The Sun's In The Sky, The Cat's In The Window

We’ve a little snap in the air, the sure sign telling us summer’s over and we’re on Mother Nature’s “warning track,” about to hit the wall of winter. It’s called Autumn.

There seem to be more leaves on the sidewalk than I remember seeing even last week; I’ve worn a jacket a couple of times on my trips to the newspaper after the press starts running at 12:30 a.m. The car windows are fogged up then.

Up until a few nights ago, I left the cat’s two perch-windows open all the time so she could keep an eye on events whenever she wished. Sure, she could do it through a closed window, but you lose some of the immediacy that way – the smells, the subtle sounds, the more distinct sights. Well, she can use her imagination now; just because she has a fur coat and doesn’t mind the cold doesn’t mean I’m going to put up with it.

During the daytime, as I mentioned, there’s this cool snap, but when the sun is out, it’s not that bad and both windows are open so Herself can bask in the rays and, as is happening right now, do a little cleaning. I don’t know if she’s licking her paw to wash her face, or washing her paw and wiping it on her face; it’s hard to tell with a cat. But there she sits, in her glory, enjoying the sun and the sounds of North Franklin Street.

She has changed her position, from the open window to her blanket perch at the window in front of me. One is for observing, the other is for sleeping. After a few licks of her tail, it’s going to be nap time in the sun’s warmth.