Up a Tree

Stuck on a thick limb high in our silver maple tree was a neighbor's white and black tuxedo cat. We kept an eye on him while we mowed the lawns. And while we trimmed the lawns. While we thinned the garden vegetables and potted flowers for the sun patio. And while we had dinner...and dessert.

"He's scared. He's not coming down."

"Nope."

Tom happened to be wearing a fire equipment shirt he was given for one of the many seminars he's attended as a mechanic. He was the obvious choice for cat-rescue-hero. Before the kids and I could make our decision official Tom shinnied up the tree. Besides some good exercise his efforts proved futile. Kitty cat was out of reach and climbing higher with each rescue attempt.

Sam stretched tall, sniffing, letting an occasional beagle bay reverberate from his throat. "Unacceptable to have a strange cat in my yard!"

The cat descended and fled by the time red sky at morning appeared. Caroline checked.

For over a month I've felt like that feline, up a tree and not knowing how to descend to my normal environment. Frozen. But, like the cat, I'm down again. The world makes sense and I'm not afraid anymore.

For now.