A Foot In Two Camps

 

            The next time Ranger Rick saw Ralph they were sitting in the station office, chewing the fat, as per usual. Neither one of them was very worried about some camper bursting into the room suddenly. It was a quiet day in the campground. One tent camper was out there hiking or something.
            Anyhow, Ralph had this vanishing thing down. He could do it in the time it took to take a breath.
            Rick had picked up a couple of day old Smørkage at the bakery, and he and Ralph were working on those and the first pot of coffee of the day. Dexter hadn’t shown up for work yet.
            “So, Ralph, my ebullient old buddy, I’ve been thinking,” said Rick, setting his mug down with a small thump.
            “Now, Rick,” said Ralph, “You know no good can come of that!” But he was laughing of course. And he set his mug down too.
            “What is it this time, my small relatively hairless confrere?” Ralph inquired.
            “Why all the slipping around? Why the hiding all the time? You know your people, and you know mine. You have a foot in both camps, kinda, sorta,” said Rick.  “It’s like you guys bounce off of us or something!”
            “In a nutshell, and getting down to it, your kind, except me and thee, and all that, are dangerous and loud!” said Ralph. “I’m used to it, like you said, two camps. But to your average backwoods Forest Man the noise is maddening! I tune it out. Most of them can’t.
            “I’m not claiming that every human person is dangerous. Most are just loud. I mean, if I wanted to I could tell you what that camper out on the trail is thinking. It’s like a P.A. system. It never shuts off.
            “We know what you’re thinking and want, loudly and clearly, from a long way off. Scary stuff, Rick,” Ralph sat back and waited.
            “You know, Ralph, I’ve often thought that it’s a huge mercy that we don’t hear each other’s minds rattling on,” said Rick. “It must be maddening. Can’t they shut it off?”
            “That’s hard because it’s both repellent and attractive. We are a curious lot, some of us have pretty goofy senses of humor, and we want to know, if we run into a human person, what they want out in the woods,” said Ralph.
            “It’s mostly that, plus the mothers and fathers don’t want their kids full of human ideas. Disruptive to peace that would be! They want the little ones uncorrupted, I’m sorry to say,” said Ralph.
            “I can’t say I’m terribly surprised, or proud of that,” said Rick, selecting another piece of cake and shoving the plate toward Ralph.
            “It’s a situation alright, but you know, on the other hand, sometimes we will run into human person who shines with love and innocent good intentions. It’s worth the price of avoiding the others. Little people usually start out that way. We enjoy their sweet minds. That’s why you hear often of human children being watched over by one of us,” said Ralph.     “Long ago, when I was pretty young myself, there was a child, younger than me, that I followed through the forest just making sure that she was OK.”
            “She never knew you were there?” said Rick.
            “She probably has figured it out by now,” said Ralph.
            “You know, Ralph, for a Wild Man of the Woods, you are a really sweet guy,” said Rick.
            “Thanks, a lot of us are nice guys at heart, but most of them just want to live in the forest and be left alone.”
            “Makes perfect sense to me,” said Rick, leaning back in his chair and stretching thoughtfully.
            “I better head back home and see if Ramona needs me,” said Ralph.
            “Tell her hi from me,” said Rick.
            “Evermore!” said Ralph. As he left the office, he was scanning the sky, and laughing.

🐦‍⬛

Spots & Stripes Furever!

 

 

A rhetorical question is posed by Mr. Baby Sir; Of all the colorations of cats all over the Earth, which is best of all. The matter is open for discussion says he.
 
            “Is this a trick question?” said Suzy, giving him a look. “Why, the answer is as plain as the nose on your face!”  
            “My nose  has neither spots nor stripes!” said Mr. Baby. “Be reasonable!
          “Many would vote for the Sylvester style black and white! Many would say it’s the cat with Siamese points, or the mysterious solid gray Russian Blue. But then, some would say it’s the solid black cat!
            “Then, there are white cats, some with yellow eyes and some with blue,” said he. 
            Toots and Sammie had been listening in on KittyComm™, but hadn’t remarked yet.

 Sammie cleared her throat and spoke, “I think we must all acknowledge what the UR coloration of all cats is, as it springs from, the beginning before all domestication and other shenanigans.”
            “Ah, yes, but does oldest mean best?” said Mr. Rhetorical Question.
          “Well, Sir,” said Toots, “Oldest might very well be the most essential coloration. And that might very well be the best, by definition!”
            “Oh, send my spiders spinning!” said Suzy. “We all know the answer! Quit dancing the minuet on my nose! All of us here and there too, share this same glorious trait! Even those half-grown Tomcats share this most glamorous and august patterning….”
            “What!” said Charley. “You cats ought to hear yourselves! What a mutual admiration society! Obviously, black and white are best. Any dodo could see that! It’s essential. It’s as clear as black and white itself!”
            “Now, don’t pick on Suzy!” said Mr. Baby suddenly.
            “Oh, I know about you two,” said Charley, smirking.
            “What!? No!” yowled Suzy in alarm. “No way!”
            “It’s alright. I understand. All you poor spotty and stripy things must stick together in love and war!” said Charley.
            “Ladies! Purrs! Please! Bitte!” said Mr. Baby. “Suzy is right! It was a trick question. I was having a bit of fun with you all. Forgive me! You all go to my head a little!
            “I believe that even Ms. Charley will have to admit that spots and stripes are the earliest and most persistent of cat coat markings. It’s just the way it has always been! But, the decision of which is best must lie with each observer! It’s subjective  as heck, as are all matters of taste.”
            “OK, Ok, you old charmer,” said Charley. “I can see why Suzy loves you!”
            Everybody but Suzy laughed. She might even have blushed a little if you are willing to believe a cat could blush.
            “I still say Spots and Stripes Furever!” said Suzy.    
            “Yes! There will always be Spots and Stripes! Furever and Furever, indeed!” said Mr. Baby.
            “Well, I agree, of course,” said Buddy, who  had been silent until that point. “There’s really no more to be said.”
            All six of the others murmured assent, and each went back to his or her appointed tasks and so forth and so on, each believing in their  heart that he or she knew the correct answer.
            Meow!

🐈🖤🐈‍⬛🐈💚🐈‍⬛🖤🐈🐈💚🐈‍⬛

A Catfurday Greeting for August 1

 

All I have to offer is love, and roses.
I wish for Purrs on Earth™ too.

💮💚💮

A Fish Dinner in the Great Forest

 

            And it came to pass in the lovely ripe fall of that selfsame year, that a newly courageous Dexter, and winsome blond Hannah were called to have dinner with Ralph and Ramona at the Home Clearing one early evening.
            Maeve, the great Raven, came to them as they sat conversing near the campground on a handsome wooden bench which had been provided for the rest of those who walked the nearby paths.
            “Children,” she said, when she had come to rest between them on the back of the bench, “Ralph wishes me to invite you to come and have a dinner with he and Ramona and Cherry and of course Blue, and Bob, and Berry, this very night.”
            “We are pleased and honored, Ma’am, to accept his invitation,” said Dexter.
            “Of course we will come,” added Hannah.
            “This is good, very good,” said Maeve, black and sleek and bright of eye.
            “Are you ready?” inquired Maeve.
            “I believe we are ready. Shall we come now?” said Dexter.
            “They are waiting for you! Yes, now. Follow me in please,” answered Maeve.
            So, feeling a kind of grandeur in the moment, Dexter and Hannah followed Maeve who flew above them as slowly as she could manage. In a kind of procession they walked down through the campground, greeting some of the campers, who had gotten to know them and be friendly with them.
            “Is that big raven with you guys?” said a woman, amazed.
            “We are with her,” said Hannah.
            “May I take a photo?” said a young man.
            “Of course you may,” said Dexter. So, he and Hannah stood there in the last of the setting sunlight, holding hands, and Maeve stood between them, so everyone could be in the same frame.
            “I will get it printed and give you a copy,” said the guy, turning back to his tent.
            “Thanks!” said Hannah.
            Rick’s truck was still parked in its usual spot. It was late but he was still there. When he saw them walking he popped out of the office, sensing something.
            “What’s the occasion?” he called to them.
            “Dinner, with Ralph and Ramona and the family,” said Dexter.
            “Oh! Nice! Tell everyone hello from me!” said Rick.
            “We will!” said Dexter.
            They entered the Forest by the usual path which is hidden behind the station dumpster. The Forest enfolded them gently. The path was straight and wide. An owl commented quietly. The wind tossed a few yellow maple leaves down before them as they walked.
            Berry and Bob met them on the trail, turning and walking before them, as they liked to do with special guests. They both looked very wise, but didn’t speak.          
            Before long, they entered the Home Clearing. There was a fire burning, and Dexter and Hannah waved and hurried to greet Ralph and Ramona where they sat. The air was filled with the delicious scent of some fishy dish of Ramona’s.
            Cherry met them halfway to the fire, taking Hannah’s hand, and Blue walked beside them both.
            “Dexter! Hannah! Thanks for coming!” called Ralph, and it seemed as if the trees shook a little, such as from a very small earthquake.
            “Welcome,” said Ramona. “What a fine night it is,” she continued with a smile.
            Ramona sat them together on one of those logs by the fire.
            “I am Ramona, and this is Cherry,” she said, since Dexter had never met her or Cherry or been within the Great Forest himself.
            It was a fish night, and there were roasted potatoes, thanks to Ooog. There was mint tea, in mugs, and afterwards a bowl of toasted hazelnuts. There were figs from Ooog’s orchard. Everything was perfectly lovely. At the end, Ramona made a pot of coffee.
            Hannah helped Cherry gather up all the cups and bowls to wash at the river in the morning. Just as she was sitting back down beside Dexter, many small colored lights began to gather in the tops of the firs. At first they seemed like a kind of stars.
            They grew larger and began to drift down nearer the forest floor, filling the Home Clearing with soft colorful light. No one seemed surprised except Hannah and Dexter.
            “Aren’t they pretty?” said Ramona. “They come around at special times.”
            “It’s like a dream,” said Hannah.
            “How can it be?” said Dexter, as if to himself, softly.
            Ralph smiled.
            “Do you know why I called you tonight?" said Ralph.
            “I was wondering,” answered Dexter, but he looked as if something was being revealed to him.
            “I think I know, Sir,” said Hannah suddenly. Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks were a little pink.
            “Yes. I think it’s time, don’t you two?” said Ralph very kindly. “Right now before all these small heavenly messengers and the Maker Himself. and Ramona and me? And also Maeve, who observes all?”
            “I do think it’s time,” said Dexter. Hannah nodded.
            So, Ralph had them stand together holding hands while the small sweet lights drifted overhead, and like many times before with other young or not so young lovers, he led them in promises of love and faithfulness.
            He helped them speak their own vows, and then he blessed them in a mighty prayer.
            There are always some tears at a wedding, and this one was no exception. Ramona and Hannah both wept some happy tears.
            They all talked and laughed until it was nearly morning. Maeve helped Dexter and Hannah negotiate the path out of the Great Forest.
            As the sun was just rising, Dexter and Hannah went home to the little mobile up in the campground parking lot.
            The green crown was still in her fridge and it was still green.

🍁💚🍁

Let Us Be Friends Forever and Ever

 

            Rick was smiling when Hannah and Dexter came into his office, because he had been wondering what in the world it would take to get them together. And now he knew. It took a skinned knee.
            “Hannah, come and sit down. What happened to you?” said Rick, heading to the kitchen nook, where he kept the first aid kit. When he came back into the room he handed the first aid box to Dexter.
            “I was walking up into the campground, and I tripped. I don’t know what I tripped on. I don’t remember anything except landing on the ground with a skinned knee and torn pants,” said Hannah.
            “Why don’t you sit on my desk? It’ll give Dexter better access to your knee,” said Rick.
            “Can you pull your jeans up above your knee,” said Dexter, who found himself in charge without noticing it happening.
            So, Hannah hopped up on Rick’s desk and pulled her jeans leg up above her knee. Both men examined the wound and decided it wasn’t very serious. Dexter swabbed it off with some kind of antibiotic wipe. Then he very gingerly smoothed a drop of Neosporin over the scuffed area, and put a large Band-Aid over it.
            “Thanks, Dexter,” said Hannah, who climbed down off the desk and pulled her pant leg back into place. “Didn’t hurt a bit hardly,” she said.
            All three stood quietly for a moment. Then Rick said, “Why don’t you walk her up to her place? If you see any campers looking lost and bewildered, you can help them out.”
            By the time they left the ranger station office, evening was coming down. The sky was deep purplish blue, and the great trees stood in dark relief. A little sigh of cool wind blew past them, reminding them that fall was coming some day soon. It was a summer night, the sweetest of times.
            Hannah tried not to limp, and Dexter tried not to walk too fast for her.
            There were a couple of RVs pulled into the longer parking spots. Lights shone from their windows, and it smelled of cooking in the campground. One yellow tent was lit from inside, causing it to appear rather unworldly sitting there glowing in the dimming light.
            Hannah’s small mobile sat in darkness. She fished her key out of her pocket and unlocked the door.
            “Would you like to come in,” said the girl.
            “Yes,” said the boy.
            She turned on the kitchen light and opened a couple of windows to let out the stale air.
            “I could make coffee,” she suggested.
            “I wouldn’t mind coffee,” said Dexter.
            “Why don’t you sit, and I’ll do that,” she said.
            So, he sat and watched her boil water and set up her French press.
            “Hannah,” he said, “you are beautiful and wise. I like you very much.”
            “I like you very much too. But I didn’t know how much until today. We could be friends forever and ever and it wouldn’t be too long.”
            “Maybe someday we could marry, and always be best friends,” said Dexter.
            “I think maybe we could do that. I feel like I’m pretending, but I’m not,” said Hannah.
            She laughed a little, then went to her fridge and brought out the green crown that Cherry had made. She put it on her head to demonstrate how neat it looked. It had been in the fridge to keep it fresh. She struck a couple of poses, and he took out his phone and took a couple of photos of her in the crown.
            “Would you like to try it on?” said Hannah, more seriously.
            “OK,” said Dexter.
            Hannah put the green crown on Dexter’s head, and suddenly he looked different. His red hair and pale skin and blue eyes contrasted with the green of the leaves.
            “You look like some kind of mythic king, Dexter,” said Hannah.
            She made several photos of him as he posed it up a little. There was a fair amount of giggling.
            They both took their coffee with cream and sugar in large brown mugs.
            “I better go home. I will have to be back here in the morning at 8AM.”
            “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said.
            “Lock your door, Hannah. I don’t want anything to  happen to you, now that we are friends forever.”
            “Don’t worry. Ralph and Maeve are nearby and they keep watch, Dexter. No fear,” said Hannah.
            She hugged him around his slender middle, and he kissed the top of her head as if she were a beloved child. She laughed and gave him a little smooch on his lips.
            Then Dexter went home, and Hannah went to bed. Both had work in the morning.
            Her knee didn’t bother her too much, but she had to get out another pair of jeans for the next day.

💚

It Was One Of Those Days, An Open Thread

Shiro Kasamatsu

"Summer Night," woodblock print, 1957

Since I do so enjoy dabbling in cans of worms,

I thought I would mention,

That I think Earth's old creation myths and such,

Were attempts to understand,

The World Without End.

The nature of Eternity,

The structure of the Universe,

And all like that.

They weren't just stupid primitives

Thinking up nonsense for drill.

I mean-

A stack of turtles going down forever?

What else could that be about?

Selah?

Ralph would say, "where you are now, is where you will be."

"Take care of now."

Love, Ralph

Love

Period

Suzy and Toots would advise Purring™!

💮🖤💮

I Went For A Ride With Bubble Woman

 

Coming into Everett on the trestle.

Her Kia is very interesting on the inside.

It was warm and sunny out there today!

Worth*Every*Cent

Then she made some bubbles in the alley, though they are hard to see!

That was our field trip today.

She also shot bubbles out of the car window all along the way!

It was a pretty good field trip.

PS, fall is coming!

🍁🖤🍁