Congratulations, your cat is making biscuits.

If you are new to my blog, I have written two previous "Congratulations" posts relating to our lovely dogs out there (https://www.plantingkindness365.com/post/congratulations-your-dog-is-snoring and https://www.plantingkindness365.com/post/congratulations-your-dog-is-a-good-person). I would be honored if you took a read!

If you're a cat lover, you know that the ultimate sign of cat relaxation is when they put on their little chef hats and start making some fresh, (vegan) buttery biscuits. They are dedicated little bakers, and some cats will be in the biscuit business for long stretches of time. As someone who has two cats, I know that Pheebs and Lilah are doing okay when they are playing chef.

If you have no idea what I am talking about, I'll give a little context. When cats are first born, they have the innate knowledge to knead their mother's belly to stimulate milk production. It is a way to ensure that they are getting fed - the most basic need of any newborn creature. It's pretty incredible to think about. For many cats, they will continue this kneading motion even after they have been weaned from their mother, but instead of their mother's belly, they will choose a new safe space (often a favorite blanket or piece of cloth) to make those biscuits. I don't know the exact reasons why they continue to do this, but I do know that their biscuit making is a very relaxing activity. More or less, you'll only see a cat knead if they are in a state of relaxation and are comfortable in their environment.

I've recently been thinking about what it means to create a home for my two cats. To some people, this may seem a bit odd, but if you know me personally, you'll not be too surprised by my pondering. I think that it is very easy to get caught up in the stress of our day-to-day. It seems like every day comes with a new shocking headline or revelation. Many of us worry constantly about big issues (i.e., climate change, institutional systems of oppression, the political climate, inflation, mental health, etc). Personally speaking, I find it hard to "keep calm and carry on" when I know there is so much going on in our world. While I certainly can't change much, I know that one thing I do have control over is caring for my living space and the two little feline ladies that act as if they own the joint.

I feel a sense of calm to see my little bakers in action; it reminds me that I create love and tranquility simply by being me. I am grateful for this lesson. Especially when things feel they aren't going our way, noticing our positive impact on our environment is really important. We don't have to solve every large crisis out there. We can try to do our part and be a part of the change, but that change doesn't always have to look so grand. Maybe, just maybe, we are creating a better world simply by being the kind souls we are. We are advocates for the biscuit-making movement! That's not a thing. But you get my point?

Anyway, I always look forward to Phoebe and Lilah's baking sessions. I am thankful to be witness to their tranquil states of being. I don't think it has to be much bigger than that.