Ernest in his Yard

It is hard to believe that for eleven years Ernest lived full time at The Mystic Merchant.  We, all of us looked forward to his perfect high-pitched squeaking as we arrived each morning, hearing him paw at the back door waiting to say hello. Always so happy to see us, he would begin purring immediately.  Both Bird and Butterfly had their own special unique morning Ernest routine. I know Butterfly had fun with Ernest chasing after treats thrown each morning, and then they would set aside some honest to goodness on the floor time. Ernest gets so confused whenever any of us lies down on the floor.  Something about the perspective perhaps?

Seemingly random or not so random events changed everything for good this past summer. Ernest is now officially semi-retired.  I now get to have him at home and he comes to work with me at the store on Saturdays and Sundays. It has been an interesting rewarding challenging transition. Yes, we, and his multitude of fans miss him dearly at the store during the week, but we are all so happy he is enjoying his new life. And I personally feel completely spoiled.

Ernest Resting

Thankfully Ernest has taken to being a house cat/jungle cat with quiet efficiency.  He prefers being outside to anything, and lies for hours in the grass taking in the sights and smells of the yard.  Aside from our very demanding blue jays, he really does run the show.  And anytime one of the girls comes over to visit, he greets them with a happy tail and a loving squeak.

Time is moving at an alarming pace.  We can sense great change, most of which is needed, necessary and exciting.  I for one am looking forward to everything unfolding. I try to keep in balance, practice being positive and grateful. Every day I monitor my thoughts and wayward undisciplined emotions and thinking.  I am getting better at shutting up and finding some quiet inside.  I know it is up to me to be happy and content and feel fulfilled.  I struggle all the time with still wanting that outside thing to fix me.  It is a constant tug of war between what I know to be the truth and what I want my truth to be!  Isn’t it always.  I am learning it is for each and every one of us, individual by individual, to affect this change, to invite in this awareness.

To the patrons, fans and friends of Ernest and The Mystic Merchant, I can only say thank you so very much for your understanding in all of this.  I realize it may be a great disappointment not to have Ernest there every day; in case one might stop into the shop.  And he is missing out on meeting all you new wonderful people that come in and love our rocks and jewelry. For this reason and my own selfish concerns, I will keep him coming in on the weekends, no matter if he takes to hiding in the bushes once he hears me start up the car.

Be thankful. Start small. I started with the store cats, Ernest the wonder cat and our dearly departed Lightning Bug.  Not a moment, let alone a day goes by that I am not eternally thankful for them, even when Ernest decides to catch a nap on the rather pricey amethyst table.

I bless the day they came to live at the store and share their love and special gifts with everyone who enters.  Dearest Lightning Bug, the calico, and sister to Ernest, succumbed to liver failure last year.  She is missed in so many ways. Ernest is fine, shamelessly adorably fabulous in fact, having survived cancer himself, he is loved and adored by strangers and friends all day every day.
We all answer to Ernest.

I remember a special day with that cat.  A seriously handicapped young man was wheeled into the store and left near the register as his family looked around.  Ernest started sniffing his chair (he loves wheelchairs and baby strollers).   I did not know the full extent of the man’s ailments, but he couldn’t really speak and his arms and hands were basically non-functional. I asked if he wanted to see the kitty, knowing most cats would be afraid of his jerky movements and twisted arms and hands.  I picked up Ernest and set him down on the tray attached to the man’s wheelchair.  The young man was overcome.  Ernest let the man pet him and hold him and give him multiple drool-filled kisses.  Ernest just sat there.  He knew.  I know he knew.  He’s my miracle angel cat and he knew and the man’s mother knew and she and I were both weepy by the time it was over.

That was a long time ago.  Ernest is so very spoiled these days and miraculous just the same. He is open and free and makes his belly available to all who seek its divine fluffness and magic and bums rides on or in anything with wheels.

Thank you and blessings for visiting mysticmerchantsolvang.com.