“People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and the future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.”—Albert Einstein reflecting on the death of his friend Michele Besso

Mom took me on her lap and started petting me, I began to purr, LOUD, just for Mom.

Mom said I know Mindy Lou-Sue, my wonderful Min-Min, was teaching you about our way of life. I guess I should try and pick up where she left off.

So, while I purred; Mom petted me, she told me about the Business of Farming.

Mom told me that ranches are mostly grasslands for cows and sheep and horses and mules and… and farms raise crops.

Ranchers raise animals for meat and farmers raise crops that feed and clothe animals, including human animals.

Dogs and Cats, (purr, hum, purr) are important parts of farms. And ranches, Mom explained.

Dogs help ‘work’ on the farm and help ranchers take care of the animals on a ranch.  Here on our farm, when Mom and Dad had dogs (Mom stopped and sighed.) The dogs went everywhere with us and helped irrigate.

I CAN GO! I stopped purring and stood up; looking Mom right in the eye.  I can help.

Mom smiled and turned me back around and sat me down so I could get more scratches and pets.

Kitties, of which you are one, Mom said, all the while petting me, as the keeper of the farmyard/ or if the kitty lives on a ranch, the ranch yard.

Kitties keep the mice away from the house, the barns the work sheds, the grain bins, everything.

Kitties are a very important part of making a farm or ranch run smooth.

I got up again and gave Mom a head butt and a lick on her cheek.

Then I jumped down, stretched, fluffed my tail, and strutted off.

We, Cats, ARE very important!

Mom is so right!

Now, I have ‘stuff’ to do, important Stuff!

TLC Cai-Cai