Cadsbury and Mr. Bigglesworth

We had a good rain back on March 2 (.7"), and a good rain three weeks later, on March 24 (1.6"). And since then, we've waited. A single rain event in almost seven weeks makes for a really dry spring. But sometime before daylight, I woke and nudged Phil: rain on the roof! The long-awaited, prayed for, wished for rain.

But while rain is good for the land, it isn't the most fun for farm visitors. Phil's parents are in town, and though they willingly play endless games of Skipbo and Uno, among others, 16 hours of games in the motor home sounded a bit much.

So Phil and his parents and the boys headed up to town to get a cat. Well, actually, two cats. Just in case one isn't a good mouser.

The first time Phil went for a cat, the experience was stressful. Too many forms, too much time. And one semi-feral barn cat, that escaped from our barn and was never seen again.

This time, Phil was relaxed when he returned home, almost jubilant. We knew what we wanted, and the women at the SPCA helped us find outdoor cats that would be personable; mousers that would also be pets.

The boxes held our new pets.

Mr. Bigglesworth came first. The boys had walked into an area filled with outdoor cats, and he came over and played with them right away. That was an easy choice. He's at least eight, so definitely middle aged, but the boys delight in his interest in them. Abraham, especially, wants to be near him. (Abraham! Not known for his enthusiasm for pets.)

I like his light coloring.

Black cat Cadsbury is the young one, almost a kitten. Uncannily long and slender, he glides around the trailer like a panther, peering through his enormous eyes. A little skittish, yet friendly enough to come up for a gentle pet, he purrs his appreciation. I've never seen such a shiny coat. He's been an indoor cat, apparently, but the women seemed confident he could expand his environment.

I don't think of myself as a pet person, so I'm surprised by how blessed I feel to have two beautiful cats, two fun puppies (and a sweet dog) ... and four beehives! Maybe I'll be a pet person yet.

It's hard to resist puppies who love you just for stepping outside, or cats who purr just because you touch them.