My regular, once-a-week, Wednesday weekly post: How the hell am I supposed to get anything done?

When I rescued this black cat over 12 years ago from the impending purple tag about to signal death by "euthanasia" for him, I brought him into this room and said, "Jim, this office is yours now, too." He knew exactly what I had said and he took me seriously. And don't think he wasn't grateful. Some people think cats can't be grateful, but they are wrong. Jim knew I had rescued him, he was grateful and from that day to the present, we have been bonded at the soul.

What a buddy he is! What a good friend!

But why did I have to tell him this office was his, too?

He thinks that means he can sit down between my keyboard and monitor any time he wants. And he wants any time. I have not yet figured how quite how he does it, but often he will sit down, right here, and all of a sudden, even if I had not opened it before, iTunes will open in the background and Alison Kraus will start to sing, "As I went down to the river to pray..."

It happens again and again and again. I cannot figure out how he does it.

I have become pretty adept at peering around him when I am adjusting photos or writing, but every now and then it becomes just too hard and I have to pick him up, set him down on the floor or sit him in his own chair. Usually, within two minutes, he pops right back up onto my desk and places himself in this same spot.

That's why I wonder whatever possessed me to give him half ownership in this office.

Yet, a deal is a deal. I can't renege now.

Well, I'm back to posting just once a week now... except that today, I took another study series I must post. I have to. I have no choice. I was going to do it tonight, but it would take too long. Maybe tomorrow.

I don't know. Depends. I must post it, though.

I acquiesce to overwhelming reader demand (Michelle) and post Five Studies (Part 2): The Off-White Cat Who Crossed The Road and got bit by a mosquito

The Off-White Cat Who Crossed the Road: Study #3: My shutter

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Carmen returns to Metro Cafe

This afternoon, I pulled up to the Metro Cafe window and there was Carmen. I knew she was going to be there, because I saw her car in the parking lot. I thought about parking myself and going inside, but I wanted to see her as I had known her from the start - standing behind the window. And yes, along with barista Evelina, she greeted me with her warm smile and a squeal of delight.

Amazingly, no car pulled in behind me for at least 15 minutes, maybe 20, so I stayed parked at the window and we talked - about Scot, about Branson, who everyday becomes more like Scot, about her trip to her native home in Old Mexico. 

Although I wrote nothing about it at the time, Carmen had last come in to work on May 4, then went to stay with Scot at the hospital until his time living on this earth came to an end on May 19. After the funeral, she took Branson and returned to Mexico.

This was the very first day she had even seen Metro Cafe, the stage Scot built for her, since she began her vigil May 4. She had not even driven by it. It had been hard for her to come back, hard to see his antique Metro car, his antique Metro van - all the things he had built into Metro Cafe for her. Now, she was glad she had come back.

"Scot is looking over me," she said. "This is where Scot wants me to be." She closed her eyes and held them closed, this smile upon her face.

I could not just drive away. I pulled into a parking spot, went inside, patiently waited as a blond woman excitedly told Carmen about how some relatives of hers were headed to Africa to serve a mission for God. The woman paused for moment. I stepped into the coffee making area and gave Carmen a hug. I then went back to the car, drove away and drank my coffee.

It was excellent. Metro Cafe coffee is always excellent.

As to the post I had said I would put up today about the cat who crossed the road, it can wait another day.

I acquiesce to overwhelming reader demand (Michelle) and post: Five Studies: Charlie Drives Away In Lisa's New Car

Charlie Drives Away In Lisa's New Car: Study #4: Charlie peers out

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DIRTY HORSES, FIRE IN THE TREES and OTHER AMAZING SIGHTS, as seen in the rearview mirror; AIRPLANE and VAN spotted on a bike ride

Actually, I doubt the horses are all that dirty. In fact, as horses go, I suspect they are

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