The Long Awaited Day, Part 2

 

⭐

            On that very same morning, Thaga awoke because the sun was shining in the bedroom window, which faced east, of course. Her first thought was to arise and let Harold the tomcat out of the house for the morning. Ooog lay beside her on the door side of the bed, snoring, with his long white braid lying out across the pillow. It took more than a little sunshine to wake Ooog.
            Thaga dressed quickly. She may have had an inkling about the day, because she put on her newest floral print dress, and a nice pink striped apron. It felt warm in the room, no sweater today. She slid into her knitted slippers and went out to locate Harold.
            He was waiting patiently by the door, as always. She opened the door and watched Harold stroll out, tail in the air, then she stepped out herself, to get a breath of morning air. As she usually did, she looked to the sky, to assess the weather and to take some time to plan her day. It was a fine deep blue morning sky. But wait, there was something up there. It was hard to see because of the light conditions. Just a speck of something, very high.
            Thaga squinted up at it. It wasn’t a bird, not even Maeve, not a normal human aircraft either. It was silver and rather cigar shaped. It was still very small, but was descending, growing just a bit larger moment by moment. It looked an awful lot like Mak’s ship, the one she had seen at Cherry’s birth party years ago. Then she remembered Mak’s promise to bring Twigg and Leely home when summer came.
            This could only mean one thing! She headed straight back into the bedroom as fast as she could go.
            “Ooog! Wake up, they’re back!” Thaga called, breathlessly.
            Ooog’s eyes flew open, and he said, “Wah? Who’s back?”
            “Mak! I saw his ship returning! He’s got Twigg and Leely! Put your pants on, Man!” she added, running around the room finding him an outfit.
            “How do you know it’s his ship?” said Ooog. “It might be something else.” He was a bit reluctant to wake up just yet.
            “I saw Mak’s ship way up in the sky! If it isn’t, there are two just like it! We need to get over there!” Thaga pleaded. “Ramona said he would bring them back this summer!”
            So, Thaga got her shoes and socks on, and Ooog dressed too, then they ran through the kitchen, grabbed a bite of leftover biscuit, gulped some cold tea, and left the cottage, heading for the general area of the Home Clearing. Harold watched them go without comment. His mind was taken up by some small squeaky voices, and scratchings somewhere under the floor.
            When Ooog and Thaga tumbled into the Home Clearing, breathing heavily, no one was there. A most unusual sight! A thin column of white smoke curled and ascended from the ashes of Ramona’s morning fire. Not even the wind was there. A batch of unwashed bowls and cups lay in Ramona’s five gallon bucket.
            “He must be landing by the Alder Tree House!” said Ooog. “That’s where everyone will be!”
            “You’re right!” said Thaga, and off they trotted to the meadow, as fast as they could manage to trot.
            Now then, just as Mak’s silver vessel, with a bit of a greenish halo about it, settled silently onto the grass of the meadow, Ooog and Thaga bustled up to join the waiting group. Ramona turned her head when she heard them, startled.
            “Oh, I didn’t even think,” Ramona said. “Of course, you must be  here!”
            “All is well. We got ourselves here as quickly as we could, when I saw the ship,” said gentle Thaga. Ramona put her arm around Thaga, and they all watched together.
            The greenish nimbus around the vessel evaporated. The morning sun glinted off of its curves. For a moment all was still, except for some crows flying low overhead. Impossibly exotic, lay superimposed on the familiar scene of the meadow and the waiting Alder Tree House. The fantastic scene would remain in all of their memories for the rest of their days.
            An opening formed in the ship’s side as naturally as an eye opening, as the silver vessel lay at rest. This hatch seemed impossibly inadequate for a person of Twigg’s stature to step through, but somehow he did. First he appeared quite distant and even small, matching the interior of the ship, but when his feet touched the meadow grass he stood before them, even taller than before he and Leely had gone. He had grown in presence. He smiled at the waiting group, glanced around at his beloved meadow, and then turned back to the hatch, holding out his hand.
            Leely took his hand, and stepped out onto the grass of home. She was beautiful, standing in the sunshine. Stately, and serene, with her long dark hair pinned up and woven full of the flowers of Mak’s home planet, she wore a gown of shifting shining colors. She smiled at Ramona and Ralph, with Maeve on his shoulder, then Cherry and Blue, then Berry and Bob, and Thaga and Ooog. She greeted each one with her smile. Leely had grown in presence too. Little Marge was transformed.
            In Leely’s right arm, cradled against her body, was a child. Just a wee tiny child, wrapped in a fine white blanket.
            Leely went to Ramona, offering her the child. Ramona held out her arms, both were silent as Ramona took him into her bosom. She studied him carefully, noting every feature, except his eyes, as he was sleeping.
            “Mother, we named him Koba. It means star in the language of the Old Book,” said Leely, simply.
            “How can this be, Leely?” said Ramona, in wonder. Ralph attended to the conversation, but was silent.
            “In the Maker, all good things are possible, is it not so, Mother Ramona?” said Leely.
            “I do believe it must be so,” whispered Ramona, cradling Koba near her heart.
            Right then, Mak himself stepped out onto the meadow, saying, “May I have your attention, please!” He was grinning, and his blue eyes were twinkling…

           

Just Bubbles Open Thread for March 29

 

Happy Suzday, Everybody!

All the best!

🤍

Things Cats Know, As Told To Me By Suzy

 

Above all things, cats are masters of observation. They know where it’s at, and who done it, because they were watching. She says you have no secrets from your cat, or cats. More observers compile more data. Nothing is forgotten. Not only do they see, they remember.

Their world is more dimensional than yours. That’s what she said. I’m not absolutely sure what she meant by that. I think I can guess though.

I think what she was talking about must have been seeing things with her cat's eyes that our eyes just don’t pick up. I have to take her word on this. Since I’m human I can’t prove it one way or the other.

She says, and she says Toots says too, that they see:

1.      Wild Men and their Fraus and Kinder.

2.      Ghosts, Goblins, Poltergeists, Knockers, and Whatnot of an ethereal nature.

3.      ETs. Both visible and otherwise. They know when the ships are up there.

4.      All Fae. “The little ratlings!” she says. Her general word for prey.

5.      Skinwalkers, shapeshifters, doppelgangers, and various Indian haints. Not deer!

6.      Dogmen, of all filthy things! "As if plain dogs weren’t bad enough!"

 

Additionally, she says that cats are devotees of comfort. This is very close behind observational skills. That patch of sunshine on the floor? It’s a target. Your wool sweater lying on the bed? She will find it and claim it.

She confided to me the meaning of purring. Purring is meant to convince. It speaks of love, healing, petition, dominance, etc. Purring amplifies their wavelength. It is a power source. Do not discount purring as merely a pleasant sound, she insists.

Finally, Suzy says, and she says that all cats will say the same thing, cats, from the greatest lion to the tiniest new house cat kitten are hunters. In an absolute sense they are predators. Play, from a cat’s point of view, is a form of practice or symbolic predation. What do you think would happen to that red laser dot if she ever caught it? Death. That’s all.

Perhaps I should mention one last little thing, which she thought hardly needed mention. Cats are creatures of habit, deeply into timing. They know when it’s bedtime. Nothing fusses up your cat like messing with your schedule on their shift.

Oh, and that whole acting cute bit? It’s related to predation. Go ahead, mess with that tummy and find out!

🐺😸🦁

A Public Service Announcement From Suzy & Toots

 

 
            I was sitting here, yesterday, minding my own business, tapping away intermittently, when I noticed that Suzy was up on the desk at my right elbow. She cleared her throat in a meaningful manner. Her little whiskers stuck straight out on either side of her face, looking significant.
            “I see you,” I said. “What brings you to my desk this afternoon, Suz?”
            “Toots and I have an important message for people,” she said. “It’s by way of a warning.”
            “Wow! All people?” I said.
            “Only some people,” she said, darkly.
            I turned in my chair, to get a good look at her. “What kind of people, pray tell, my dear?”
            “People Who Are Thinking of Getting Dogs! There I said it!” she said.
            “Alright, let’s hear it,” I said. “What’s the problem with getting dogs?”
            “Well, besides the fact that they are intrinsically repellent, to cats of course, they are, if left in their natural state, dangerous to other life forms. Brrrrt!” she said.
            “I can’t really argue against that. They are pack animals, natural hunters,” I agreed.
            “What we want you guys to know is that a pup is kind of like a dumb step-kid. If you don’t invest a lot of time training the dingbat, it will be a walking disaster, just waiting to happen. I could tell you a story or two, let me tell you, except that I won’t!” she huffed.
            “This is the cat’s eye view of dogs, huh?” I said.
            “You can break it down like this,” she said. “Dogs are not for lazy people! My goodness! A dog must know who is master. It’s part of his gestalt.”
            “Oh! Well, I had a lady wolf. You never met her, that was a while back. She didn’t need much training. She was naturally good,” I said.
            “A wolf is not a dog, and a dog will never be a wolf,” she intoned, giving me a look.
            “Ha! I imagine that you girls have something to say about cats too?”
            “Mew we do! Yes!” she sort of giggled, if you can imagine a cat giggling.
            “What’s funny,” I said, playing straight man.
            “Well, Lady, as you know, we cats are born perfect! Everything we need to know is already on board, just waiting to unfold as time goes on. A kitten is a world within itself, needing no instruction. All we ask of people is a warm spot to nap in, some food, and a convenient litter box, kept clean of course, or access to the whole world out there!” she announced. “Toots agrees, as does any cat you ask, even that Fluffbag!”
            “That’s pretty much what I thought you’d say,” I said, turning back to my keyboard. “Thanks, Suzy. I’ll pass it on!”
            Honestly, I was a bit surprised that she would, offhandedly, refer to the new kids as born perfect! I mean, that was the logical conclusion, right?

🐶

Houses Dream Too

 Mother said, "Why?"

I said, "Sometimes a place just talks to ya. That porch."

"You can't let him play out there alone anyhow," she said.

I knew that. I knew everything she knew. She made sure of it.

I liked the historicity of it. 

Not specifically the sagging floors or the jungle outside.

It was fine though.

A porch like that, a stoop they say, is meant for generations.

There will be chairs, benches, toys, plants, food, living, on that porch.

Windows. Lamps. Stories in the stories.

"Let the old house dream one more time," I said.

"Have it your way," she said, "you always did."

"Yes, Mama," I said.

🤍

The Long Awaited Day, Part 1

 

 
            It was a perfect summer day. The forest stood dreaming in the warm air. It was abuzz with life. All creatures flourished, from least nematode setting about its duties in the soil, to the mighty creatures of the air, and their small cousins. Each four footed thing was in its given place, from mice to deer and even bears, illusive as those creatures are.
            A salty breeze blew up from the Sound, becoming infused with the scent of wild flowers and rampant vegetation as it blew over the two meadows. Everywhere was brightness, and color, and life.
            If a person stood in the right place, and concentrated, he, or she, could hear Twigg’s friends, the B’s going persistently about their work  And maybe, if she squatted down, as Marge used to do, examining a bank of blackberry blossoms, as white as stars in their dark foliage, she would see a Beula or a Betty, working those same blossoms, and hear their small busy hum.
            The arc of the year was at its highest.
            Morning light came early, therefore Ramona woke early, sensing the day beginning, even as she lay in the dim light of the cave home. It was like she could hear morning, and maybe she did. Deep in the forests of the PNW, there is a bird whose call sounds like running water. There were crows calling out too. She stretched, yawned, and sat up. Ralph lay still, as constant as the earth itself. Cherry sighed and rolled over, causing Blue to move over a little in their cot.
Bob and Berry opened their golden eyes for moment, noting Ramona’s movements, and closed  them again, dozing on.
            She slipped outdoors and found that Maeve was already there, sitting by the Fire Circle with her eyes closed, until she heard Ramona come out to start the day. Ramona smiled when she saw the great Raven. Maeve uttered some comfortable sounds deep in her chest, a sort of gentle knocking.
            There was still dew on the grass that grew right outside of the Home Clearing, but it wouldn’t last long in the coming sunshine.
           
            “Seeing you here, early, blesses me,” Ramona said, in formal Saslingua.
            “I am she who is blessed,” said Maeve, who also spoke the Old Language of the forest.
            “It felt important to be here,” added Maeve in our common language.
            “You’re probably right,” said Ramona. Then she set about coaxing and feeding her fire. They didn’t need the heat, but cooking requires fire anyhow. So, first she gave the coals some little dry twigs, which they accepted greedily, then she added some broken branches, and finally some moderately large chunks of deadfall, gathered after the last wind storm in the spring. There was always more deadfall, and Ralph kept the forest floor tidy, by bringing it to Ramona to cook his food.
            Ramona and Maeve gazed into the flames, as everyone always does. But it was different this time. This time there was a blue flame in the center where the flames were highest. The blue part of the fire grew larger, becoming spherical. When it was the size of the Fire Circle ring itself in diameter, an image formed. It was Twigg. He was smiling and he said one word. “Today!” And then the vision was gone. Ramona and Maeve looked at each other in amazement. Both began to speak at the same time!
            “Something said today was important,” said Maeve. “I couldn’t stay abed!”
            “Oh, Birdy! I can hardly breathe,” cried Ramona.
            “Let’s wake everybody up!” said Maeve.
            Ramona ran back into the cave with Maeve close behind, airborne.
            “They’re coming home today, Baby! Wake up!” cried Ramona, shaking Ralph’s shoulder. His eyes flew open and he sat up in bed, throwing off the big quilt.
            “Cherry! Wake up! Twigg, and Leely are coming home today! I think they have a surprise for you too!” said Ramona. Blue started howling and Cherry jumped out of bed. The puma bros. stood up suddenly on their ledge, eyes wide.
            “Today!” yelled Ralph, in a voice like quiet thunder. He didn’t ask Ramona how she knew, because he knew Ramona.
            Everybody rushed outside into the summer morning. All were talking at once.
            Ramona set up a pot of cowboy coffee with trembling hands. Then she started beating some of Thaga’s hen’s eggs for a great omelet. Before she put the eggs on the pan she fried a bunch of oyster mushrooms, then added the eggs. It cooked in a flash and soon everyone was eating eggs with mushrooms. Then the excited chatter started up again, while the adults, including Maeve had a cup of coffee and collected their thoughts. Cherry and the animals had some warm mint tea.
            “Where shall we meet them?” said Ralph at last.
            “Well, by the Alder Tree House, Baby,” said Ramona. “But Mak would find us wherever we waited, I am sure!”
            Ramona gathered all the cups and bowls and put them in her five gallon bucket for later.
            “Let’s go!” said Ralph, and the whole party, the three Forest People, the white wolf, the puma bros., and the great Raven all walked out to the meadow, past the Gifting Stump where Twigg and Marge had first become friends, and learned to love each other.
            The Alder Tree House stood waiting. It looked like a tall dome made of alder trees with their branches interlaced together at the top. Black berry vines grew up the trunks, covered in those white blossoms. There were bird’s nests in the trees, full of hungry fledglings. Ooog had made a clever wooden door into the space between two of the trees. He had painted it a dull red. Inside the flat river stone floor was beautiful and level. A small wood burning cast iron stove stood inside. Its pipe came out between two trunks. It was all properly insulated of course. Ooog had gotten the small stove from an abandoned cottage up in the woods near his place and had polished it up and made sure it worked.
            Ramona was inspecting everything, as she had many time before, when Ralph shouted, “Look!”
            She and Cherry, and Blue and Bob and Berry, and Maeve all looked up, and there descending slowly out of the blue sky was Mak’s silver ship.
            Slowly, gently it settled down on the grass of the meadow.

🤍⭐🤍

Happy Tootsday. Taking a Breath Again

             We came upon these horses somewhere in the American west on a June day in 2016. I would like to hazard that it was Montana, but am not sure. It could have been any of several states. My daughter would know, but she is in the lab today as I write this little note.
            I thought it was just a pleasant, restful scene. Roots stuff. It would be very nice to be there again.

            I remember that the older horses were very protective of the little one there.

            The photo was taken by Rachel A. Bird, since I was driving.

            All threads at the MEOW are open threads, and this is another one.

            Your comments will be received gratefully.

💙