A significant arrival ...

"We" have arrived

The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba was written by George Friedrich Handel as the first scene of Act III in the oratorio Solomon. It has always been popular as an alternative to the Wedding March for the arrival of the bride. Of course, Cath dispensed with this kind of frivolity on our wedding day and went instead for the suitably austere Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 by Johann Sebastian Bach. Perhaps she had a premonition of what she was getting in to! 

 But if ever there was a fitting occasion to play Handel loud and long, it was this week as our 14-year-old cat, Gracie, finally made the journey from Brisbane to the Huon. Because of her advanced age, we were reluctant to subject her to the arduous journey to Tasmania more than once. She arrived complaining loudly at the insults to her royal person afforded her by the rough and ready standard of economy air travel. She made it made clear to us, in no uncertain terms, that the standard crate in which she had been housed was not suitable for a cat of her standing. She soon recovered her regal poise, however, and proceeded to ignore us while she acquainted herself with her new quarters. 

 

We purchased Gracie from the RSPCA in what was called a New Year “liquidation” sale. She was to be our middle son’s cat, so consistent with middle child syndrome, he immediately selected a ninja like creature that was clawing its way up the wire of its cage with a maniacal glint in its eye. We managed to talk him down from this position and opt instead for a small but beautiful tabby kitten, whose tractor-like purr was completely enchanting. We named her Gracie for two reasons: we had saved her from liquidation so “Saving Grace” sprang readily to mind; and we lived in Graceville. The diminutive version of the name just came naturally.

 

Gracie’s good humour and gentle nature has survived intact over the years despite some very interesting demonstrations of love. The most common being a reconstruction of a scene from the Lion King, where Simba, the heir, is introduced to his subjects by the mystic baboon Rafiki – together with all the relevant sound effects. Another favourite was to scoop her up from her place of repose, drape her around the back of the neck and stomp off to bed. Gracie would emerge stiffly an hour or so later looking at us painfully as if to say, “Job done! Now where is the milk.”

 

She is not quite ready yet to pronounce her new home fit for habitation. There are, however, some very promising signs. She has developed a penchant for the wood-burning oven, although rather alarmingly seems to want to be in it rather than just in front of it. She has also reverted to her habit of climbing onto a lap whenever anyone sits down. We are confident that she will be able to explore outside soon, although we are happy to take it easy on this score. 

The fire appears acceptable

   

 

It is amazing how much a small tabby cat can work its way into the fabric of a family. This is certainly the case with Gracie and it’s great to have her with us where she belongs …

Settling in!