Thanks for your kind words. I'm somewhat of a newbie when it comes to cats. Prior to welcoming my Lucien into my home 3 years ago I had zero experience whatsoever in all things feline... and I'm still learning. :)

My cat always gets startled by noises such as the loud "ssssss!" diced onions make when hitting hot oil on a pan, or when I'm using the coffee grinder or ripping a piece of foil paper, so if she's eating or otherwise hanging around in the kitchen while I do these things, I wait until she's gone. I'm afraid I'm going…

Hmmm... That might be synesthesia, though...

(frankly I suspect its just yellow dye#5 in a squeeze-bottle). ==> My thoughts exactly.

My mind immediately went to Jim Moriarty. :(