This Was Millicent's Own Question

 

            “Wouldn’t it be convenient if Ralph and I could mindspeak back and forth,” thought Milly, sitting upstairs in the newspaper building. Sending messages and invitations by Raven was certainly slow, compared to telepathy, she thought.
            She had a question for Ralph. It was something she had been puzzling about today. The internet wasn’t helping either. Nobody online was talking about this one. They skirted around her question but never gave a reason or even a mechanism for it.
            She needed to talk to Ralph.
            It doesn’t sound like a whole lot, but this is what was puzzling her. She had seen a lot of videos where people described their interactions with various kinds of Bigfoot people, for lack of a more precise term. When dealing with more hostile cases, such as in Alaska, people would flee to the shelter of their little plywood fishing shack, or whatever, and be safe from the Hairy Man, having gotten inside the shack.
            What didn’t make sense to Milly was this; why didn’t the pursuing Hairy Man just tear the tickytack shack down and capture the inhabitants? They certainly  had the strength to do so. Why not do it? Something was at work in this situation, and she didn’t know what it was, but Ralph would.
            Truthfully, a ten foot Sasquatch in any community should be able to tear any house open. Why didn’t they? What stops them?
            When Maeve got to Milly’s window, she asked Maeve to carry a message to Ralph. Could she, Milly, come to the Home Clearing the next day, midday, to ask a question. She and Maeve had an arrangement to save Maeve some wing flapping. If the answer was yes, she wouldn’t come back, it could just be assumed to be yes.
            On the following morning, 10 ish, Millicent drove up to the wide spot on Highway 20 and parked the Escalade. She waited to see who would escort her into Ralph’s home domain. In this case, it was Bob and Berry who wanted the honor of escorting Milly in. They appeared to her, and waited. She got out of the vehicle, grabbed the usual bag of treats, ostensibly for Twigg and Cherry, then she followed the cats. They marched before her in fine style, like a circus act.
            “Have a seat, Milly,” said Ralph when the cats had delivered her to the fire circle.
            “Hey, Ralph! Hi, Ramona,” said Millicent as she settled down by the fire. Cherry sat down beside her, with Blue at their feet.
            “Maeve tells me that you have a question,” said Ralph.
            “I do. It’s just something that doesn’t make sense to me, Ralph. I figured you were the one to ask,” said Milly. Then the whole story came out, how she wondered why the more aggressive Hairy Men didn’t just tear shacks down, or also break into houses when they easily could.
            “Oh. I see,” said Ralph. “I’ve never heard that question asked before. Hm.”
            “Milly, shall I make a pot of coffee?” asked Ramona while Ralph was thinking.
            “I’d sure like that, thank you,” smiled Milly. Cherry grinned up at her, and she grinned down at Cherry.
            “OK. I’m not sure but this is how I think of it,” said Ralph. “I assume you’ve heard of Isaac Asimov’s rules for robots. It’s only the same in this sense, he posited that robots should be made with certain rules built into them, such as that they couldn’t harm any human person.
            “Now that I think about it, it seems to me that the overriding rule we are made with is territoriality. It is at the root of our minds. Everything is understood by most of us, in terms of where he belongs or does not belong.  OK, so far,” Milly?
            “Yup. I know Asimov, and I know his rules for robots,” said Milly. “I’m pretty intrigued that you do however, Ralph,” said she.
            “Oh, Ranger Rick and I got to watching I Robot, and then we got to talking and all of that came out. You know how that happens,” said Ralph.
            “Now, all but the most rogue of us, are ruled by this subconscious knowledge of where we belong and where we don’t belong. We know where  you people belong too, BTW.
            “The simple answer is that inside the building is not our territory, but it is yours. So, there is an invisible line there that most sane Forest Men with not cross, even if they are very angry.” Ralph crossed his legs just like a college professor after his lecture, grinned, and laced his fingers over his tummy.
            “OK. Thanks, Ralph. That makes sense. I must say that I had no idea,” said Milly.
            “Coffee’s ready,” said Ramona.
            As they were having a companiable cup of coffee, Ralph sat thinking about the ramifications of the interactions between his people and the Hairless people.
            “Milly, the odd thing, or maybe not odd at all, is that we are just like you people in this way. There are all kinds. Some are kind, some are angry. Many just want to be left alone completely. To stretch another metaphor to death, it’s like a box of chocolates!”
            “I knew you would have the answer,” said Milly.

🍀

We Went The Other Direction on Black F'lineday!

         On the way out of town yesterday morning, we stopped for espresso first thing as all proper PNW women must do, As usual the girl in the booth asked us if we had any Black Friday plans. I said, "Nothing special," and I smiled at her.

        I had smiled, more than usual, because I was seriously considering telling her that we were going Squatching. I'm pretty sure she would have known what that was, but I just thought about it.

        It is much more our style to not go shopping! Instead, taking advantage of a day with mostly sunshine, we went out to take a look around.

Driving the bridge to Marysville. RB

A brief revisit to Tulalip Bay. RB

The old place, minus the house.

Distressed barn!

Skagit Valley, Mt. Baker on the horizon. RB

Twin Sisters, subrange of the Cascades. RB

There's Mt Baker again. We seemed to be circling it!

        And yet, sigh, the Hairy Man remained obscure in his secret lair, in spite of our efforts.

🍁🧡🍂

    

    

November 28, 2025. A Happy F'lineday Open Thread

            🤍Joyous Configuration!🤍 

            It feels like night, but it's not!

            They say it's Black Friday. Pffft!

I say that it's a perfectly nice and proper F'lineday!

The cats and I, Willie, Suzy and Mr. Baby Sir hope you had a lovely holiday!

Stories are always welcome!

MEOW!

😸

It Was A Thursday Afternoon in The Great Forest

 

            Hugo had been resting and browsing up in the First Meadow under the watchful eyes of Uncle Bob and Aunt Suzie for about three weeks. He was feeling much more cheerful and strong. He liked them so well that sometimes in the evening he would come and sit with them around their fire, gazing soulfully into the dancing flames, just like anybody else when there’s a fire to gaze into.
            They presented quite a sight, as you can well imagine.
            So, it was late in the year. Darkness came so very early that it almost seemed like it was always night or twilight under the almost constant cloud cover. It was the time of year when people and creatures gather for food and comfort and in trust that the sun will be back.
            Accordingly, at the apex of that cloudy day, Maeve arrived at the Stump House to speak to Uncle Bob or Aunt Suzie. She loved a dramatic entrance, drifting down out of the grey light in great swooping circles as if she were the emissary of a king, which she often was.
            When she finally landed she said, “I come with a message! Thaga says would you please come to their house today for dinner, but come early! Bring Hugo too!”
            Uncle Bob said, “We will! Tell her we’ll come and bring Hugo too!”
            Maeve launched into the air to complete her mission. Next she needed to bring the message to Ralph.
            Once arrived at the Home Clearing she did a couple of barrel rolls in the air and more swoops. When all eyes were on her she landed on Ralph’s shoulder.
            “I have a message, Boss! It’s for everybody here. It’s from Thaga and Ooog! They want you to pack up everyone, Hector, you and Ramona, Cherry and Twigg, Blue and Berry and Bob too!
It’s for a dinner at their house! Will you come? All of you? What shall I tell her?” said Maeve breathlessly.
            “Hugo is coming with Bob and Suzie, Hector! Twigg, will you go find Marge and bring her too?” she finished at last.
            She waited patiently, for the return message.
            “Of course we’ll come. We’ll all come! Tell her we’ll be there, every one of us, with the cats and the wolf!
            “Tell her, Birdie!” said Ralph.
            Maeve flew back to Thaga to help as much as she could with her beak, which is a pretty good tool after all.
            Thaga baked four wild turkeys with herb and garlic stuffing.
            Then she baked her rolls, whole wheat, because she grinds it herself.
            She made an apple and walnut salad, quite a large bowl of it.
            Sauerkraut baked with onions, apples and sausages she had made with venison earlier in the year.
            Ooog always wanted mashed potatoes, so she made an awful lot of those, because, after all, he grew all those potatoes in the summer!
                        There was a nut and raisin cake, plain, baked the day before for those will the appetite for dessert.
           
            All of this, plus her cucumber pickles, was on the table when guests began to arrive.
            She uncorked about four bottles of her plum wine too!
            Yes, it was a crowded house.
            Hugo had to be placed first. He sat way back in the corner of the living room. He was happy to see his old friend Hector, of course, but wanted Uncle Bob and Suzie to sit beside him. It turned out that Hugo was a very nice house guest! No problem at all.
            Ralph and Ramona sat together on the couch, which was a sturdy one built by Ooog of course.
            Cherry kind of hung around with the animals on the floor. Blue was right at her elbow as usual. Bob and Berry had parked themselves at Ralph’s feet.
            Twigg came a little later with Marge. He’d had a little trouble getting her attention at home with her mother, without her mother seeing him. He did the old pebble toss to the window thing until she noticed it and opened the window. She told Enid that she was going to see Thaga and Ooog for the evening and that was that!
            It had to be a buffet style dinner. There were too many to sit at the table. In addition, sitting at a table is awkward for wolves, and pumas and moose!
            When everyone had a place to sit, including Maeve, though she didn’t sit. She walked around, mingling like she was the hostess or something.
            Thaga sat down at last on a wooden side chair, folded her hands, and smiled at the houseful of guests.
            At last, Ooog stood and faced the group, standing beside Thaga. He smiled at each face one by one. Everyone was silent waiting to hear what he would say, even Maeve paid attention to him.
            “Welcome,” Ooog began. “We are so pleased and happy that you all could join us on such short notice. Thaga started planning it a couple of days ago, then she made cake yesterday and told me to stay out of it. So, I knew she was serious about a gathering.
            “Now, I know most of you don’t bother with calendars, but this day is a tradition human day of thanksgiving. It’s just more fun with friends around, so, here we all are.
            “We give thanks on this day, though we ought to everyday, to the Maker of All, in whom we live and have our existence!” 
            Then there was a lot of jolly conversation, Twigg and Marge helped by bringing plates of food to Ralph and Ramona. They placed plates conveniently for Blue and the puma bros.
            Since they were working as waiters, Twigg and Marge sat at the table where they could be helpful if called.
            Ooog surprised Hugo with a very large bin of tender grass and leaves, since moose don’t care for human food, except for a piece of cake possibly, if it were offered.
            The adults all had a little glass of plum wine. Cherry and the animals had milk.
            Everyone talked about what a year it had been, and their hopes for the next spring and summer.
            They talked until it was way after dark, but as you know, that’s not a problem for Forest Keepers, and Twigg was there to make sure Marge got home alright.
            The dinner was a great success, it was decided to do it again the next fall, and all slept soundly that night!

🍎🦃🍒

A Place Like A Dream, November 26, 2019,

 It is a painting!

By T. Allen Lawson.

It's just like a place I remember photographing.

🍁

So, tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day in America.

A good day for a mental list,

or one on paper!

It will also be Purrsday.

Ideal!

🍂

The Conversation

 

            The second meadow, the one with the Gifting Stump, is small and tends to be floral, an enchanting habitat for bees and various birds, during the warmer months anyhow.
            The first meadow, which is actually like an overgrown logged over field from the old days, is the location of Uncle Bob’s Stump House. The field is littered with the detritus of logging. A lot of firewood has been salvaged from that ruin. There are many stumps in areas adjacent to the Great Forest, and indeed, inside the Great Forest.
            The American west and actually many other places are built of the bodies of those giants. Those stumps seem to be their memorials.
            Nevertheless, after Twigg walked Marge to her mom’s house, he walked happily back down his trail, past the Neanderthal’s cottage. There were lights on in the front room and the kitchen, but nobody was outside and he didn’t bother them.
            When he got clear of the trees, near where he and Marge had met, the old Gifting Stump, he stood studying the sky. It was a clear night. A rather rare thing. He could see the very surface of the moon. When he looked around the whole tent of the heavens, the sensation of depth was so dizzying that Twigg had to look down again.
            He passed the berry patches, now resting up for winter, and entered in among the trees, heading for home.
            Under the trees, he heard an owl call. He answered her, she called him back, and he walked on. She wasn’t hunting, or he wouldn’t have heard her calling.
            When he was almost there, within sight of the fire circle, he stopped and looked. Around the fire, seated on the usual logs, were his parents, both of them. Cherry was on the ground at her parent’s feet, snuggled up with Blue, who was getting just about full sized for a lady wolf. The cats were there too, staring dreamily into the fire.
            He knew change had to come, even here.
            Ralph looked up and saw his son standing in the shadows between the trees, partially lit by the fire. He raised his hand in acknowledgement.
            Twigg walked on down and took a seat on the other side of the fire, facing his family.
            A soft evening wind tossed a few leaves across the scene. Twigg yawned, and said, “Hi. It was an interesting day.”
            “That’s what I hear,” said Ralph.
            “Maeve?” said Twigg.
            “The Bear Thing?” said Ralph. He was laughing.
            “I had to come up with a song, so Marge would believe she could be a bear. So, I sang her the only bear song I knew,” said Twigg. “You did sing it to me once, remember?”
            “I don’t think I want to do it again. It’s hard to be a bear without being a bear, if you get that,” added Twigg.
            “Backfired on ya a little, did it?” said Ralph.
            “There are some things about bears that I didn’t know. Like how much they like garbage, how their whole world is a smell world, they just follow their noses around looking for food!” said Twigg. “I had just about enough sense left to get Marge to follow me down here, because I knew the change would change back here.”

            There was a companionable silence for a few moments.
            “You know we love Marge,” said Ramona. “For her own sake, you can’t let her love you too much, son.”
            “Yeah, I know,” he said, as softly as the little wind of a moment before.
            “When she starts work at the campground she will be too busy to think about me so much,” said Twigg.

🍃

We Could Be Bearish Forever and Ever

 

            “What did Enid say when she heard about your new job?” Twigg asked Marge one day.
            “It’s not for sure yet, I have to wait for the application to go through and all of that. Mom didn’t act surprised and she didn’t try to stop me. She said she knew I would never do anything normal, that whatever it was would be a little weird,” said Marge.
            “Camp host is weird?” said he.
            “Well, yeah. Livin’ in the woods! It’s weird according to Mom, but at least not disreputable!
            “Part of the problem is that I’m too much like my father, not that I remember him, Twigg,” said Marge, with hands stuffed in her puffer coat pockets.
            “And that’s bad?” asked Twigg.
            “Maybe just sad. He was always going on some kind of adventure. I think he fell off of Mt Index. She hasn’t really explained,” said Marge.
            “Did you already dump school?” asked Twigg.
            “I did,” said she. “It felt wonderful!”
            “What about your room in town? Where are you living?” he asked.
            “I could have stayed there for the rest of the month. But I didn’t want to, so I moved back into my old bedroom,” said she. “I brought all my junk back home! Now all I have to do is wait for my paperwork to go through!
            “Then I’ll have to move it all again, to the campground,” she concluded.
            They had been strolling around the meadow in a big loop, like doing slow laps, while they talked. The Gifting Stump sat by itself in the middle.
            “Ranger Rick told my dad that some guy with a camera crew is coming to the National Forest to do “Bigfoot” research. Dad said it seemed like the ranger thought it would be funny to let him try,” said Twigg.
            “Aren’t you worried about it? What if they catch you outside the Home Clearing?” said Marge, looking up at Twigg as they kept walking. He winked down at her.
            “No. I’m not worried. They never catch us and if they’re getting close we may do the bear thing. Most of them think we’re bears anyhow. It’s a short hop to convincing them that we are bears!” Twigg said.
            “Um, what kind of bears?” said Marge, who had never seen a bear of any kind out here.
            “Oh, little black bears. Not very scary, not likely to get shot either!” said Twigg.
            “What is the bear thing and how do you do it?”
            “The bear thing is when one of us needs to look and smell like a bear and we make a kind of atmosphere of illusion. They think they are seeing a bear. Hard to explain. I’m not sure if we just look like bears or kind of are bears for a while.
            “Would you like to be a bear for a while, Marge? It might be an adventure!” said Twigg.
            “Well. OK. Maybe. After all, I don’t have classes today,” said Marge.
            “You sure?” said Twigg.
            “I think so. What will happen to my clothes and shoes? They won’t fall off will they?” wondered Marge.
            “I don’t think so,” said Twigg. “Never thought of that! Hope not!”
            “How does it work?”
            “Dad taught me this song. I sing the song and then I and you I think, if you stay near me, look like bears for a while. We could go visit Ranger Rick and see if Manuel and the boys are there yet!”
            “What’s the song? Sing it, Twigg!” said Marge, grinning.
            So he did, and here it is…
 

If you go down in the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise
If you go down in the woods today, you better go in disguise
For every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain
Because today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

           
            Marge broke out in laughter, “Twigg, that’s a nursery rhyme!”
            “Really?” Twigg laughed, but by the time he was done laughing they were both feeling pretty ursine. The laughter kind of ended up being a sort of wuffling snuffling sound.
            “Shall we go?” wuffled Twigg.
            “Let’s,” snuffled Marge.
            They waddled bearishly down to the Ranger Station. It was a little hard for either of them to remember not to feel like rooting through the dumpster. It was like some essence of bear had crept into their minds because of the illusion. The dumpster smelled fascinating.
            Up at the campground, someone threw a pan of water in Marge’s face just as she was sniffing around their tent. She hadn’t really done anything but sniff, but in bears, that’s enough.
            So, they waddled back to the parking lot, and up the path into the forest.
            “I’m tired of being a bear,” said Marge.
            “Let’s go down to the fire circle and see if Mom has anything good to eat,” said Twigg, bearishly, with intense little brown beady eyes.
            “Can we stop being bears then?” said Marge.
            “Wait and see what happens, Marge,” said Twigg, heading for the Home Clearing.
            Cherry saw them first.
            Then Ramona called out, “Hi, Marge! Twigg! Any news on the new job front, Marge?”
            A fully restored Marge said, “I have to wait for the application to be approved, and then I can start, Ramona. Thanks for asking.”
            Blue ran up to them, sniffing them both in detail, and then approving them.
            “See, that stuff doesn’t work in the Home Clearing!” said Twigg. “Only truth works here!”
            “I’m super glad to be me again,” said Marge. “And I’ll never view bears quite the same again.”
            “It was an adventure, though, wasn’t it?” asked Twigg.
            Marge hung around long enough to have dinner with the family, and then Twigg walked her almost to Enid’s house, staying just out of sight.
            “Goodnight, Marge,” he whispered.
            “G’night, Twigg,” she said and slipped in the front door.

🐻🐻

It Was A Lazy Catfurday in Milltown, Washington!

 Doggone it! Foiled again!

March 4, 2023. Uphill somewhere around here.

Probably around Concrete, WA.

As, usual, I am waiting for snow!

So, any exciting plans for the holiday coming up?

🦃

Catfurday Greetings From Charley in Arizona

 🤍

           

             Charley sends her best wishes to all the cats, and their people too. 
            "Things are going well," she says, "especially since it has cooled down into the 70s. Madam and I go strolling quite often!"

            "There was some stormy weather, as you can see from this shot of Tucson at sunset," she adds.

            "These are everywhere! I keep my distance. No plant should look that hostile!" 

            "Now, while I have your attention, cat cohabiters, Catfurday is the day to make sure that your cats are thoroughly brushed. Just a friendly reminder!
            "I guess that's all for today. See you at the next Purring™!"

⭐

Whose Birthday Party Is This Anyhow?

 

On location!

            As was always the case when Ralph came to the ranger station to talk to Ranger Rick Swanson, he stuck his head in the door, stooping a bit and called out to warn the guy.
            “You in there, Rick? There’s a bunch of us. We need to talk to you. Got time?” said Ralph.
            “Uh, yeah,” said Rick from behind his desk. His laptop had been opened, but he shut it and looked up. “Come in!”
            First Ralph, with Maeve still on his shoulder, then Marge, and last of all Twigg entered the office. Rick waited behind his desk.
            “If you go get that other chair in the backroom everybody can sit down. I assume this will take a minute or two,” said the ranger, as Ralph pulled his oversized chair over in front of the desk, after seating Marge in the regular type chair. Although Twigg hadn’t been in Rick’s office before, he fetched the third chair and sat on it on the other side of Marge.
            Marge wriggled out of her backpack, putting it on the floor between her feet. She took off the rain hat and set it on her pack. She looked all around the office, taking note of everything.
            “Rick, this young woman is our very good friend, Marge. We’ve known her for a couple of years. Ramona vouches for her as do I and Twigg too. Twigg and Marge met in the meadow when they were kids and became friends. Maeve, here, also sees Marge in a favorable light, doncha, Birdie?” said Ralph by way of introductions.
            Maeve made some encouraging raven knocks, but kept her beak shut.
            “It’s Marge who needs to speak with you, we’re just here to help her along if we can,” Ralph continued.
            “OK. So, Marge, hi. They call me Ranger Rick around here. It’s a little bit of a joke, for obvious reasons. Good to meet you. How can I help?” said Rick, cheerfully. His day had been pretty boring so far and this was certainly diverting.
            Rick thought Marge looked like a sensible young thing. He observed her Carhartts with approval. He liked her demeanor  and expression. She seemed, to him, to be direct and at ease in unfamiliar surroundings.
            “Hi, Ranger Rick! I guess that only makes sense, doesn’t it?” said Marge.
            “It’s a little bit of a story, Sir. I am an art major at the community college. I’ve been doing that for nearly two years.
            “Recently it has seemed to me that living in town and doing college courses just isn’t me anymore. I’m only myself in the forest, if that makes any sense. I don’t want to waste anymore time doing something I don’t want to do, you know?”
            “I do know,” said Rick. “I had a similar realization several years ago. But, I was working on a biology degree which was a good enough fit, that I was able to apply to train as a Forest Service ranger.”
            “The reason I’m here is that I was reading up on working for the Forest Service, and it seemed to me that I would like to be a volunteer camp host, possibly. That’s plan A. I don’t really have a plan B. Anyhow, the website advised people who are interested to first talk with a Forest Service  ranger. So, here I am. That’s why I, or we, actually, are here,” said Marge, finally.
            “We don’t really have a camp host right now,” said Rick. “He packed up and went back to Wisconsin suddenly. My trainee has been doing that job in addition to whatever else he is supposed to be doing. I think Dexter would be thrilled if we had a camp host up there in the camping area!”
            Ralph got that look on his face he gets when things are going well, as if, “yes!” things should be going well. Twigg visibly relaxed. Maeve gronked a bit under her breath, but said nothing.
            “When are you available?” said Rick. “You know you still have to apply. I can’t make that go away, but I can sure send in my recommendation.”
            “I’m available right this minute,” said Marge. “Thank you! I’ll try to wait calmly, but wow!”
            Right on cue, Dexter the trainee popped through the office door. He froze for an instant, and then smiled at everyone.
            “Whose birthday is it?” said Dexter.
            “Yours, maybe!” said Ranger Rick.
            “Cool! I never knew! No, really, what’s up?” said Dexter.
            “Well, we just might have ourselves a new camp host,” said Rick. “If the stars line up right. You’re looking at her right now! Marge this is Dexter. Dexter this is Marge, who wants in the worst way to live in the forest. Sensible, don’t you think?”
            “I sure do! I’m here, during the day anyhow! We need a camp host in the worst way, Marge, hello by the way,” said Dexter, who was just about hopping up and down. If anything, he was more excited than Marge.
            “It’s a real shame we don’t have a happy forest cake, coffee will  have to do for now,” said Rick. “But in the meantime, Dexter, why don’t you take Marge up to the campground, Twigg can go too, we don’t have anybody up there today. Show her the little mobile that comes with the job, take the keys so you can get into it. Tell her what a camp host’s duties are and all like that.”
            After the young people took off to explore the campground and the one bedroom mobile home that came with the job, Ralph and Rick had a quiet moment.
            “Thanks, Rick. I feel really good about this,” said Ralph. “And I won’t worry about her with you and Dexter in the area.”
            “I do too. I think it’ll all work out fine,” said Rick. “I’ll go start some coffee and pull out some Oreos. I forgot I had cookies. They’re likely to be out there for a while. We may as well have coffee.”
            And so they did!

🎂

Purrsday Report For November 20, 2025

 

🙀🧡😸

 
            It had been a while, so our agents felt that it was time to get together to compare notes. It was evening, which, of course, comes stupidly early late in November. Suzy had the sliding glass door to gaze into, and Toots had her shiny window in the shop.
 
            Agent Suzy wrapped her tail tightly around herself in loaf position, looked anxiously behind her back, and whispered, “Anything new to report, Agent Toots?”
            “Why are you whispering, Agent Suzy?” said Agent Toots.
            “I don’t want either my brother or Mr. Fluffbag to hear me. Do you have a report?” said Suzy.
            “It’s been quiet. Too quiet! That can only mean one thing, Agent Suzy. They can’t fool me. They’re being quiet. Do you understand!!” said Agent Toots, with conviction.
            “Then there’s no way to tell! Anything is possible!” said Agent Suzy. “That curls my whiskers!”
            “Under cover of November darkness, Hairy Men shamble down the highway calling out in the voices of owls, dogs, wild cats, cars, people talking! It’s impossible to tell. But, all I saw was some raccoons looking for trouble, and if I was outside, Agent Suzy, I tell you they would have found it! I’m not afraid of those fat things,” said Agent Toots. “I would come at them!”
            “That’s kind of an open ended report. Shall we say raccoons for sure then?” said Agent Suzy. “I don’t think the Hairy Men shamble. They have special hips and knees. They move kind of like a train car.”
            “There’s an idea that bears looking into,” said Agent Toots. “Do you have anything to report? Anything scary going on up there in the land of mountains and deep dark forests?”
            “Nothing besides the usual. Oh! In the house here? Well, there have been outrages. Mr. Baby, the Fluffbag, is still here. That’s bad enough, but they’ve been talking about taking him outside on a leash like a dog! I would laugh because no cat should be on a leash. But still, I wouldn’t bite or scratch if they took me outside on a leash. Beggers can’t be choosers, Agent Toots,” said Agent Suzy.
            “Shall we drop the agents bit, Suzy? Neither one of us has anything to report, said Toots, quietly.
            “I guess so, Toots. In fact, the scariest thing that happened yesterday is that she made more sauerkraut,” admitted Suzy.
            “That’s appalling though,” said Toots. “Whoever heard of eating spritzig cabbage, but they do it!”
            “Hard to believe, bye for now, Sweetie,” said Suzy, who was getting sleepy.
            “Talk to you soon, Suze,” said Toots.
            So everything was actually peaceful on Kittycomm!™ And, that’s a good thing!

🧡

An Audience With The King

 

            Sitting there between Ramona and Twigg, Marge gathered her thoughts before speaking. She knew that Ralph wasn’t rushing her into it, so she sat quietly. The fire was warm on her shins, the flames flickered pleasantly. She was at peace, right where she was.
            Ramona did make coffee to go with the pastries, which were a great success with the family. Blue wanted a piece. The cats did not, pastry being much too lightweight for pumas.
            After the treat was eaten, and the coffee drunk, Twigg put the bakery box on the fire.
            Finally, Marge, spoke, “I’m happy here in the forest. The forest is the only place where I have felt as if I belonged and was a part of it. I never fit anywhere else.
            “This was a surprise to me. I thought that my life would be the usual path, school, college, job, maybe family. But after I went home the last few times I visited here, that path felt hollow and sad to me. It’s not what I want.”
            “So, what do you really want? Be really sure. There are not too many ways for a young woman to maker her way in the Great Forest. Do you have any ideas how you might do that?” said Ralph. “And how can I help you?”
            “My mother has been paying for everything. Before I change everything and leave college I want to make sure that she doesn’t have to spend any more money on me. This leads me to looking into the Forest Service. It’s a little bit of a long shot, but I did some research and there is a chance that there might be a volunteer job with them. It pays less than even a trainee ranger receives, but enough because it’s typical for housing to be provided,” said Marge.
            “Well, Marge,” said Ramona, “I can see why you would prefer to be here. I’ve never been down into town myself. Maeve tells me that it’s very busy, with many people moving around and talking and busily doing many things and that there are few trees, only a little grass and only a few plants in gardens. I don’t think I could live there either.”
            “Who is Maeve, Ramona,” said Marge.
            “Oh, haven’t you met Maeve? She is our friend, a very special sort of a Raven. She brings and takes the news. She observes the world from high in the air. I believe that she has seen you! In fact, I’m sure of it. She misses nothing,” said Ramona. She had taken a seat again after the coffee and all.
            “I would very much like to meet her,” said Marge. Then turning to Ralph again, she said, “The reason that I came to you, Sir, is that I have heard that the ranger in this section of the National Forst is a very good friend of yours.
            “They said, on the website, to speak to someone at a station and see if there was a position opening. I thought my chances would be better if you introduced me to him! Would that be possible?” she said at last, getting to the point.
              “Of course, I will take you to speak to the ranger,” said Ralph. “Do you have another plan in case this one doesn’t work out?”
            “Not really. I’m not a Forest Keeper, no matter how much I might want to be. If I can’t work for the Forest Service, I’m not sure what to do next,” she admitted.
            “Marge, you’re the first human who ever said that to me!” said Ralph. “I wish that you could be! I would change you into one of us if I could, but I can’t do that!”
            “Your mother wouldn’t like that very much,” laughed Ramona.
            “Then she wouldn’t believe in me either!” crowed Marge, enjoying the idea. “I would be impossible, imaginary, mythic! Mom can’t see those things at all.”        
            And as if it were written into the script somehow, right on schedule, Maeve wafted down out of the opening to the sky over their heads and landed on Ralph’s shoulder. She folder her wings neatly and looked around. If a raven could have raised her eyebrows, Maeve would have.
            “What’s up, Boss,” said she. But she was looking right at Marge while she said it.
            “Marge, this is Maeve. Maeve this is Marge. It’s about time you two met. You probably know, because you see it all, that Marge is Twigg’s good friend.
            “Now, Marge would like to work for Ranger Rick, so I’m going to go introduce them. Want to come along?” said Ralph.
            “Of course I do, Boss,” said Maeve. “Let’s go!”
            Therefore, looking nothing at all, not really, like characters from the Wizard of Oz, towering Ralph, with Maeve on his shoulder, Twigg only slightly less imposing than his father, and Marge in her puffer jacket, rain hat, and Carhartts, and backpack all set out for the ranger station together.
            “Oh, this isn’t far from the Home Clearing!” said Marge when she saw the Forest Service station come into view.
            “Sometimes the path is shorter than at other times, but yes, we are near neighbors in a way, Rick and I,” said Ralph.
            Rick’s service vehicle was parked by the dumpster at the out edge of the parking lot, so it looked like an interview was coming up.

🍀

A Fabulous Tootsday To One and All!

 

⭐A friend's kitty, when he was very young.⭐

The cats got together to wish you all a great day!

"We love you will sniffs, chomps, licks, all the usual!"

The Purring™ was intense and heartfelt!

Happy Tootsday!

Meow!

🤍

🌸

It's Just Like My Dream!

 

Pacific Crest Trail

            Before Marge left town, she drove down to Grand Ave. and parked in front of the new French bakery. She wanted to buy some fancy pastries for Twigg, and maybe his family, in case she got to talk to them. This wasn’t the usual doughnut type place. Everything had French names. So, she just picked four types, and bought three of each. She laughed because the rather startling sum could be considered an investment in her future, if one looked at it the right way.
            She put the box on the floorboards in front on the passenger’s side, so it couldn’t fall no matter how many times she hit the brakes.
            Marge didn’t like the freeway much, so she drove eastward out of town and connected with old highway 9, and turned north. Then she drove up to Arlington and made the right turn onto 530. It was a pleasantly rural drive, even though the sky was low and cloudy and looked like rain. Soon, she made the right turn onto SR20. Next was the right turn onto the small gravel road where her mother lived at the very end right before the path leading out to Thaga and Ooog’s house, and then the meadow and her meeting place with Twigg.
            It was always a little tricky parking by her mom’s house without going in to visit. Fortunately Hondas are quiet. It was more a matter of timing than anything else.
            Under the cover of greyness driving a grey car, Marge ghosted past the front of Enid’s house and parked near some bushes just beyond. She came around to the other side and shouldered the ever present backpack, and taking the box of pastries, she closed the door quietly and locked up.
            It was just before noon. She had timed this well.
            Bushes full of raindrops pushed in from both sides of the path. It must have already rained up here earlier. Carhartts and a puffer jacket are pretty good rain gear, with one of those goofy rain hats.
            Nobody was in evidence at Thaga’s place, though there were lights in the window.
            As usual, Marge got there first. She didn’t sit because the ground was kind of wet.
            But very soon, Twigg appeared. He made no sound.
            “Hi, Margie,” he said as he came around the Gifting Stump.
            Looking him over and sensing his size all over again, Marge said, “No bees today, Twigg?”
            “Oh, yeah. On days like this they are sleepy and stay around the hive,” said Twigg.
            “Makes sense. It doesn't look too floral out here today. Hey, look, I brought some goodies. I was hoping to maybe talk to Ralph and Ramona,” said Marge. She lifted the lid a little so he could peek in.
            “What’s up?” said he.
            “I’ve just about decided to change my life totally. I want to be in the forest. I’m able to work and I’m thinking about the Forest Service. Stuff I’ve been reading said I should talk to a ranger to see if there are any volunteer positions around here.
            “I’m tired of that room I live in. My classes seem meaningless. I don’t need them. No school can make a person into a painter. Either they are or they aren’t. You know?” said Marge.
            “How can my dad help you?” said Twigg.
            “Well. I remember that he is friends with the local Forest Service ranger. You told me about them pretending that there are none of you guys around here and how they work together to keep the secret. I thought that was pretty cool, and I was hoping for an introduction, to tell the truth,” she said finally.
            “I’m pretty sure he would do that. Let’s go see,” said Twigg. “I’ll carry the box if you like.”
            As they set off for the Home Clearing, Marge in front and Twigg behind, with the box of pastries, a great big black bird was circling in the sky overhead.
            The last time Marge had entered the forest here there had been a strange transitional moment when she entered. It had been almost like a dimensional shift. This time she just walked right in.
            “What happened, Twigg? Why didn’t I have to do that shift thing this time?” said Marge.
            “I think the forest knows you,” said Twigg. He smiled his sweet brown eyed smile then.
            “Really?” she said, looking around in wonder at the huge fir trunks and small flowers along the path, and the huckleberry bushes and salal. She put out her hand and touched the leaves as she walked.
            “It’s just like my dream, Twigg,” she said.
            “You’ve been here before twice now,” said Twigg.
            She walked slowly remembering the way to the Home Clearing. Bob and Berry saw them coming and greeted them with tails swinging together and cat smiles on their faces. Then they turned and preceded the friends down the path.
            As Twigg and Marge neared the center, where the fire was, a white wolf dashed out, circled them, and ran back down.
            At the center, sitting by their fire were Ralph, imposing, humorous, curious, and Ramona, serenely presiding. Cherry sat on Ralph’s knee, watching Marge come in with Twigg behind.
            “Blue, come to me,” said the little child on her father’s knee, and the wolf ran up, licked her hand and settled down at Ralph’s feet.
            “It’s good to see you again, Marge,” said Ralph. “It’s been too long!”
            “Welcome, Marge,” said Ramona, “Please sit by our fire. I bet it’s been raining out there hasn’t it? If you have time, I’ll make coffee.”
            “Thank you both. It is a little damp out there,” said Marge, completely charmed, as she took a seat near Ramona.
            “She came bearing a gift of French delicacies,” said Twigg to the group in general, before sitting beside Marge. “She has a question to ask.”
            “What can I help you with?” said Ralph.
            There he sat, smiling, waiting for the girl to speak.

🍁