Greg’s Happenings by Greg Kristapovich
“Meeeeow. Meeeeeow, Purrrrrr.” Bubba the Cat wanted me to relay that important communication to all my readers. Translated, Bubba’s message means: start getting all your Christmas cards out! You know, one of the most satisfying parts of my job delivering the SMT is petting and cuddling all the animals on my route! Take Bubba the Cat, for example (pictured above). He’s the official “shop cat” at the Columbia Candle and Soap Works. Recently, I sat down and chatted with Kim Kyhl, the owner of the shop; who revealed some incredible history about Bubba!
Bubba, through his exploits has literally become a world-famous feline. In fact, says Kim, “he gets more Christmas cards than I do! A lot of people come from all over, to see him! And, I have a picture of a little girl who came in wearing this “I love Bubba” tee shirt, because she knew she was going to come to see Bubba!” But just how did the story of Bubba begin? “He just showed up at our old shop, down the street“, Kim recalls. “He just showed up and wouldn’t go home! We figured he was somebody’s cat, like, from one of the mobile home parks. He was fat, like he is now.” Kim theorized that Bubba would just sit all day and eat salmon, cat food and tuna fish while the lady sat on the couch and watched soap operas and ate Bon Bons.” (Hey, watch it, Kim, I watch soap operas, too; e.g. Days of Our Lives.) “We listed him as “found”, Kim stressed. “But nobody reported him missing, and he would not leave the shop!”
And how did he get his cute name? “Because he was so fat,” Kim admits. “I’ve had him on about ten diets, but it never seems to work. The only diet that kinda worked for a while was called the “Catkins Diet”. It’s a high protein, zero carbs diet. So you let the your cat eat as much wet cat food as he wants and just give him a little, tiny bit of dry cat food” Kim explains. “And he did lose weight on that diet, but when the kitten (“Bubbles”) came along, we just let Bubba eat whatever he wanted.” Bubbles, by the way, is Bubba’s adopted “daughter”. “It was last summer,” Kim remembers. “Our shop was in the old barn down the road. We found them both inside the barn, in the morning. We didn’t know how they got inside…unless…that wall, that building, it has huge openings. Bubba found “Bubbles” somewhere, and wanted to keep her!” So, Bubba had adopted both Kim, and Bubbles! “What’s so strange is that Bubba never really liked other cats,” Kim revealed. “Then, all of a sudden, he just adored this little kitten. And, if someone tried to pick Bubbles up, and she would start crying, Bubba would come out and ”MEOW!!!” at that person! One time, somebody stepped on Bubbles, and Bubba followed the guy around the shop going ‘MEOW!!! MEOW!!!!’ Like, ‘Get out of here! Don’t step on my kitten!’”
But Bubba is a lovable cat. Kim describes Bubba as a “purebred stray – and a hugging cat! He can jump up, and then he’ll actually crawl up on people! Or, he’ll follow people around until they pick him up! Then, he gives you ‘massage with acupuncture!’ And, if you hold him, face to face, just the right way, he’ll hug you!” Some people don’t realize that Bubba was among the ten runners-up in Tuolumne Pet Idol, a couple years ago. Indeed, he is a celebrity cat! And he has done some rather interesting things, too. Displaying his acute gymnastic skills, Bubba would sit on a ledge, right next to the wood stove, (back at the old shop.) There was a 4-inch rail around the stove, and Bubba could balance up there! “Over here,” says Kim, “he liked to crawl into a glass case and fall asleep, inside the case; so people would think he was for sale! But he’s priceless!” So, sometime this holiday season, stop by and say “Hi!” to Bubba!
So, after I finished my Bubba research/interview, I hopped back into my truck to resume my SMT deliveries; which took me back to one of my favorite enclaves: Murphys. I was feelin’ kinda hungry, and had a craving for some health food. So, I stopped into Nelson’s Columbia Candy Kitchen, (at 328 Main Street.) I Offered a cheerful “Howdy!” to manager Lorna, and procured some tasty dark chocolate covered peanut brittle. Some folks think I’m kidding when I say I buy health food in the Candy Kitchen, but it’s true! In fact, they’ve posted a newspaper article from the Washington Post, dated October 13, 2008, that backs up my claim! The article states, “A recent study by Italian researchers may add new meaning to those heart-shaped boxes of chocolates…..Eating small amounts of dark chocolate every day can reduce the inflammation that leads to heart disease, according to a study published in the September issue of the Journal of Nutrition! People who eat dark chocolate regularly have lower levels of C-reactive protein in their blood, (an indication of inflammation.) But just how much dark chocolate can you get away with eating? Only about 0.23 ounces a day, or one typical-sized Hershey bar, over the course of six and one-half days. Sorry milk-chocolate lovers: only dark chocolate appears to have these healthy heart benefits!” Oh, and yeah, the Candy Kitchen has some really groovy gift ideas in there, too! Next week, we’ll explore the intersection of Main Street and Big Tree Road, one of Calaveras County’s “Best Kept Secret Spots” that offers gourmet dining and unique gifts – not to mention “wine tasting; as well as “beer tasting, coffee tasting and apple cider tasting!!
Thank goodness the Mother Lode has some awesome radio stations! I’d go nuts if I didn’t have something interesting to listen to as I travel my SMT routes. I’m tuning into the Bruce Hayes afternoon/commute show on Star 92.7 (out of Sonora); and I know I can call in a request; but I’m low on cellular minutes this month. So I will present my request right here and now. I want to hear “(It’s a) Five O’clock World” by the Vogues. The song was a big hit in the sixties, and has even been used as the theme song for the Drew Carey Show!! The song kinda reminds me of the days when I worked 9 to 5, in a corporate office; and it would give me (and probably a lot of current day working stiffs) a real rush if we heard it on the radio again! How ‘bout it, Bruce?
Heard that Dodge Ridge Ski Resort is preparing to open on December 15th, and Bear Valley on December 8th. As I type this column, I’m stepping away from my desk to do another hippy dippy rain dance. It worked about three weeks ago. I’ll try it again. I’m ready to rock and roll up in the snow, and I’ve already got my plastic saucer all waxed up!
LAST MINUTE REMINDERS: The world famous Sonora Christmas Festival will be held at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds, the 28th through the 30th. Believe me, this festival is AWESOME!…..Also, try to make it over to Murphys for what should be a dynamite rock and roll show at the”Growler” Craft Brewery at 164 Hwy 4, Saturday, November 29th! Bar XX will start playing at 8 p.m., and there’s no cover charge!…..and, you might also want to mosey over to the Nugget (only about two blocks away, at the corner of Main Street and Big Trees Road) It’s confirmed: a legendary psychedelic R&B band that started in the late 60s will be appearing! By the way, I’ve been so impressed by the way that Dennis Sanfilippo has renovated/refurbished his Nugget Bar, I am now proudly wearing the official “Nugget” tee shirt! It’s stenciled on both sides: front says “If blues was money, I’d be a millionaire!!!” – Deacon Jones (who is a renowned blues singer, keyboardist.)He also recently performed at the Nugget. Back of the shirt say, “The Nugget Bar in Murphys, CA….”Dig it at the Nugget” I’ve officially added this tee to my ever-growing tee collection. It is #589, and presently, my most cherished tee!
I’m about ready to boogie, but before I do; just want to remind my readers: my reporter’s HOTLINE is open! It’s (209) 559-8368. I’d especially like to hear from anybody with knowledge of “no cover charge” shows; fundraisers; benefit shows; free appetizer happy hours and other good stuff! Also, if anyone knows any good jokes about politics, Christmas or snowstorms, call ‘em in! (The jokes can’t be incendiary or too vulgar though). You can include your name with any submissions (if you want to); so that I can properly acknowledge you in my column!
Hey, gotta go! But remember: Peace, Love and Pussycats!
