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The first unofficial musical mind-mending mental health convocation was held by a small ensemble of guitar owning educators and part-time philosophers who gathered after work one day to create mind-mending music to get them through the rest of the week. These gatherings took place in a local workshop a little out of town. No one complained because no one noticed. No one noticed because no one knew there was something to look for. The plan of the first gathering was to test the belief that music hath charms to soothe..........and these guys realized that they needed some regular soothin'......

The sessions became a weekly therapy session that included music with a occasional story or theory of life, but with time there was less and less music and more and more talking. Several non-playing visitors sat in occasionally and benefitted from the stress-reducing music, stories, and an occasional head butt on the leg from a resident feline.

The original mama cat in the shop spent the early sessions walking around, occasionally lounging in an open guitar case or climbing overhead, all in a frenzied feline quest for the optimum acoustic listening location. Several litters later, there is still a cat or two to be found, continuing the search. There was always a dog or two outside, but it is not clear whether the dogs were not allowed to participate or if they chose not to take part on their own.

The shop came to be called the - what else - Cathouse. Although these gatherings did not include the distractions most commonly associated with your average cathouse - namely, women and liquor - the meetings were just as intoxicating and therapeutic to the participants. To be totally honest, on one particular night a visitor presented an offering of some 10-day wine (the good stuff) from a local family compound in Blue Ball, but it would have been more fitting to use it as syrup poured over pancakes or in snow cones.

Several intermissions were declared during a session one night to check on the birth of a litter that happened to be delivered during a session.

The healing power of the weekly appointments drew others to the shop from time to time as well for mind mending. Between musical selections, many of life's unanswered questions and dilemmas were explored and discussed. As time wore on, the number of songs played decreased while the distribution of wisdom and vision increased. A list of rules and fines to be levied was devised to ensure that the conversations remained at the highest level of consciousness.

All good things must come to an end; and so did this...

The regular weekly healing sessions ended, but the participating brethren continued to meet once in a great while for a booster mind-mending session. To paraphrase one of the most often referred to lines from a George Strait movie, the best description of the experience could be, "Sure is good." There is always a chance that another session could break out if they get the urge and everybody needs some healing. Lord have mercy if this group convenes again.

A recorder was brought to a few sessions to capture the wisdom and healing qualities to bring the Cathouse gang back to that place, if only in their minds.

Note: Name references have been deleted when necessary to protect the brethren from an onslaught of fame, glory, and riches that would follow; Not to mention the inevitable legions of lost souls and seekers of truth that would be sure to follow if identities were revealed.......

From the label of a bottle of wine produced at the Milliard Compound Vineyard in Blue Ball, Arkansas, and presented to the brethren at a weekly meeting of the Mind Menders.

Cathouse Special Reserve Blend - aged 10 days - the good stuff.....

It's not as good as Jesus made, but it will do until something better comes along...

Instructions for proper use:

-Take as needed for depression, constipation, indigestion and/or malnutrition.

-One small cup, prior to musical performances, one halfway through for a lift, and one at the end of performance.

-No liability implied by the brewer. Enjoy.

-Caution: Enhances conversation; Encourages lying.