Saturday Slight

 

If you are reading today and you live in my neighborhood, do you own this cat?

It's a total mystery to us about how this frequent feline visitor could hang out like a stray but look like someone's well-cared for house cat. 

It has been sighted out in our barn off and on for the last year or so; it's also been seen occasionally around the peripheral of our yard and most recently, it loves to stay under the front deck. 

We don't worry about feeding the cat because it's well fed somewhere. 

We also know it's domesticated because on a couple of occasions rather that running away at the sight of humans, it embraces the opportunity very aggressively, dancing around one's legs and rubbing with a feverish obsession. 

We are concerned about the cat's presence around our house because of our little Foster and his blindness. 

When his nose alerts him that the cat is around, Foster takes on an obsession of his own to sniff down that cat. 

Yesterday I watched him sniff all around the south end of the deck where there are openings (which we have mostly blocked).

Then, he moved to an area near the steps in front of the deck. The next thing I observed was a hissing from under the deck and an apparent quick strike with a paw and claws from the cat. 

Foster moved away momentarily, but quickly resumed his nasal pursuit of the cat. 

I walked over to the area, and when the cat started coming out from underneath the deck and Foster would not give up, I had to pick him up and carry him away to the house. 

It's obvious with spring and the lack of snow cover that these interactions could turn into a daily obsession, and I worry that the cat's claws could inflict a serious injury to Foster's face. 

So, once again, if you're a neighbor who owns this cat, it would be nice for it to stay home. 

Thanks.   

Yesterday, I visited Homewood Farm Stand over on the connector road between East Shingle Mill and West Shingle Mill Roads.

It was 10 a.m. and only one brownie with Irish whiskey-infused frosting remained from the morning's shopping spree. 

A nice assortment of Irish soda bread with raisins and Irish soda bread without prompted me to buy two loaves. 

Jennifer assured me that today there would be an ample supply of brownies. 

I took the goodies home, and right after I left my car to go to the house, I saw Dr. Jenni Grimmett's veterinary truck cruise by the driveway, come to a halt, back up and then turn in. 

Jenni, her vet tech Lisa and Jenni's beautiful Irish Setter Tormund had come to extend St. Patrick's Day greetings.  Never mind two days early, but who doesn't want to extend St. Patrick's Day the year around!

Their appearance and their Irish attire definitely begged a photo or two. 

As we took the photos (Jenni was the selfie expert), I informed them that I had a treat for them. 

I'd already cut off a strip of the Irish whiskey brownie and had sampled it.  Tasty as ever!

With just one brownie and one bite already taken and plans for Bill to have a sample, I told Jenni and Lisa this handout would be a definite sacrifice.  

As they took their first bite, it was obvious that their tastebuds had come alive. Those brownies are that good. 

Anywho, their brief visit was loads of fun, and I later learned that the well is not empty for the Irish whiskey brownie lovers.

Homewood Farm Stand will be open today with more Irish treats, et. al., beginning at 9 a.m.  If you beat me there, please leave a couple of brownies.

 

Later, I saw another welcome vehicle passing by:  a road grader.  Our road is far from perfect, but its surface improved significantly with the day of drying out and the grading. 

Speeds will probably start increasing from 5 mph to who knows what!

Thanks, as always to the county workers for doing your best.  

All in all, it's fantastic weather and St. Patrick's Day joy is definitely in the air. 

Happy Saturday.