Preparing for Winter

                Winter is coming slowly but steadily.  The signs are everywhere—our song birds have left, the squirrels’ food storage operation has kicked into overdrive, coat hooks are filled with woolen jackets, and I am plagued by overwhelming cravings for comfort foods.

Toby burrowed in to keep warm

                I’ve been looking for signs of autumn in the clowder but haven’t discerned a pattern yet.  Sure, more flashes of fur pass by the window as the cats interrupt the squirrels’ nut burying to play tag.  (The squirrels, while mightily annoyed, are too busy to even cuss at them.)  There also seems to be deeper burrowing into the warm bed covers at night (cats are now on top of and under my knees).

                I suppose since all their needs are taken care of, there’s no reason for our cats to prepare for cold weather.  My heart goes out to the feral cats that have to tuck into storm sewers to survive.  It’s a good reminder to step up help to those people facing a cold winter with limited resources and share what I can.  We have been richly blessed with a warm home and a well-stocked pantry—time to open our hearts and hands to others.