Reading and writing interests
Tiger Lily seems to be interested in reading and writing. She likes to rest on the written word. Literally. In my writing studies class today, we talked about the authority of the written word, especially the pre-approved value of academic writing. I wondered why we automatically value academic meaning-making, but fail to see other kinds of textuality as “real” or important.
My friend Meredith sent me a picture of her cat, Tabby, sitting on the book I wrote.
I’ll take readers, any where I can get them.
Tags: academic writing, cats, literacy
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February 2, 2008 at 4:59 am
You wrote a book?
February 2, 2008 at 5:53 am
Only you would have one cat who is obsessed with reading the printed word, and another who is obsessed with eating. How is it that your two rather randomly acquired cats turned out as the phsycial representation of your most obvious characteristics?
Next thing you know Ralph Ames is going to learn how to speed dial your closest culinary friends with his paw while Tiger Lily reviews the menus for the evening they fax over, in order to influence Ralph in his decision over which friend’s house they will invite themselves to dine at that evening.
PS Your clock is off. It says it’s tomorrow. Unless your website is hosted in London.
February 2, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Emma, yea, I wrote a book. Not fiction, academic prose. Pretty boring.
February 2, 2008 at 11:58 pm
LaRae,
Please discuss how one of my “most obvious characteristics” is eating???? I readily admit to being characterized by the pursuit of friendship of people who cook well. Like you. And Stevens. But it’s about quality, the zen moment of the flavor, not like Tiger Lily’s relationship with food.
But I’m cracking up about Ralph and Tiger Lily’s participation in my pursuits.
February 3, 2008 at 12:13 am
[...] with a cookbook LaRae made a comment about Ralph cooking. Actually, here he is, comtemplating the [...]
February 4, 2008 at 4:28 am
Ralph Ames can’t read, but he’s knows his numbers. His IS about to use the cell phone to call someone who can tell him what the recipe is in the picture.
February 14, 2008 at 10:17 am
Tabby Girl is so pleased that you included her picture in your blog. Although she is shy sometimes, I also think she is somewhat vain–so it’s no wonder she is tickled to be pictured here.
And to add to the description of Tabby sitting on your book, I have to say that she also sat on it whenever it was open, not just when it was closed as pictured here. She had a real affinity for your work.
As for other literacy practices, Tabby will often sit on the printer, an open newspaper–particularly when I’m trying to read it, on top of the computer (CPU), and on my students’ papers. (I try to tell her to stay off the student papers; you never can tell about the quality! heehee) I think perhaps, like children, our cats’ interest in literacy–reading, writing, anything in print–is a reflection of our own interests; they can’t help but wonder what could possibly be more interesting to us than they are. And so they have to investigate.
February 16, 2008 at 5:44 am
wow, i don’t know that i have ever experienced so much simultaneous discussion regarding cats and literacy. i enjoy literacy, but the cat thing…i’m out in the cold. i have nothing substantive to contribute. the end.