TBT: Today in 2006, I made my first cat-blog post. Didn't get it up until a few days later, because I wasn't doing it right, but that was the first post. You can re-read it HERE.
I knew so little about it then (and not a whole lot more now). It was a step into the unknown. I hardly imagined I could think of posts to last a month.
Today, I celebrate the 18th year. Sometimes, I can't conceive of that. I've never done anything for 18 years! When I started, (admiring Max The Psychokitty and a few others), I thought it was just something to do for a few months. Write some posts, then go on to something else, you know?
But it became more than that. Wanting to post strengthened my connection with Skeeter and LC. We were all close of course (they slept with me nightly). But I became more observant about their daily life.
It was 2 weeks before I could post a picture successfully. I was very good with computers in an "office and coding sense" but "blogger stuff" was new to me. First one was Skeeter and LC picture I scanned from years before (about 1993 and who adored each other).
Our first comment (after days and days) was from the Meezers. Grateful to this day.
And I was hooked! There was a community of cat-lovers I never knew existed. Then at some point, I found The Cat Blogosphere. Skeeter and LC were aged when I started the blog. I foolishly named it for them (not considering they would have to cross The Bridge someday).
But I had Ayla (the Princess of my heart) and had adopted Iza, another "Siamese" (who the Meezers told me was actually a Tonkie). It was just we 3 for a while.
Well, I couldn't call the blog "Skeeter and LC" after they left for The Bridge, could I? So I thought for a while and lucked on "MEWS". Multiple good meanings there. "Mews" are cats, of course. And they "mew". But the word also means the space a medieval stablehand lived with animals (which seemed appropriate). And "Muse", an inspiration to writers.
So the cats became "The Mews". That way, the current particular combination doesn't require a name change after sad departures (Ayla, Iza, Laz) or happy new arrivals (Lori, Taz, Binq).
And I have never regretted all this. It lightens my day to post about The Mews. It keeps me engaged with them and the rest of the world.
18 years! I never would have thunk it... Sometimes, I think I am wearing out a bit. But then there is a departure to memorialize or a new arrival to celebrate. And each has milestones, surprise pictures, and changes to enjoy and share.
Marley is 14, but Lori, Taz, and Binq are all about 3-4. So I will have cats to enjoy and post about for years to come. Probably until I simply can't anymore. It is very unlikely there will any new arrivals though. I'm no Spring Chicken anymore...
By the time Lori, Taz, and Binq reach the (sadly) consistent Bridge age of 16.5 (Skeeter, LC, and Ayla all went over the Bridge at that age), I will be 86-87. I will be lucky to be able to feed myself and The Mews by then.
But that day is not today! So, into another year of blogging we go...
😺
