My son had came in from work and was holding our, his, official in house cat. The cat was making some noise but not much. I kept hearing meowing, then my son heard it as well. We both looked at Cricket who had a, ‘wasn’t me’ expression on her face so I walked to the back door. One of the feral cats was standing on the back steps meowing loudly. When I walked to the door, it dropped down a step but didn’t run. It sat, watching me still meowing loudly. I had fed them earlier, but maybe this one didn’t get much. Yet, to be on the safe side, I asked my son to go under the house and make sure neither of them was hung up anywhere. Surprisingly, he didn’t argue with me. He took the flashlight and started under the house.
There is a big, yellow cat that I have no idea where it is coming from, but it was under there. My son had no way of chasing it out, but he left the door open in case it needed a bigger way out than the way it went in. I need to find a way to chase that one off as it is a bully and hogs all the food that it can. I’m not feeding that one, it has a home somewhere it looks too healthy. I honestly need to find a way to find a rescue who will take these cats as they really need homes. I don’t know how long they will last this way.
I did manage to get my son to help me get another load of wood up on the porch. Tomorrow is supposed to be raining and much cooler. I emptied the ash bucket, but I’m in no hurry to clean out the wood stove, I can do that tomorrow if I have to build another fire.
While I was outside, I noticed the moon coming up. I pointed it out to my son as we both returned to inside the house. I had supper to cook after all. After that was done, and after I had fed the dogs, I stepped back outside to look at the moon. Night had fallen completely after all and the moon would stand out more grandly.
I was greeted by the most glorious music. The night critters are coming back to life. Another sign of the coming spring. I stood out on the back steps for a few moments, simply listening.
There is a special feeling that one- or at least I- get while enjoying these sounds. No matter what section of the choir is singing at the moment, it is incredibly relaxing. Be it tree frogs, crickets, night birds or what ever else seeks to join into the song.
I came back inside and opened a window for the first time in months. I wanted to hear the music for as long as possible. I have no reason to turn the television on, the radio in the kitchen has been off since the unexpected power outage yesterday. The poor thing is tired and really doesn’t like when we try to make it return to work. I haven’t had the desire to hear it anyway. The music I want, is the music coming in my window.
Ah, Spring, how I long for you. How ready this heart is for your return. Even if it means yard work, that too is fine. Because then, when day is done, I can kindle a fire in the pit out back, sit in the swing, and listen to the music of the woods.
Words from The Dirt Road 