Sunday, September 22, 2013

Of my lady love and nature's creatures...


A few thoughts from yours truly as I contemplate the departure of my beloved Mom #2, who came, conquered my heart once again, and left me for the big city.   She is the love of my life, the cream in my coffee, and the closest to Mother Teresa that there is in this world since it was she who saved my life 5 years ago when I was dispossessed. I had a wonderful weekend with her and loved every minute of cuddling and being petted. I love the way she takes off her gazillion bracelets and rings and spreads them out on the floor for me to admire. It's the rush that a bargain shopper feels when he goes to Paris and sees the Moroccans spreading their wares on a cheap sheet near the Eiffel Tower.  It's like being in heaven to be with her. Or at a flea market, especially when she spreads  her stuff out on the kitchen table. I just melt when she does that!  My dream is to take on of those tempting shiny objects and hide it somewhere that only I can access. I've been hoping for a bracelet.

 





 


I apologize for not wearing an ascot and looking more formal as I prepare this post, but it's late and I've had a hard couple of days. My paws were trembling too much to bother with accessories. Yesterday, as I was sunning myself in the breezeway, keeping an eye on the front of the house, totally minding my own business, 8 huge turkeys came wandering into my view. I was frozen by fear, unable to move away, so I played "Statues" with my not-so-bright  bro Leo, who was quaking next to me.  He was convinced that they had come to kill us, an idea that seemed to have some credibility as we watched the tribe peck at the plants near the door and head toward us.  Closer and closer they came, truly ugly creatures with razor-sharp beaks and beady eyes. Killer eyes... The eyes of a band of rogue killers...

Could they try to squeeze through the mail slot and pull off a Santa-style invasion?  As it turned out, all they were interested in was passing under the fence to feed at the bird feeder, which was a great source of entertainment. Bunch of wimps!  Still, they left me shaky.

I turned to face the deck, always a safe bet for  birdwatching, and catching up with the myriad of other critters out there... easy to spot squirrels, butterflies, chimpmunks and hummingbirds... a truly sylvan setting.  As I gazed at the birds doing their kamikaze diving routines over the deck, I suddenly realized that they weren't just showing off for my benefit-- they were fleeing the scene, and fast.  I stood on my hind paws to see what there was to see, and almost croaked to see a hawk flying over the deck. I was convinced that the turkeys had done some recon and had sent him for me.  After all, a feline such as I would make a very taste appetizer for a huge hawk, especially my flank meat.

I admit to screeching in fear and running for the kitchen, only to run into my human mom, who scooped me up and noted that my fur was on end and my tail was about 5 times its normal thickness.  Fear will do that to you.  Kind of the opposite of  how cold water affects the human male. "What's the matter, Nico, are you scared?" she crooned as she brought me into the living room.  I snuggled under her armpit and tried to hide. Human Dad went out to the breezeway to see what was going on and closed the slider.  

I was safe! I would live another day!

But I'm still a bit scared.  I hope you'll all respect me after this confession.