A Cat Named Smores

17/08/2026

A Note from the Lady of the Manor

As Lady of the Manor, I feel it is only proper that I say a few words on Black Cat Appreciation Day.

Of course, I must be discreet. We cannot have Jack discovering that today is his day. He is already rather theatrical and has a tendency to make much ado about… well, almost nothing.

He spent the entire weekend out of the room, snuggling with Mama. What more does the gentleman require?

Yes, I am often out and about when we are alone. Someone has to oversee the realm, inspect the premises, supervise the garden, and ensure that all important matters are handled with the appropriate level of dignity. But the moment Mama arrives, that great black floof becomes her permanent shadow.

Still… between you and me, I do adore him.

That goofy, literary, wannabe reporter, singer, writer and professional Mama-snuggler brings a certain magic to this house. It simply would not be the same without his midnight serenades, his dramatic little performances, and his endless determination to turn every ordinary moment into a story.

So, Jack… Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day.

I suppose the realm would be considerably less interesting without you.

But please don't let it go to your head.

You already have enough confidence for both of us.

Smores

16/08/2026

Jack and tiny scrambled-egg heist

This house needs some rules.

It has been really hard to keep a fitness plan on schedule with all the nonsense going on around here, so I have decided on a different approach.

I will cut back on Mommy’s portions and add them to my own.

From now on, I will relentlessly attempt to get into Mommy’s lap the moment she sits at the table, sniff her dinner, and take whatever I consider to be extra.

I will operate under one simple philosophy:

If it’s on Mommy’s plate, it deserves further investigation.

And, in a true act of selflessness, I will bravely sacrifice myself by eating it.

Someone has to make sure Mommy stays on track.

This is not my first experience with nutritional responsibility, either. I already have a proven record.

Just the other day, Mommy had scrambled eggs. I stole a small bite from her plate. There was barely any salt on them, but honestly, a good opportunity is a good opportunity.

A free, plain, fully cooked egg is a perfectly reasonable occasional treat.

I detected protein.

I acted.

Smores called it my little criminal victory.

I do not see myself as a criminal. I see myself as a concerned cat who takes Mommy’s well-being very seriously.

I am fighting the good fight.

Right?!

Smores, of course, would never do such a thing.

There was one day when Mommy ran out of cat food and made Smores a scrambled egg. No salt. No seasoning. Just a perfectly respectable egg.

Smores looked at her bowl.

Then she looked at Mommy.

And ignored it.

She was making a culinary judgment.

I heard the entire conversation.

Mommy: “Smores, I’m sorry. We’re out of cat food, so I made you an egg.”

Smores: “What is this yellow nonsense? You expect me to eat this?!”

But let Mommy open some cheese or bring out a little ham...

Suddenly, Smores becomes a completely different cat.

Very interested in Mommy’s nutrition.

Smores: “Mama! We need to discuss what you’re holding.”

So clearly, I have to take matters into my own paws.

I will help Mommy with her portions.

I will make sure no food goes to waste.

Especially if it is on Mommy’s plate.

And I will do my very best to get to her lap before she even has a chance to sit down.

It is a tough job.

But somebody has to do it.

We each have our responsibilities in this house.

Smores will maintain the standards.

I will make sure the fitness plan follows through.

And, naturally, I will be there to provide nutritional supervision whenever necessary.

You’re welcome.

Jack

08/08/2026

Happy International Cat Day!
From Smores and Jack

08/08/2026

Caturday Saturday – International Cat Day

Jack Tobias Sócrates Smores

08/08/2026

Cat Day

Visit the post for more.

07/08/2026

Jack’s Weekend of Storms — Part 1: The Birthday by Candlelight

My friends, It has been quite the summer. My finch friends rented the loft. Twice! Well... it isn't really a loft. It's just the inside corner of the front porch. And they stay there for free. But I still like to say they rent the loft. It sounds much fancier. We've also had a few new dogs walking through the neighborhood, plenty of bees and butterflies, and lots of conversations worth listening to....

My friends,It has been quite the summer.My finch friends rented the loft. Twice! Well… it isn’t really a loft. It’s just the inside corner of the front porch. And they stay there …

02/08/2026

Jack's Weekend of Storms — Part 3: The Tornado That Never Came

My friends,

So...

There I was, enjoying my peaceful afternoon, when suddenly another tornado warning arrived.

Mommy immediately rushed to Smores.

Then she came running for me.

She kept repeating:

"We're safe. We're safe."

I think she was still thinking about the previous day's storm.

Then I heard Smores protesting.

Very loudly.

Before I could ask what was happening, Mommy scooped me up and carried me downstairs to the basement.

Of course, that came with another strange human rule.

Smores went into her carrier.

I went into mine.

Apparently, when humans think danger is coming, cats must be safely stored in portable bedrooms.

So there we were...

Two cats trapped inside carriers, while Mommy was the only one allowed to move freely.

And let me tell you...

From my point of view, Mommy was behaving very suspiciously.

She was running up and down the stairs, moving from one place to another, checking on everything.

Was she going rogue?

Was this some kind of new exercise program?

I mean... I have noticed that Mommy has been carrying a little more fluff lately. Perhaps Smores and I were secretly helping her stay in shape by making her chase after us and look for us.

A brilliant fitness plan, perhaps.

But I must say...

A tornado warning did not seem like the most appropriate moment for a surprise workout.

The moment I saw Smores, I started asking questions.

"What's happening?"

"What's going on?"

Nobody answered me.

Nobody explained anything!

So I did the only sensible thing.

I asked the neighbors.

Very loudly.

Since we were in the basement, I had to use my biggest voice so everyone outside could hear me.

Surely someone would know what was happening.

Someone could tell me.

Then I could tell Mommy.

It was a brilliant plan.

Apparently...

Nobody else agreed.

Smores looked at me as if I had personally created the tornado.

I'm not responsible for the weather.

Mommy kept saying:

"Please, Jack..."

"Please, Jack..."

"Calm down."

But how could we possibly stay informed if nobody asked any questions?

Humans are fascinating creatures.

But sometimes...

They're very confusing.

In the end...

The tornado never reached us.

Not our house, anyway.

That evening was peaceful.

Well...

Mostly peaceful.

The next day, I heard on the news that many trees had fallen, and several houses had been damaged.

Mommy had been right all along.

We truly were blessed.

We had a safe home.

We had each other.

And I'm very glad I have my Mommy.

I'm also quite certain Mommy and Smores are very glad to have me.

After all...

If it weren't for me, how would anyone have known exactly when the tornado warning was over?

So yes...

Maybe the tornado never reached our house.

Maybe my emergency neighborhood announcement wasn't as necessary as I believed.

But I also learned something.

Storms don't always leave behind broken windows or fallen trees.

Sometimes they simply remind us of what truly matters.

When the lights went out, we still had each other.

When the warning sirens sounded, Mommy didn't stop to think about herself.

She made sure Smores and I were safe before anything else.

And when the skies finally cleared, our home was still standing, warm and full of love.

Perhaps that is what being blessed really means.

Of course...

I still believe everyone should have appreciated my excellent communication skills.

Maybe next time they'll listen.

Until then, I'll be back at my window, supervising the finches renting the loft, greeting the neighborhood dogs, and keeping an eye on everything that happens.

Because that's what I do.

Home isn't just where you're safe.

Home is where you're loved.

And that's always worth purring about.

And I'm Jack...

Neighborhood reporter, storm correspondent...

and very happy to be home.

02/08/2026

Jack's Weekend of Storms — Part 2: Life Without Electricity

My friends,

Where was I?

Oh yes...

The front porch had become a small indoor pond, Mommy was soaked, the pillows were dripping, and I was safely (and unfairly) locked in my room.

Smores was outside the room the whole time.

She could have warned Mommy about the puddle.

She didn't.

But then again...

It was her birthday.

We all know how a diva behaves.

So I remained quietly in my room.

At least I was dry, cool, safe...

And my food bowl was full.

While Mommy cleaned the mess, I heard her telling Smores how blessed we were to have a safe home where we could shelter from the storm.

The television was still on in the background...

Until suddenly...

Silence.

The power was gone.

Maybe a tree had fallen.

Maybe not.

How was I supposed to know?

I'm locked in a room!

Later, I questioned Smores, and that's when I discovered another part of the story.

Apparently, she had insisted on staying in the screened-in porch while the storm was raging.

Mommy disagreed.

There was chasing.

Lots of chasing.

Which explained why Mommy wasn't only soaked from rescuing the pillows.

She had also been running after Miss Birthday Queen.

Now Mommy faced a new challenge:

A birthday weekend without electricity...

In a house that depends on electricity for almost everything.

New rules immediately went into effect.

No opening outside doors.

No opening windows.

No opening the refrigerator.

And, for reasons only humans understand...

Lots of candles.

I don't like candles.

To be fair, I don't like even one candle.

So more than one definitely counts as "lots."

Eventually, the power returned.

Mommy relaxed.

We all went to bed hoping the next day would be much calmer.

It wasn't.

The morning was gray and gloomy, but we had electricity, air conditioning, internet, and all the important comforts.

I was finally able to work on my writing.

And for a little while, everything seemed normal again.

Until...

During the afternoon, every phone started ringing.

The television began making alarming noises.

Warning sounds echoed throughout the house.

Another tornado warning.

Do you remember the last one?

I certainly do.

And this one sounded just as serious.

To be continued...