The problem of being alone

[la_marquise]

I don't mind being on my own: I find it soothing, in fact, though the marquis complains that I rapidly become hermit-like and insular and weird. However, this morning I did notice that in his absence the standard of my utterances has dropped dramatically.
Things I have uttered recently (apart from 'Good morning' and 'Thank you', to the postman).
'Oh, madam, what are you doing behind?'
'Horus, get out of that.'
'Who's a best girl then?'
'Yummy Noodle puss num nums.'
'Oh, Horus, don't do that.'
'Yes, what a nice clean cat bum.'
'Oh, Ish, you revolting animal.'
'There's a lovely Ish-cuddle.'
'Oh, Mooncat, get off there.'
'What an underfoot cat.'

And so on and so forth. Responses have ranged for disdainful silence to enthusiastic purring, via the full range of meow, wong, wow, meep, prrt and sss (the latter being Ish's response to me trying to turn over in the middle of the night). You jsut don't get the conversation these days!

Comments

[maureenkspeller.livejournal.com]

That rather sums up my day-to-day life. PK observed over Christmas that the most uttered word in the house is 'Nicodemus!'

[frandowdsofa.livejournal.com]

I find talking to myself more productive.

[bellinghman.livejournal.com]

But don't you get into arguments?

[frandowdsofa.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, but at least they are intelligent ones.

[bellinghman.livejournal.com]

No shame always to lose when the opponent is so entertaining.

(I find myself occasionally wondering why my past self was so dumb. But that's not the same - the past is a another country, and besides, the wretch is dead.)

[frostfox.livejournal.com]

MAXWELL MASON WILL YOU STOP THAT!!!!! At screamed at full volume. I'm sure the neighbours think I am mad.

FF

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Yes, we have that, though with the name Iskander inserted. And I forgot, 'Oh, Bundle, don't eat the fern. The fern doesn't want to be eaten.'

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

Hampstar! Hello hamster! Aren't you small? No, it's not dinner time. (repeat until dinner time)

[shannachie.livejournal.com]

As an expose to a new novel it seems to be a little one sided.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

They are not good as an audience.

[muninnhuginn]

Yes, that's what happens here, too. The hens provide some variety, but I'm always rather disappointed that the fish don't answer back.

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"Don't bugger about on the stairs."

"Leave Sid alone!"

"Stop glopping!" (I owe this to Jaine, or to be more precise, J's dad).

"It is not dinner time."

"Out of there!"

"LILY" - bellowed at top volume across length of field.

and this is with someone else in the house.

[bellinghman.livejournal.com]

and this is with someone else in the house.

... and is therefore what you may be called upon?

Oh my, just how much worse is what you won't admit to?

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Glopping is bad and should be stopped.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

Fruitcake says "squeak!"
Zil would chat with you too, but she's fully occupied claiming the spot where a hot pipe runs under the floor.

[a-d-medievalist.livejournal.com]

"What??!!!"

"I don't know what you want!!"

"I'm trying to work, dammit!"

I am fairly sure that the reason my cats are so vocal is that I talk to them a lot -- and these days, it's usually in response to something one of them has said.

But my friends all talk to them, too, so ...

[celestinenox]

"No, it's not time to eat."

"No, really, it's not time to eat yet. I will not feed you until it's time to eat, cat."

"No, dog, I don't love you. Go away."

"GAH, Rat (cat's name), stop that! The computer doesn't need cat hair!"

"No dogs allowed!"

"YES IT'S TIME TO EAT NOW THANK GODS."

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

When it's me and three dogs, it may as well be the four Stooges.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

"Who's a Lillers, then?"
"Who's big? Are you big? Alice is big."
"Alice, stop it."
"ALICE STOP THAT NOW."
"Lilly, don't lick the phone."
"Lilly, don't lick the computer."
"Lilly, don't eat the shower curtain."
"Lilly, the gravity isn't going to turn off."
"No. You can't have that. That's not for you."
"Please don't play with the My Little Ponies. They're not toys."
"Stop pooping, that box was just cleaned."
"Claws claws ow ow claws no!"
"Prrt to you, too."

[stevegreen.livejournal.com]

I haven't had a face-to-face conversation since Monday, unless you count in front of the mirror. It's the (friendly) arguments I miss most.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Yes. I had years of that when working in Wales. It sucks. (You could, of course, give in and get a cat...)

[stevegreen.livejournal.com]

If you delete the word "cat" and insert "dog", I fully plan to, after Eastercon.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Dogs are also good.

[lil-shepherd.livejournal.com]

"Draco, leave the cat alone!"

"Flash, what are you doing on there!"

"Draco, leave the cat alone."

"Shut up, Draco!"

"Draco, off!"

"Quiet! Bad dog! Quiet!"

"Zara, leave the dog alone!"

"Bad dog!"