Now that we're in the waning of "Sunpuddle-on-the-bed" season, Maddie spends a lot of time crashing there. She's been know to spend hours on the blanket stack and the bed, moving only to follow the ever-sliding sunpuddle. The only casualty of this extended nap is her fur. There's usually a monstrous case of disorganized bed fur. Maddie, of course, being fastidious (even for a cat) spends a great deal of time putting herself back together before coming out in public again.
Here she is, making sure that every fur and whisker is in perfect trim. What a beauty!
Early every February, on a Saturday, ChezRanger does its taxes. Saturdays afternoons are usually restful around here. We get our chores and workouts done and chill to the afternoon broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera. I'm not a huge fan of opera, or a serious serious opera maven like my sister-in-law, but I do enjoy most of what's been broadcast, and the intermission commentary always teaches me something. I find that I like the more lyrical operas. I really enjoyed La Fille du Regiment and Le Comte Ory, which I hadn't ever heard all the way through (or, if I'm to be honest, even heard of...). There are the biggies, like La Boheme, Tosca and others which have delighted me. A View from a Bridge I just couldn't listen to.
Anyways, there we were at the dining table, all set up, papers in order, pencils and wits sharpened, ready to compute. Maddie sat at the table with us, ready to check our math.
Subtract! Borrow from the tens place! Carry the eleventy! Bring down the six! If you clowns don't do the math right there'll be no money for treats and turkey! Subtract!
It's 40 degrees with a 40% chance of rain and complete cloud cover. And we just got word that our neighbor's rabbit has died.
Our neighbor Ed is a good man. He's a tree-guy. Y'know, the ones that go around keeping power lines clear. The ones who go out in atrocious weather to get stuff off of power lines so that they can be repaired. Ed was driving along the road one day and spotted a white and brown obvious-pet-style rabbit on its own in the wild. Next thing anyone knew, the bunny was the new pet. Named him Harold. Harold the Hare.
Now, Ed has another pet, Puddin', our neighbor-cat.
We were a bit worried about how that would turn out for them both. Turns out they became fast friends. It was always a sight to gladden our hearts when Ed, Harold and Puddin' would all come outside. Ed would play his guitar or read, Puddin' would enjoy the sun or stalk a bird and Harold would wander and nibble, exhibiting a sudden burst of rabbit-energy every once in while, just to keep Ed on his toes. Most times, the Harold and Puddin' would get the lounge chair while Ed sat on the ground.
Harold had, I think, quite a good life. He was safe, well cared for, and had a lot of quality time with his human in the great outdoors between our houses. I'll remember him fondly, and hope that there's a Bunny-Valhalla where he can hang out happily and wait for Ed.
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