Rudely Awakened

There’s a new town crier in my neighborhood.  The past few years there was a huge tiger cat who would stroll through the yard, announcing his arrival as he came.  He’d stand where he could be easily seen from the back living room and side dining room windows.  My cats would hop up on the sills and get the scoop on the neighborhood.

The tiger seems to have been replaced.  There is now a very loud mostly black kitty who comes to share the local gossip.  He hasn’t learned to paraphrase yet.  Over the weekend he spent several hours talking in my yard.  He stayed so long that my cats lost interest and wandered off to nap.

Last night, in the wee hours of the morning, he returned and decided to sit on the outside of the non-functioning air conditioner while my cats perched on the inside of it.  Or so I’m guessing.  All I know is somehow the alarm system was triggered at that window.  At 3:45 AM.  This morning there were footprints on the top of the ac unit outside and my cats were afraid to scamper by it.

I’ve been happily ignoring that air conditioner for years.  It’s old and huge and very heavy.  Now however, I suppose I must deal with it.  Guess that’s the spot where my purging of useless things will begin.  Sigh.

Mystery Solved

Last night it clouded up enough that it was bearable to sit out on the front steps and kibitz with my neighbor.  First time in over a month and it was very nice.

While we were there a man passed by, walking his slow-moving dog.  We all exchanged hellos and he stopped for a moment.  The dog, which looked like brindle greyhound, turned out to be a whippet and something mix.  His name was Pete and he was no longer speedy because he’s in his teens.  He was a rescue and the man said they’ve been the best of buddies since he scooped him up at the Humane Society when the dog was not much older than a puppy.

When I first moved into Reading a million years ago there was a fresh produce market just a few blocks from my house.  It always had the best selection and when it up and vanished one day without any explanation I missed it. 

As we were chatting it came out that this gentleman used to be the owner of the produce store.  He had to give it up when he had complications from surgery for a brain tumor.  He ended up paralyzed, blind, mute and on a ventilator for months.  It took time but he’s come back completely even though his doctors were preparing him to be wheelchair bound.  He has a full life complete with entirely new career and a very cool dog and is doing just fine.

I’d always wondered what happened that the market closed.  And now I know.