LOL, thanks for the suggestions. And I will not be ditching the boyfriend. We've been together for over 7 years, he's a keeper. I've always had the rule that cats are not allowed on the kitchen counters. That's just a pet peeve of mine, and Bruce agrees with me.
I have no clue what he wants on the counter. He is allowed EVERY where else in the house (kitchen table-when we aren't eating, and he's catching on to that rule, dining room table-because we don't use that table for eating, bathroom counters-although he doesn't get up there often).
He has access to several windows (with the help of cat trees) as well as three sliding glass doors and the front storm door to see out of. And he never goes to the window in the kitchen. I think he's attracted to the smells up on the counter. We do keep the counter clean.
I like the idea of using something minty smelling. That way it doesn't bother our noses but maybe he won't like it.
Oh, and as far as the boyfriends hysterics (LOL) we started out taking the nice but firm approach. And since that has absolutely no affect on Jax he just gets irritated that he'll get him down and then by the time he sits back down in the chair to continue working Jax is back up on the counter again. It's not even when we turn our back on him, he does it right in front of us!
I realize the hysterics are eventually just ignored. And our house is such a loud household anyway, the animals become immuned to the noise. (Except Taggart does not like us yelling, even if we aren't yelling in anger.)
Ok, I am going to talk to Bruce tonight about some of the ideas given here and see what we can do. I really appreciate all the great suggestions.
And I will be taking pictures soon for the PT calendar so I will post some of them.