Buff's Backyard

TRAVEL CAT
Photo by Buff Etheridge
(Click on photo for larger image)

Ice Cream for my cat on his first birthday? You’d better believe it. I love that cat.

No worries. It was a new and healthy pet ice cream. http://www.coolclaws.com/

After ice cream, plus the mandatory catnip and plastic bell toy, Merlin got his main gift: quality time – in quantity – with Mommy. That would be me. With Merlin draped comfortably over my arms, off we traipsed on our mini travel adventure.

Heading for the lake, we passed through a pedestrian tunnel. Kitten ears perked up as the echo of my voice reverberated to the strains of “Happy Birthday, dear kitty…. ” (Can you tell that I’m of a certain age, uncaring about the occasional raised eyebrows?)

Just out of the tunnel, a jogger blew past us. Startled, Merlin tucked his head under my armpits. Showing the birthday boy that running was nothing to fear, I cranked my body into a slow run, Merlin bouncing wildly in my arms.

I think it was the running that must have startled the wasp. Excruciating pain jolted through the knuckle of my middle “give ‘em the bird” finger. O Lordy! This must be what a lightening strike feels like. Ooohhhhh…. Aargghhh …..

This is perchance retribution from the great Insect Spirit in the sky, said my guilty conscience. Ants have invaded my home, and rather than spray death, risking killing the cats, I’ve been squishing ants on sight. Karma.

Merlin and I rest on a waterside bench, watching geese dive from the concrete drainage island. Some older ladies, about my age, jog toward us in a gaggle of gals. Hope they miss the wasps’ welcome waiting for them around the bend…

What does this vignette have to do with travel?

Next week I will be leaving Merlin behind as I hit the highway. This birthday tribute honors those we love but leave behind. I guess that makes me the Travel-Cat.

Travel-Buff ^..^

This entry was posted on Friday, August 17th, 2007 at 5:17 am and is filed under Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.