For several days last week Thomas was very intent upon getting behind the entertainment center. We looked under it with a flashlight but there is no space between it and the floor to see, or to even put something under it.
Nevertheless, Thomas did not give up.
Around the same time, I was looking at all the movies stacked on the bottom shelf of same entertainment center and decided they were an eyesore. I luckily found 2 perfectly sized baskets for 50% off clearance and proceeded to clean it up.
While I had it empty Thomas was again trying to paw his way under. I was thinking maybe there was a real mouse he was after. He has actually only found 2 real mice in the 2 years that he has lived here, but it was a possibility.
Darrell took the bottom glass shelf off to see underneath and this is what we found!
There were eighteen toy mice and someone was VERY excited to have them. It took great dexterity to get them under there in the first place, but this is Thomas the wonder-cat we are talking about. Although he looks serene in the pictures, let me tell you, there were mice flying through the air as he tossed and chased them about for the entire evening. Eventually we had to put some of them away - you know, protecting him from sensory overload!
It got me thinking about cats and mice, which led me to thinking about playing cat-and-mouse.
Cat and Mouse:
... is an English-language idiom dating back to 1675 that means "a contrived action involving constant pursuit, near captures, and repeated escapes." The "cat" is unable to secure a definitive victory over the "mouse", who despite not being able to defeat the cat, is able to avoid capture. In extreme cases, the idiom may imply that the contest is never-ending. The term is derived from the hunting behavior of domestic cats which often appear to "play" with prey by releasing it after capture. This behavior is due to an instinctive imperative to ensure that the prey is weak enough to be killed without endangering the cat.
Here is a picture of two of the most famous players of the game!
My daughter reminded me in a comment that I had forgotten another famous duo. They happen to be a favorite of hers and she has also shared the beauty of them with me....
Anna - and George Herriman, this is for you:
:)
ReplyDeletemom, don't forget krazy and ignatz! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krazy_Kat
ReplyDeletegosh that's a lot of mice!
I added them Anna. I think there is song waiting to be written - one about bricks and throwing them, and interpreting that as love. Also, hitting a brick wall, etc. A lot of great things are built out of brick - including the only house that the wolf could not blow down.
ReplyDeleteI love you!!!