While the north wind doth blow, Sleeping Beauty slumbers soundly!

  The wind is whipping about the Bayou like something crazy.  The Little Bayou House's windows are a-rattling and the trees are sending up howls as the wind thrashes through their bare branches.  Outside, the temperature has already begun its plummet to lows unknown. Although, we shall never equal the frigid lows of our neighbors to the north, it is still quite, ummm, nippy out.  Mark, Michael and I did what we could to protect the three "Ps" as our weatherman calls them...pets, pipes and plants.  We had a few extra chores as the tractors, pump and woodpile all needed tending.  By nightfall, things seemed to be ready to face the worst.  The house is snug and warm.

  As for pets, Ms. Ez, the old Bayou Dog, has always had her cozy bed in the corner of the living room.   The Bayou Queen, better known as Ms. Put, the cat, laid claim to the dining room, kitchen, two downstairs bedrooms and two upstairs bedrooms (and any other nook that she could squeeze into!).  This left little area for the Bayou Princess, Ms. Nycto, (also known as the "new" cat).  I could close her into the entryway but since that is not heated, she would still be cold.  Ponder, ponder.  Something just had to be done.  Since the critters all have their quirky ways and do not see eye-to-eye on anything, I was afraid to leave them all to their own methods of civility...of which there would be none.

  I was just about to have the need to evict the Bayou Queen from some of her realm when the Princess solved the whole situation.  Since she normally refuses to enter the house, I felt quite honored when she chose to bed down right next to me.  I know this was merely due to the fact that I could play referee if any confrontations occurred but it did tickle me just a bit.  Perhaps this cat did like me a bit....maybe? Actually, she is a sweetie and loves to be petted....constantly.  That said, I may not get a lot of sleep since she does demand that the hand keep stroking her long fur.  Ahh, well, at least I know she is warm and safe from the harshness of a wintry night.  Good night, Ms.Nycto, sleep warm.