By Jeanette M. Pintar - with inspiration from Misty

The life of a cat isn't all luxury. After all, it does require keeping humans on schedule, along with messing up all piles of paper or at least holding them down so they don't float up to the ceiling. In addition, a cut must hunt for its food - which can usually be found in the same place day after day - chase away and sometimes eat all bugs, keep cantankerous birds in line, and greet all who pass by. Yet even with this kind of demanding schedule, Misty would always find time to partake in the simple joy of basking in the fragrance of flowers, her favorite being hyacinths.

Maybe Misty and most cats don't have the mile-long to-do list that most people do, but she did have the right idea about taking time out to enjoy life's most basic pleasures, literally stopping to smell the flowers. It's an easy thing to do and can literally change one's mood in a matter of seconds. Seeing how peaceful Misty was sitting next to a Hyacinth or roses always invited me to join her momentarily. Taking in the sweet aroma would lift my spirits immediately. When I walk to the grocery store or pass by any landscaped setting on foot, I always stop to take a sweet whiff. You can, too. If you don't have flowers year round, go buy some! One strand of a star-gazer lily, freesia, purple rose, hyacinth, or other fragranced flower can bring a sense of joy to an otherwise dreary or stressed-out setting.

--- © Jeanette M. Pintar, Inspired by Misty