green plastic plate

Cat stretch, rub the head on the leg of the human, cat stretch up on the kitchen wooden workbench, claws out, up on the hind legs, stretch the paws upward, dig the claws into the wood.
Cats do not say "Ahh"
They purr.

Remove the empty tin from the top of the dresser where it had been carelessly left the evening before.
Rinse it out under the tap.
Throw it into the yellow plastic bag hanging off the regulator of the radiator.

Open the new tin, pull the ring on the top, the creaking sound of tearing metal.
Cat's excitement increases, back arches, eyes upwards.
Put the sloppy fresh cat food onto the green plastic plate.
The plate that belongs to the cat.

Mouth agape the cat pushes the cat face into the food, masticates.

Then make coffee, and toast.
Drink and eat, awaken.

Read the news.
Then put on shoes.

Say goodbye to the spouse
leave the house.

The purpose is to collect the car from the temporary parking space in the school's parking lot. Normally reserved for teachers only, it is free for use over the weekend. And the purpose now is to preclude forgetfulness this evening, for tomorrow all cars not belonging to the staff of the school will be removed.


Walk through the Sunday morning town.
Grey, closed shops and few people out, walking dogs, taking a walk. One woman flapping along jogging on her way through the town, she is determined.

Pass by the Christmas market, there are people at work applying final touches. Christmas markets are held in almost every town now, Christmas cheer, goodwill, mulled wine and stuff like that. It is all much to expensive, and the wine is of such low quality and so highly sugared that many of those who partake too fondly of it are ill on the way home, leaving the result of their consumption in the streets.

And the music is the same every year- Jingle bells, O Tannenbaum, and  the White Christmas.
The weather is much too warm for all of that.

And after ten minutes walk, find the car and drive back through town, find a legal parking spot not far from home. Last night's revellers have left many spaces free.