Merlin The Cat Finds Rumi and The Meaning Of Life at 21.5
Remember when kids would prize getting older and proudly announce being four and a half or five and a half but then it abruptly ended? Maybe by seven or eight but certainly by the double digits. Then you humans would race towards the cool factor of getting older.
Wow, sweet 16, woo, woo, woo 21! 22 years – woo! 23 years – woo! 24 years – woo! 25 years – woo! 26 years, um okay, 27 years – oh boy, 28 years, slow down, 29 years, oh no! There’s no chance of anyone saying, I’m 29 and a half. From there it’s a runaway train of age denial in our ageist society. Aging is only cool again when someone is really old. Even better if they’re old, famous or still creatively viable like these 60+ celebrity women or these non-famous but cool women.
Once you get really old the halves gain importance again and you’ve come full circle. That’s, my Merlin the Cat Wisdom 101 cat take on aging. Maybe we should all celebrate the half now. Like 42 and a half, 53 and a half, 61 and a half. As if the half has added value and wisdom to our lives. And I know I appreciate my half. Those six months meant I got to sunbathe in the garden again. Bliss. How will you celebrate your half?
Another thing weighing heaving on my old mind is: self-knowledge.
Just because I’ve reached a ripe old age, does it mean I’ve automaticatically acquired wisdom, and how is wisdom connected to self-knowledge? Some say self-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom. I mean this website is called Cat Wisdom 101. The 101 implies the beginning of wisdom and we’re ready for at least 201. Funnily enough, every time Layla clicks on 101, she makes a Freudian slip and does 201 hmmm…
In my semi-infinite wisdom, I’d say something is ready to bust wide open. We don’t want to change the URL. Anyway, CatWisdom.com is not available and Cat Wisdom 201, 911 or 360 or any other configuration makes no sense and complicated to change. We’re wise enough to know that but we’re itching to add a new tagline and while we’re at it, a new logo and a whole new look to reflect our core changes that involve you!
The vast majority of our readers are women, like almost 90%! and we want to embrace and support our the feline-loving sisterhood or tribe more fully.
What do I really know and do I know who I am? Me, Merlin the cat, a 21.5-year-old cat?
“What can I do, Dear Ones ?
I do not know myself.
I am neither Christian nor Jew,
neither Magician nor Muslim,
I am not from east or west,
not from land or sea,
not from the shafts of nature
nor from the spheres of the firmament,
not of the earth, not of water,
not of air, not of fire.
I am not from the world, not from beyond,
not from heaven and not from hell.
I am not from Adam, not from Eve,
not from paradise and not from New York.
My place is placeless, my trace is traceless,
no body, no soul, I am from the soul of souls.
I am Merlin, the cat.
With eternal thanks to fellow wanderer, Rumi
Much love,
Merlin, the cat.
Merlin the cat. Merlin the cat forever…
P.S. Our last post about black cats featured in vintage advertising got our creative juices going so we created a new Pinterest Board VINTAGE BLACK CAT ADVERTISING. Take a peek, and if you’re a Pinner, there are some cool images from all over the world.
53 Comments
Brian Frum
We think 1/2 is well worth celebrating wise Merlin, we love you pal!
Ellen Pilch
I think all kitties should celebrate half birthdays because that equals a few years to a cat.
Layla Morgan Wilde
That’s a great point, thanks!
Seville at Nerissa's Life
You got to celebrate turning 21 1/2 in the garden? What a GREAT way to celebrate turning such a wonderful and amazing age. Happy 21 1/2 Birthday!!! PURRS.
Purrs,
Seville.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks purrs and dear Sevvie.
Sue Brandes
Love you very much Merlin.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Sue, xoxo
Nellie
Happy Half Dear Heart!
Mes send you’d loads of kisses an snuggles!
In about 3 weeks, Mes will bes celebrating 18 years, but that could has happened months ago… Mes loves you video of yous in the sun. Me could tell it felt heavenly.
special kisses
YOUR Nellie Bellie
Layla Morgan Wilde
Oh my dearest Nellie. We must plan something special for your big 18 xoxo
caren gittleman
Merlin your wisdom (and that of your human) is unsurpassed!! Happy Happy Half Birthday! xoxo
Layla Morgan Wilde
Many thanks Caren, and I’ll tell my human.
Angel Ms. Phoebe's Family
Dearest nephew I am celebrating today with happiness that you are 21 and 1/2! You make many wise observations as usual about age and life, giving me much food for thought. When I was younger I did become excited for half ages as it was reaching a milestone, exciting age faster which meant gaining the benefits of such age ie: 18, 21, etc.. Once hitting 40 last year however, I lost all desire to celebrate aging whatsoever. What is good about aging after all and the wrinkles, poor eyesight, aching muscles that come with it? Reading your words has given me new insight on how to view growing older, maybe there is joy in increasing age- it’s just how and what you accept and think about it. Perhaps if I learn to look forward to the halves again I can open my mind to discovering new things about myself, the world around me and how they relate to one another. As much as we think we have ourselves figured out by a certain age, we discover new things everyday. Is ignoring, denying advancing age keeping me from receiving or recognizing important self knowledge that might bring peace and happiness? These are things I feel I must explore if I’m to find the good in aging, as aging plays a big part of how we feel about ourselves. It would be nice to feel that carefree excitement again lost in the negative associations of passing a certain age.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Dearest auntie, it’s all about seeing life as half full or half empty. X number and a half is more. It’s simple mathematics. You may not like all of them but it’s countered with more experience, more wisdom and more capacity for more love and joy. Focus the more you want!
Cathy Keisha
Merlin, you are wise and magical much like your name. TW says the half years go a lot quicker now than when she was young.
Layla Morgan Wilde
CK, that’s what they say and yes, they do go faster.
The Florida Furkids
We think it’s fabulous to celebrate 21-1/2! There is so much you can teach the little ones growing up….too bad the humans don’t always know that.
The Florida Furkids
Layla Morgan Wilde
That’s where the cats can be useful 😉
The Island Cats
Merlin, we think you are very wise. You should celebrate every day…
Layla Morgan Wilde
We do, every single day xo
Sometimes Cats Herd You
You’re such a wise kitty, Merlin. We should find more things to celebrate, and have them help us appreciate every day.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Every day is a gift xo
Timmy Tomcat
PS
We all love the vintage black cat board! Amazing!
Toby will be hard to manage MOL
Timmy Tomcat
Some wonderfur wisdom on age my furend. Reading your thoughts helped me understand Dad a bit better. He is almost 63.5 and a traveler of the spirit who gives to many and receives from few. He says that is the best way to live and I have listened as the calming force in our sometimes rambunctious home with cats from 2 to 16 and almost a half
Purrs
Timmy
Layla Morgan Wilde
Your traveler of the spirit dad sounds wise indeed xo
The Swiss Cats
You’re so wise, Merlin… Happy 21 1/2 Birthday ! We wish you many sun puddles for sunbathing in your garden ! Purrs
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks dear Swiss friends 🙂
Bethany
I’m 31 and a half this month. I don’t know that I’ve ever had a more meaningful half since I was little. Like Merlin, my half meant that I got to spend the weekend in the sun, smelling flowers, and being more grateful than I can ever remember being for grass, trees, warmth, and life.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Bethany, I know your half is extra special this year xo
Kathryn
Merlin, you will always be wise and never old in my book.
You are a magician.
And our boyz here concur.
Layla Morgan Wilde
You and you boys would be correct xo
Sammy
Merlin you are in so many ways ageless….time may take a toll on our bodies but in our minds if we have them (!) we are forever cool, calm, collected and young. Mom says she feels the same way……she may be almost 70 but she’s NOT that. I like think that when we reach a certain age we quit trying to swim upstream and decide to float with the current…..calmly, peacefully…….and knowing that we may pass this way again! As I will be 16.5 in a couple of months, I think I’ll celebrate it – with whatever gusto I can muster. Sending you AGELESS hugs my friend.
Love, Sammy
Layla Morgan Wilde
Sammy, I hope I’ll be there to celebrate your sweet 16.5!
jansfunnyfarm
You have reached a wise old age and we know your family is very happy you are still with them. Things change as we age, but our family’s love for us never does.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Wise words dear Jan and the love grows stronger.
da tabbies o trout towne
dood….ewe noe we never waz & still knot iz knot….good at math …sew we will just wish ewe a happee spring filled with sun shine, fresh air, flowerz a plentee N hammickz for rest ful afturr nonn napz ~~ ♥♥♥
pee ezz….uz boyz outnumber de gurl …. sew make sur yur mom addz uz inta that 10 purrcent figure for 10.2 🙂 ♥♥♥
da tabbies o trout towne
N hay look….we messed up R email & now we haza funkee face 🙂
Layla Morgan Wilde
Us fur boys outnumber the gals 3 to one but apparently it’s the human # that count 🙂
Beverly
As I move into crone-hood, I’ve learned to celebrate the seasons, like @Tamago previously suggested. And, congratulations, Merlin, you’ve reached Spring again! Savor each moment. Best wishes always.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Bev, thanks, I’m in the garden with my transcriber at this very moment!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Auntie Ellen, just write down your thoughts and click save 🙂
Tamago
I think it’s a great idea to celebrate halves. Or maybe even quarters for each season 🙂
Layla Morgan Wilde
Yes, why not quarters with the season? Corporations do annual and quarterly report so it’s always good to know what’s happening. I hope your new quarter is a great one!
Annabelle
Merlin
Our Mom became so aware of time and age and how it relates to cats when Abby was dying. Because aging accelerates in our bodies, humans and cats as we age. Since humans seem to want to liken cat ages to human age you can see how quickly it accelerates. I think the 21 1/2 is a great idea.
Layla Morgan Wilde
The similarities to aging in humans and cats is striking including the same physical and cognitive symptoms.
Bev Green
Sweet Merlin i think to celebrate the half is to live to the full..why not celebrate as we get midway to another number..it means we have left behind some and still have some to go..wisdom is in your heart always..if you know how to open that inner chamber and reach in..i think we all have a certain amount of accumulated wisdom we enter the world with..we add to it..reach for it ..adjust it and apply it..sunny days sweet Merlin xxx Loves Fozziemum xxx
Layla Morgan Wilde
Dear Bev, you understand fully 🙂
Skeeter and Izzy
Beautiful dear Merlin,beautiful!
Luvs
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig & Peanut & Romeo & the Angels >^..^^..^<~
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks kindly dear friends.
Summer
For my human, age does not exist. She denies numbers. She just IS. So she never really gives age much thought.
Layla Morgan Wilde
She is rather ageless like my mum.
easy rider
happy 21.5 th birthday dear Merlin :o) I agree with you we should celebrate the “.5” too… it’s a milestone somehow :o) with her 13th birthday my mother was the whole year “nearly 14″… she thought she can enter the movies that way, but sadly that was fallacy :o)
Layla Morgan Wilde
Easy, ah to be 13 again 🙂
ellen
You know what else I noticed about getting old? Keep in mind I am an odd human… that when babies have little rolls of fat, it’s cute. When they wear diapers, its cute, When they only have a couple of teeth and grin, people oooh and ahh. But if an oldster grins with few teeth, it isnt ‘cute’. But really, people’s bodies turn quite childlike in very old age. I was pondering this the other day.
It is kinda the same for animals, the older they get the less the little mistakes are cute.
And wisdom? Gosh, we get smarter with experience, but have to write it down before we forget it, and then lose the paper our brilliant thought was on. For me, I think we all should write our brilliant thoughts on paper airplanes and hope they end up in the hands of someone younger and hope it sticks.
Happy Monday Dear Merlin!