“Hmmm? What about the backyard beasties?”

That was the question a bewildered reader sent to me earlier today after I wrote my tale of the coffeepot calamity and spirit’s foolery.

I must say my forgetfulness was caused by two things.

First, I got so wrapped up in the telling of the main tale, I nearly forgot to put in the “rest of the story”.

Then, just when I was about to write a PS and explain about the backyard beasties the delivery I was waiting for showed up, my sister sent me a message saying they were ready to come get me for my dad’s 77TH birthday celebration and rather than save the post until I could finish, I hit send and took off to collect my packages, and take off for an evening with dad.

Later, whilst I was sitting at table enjoying listening to my dad tell stories from days gone by suddenly my muse chittered, “You dummy! You didn’t finish the story.”

Slapping her away as if slapping at a bug I said, “Hush!”

Suddenly round the table everyone fell silent.

“What?” I asked.

“That’s what we want to know?”

“Oh, sorry, talking to my muse. Never mind.”

Well, I suppose dad at least is used to my weirdness and without missing a beat, he picked up the tale and all went happily onward.

“What about the backyard beasties?” You’re screaming.

OK. OK. I’m sorry. Here I am rambling on and am about to forget again.

Gees. Dad turns 77 and I’m the one who’s cheese is slipping off the cracker.

😜

Anyhow, this morning, as I was finishing my well-earned cup of brew, once again I heard a clanging noise. This time however, I was able to identify the sound.

‘Clang! Clink! Clang!’

“OK. I’m coming!” I hollered out the backdoor as I reached for the bag of stale serial, breadcrumbs, and leftover popcorn I keep for the birds’ breakfast each morning.

Stepping out into the sun I called, “So you’re the ones clanging and clinking around out here. What are you rattling anyhow?”

Then…

“Meow! Meow! Meu! Meow!”

“What in the…?”

Dropping the bag to the ground I slowly turned and there by the stray cat’s dishes sat a small kitty.

Slowly, oh so very slowly, I walked over to where it sat on the rail of the deck.

“It’s OK.” I whispered. “I won’t hurt you. Just a minute. Let me get you some food.”

I went back inside, retrieved the bag of cat food off top of the hot water heater and returned to the deck half expecting the little thing to be gone. But…

“Meow. Meow. Meu.” Was the answer to that thought as I poured kitty kibble into the bowl.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to forget about you backyard beasties.” I said as I walked out into the backyard to scatter the bird’s food over the ground and bushes alongside the deck.

Later, back inside with a second coffee to hand I thought to myself. How wonderful it was to still have something who needed me to care for it.

Will the kitty tame up some and let me pet? I don’t know.

Come back soon to find out.

For now, this is Patty, who is feeling rather content tonight saying.

May harmony find you, and thank you for continuing to send it to me.

Thanks for reading, and blessid be.