I'll get back to you...

"Dogs come when they are called; Cats take a message and get back to you." - Mary Bly

If your cat is say, casually walking by, and you call it by name, odds are that it will stop, if only momentarily, perhaps look at you, perhaps not, and then continue on it's way. This usually means there is no intention to 'get back' to you and any time soon! If they do, it will be for another reason altogether. Cats are kind-of narcissistic. If they perceive, infer, or conclude (always) the problem you are trying to explain is your problem, then obviously, it is your problem! And you bothering them with your problem is, of course, your problem. How can they make that more clear. Cats are pretty good about bringing you their problems, hence, its a one way street.

However, this aside, they are excellent listeners. They will tirelessly, give an ear. Just don't be too surprised if they simply act as if either; A)they have heard enough, or B)they weren't listening at all. When this happens, they will quickly decide that a nap (probably) is more therapeutic then offering you support. Try not to be offended, that's how they are; Easy come, easy to a nap!

Cats always ask

Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want. - Joseph Wood Krutch

And ask.. and ask.. Especially around dinner time! The asking will go on until they are answered, either in substance (food) or they have to attend to some more urgent calling. At meal time they are all to happy to lead you to wherever they last helped you find their favorites. We feed a mixture of dry and canned food, so one of our little critters, whenever he hears the sound of the can opening, must jump up onto the counter and sample the new can as if it were a wine sampling. The others swarm around your legs, escorting you both to and from the pantry, where the dry food is stored. And they always try to stick their heads into the bin. You have to watch your step, lest one misjudges his own path and jumps under your foot, not fun for either party!

But after the feeding frenzy, the whole house simmers right back down. Cats then seem to disappear. You have to go looking for them as they quickly find their favorite spot for the first of the morning naps.

Cat cleanliness

"Cleanliness in the cat world is usually a virtue put above godliness." - Carl Van Wichten

When not sleeping, exploring or just observing, cats are both intent and content with a good self-produced tongue bathing. Starting usually at the face (using their paws as cleaning paddles by licking them first), but sometimes the other end, cats will spend hours (it seems) licking themselves, until the urge to lick subsides and they just stop. They are never hurried about this licking treatment. It takes as long as it takes! During the process, the rest of the world is simply on its own. They frequently close their eyes to more completely shut out the world and any of its visual annoyances.
It's a little bit of 'me time' and they are conscientious about this daily routine. I have, on numerous occasions, tried to calm and quiet this licking ceremony by placing my hand on their side. Unperturbed by this, they keep licking, right across my hand, as if it had suddenly just became an extension of them.
Then, as suddenly as it started, the licking episode stops and they go back to whatever it was they were doing before, probably observing, or yea, I know, sleeping!

... next week... - Furball - the size of a Buick!