Today is Monday, May 30, 2016, and it’s a holiday in the U.S.: Memorial Day. On this day in 1911, Ray Harroun won the first Indianapolis 500 motor race; as a child in Indianapolis, I used to listen to it on the radio every year, marking down the leader of each lap. Yesterday rookie Alexander Rossi won it—the first rookie winner since 2001—running out of fuel as he crossed the finish line.

Notables born on this day include Mel Blanc (1908), the voice of Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, and many other cartoon characters. Here is his real gravestone, which many of you will understand.

Exactly one year later, Benny Goodman was born.

Notables who died on this day include Joan of Arc (1431, not sure if the calendar is the same as ours), Voltaire (1778), Wilbur Wright (1912), and Rosalyn Yalow (2011). Meanwhile in Dobrzyn, Hili is insouciant:

A: Hili, do you know where my ballpoint is?
Hili: I’m not your ballpoint’s keeper.

Ja: Hili, czy wiesz gdzie jest mój długopis?
Hili: Nie jestem stróżem twoich długopisów.

Nearby in Wroclawek, Leon is making himself into a furry statue. Notice the especially striking and bold markings over his eyes and on his front legs.

Leon: So I will be an adornment here.

And yesterday Gus took advantage of the balmy Winnipeg weather to lounge by the pond in his robe.

Hili: Are you taking pictures when I need help?

A: It will be a picture of a cat in need.

Hili: Robisz zdjęcia, kiedy ja potrzebuję pomocy?
Ja: Jasne. To będzie zdjęcie kota w potrzebie.

In Wroclawek, Leon shows some unexpected ingenuity:

Leon: When a cat wants to climb a fence he must weave it himself.

And in Winnipeg, Gus is blissed out in the Spring sunshine. Look at that face, too!

Happy Monday, April 11. On this day in 1727, Bach’s “The Passion of St. Matthew” premiered in Leipzig. On this day in 1945, Allied forces liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp, and, in 1961, the trial of Adolf Eichmann began (remember “the banality of evil”?). On this day in 1976, the Apple 1, the first Apple product, was created. Six working examples remain. Notables born on this day include Kasturba Gandhi (1869) and Ethel Kennedy (1928; still with us).  Those who died on April 11 include Primo Levi (1987) and Kurt Vonnegut (2007). So it goes.

Meanwhile in Dobrzyn, Cyrus (who learned to like cats only reluctantly) is protesting that Hili is treating him like her private property:

Cyrus: I told you that I dislike cats.
A: What are you on about?
Cyrus: Look what she is doing now.

Cyrus: Mówiłem, że nie lubię kotów.
Ja: O co ci chodzi?
Cyrus: Patrz co ona teraz wyprawia.

Leon: I just had time to rest my head on the pillow when it was the end of the weekend.

Out in Winnipeg, Gus’s IKEA box has almost been converted to a cardboard mat. The lad continues to gnaw, and will need a new box soon. At least he’s getting his fiber!

Courtesy of reader Stan, here’s a photo of Dan Barker and I discussing FvF on Saturday:

Finally, readers Linda Calhoun and Diane G. both sent me this Non Sequitur cartoon by Wiley Miller. I’m sure many believers are conflicted about whether it’s offensive or not (it is):

On this day in history, according to Wikipedia, in 321 “Emperor Constantine I decrees that the dies Solis Invicti (sun-day) is the day of rest in the Empire.” On this day in 1965, it was “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama, when a group of 600 civil rights marchers were attacked by police (see the excellent move “Selma” for a reenactment). Births on March 7 include John Herschel (1792), Luther Burbank (1849), David Baltimore (1938), and Bret Easton Ellis (1964). Those who died on this day include Alice B. Toklas (1967), Stanley Kubrik (1999), and Gordon Parks (2006). It’s Teacher’s Day in Albania (any Albanian readers out there?)

Meanwhile in Dobrzyn, Hili is objecting to Andzej’s drinking milk with 0% fat: not suitable for a hungry cat!:

Hili: Are you really drinking this white water?

A: It’s very tasty.

Hili: (to herself) He’s gone mad.

(Photo: Sarah Lawson)

Hili: Ty naprawdę pijesz, tę białą wodę?
Ja: Jest bardzo smaczna.
Hili: (do siebie) On zwariował.

(Zdjęcie: (Sarah Lawson)

Out in Winnipeg, Gus is detailing the corners of his box. It’ll be gone soon, and I have no idea why he does this. The vet says that swallowing a bit of cardboard is ok, as it gives Gus “fiber”:

Finally the Dark Tabby of Wroclawek is reading, for everyone in his household reads.

Leon: It’s raining. What should I read today?