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!