We have been in Vancouver now a couple of months since we
returned from our trip to Italy.
I have since experienced malaise/weltschmerz/ennui/ with a
generous touch of melancholy with a desire to do nothing and stare at the
ceiling or at our two cats Niño and Niña.
My sister-in-law Ruth is arriving tomorrow via train from
Ontario. Rosemary and I have been busy with a double spring cleaning in preparation
for her one week stay.
In the middle of this pleasantly gentle turmoil, I have
found comfort in the “I-am-here” stability of an Ikea solar lamp. Every evening
it is a beacon in our garden that makes me smile. And consider that I spent $9.
The other calming factor is Niño.
I am sure he would make an excellent hospital cat. I look at
him and my stress dissipates. Both he and Niña must have never been faced with turmoil,
fear or aggression. They don’t scratch, except the leather sofa that is now
protected by a Hudson’s Bay wool blanket. They just stare.
They are not mal ojo
but buen ojo. Could they be in
cahoots with my Ikea lamp?
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| Niño and yours truly by Ilse Taylor Hable |