My Middle School Life—Humming Cats

Humming Orthodontist

I'm 13 now and for my birthday this year, my parents got me braces. What could be worse? Glasses and braces at the same time. What can I say? I stalled as much as I could, requested second opinions and additional x-rays, but then the fateful day arrived. My orthodontist is overly cheerful and hums, even sings, as he works.  He has on a radio station that plays songs from the 1970s and he does not know the words. I don't even think he realizes he is singing. Braces hurt, no matter what the nurse says. The wires are annoying and I can't eat Starbursts, popcorn, apples, ice or pizza crust for two whole years. A phone would have been a much better gift.

International Society of Smart Kids

I got an invitation in the mail to apply for the International Society of Smart Kids because I have a 90 percent or above average for five semesters. I had to fill out an application, get teacher recommendations and write an essay about who inspires me. It took me five hours to write about a Revolutionary War general that had been arrested for deserting. I guess they liked the essay, because I got in. It is a big honor; I ended up getting a medal and had to light a candle. The bad part was that it was on my actual birthday. I had to sit and listen to two hours of speeches and who likes to wear a tie and tight shoes on their birthday with their new braces? My great aunt from Rowayton came to the ceremony and is still talking about it.

Feral Cats

My sister Alyson always has a project. She tried to mate beta fish, but there were no eggs. She tried to create a four leaf clover patch and it rooted, but didn't multiply, then turned brown and died. She had an art business selling pictures of unicorns for the Humane Society, but her teacher shut down her business. But now, after all these other projects, she has succeeded—in catching feral cats. 

We were home watching Ulysses (don't ask) one night and heard screaming and whimpering outside. We rushed out to find crazy cats fighting, yelling and running around. Then they woke us up at night and ran around all day. They fought and screamed relentlessly. So my sister and mom went to the New Rochelle Humane Society, took a class, rented a trap and finally caught one last night. It took WEEKS to get this cat. Our neighbors had no faith in us on this one. They snickered from behind the fence.

In the midst of it al,l skunks descended upon our property and scared away the cats for a few days, but then the cats wandered back. We set up the trap and caught one! My sister was ecstatic, named the cat Silver (even though he's gray) and brought the cat in to the Humane Society. By the way, after the vet spays and inoculates him, we get him back. My sister is considering a career in pets now and started watching shows like "My Cat from Hell' (a bald and tattooed 'cat behaviorist' with a guitar case of equipment solved cat problems). Did I mention that I am allergic to cats and the 'cat room' at the Humane Society is nuts for me!

My friend George has no long sleeve shirts. He does not wear a jacket or coat at all, he wears a sweatshirt even if it's snowing!

Thanks for reading! :)