It's a Ruff Life

When I die, I want to reincarnate as one of my pets!

Looking Like A Home

Thanks to a hand-me-down sleeper sofa from our friends, a rug from Neal's parents, and my family's chair and coffee table, The Ranch is really starting to look like a home!

Now, if we could just figure out how to unfreeze the pipes so we can bathe while we're there at Christmas...

A Special Day

Roses are red

Violets are blue
There's no other
As fine as you!

Happy Birthday to my favorite guy!

No Cats In The Cat Room Today

She Takes Her Duties Seriously

As the Postal Service motto goes, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds". I think C.C. must have been a postal carrier in a former life. I bet she was as dedicated a carrier as she is a critter stalker! All the other cats tucked tail and ran deep into the warmth of our house as soon as they felt the frigid air outside, but not this girl.

When I opened the door to let the dogs out, C.C. bolted outside for her favorite spot by the fence. I felt sure that she would be back meowing at the door within minutes, but that crazy cat refused to come inside, even with temps at 15 degrees and falling! I eventually had to go out and shoo her back in. Today all she accomplished was keeping a patch of ground (and a few peanut shells) warm and dry, but she assures me tomorrow she will catch whatever is lurking behind that fence. That's what I call serious dedication to the duties at hand!

Edited to add: Well, she did it. Tonight, when the temps were below 10 degrees, she ventured out yet again and minutes later she appeared at the door. Little did I know when I opened the door to let her in that she had a mouse in her mouth! She walked in, proud as a peacock, I screamed, she dropped the mouse and I scooped it up and released it to the frigid world. It was still alive and managed to walk away, but I have no idea the extent of its injuries, if any. I'm amazed. I really didn't think she had it in her!

Where Did November Go?

I look at the calendar and realize today is the last day of November, and I wonder....where the heck did this month go?

Then I remind myself that I spent 3 weeks of this month as a juror on a double homicide case. This was my first-ever jury experience and a very intense and emotional one it was. And on top of that, I suffered through what I think was a bout of food poisoning last weekend. I can't remember when, if ever, I have been so violently ill.

Thank goodness I was feeling better in time to eat two Thanksgiving meals, lovingly prepared by dear friends who included me in on their celebrations while Neal was with his folks in Baton Rouge. And the court case is behind me, although not forgotten. I have come to realize that what I experienced in that courtroom made a huge impact on me. I learned things about the human condition that I would have rather not known. But most importantly, I was reminded how good my life is and how very precious each and every moment is. And that is something to be thankful for on a daily basis, not just once a year.

Good Day for Staying Home