A nap of 60 minutes improves alertness for up to 10 hours. Research on pilots shows that a 26-minute "Nasa" nap in flight (while the plane is manned by a copilot) enhanced performance by 34% and overall alertness by 54%. One Harvard study published last year showed that a 45-minute nap improves learning and memory. Napping reduces stress and lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke, diabetes, and excessive weight gain.

Napping: the expert’s guide | Life and style | The Guardian

I have a brother who is grossly overweight. He obviously gets no exercise at all, laying about all day as if he had no responsibilities. I, on the other hand, am very active and helpful around the house; thus, my incredibly svelte figure and to-die-for muscle tone.

Here is a photo of me helping with the laundry. I also keep the top of the computer monitor dusted. Once daily, I move useless clutter– pens, paperclips, papers, etc.– from the Big Guy’s desk to the floor where it can be collected and removed. For some reason, he just puts it back on the desk. At least, I am doing my fair share to keep things in order.

Okay…. something weird just happened which will move this article into the category of `Funny Human Tricks`… the Girl Who Feeds Me just lifted my tail toward the Big Guy and said, in her `cat voice`: “Hey there, dude!”

I am sorry, but I fail to see the humor in making my rear end look like it’s talking but, hey, I am not a Human. I do not claim to understand them; I just keep them around for amusement.

I could brood about the Man keeping the feline down, but I won’t… even though I did overcome a bit of depression by taking a long nap.

Fame is like a bad itch… so elusive.

On a more positive note, I have decided to name my newest Human “The Girl Who Sleeps.” I swear, she has got to be part cat. Or a relative, ’cause that sister can snooze.

Anyway, I quickly discovered that the top of a computer monitor is a great place to take a nap. Those things give off the heat! I have enjoyed many a dream-filled repose since I discovered the top side of the Dell M991.

In fact, I have become a bit of a monitor connoisseur. Rule #1 — stay away from flat panels; you can get hurt. Permanent wedgy, I tell you. Rule #2 — get a grip. I tend to move a lot in my sleep; on a 8-inch-wide perch with a 10-degree downslope, I find myself on the floor or wedged between the wall and the credenza quite often.

Rule #3 — don’t overdo it. With triple-digit temps and after hours of snuggly goodness, I occasionally find my nethery regions singed and in need of a soothing salve. Too much of a good thing is… well, good; but you know what I mean. Employ some “monitor moderation;” at least, until you build up your tolerance.

Time for a nap.

The new Human is working out just fine. I guess if she’s going to stay, I need to give her a name. I will have to think about it for a while; she’s an odd one.

Back to sleep.

On a positive note, the Big Guy moved his office to free up some space for the new Human. I insisted on a spot up high with a view of the outdoors. I don’t get out much, but it’s essential to keep up with what’s going on.

Here’s a pic of me in my new spot. It’s nice, but I may need a heating pad. It’s gonna be a cold winter, I hear.

(Okay, so it was about 20  humans. Look at it from my perspective…. count the legs, give triple score for the two boys, “Twister” and “Ricochet,” and add in a few extra points for Wii Tennis… now we’re close to triple digits.)

I spent most of the afternoon asleep. After the Skinny Cousin opened presents, everyone but the Boss, the Big Guy, the Girl Who Feeds Me and the Cute Girl With Bathroom Duty went home. Oh, yeah, the Skinny Cousin spent the night as well. All in all, it was a pretty good day.

It’s time for another nap.