Garden Party

Garden Party

by Ricky Nelson
Released in 1972

Went to a garden party to reminisce with my old friends
A chance to share old memories and play our songs again
When I got to the garden party, they all knew my name
No one recognized me, I didn't look the same

But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself

People came from miles around, everyone was there
Yoko brought her walrus, there was magic in the air
And over in the corner, much to my surprise
Mr. Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes wearing his disguise

But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself

Played them all the old songs, thought that's why they came
No one heard the music, we didn't look the same
I said hello to "Mary Lou", she belongs to me
When I sang a song about a honky-tonk, it was time to leave

But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself

Someone opened up a closet door and out stepped Johnny B. Goode
Playing guitar like a-ringin' a bell and lookin' like he should
If you gotta play at garden parties, I wish you a lotta luck
But if memories were all I sang, I rather drive a truck

And it's all right now, learned my lesson well
You see, ya can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself

Two metal garden cats
Purchased at a local art fair
"Ya can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself!"

Book Review: Homer's Odyssey

Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life

with a Blind Wonder Cat

Author: Gwen Cooper

Release Date: August 25, 2009

Penguin Random House Audio

Narrated by Renée Raudman

How many times have I read and reread this remarkable story?  At least a handful of times...maybe even a dozen!  It doesn't get old, and the emotions are as fresh as the first time.

This occasion, however, I listened to the audiobook, and was surprised by a long conversation at the end, between Gwen and her husband.  Obviously recorded before Homer passed in 2013, the engaging way the two of them banter about Homer, and their other two cats at the time, Scarlet and Vashti, is wonderfully intimate and delightful. 

I consider "Homer's Odyssey" a MUST READ book for anyone, least of all for cat-lovers and dog-lovers (yes, there are dog's too!).  Home's tale takes us from Florida to New York, through unemployment and marriage, to the events on 9/11/01 and beyond the normal bonds of friendship, love, and pet-ownership (if there is really such a thing!). 

Gwen Cooper has recently issued new stories, available only online.  Although I've purchased a subscription, I haven't yet read any, so I will report on them in a future post.

The Cat Car is Unofficial

In September, 2017, I was excited to add a cat car magnet to The Cat Car.

I posted about it here: The Cat Car Is Official.  Caren and Cody from Cat Chat warned me about becoming a bit too eccentric, with stickers and magnets all over my ride!  The Hubby too, was unhappy with one magnet, because he drives my car around once in awhile.  However, I put my foot down...I wanted cat stuff on The Cat Car!

Meow magnet, purchased while at Mall of America
in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2017.

Then, in November, 2017, I added two more really cool cat car magnets!  I posted about them here: Cat Are Aliens.

Each found online!

As time has marched on, having stuff plastered all over the car has lost its appeal.  Other drivers do weird things around crazy cat lady autos; they tailgate too close, they cut in front too fast, and there have been more obnoxious acts by fellow drivers than previously!  When The Hubby recently removed the magnets to give The Cat Car a wash, I asked him to bring the magnets inside to attach to the refrigerator.  My little old Honda is now bare, and she's going to stay that way.

Yep, Caren and Cody...you were right!

The PO'M keeps an eye on The Cat Car with
constant driveway patrols, magnets or no

Manny, overseeing the
refrigerator magnet display