What the cat is dragging out.

It’s the wind.

Stirring things up. Rattling nerves and disrupting thought.

A not so gentle reminder to look-what-the-cat-dragged-in and get ready for winter.

Miss Dixie is more concerned with what got dragged out. 

(No it’s not the election. She’s sitting in the catbird seat as far as that’s concerned.)

We need to chat.

She peers out her lofty spot. Comfortable and safe, but monitoring the skies to safeguard another.

(And if you saw the furrow of her brow – and knew her level of concentration – you’d know she’s ordering those clouds more than watching.)

That girl.

As if Dixie hadn’t recognized the signs

“Oh, just running out to vote,” the ruse flowed like honey off her tongue.” And a little visiting. I’ll be back soon. Before you know it.”

All breezy and breathlessly gushed.

Desperate to convince: herself or Miss Dixie?

Didn’t fool anyone.

Miss Dixie turned so not see the bag pushed quickly out the door.

Didn’t react.

What was the point.

A measure response would occur…at the proper time.

That Varnish Gal, Linda.

Leaving on your birthday?

Skipping town inland instead of partying here.

OK, so the elderly relatives will be thrilled to see her.

Someone’s feeling the years a little here, too, a disappointed Dixie.

Well, nothing says “you abandoned me” like a well planned guilt trip.

Miss Dixie, considering the Task at Hand, glanced once more at the sky.

(Clear. No “red sky at morning, sailor take warning” threat perceived.)

She’d leave her vigil for a moment and paw at the keyboard.

If a cat hair falls in the carpet, and no one is there, is there a sound? Will anyone respond?

Sigh.

All she can do is hope – and carefully request…like a Who from Whoville.

Linda Leinen aboard Alaska Eagle
(Image stolen from Linda’s blog)

Miss Dixie, the cat in the window,  simply requests all who hear, please click over and wish her person a Happy Birthday.

• Linda, Varnish Gal, flows with the tides, comforts boats, wanders among prairie grass, and provides shelter to Miss Dixie, who tries to care for her in return.
• A gifted photographer and a rare wordsmith who carefully crafts thoughts into remarkable stories in her blog the “Task at Hand. A writer’s on-going search for just the right word.”
• You can quietly sail over to her blog unobserved – she doesn’t require “likes” or stats. Content with a community of storytellers sitting around a virtual campfire.

(Hey, she was really into saving and documenting that big old Ghirardi Oak tree..read her post/photos about that tree here. You’d probably like her other tales of the sea, hurricanes, egrets, purple cows, and life in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas )

Linda probably hasn’t told too many people about her birthday. Miss Dixie was fretting.

Birthday Greetings would be a surprise.

(Much nicer surprise than what Miss Dixie originally considered…Glad I was able to talk her out of that!)

Please Click here  to say Happy Birthday to Linda Leinen.

Thanks for sailing over

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge