"Eyes" See You!

  If you are getting weary of the tales of Bat, the cat, then just bypass this.  Bat has become an integral part of my everyday life now.  This "throwaway" cat came to the Bayou as a wee kitten rescued by my son-in-law and has decided that this is the life for him.  In a sense, he rescued me.  Now, we seem to be attached to each other and spend most of our time, both inside and out, together.  

  On part of our daily hikes, it is customary for Bat to try to ambush me.  I never know where, nor when, he will pop out of some hiding spot, paw at my foot and dash around like a mad cat.  It is a big game for him and does keep me on my toes.  There is no becoming lackadaisical when you are constantly in danger of being "savagely attacked" by the sweetest cat on earth.  I have to admit that his antics have bemused me more than once.

  Along about six months ago, Son dropped an dead tree that was threatening to fall on the arbor.  Once it was on the ground, I decided that it needed to stay right where it was.  Now, I have a lovely hollow log along the pathway.  I left it merely because Bat seems to think this is "his" log.  It has become his favorite hiding spot for one of the ambushes.  This is all fine and dandy as the cat is as happy as can be in his hiding spot and I am happy because when he is here, there is no surprise attack.  Little does Bat know that, while he is hidden, he can be seen!  Yep, those bright amber eyes literally glow giving his whereabouts away!  Still, he crouches down as if I cannot see him and then out he pounces!  The game continues!  

  Most folks would cringe at having an old log lying about the yard.  While everyone else is nitpicky about clutter, I find that there are times when things need to stay put.  This is one of those times.  Then, again, I am not a clean freak...as everyone knows.  Who cares?  Bat is happy and he deserves it.  The log stays.

The Hiking Cat

   After losing Ms. Ez and then Mr. PJ, my hikes seemed a bit lonely.  Both were dedicated dogs that followed me wherever I ventured.  With them by my side, I felt safe as I roamed the Bayou and woods beyond.  While Ms. Ez was a true bayou dog that knew the ins and outs of the marsh, Mr. PJ (because he came to live with us late in life) stuck to the trodden path.  Like I said, the hikes are now lonely and I have to be much more aware of my surroundings.  I miss the dogs but have no inclination to get another.  I am too old to do all that training again.

  Well, I did not want a cat, either, but one was plopped in my lap...literally.  The "throwaway" kitten that my son-in-law rescued was supposed to be a temporary foster but we all know how that goes.  The kitten stayed.  Now, as a somewhat grown cat, "Bat" is proving that he was meant to be here.  He has become my new hiking partner.  While he may not be as intimidating as either of the very large dogs, I am sure he would at least alert me to something nefarious along the path and I have a feeling he would try to render help if needed.  In that aspect, he reminds me of our old cat...Ms. Put, the Bayou Queen.  She protected me more than once by tangling with some threat.  She was only half the size of Bat.  He is nigh on 12lbs and still growing. 

  While Bat is good company along the walks, he still has a lot to learn.  He has not mastered the sitting still while I photograph some critter.  Instead, he rushes in to either make friends or give chase.  He also sounds like a herd of elephants as he scampers about in the dry leaves.  It is all good, however, as I welcome the company.  His presence makes the early morning hikes all the better.  Mr. Bat...the hiking cat!