Herding Cats is One Year Old!

Break out the beer! It's the first anniversary of the blog now known as "Herding Cats". Readers were encouraged to ask questions about "Herding Cats", answers are below:

Don Wood asks: “Beer. What brands do you drink, how much, and when?"

Great question, Don, about one of my favorite subjects. My standby is Yuengling Traditional Lager and lately I’m into Sapporo, a Japanese beer. Sadly, I don’t drink as much as I used to. In the evening. You thought it was first thing in the morning, didn’t you?

Black Feline wants to know: “Why cats?” and “Randy, Paula or Simon?” Cats are famous for their independent natures. Thus, they cannot be herded. Animals that can be herded group together and follow an alpha animal which is the leader. “It was like herding cats” is a phrase that refers to a situation that, while you’re minding one part of it, other parts are going astray. Definitely describes life with two toddlers (and two cats)! I am guessing the second part of the question is an “American Idol” reference. Don’t care for the show at all, but I suppose I would say “Simon” because he’s very direct about telling people they have no talent.

Spiderwalk wants to see a picture of me, and what my favorite recipe is. I posted my picture back in July here.
(I am holding the sword I used to cut my wedding cake). And my favorite recipe is Arroz Con Pollo (chicken with rice). I’ll put the recipe in a separate post. And no, I do not want your gummy bears, but if you have some chocolate, we can talk!

Crystal asks: “Are you originally from Florida?” and “How did you meet your husband?”
I am originally from Reading, PA which is an hour and a half’s drive northwest of Philadelphia. On my 3rd anniversary this past November, I described how I met the Citizen, here. Crystal and I have the privilege of being married to very educated men. The Citizen holds a
Masters in Artificial Intelligence and an MBA. Crystal's husband recently received
a PhD in physics. Awesome.


Paul wants to know if cats are herded inside or outside. The answer, Paul, is both. Both cats and kids go outside and inside, so it’s always a matter of herding, either in or out of doors! And now it’s sunny and warm in Florida, so much more outdoor herding will occur!

Stringman inquires: “How much time have you spent in Asia?” “Ever lived there?” and “Do you speak languages other than English?” The answer to the first two is none and no, although I did seriously consider teaching English in South Korea. The cast of “Herding Cats” plans to go to China when the Branch and Blossom are old enough to both endure and enjoy the trip. I speak Spanish, not fluently, but enough words and phrases to get by.
I can perform the basics (count, ask for directions, order dinner, purchase an item, greet people, etc). I learned Spanish from a variety of sources – high school classes, Sesame Street, various Hispanic co-workers, Nanny A., and Nanny G. I also know a couple of words in Mandarin Chinese. I only recognize about 6 characters but my verbal vocabulary is several words more - I can count, say “dinner’s ready”, name off a few food items, and of course, I know the words for wine and beer! In martial arts, I can count to 20 in Korean and say “thank you”.

So, thanks for your questions. Here's looking to another great year of blogging. Thanks to all those who have stopped by and become regular readers.