Well guys, this past week my world in San Saba changed dramatically and sadly some of my best fodder for writing walked out of the door and flew south for the Winter. Who knew Harold was part bird? Hey, I guess I should be glad he isn’t a jail bird and left because he got news there is a desperate shortage of people with his expertise in the chemical field and could pretty much name his salary. He will be gone for at least three months and will be calling in his material for my column. What his leaving means for me is A) My OCD can run rampant again. B) Patches and Peepers fight like cats and dogs for my attention…oh wait, they are a cat and dog. C) I do not have to turn the television on, let alone have the volume up so loud I feel as if someone installed speakers in my ears! D) I can listen to any music I wish, any time of day or night and not feel like I have a parent who disapproves of my choice. If the previous paragraph sounded a little harsh, I apologize but please remember I haven‘t seen a clutter free house in two and a half years, no television and my music as I wish it will be temporary and having to deal with Peepers and Patches on my own is like having all five of my children at home again and underfoot twenty-four seven. Shall I share a small example? Wednesday night is actually one night I do enjoy television; I watch Survivor, Harry’s Law and then Law and Order SVU. Five minutes into Survivor, Patches jumped on the couch and started pawing at my shirt because he was freezing and wanted to be a baby kangaroo. I told him to go lie by the heater but he looked up at me as if he understood nothing but German and continued pawing. I made the mistake of reaching for my water on the table and he used the moment to burrow in and make himself right at home. I was thankful I had layered and had my thermals on underneath my shirt so at least I was protected from his cold nose. I managed to get comfortable again when Peepers started in. To say Peepers is a bad cat would not be accurate. He is a wonderful cat with moments of really, really crazy. While we were still living in the Houston area our vet recommended we put him on Prozac or in a straight jacket. At one time I had so many claw and bite marks I looked like someone had tried to install zippers all over my arms and legs and had done a really poor job of it. Since Harold retired two and a half years ago, Peepers has been his side kick and loves him more than anything. Don’t get me wrong, Peepers loves me too but he loves me to pieces…literally! When I go in to feed him, give him water and attention we are fine for about ten minutes and then those ears go back and he gets this crazed look and if I don’t make it to the door before he does I am losing a limb. Anyway, I was trying to watch Survivor, Patches inside my shirt like a baby kangaroo and Peepers starts trying to break down the door to get my attention. Peepers weighs twenty pounds and looks like a grey Garfield. I turn up the volume on the television to drown out Peepers; Patches is growling because he hates Peepers. I tell Patches to hush but then Peepers begins to pound on the door with even more determination and starts meowing with the ferocity of a pride of lions and my house soon sounds like a crazy zoo! I was really irritated and so fished Patches out from under my shirt so I could go in and explain to Peepers that Wednesday night is the one night I really do enjoy watching television, he has plenty of food, enough blubber to keep him warm, and if he would not rip my skin off, maybe mommy wouldn’t like Patches best! I opened the door to the Peepers side of the house, stick my foot out to keep him from entering the Patches’ zone and I am greeted with a healthy bite and swipe. Yep guys, I sure wish I could have flown south for the Winter but no, I just get to fly over the Cuckcoo’s nest! If I survive and don’t end up drooling into the dog’s bowl or sitting in a corner batting at my own shadow, I shall be back next week with another one of these. I love you all with all my heart. Well guys, this past week my world in San Saba changed dramatically and sadly some of my best fodder for writing walked out of the door and flew south for the Winter. Who knew Harold was part bird? Hey, I guess I should be glad he isn’t a jail bird and left because he got news there is a desperate shortage of people with his expertise in the chemical field and could pretty much name his salary. He will be gone for at least three months and will be calling in his material for my column. What his leaving means for me is A) My OCD can run rampant again. B) Patches and Peepers fight like cats and dogs for my attention…oh wait, they are a cat and dog. C) I do not have to turn the television on, let alone have the volume up so loud I feel as if someone installed speakers in my ears! D) I can listen to any music I wish, any time of day or night and not feel like I have a parent who disapproves of my choice. If the previous paragraph sounded a little harsh, I apologize but please remember I haven‘t seen a clutter free house in two and a half years, no television and my music as I wish it will be temporary and having to deal with Peepers and Patches on my own is like having all five of my children at home again and underfoot twenty-four seven. Shall I share a small example? Wednesday night is actually one night I do enjoy television; I watch Survivor, Harry’s Law and then Law and Order SVU. Five minutes into Survivor, Patches jumped on the couch and started pawing at my shirt because he was freezing and wanted to be a baby kangaroo. I told him to go lie by the heater but he looked up at me as if he understood nothing but German and continued pawing. I made the mistake of reaching for my water on the table and he used the moment to burrow in and make himself right at home. I was thankful I had layered and had my thermals on underneath my shirt so at least I was protected from his cold nose. I managed to get comfortable again when Peepers started in. To say Peepers is a bad cat would not be accurate. He is a wonderful cat with moments of really, really crazy. While we were still living in the Houston area our vet recommended we put him on Prozac or in a straight jacket. At one time I had so many claw and bite marks I looked like someone had tried to install zippers all over my arms and legs and had done a really poor job of it. Since Harold retired two and a half years ago, Peepers has been his side kick and loves him more than anything. Don’t get me wrong, Peepers loves me too but he loves me to pieces…literally! When I go in to feed him, give him water and attention we are fine for about ten minutes and then those ears go back and he gets this crazed look and if I don’t make it to the door before he does I am losing a limb. Anyway, I was trying to watch Survivor, Patches inside my shirt like a baby kangaroo and Peepers starts trying to break down the door to get my attention. Peepers weighs twenty pounds and looks like a grey Garfield. I turn up the volume on the television to drown out Peepers; Patches is growling because he hates Peepers. I tell Patches to hush but then Peepers begins to pound on the door with even more determination and starts meowing with the ferocity of a pride of lions and my house soon sounds like a crazy zoo! I was really irritated and so fished Patches out from under my shirt so I could go in and explain to Peepers that Wednesday night is the one night I really do enjoy watching television, he has plenty of food, enough blubber to keep him warm, and if he would not rip my skin off, maybe mommy wouldn’t like Patches best! I opened the door to the Peepers side of the house, stick my foot out to keep him from entering the Patches’ zone and I am greeted with a healthy bite and swipe. Yep guys, I sure wish I could have flown south for the Winter but no, I just get to fly over the Cuckcoo’s nest! If I survive and don’t end up drooling into the dog’s bowl or sitting in a corner batting at my own shadow, I shall be back next week with another one of these. I love you all with all my heart.