Max the 'Beamer' Cat

The weather last evening was perfect: warm, breezeless and the pungent scent of violets in the air.

Out on the back porch are few cat dishes and pot plants leading to a colourful garden. Most of our cats enjoy reclining amongst the Begonias, Bird of Paradise and the Ferns. There is a floor to ceiling window looking out towards the garden. Max the ‘perfect’ cat as we call him, because the Vet told Lou that he was the most perfect specimen that he’d ever encountered. This was surprising considering he’s a stray, arriving one evening three years ago, thin, dirty and hungry.

Max also has an interesting aspect to his behaviour, as he will peer through the porch window and send out an unrelenting beam towards Lou. The ‘beam’ is actually palpable. Max does not want anything, food, attention or to come in the house. He just enjoys sending beams through the window, beams of pure admiration for his owner.

Grabbing my camera, I wanted to see if taking a picture of him during his “beam session” would put him off in any way. Lying on the floor pointing the camera and taking the shot did not disrupt his concentration at all, maintaining his constant beam to the end.

Diana Krall plays softly in the background, her velvet voice, singing “Departure Bay” sending my mind to another place and another time. Her style of Jazz, to my mind, is absolutely mesmerising. Viewed her concert in Paris on DVD the other night and was astounded at her talent on the piano. The CD playing is “Girl from the Other Room”, and excellent album.

Emotional State: Hazy & Mesmerised.