I am delighted to be back to writing after recovering from Covid. I was bedridden for a few days, only getting up to feed the Herd, do litter box duty, administer medication, and use the bathroom. I was exhausted and had no energy to do anything else. I spent some of the time napping outside in the Catio. The weather was too nice to miss. My kind brother, Nelson brought his homemade chicken noodle soup, macaroons, three cases of La Croix, and a bottle of wine. The cats sensed that something was wrong and snuggled with me anyway, which made me feel loved and supported. I am so grateful to be previously vaccinated and feeling better, and to be able to get back to my normal routine quickly. I also caught up on my household chores, and the Herd was so happy to see me up and going. They followed me around the house, purring and rubbing against my legs. Pops has been at my side and was happy to be back on his perch. My old mutt was happy to be walked.

My tools and hardware were on the driveway for a couple of months under a pop-up canopy, as I have no garage and was trying to figure out how to fit and organize them in the shed. Unfortunately, the canopy did not last long, which was not unexpected. The Herd’s persistent jumping on the canopy to reach the roof caused it to tear. The tear eventually became bigger. The unexpected heavy rains exacerbated the situation, as the canopy formed water bags and became soaked. It was a mess. I didn’t get the much-needed break I had hoped for over Labor Day weekend. I had to gather the tools and hardware and cover them with a tarp.

Last week, I had lunch and cocktails with my longtime ski partner, Molly, on the deck beside the Clark Fork River at Finn and Porter. The weather was pleasant after the rains, and it was a beautiful day. We then visited the Fairgrounds to see the annual Art Show hosted by the Humane Society. A number of the booths featured a variety of media, including photography of horses, cats, dogs, and wildlife. One booth in particular caught my attention. I met Bobbie, an artist who displayed her digital art. I had an interesting conversation with her about how digital art is created with a mouse. I had never tried this medium before, so I was eager to learn more about it. Bobbie explained that digital art can be created using a variety of software programs, such as Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. She also told me that there are many different ways to use a mouse to create art, such as using the pointer to draw lines and shapes, or using the scroll wheel to zoom in and out. Our conversation was very informative, and I am now interested in trying digital art for myself. I recently purchased a drawing tablet to connect to my Chromebook. It seemed like a more practical option than having markers, pencils, and chalk lying around, and also more budget-friendly than buying another computer. The Herd often knocks them over. Bobbie has a graphic design degree, and I have a science degree in accounting and business. I am satisfied with the results of my efforts to create content for this website. I decided to give it a try. We’ll see how that goes. Molly, a cat owner, signed up for a couple silent auction items. Another interesting art form was scratchboard, which has a black background that is scratched to create white marks. It was used to create dramatic wildlife faces, including a cat face that I liked. Molly and I had a lovely afternoon out.

I did not see anyone I recognized from the Humane Society, which was not surprising given how long it had been since I had last been there. I was reminiscing about Bianca when I first met her at the TNR meeting at the Humane Society. The kitten was so tiny and not yet weaned when she was found next to a meat plant. Her mother and siblings were deceased at that time. She was covered in abscesses. Her foster mother brought her to the meeting and I immediately informed her that I wanted her. She soon thrived and her white fur became stunning with a streak of black on her head. She was born with some defects. Her front leg is immobilized like a boomerang and walks with a limp. Her spine is missing a few spinal caps near the rear end. She is doing remarkably well. Her bowels have lost some control as she has aged, but she is still good about using the litter box. I give her a bath once a week. She has never uttered a sound in her life, but she growls when touched by anyone other than me. Recently, she has been enjoying coming out to the catio to soak up the sun. Bee-Bee is now 17.

Autumn is in the air, and the leaves are beginning to fall. We are still enjoying the cool evening breezes on the patio, with a glass of Syrah. I am wondering if it is the wine itself or if my taste buds have not fully recovered yet. My sense of smell is still a bit off.