Thursday night, I stayed up too late. (Oh, shush! I know!)
I had probably just dozed off, curled up around Rudi, when I heard Jeremiah trilling at me from my side of the bed. It was not his normal trill, but I figure that he wants to curl up and is disgruntled that I’m in his spot. He frequently trills and has been known to mix it up.
I woke up enough to say, “Okay, sweetie. Lie down.” I patted the pillow above my head.
I heard a tap on my pillow.
I do not know what deeply seated natural instinct made me think, That’s not right.
But the next thing I know, I’ve let out a loud “Eep!” (Rudi, whom I awoke with it, assures me it was not an “Eek!”)
Jeremiah had dropped a cockroach on my pillow.
Now awake, I turn on the light, carefully grab the pillow and carry it to the bathroom where I groggily attempt to flick the cockroach into the toilet. I fail and we both scuttle off to our respective corners to nurse our injuries — real or imagined.
I mean, I’m glad that Jeremiah hunts bugs down. But did he really need to share it with me? And in the early hours of the morning?
It’s been a while since the cats got a chance to star in the blog, so they asked if they could have today.
Who can resist these faces?
First, Della helping herself to some of a Sunday market haul:
“Look how they filled up this market basket with all sorts of leafy green things just for me! I just can’t wait to try the spinach! Yum!”
Then, Posey and Jeremiah lying together in one of their favorite locations for a nap — on top of our drying rack:
“Jer, why does she keep pointing that thing at us?”
“I don’t know, Pose, but if we just keep staring out the window, I think she’ll get bored and leave…”
I arrived home just before 8 tonight to find a lovely surprise — my Hot Socks box from Evelyn!
Evelyn happens to live across town from me and runs the blog devoted to all things knitting in the D.C. area — D.C. Knitting in the City.
Look what she sent me:
Rainbow-hued Regia Stretch Color, tiny KnitPicks in US0, and Zhena’s Gypsy Tea! The tea is organic, fair-trade raspberry Earl Grey and delicious.
I know it’s delicious because I made myself some to drink out of the delightful fall-themed mug Evelyn included in my package. Also in the picture you will see my current knitting (the shawl) and the first pair of socks I ever knit (also made from Regia yarn).
And a considerate pal never forgets the felines. Look — she sent them a box! Posey is modeling how it’s a perfect fit. Jeremiah has taste-tested it and agrees it’s a fine vintage. And Della kneaded the tissue paper to make sure it was nice and fluffy. We have three very content cats tonight!
Thanks, Evelyn, for being a terrific pal. And, thanks, Laura, for being a good host. And, Chrissie, your box will be in the mail this week!
1. There is nothing better than coming home from a trip. Walking in the door and being met by three cats who absolutely adore you is incomparable. They want nothing more than to sit on you to prevent you from ever leaving again (unless it’s to buy them some more cat food, of course).
2. The Mets have been playing remarkably well this year. Right now they have the best record in baseball and last night they became the first team to reach 90 wins for the season. It used to be that I’d go places wearing my Mets cap and people would greet me with sympathetic looks. This year, I’m greeted with, “How about those Mets?” Even in Salt Lake! It’s a nice feeling to be at the top for once.
3. Washington, D.C., is a Democratic city. 74% of registered voters are signed up as Democrats. We’re so Democratic, it’s a law that the City Council has to have two members of a “non-majority” party just so that it’s fair. So when the primary rolls around, essentially you’re electing the person who is going to assume power. This year we had two major positions open up — mayor and city council chairperson. Adrian Fenty, who is only a few years older than I, won the Democratic nod for mayor. He has a vision for where the city should go from here that many people think is exciting. And Vince Gray, formerly the executive director of Covenant House, won the primary for council chair, offering hope that the next iteration of the council will consider ways to attract businesses and to provide services to low-income families simultaneously. I didn’t vote for either of the two winners, but I am excited that they bring fresh blood and enthusiasm to their positions. May they help to keep D.C. a nice place to live.
