I noticed that by the last photo, you seem to have outgrown cat strangling. I was so concerned when I saw your tiny little hands around that orange tabby's neck.
The question that's burning in my brain on reading this that I must have answered in detail is what do you call "me"...what is "me"? I need to know. I really need to know. Please take me seriously even though I've been slinging silliness in subtantial amounts of slop.
If you look closely, you can see that one hand is under Kitten's armpit, so that there is no actual strangling involved. One of the many good things my mother did for me in this lifetime was teach me how to hold cats without strangling them. Considering this was probably a first try, you can see how the image indicates that I was a natural with animals... they used to call me the Cat Tamer. For reals. I have a knack for even getting mostly feral cats to let me hold them.
Me? I do take your question seriously. I think that's part of what would be answered in the writing of The Thing. Not gonna call it the B word right now. Me. Me equals being comfortable in not knowing who the fuck I am and accepting that as fluidity and freedom. Me equals actually fairly scared of a lot of the things I try and do but try/do them anyway. Me equals haven't been eaten by a bear yet or split my head open on the ice so I'm probably doing ok. Me equals walking around the store oblivious to the giant splat of crow shit on my beanie and collar of my jacket. But also me equals not just me, but the sum of real connections I make with other beings.
OK. I looked real, real, real close and I see this...
Your right arm is under the kitten's right forearm but also has a good grasp under the head if you look closely at that fingergrip. Your left hand has good grip from the back of what looks the scruff of the kitten's neck. Looks like you're wearing pee protection. Right leg of kitten looks like it's trying to find purchase there.
Did I look close enough?
Love the last pic yet again (liked all the others, stared way too much at all of them), you doing your cat magic on what looks like steps, forgot to say that. Total natural with animals, but then, I noticed that way back when...
I really like your way of answering the me question; flows in a lovely way. I also think it's pretty admirable to write The Thing, aka B, your story. Couldn't and wouldn't do it myself, even if I could...the thought alone exhausts me.
Thanks! To everything. And I guess that explains why the kitten asphyxiated and died shortly after that photo was taken.
Snark snark snark SHARK!!!
You're welcome. To everything.
You said, look real close. I did just that and reported back in a comment flash. I felt I was accurate.
p.s. I know you're not a kitten strangler. I couldn't help myself.