Too High

Got home tonight and my grass seems to be a bit too high. It was just mowed last week, yet I think my Lawn Guy and Crew need to visit on Saturday. I tell myself I oughta invest in a lawn mower--so just to mow when I feel fit. Hmm. Guess I ain't felt that fit enough since I ain't bought one. Yea, good grammar I know, I digress...and it could be fear of somehow chopping my hand off while I mow might be part of it too...

Thought of my KC Chum today and I didn't even hear our anthem Sister Sledge "We Are Family" when I did. Nope. Thought of when I zipped to and thru Kansas City, on my trek to Iowa a week or so ago. How it woulda been nice to stop and do lunch or coffee. The next time I journey North, I just may have to make sure I stop. OK-I just smiled, because I recall us sippin some Saki and playing our version of trivia, while another friend tired of us. Or the time we got lost and found the not so safe part of Omaha and released balloons or the time....yea, time for a visit.

Think I need to go out to my backyard, check on the grass there and to make sure my peach tree hasn't fried in the heat. Then I'll take a gander upward to the clouds...
...and be assured dreams are never too high.

Backyard Bloom

Love my backyard.

I bought this house for the one thing I said I didn't want: a yard.

Now, I can't imagine myself without one. OK. Sure, the check to the lawnmower guy, every other week, DOES help. Yet the yard is what sold me on this house.

The lady, who raised her sons in this house, loved her yard too. One of her sons said his mom tended to a vegetable and herb garden until she became too ill. Then was just able to tend to her flowers. The greatest gift his mom left me(outside of the circa 1970's appliances because I had zilch) are the blooms that come back every year.

Last April when I moved in, I was too emotionally drained to pay attention to the yard. This year is SO different. I have some small trees, just a bit taller than me, leaves for decoration. Three rose bushes, my wisteria, gladiolas, little pink and lavender flowers sprinkled everywhere. There are other plants and flowers, the lady, who planted them, would know their names. I must Google to learn them.

I wonder if I could have done what the lady did: plant and love these plants from the beginning? Maybe I can accent what the lady started? She might just sit on the bench under the wistera and smile.

I love my backyard.

Not Planned...

I buried a kitty in my back yard today.

No, not one of mine. But a neighborhood kitty that lounged in my backyard, especially in the mornings. My brood watched her from behind the fortress of my kitchen window, while our guest would watch them and then roll in the freedom of my lawn.

Not sure what neighbor the kitty belong too. Sure looked like no meals were missed. A roly poly, long haired tortiese shell kitty. My guess, maybe a girl, since few calicos are male. Just a few weeks ago, I watched as she drank from the water bowl I have set for the birds. Scared me the first time I spotted her-a big bundle stretched out on the lawn.

I'd just been in the house a few days and thought "How could a possum survive with all these dogs around here?" Then the kitty stood up. I went outside to try and make friends. Ms. Tortiseshell wasn't feelin' that. Yet, she would be back often and have a stare contest with my brood.

This afternoon, as I step out my front door to leave, I saw her. Curled under my chair--sleep, I thought-no biggie. Been there before. Then I got scared when she didn't move as I came all the way out. I knelt down and looked her. I could still see some of her pretty Spring green eyes. She may have still been with me as we looked into each other's eyes. I think she died right then.

I came inside and called animal control to come get her. I was on hold. I had no idea where she lived exactly. I'd seen her walk across the street, then other times, I would see her on another lawn as I drove home from work. But which lawn? There was no way I would go house to house with a dead cat in my arms. I didn't fathom the thought of traumatizing some child along the way.

Then I realized, "You have a back yard. She would visit, so now let her stay here." I wrapped her up in some piece of no longer worn clothing and carried her to the back yard. She was limp , not all the way stiff when kitties pass away. I had her away from harm for the little bit I planned to leave. I prayed when I returned, she would be like Lazarus and rise up.

Didn't happen. Her body was now very stiff and the pretty Spring green eyes were shut. I wonder if a car hit her and she made it to my house. We'd had some rain and she was wet. Or a dog, or maybe somebody put her there. I just know she wasn't there last night, when I turned on my porch light.

I could be typing here, as I'm doing right now, with my cats are looking out the window, just like now--at something. It could have been her. If I'd known, may I could have saved her.

In my back yard, there are rocks that circle some plants, not far from the bird's water bowl. Her grave is among the plants. Her rest will be undisturbed. Also the kitty will help the plants bloom in the Spring Such a pretty cat. I hope there's a 'Lost" sign for her. I would call her humans and tell them where she is.

Don't let your cats roam the neighborhood. It is their instinct to prowl, yet a car, dog or just a jerk of a human won't care.