I really wish I could share the laughter with everyone. But, sometimes it is just in the moment — like life. Anyway, little Ollie is having a terrible time with the weather. And, I have laughed so hard at him that I have done little else. I wish I could catch a picture to share, but he is so fast that he looks like a blur.
Yesterday we had snow. Today we have rain. We are told that the rain will become a “winter mixture” this afternoon and tonight. Now, to be honest I think “they” say “winter mixture” when they are clueless. I decided to go out this morning before the “winter mixture” happens. The roads were pretty clear except for the occasional tree across the road. My usual 8 mile trip to the market required 20 miles today. It was even farther coming back because more limbs and trees were blocking some of the roads.
Not knowing exactly what to expect from “winter mixture” I had decided early to do everything I possibly would need to do between today and Monday afternoon. Mission accomplished, including purchasing another bag of Friskies for the orange thing that dresses up like a cat.
Now, let me say that Ollie is quite clever. He knows when the door opens and I put food in his bowl. Within two to three minutes he shows up. He knows when the car returns. Again, he shows up within a matter of minutes. But, life has been a bit trying for the boy for the past 24 hours.
Yesterday he created the avalanche that covered him when he tried to jump onto the hood of the car. Maybe he got hungry enough to try to venture beyond his hiding place today. I noticed he was quite tentative. And of course, he was shaking each paw with every step. Cats just don’t like to have their feet wet. Ollie was braving the short walk from the hiding place, past my art studio to the breezeway. I noticed that he was hesitant to pass the car but he braved it.
That’s when he became a blur! A pile of snow fell from a magnolia branch and landed on him — right on top of him. Once again, he was under the avalanche. I know it sounds mean of me to have laughed as hard as I did but what else could I do? On his first known venture out since the avalanche of yesterday he found himself buried in snow again today.
I guess eventually he will come back out. For now he is in his hiding place occasionally sticking his head around the corner to yell at me. He isn’t hurt. Nothing could move that fast and be hurt. But, apparently he is terrified to come back across the yard to the breezeway.
I’m thinking we should change his name to Henny Penny. But, he does seem to recognize “Ollie” or “Oliver.” Maybe not. Maybe he just knows the sound of my voice. No need to confuse him any more than he is. Besides, I know he is embarrassed. Cats get very embarrassed when you laugh at them and I have done more than my share of laughing since the first snowflake fell.
Today I am thankful for so much laughter in my life. It is probably more than I really deserve. But, I’m not giving it back. I’m going to enjoy it. 
By the way, here’s an interesting thought for the day:
Worry is a negative use of the imagination.
Okay, folks… Make your day special!
UPDATE: Guess Ollie has been laughing for the past hour or two. The wintery mix that made me snicker finally hit. Power lines down and for almost two hours I have had the opportunity to embrace the silence and the darkness. There is something to be said for quiet time.
UPDATE #2: I just happened to notice that the Google Ads at the top of the page included one for “cat cremation services” — Now, isn’t that something odd to put as an advert for a Gratitude Journal??
