Thursday, November 01, 2007

Cats, gifts and Halloween


With clear weather and no wind, quite a few Trick-or-Treaters stopped by tonight, ranging from toddlers dressed like Sesame Street characters to adolescents dressed like zombies. Some were neighbors; others, we didn’t recognize, but they sensed this would be a street to get a good haul of chocolate.

C and I took turns; we sat in the front room, reading, until the doorbell rang. I almost made it through the November issue of O Magazine.

Read in the news that researchers have decoded a cat’s DNA (without hurting Cinnamon, the cat). Apparently cats are afflicted with over 200 diseases that are similar to human diseases, such as diabetes, a feline type of AIDS, and retinal deterioration. Through further analysis, scientists hope to find new cures, new hope for humans and cats.

Interesting how in the Dark Ages, cats were feared by people in Europe. They believed they were scary and mysterious, animals of the Devil or evil witches. Which is why they are associated with ghouls, ghosts, and Halloween. These days in western culture, they are beloved as pets. And now, the mystery of their DNA may be another gift they give to us.

^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,
May luck be yours on Halloween.
~Author Unknown

The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.
~Pierre Corneille

Change always comes bearing gifts.
~Price Pritchett

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