Auggie is an indoor cat... he just doesn't know it... which makes entering or exiting the house a maneuver worthy of a new Olympic event. For quite some time, "Auggie lockdown" has become a routine part of socializing... table set...check, candles lit...check, Auggie ensconced in a bedroom...check. It's proven to be much more hospitable than screeching incoherently at guests ...the cat... the door... look out... hurry... close! Or pushing past with a windblown curse while diving off the side of the porch in hot pursuit. Last month, Auggie slipped out... unnoticed... he was missing for twelve agonizing days... he returned home dirty... weak... tired... a bit dehydrated and a great deal lighter... It's been a slow and steady mend, but he's nearly back to his old self. So much so, that yesterday he made an (unsuccessful) attempt at a break for the wonderous world beyond. A wild squirrel that finds itself trapped inside and is mad to get out... that's him. A persistent, albeit reluctant, cat wrangler... that's me.
(note to self: next time dust house BEFORE photographing house)
The house always seems cold this time of year... and not just in temperature... too late for all the "snug and cozy" of holiday evergreens and decorations gracing every nook and cranny... too early for tulips, hyacinth and other signs of spring to color in the white space and soften the stark edges.
dashed out...camera snapping...and scared him off... 
ended up with a photo of some rotting overgrown vines...
decided wildlife photography was not my strong suit...
and so proceeded around the perimeter of my house...
snapping objects that couldn't run from me instead...
well...mostly...
of the sophisticated entertainment one should expect
when invited to dine en famille 
a bit stuffy and rather highbrow... I know.
...just wait for the fruit juggling competition. 
it might make for a rather festive Easter...yes?
My sweet friend made the time to stop by for dinner after not only putting in a long day at the office, but also nursing the beginnings of a cold and brought me the loveliest Christmas pillow crafted by her own two very talented hands... (dishpanhands @ Etsy) ...drop by her shop and snap up some of her needlework yumminess all for yourself...
Checking to make sure no naughty words escaped...
along with a slightly off-the-mark hammer swing....
Or possibly a stalker...
intent on garnering a little attention for herself?
Perhaps a little tinsel strung ear to ear...
would solve that issue...no? 
Resist the urge to slather on hand cream while in the midst of writing out your holiday cards. Even if your poor Winter-chapped hands look like a creme brulee that's just been given its first whack with a rather mean spoon. Even then. Otherwise... well, otherwise, let me just say that the miserly one extra envelope your card company provided for mistakes is going to fall far short of rescuing you this time...
Meet Toesie O'Dosze... grand dame of a wandering band of feral cats that found their way here by way of a highly-sophisticated feline underground and who now visit my home daily for some rather fine food and sparkling dinner conversation...
First post... first blog... nothing clever, witty or newsworthy to share. 
