Summer's coming -- the bats have arrived!

Eagerly awaiting my elliptical's arrival this morning. I'm the first delivery and set-up!  So excited!!! 

Had an errant bat last night that acted so crazy  - refusing to settle down and then daring to dive bomb my cat!  After 20 minutes of having it swoop up, down and never settle, I blocked it (and poor Sassy) into two front rooms, slipped out the back (already wearing my orange cap for courage and work gloves and carrying my trusty bat net and broom) and trudged through the wet yard to the front.  Peering in the windows I could see it freaking out. Man that was one angry bat and Sassy and I hadn't done a thing...yet! 

Sassy had the good sense to sandwich herself between the shelves of a bookshelf.  She was safe, so I unlocked the front door and waited -- HERE IT CAME! I threw open the screen door and it flipped out, then I slammed the screen door to keep Sassy in and quickly followed the bat.  Unfortunately, it slid right into a soffit on the roof -- between the hall closet and "Squirrel Room" which means, it is still somewhere in the house.  If it had landed I was ready to be a big dog  - but it looked pretty angry. Got a pretty good work-out though -- my heart sure was pumping.

I kept the hall doors shut last night and Sassy didn't complain one bit about not being allowed upstairs, preferring to sleep right next to me on the pillow.  I think that mean ol' bat kinda scared her. For an old and ailing cat she was pretty amazing last night. 

This morning, though, Sassy decided we just had to be brave and open the hall doors to the upstairs.  She and I cautiously went upstairs -- peered into corners, behind curtains and stared at the two closed closet doors (closets are scary-- one dragon at a time people).  Then stared at the closed "Squirrel Room" door.  I filled up her water dish in the bathroom, checked behind the shower curtain and then through the Flambe room.  Mind you, I was wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for this (see above paragraph). Ahem.

Having determined that for now all was clear, Sassy took up a guard position across my office desk in the "flambe" room in order to peer out the window at the woodpecker who works in the old tree out front.  That bird has one amazing work ethic -- never misses a morning and seems quite cheerful about it all.  At least that's my 2¢ on it.

Sassy in the window last summer - she looks so much bigger here!
 

Enjoy your Saturday one and all!

"Oklahoma Tornado Kills at least 91" - NY Times

"Homes were flattened, cars flung through the air and at least two schools packed with children destroyed, sending rescuers to dig out those buried in rubble."

After a long night of checking in with people I love, I ready myself for work. A soft spring rain brings about the morning, the birds are calling to each other and one early riser woodpecker has settled on the old tree in my front yard, hammering away. It is quiet, calm on the front porch this morning. I am trying to focus on it, breathe deeply and let loose the sorrow.

Sometimes, I don't believe there are any answers, just tears.

You are my Sunshine

Holding tightly to my hands, her full skirt twirling, as we soared around the skating rink.
The tip of her tongue pressed firmly to her upper lip as she pumped the treadle on her sewing machine.
Flinging her hands about, holding the ever present cup of coffee, as she chatted with her friends and, yet, the coffee remained perfectly contained waiting for her.
Her voice unapologetically belting out disharmonious tones as she hung out the wash.
Carefully measuring the small hand of her granddaughter to make a pair of mittens.
Surrounded by pots, cups, figurines and plates of clay, her head bent over her work, delicately applying the paint brush.
Finding her sitting on the front porch with the newest baby brother, waiting for us girls to tell of our first day at our new school.
Knowing it is her voice I hear whenever I bake bread, reminding me to feed the yeast.
Detouring on my way home after school to the job training site, so we could ride the bus home together.
Catching a shadow of her face whenever I smile in a mirror.
Believing in tomorrows, the power of faith and the importance of a hug.

If all you relive is pain and fear you lose the bits where she was the best mom.

Ruth Jane Nelson April 1938 - December 1996