10/2/12

A Post About Cats


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I know.  A post about cats.  Never happens on this blog, does it?  But here are a few things you need to know about cats.  First, they have been scientifically proven to increase productivity.  



But don't take my word for it.  Check out this article in the Washington Post.  It seems some researchers at Hiroshima University asked 48 volunteers to look at various pictures and then to play a children's game.  It seems those asked to look at baby animals were far and away better at the game.  Here's a chart showing you the results.


And here's a quote from the article:

After seeing a pictures of baby animals (puppies and kittens), after seeing adult animals (dogs and cats) and after seeing pleasant foods (steak, sushi and pasta). Far and away, productivity was best in the first condition – you can see this in the chart below. This was true across both genders participating in the experiment.
So given that, I would expect my house to be cleaner and tidier.  Problem is, my house is always littered with cat toys...or the guts from cat toys since Smitty likes to tear them open and suck out their guts.  

But speaking of cats and productivity, here's Smitty helping me with my productivity as I write this highly interesting and informative blog post.  (I emphasized that last part just in case there was any doubt.)


Speaking of Smitty, he has to go to the vet this morning for his booster shot.  He's grown a bunch since his visit last month.  I'm curious to see how much weight he's gained.  In any case, he was terribly stressed out about it earlier.


(Have you noticed what crappy pictures the iPad takes?)  Any way, the pink tongue is a dead giveaway.  Stress, thy name is Smitty.  And now that he's helped me with my productivity, he's back to being totally stressed out.  Poor thing.


Mike has been taking him for rides in the car like a dog.  We just put his harness and leash on as a precaution.  He rides, happy as a clam, sitting in Mike's arms and looking out the window.  I'm going to try it this morning, but I'm taking the kitty carrier along just in case.

So in other cat news, did you see this cute cat from yesterday's post?


I am so taken with this guy that I was seriously thinking about breaking out the old (and I do mean "old") knitting needles and giving it a shot.  I'm informed by Lyndsey, however, that these cats are not really suitable as beginner projects.  And since I can't even remember how to cast on, I suppose I should consider myself a beginner.  Or maybe even a pre-beginner.  Thanks for bringing me back to my senses, Lyndsey.  But any of you knitters out there...if you have a burning desire to knit a Smitty for me, knit on!

Finally, I can't help sharing a photo of this cool cat:


It's my very cute and handsome son, Matthew, who cut his hair!  Hallelujah!  My tongue is feeling so much better now that I've stopped biting it.  Nice doo, Matt.  Really.  Nice doo.  And that's a great smile too.

11 comments:

Lynette said...

Wow! Smitty has grown crazily while I've been too swamped to watch my favorite blogs! He's so handsome. I need to take stress lessons from him. ;D

Frog Quilter said...

My iPad takes such wonderful pictures that I have quit using my camera. What version do you have?

Cute kitty pictures.

Diane Wild said...

Be sure Smitty gets extra treats for the vet trip. Minnie is milking it to the hilt and I'm more than happy to comply as I like having my Minnie back. Matt looks good. Of course, I thought he looked good before the new doo but I'll never grow out of the 60s.

Denise :) said...

Barbara, I love your posts. You have such a fun wit and sense of humor!! Hope your tongues heals very quickly. Wish I was a pro-knitter -- I'd knock you out one of those cute little black cats in a heartbeat!! From me, you're just going to have to settle on a baby shirt that says "dude". Sorry Smitty!! (not really!) :)

JLVerde said...

Seeing that cute knit kitty makes me wish I had the patience for knitting/crochet.

Guess I'll stick to sewing (I can make a darn cute felt kitty, if I do say so myself).

Smitty's tongue is so cute!

WoolenSails said...

Well, cats just make us smile, therefore happy, so that gives us more energy;) Smitty is so cute, he is a poser.

Debbie

Rachel said...

LOL, wish I was a knitter. I don't even come close enough to own needles! Love the pink tongue! Nice hair cut :-)

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

I'll always click on a cat post in a heartbeat! I love seeing everyone's cats on quilts or playing with computers or getting themselves in awkward positions! Thanks!

Lucky Duck Dreams said...

Im a such a Smitty fan! Can I be president of his fan club?

Junebug613 said...

Of course cats and dogs improve our productivity! How would I ever get anything done without my furry supervisors? There are two dogs and two cats watching me type this! I wish I could be as cool as Smitty is when he's stressed. LOL I'm terrified to take any of my cats out of the house,except for Bob without a carrier. I think it's so cool that you both take them out with you.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Smitty looked so much happier reading your blog post on the computer than thinking about going to the vet. Poor thing! Maybe he needs to cuddle with that cute kitty toy he received. What!?! We AREN'T supposed to have our house littered with pet toys? Oh no, I'd better not tell my doggies that. They get upset when I pick them up to vacuum.