THE WINTER SUITE
Published on March 2021THE WINTER SUITE
There was nothing abnormal about the day so far, as Joseph glanced out the door. Just then, along comes none other than Baby and Annie!
“We were just wondering where the cats have gone, Joseph, as the loft has been pretty quiet now for a while.”
“Never thought about it, but now that you mention it, I haven’t seen much of them.”
Joseph replied.
“Do you suppose they found a better home and just moved out without saying good bye– although I can’t see that happening?” asked Annie.
“We will just have to keep our eyes open.” replied Baby.
“Well, well, well. Look who’s coming. Now that is what I call a coincidence.”
There on the pathway was mamma Kitty and her kids.
“They must have heard us talking about them”. Annie shouted as she ran to meet the cats.
“Mamma Kitty – you had us worried!”
"It is nice to see you, Annie. Let’s go to the barn and we can chat there.”
“This feels really nice. We are all back together! Get comfortable so Mamma Kitty can tell us all about what’s happening.” Havier said.
“It is quite simple – I really don’t know! All I know is that one evening Leona just grabbed us and took us into the house. We have these comfortable blanket boxes for sleeping.”
“I guess, for some reason, she wants to keep you safe! There has been a lot of howling from the coyotes lately.” Havier added.
“Get this – we have a curfew now! Can you believe that?” replied Springer.
“How is that working for you Springer?” whispered Baby.
“Let’s just say Mamma Kitty likes it.”
“Springer, that definitely was the right answer! Now I don’t have to sleep with one eye open to make sure you kids aren’t sneaking out!” Mamma Kitty answered.
“This sounds really interesting. What else happens in the house?” asked Baby.
“At first, Leona only let us in the porch where our beds are, but then we sort of
wiggled our way into the rest of the house.” Sook replied with a small smile on his face.
“Sook, I see that smile and I know there is something more you want to say!”
“There is a chair that Springer loves to sit in and it also happens to be Leona’s favourite chair. It is funny to watch him and Leona racing for the chair! 75% of the time he wins. He has been kicked out at times. I have my turn too, but I like it when she gets the blanket. Oh, it is so soft.”
“Mamma Kitty, what is fun for you being in the house?”
“Baby, I love breakfast……..well, I used to.”
“What do you mean by that Mamma Kitty?” asked Joseph.
“The kids sometimes are in a hurry to get outside and on with their work. Most of the time they leave some of their food behind for later. Then I started eating what they left and saved mine. Then one morning Leona discovered what was going on and now she picks up the leftovers and I am forced to eat my own! No more double meals.”
“That would have been right up my alley, the way that I like to eat.” added Joseph.
“Remember the nights when Mamma Kitty had to tell Springer to stop talking?”
“Annie, that hasn’t changed, but he gets time-out now if he keeps chatting. Time-out is in the porch with the door closed for awhile and now he knows to stop the meowing.”
“Do you really get time-out Springer?” asked Baby.
“Yep.”
“We have rules here in the barn and there is no reason why the house shouldn’t have rules also.’ Jake added.
“Sometimes during the day we go in, but if you are snowy, wet, or have muddy paws,
you are stopped at the door. She is right there with the towels to wipe us off. I do not like having my feet wiped. I try to wiggle and turn to get away. Forget that! She will come after you!” Mamma Kitty replied.
“Oh yes! Once I ran upstairs thinking I was safe. I thought she didn’t see me but I forgot about the trail I left behind! My muddy paws were done before I came downstairs.” Sook laughed.
“Are you going to be living in the house, now Mamma Kitty?”
“No, Havier. I think we will be back soon once the time changes.”
Just then the sound of the bag shaking meant it was time to go in before it got dark.
“That means it is supper for us too. See you next time everyone.” Joseph shouted as he ran for the food bowls.
As Mamma Kitty and the kids responded to the call, it just started to rain a little.
“Watch where you are walking so you don’t get your paws muddy because you know what that means!”
“Yes, Mamma Kitty, we hear you!”
“SPRINGER!!! Did you hear what I just said? SPRINGER – get out of the mud!!!!”
Hi Everyone. Thanks for being here. Mask up and distance Check on those who are alone to make sure they are doing okay and not having a difficult time. Maybe even a short letter.
Share the kindness. Stay safe. See you next time
Baby, Joseph, Little Annie, Havier, Jake and the Cats