Let's Just Talk, And Maybe Share A Snack.

 

Sweetie and Suzy share a snack cup quite nicely!

The most open thread there ever was!
Good morning, everyone!

Happy Suzday!

 

🤍

A Chance Meeting in An Unusual Place

 

            Once upon a time, before our time, when the world was much newer, there was a mighty Walker. We may call him Nimson. In the years of his strength he was said, by those who chatter, to be 12 cubits tall. This is a bit of a mystery, but mystery is good for the soul, is it not? It begets humility sometimes.
            This Nimson was an observant and reflective fellow. He spoke little. He watched carefully.
            He had observed several tribes of man, those who live no longer, and also those who have survived until the present day. He had judged them, from afar, to be difficult, restless, and quarrelsome, but also instructive to observe.
            Once this mighty Walker was out doing a bit of hunting, he used a spear by the way. He passed through the forest of his home, relishing the beauty of the tall trees, listening to the songs of the birds, gazing rapt at flowers, feeling the wind moving over the earth. He was so enchanted by it all that he walked on further than usual until the trees gave way to grasslands. He stood for a moment, judging whether to go further into unfamiliar territory, but finally told himself, “Yes, it is good.” So on he went. The grasslands spread out before him, mysterious, and open to the sky.
            There were no trails there, just the endless grass waving languidly in the wind. It was almost hypnotic. Nimson walked on wondering what sort of prey might live in this tall endless grass.
            At last he noticed that though the land appeared to be flat, it was not utterly flat. There were dips and hollows which appeared suddenly when he came upon them. Some had springs of water birthing small streams that wandered off to the next low spot. He was charmed. He stopped and lapped the water, then walked on.
            Night came, and with it a brilliant full moon. He was getting hungry.
            The wind brought Nimson the smell of some kind of smoke. It wasn’t just wood smoke. There was something else in the scent. Something about this scent interested him. It beckoned.
            Then he saw firelight. Realizing that it must be a campsite, he drew silently near.
            There, in the glow of the flames, he saw a woman of the tribe of modern man. She wore a straight garment of tanned leather and long dark hair hung about her shoulders. It was not apparent whether she be mother or maiden. She was alone except for a horse, tied to a bush nearby. This small horse happened to be covered in bundles and such.
            Over the fire, she had laid a large round thing like a shield, he thought. Upon its surface were laid pieces of meat, the source of the strangely scented smoke. Nimson had eaten boars, so he knew pork when he smelled it, but this was more than just pork, there was something different about it.
            He wasn’t afraid of her. He feared nothing. And he was curious.
            Nimson stepped out into the firelight. Before her eyes he stood there impossibly tall, clothed in his own covering of jet black hair, with a face like a man’s, but different somehow. He had amber colored eyes and an inquisitive expression.
            She took him in with a quick glance and then smiled up at him.
            “Are you hungry, Warrior?” she smiled her coyote smile.
            “Perhaps I am, Woman,” he answered, noting the smile.
            “I have meat here, Warrior. Honied, spiced, and smoked boar’s flesh. Will you eat?” said she.
            “I have never eaten meat touched by fire, Woman,” said Nimson. “It smells very good.”
            “Sit, and I will serve you,” she said, edging close and gazing boldly up into his face.
            Nimson sat on the trampled grass near the fire. The woman fished some pieces of meat off of the metal object, laid them on a flat wooden vessel of some sort and then she laid the plate, for of course it was a plate, near him where he sat cross-legged on the trampled grass.
            “Warrior, if you will come with me and be my love, and live among my people, you shall have meat such as this every day. Together with you, I will rule over the lives of men and women, for you are very powerful!” said the dark haired woman with intense, shining eyes of pale blue.
            Nimson laughed and rose to his feet once more, without touching the cooked meat waiting for him on the wooden plate on the grass.
            Fasting, he left her there, walking back into the moonlit tall grass, following his own trail toward his home in the forest. He stopped at the spring again and drank.
            He stood then, wiped the excess water off of his face, looked up at the moon, tucked his spear under his left arm and walked again.
            Once, as he walked, he snorted derisively.

🍎

F'lineday Lazy Open Thread for April 10!

 

            Most of what goes on around here lately looks a lot like this. The little creatures are growing quickly. They are still the kindest, most affectionate kittens I have ever met. Still amazed.

            The one on top of Dad's old piano is Sweetie. He is well named. He is the most involved and the most playful. He gets into the most mischief too.

            The one in the window, stretching his long stripy legs, is Booker. He is more observant and less likely to be the first to start something. He sleeps more. He is the one who is often in my chair before I can get to it.

            Anyhow, I didn't get around to writing anything yesterday. 

            It's always a pleasure to read anything you care to write! As always, feel free to opine!

🌸

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.

⭐

They're Going To The Mewn!

 

            Suzy felt the need of a bit of timely commiseration, so she concentrated  and Purred madly until she thought Toots could hear her…
            “Toots, Sweetie! Are you there? Oh, why did I say that? Toots?” said Suzy.
            “Here, Suzy! What’s up with you?” Toots said kindly.
            “Well, not to put too fine a whisker on it, Sweetie,” said Suzy. “Brrrt!”
            “Yes, Dear. A Tom Kitten. Try to bear up!” mewed Toots. “Someday soon, he will sleep more.”
            “Besides kittens, sigh, they’re all sitting around looking at the square thing. I hear talking about people on a thing with fire under it going to the moon! I ask you!” huffed Suzy.
            “Mewn,” said Toots.
            “What? Isn’t that the same thing?” said Suzy.
            “Every human on Earth spells it wrong!” insisted Toots.
            “Toots, we don’t know anything about spelling. We’re illiterate!” said Suzy.
            “They say it wrong too. It’s not ‘mooooon,’ it’s pronounced ‘mewn.’ See the difference?” said Toots.
            Suzy frowned, “How can I see the difference? Shouldn’t you say hear the difference? I don’t see anything but the back porch and that thing Booker and Sweetie run in.”
            “It’s just a manner of speaking, Suzy. It means can’t you discern the difference between ‘mewn’ and ‘moon’. We have to hold the ground on this one,” said Toots.
            “I can’t hold the ground, I’m in the house,” whispered Suzy.
            “Are you being obtuse on purpose, Dear?” said Toots.
            “OK! OK! Mewn sounds better to me too! You win, Toots,” admitted Suzy. “How could it not?”
            “Right,” Toots nodded.
            “But there’s still a big problem. It doesn’t make sense. Listen, you’ve seen the mewn. It’s not big. It’s only about the size of a large tuna can. That thing with fire under is too big! What if it hits the mewn, and breaks it? Don’t they think about stuff before they send things to the mewn?” said Suzy, looking quizzical.
            (If you could have seen her, you might have thought she was considering having a tummy ache.)
            “Tuna?” said Toots. “What about tuna?”
            “That’s just how big the mewn is,” said Suzy.
            “I really like tuna!” said Toots. “I wish that if you had some you would send it somehow.”
            “I don’t know how to KittyCom™ cans of tuna, Toots. I wish I did. It would solve a lot of problems. I would send you all the tuna in the cupboard here!”
            “What were we talking about, Suz? I forgot,” said Toots. “You started talking about tuna on the mewn or something.”
            “Sometimes I wish Sweetie could ride that wheel on the back porch to the mewn, Toots!” hissed Suzy. “He’s disruptive.”
            “What about the other one, Booker? Doesn’t he ride the wheel too, and act like a Tom Kitten too?” said Toots, still picturing a can of tuna in the sky with a flaming tube aimed at it.
            “Well now, Booker is a negotiator. He’s not into storming citadels like his brother, thank all that’s good and proper!” said Suzy.
            “Have you ever had creamed tuna with peas, on toast, Suzy?” Toots said dreamily.
            “Dang it, Toots. Have I lost you?” said Suzy. “No. I’ve seen it, but it gave me tremors! No way, girl! I don’t eat fish in any form.”
            “You don’t know what you’re missing!” said astonished Toots.
            “Oh, yeah I do. I eat birds. Big dumb birds, all minced up!” said Suzy also dreamily. “I want to miss all the tuna in the world!”
            “Be that as it may, Miss Suzy, I sure hope they don’t break the mewn!” said Toots.
            “Maybe they’ll just go around it and take a bunch of pictures,” said Suzy.
            “We can only hope and Purr™, Dear, only hope and Purr™,” said Toots, fervently.”
            “Amew!” said Suzy.
            “Really they would do well to check with us first,” murmured Toots.
            They were both getting a little sleepy, so they broke off transmission and drifted off to a well earned nap.

😹🌖😺

Celebrating April Fool's Day In A Big Way

 Was it sheer lunacy?

Why today, the prankster's holiday?

Is there a message in this madness?

Come on, guys!

Let us in on the joke.

We can take it.

Where the image came from.

🚀

Can You Hear What I Hear?

 

We hear it all!

 

            Suzy and I were having one of those human/cat debates yesterday. You know the one where the cat wants one thing and you need to do something else? Hint; cats don’t care what you want to do.
            Yesterday, when Booker and Sweetie were otherwise occupied somewhere she wanted me to hold her. I did too! And I tried reasoning with her.
            “Suzy, I can’t sit here and hold you all day!” I implored.
            Snug in my arms, me holding her small toes in support, “Why not? It’s really nice!” she said.
            “I want to write something, and I can’t do it while keeping your toes warm,” I said.
            “I assume you’re talking about that thing you keep poking with your fingers,” she said. “Seems like a waste of time. What does it get you?” she said.
            “It’s how I talk to people who aren’t here,” I said, expecting trouble.
            “Ghosts?” she inquired, looking ready to run for it.
            “No. Living people,” I said.
            “How do you know?” she said, still tucked up in my arms.
            “They talk back,” I said weakly.
            “Oh ho, Lady! That shows what you don’t know. Ghosts do talk. I’ve heard them, mumbling away, hissing, and rattling things!” she said, darkly.
            “You’re kidding,” I said. “You hear that? Disgusting. No wonder you’re jumpy.”
            “Not all the time. I hear other stuff too. Like water moving through pipes. And all of these machines you have. They all buzz! To a cat, there is no such thing as silence. They say that if a Forest Giant is around that it gets really quiet. They’d have to prove it to me. I’ve never heard silence,” she said. “In fact, I don’t believe in it.”
            “Even I always hear something. Right now, it’s the fridge. If I think about it, I also hear cars, and an airplane. Normally, humans don’t attend to all of that background sound,” I said.
            “I’m not wired that way. I don’t shut it off. Hunters can’t afford to not pay attention,” she said. “So, where are these not-ghost invisible people you talk to by poking at that thing and watching little marks appear on that thing in front of your face?”
            “Oh, here and there, scattered around the country,” I said breezily. “Several live pretty near Toots, as you know, or should, Suzy.”
            In a bid to delay the inevitable, when she would have to get out of my arms, she said, “Say. Did you ever smell a Plaidie, one of those Fae folk who sneak around outside?”
            “I don’t know. What do they smell like, pray tell?” I said.
            “Grubby gold. It has a smell! And, something like the smell in a crawlspace, dank. Garlic. They eat it raw,” she said, eyes wide and staring.
            “I think you’re pulling my leg,” I laughed.
            “No! Really! Toots and I both smelled one last night. She said she did!” Suzy insisted.
            “Are you sure you didn’t just dream that?” I said.
            “But, Toots wouldn’t have the same dream!” she said.
            “I’m not sure about you two,” I said. “You might have the same dream! Now, skedaddle, Suzy, I need to poke at that thing, or it’ll be another bubble thread!
            So, she wandered off agreeably enough, leaving me to ponder a couple of things.

🙀

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?

🐶