A Normal Day
Believe it or not, it feels good to have a normal day. No rushing to be where we needed to be, no unusual schedules for meals . . . just me, the ole cowboy and the patio porch kitties.
Patio porch kitties . . . now there is a peace that passes all understanding. Last Wednesday morning started out just as the previous day, with very warm temperatures. Snuggles and Honey Bunny stuck around the porch, going in and out umpteen times. Harriet got a wild hair and she headed for the east portion of the acre towards the empty buildings in the neighboring lot.
The weather turned within several hours to rain, sleet, howling winds and snow. No Harriet. She knows her name and Dennis called for her numerous times. That night Dennis left the backyard light on and stuck it out in his rocker until late waiting for her. With the blowing snow, he called it and locked everything up. For each of the next three nights, the light was left on hoping against hope Harriet would march through the snow and cold. We had experienced frigid temperature with that snow and wind.
Christmas day Dennis had commented to the kids that this would now be two patio porch kitties from here on in, but it didn’t stop him from having that back light on until late every night from that Wednesday through Saturday night. When I would look out the bathroom east window each night, I could see the silhouette of Dennis sitting in his rocking chair looking to the east.
Last night, Sunday night, I looked out the bathroom window and the backyard light was off. The silhouette I saw was of Dennis rubbing the heck out of a cat. I knew Harriet had found her way home. Dennis reported she looked good and made her rounds throughout the porch and garages as if to make sure everything was where she had left it. Priceless.
Today when I looked out the bathroom window I saw Snuggles and Harriet curled up together on a pillow in one of the chairs. You wouldn’t have been able to slip a piece of paper between them. Dennis’ rocking chair is now facing south and all is well in the world on Stauffer Avenue.
No whistles or bells for us. It is the little things in our lives that allow us to feel our normal selves. Me, the ole cowboy, Honey Bunny, Snuggles and Harriet. Sweet.