Caturday 88: Out of Africa and Around the Globe

I have stumbled upon a very interesting YouTube channel: Sleepy Time History. Their presentations are usually several hours long and designed to help put you to sleep and not keep you on the edge of your seat. However, they are often so interesting that I would like to stay awake, so, I will sometimes switch to them during the day.

After having heard more than one anthropological podcast on the rise of our homo species, which I found both very informative and interesting, I came across two podcasts about cats. I am not sure that I kept awake all of the way through either one, but I found them interesting, and since it is Caturday, I will post a bit of what I think I remember, but don't bet your academic thesis on any of this without further corroboration. ;-)

Although there are various species of small cats in the world, every single cat of our somewhat domesticated variety is, like humans, African in origin — every single one, all over the world, and, apparently, the DNA from modern cats varies very little from that of the African wildcat.

The descent of cats from Africa is a complex and fascinating story. Genetic evidence suggests that domestic cats (Felis catus) are descended from the African wildcat (Felis lybica ). (Google AI)

African wildcat, Felis lybica 

Cats became honoured and domesticated in Egypt, probably at least 10000 years ago. This came about as part of the Agricultural Revolution, for as humans began to store grain, rodents were attracted and their numbers boomed. In turn, the plentiful rodent numbers attracted the African cats (Felis lybica). By feasting on the rodents, the cats became a great boon to human civilization by helping to preserve the harvest while also reducing rodent-generated disease.

Over time, the cats became venerated by the Egyptians, and I believe that one fact that I heard in my sleepy state was that a temple was discovered that had the remains of 30 000 cats — all embalmed, if you please.

Although cats were greatly favoured and protected in Egypt, some found their way onto boats, quite possibly smuggled in some cases, and they began to populate themselves throughout the Mediterranean region. For the same reason as before - rodent control - Felis lybica became important in Rome, both on land and on their hundreds of boats. They made as far as Britain by the first century CE and also to East Asia via caravan trade routes. 

The cats managed well wherever they went, living on the edges of humanity. Then, something unfortunate happened in 1233 when Pope Gregory decreed that associated cats—particularly black cats— might be used of Satan and demonically linked along with their humans. 

This became a very unfortunate time for, perhaps millions, of cats who were killed, and it has been said that some were tortured. If more cats had been around, perhaps the Black Death would have at least been mitigated somewhat, for with fewer rats, there would have been fewer fleas to transmit the dreaded disease.

Fortunately, the Reformation and Renaissance were beneficial for cats, and they then spread to the rest on the world on ships, just as they had earlier spread throughout the Roman Empire.

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I love the Sleep Time History YT channel and think it is possible that you might too.

Relaxing history explorations designed to help you unwind and fall asleep. Discover ancient civilizations, forgotten empires, and incredible human stories - told in a calm, soothing voice. Learn while you rest. Our stories are crafted with respect for history. We use AI tools to assist with research, script drafting, narration, and imagery, while we polish the final narrative. Our videos blend research with creative storytelling designed for entertainment and relaxation. They are not intended as formal academic or scientific sources. All images are AI-generated artistic impressions and may not represent actual historical people or events.

Two links to Sleepy Time Cat History

How Cats Chose Us: The Secret History of Feline Domestication | History for Sleep 

The ENTIRE History Of Cats | 10,000 BC To Today | HISTORY FOR SLEEP

White and Ice

I had my first physio session for my wrist yesterday after irritating a ligament when shovelling snow. It seems like such a minor reason to invoke physio, but it's darn irritating. Afterward, I picked up Sue to take her to townhall for her photo prompt, which involved a selfie, stairs and the colour, white, assuming of course that white is a colour.

She adopted some poses, and I became her tripod, taking photos under her direction. I'll post one now for the sake of the narrative, but I reserve the right to make another post in the fullness of time. It was the first one we took, but, of course, we took others because you never know.

It was lunch time, so we picked up coffee and turkey bacon club sandwiches at Tims and took them to our usual winter spot. I know that you will be both surprised and disappointed to learn that we did not take our usual car and coffee selfie.

As we finished our repast, we looked up to see white spots on the far bank of the river. By golly! They were the trumpeter swans, which are also white, and this is Sue's white photo week.

We trudged through the snow from the car to the river. Well, I trudged, but I think Sue flew. You can see her in the red circle.

We both got there and took pictures, but the blasted critters were hanging out on the far bank. When we got back to the car, didn't they swim to the near riverbank? Sue went back, but that trekking had been enough for my sorry foot, so I remained put.

The trumpeters visit every winter, but we never know whereabouts on the river they will appear. We like to catch them if we can. In the background of the next photo, are goldeneye ducks. We seldom see anything but mallards.

While we're here, I would like to show you where the ice stops on the river. From where Sue was standing in the red circle photo (above), if I look upstream, slightly to the left, I see where the ice cover ends abruptly because the channel is narrowing and that increases the velocity of the flow.

From the same spot, I looked downstream and saw free-flowing water with no ice to speak of.

17

I don't know quite how it happened, but my grandson, Jonathan aka JJ, has completed his 17th sun-circuit. It came very quickly, just like his birth 17 years ago. I was called to their house in the middle of the night to be there for Danica while Sue, Sha and Dad drove to the Almonte hospital. They were back in no time flat.

For now, I have decided to do postcard-style greeting cards rather than the traditional folding cards that I have been creating for so many years. You may recall me posting this photo last fall when he planted some tulip bulbs for us while doing acrobatics on the spade. I just added the text for the birthday greeting.

He requested Mary Brown chicken for birthday supper and cookies, rather than cake, for dessert. Sha ordered, and we picked up the food on our way over.

Then, the usual things occurred, depending on one's interpretation of usual, I suppose. 😎

Things Spotted

The first three items were spotted and taken by Sue, quite obviously in one case. I spotted them too, but she got the photos.

A mirror by the curb. With snow on it, Sue was able to use it for a white photo prompt. Actually, I wouldn't have spotted this one down by the snowbank.  Those are our legs btw. My jeans look khaki in the photo, but they were regular blue.

A silly old man in a red coat with his mitts dangling. It was warm enough that we could expose our hands for a minute without our fingers freezing, which has been the case recently.

A guy was doing things on the frozen pond, but it seems as though he was ice fishing, which seems odd on the small, shallow pond. He yelled that the ice was a foot thick.

Meanwhile, I was being charmed by a dog that was rolling about in the snow with great delight. I took two pics of the dog and owner.

I preferred the dog in the first photo and the person in the second, so I combined them in Photoshop. It was something to try, and it is nice to see that not all of my Photoshop skills have deserted me.

A Later and Warmer Walk

After grocery shopping this morning and then having an infuriating time with my tablet that took forever to rectify, we did not get out for our morning walk. Maybe we will do that later, but for now, I will just post a few pics from yesterday, when we also went out in the afternoon.

It was quite wonderful out there with the temperatures up to -4C/25F and with sunshine too. What more could a lowly Canadian ask for, except maybe to be shown a modicum of respect from . . .  oh never mind.

I took a photo a little ice formation looking down from the trail bridge. It's nothing special, but I thought that I would share it regardless.

Then, while Sue was photographing things elsewhere form the bridge, I saw my shadow on the vegetation. I'd never seen that before, but we usually walk in the morning. 

If you look at the little bridge in the above photo, that's where we are going next — our usual route.

There we saw out shadow again, but on the rocks and snow this time. We put our heads together. Aren't we the sweetest couple? 😉

Whilst on the little bridge, three large snow-removal trucks went by. I captured a live photo (aka short video) of one of them.

I am not sure where they dump all of the snow. I used to think that they would take it to the river, but someone pointed out that the snow would be salty, so they probably wouldn't do that. There is one dump site near us, and I will try to remember to grab a snap sometime, but there must be other dump sites too.

To Serve and Support

We help one another as best we can.

I have already described how Danica helped us with the microwave, but a few days later, it was time to take the old one to the curb to be hauled away. With both my back and wrist acting up, Shauna took her turn to help when she came by to do the lifting.

A day later, I did my bit by picking up Jonathan to take him to work. He usually calls upon me on Wednesdays for his 4 o’clock shift when no one in his two families is available.

It was 7:30 in the evening when I got another and unexpected call from JJ imploring me to drive him home after work. 

He has seldom asked me to drive him home as there are cars and drivers available in both of his domiciles. Flukishly, all 4 possible drivers were otherwise engaged, and it would be quite a hike in the dark and frigid temperatures! and he wasn’t particularly well dressed for the weather.

I told him I could be there in 10 minutes, and I made zt after changing into outside pants, donning my winter garb and backing the car out of the garage.

A day later, Danica sent this text: "Hey guys, I’m on break at work from 4:45-5. I’m just getting over my cold and I could really use something hot to drink right now. I was wondering if you guys would be able to bring me some tea in a travel mug? Preferably with honey, some milk and 2 Splenda? In a travel mug that shuts somehow as I can’t have open drinks."

Sue made two drinks: the one requested and also a hot lemon and honey beverage that might soothe a sore throat. We use it fairly frequently.

We there in about 15 minutes, hot drinks in hand. I stopped by the door, Sue got out with the drinks, and handed them to Danica who was waiting just inside the door.

And now I recall that it was only a few years ago that I would get up at 6 on a Sunday morning to drive Danica to work, so her mother could sleep in.

Although, “they also serve who only stand and wait,” I am pleased that Sue and I are not merely just waiting on the sidelines and can still help out in our own ways.

"They also serve who only stand and wait" is the final line of John Milton's 17th-century poem "On His Blindness" (Sonnet 19). It signifies that individuals who cannot act actively due to limitations—such as blindness, illness, or waiting—still serve God or a greater purpose through patience, faith, and resignation to their circumstances.

Off the Beaten Path

Sue's prompt for the day was Off the Beaten Path. Since we already had to go up the highway, we eschewed the actual highway and opted for the back roads. It wasn't a long journey in either case, for rural roads are plentiful as soon as we are outside of this town,

Are soon as we swung onto Drummond, we spotted a snowmobile trail leading who knows where. Sue hopped out to get a picture while a stayed in the car on the road to the right  

As it turns out, she didn't use that one for her post, but I think it is a good one to share here.

While I was parked, a snowplow approached (you can see some snow blowing around in the distance, above). I was beside myself with anticipation for showing you all a rural Canadian snowplow in operation. I shot a sequence through the car window, but I liked the two closest photos the best.

How great! Sue got a photo, and so did I. We continued along that road to where the trail crosses Drummond. This is the same trail that we walk in town, the one with the bridge. It is part of the OVRT (Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail).

The 296km Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail is a multi-use corridor stretching from near Smiths Falls to just shy of Mattawa, passing through Lanark County, Renfrew County and Papineau-Cameron Township.

Below, we both are out of the car and photographing each other as well as other things. I think I neglected to mention that it was another bitterly cold day (the old zero, haha), especially on our naked photo hands.

the plow is approaching in the distance

Sue's photo looks south along the trail. Our town, Carleton Place, would be a little farther along. For her post, Sue picked a photo similar to this one, but she chose a landscape (horizontal) orientation while I preferred her portrait (vertical) orientation.

Meanwhile the plow had turned around. Since I already had plow photos from our first stop, I opted for a short video clip this time. (I can't tell how this will display until I hit Publish, so I am not sure exactly what you see, but the video should be there somewhere. lol)