for my strudels stresses me out too. These humans. meoww

Len: Don't be surprised if you don't see me around from hereon til May. There's one family coming and they will be staying with me. They're actually coming here first week of March, but I'm already stressing out. What can we do for entertainment? That's my problem. My city is not exactly a tourist destination. Oh well. Any ideas ?

(Cat : strudels and coffee, make it black please)

Jujulep:Len -Go get a visitors' guide - leave it out on the coffee table and spend an evening with them looking it over. Let them decide! - You are going to do FINE and I KNOW it's the cooking that's really got you stressed so KISS (keep it simple stupid LOL). Sandwiches, soup, salads, stuff like that. Hang in there girlfriend - you'll be fine!

(CAT: My strudels please).

Len:I don't take breakfast, just coffee, then a sandwich for lunch and then I prepare full meal for supper.... but w/ guests... oh my gosh.... pancakes, omelettes, toasted bread and butter for breakfast, then in an hour or two, prepare again for lunch, then in another hour or two, dinner...... just thinking of it already stresses me out.

Philamgypsy:Are you trying to start a Bed & Breakfast business??? They just serve coffee, juice, tea, toast or croissant. Relax. Listening to you also stresses me out.

(CAT: and that is her third cup of espresso and I do not see my strudels coming).

Len: I am finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. The hubby has given the green signals for me to use hotels.com for the Reno trip, and I have at least 20 dishes that I can cook way ahead of time.

I'm beginning to look forward to their visit, the curb appeal is almost done, curtains changed, pretty primroses already planted, the rest promised to clean up the backyard this coming weekends,extra aerobed already bought, what else can I do to make it nice and comfy ?

Wanderlust: I will make hilut-hilot your back and you would not even know it, one day is over , smoothly..Make simple casseroles, one that they don't normally eat in the Phils. so they don't know the difference. Relax!

(CAT: errrm simple casserole ? but where is my strudel).

Len: You ain't seen nothin' yet. I'm making kiskis na bathroom cabinets so I can repaint the ugly brown color to white. And I'm doing that all by myself, thank you.

(CAT: Do not forget my box. I want pastel color.)

Wanderlust : Believe it or not Len, all you need is a neatly-made home and a welcoming countenance and a simple food fare will do. You don't have to turn your home around for your neighbors or relatives.

Edgarbb: You said it, ol' buddy- you better get crackin'... Consuelo de bobo, compare yourt weight thereafter to your weight now, and your waist measurement, and rejoice at the loss of avoirdupois from your butt.

(CAT: My strudels please. HELLOOOO can you hear me ?)

Len: The avoirdupois is happily and comfortably entrenched in my butt.

Edgarbb:Cool it, pal. Unlax! I don't think they'll expect you to wait hand and foot on them.It's always darkest before the dawn.(Or, the calm before the storm. Hohoho...)

(CAT: And I am waiting since dawn for my strudels).

Vgie: Well, Len, after 3 days they're no longer guests so prepare what you usually prepare. What matters most is your company.

(CAT: what about my strudels? shucks humans...they do not care if cats are also stressed out. I better go to KFC for some chicken bone but wait, I am a cat, not a dog...meow.)

Proverb of the day

It is good to remember that a tea kettle, although up to its neck in hot water, continues to sing.

WHERE IS MY COFFEE. Just because I am a cat, I do not deserve good service. Now where did they go......

The Ca t

BOOKWORMS NO MORE?

Dear Mouse,

Internet you are the culprit? -The cat eavesdropping while napping.

LMYE:Which preferences are intriguing ? I had borrowed from the Library such books as , yes, The Fall of the Roman Empire, Little Known Facts about US History, about the Incas, the Egyptian Pyramids, history of the Second World War, book about Alexander the Great, and believe it or not, I'm starting to read Chemistry 1. What you say is true though. Since the internet, my reading time was cut 70 %. Good or bad influence ? LOL

Edgarbb:Yeah, Len, I just love reading those books myself- about the Mayan/Incan/Aztec ancient empires, and those Egyptian pyramids arranged as the stars in the belt of Orion- it's really mind blowing!How about the woolly mammoth - that elefink- excuse me, elephant that they found in the tundras up north and were slowly defrosting- you know whatever happened to that? Imagine, defrosting with hair dryers!...

Indian proverb:

In lighting a candle, we illuminate a dark chamber. In reading a book, we seek to enlighten the heart.

Excuse me, while I pick up a book. A checkbook...hehehehe

The Ca t

Beyond Forgetting- Rolando Carbonnell

Dear Mouse,

I remember my brother and his friends practising for their POETRY READING Competition. I found one of the friends, cute. I thought that I could use some alibi to hang out with them. I brought peanut butter sandwich and lemonade. No cold soda...bad for the voice. My brother recited a poem that I thought sounded like my mom's favorite husband-wife poets, Elizabeth Barret Browning and Robert Browning but far better. I made kulit to him until he gave me a copy.

After several years, I met someone who recited a beautiful poem. Very familiar. He knew it by heart.   He told me, it is Rolando Carbonell's poem. I started searching in my journals/cum/scrapbook/diaries. I knew I heard it somewhere. I found this.

============================

You Alone

by Rolando Carbonell

You alone, beloved, can teach me to measure the memory of a song... No one knows to what ecstasy my heart will soar. The gentleness in your smile is enough to touch the tenderness in my heart.

In the secret page of my life is written a story...never to be forgotten.

For all the silent records this vessel holds contain the memory of you.

Come, then, beloved, and sing with the songs so sweet.

Burn my soul with the magic jewel of your song that i may awaken from the darkness of this world to view the blossoming of the stars.

And is there any power greater than love? Speak then, beloved, speak.

Give to me the essence of your love, and the slumbering poems in this dark universe will blazon anew,swelling like waves upon the bosom of a hungry shore.

Because you and I shall sing, heaven itself will quiver with a burst of song.

And the morning shall greet us with a glow to open the flowering of a new tune.

No one else but you can still the throbbing, sobbing, murmuring voice within. No one.

For you alone can reach the silent stretches of my soul.

You alone...

Without you, beloved, what joy will there be in a song?

Without the embraces of your love - what use is the beauty of the morn?

Without the promise of your kiss, what delight is there in the fragrance of a rose?

Without you, my love, memory itself will lose the beauty of its touch...

Come then, my dear, like a flower, like a song, like a dream...

And I shall write the forgotten poems of many days you secretly left in my soul.

In every line I shall scribble the many thoughts this soaring mind holds.

And the music in my heart shall spread its wings to envelop the memmory of you youth scattered by the winds.

You alone can make a miracle out of a song...

You alone can transform this poem into a prayer...

You alone can make me feel the breath of life again.

Roland A. Carbonell

AND THIS IS ONLY ONE OF HIS POEMS.

Proverb:

Poets are born not made.

The Ca t

Mailbox

Dear Mouse,

-The CAT received mail from a Great POET, WRITER and a GURU

Dear Ca t,

Life has many strange byways, and it's up for us to flow and navigate through many twists and turns. no one is exempted from fate's strange decrees, but in each burning we rise more luminous, stronger, and even more divine than before.

while your beloved mother has transitioned to higher spheres, grieve no more, for she is in a much better plane than ours. my mother, too, has transitioned and i let her go, with blessings, for she has completed her mission on earth. besides, in truth, no one really dies, not the soul anyway, for we are all immortals. we only need to shift our consciousness beyond this mortal realm, and realize our divinity.

i, myself, "died" three times - near-death - and i emerged from the experience more wizened than before. and like a man against time, realizing the fragility and evanescence of life, i went on a writing marathon - and in the process - completed 50 book manuscripts in a record time of three and a half months only, more than what i've written the past half century. indeed, "God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform...."

Blessings upon blessings to you,

rolando a. carbonell

Proverb-

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

The Ca t

My mailbox-Cat in the Mat There are mails that are treasured. Food for the soul. Here is one from a friend. Dear Cat, Darling.....I am honored...what am sharing in cyberworld personally happened to me. There were also so many mysterious things that happened and still happening to me. Our lives are like the 4 seasons. LOL!!! I've shared my Fall/Winter but not my Spring/Summer... My Spring is so ALIVE... LOL!!! How I wish I can take your hand and play like there's no tomorrow when Springtime comes. I've learned to compartmentalizing my life. As open as I may be, and culturally, am DIFFICULT to take, but just take it as a weather report, as am trying to just recall as much as am able to recall. I see the light at the end of this long black tunnel. Lately, am able to spot errors. Two years ago, my hands ached just typing, let alone THINK. Unfortunately, I did not even recognize my SLOW DEATH. I fought to be ALIVE again. We may never meet in person, we may not even be able to continue this conversation, but just believe that in my heart of hearts, I've no agenda but to share, receive, learn, play and laugh, as I don't have this luxury outside the tube. You are contributing a lot to me. I believe I can only receive as much as am able to give. Love yourself while loving others as we can only give what we have....Stay well precious one...and thanks again. Philamgypsy Proverb worth sharing- Friendship improves happiness, abates misery by doubling our joy and dividing the grief. I need the caculator to divide. III*.*III

To do List: First item: Clean the purse and leave only essential items for survival of a woman away from home: Essentials: 1. lipstick (luscious lips need one or two shades and a lip sheener for the final touch one once each or a total of 3 ounces 2. eyeliner (one item and a back-up just in case it needs additional sharpening) one ounce 3. eyebrowpencil(black and brown) 2 ounces 4.blush on = minitype=2 ounces 5. eyelashextender=one ounce 6. nailclipper=a no no in the handcarry -2 ounces 7. one small tissue paper- one ounce 8. coin purse- limit to 10 coins -4 ounces 9. foldable bills- limit to 5 20 dollar bills =with the purse= 2 ounces 10. credit cards= bring at least 5. (you may never know if you will just settle for windowshopping anytime of the year. =4 ounces. 11. pens/markers= one ounce 12. cell phone= 4 ounces 13. battery charger = 6 ounces 14. tictactoe= one ounce 15. small pill box-3 ounces 16. directory/cardholders=2 ounces 17. small flashlight=6 ounces 42 ounces or 2 lbs and 10 ounces add to the wieight of the purse which could be one pound or a total of 3 pounds and 10 ounces. SO IF YOU HAVE SORE SHOULDER MUSLES AT THE END OF THE DAY, do not ask your doctor. Proverb of the hour The cat is out of the bag. Literally speaking, that is.

Conversations-cat eavesdropping...meow Devotionals are snacks for the soul and inspirationals awaken one to new insights about one self, relationships, family, friends, goals and dreams.(wowdidiwritethis?) I am lucky to have cyberfriends who despite their own problems offer me wealth of refreshing inspirations. I saved all of them and with their permission, I will feature them in my journal to share with others who are burned out, stressed and harassed. While my proverbs/sayings of the day reflect the message of my post, their words of wisdom focus on personal relationships, managing time demands, setting priorities and fulfilling one's potentials. Jujulep: LOL G'Ganda - I am the original M&M - Impatient and Impulsive - but, it's not up to me.  It's up to someone else as to what happens.  Despite words such as yours from others that are close to both of us - i have grave doubts as to any satisfactory resolution regarding this situation, at least for me.  I've done all I can. - j Philamgypsy: Darling just wait....for all you know, this is a blessing in disguise.  IF that is the case.....give it to HIM....let HIM do the work for you....When I was at the very end of my rope, hanging on with my teeth, that's exactly waht I told HIM.  Here it is, what the heck do I know about life....LOL!!! since You know better that I do, why don't YOU just take over and I leave it all to YOU.  Whatever the results will be, just be sure YOU make it very clear to me that it is Your Will and not mine.  Proverb of the day: Give your troubles to GOD: HE will be up all night anyway.

Greeting portion- Paki---pakibati raw ang nagbebersdey pd2002: happy birthday to you jun. TYAK, MARAMI PANG DARATING NA KAARAWAN !!! (paano na nga ba yung kasabihan..? tungkol sa damo...? ) Iyun bang damohong ito't ke tibay tibay...'pi bersdey 'tol. jun:Maraming salamat sa inyong pagbati. Sa totoo lang ayoko ko ng mag celebrate ng birthday. Ayoko ng umalis sa edad na 28. kk: gustong maging masamang damo ang damoho. mev.Masamang damo mahirap mamatay? Di ba ganoon? jun:Bog! ibyang:hey kapitbahay, happy birthday... huwag tatapakan ang damo pag may fertilizer.... jun : Sigi, apihin ninyo ang bunso. tho: Hindi. Para kay Junski "Damong makahiya pag nahawakan nalalanta" Proverb of the day: A man is as old as he feels. Happy birthday young man. Here is your lollipop. bog.

Clueless Syndrome-series For me, listening to people talking to themselves is a regular occurrence whether I am riding in a public commute or just watching people in the sidewalk absorbed in talking turkey, talking back or talking sense to their imaginary friend. The preacher/doomsayer/repent for it's the end of the world prophet does not faze me a bit. I know that Asian people particularly Filipinos are not afflicted by this kind of disease. If you see them talking or shouting; they are in conversation with some guys several meters away (hoy- kumusta-ka na-dalaw- ka- o- tawag- ka- ha ).But not this young Filipina. She was standing a few inches away from my side. Her eyes on me, she blurted out..".You look stupid with your dress" Whaat ? She was wearing a thick jacket and faded jeans. Her hands in her pocket. She ignored my " are-you-talking-to-me look". Then the cell phone earpiece thingie fell from her ears. Look ma no hands. Proverb of the day To each his own. Well, yes but stop using that cellphone acccessory, will you? Stop talking to yourself. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW ?

Moving out sale loot 1. Sandra Grafton's paperback from A to N (keep it) 2. Unused bead divider (going to give to a friend who has been eyeing the Japanese divider in one furniture store) 3. Lee Kuan Yew's autobiography-glossy edition (keep it) 4. unused brain (hmmm hmmmm hmmmmmsome people need it but i do not know how to send it. fedex or ups). quotation of the hour-(favorite of yard sale/garage sale and thrift shops' habitues/raiders One man's trash is another man's treasure

Conversation with GOD -conversation series This is not the book. Woman: Why don't you answer my prayers ? GOD : I answered them. You just do not want my answer. Woman: But it is not an answer to my prayers.. GOD: That is what you think. Someday you will thank me for it. Woman: I hope so. GOD: I am sure you'll do. IF not you be the GOD and I will be you. Woman: When ? (Insert thunder and lightning sounds here) Click. Proverb of the minute- Man proposes, GOD disposes.

Pause for a commercial break I am boring. I do not drink, I do not smoke, I do not dance, I do not watch movie in the theatre. I prefer it in DVD so I can pause, replay or simply postpone watching it. I become attached to stuff that I come to love like my butterfly chair, my desk, my laptop, my desktop, my blouse top, the mountain top (my nose is getting longer. I should stop, lol) Disclaimer: Everything that I posted is true to my best knowledge except the last statement. Quotation- Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

The CAT reads show biz news. What they did for love- story 3 "I'm only human," the show-biz mayor of a city in Metro Manila told a newspaperman. "I guess I have to face the fact that (the relationship) is now over." (insert background music..Sapagkat kami ay Tao Lamang) "She has her career and I'm not yet annulled," the celebrity- politician explained. "She's still young. She has a lot going for her." (If he is not annulled, what is he ?..insert background music : anything you want.) He added: "It was very civil, although we don't talk anymore. " ( it was a civil war actually. Now they are civilians) The woman, a celebrity herself endured harsh words from the mayor's estranged wife, who called her thick-faced ("ang kapal ng mukha mo") and a husband-grabber ("mang-aagaw"). (insert any musical scoring of a love triangle themed movie). The "other woman" said she wants someone who is kind-hearted this time. She described her current apple of the eye to be God-fearing, kind and prayerful. (He really needs a lot of prayers) I cannot be a serious media person. My eyes always give me away. Rolling eyes, squinting or just simple look as if saying huh ? proverb of the hour- None so blind as those who refused to see... so they say love is blind----

What they did for love -story 2 Planet USA. NO, Columbo did not solve the murder case. Jessica Fletcher of Murder She Wrote fame is already retired. The LAW AND ORDER people do not have to convince the DA Office that the evidences will hold in court. Evidences are not circumstantial. The star witness is credible--- the daughter of the victim who was with him when the victim was run over by the MERCEDES of his wife. NOT ONCE BUT TWICE. Photos showed the tire tracks on the body of the orthodontist. So what did she do for love. Kill the man she loved ? Was it a crime of passion ? She told jurors she wanted to save her 10-year marriage after learning of the affair. She said she quit her job, had sex with her husband three times a night, cooked his favorite meals and hired a personal trainer. She said she even went to a tanning salon and scheduled liposuction and breast enhancement surgery to make him happy, only to catch him in a tryst with Bridges at the same hotel where the Harrises were married on Valentine's Day 1992. tsssskkkkkk tssskkkk That little boy with an arrow brings joy and sorrow..... Give me my hankie please. proverb of the day- "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"

What they did for love----story 1 I am incurably romantic. Cats are, aren't they? Planet Philippines. It was around the break of dawn when it was quiet and not even a squeak of a mouse can be heard (poor me the cat),when creatures of GOd are still huddled up in their beds except for the "magtitinapay" (ambulant bread vendor) at "magdidiyaryo" (newsboy) when a lanky shadow of a man emerged from one of the apartments in one of the Metromanila suburbs.... Another shadow, a parishioner of that Diocese recognized the face. What is his business in the apartment in that wee hour of the morning, he thought.There is no sick person to minister the Extreme Unction. After the scathing letter to the Diocese, the lanky shadow, the Bishop himself apologized for his SIN and abandoned his parish. The nasty rumor that the bishop has a kept woman was confirmed to be true. The Bishop in question is an intelligent prince of the Church. He became one of the youngest Bishops of the Catholic Hierarchy. I cannot condemn him. I am not a Judge Judy. But I can ask, what did you do for love ? Proverb of the day- Physician, heal thyself...

Mighty Mouse and the Spam. At the rate I am receiving spam mails, I am thinking of canning them, put them in balikbayan boxes and send them to my favorite professors. harharhar (canned laughter is okay).Unluckily, this SPAM is not the Filipinos' favorite breakfast item that is thinly sliced, fried and squeezed with some eggs between slices of "Tasty" bread. Some of the spam mails have viruses that can disable my MIGHTY MOUSE. Some of them are selling enlargement of samtin' that a feline does not have.(utangnaloob, kukulaminkokayo). Our IT people just acquired a spam mail control software.According to them. I hope it is not like that pest-control stuff that emits sound in order to scare mice away---only to come back with colorful ear plugs merrily dancing on top of the entertainment center. Proverb of the day- Has cat got your tongue ?

About the CA t

Bred and nurtured in the phils—transplanted in the US of A-wishes to retire in the birth country.

Spent more time in school than home.

Tried the academe and became a part-time e-joke-ator. I did not teach them how to count beans, I showed them how to get the beans to count. Ngayon marami sa kanila ma- gas. Ma-gas-tos na.

Travelled a lot. There was a time when every day of my life, I was at the airport flying in or out of town or country. One morning, I was already in the airplane when I realized I was still in my bottom pajamas and my bunny slippers. No, I was not sleep walking. Work hazards. If you were in an island where flights were as few as the feathers of a bald eagle, then you can board the last plane out even in your birthday suit. If it happened after 9/11, I would have been accused of being a terrorist. Who would not be terrorized of a lady who has just gotten out of bed? I mean seat.

Love?

To eat(KFC, lechong manok, bulalo, banana cue, Magnolia ice cream

To watch movies(Brendan Frazer, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Bruce Willis, Tim Robbins, Martin Lawrence, Sean Penn, Morgan Freeman)

To listen to music(pop, jazz, soul)

To read (kahit ano, kahit label ng sardinas)

To observe people: in short ususera

To give: gas to people

To sing. period