Friday 14 October 2016

Cor, stone the crows! I'm a septuagenarian!

 

Yes, three score and ten today (15th) - the first age which my father never reached (as also didn't an elder brother), so I ought to feel privileged. What have I done to deserve this honour? It's a dubious achievement, especially when there's been so little to show for it. However, I'd much rather be here than not, so I'll get on with life unmoaning.

Here's some recent pictures of my triumvirate of 'masters' who expect me, their long-suffering slave, to be at their beck and call 24/7.


Blackso must be getting on for 18 now. Getting rather wobbly on his legs, sleeping about 23 hours a day, only waking to eat and my putting him out twice a day to do his business, after which he's waiting to come straight in again. As sweet as ever, purring and rubbing my face whenever I pick him up and always wanting to get on my lap. May he still have a long, healthy life yet to come.


Noodles, probably around 13 now, is the 'nuisance' of the household, never ceasing to cry for food - just pecking at what he's given, then leaving most of it. Of the three he's the least demonstrative with his affection (what affection?), only purring when I'm giving him his breakfast, which he'll mostly waste anyway. Won't let me pick him up, never jumps in lap, he lives in his own world, using me solely as a means to help him survive. Can only think that he must have gone through some tribulations as a kitten which he's never forgotten. 


Patchie, the latest arrival since around 3 years ago, will now be about eight yeaars old, according to his one-time owners. Like the other two, he left his own home to come and live with me. Notwithstanding his relative youth, he tends to bully the other two and he's become self-appointed 'sentry' at the kitchen window, vetting those who want to come in, and refusing entry in particular to one tortie with long bushy tail who likes to come in and pick at the leftover food  of which there's always plenty. (She came in this very morning, a fish-morning, something which she won't eat, so had to open some meaty for her). She only comes in when Patchie's elsewhere, he currently liking to sleep on my bed, daytime, as well as at night with me - and gets really annoyed when, in order to get into bed myself, I have to disturb him. But he will insist on sleeping in dead-centre of bed, leaving me with just the choice of margins, struggling to cover myself with duvet and trying not to fall out. 


And here's me at the youthful age of 69 - yesterday.  'Scuse me for not giving a toothy smile ('toothy' being the operative word!) as you'd be getting more than you'd bargain for.

So come on the 70s! Do your worst! - or maybe, on second thoughts, be gentle, please.






36 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday DEAR RAAAYYYYYY! Happy Birthday toooooo yoooooouuuuu! Hooray!!!!!

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    1. Ta, Sol. And thanks for not mentioning my age - that's MY prerogative which after today I'll probably go all 'hush' over it. Give my regards to Eric, will you please?

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    2. Eric, says "arf". That is how he barks by the way. Your cats are lovely. Noodles would be my favourite if I was to have one.

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    3. He certainly is a handsome one, Sol. Shame that he's so unresponsive to my 'positive strokes'. His former home had two young girls who must have worried him no end - just like I used to do in our family with our cats when I was the girls' age, as though the pets were a toy available to be played with whenever I wanted to. I think that because as an adult I now know how important it is to give them their space as well as a long time to sleep, they like it that way and that's why they gravitate to this place rather than return to their proper homes.

      And please say 'thanks' to Eric.

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  2. Happy Birthday! I get told all the time at work (a small grocery store) "don't grow old" and all I can reply is "I prefer it to the alternative!" We've always got a few Kits around--they do have such distinct personalities!

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    1. Thanks, Sadie. Yes, as we don't have much choice regarding age, the best we can do is to accept our lot and just get on with it.
      The cats' personalities are every bit as varied as humans are, and it's so wrong to treat them all as though they were the same. Maybe that's why they've decided to leave their (separate) homes and come and live with me. In no way were they forced, and they always have total freedom to go back - but they won't.
      Thanks once more for your wishes!

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  3. Happy birthday Raymondo!
    Your cinema posts are a blog highlight for me!
    Keep on reviewing!
    Have a great day ! Xxx

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    1. To you much thanks, J.G. Not doing anything special at all today, just here giving my pussies an occasional stroke to know that I'm not forgetting them - exactly like any other day.
      I'll do my utmost to keep you satisfied on the film front for, well, as long as is practicable.
      Thanks again!

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  4. you look as sexy as EVAH! happy birthday, young man!

    and the pussies look quite smashing too!

    smooches and hugs on your special day from across the pond!

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    1. I think you must be the first person EVER to have described me as being 'sexy', W.Q. (Yes, really!) but I do know where it comes from and the way you mean it. Better late than never! Much appreciated indeed as is your wishes for today. XXXXX
      And the pussies ask me - no, ORDER me - to thank you on their behalf also.

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  5. What a fantastic post! I should really sing "Happy Birthday" to you - but with my poor vocal technique it would only ruin your day. I won't mention your age if you don't mention mine. I stopped counting at 49......
    Anyway, we are both ageless and improving with every year.

    I like all the photos. Your cat Patchie sounds a lot like my Bosco. Bosco sleeps on my small bed and there's hardly any room for me. I have to stay in contorted positions in order to accommodate him.

    Have a wonderful day, Ray. You're a very special person and I wish you all the best.

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    1. Thank you too, Jon, your comments being particularly big-hearted and generous.
      I know all about snaking my body round a sleeping cat in order to disturb him to the minimum. He gets so annoyed if I go too far, like attacking the duvet, especially if he feels me moving about under it. But of course his comfort is more important than my own, and we both know it.
      Not doing anything at all special today, apart from the self-treat of two egg sarnies - despite having had a three-egg omelette yesterday and will consume two more tomorrow morning. Thankfully, for some indeterminate reason, my cholesterol level has always been healthily low no matter how many eggs I eat, which is just as well since I do luv 'em - and they being just about the remaining obstacle to my going completely vegan. But that's enough about me for now.
      Thanks for your wishes which I'm more than happy to accept - and with honours!

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  6. Birthday wishes from Ohio!!! Hope you have a wonderful day. So glad I found your blog (think it was from John Gray's??). I always enjoy your posts (and cat stories are always good too).

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    1. Thanks so much, Elle, - all the way from one of the 'key' swing states, I believe.
      I'd do more cat postings were it not that loading fresh photos onto the computer by connecting the camera is such a hassle, and it's always such a trial to get them to pose for me. But today was a special occasion and I'm glad it came out so well.
      Yes, I think J.G.. and I have helped publicise each others blogs, though inadvertently. I'm so glad I found him, being such a sweetie and funny as he is.
      Thanks once more, though, to you.

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  7. California is in da house!
    Happy Birthday from all the way on the other side of the other side of the pond. Smooch!

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    1. Muchas gracias to both of you, F.B. Your wishful b/day greeting is extra valued by me and I'm honoured and touched that you consider me important enough to make a personal visit here. Greatly appreciated, my beautiful friend.

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  8. As someone who loveslovesloves your blog, the reviews, the cat tales, and all others, let me wish you a Happy Happy Birthday all the way from South Carolina!

    Cheers to many more with that adorable family you've got there.

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    1. So lovely to receive your wishes, Bob. As someone who shares your aileurophilia (no, not an ailment, but the happy condition of being cat-lovers) as well as we both being cineastes, I'm particularly joyed to receive your posting here.
      And, btw, I must take the oppo again to wish you and C all the very best for Mon - with countless more anniversaries to come. XXXX + X.

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  9. And another big Happy Birthday wish from South Carolina! I hope it's a great year for you!

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    1. Very many heartfelt thanks for your wishes, Jennifer. After the last year it would be worrying indeed if the coming year isn't an improvement, but I know where you're coming from, so honest thanks for your wishes.

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  10. Happy Birthday, Raybeard! Any movies on your schedule for today?

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    1. Thanks, RTG. Hope your own went well, with you not over-exerting yourself. (Same goes for WQ).
      No films this w/e. Should be at least one during forthcoming week.

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  11. Happy birthday from Waikanae, New Zealand, young feller, and here's to many more. (I say this from the grand old age of three score and eleven.) I very much enjoy your film reviews, please don't stop. You've alerted me to several movies I would otherwise have missed. Give Blackso a special chin scratch from me, I have a special place in my heart for black cats.

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    1. Many thanks from your 'antipodes', Judith. I'll try to get used to your 'young' before it gets too close to irony.
      I'll keep on with the film reviews until there's a strong enough reason to stop, which there doesn't look to be in the near future.
      Blackso's currently asleep on the settee behind me while Noodles is curled up right here beside the laptop, and Patchie's doing the same on my bed, dead-centre of course. When B'so wakes up I'll give him your chin-tickle and tell him it's from you - which should please him no end. Thanks again.

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  12. All the best for the new decade!

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    1. Thanks, Walt. I'm not going to act as if it'll be my last. As long as I can retain full mental faculties and enough of my physical ones to make it worth going on then I look forward to soldiering on to the 80s and beyond.

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    2. THAT'S the attitude, raybeard; kick it in the arse!

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  13. Oh what splendid news!
    I want to join the conga line of congratulations and wish you the best decade is yet to come.

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    1. You're most welcome, Dr Spo. In fact I still hope there'll be others clinging onto your waist and following behind you. I'm not sure if the 70s will be my best decade of all, but I sure am going to try to make it so.

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  14. Ray,
    Ah! To be 70 again👍❗️ Happy birthday young man. You're looking good Ray. What a delight to read about your feline pals.
    Ron

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    1. Thank you, Ron. I suppose I'd better learn to value my age, advanced to anyone younger. It probably won't get any better.

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    2. Ray,
      Life does get better. At least for me, this is the best time of my life. I hope the same happens for you.
      Ron

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    3. It's a big call, Ron, but I'll act as though what you say just could come to pass. Thanks fr the positive 'spin' on it.

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  15. Like you I have reached the age of 70 and like you my Father never got there. I am also a human serving several feline masters and loving every moment of it.
    Briony

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    1. Thanks for your visit, Briony. Of course, I too love life with cats around me, of course, but it's a daily concern as to how they'll end their short lives. If you've got any of yours at or near the age of my oldest one I've no doubt you'll know what I mean. It's a morbid thought but I can't refrain from thinking what I'll do without them when it's their turn to go, bless 'em.

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