
Cosmo, our Prodigal Son
Our household is fairly small. Two grown ups, one young person who thinks she’s a grown up, a dog and a cat. We have a peaceable kingdom in our home–even the animals get along like buddies. So when one of our small unit goes astray, it throws us all into a tailspin. Such was the case yesterday, when our young, indoor cat, Cosmo, decided to take an unapproved field trip into the suburban wild. All day. And all night. After searching the neighborhood for hours, I was sick with worry and my daughter was sobbing.
In situations like this, my husband is the voice of eternal optimism. I, on the other hand, am a worrier. Neither of us are pessimists, but there is definitely something in my Catholic upbringing that tells me if you don’t worry, God might think you don’t care and move on to someone who is a little more focused. Worrying is rewarded, while joyful optimism is punished with rainy wedding days, warm beer and locusts. This is all, of course, absolutely ridiculous. Even so, it is clear that no amount of Buddhist meditation will erase the worry gene from my being. So now I prefer to see my “what ifs” as the Yin to Tom’s “it will be fine” Yang–we balance each other in our peaceable kingdom. In the end, after a rainy night and morning, Cosmo returned to us. Lured by the smell of breakfast cooking and the sound of the ice maker (truly, he begs for ice cubes and plays hockey with them all over the kitchen), he came inside. He’s filthy. He’s wet. He’s tired. But our kingdom is complete again. And like the Prodigal Son, we celebrated him with extra food, hugs and the warm blanket he loves so much.
When I’m worried, I either eat like a linebacker or I don’t eat at all. Proper worry-eating requires crunchy, sweet and salty food, especially if it can be popped in my mouth quickly. Since this is not a healthy habit, I try to focus on eating things that are more virtuous than potato chips and cheese doodles. Granola is a favorite food of choice. Here is a great recipe by Creative Noshing (http://creativenoshing.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/maple-pecan-granola/) for delicious granola. Keep it on file for those worry days. Or really, why wait for worrying? It would be great any day, especially with some Greek yogurt. Happy baking.
Now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to go have a little “conference” with Cosmo…
Heather @ SugarDish(Me)
/ March 9, 2012I ended up with 3 awards (whaaaat?) and I would like to pass 1,2,or 3 your way because you’re awesome! Visit my blog for the details. And I’m really, really glad you found your cat.
http://sugardishme.com/2012/03/09/diner-classics-awards/
http://sugardishme.com/awards-recognition/
Year Of Healthier Living
/ March 9, 2012Thank you so much! You and Cosmo turned my frown upside down 🙂
creativenoshing
/ March 9, 2012So glad to hear that you tried the granola recipe. It is addictive isn’t it?!
Year Of Healthier Living
/ March 9, 2012Yes it is!!! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!
Time To Be Inspired
/ March 9, 2012Happy to hear Cosmo is home where he belongs!
Year Of Healthier Living
/ March 9, 2012Thank you! We are, too. Maybe we’ll actually sleep tonight!
The Foodie Affair
/ March 9, 2012I know the feeling… We have two indoor cats and when one sneaks out, it’s worse than waiting for a teenager to come home from an evening out! So glad calmness is restored. Little rascal!
Year Of Healthier Living
/ March 9, 2012It’s true! If only cats had cell phones (not that he would answer)!
Sent from my iPhone
The Foodie Affair
/ March 10, 2012Lol!
Choc Chip Uru
/ March 13, 2012I am so glad your beautiful cat is back 🙂
And also thank you for the link – yum, love granola 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Year Of Healthier Living
/ March 13, 2012Enjoy the granola! And thanks, we’re much happier with our crazy Cosmo back inside 🙂
Sent from my iPhone