speed of dark

My husband and I built an outdoor enclosure for my cats when I moved to the country with him. They can go in and out when they want through a pet door from one of our windows, which they really enjoy. The enclosure is 10 feet high and has shelves at many levels for them to climb up and down on.

Last week one of my cats was up on the highest shelf. I was going out to the grocery store, and I spoke to her as I went toward the car. She rolled over on the shelf, as a cat does when the sound of your voice is as good as a caress. I turned to go, then something made me look back again. She was now dangling 9 feet up in the air, hanging only by her front claws from the shelf! She had accidentally rolled off.

I dropped everything and ran into the cage through the people-door. She was too high for me to reach, and the only thing to stand on was one of those flimsy plastic stacking chairs. I grabbed it and got under her. By this time she had her hind legs braced against the chicken wire and was hanging onto the shelf by only one front paw, the other waving around trying to grab something. I stood on the chair and was able to get my hands on her sides.

Most cats at this point would be in such a panic that they'd either claw you to death trying to go back up, or they'd turn around and claw you to death on their way down. Not this cat. When I put my hands on her and said, "I've got you," she relaxed, sheathed all her claws, and let go. I turned her around, and she curled up against me while I petted her and reassured both of us that she was OK.

When I put her on the ground, she kind of shook herself and huffed, like "What a humiliating experience!"

Here are two songs from a new children's album called See You On the Moon, put out by Disney. I've sampled all the songs, and I can't imagine that children would be very interested in it. I think people who take a lot of downers might like it.

However, I like these two, and they happen to be cat-related or mention cats. Both Mark Kozelek and Great Lake Swimmers made my Favorites of 2005 CD with other songs.

Mark Kozelek: Leo and Luna

Great Lake Swimmers: See You On The Moon

And because I felt like adding it:
Mayonnaise: Falling Star from Mayonnaise (2004)

My little falling star is the one on the left in the picture.

Click the album links above to get more info or purchase them on Amazon.