Have you ever heard Garrison Keillor's song "Cat You Better Come On Home?"



It does a good job of describing yesterday's activities around here. Kitty Puss rushed out the screen door and I couldn't catch her or lure her back into the house. She headed straight for the front yard, like a cat on a mission, and apparently the mission was to avoid going back into the house.

Yes, I pointed out the bird feathers in the yard left by the fox, both in front and behind the house. And reminded her there're bobcats and cathawks looking for a snack. But she didn't care.

Using cat-psych, I pretended I wasn't bothered. I spent some time shoveling dirt into a trench, and put the patio cushions away for the winter, and she would appear from time to time, but when I walked toward her, she'd slip away into the edge of the woods or along the river bank, just out of reach.

Although she looked good out there posed on a mossy rock, or climbing up the trunk of a big fir tree, I didn't capture the moment, because it was not a picture-taking situation.

When she was on the riverbank, I stood on the bridge and watched her, and she started working her way along the bank, jumping from rock to rock, at the same time keeping an eye on me. I thought she was thinking 'How'd you get there? I want to be there. Wait for me.'

But no, she was thinking 'You can see me and I don't want to be seen,' because as soon as she could, she ran under the porch of the house next door.

One thing I noticed was how well most of her coloring blends into the background. If it wasn't for the white on her legs and face, she would be invisible.

I gave up. I went in the house and left the front door open. An hour later, who should stroll in, but herself, smelling of pine trees. She was still in her independent mood, wouldn't let me catch her to brush the leaves out of her fur, and went upstairs to her hiding place for a 3-hour nap.


Princess Eloise


Here's a hilarious piece from The Oatmeal.com: How Much do Cats Actually Kill? It is a must-see for cat owners.