22 Comments
Jan 6Liked by E.T. Allen

Animal hilarity, so very relatable, and then, whack, we're suddenly hit with sadness and reflection where we don't anticipate it. A powerful combination.

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Ha you and me both - wasn’t anticipating it either! :) Thanks so much for your encouraging reflection.

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Jan 6Liked by E.T. Allen

Love when writing does that, suddenly shows us something we weren't expecting. I had a poetry teacher once who said his favorite poems were ones that made you laugh out loud and then whew! outta nowhere, startled you with something haunting and true.

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Funny, tragic and thinky all in one. Beautifully done. 🙌

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The revelation in this is so unexpected and beautiful. The whole piece reminded me of a quote by Eckhart Tolle: “I have lived with several Zen masters — all of them cats."

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Beautiful, engaging, surprising and brutally painful, all at once. Keep writing, keep going, and also relax if you can. What wants to come out will make its way out in due time. Thanks for taking the risk. I look forward to enjoying the next piece. Ripeness is all.

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Thank you Chris. "Also relax if you can" - man that lands really hard right now. Like unreasonably so. Much appreciate you taking the time to read and reflect. Look forward to checking out your stuff.

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Checked out your stuff - some of the most clear, concise, to the point writing I've read on Substack yet :)

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Food for thought. Thank you

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Jan 11Liked by E.T. Allen

Oh dear, a quick word of advice from a cat owner and another poor unfortunate soul who had expounded words very similar to yours and paid the price.

You must not compose a story in front of or even think bad thoughts in close proximity of the cat . And do be careful of negative expressions towards cat.

Ivy will know.

She will retaliate.

What can she possibly do you say?

True story, the aforementioned poor unfortunate soul who did the very same;

Let me just put it this way, check the inside of your shoes before you slip them on in the morning.

It is called a spite pee, and that’s a fact.

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11Author

🤣🤣🤣 your advice and the aforementioned poor soul’s experience is 100% spot on fact. The Three P’s of Feline Vengeance, as I know them, are spite pee, spite puke, and spite poop. And those are just the outward physical expressions of retaliation - not even getting into the emotional aspects of their spellcasting.

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From a comical account of the distractions of writing to the crux of the inner wounds that shape our whole experience of the world - this was great. I also really appreciated the vulnerability required to share such an uncomfortable emotion (shame), if only we were all more willing to face this.

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“The crux of the inner wounds that shape our whole experience of the world” - THIS is great. So well encapsulated. Whew! Thank you for reading and sharing Daniela.

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This is a powerful story, beautifully told. The emotional outburst, bursting an ancient festering wound, the unexpected revelation, ending with the merry monster under the Christmas tree. Great write with a deep message. 💕🙏

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Some Synchronosophy in action perhaps?

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Evocative, such a heartfull of love and learned peace.

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Thank you so much.

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Cats bring it ALL out of you.

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Indeed.

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What a lovely, moving, hilarious, and heartbreaking tale. Thank you for this.

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Thank you for taking the time for read and comment Doctrix. So glad you enjoyed.

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Omg I see why you shared it. Good job, Ivy, you relentless devil! This also reminded me of something I learned recently, that cats need to move from spot to spot (to sleep) throughout the day, something territorial, I think...

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