Cato the Elder

[Catus Marlicus, The Elder Statesman]

The ancient historian Plutarch tells us:

"The Romans used to call men who had no family distinction, but were coming into public notice through their own achievements, "new men," and such they called Cato. But he himself used to say that as far as office and distinction went, he was indeed new, but having regard to ancestral deeds of valour, he was oldest of the old. His third name was not Cato at first, but Priscus. Afterwards he got the surname of Cato for his great abilities. The Romans call a man who is wise and prudent, catus. "

"As for his outward appearance, he had reddish hair, and keen grey eyes, as the author of the well-known epigram ill-naturedly gives us to understand:"

'Red-haired, snapper and biter, his grey eyes flashing defiance,

Porcius, come to the shades, back will be thrust by their Queen.'

[Plutarch, Life of Cato the Elder, 2-3]

Pliny on Idleness

[The famous Marley-Cat, in front of a soporific winter fire]

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"What are you doing, and what are your plans? As for me, I'm enjoying life to the full, which means I am thoroughly idle. Consequently I cant be bothered with writing longer letters in my pampered state, though I should welcome some to read in my idle hours. No one is so lazy as a pampered man [or cat]  ... with nothing to do."

Pliny, Letter to Cornelius Titianus  

Building The Imperial Legacy

"Rome was not built in a day"

 And neither, let me tell you, was my Mum's garage!

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It is incumbent on every emperor  to bestow a physical legacy for the betterment and benefit of mankind; as well of course as to ensure the mark and glorification of their own magnificent reign.

Great baths, theatres, fora and aqueducts dominate the ancient world and still endure to perpetuate the memory of our imperial ancestors.

Indeed, it can be one of the pressures of being an emperor, to know that one must build .... and it is a pressure that I have not been immune from.  The last two summers have seen the emperor building his own modest legacy.

[Video of Great Garage Build, Kinross 2011. Click to Play]

So in my own modest way, I can now somewhat relax.  At least until next Summer, when ramping and landscaping will follow.  

Marley Cat

[The Famous Marley Cat, warming himself into a stupor under his favourite lamp]

Special Guest: Marley Cat

Marley Likes: Jan & John Campbell, occasional fighting with other cats, eating, sleeping and purring. He is affectionately known as the purr factory. Marley is a man cat and he seems to prefer man hugs more than womanly cuddles. He is also very pliable and allows my brother (John) to bend him into almost any shape. As you can see from the pics, Marley also really likes to work the camera!
Marley dislikes: Tara (my Mum's dog) being mean, Vicky 'the abandoner' and being sprayed with water.

Background: Marley was rescued as a very young kitten from a house-fire in Dunfermline by my sister. When she could not look after him, Marley came to my Mum (Jan) and he continued to have black soot coming out his wee nose for some time. Coming from Dunfermline, he is technically a Fifer, but we do not hold that against him. The early separation from his mother has, however, meant that Marley missed out on some basic cat grooming skills - I won't go into that.
Famous exploits: Marley recently broke into and ate an entire bag of novelty chocolate coins, biting the metallic wrappers off each coin.
Political Outlook: Like many cats, Marley feels disconnected with the current political system. However, were he to vote, I suspect he would have a sort of Dutch liberal attitude.
Worst moment: Having his temperature taken at the vets and not at the front end! (My brother believes that he and Marley really bonded over this experience).
Trivia: Marley occasionally uses his indoor, state-of-the art covered cat-litter, which has a roof and a cat-flap door. This household amenity is known within my family as Marley's Pooping Palace. He also enjoys 'sunbathing' under his favourate lamp on the dresser.