Monday’s Bumper Sticker
Something Else J.K. Said
A good sentiment for writers in America as we approach Independence Day. It’s like our Declaration of Independence.
An Inconclusive Dream
First, my sister-in-law was visiting my wife and me. She was upset and came to talk to us.
I can’t describe where we were at. My observations were limited to a very close personal point-of-view. There seemed to be a place in black and white, and seemed like it was night, but we were inside, so I’m not certain of much beyond those basics.
I don’t know what upset my sister-in-law, either, nor why she came to us. All of that is hazy. My wife and I were tired and got into bed to go to sleep, and my sister-in-law got into bed, too.
None of us could sleep. First, one of my cats (the ginger fellow) came in, walked up to my head and looked at my face. I tried pulling my covers over my head so that I could sleep.
Then, I heard voices. After listening and failing to identify who it was or where they originated, I got up and started talking about them. My wife said that she heard them, too. I went to find the source and discovered my nephew. He’s my wife’s other sister’s son. Sitting cross-legged on a bed, he was engaged in a noisy phone conversation on speaker.
I went back and reported that and then left for downstairs. Downstairs was daylight. Part of it was a gas station, but there was also a junk yard, and other things that I couldn’t make out. The gas station owner turned out to be my lawyer. I was being tried for something. I don’t know the charges. He and I walked around, supposedly to talk about the case, but neither of us were interested in it. He thought I was going to be convicted, and I unconcerned. Strolling around, we were under lights, but outside, but remained daylight. Others were there. They distracted the gas station owner/lawyer, a big old white male with short brown hair dressed in blue overalls. He drifted off to talk to them.
Sitting down, I gazed around the pile of junk. It was mostly old cars, tires, pieces of fencing, and a few appliances. Across the way, I saw a Studebaker Hawk. Rusted and faded, it had lost its side windows and wheels, but was otherwise intact. When the lawyer/GSO returned, I pointed it out for confirmation that’s what I was seeing. Yes, he answered, and then launched into a meandering story about how it came there that I couldn’t hear or understand.
He went away ago. Turning, I discovered a red Ferrari Testarossa Spyder go-cart. I wanted to know if it ran, and what it used for an engine, whether it was electric or gas-powered. I put these questions to the lawyer/GSO when he came back.
“Sure,” he said, with a good ol’ boy laugh while scratching himself. “It runs.”
“Can we start it?” I asked.
The laywer/GSO looked around and said (I think), “Let me see if I can find him.”
My wife came down. I told her about the Studebaker and the Ferrari, showing her the latter, telling her that I was waiting to see if it can be started.
The dream ended on that note.
Floofematics
Floofematics (catfinition) – the abstract science of trying to balance what you do for your cat(s) and what they do for you.
In use: “Tired of cleaning up hairballs, answering summons to give them treats and catnip, and cleaning potatoes out of the litter box, he sat down with a glass of wine to review the floofematics of the arrangement.”
Monday’s Theme Music
This song, “Heatwave”, performed by Martha and the Vandellas, came out in July, 1963. I’d just turned seven, so I’ve known this song almost all of my life. It’s a terrific song, full of energy, pop, and harmonies, with some fat sax thrown in. Many other excellent covers have since been offered, but I’ll stay with the original, thanks.
Clap along, clap along.
July
“July,” he whispered. “Feel the passing year’s cold breath breathing down your neck?”
He flicked it aside. “It’s just time. It’s just air. It’s nothing that matters.”
Then he resumed writing like crazy.
It was all that mattered.
What the doctor ordered
Just what the doctor ordered,
none of them could say.
He said a lot about this and that,
if and then, but and why,
adding, “It depends on what the insurance pays.”
Then he bounded out of the room,
as he told them, “Have a good stay.”
Just what the doctor ordered,
became more bewildering throughout the day.
Seven
She doesn’t know who first called her Seven. She knows that’s who she is. They all have the same name because they think of themselves as the same person, even though they know that they’re different.
She exists everywhere, but there are only seven of them, so she only exists in seven places and times at once. The seven were certain that there were no more than them.
When we say everywhere, we refer to every dimension, and every time and place. Only one of the seven are ever there. Only one person there can see and communicate with her when she visits someplace. It may not be the same person if and when she returns to a place.
She has been the same age during all of her existence. She has no memory of a beginning, and she wonders if she has an end. The seven of them have their own minds and memories, and they can talk to one another, regardless of where they are. None of them have ever died, that any of them ever knew, and she really doesn’t know how she looks. She’s never seen her reflection.
Other than those things, she’s just like everyone else, except she’s happier.
She’s Seven.
Floofcifier
Floofcifier (catfinition) –
In use: “He found that treats and catnip were the perfect floofcifier for three of the four cats, and that was enough to maintain the peace.”
