There’s something about the blues. Dunno why. Dunno how. But they hook in deep and hit something inside of me. I’m not the first person who’s felt that way. And I sure as hell won’t be the last.

Now while the Blues Brothers movie is awesome and truly sparked a renewed interest in the blues, the music itself had a long and storied history in American culture. It’s given us so much and well, has served as the pulse of so many of our loves, hates, wars and peace. Countless authors are inspired by the grittiness of the music and well, we can’t even begin to list the number of musicians who have embraced the blues not only as their specific form of music but also built upon it, adding twists and turns to its hooks and slides.

I’m sharing one of my faves. John Lee Hooker. Man knew his way around a tune.

Badger joined our household a couple of years and well, he was a handful. Found on the street with a serious back and leg wound, he didn’t like to be touched and had opinions about how he wanted to interact. He played too rough with Harley and someone at some point taught him that jumping at someone’s face was a good idea.

That was quickly discouraged and he settled into the household, still with his opinions and an attitude. He was a young, large not-quite-cat who needed to be taught that being loved was okay.

And he has learned that. Over the past few months, he’s turned into a very snuggly yet demanding cat who loves scritches and will paw at you if he wants attention. He enjoys going out into his catio so he can sit in the fresh air and watch birds as well as finding a lot of joy and delight in chasing his youngest sister, Goji around. Since Goji joined the household, he’s had a playmate who plays as rough as he does since Harley is a bit of a delicate thug. Harley likes playing but after a little bit, she’d rather go snuggle up to the dog or get her belly rub.

The Toxic Twins, however, rough-house about until I’m sure the walls are shaking.

He still only eats dry food but he’s settled in. And he knows he’s home. That’s always the best feeling… when the cat you bring in from the kind of shitty outside realizes he is loved and that he has a very significant place in your world.