The Astronaut and the Velcro Cat
posted 05/08/05
Music: Midnight Train To Georgia
I met astronaut Jim Weatherby last night…commander of 6 NASA Shuttle missions. We went down the street to Mediterraneo Cafe off of NASA Road One. Jim happened to be drummer for a great band that was playing there.
During the break, I asked him about his dreams in space. He said that he didn’t actually sleep that much on his missions since they were relatively brief, so it would be good to contact some of the astronauts that worked in space for longer durations, who have more chances to dream because they have longer to adapt to the space environment.
Then he remembered a short dream he had while on a mission. In it, his cat was visiting him in space, licking his neck. When he awoke, a piece of velcro was floating in the zero g, flapping at his neck.
I am a nanny for a large family of very intelligent children. While swinging the 9 month old baby boy around in my arms, making airplane sounds, I explain to him that he should not be using drugs. In a very adult-like voice, he tells me he likes using drugs and that he’s okay. 
gaily