A Sweet Homecoming

 

            

            Twigg’s first thought on the morning of their first day home, before he had opened his eyes, was that the sun must be up because he heard humming from outside of the Alder Tree House. He smiled. Then memory flooded back.
            “Oh!” He sat up suddenly. There was Leely, nestled in with Koba, beside him. They slept on. The humming beckoned him to come outside. So, he carefully laid aside the wonderful quilt made by Mak’s palace seamstresses, and being careful to move silently, he opened the door and stepped out into the morning.
            Tears filled Twigg’s sweet eyes. He was so glad to be back in the meadow, the same meadow where he and Marge had met, part of the Great Forest of his home. But, he was smiling too because he was surrounded by hundreds of B’s all buzzing their jubilant greetings.
            “Morning blessings, B’s,” he called in the Old Language of the forest.
            The dew was just drying off of the grass and fireweed blossom, and blackberry blooms. An entrancing scent filled the air, the scent of summer in the Great Forest. Twigg breathed deeply, and sighed. He looked at the sky; there were no clouds. It would be a hot day. The sun was just peeking through the tops of the Douglas firs.
            A breath of wind came to pay a quick visit with the prince of the forest. Twigg raised his arms to acknowledge its passing. Content, the wind passed on.
            He wandered out into the deep grass, found a stand of fireweed, being worked by the B’s, apologized for disturbing their labors, and picked one of the stalks. It was the very spirit of summer in the meadow.
             He was heading back to Leely when he saw the red door open. There stood Leely with Koba in her arms.
            “Morning blessing, Dear Love,” Leely said in correct Saslingua. It came easily to her, and she was picking up a bit of it in passing. She wore a simple dress made of a fabric quite like cotton by the palace seamstresses. It was grassy green and unornamented. Her dark hair hung long around her shoulders. She smiled.
            “I bless thee,” he returned, likewise, then grinned. “Look, Leely, we’re home. They don’t have fireweed on Ord, do they?”    
            “I didn’t see any,” she said. She took the stalk of pink flowers, and handed Koba to his father. The child woke then and looked around at his mother and father, and the world all around him. Of course, he didn’t speak yet, but he never cried either. He was just old enough to hold his head up and focus well on his surroundings. Koba smiled.
            “What shall we do today?” asked Leely.
            “My father will come later, and we will go fishing or maybe hunting. There are no palace cooks for us here, my love,” said Twigg.
            “There are some nice things left from yesterday’s feast. We should eat,” said Leely.
            Their breakfast was made of rolls of rich bread, a sort of butter, berries, and a cup of that very light bubbly wine. All the fruits or Ord, Mak’s home planet.
            As they sat inside the Alder Tree House with the door left open so they could see the meadow outside, Leely said, “I’m so thankful to be back, Twigg. It was an adventure like no other, but I am eager to be truly your Fire Keeper.”
            “And so you shall,” said Twigg. “For you do all things well, and are full of wisdom.”
            Leely blushed, because praise was new to her.
            They took Koba out for a tour around the meadow, showing him each flower, each bush, and the Gifting Stump, until he was tired and needed to go back for a nap.
            Later in the morning, Ralph appeared accompanied by Bob and Berry. He carried a bag.
            Ralph stepped inside to see Leely and Koba, who was still sleeping in his little basket bed.
            “Shall we go fishing?” Ralph asked his son. “Ramona likes trout, even more than turkey or venison. Maybe Leely would like some trout too.”
            “Of course she would,” agreed Twigg.
            “Yes, I would!” said Leely.
            Berry and Bob were so happy to see their old playmate, that they head butted him over and over. They smiled their secret cat smiles, and their golden eyes glowed happily.
            When Ralph and Twigg had set off together, Leely was just considering whether she should take Koba to visit Ramona, when that lady, and Cherry, came to see them instead.
            Ralph and Twigg remembered to fetch some firewood for Leely, so that she could actually cook. Ralph, Ramona, and Cherry stayed for dinner.
            All in all, it was a perfect first day home.

🤍🌿🤍

A Trip to The MEWN!

 

            The girls had been hearing a lot of talk lately about an important trip to the “moon.” So naturally they were very excited. Toots had the great idea first, but then, Suzy agreed immediately!
            “Hey, Suz!” Toots sent, “Let’s go to the MEWN! D’ya wanna? I sure do!”
            “Can we do that?” asked Suzy, dubiously.
            “Sure! NASA did it, didn’t they? So, we can just as well!” said Toots, jubilantly.
            “How will we do it?” said Suzy.
            “We’ll just be points of vision, Suz! Like always! The same way we do everything else!” said Toots.
            “OK! That doesn’t sound too scary. Nothing bad can happen to a point of vision, right?” said Suzy.
            “Purrfectly safe! But let’s skip the flying TO the MEWN part, ‘cuz that’s boring! Let’s just do the MEWN part! OK?” said Toots. “I bet it wouldn’t take us four or five days to get there, but still, boring!”
            “I’m ready!” said Suzy.
            “Now, concentrate, Suzy, as hard as you can! We can do this! Let’s just Be There Now!” purred Toots.
            There was a five second pause.
            “Shall we do a countdown?” said Suzy.
            “Nah! We’re already there! Look! What do you see, Suz?” said Toots, in total awe.
            “I see bright light! Craters and mountains! The MEWN is silver, Toots!” said Suzy. “Ow, my eyes! It’s so bright out here!”
            “OK! Let’s go around to the dark side! How about it?” whispered Toots.
            In just a few seconds, the girls were over the back of the MEWN. No cat had ever been there before!
            “Toots, it’s so dark! I can’t see anything!” said Suzy.
            “Well, give your point of vision a minute to adjust to the dark, Suzy,” said Toots. “It won’t take long!”
            “Oh, you’re right,” said Suzy. “I see more craters and mountains! Wait! Do you see that thing there? Oh my, there are lots of them! Toots, what are those things? Did we discover something?”
            “We did, Suzy! Those look like towers of some kind! We need to tell the world about this! There are towers hiding on the back of the MEWN!” said Toots.
            “I wonder if anybody is home?” said Suzy. “Maybe we should check, before we go telling the world?”
            “Oh, yes! Let’s get in closer. Maybe someone is there!” said Toots.
            “I don’t see how anyone could live here. There’s no air,” said Suzy.
            “Maybe they make air in those towers?” said Toots.
            There was another pause as the girls adjusted their viewpoints to ground level.
            “These are funny buildings. They look like they grew here,” said Suzy.
            “They look like they are made of MEWN dust,” said Toots.
            “I wonder how they did that?” wondered Suzy. “I also wonder where the people who made them are!”
            “Maybe we can’t see them,” said Toots. “Maybe they are watching us right now!”
            Just then a vivid red sphere of light appeared outside the first floor of the tower. It seemed to search around as if it sensed a foreign presence in the area. At last, it steadied and slowly approached the girls’ location.
            “There’s no place like home!” yowled Suzy, in a rush.
            “Take me home, country road!” sang Toots!
 
            And just like that, Toots and Suzy were back in their respective homes. Safe and dry! Toots was at her window station. Suzy was down under the old piano bench.
            “Wow, Toots!” said Suzy.
            “Far OUT!” said Toots!
            Far overhead, the MEWN smiled down on the intrepid girls, and all was well.

🌒😹😻🌔

In Which Uncle Mr. Baby Sir Has His Own Say

 

            Mr. Baby is a gentleman cat who for the most part keeps himself to himself. But, mysterious as that is, and very effective, I thought it only fair to interview him. He doesn’t come up on the desk to talk, so I  had to go to him!
            I located that gentleman on the back porch, basking in our rare sunshine.
            “Hey, Baby,” I said, because in conversation that is how one addressed him.
            “Oh, hi, Mother,” he said, coming up to a sitting position. He calls me that because I am “Her” mother. It’s confusing, so I explain.
            “I was wondering if I could ask your opinion on a few things,” I said. I took a seat on the single step out there between the kitchen and the porch so we would be on the same level.
            “Sure. That would be fine. Ask away!” he said.
            “OK. First, where are you from? Do you have a first memory?”
            “I’m not sure. It’s hazy. There was a mother, I know that. But the strongest early memory I have is one of being in a small cage in a building with other cats. I heard barking often, so there must have been a room for dogs too.
            “There was nothing in this cage, but a water dish, a dish for kibble, and a very small litter tray. That’s it! I didn’t like it and I called for help night and day! I never gave up. Mrr! The trolls who maintained this dungeon took no pity on me! In fact, my pitiful cries angered them.
            “But, at last, She, and Child, came to my rescue! She took me out of that cage and brought me home. I love her,” he said.
            “I can see why,” I said. “So, what’s the next best thing in your life?”
            “Oh, riding in her car! For sure! Then we would get out and go for long walks. Charley was there too. I saw places most cats never see. We went to beaches, forests, parks, and everything!”
            “So, how did you end up here,” I asked him. He frowned a little, maybe in regret.
            “Oh, Mother, I liked to go on little expeditions by myself. Naturally. They got tired of waiting for me to come back,” he admitted.
            “Oh, Baby, why did you do it?” I said.
            “I couldn’t help myself,” he said slowly. “If they left the RV door open, why, I just zoomed out into the wild world. Ah, the glory of it!”
            “I understand how you might feel that way,” I said. “Well, what are the best and worst things about living here for a while?”
            “Let me think, Mother. Um, Mrrr, the worst thing is that I can’t go outside,” he said.
            “Do you know why that is,” I asked him.
            “It doesn't make sense to me. So, tell me,” said Mr. Baby.
            “Mostly, it’s because of the traffic. Many cats have died on city streets, and She doesn’t want you to die that way. I am keeping you safe until she can come and pick you up. I’m sorry, Baby. This summer things will be better for you,” I told him.
            “The good things? Everyone is kind to me, the food is regular and plentiful, clean water, a great big litter box, kept nice and clean,” he said. “Thank you for that.”
            “Oh, you’re welcome. We want you to be comfortable! Say, what’s the funniest, or craziest thing about your life these days,” I asked him, trying to lighten things up a little.
            “The kittens. No doubt about it. Funny and crazy are two good words for those two! I guess they think I am a toy! Or, maybe I’m hunting practice. Have you seen what they do?” he asked.
            “I have,” I said, laughing a little. “I believe you are a living toy, or kind of an uncle to them. You are probably teaching them things by the way you interact with them. It’s mysterious cat stuff, which I can only guess at.”
            “They are so slick, so fancy! I’ve never met kittens like them before,” he said. “But, they are sweet too. They don’t have a mean whisker between them. I guess I don’t mind if they want to chase my tail. I only run and cry out, Mrr, Mrr, to give them a thrill.”
            “That’s about what I thought. I didn’t think you were really afraid of either Booker or Sweetie. I think Sweetie is the one who chases you the most,” I giggled.
            “But I don’t understand their names, they don’t seem like regular cat names,” he said.
            “How about your name? Here you are, a big grown up tomcat named Mr. Baby Sir! How about that? Come on!” I was giggling again.
            “She can call me whatever she wants, Mother! I don’t care how silly it is! If She did it, it’s fine with me. I’ll deal with it!” he said. “I just tell cats I don’t know that my name is Spike!”
            “Suzy says your name is Fluffbag! Toots calls you that too!” I laughed. “In fact, I think Suzy is in love with you!”
            “Oh, help! Mrrrr! Mrrrr! Mrrrr!” he said, and just like that he went back into hiding.
            That big old Baby!
            I guessed that the interview was over!

💘

Advice To Squatch Hunters From Ralph, Himself

 

 
            Look, in case any of you sensible people know anyone who likes to go out into the forest looking to meet up with one of us, there are a couple of things you could tell them. It might not do any good, if they are really determined. I know it gets right in under their skin; oh I know it. But you can try.
            No. 1. Your standard Forest Giant doesn’t understand your curiosity. He finds undue nosiness, in humans, to be a moral failing. Not the most regrettable, but cringe worthy. If it didn’t annoy him so much to be hunted like a bear, as if, he would be embarrassed for you. Stop! You’re acting like a goof. You might be waking the babies, or scaring the girls.
            No. 2. You people are painfully easy to locate. You’re noisy, and smell weird. Your clothing and gear are astounding. Talk about gilding a lily, or maybe something about a pig’s ear. Doesn’t matter. If we want you to see us, you will see us!
            We’re hard to miss, if we want to make a point.
            OTOH, if you see a white deer or something that keeps hanging around. It could be one of us messing around. Maybe. Maybe not.
            He doesn’t find his own curiosity to be a failing. It makes perfect sense to him. Just the way it is. You guys are very entertaining.
            No. 3. Our general stance is not hostile. However, you gotta understand that our lives are about us. I think maybe humans and Forest Keepers inhabit two loosely related universes. Something like that, maybe. Anyhow, disturbances like people running through the woods with electronic gadgets, which make our ears ring, by the way, might get you some hostile blow back.

            By the way, hey listen. Don't throw things at any Hairy Bro. Their natural impulse would be to throw it back, or something even bigger! Their aim is exquisite too!

            Shooting is even stupider! You will just piss the guy off. Chances of your killing him are vanishingly slim. Don't do it! Run, scream, faint, whatever. Just don't shoot at a Forest Keeper, male or female.  Fun times in the forest will be over, and you might not survive.
            No. 4. If everything gets real quiet and you feel hinky, leave. Friendly encounters chosen by one us don’t feel hinky. We can make you feel that. It’s by way of a caution.
            No. 5. The best way to meet once of us is to provide an invitation. Act normal. Have music, cooking, a fire, (we like fires), don’t be so damn needy. Fun is very attractive.
            No. 6. There is some stuff you don’t get to know. Don’t ask me about orbs, aliens, little people, or any of that. Everything you guys guess is wrong.
            No. 7. This advice is mine. If you asked York or one of those deep woods guys, you might get different answers.
            I hope that helps. If it keeps somebody from being bluff charged and scared silly, my work will have been done here.
            Ramona and I wish you well, and I’m pretty sure she’s done frying all those sweet little trout I brought her, so I will skedaddle for now. See you later!

🤍🍀🤍

The Stone Rolled Away

 

🌷

Good morning, and Happy Easter! In celebration of the risen Christ, we wish the entire MEOW family... regulars and visitors... lurkers and commenters... a very blessed day.

🌷

Why seek ye the living among the dead?

Resurrection from material circumstances is the result of rolling away some stone which has blocked our light and vision; some thought that has shut out our freedom and made us believe that Life could be crippled and confined; could know limitation and then be at an end.

Christ Jesus demonstrated for all men on Easter morning that Life, to him who understands it, who lives it, and therefore who knows his oneness with it, may overcome every phase of mortality, since matter can never be the master of Spirit.

🌷

On this day, and every day, we pray that the realization of Life which knows no death, the ever-unfolding consciousness of Soul, empower us to roll away the stones separating our mortal, corporeal sense from the resurrection of Life in God. 

Amen.

🌷

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

✯

Time To Start Your Engines, All You Bunnies

 

I used to like to dye a mixture of brown and white eggs.

You get more variety that way.

It's been a long time since I dyed eggs.

I remember making a lot of egg salad with flecks of color in it!

I liked red dye on a brown egg best.

It makes a very rich color.

May God bless you all, no matter how you celebrate!

🌼🤍🌼

The Long Awaited Day, Part 3

 

            The little crowd of well-wishers, and Twigg and Leely hushed immediately and faced little Mak. Behind them the Alder Tree House also stood waiting. Its leafy dome fluttered in the breeze. Its trunks stood together, the red door was closed so that everyone could see its fine construction.
            Ramona still held Koba as if her arms could never relinquish him.
            Mak, small but kingly, smiled at the group, then he said, “In remembrance of this day let us have a feast to honor Twigg and Leely, and the Star Child! My sons are here, ready to spring forth with all the necessary! Behold!”
            And spring forth they did. All four of his sons set to work with seating and table first. There was a large sturdy bench on each side of the table. There was seating for ten, if needed. Then somehow, magically, the dishes appeared, prepared by the palace cooks, and brought to Earth still fresh and delicious.
            The dishes were fantastic, but also done with a rustic flair, as befitted a meadow picnic supper. It was all finger food, for simplicity. There were fruits, and berries from Mak’s grounds, and the table was set with flowers from the same. There were delicate rolled savories, of unfamiliar green leaves wrapping bits of spicy meats, there were large toasted nuts and there were rich small cakes filled with fruit fillings. There was a light fizzy amber wine, full of bubbles. So mild that even Cherry was allowed to have a little. Ramona held Koba in her left arm, and used her right hand to choose some of the delicacies. Ralph sat beside her making good work of all the good food. It was a grand success as a rustic picnic.
            Mak sat with the guests, so to speak, and his sons continued to replenish the platters until everyone was pleasantly stuffed.
            At that point, Twigg stood and in the Old Language, learned perfectly at Ramona’s knee, thanked Mak for all his kindness and hospitality, making mention of all of the pleasures and learning that he had received in the palace, and the wonders of wandering the beautiful city. Leely said it in her own way too.
            Mak insisted that the pleasure had been all of his and his queen and sons too. He presented gifts, many fantastically wrapped large parcels, and asked Twigg and Leely to wait to open them at a later more convenient time. Everyone cheered, since it was such a kind surprise.
            Ralph thanked Mak for everything he had done for Twigg and his family.
            Mak said that he and Ralph should take another ride around the galaxy sometime soon, and Ralph agreed cheerfully.
            Then the four sons, who appeared to all be the same age, gathered up the remains of the feast, just dirty dishes really, and then the table and the benches. One of the sons boxed up leftovers from the feast for Twigg and Leely to have later.
            Mak said, “Mission accomplished,” grinned at everyone and stepped back through the hatch in the side of his silvery vessel. The hatch slid shut as if it had never existed. There was a whisper of sound, the greenish haze enclosed the ship once more, and then it vanished entirely. Maybe Mak was showing off a little, some thought, because the arrival had proceeded in a more stately manner. Ooog thought that maybe the manner of arrival had been done dramatically for effect. Thaga said, “You’re probably right.”
            Ralph really wanted to show his son the Alder Tree House, so he said to the small gathering of souls, “Why don’t we show Twigg and Leely their new house? Ooog, I need you here. Show them everything you made!”
            So, everyone, including Blue and the Pumas and Maeve all crowded into the Alder Tree House. Leely loved the slate floor and the cast iron stove. Twigg admired the ceiling Ooog had built inside so that no errant rain drops could ever reach them inside. Everyone loved the clever red door he had made also.
            Ooog had also made some cabinets and platform beds. It was almost ready to live in.
            Just then Koba woke. He didn’t cry, but he made some small questioning sounds as if looking for his mother. Ramona brought him to Leely.
            Ralph and Ramona and Cherry, and Ooog and Thaga gathered around to meet him, commenting on his shining blue eyes, his ready smile, and his beautiful light brown hair. Ramona announced that Koba looked remarkably much like Twigg had as an infant, but not exactly the same.
            Twigg brought Mak’s gifts into the house and opened them one by one. There was beautiful, sturdy bedding. A small basket bed was included for Koba. There were some simple dishes and some cookware, and etc, etc. All had been carefully chosen and wrapped by Mak’s wife, the queen. She had included clothing for Leely, and some small bedding for Koba.
            Twigg laid out the bedding. Leely gave Koba back to Ramona and set up the dishes and pans and towels and so on. By the time it was done it was a fantastically beautiful, tasteful and colorful sight, perfectly right for Twigg and Leely and Koba.
            Mak’s last gift was a creamy white globe, to provide a soft light inside the house. It was quite magical, and yet it seemed so normal, just floating in midair, quietly.
            Ralph invited Twigg to go hunting with himself and Bob and Berry the very next morning, as they had always done before and he was eager to do so.
            Maeve strutted importantly around inspecting everything, and pronounced it good.
            Ramona reluctantly handed Koba back to Leely, and said, “We should go now, and let you rest.” Ralph agreed. Thaga blessed the child, placing her hand on his head, while he gazed at her wisely. Cherry kissed Koba, and that was blessing too.
            Twigg thanked Ralph and Ooog for the wonderful Alder Tree House, with a few tears in his sweet eyes. Ralph said it had been a lot of fun to imagine and put together, Ooog agreed.
            Leely said that they would walk over to see Enid soon, but not today, and everyone laughed. Then they all went outside and said their goodnights, preparing to walk back to the Home Clearing and the Stone Cottage.
            Just then a formation of B’s appeared. They flew inside the Alder Tree House, making an inspection and found it good. They circled Twigg. A Beulah landed on his hand; she told him that all the B’s had waited eagerly for his return. Bernadette the queen sent her greetings and congratulations.
            Beulah flew to the Star Child, Koba. She landed on his tiny hand and blessed him in a secret B blessing. A faint scent of blossoms and honey hung in the air for a few moments and then drifted away.
            The wind came too, just looking around, a warm wind. Then it passed on by, satisfied.
            Ralph and Ramona and Cherry with Blue and the Pumas set off for the Home Clearing at last, waving and shouting loving farewells, Thaga and Ooog did also.
            When they were all gone, Twigg closed the red door. He and Leely and Koba were home at last.

⭐