Thursday, January 22, 2015

Scout and the Meaning of Life

January is a philosophical month for Miss Scout.  

The inhospitable weather has us all cooped up more than usual.  Well, Dill and Scout are indoor sorts of folks, so they're always in the house, but come spring, they do love to laze on their porch with a warm breeze blowing in through the screens, gently ruffling the fur on their bellies.  Scoutie spent this afternoon in the living room, lying in a feeble beam of January sunshine, dreaming of that first April day when we'll throw open the windows to let in the scents of grass and mud and of all the beasties who live outdoors.  

I won't lie.  She's a practical girl at heart.  Hunting is her favorite sport, so it's just as well for all the mice and squirrels and chipmunks and birds that she never leaves her porch.  

Since she's relegated to killing nothing more an occasional spider or whatever crawly things live in the corners of the cellar, she has to find other, more creative, ways to pass the time.  Thus, in addition to dreaming, she has taken up philosophizing.  


Scout eschews ethics, as she most certainly fits Stephen King's categorization of cats as "those amoral gunslingers of the animal world."  Instead, she focuses her very considerable attention (never try to beat her in a staring contest) on matters of ontology.  I hear her sighing often as she ponders the meaning of life.

Tell me, Dill, why are we here?
What's it all for?
What is the purpose of life?

I'm not as sophisticated or deep a thinker as Miss Scout, but at this point, as far as I can tell, she has reached three essential conclusions:

Why are we here?  Treats.
What's it all for?  Cuddles.
What is the purpose of life?  Naps.

Some would say, "Yes, but that doesn't get to the very essence of ontology, Miss Scout.  You aren't asking the most fundamental question: What is existence?  In other words, What does it mean for a being to be?

To such questions, Scout responds by rolling on her back, squinting her eyes, and giving the most inscrutable of smiles.

Such is the mystery of life Scout.


12 comments:

  1. thank you for this lovely blip... at least i'm not the only one... cats are deep thinkers... tyler would face west each night, watch the sunset and would come in after it set... that was his moment to "be"... made me "be still" for those few moments each day, as i watched him... now, i've caught timmie theresa doing the same thing... cats are magical... so much to learn from them... such as forgiveness and never holding grudges... thanx so much for this... have a wonderful day hugs2u

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so agree that cats are magical! Our two sweethearts are always happy to see us when we come home, and they are almost always up for a snuggle. I can't imagine life without these creatures. I love your description of Tyler watching the sunset!

      Delete
  2. Love this !!! Cats are deep thinkers indeed!!!!
    Dogs don't hold grudges either!
    Ever stepped on a dogs foot???
    No pouting!!!
    People need to get there!! I'm so sorry(if heartfelt)!ought to do it!!!
    Oh well!!!
    My opinion!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so right about dogs, too, Penelope. They are just pure love and devotion. We can learn a lot from them.

      Delete
  3. what a lovely cat your Scout is! Smart too....

    our Yorkie Boo loves laying in the sunlight but I'm not sure he thinks of anything other than sneaking outside

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She is super smart, Linda! She's the philosopher and our other cat Dill is is the aesthete. Boo sounds pretty smart, too. Sneaking outside is a fun thing to ponder! ;)

      Delete
  4. I love Scout's philosophy. Well translated!
    The only thing I would add from my Joey is
    retrieving toys for my master and putting them
    where she won't miss an occasional toss.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank's Marilyn. Translating can be so tricky! BTW, Joey sounds very wise. :)

      Delete
  5. I enjoyed this reflection on Scout, her thoughts, view if life...and so well you captured her in your photos. perfectly well matched to your words. Love the half smile backroll at the end.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Juniper! I find cats to be incredibly inspiring subjects. It's really nice to see you, btw! Hope you're well.

      Delete
  6. I agree completely that cats are the intellect of the universe, and dogs are the heart... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, Anita, yes, this is so true. Although, I should say that my cats have pretty amazing amounts of love and heart. Maybe they were dogs in a former life! ;)

      Delete

Thank you so much for visiting and for taking the time to leave a comment! I love hearing from you.