Grimalkin

Today, I am pressuring my mamma and Pasqua to rename the stray kitten we have been feeding. I do not like that Pasqua's mouse toy and the stray kitten have the same name: Grigio.

They are not liking my idea, but I think a better name for the kitten is "Grimalkin" - what do you think?

A greymalkin is an archaic term for a cat, stemming from the colour, "grey" + "malkin", an old term  meaning: cat, a low class woman, a weakling, or a form of the female name Maud. By the 1630s, "graymalkin" had been altered to the modern spelling "grimalkin".

For avid readers, not of just my blog 😉, you may recall the term used in both Nathanial Hawthorne's, House of the Seven Gables or Shakespeare's. MacBeth. Or perhaps you are familiar with the character of the same name in Joseph Delaney's books. 

I think it is a great name for a grey cat, wouldn't you agree? I realize, however, doing this would change our Italian family Italian name theme. Hmmm...

Pasqua is unamused with the idea of the name he suggested for the stray kitten being altered.

We have had a raccoon sighting as of late - maybe he can go by "Grimalkin" - he is awfully cute, wouldn't you agree? But we are nervous that he is hanging around, as we don't want him to hurt our little feral kitten. Pray hard, Readers, that all of the wildlife get along around here! Thank you.

Interesting tid-bit: the French prophet and astrologer, Nostradamus, supposedly had a cat named Grimalkin.

Just hanging in our cat tree together. ❤

We sure hope you enjoyed your week and weekend, and that your week ahead is wonderful.

Purr & Paw,
-Stivali.

When our actions do not/Our fears do make us traitors. - Act 4, Scene 2, MacBeth.

What if I was given a "real" name?

People have asked us what my "real" name is; or when is my mamma going to give me a "real" name.

What is it about "Stray Cat" which makes people believe that this is NOT a real name?  People name their children all sorts of things from Soapy Water to River to Sunshine - - - does anyone ask those parents when they are going to rename their child a "real" name?

The funny thing about humans and their opinions of names or anything else really, is, why don't they just keep their dang opinion to themselves?

If you don't like my name or anyone else's be grateful it is not YOUR name and YOU don't have to wear it.

Humans are funny.  In my world, funny is synonymous with rude in this instance. 😺 Humans can be rude and they don't even realize it.  If what comes out of a mouth isn't a blessing to the ears listening to the words... then, no need to say it.  Keep it inside.

Wooo, don't let me digress!   This will start to sound like an advice column from a cat, hahaha!

Anyhow, I like being called "Stray Cat" - it reminds me of where I came from and how unhappy I was until my mamma took me in the warmth of her home.

She also has many many nic-names for me, all out of loving affection - Boohbahla, Boohbah, Buddy, Bubbie - and other spontaneous names... Her friends call me "Chubby" or "Chunky" but I prefer ma's nic-names for me.

I wonder what she would have called me had she listened to everyone initially.  Once she decided to keep me, what would she have changed my name from Stray Cat to? What? ...Charlie? I know she always wanted to name her next cat Picerno (pronounced Pi-chair-no) or Potenza after her family's home, and perhaps call the kitten "Pitchy" or "Enzie" but those names do not suit me.  Arancia  (Italian "orange") was another possibility for me... but I would not want my nic-name to be reminiscent of a chia pet.  😹

Other than Stray Cat, I think I may have liked, "Cutie" - she calls me that on occasion and I really believe it and like it. I am cute, after all.  If I was given a "real" name, that would be my first choice.

What would you think would be the best name for me? If I was given a "real" name?