stimulus checks

Stimulus Checks--what a strange world it is

ours arrived yesterday, and my little private account (what I consider my 'slush fund') is about to be graced with what to me is a vast amount of money.  Im not even sure why we have one, but I am not going to turn it down, no indeed.

Oh, the places you can go. the plans you can make, the trips you can take and never spend a cent.

Happy Birthday, Toby

This was Toby when we first got him,  9 years ago last month.  He was about 2, and he's much leaner than he was--at that time he had spent most of his days  huddled in a shelter,  not moving, terrified. As they told me then, without details, 'he'd been brought back" which I think is careful Shelter Speak for two former homes, and they obviously didn't hold out much hope for him, OR his bonded friend Sammy.  I took them both.  They spent a LOT of time huddled together, protecting each other from the dreaded humans. 

Sammy, I think, like a lot of foster kids, ran away from the good (but unfamiliar) home to find  to the one he knew. He came back after three days,  wet and hungry and slightly chastened...but a few months later he disappeared for good. 

But now Toby is lean and fast, he gallops everywhere and has learned to get our attention by sitting just like this, but staring hard at us.  I get that look in the morning and reach for the catfood.  My husband gets that look at 10 PM every night, and he realizes it's time for bed, and Toby Wants His Chair.   And finally he's beginning to let me pat him.  Having a new buddy helps.  He and Charlie are now best buds, Charlie grooms him, and in return Toby lets him.

He also has a finely honed skill as mouser.  Two winters ago he managed to track down and finish off at least 2 dozen mice, no mean feat, but this was his forte. 

This was his first mouse, 9 years ago.  He ran out, caught a mouse, and that was that.  No fuss, no bother.  We haven't had even a glimmer of mouse in here for two winters. In an old house, that's pretty good.  And like a good cat, what he doesn't eat he leaves on my husband's side of the bed.  Goood kitty.

It's always nice to have a friend to share quiet time...