The Rule of 3

When I took Intro to Permaculture, I was exposed to the Rule of 3 which basically states that one needs three sources of everything necessary and everything needs to provide three uses. For example, we all need water. A permaculturalist would make sure she had three sources of water, such as city water, well water, and rain water (or in my city-dweller case city water, rain water, and reverse osmosis water I buy at the food co-op). The second half of that is that everything needs to serve three purposes. For example, dandelions provide me with food, medicine, and it attracts beneficial insects like bees to my garden.

It's Sunday. I think that is a good excuse to be lighthearted. So, I'm sitting here pondering the Rule of 3 in my life, and I start to wonder "What three things does my cat provide me"? This is a stupid question, of course, because any cat lover knows that it is we who serve them, not the other way around. Still....what am getting out of this relationship? Permaculture is all about high yields with minimum human labor. My cat is labor intensive. Am I getting enough return on my investment?

She definitely provides companionship. She's all up in my business 24/7 and gives me a lecture if I leave her alone for too long. She provides cheap entertainment. She is a master at cuteness and can have a great time with a box, an ink pen, or a piece of string. Beyond that, I had to think long and hard about a third benefit derived from my relationship with my cat. Finally, it dawned on me. She reduces unwanted bugs. If an insect gets in the house, she is on it. Oh, joy! I can justify the existence of my cat in my permaculture paradise. All is now right with the world.