They’re back! The cats, that is.

I’ve been busy for three days scanning old snapshots and creating digital versions stored online with Amazon Photos and Google Photos. Yup, I haven’t figured out which is best, so for now I’m uploading to both services.

But in the process, I’ve got lots of stuff strewn across the kitchen counter. There’s the scanner and its cables. My 15″ Macbook Air. Next to it, a photo album opened as I take it apart. Piles of photographs sorted into groups for scanning. Another pile of discards and duplicates. A magnifying glass. A pair of drug store glasses when the print is just too fine for me to read. And then there’s the usual clutter.

Somehow the cats have sensed that this does not equal a playground. They’ve more or less left me alone. Perhaps the cursing under my breath sends a message. I don’t know.

There was one dramatic moment. We were in the kitchen getting ready for lunch when suddenly things exploded. The was a loud crash, a black and white blur flew onto the counter, a koa cutting board levitated several feet and made a second loud crash as it hit the floor, and the black and white blur disappeared across the living room. On inspection, it seems that (a) Kiko launched herself onto one of our kitchen stools on her way toward the counter; (b) as she leapt to the counter, the equal and opposite reaction that physics class taught us sent the stool crashing to the floor. If you’re into crashing sounds, this was a very satisfying one! (c) The now scared flying cat tried to change directions, and her pivot sent the cutting board several feel out onto the floor; and (d) a wild and puffed up Kiko stopped on the other side of the living room, looked back, and launched into a moment of displacement licking.

If you’ve never heard of this, here’s what I’m talking about.

AI Overview

Displacement Grooming • Seattle Area Feline Rescue

Cat’s displacement licking is a self-soothing behavior where a cat suddenly grooms to cope with stress, anxiety, or conflict, acting as a temporary distraction or calming mechanism, like when they misjudge a jump or encounter an aggressive animal.

Somehow nothing was broken, all my scanning paraphernalia was untouched, the moment was quickly forgotten, and she returned for a bit of reassurance. Not too much, mind you. She is a cat.

In any case, here’s what you’ve really been waiting for!