Ch. 147; Vol. 10
MEOW.
THUMP.
MEE-YOW!!!
Crackers was chasing a mosquito killer around the living room again, Sunday night. And when she pounced triumphantly and achieved her kitty goal, you could see it on her face. She was now a lion. Sprawled in glory on the floor, her paws folded smugly in front of her disinterested face. I did feel sorry for the mosquito killer. But rescue had come all too late.
Meanwhile, Memorial Day was in our tracks once again. And while Rose, Mom, Aunt Petunia, and Grandma Combs were at the St. Louis Symphony Gypsy Caravan at UMSL rooting out nickel-and-dime treasure, the rest of us did our own thing. Probably half of them were sleeping in, the boys and Rose, from going to the movies late with Dad – Star Trek.
“Dad? Are you ready to – shall I pronounce? – go outside?” Puck declared.
Because with Puck, every question is actually a declaration. Usually with fanfare. Rain had soaked the night, with some kind of great lightening display that I missed in the west. We showered Puck. He wanted to wrap up in my quilted violet vest and smell and taste the honeysuckle, with a toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Just right before the rain poured once again…
“Heh-lo, rain,” Puck grinned, staring out the patio door.
We were in Florissant again after two. Everyone was already at Uncle Mo’s and Aunt Petunia’s except for Joe and Jaya, who were out boating in Forest Park. Grandma Combs had gifts – a cigar box banjo for The Bear, bubbles, blueberries, and ice cream for Puck. Always something new and interesting.
The game was on. Dark clouds were moving in, fast. Naturally everyone was involved with it. Including Francis, Linnea, and Puck who had walked down to the schoolyard. Almost everyone stepped outside past the rose bushes to watch the action, just as the kids ran back. It had started to rain, and Puck zoomed back up on Francis’ shoulders.
Joe and Jaya hurried in a little while later, their boat ride cut short by about ten minutes, apparently, due to the downpour…
“You get a kayak?”
“Nope. Someone stole all of them.”
Not cool.
After barbecue, more of the game, the girls drove off for Old Time Pottery. Rose and Jaya had ideas for Annamaria’s wedding reception. The boys were banned from joining. So they napped instead, or close enough to some snores, sprawled across the furniture in the living room.
When all the girls got back, pies were sliced in the kitchen.
“Joe, you should go rescue your woman,” Dad teased.
Joe was still laid out on the couch, his feet propped up on The Bear’s leg…
“Huh?”
“I think Uncle Mo’s talking about Psycho in there.”
Joe just laughed. Until The Bear began poking him in the bum.
“Wah! Collette! The Bear’s poking me in the bum!”
He left to rescue Jaya.
We sat together on the couch for devotions sometime later. Puck had questions and thoughts…
“I wonder how wonderful Heaven will be…”
“Well, do you like this Earth?” The Bear asked him.
“I like it.”
“Well, Heaven is going to be like it, and better. Do you like nature?”
“Well… bunnies are my favorite nature,” Puck grinned.
[*Photos courtesy of The Bear.]