An Incredible Journey...

Crystal Returned!

When Crystal and her beautiful litter of kittens left here last spring, I really never imagined I'd see her again. I dreamed of each of her babies living in new homes, and the mama living in the lap of luxury in her forever home. 

So, you can imagine my shock and awe when I went out to feed Claudette yesterday morning. I heard another "meow" coming from outside the Compass Barn, which I thought was a vocal Leo. Claudette and I both looked toward the sound, only to realize that his sister, little Crystal, was making her presence known.

She marched straight to the table where I fed her as a kitten, and where I petted and cuddled her enough to consider her tame enough to be adopted. She rubbed up against me, making lots of noise, as she pushed her way to the food dishes. She was skinny (her hip bones were showing) and hungry! (Let me add, Claudette was not happy to see her daughter again.)

I went back into the house, knowing that Handsome was not going to be happy with this new development either. I had to explain that Crystal was back, and I had no idea how it happened. I needed to contact the shelter for more insight.

I got a return for my call after 4 pm. I first asked whether or not they had found a new home for Crystal. (They had.) Then, I asked if they had clipped her ear. (They had, because they weren't sure whether or not she would end up a "community cat".) Then, I asked whether or not they'd heard from the adopters, saying their cat was missing. (They hadn't.) Finally, I told her Crystal was back in our barn. She was as shocked as I was! I asked, without wanting specifics, which area Crystal had moved to, and was told that she was placed in my hometown...no less than twelve miles away!

I was told that Crystal was also microchipped, so if there was any doubt, we could scan her to be sure she's "my" cat. I told her I had no doubt that this was Claudette's daughter, and told her what this little cat must have encountered (avoided) to get back to our property. There is highway construction between town and us, as the state builds out a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway. It's highly traveled, and too many animals face this highway and don't survive. In the past week, the coyote packs have been active and vocal. I took Tag out a few nights ago, and their barking started within 50 yards of us. I couldn't shoo him inside quickly enough. The weather has been less than hospitable lately, too.

It's been cold, raining, and dangerous, yet the homing instinct of this small cat motivated her through all of that to come back. I imagined all her vocalizing was her attempt to tell me all about her trip. I told the lady I've been dealing with at the shelter that I am most curious to know when Crystal went missing and just how long she's been on the road.

My contact will be away from the shelter now until Thursday. She's going to contact the adopters to get the answers to some of our questions. She told me they adopted her with the understanding that Crystal was to be an "indoor only" cat, so she must have escaped, but she was wondering why they hadn't called her to say that their cat had run off. 

Last of all, she said they'd take Crystal back to try to rehome her, but she had a huge concern. Usually it's the male cats who will travel greater distances to return to their familiar grounds (usually a few miles), but she was shocked that not only did Crystal travel more than a few miles - she traversed at least twelve miles to get back here. That's a strong homing instinct for a male or female, and she thinks that Crystal would always try to get back here, and perhaps the outcome wouldn't be so positive. She could be harmed (or worse) next time.

I took Crystal and her babies to the shelter initially because I wanted them all to be in warm, dry, and loving homes, rather than the rougher life of a feral cat. Claudette stayed here because I knew she was imprinted on our neighbors' and our properties. I thought I'd tamed Crystal to the point that she'd be happy elsewhere. Boy, was I wrong.

I promised Handsome that there would only be one cat here. Now there are two...at least for the next few days. I don't know how I can send her away again, knowing that if she gets out, she'll try to come back to me. I've got a real dilemma on my hands. I'll have to pray on this one.

Tuesdays With Tag - Under The Bed...

I'd Rather Be Alone

 Hi, Everybody!

We survived Halloween without bein' humiliated with stoopid costumes (even though Mom got some!) this year. She tried dressin' up The Ladies, and Carly would have none of it. How could we get a picture of the three of us, with only two willin' participants? Wasn't happenin'.

Yesterday was downright cold! Winter isn't far around the corner, and I have to tell ya...while I like cooler, draggin' my privates through the snow isn't somethin' I'm ever lookin' forward to! I'm sure you understand.

Over the weekend, Mom and Dad moved the cat back into the barn. She's had a bed on the porch most of the summer, and boy, is she spoiled. Mom said she was worried about tuss gettin' cold, so they moved the chaise and the cat bed back into the barn. I thought it was gonna be harder to get her back into the barn, but stoopid cat got Mom's drift, and she's been sleepin' in the barn ever since. Mom feedin' her out there didn't hurt either.

Mom took me on her errands yesterday, and we had a nice trip. First, Bella and Carly stayed home! Just the two of us went all the way up to Primitive Gatherin's, and I waited like a good boy while Mom conducted a little business inside. Then we stopped at Walmart on the way home, so Mom could get a litter box and litter for Claw-dette. Mom decided to see if Her Kittyness might use that instead of just poopin' all over the barn all winter. Mom did a lot of rakin' last year, and she didn't really want to repeat that this year. After that, Mom grabbed a bit of lunch, which she shared with me, and then we came home.

Once we got back, Dad and the girls settled into the livin' room, while I took myself upstairs and crawled under the bed. I needed a little alone time. Don't hold it against me. I'm sure you've been in the same place at one time or another. I just wasn't in the mood for Carly up in my face, or havin' to sit on the floor 'cuz I can't jump up on the new sofa like the girls can. (Let's just say I'm a bit vertically challenged.) I just wanted to be alone...until I heard dinner bein' offered.

Once I heard Dad grabbin' our dishes, I shimmied out from under the bed, and scurried downstairs toot sweet. I'd had my personal time, and got back to socializin' after dinner. That's all I needed. I'm good now, thanks.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!" 

Framed...

Framed Wedding Flowers Embroidery Detail

 

It occurred to me that I hadn't shared my finished floral embroidery with you. I wanted to show you how I decided to display my piece.

I chose a soft white frame, and mounted the embroidery over a few layers of thin cotton batting to pad behind the work. Then, I went into my trays of vintage jewelry where I found two alphabet pins that happen to be my mother-in-law's initials. She passed away the year Handsome and I were married, so this is my small tribute to her from a memory of our wedding day.

Framed Wedding Flower Embroidery

The frame has an easel back, so I can display it on a flat surface where it will be seen and enjoyed. I'm so happy with the way it turned out.

I had a busy weekend, too. I made, bottled, and sold most of another batch of hickory syrup. I think there are only a few bottles left from my weekend efforts. I've added a sales button for the hickory syrup to my sidebar. All you need to do to purchase a bottle for yourself is click on the button and it will take you to a secure checkout. 

Now that it's November 1st, I'll be busy with production for the Craft and Vendor show on the 21st. On the weekend, I'll make more syrup and do homekeeping things. I'll share what I'm working on as the month goes along. 

Tag will be back tomorrow. He wants to tell you about our weekend. I'll see you again, as usual, on Wednesday.