New Freedom

Natalie started walking pretty much on the day after she turned one. By early April, she was enjoying her new-found freedom, especially outdoors, where crash landings are softened by soil and grass.

Here, it looks like she's chasing the cat with a shovel. She isn't. She'd toddled across the lawn to her dad's gardening area. She picked up the spade and, enthralled, came walking it across the lawn. She did a few digging maneuvers, making it clear she's been watching Aaron in the garden. She was really proud of herself. And the cat just happened to saunter across as I snapped the photo (though he's no dummy, getting away from a spade-wielding baby who takes pride in pulling his tail).

4/10/2012

And here, she has climbed up into this chair on her own.

4/17/2012

Day 306

A possum had been coming to the back porch to eat our stray cat's food at night. (Or maybe it was multiple possums, taking turns.) Megan had named the possum Sherry, kind of jokingly.

But then I saw a pink, fingery paw sticking out of the cardboard stray-cat condo. I took this photo. Even Megan was creeped out. Now, we bring the cat food inside at night.

Sorry, Sherry.

12/26/2011

Someone's Cat

She used to be someone's cat. Most nights now, she (we usually call her Minnie) looks in through our back windows. Someone declawed her and spayed her and kept her for a while. She's a fine cat. She needs a home.

I used to be someone's cat. I know what it means to be
inside like that. (12/16/2011)



Interlude: Baby, it's cold outside.

A brief moment of cat harmony, brought to you by cold, rainy weather. (When the sun breaks through, this will end.)

12/6/2011

Day 245

Ollie is all over Megan when she gets home from school.

10/26/2011