If you like*Garrison Keillor and his sense of humor as I do, you may remember his famous cat song, “The In and Out Cat.” The first time I heard it, I laughed my head off; it says more about cats and how we react to them. If you have a cat, (or in our case, cats) you can certainly agree with their propensity to change their minds at a moment’s notice.
The lyrics follow:
“I want to go out –
Open that door if you love me
Gotta go out, want to breathe the air
I gotta get loose with the blue sky above me
I been here long enough, I got to be there
I want to come in – what’s the matter, can’t you hear me?
I want to come in, I am your cat!
I gotta get warm with the people I love near me
I been gone a long, long time and now I’m back
And now I want to go out –
I’m an independent creature I am a cat –
we’re the wandering kind!
It’s the call of the wild – I gotta get back to nature
These paws are made for walking and now it’s time.
OK, I’m back, but not for long I’ll soon be going –
Just give me a bite now and I’m on my way
Now open that door and I’ll – good grief, it’s snowing –
Open up – let me in – I’m back to stay
Well, now it’s stopped, so thanks for all your love
Gotta hop that freight, I’m a ramblin’ guy
Gotta hit that road – it’s in my blood or something’ –
I know you understand so please don’t cry
Hello it’s me – I know you’d probably miss me
And I came back, because I missed you so
But I can’t stay long, so honey come and kiss me –
I think I hear that long some whistle blow
I’m on my way, got to leave my mom and daddy –
Got to say goodbye, want to hear that highway hum
Now I’m all alone and I’ m feeling so unhappy –
It’s time that I went back where I came from
Yes, it’s time to go back, time to put the road behind me –
I drifted away, but I’m going back now.
Here’s the little white house –
Here’ s that picket fence and the ivy –
I’ll just knock on the door – meow
Open up, it’s me, it’s your cat it’s cold out here the water’s gettin’ higher
Momma please…”
*Garrison Keilor is famous for his radio show, “Prarie Home Companion” as well as many books.