Our cat Moriah is 20 years old. That's 96 for you or me. Or am I presuming too much? Perhaps there are a few cats who read this blog? You never know. My teacher, the poet Adam Zagajewski, knew my cat when she was a newborn kitten. He and Moriah were neighbors. He begged me, Robin, teach this cat to read before it's too late!
I dare say it is now officially too late. At 20 Moriah is not taught; she teaches. And she is one stern taskmaster. Cody the pup is terrified of her. The rest of us play it cool, but we inevitably do exactly what she says.
I never really wanted a cat. As a kid I was frightened of cats myself. But something happens when the cat in question is yours. In other words, one might fear or dislike CATS but still like one cat in particular. Does that make sense?
Moriah was a gift, one given, not one received. My partner wanted a cat for her birthday. Twenty years later the partner is long gone but the cat remains. For whatever reason, I do love her.
Once when Moriah was a kitten I wrote this description of her:
The marks on her face look like a mask. Who is she? Sometimes she leaves for days. Her eyes send out beams of light into the night. She is a hunter. And then she returns to me, small ball at my chest, kneading, needing.
Although it's been many years since Moriah has done any of these things, the magic is still in her. If you know her, you know what I mean.
88888
Note: This post is part of a blog carnival celebrating Freedom to Marry Week 2009. Leave the link to your "something old" post and I will share it with the group. Check out some of the other posts on this topic:
About.com Lesbian Life w/ Kathy Belge
Melissa Beattie-Moss on Facebook
Susan Bernstein on Facebook
The Birmingham-Luther Family Blog
I probably think this blog is about me
Life induces thoughts, mostly random
The Longest Road - Yet Untraveled
SoCal Mom by Donna Schwartz Mills
Hey Rob. Moriah is epic. Here's my post. xo, t. http://probablyaboutme.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-about-love-something-old.html
Posted by: Tina | 10 February 2009 at 08:16 AM
Great post! There is nothing quite like the love of a cat.
Posted by: andy | 10 February 2009 at 08:24 AM
Beautiful Moriah! What an inspiration. Here's my post. Peace and be peace, Susan
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=73785943824&id=788319356&index=0
Posted by: Susan | 10 February 2009 at 08:44 AM
I have special fondness for Moriah, sister of Gus and LiPo. xoxo, x
Posted by: christa | 10 February 2009 at 09:34 AM
I've posted a poem (draft) called My old (fill in the blank) doesn’t (fill in the blank) anymore for the carnival.
I've always been a cat lover, yet your story of loving Moriah in spite of the circumstances was touching.
Posted by: Deb | 10 February 2009 at 09:40 AM
You describe well your relationship with Moriah. And loving this cat in particular makes perfect sense.
Your teacher sounds like a lot of fun. I need to read some of his work.
Here's some olde stuffe from my shoppe.
christine's old stuff
Posted by: christine | 10 February 2009 at 09:44 AM
I had to come back to say I HAVE read a few of Adam Zagajewski's poems. I think one of them, The Aunts, might be included in The Poet's Companion. He's great! Lucky you, to have studied with him. Good for him to have you as a student, too.
Posted by: christine | 10 February 2009 at 09:51 AM
Lovely post, Robin! My dear furball is turning 10 this year...
My post at http://woolverine.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/ringing-in-my-ears/
Posted by: Jenn | 10 February 2009 at 11:00 AM
What a lovely kitty! I have a similar one here, with the mask-like face!
My post is at http://femalehusband.com/2009/02/10/something-old-freedom-to-marry-week/
Posted by: Ms. Loaf | 10 February 2009 at 12:36 PM
Here is my link!
http://dontlicktheferrets.blogspot.com/2009/02/something-old.html
Posted by: CJ | 10 February 2009 at 12:46 PM
I'll be posting all week, but today's post was full of pictures so I password protected the post. You can visit the post at http://thanksgivingmom.wordpress.com/ and if anyone wants the password, just email me and introduce yourself!
[email protected]
Posted by: Thanksgivingmom | 10 February 2009 at 01:41 PM
I have 6 cats. Three inside, three outside. I love them all so much, but I am most in love with my two oldest boys. They are brothers...Hoss, and Golden Boy (GB for short). They are both fat as little pigs, and Hoss even has man boobs. And let me tell you...that boy is afraid to miss a meal. If his cat food dispenser gets down to one inch in the container, he starts following me around the house meowing until I fill it back up to the top! LOL
Connie
Posted by: Connie | 10 February 2009 at 02:26 PM
Long live Moriah!
And here's my post for the day: Some/thing Old. Thanks for hosting such a great party; it's a fantastic framing device, equal parts organizational and inspirational.
Our she-ro!
Posted by: Polly | 10 February 2009 at 02:38 PM
Here's something old from me:
some/thing old
Posted by: eliaday | 10 February 2009 at 02:49 PM
Here's my "old" post - wedding photos from 8 years ago, today.
Posted by: Whozat | 10 February 2009 at 03:18 PM
Hello My Friend - Moriah sounds like a cat I could deal with. I have also posted after a little break - thanks for giving me the inspiration to do so.
http://hahnathome.com/?p=1684
Posted by: lori | 10 February 2009 at 03:19 PM
oops - here's the direct link
Posted by: Whozat | 10 February 2009 at 03:20 PM
Here's my entry - http://www.lindseywb.net/blog/?p=1021
I'm off to read everyone else's!
Posted by: lindsey | 10 February 2009 at 04:10 PM
Ah, I love old animals. Just lost my 14 year old dog.
Here is my post.
http://lesbianlife.about.com/b/2009/02/10/something-old-my-lesbian-wedding.htm
My lesbian wedding, which seems like old news these days.
Posted by: Kathy | 10 February 2009 at 04:51 PM
I want to give Moriah a noogie! It's probably for the best that I am not there. I don't think she would appreciate it. :)
Posted by: Susan Sonnen | 10 February 2009 at 04:54 PM
what a great thing you are doing, inspiring. Here's my 1st post http://kimizone.com/kim/?p=605 more to follow
Posted by: Kim | 10 February 2009 at 04:56 PM
Aww..what a cat!
And here's my post--I'm loving this carnival already:
http://granolacrunchy.blogspot.com/2009/02/something-old.html
Posted by: Susan | 10 February 2009 at 07:12 PM
here's my post!
http://steadyhappy.blogspot.com/2009/02/something-old-freedom-to-marry-week.html
i love the post about your cat. we just lost our old dog, ruby (we rescued her, so we think she was 10 or 12, very old in dog years), this weekend. she taught us a lot about unconditional love.
Posted by: christina | 10 February 2009 at 07:48 PM
http://triatriatria.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/something-old/
Posted by: tria | 10 February 2009 at 08:35 PM
i love an old cat!
my old and new...
http://mommytoo.wordpress.com
Posted by: mommytoo | 11 February 2009 at 08:47 AM
awww. you make me miss my old cat, alice.
i'm behind, but just posted my something old, and hope to get the next one up tonight...?
http://whistlingleafblower.blogspot.com
Posted by: cake | 11 February 2009 at 05:01 PM
What a beautiful story. I too was never a cat person until our Cleo knocked on my door New Year's Eve 2000. She walked in and never left. Funny how they can change our lives in an instant.
Here's my post: http://christalisbon.blogspot.com/2009/02/something-old70s-style.html
Posted by: Christa | 11 February 2009 at 05:19 PM
Here is my old post. http://www.achildchosen.com/something-old/
Posted by: pickel | 12 February 2009 at 03:05 PM
Hey! I just posted on "some/thing" Old
Posted by: Julia | 12 February 2009 at 03:57 PM