My Friend,

While traveling the footpath near your home this morning, I rounded the bend close to where the rock lave plays out to rubble stone ; Being in no hurry, I was enjoying the songs of the morning birds and also the morning fog which was occasionally broken by the sun. 

As I  looked in the near distance, there in the path stood two half grown Bobcats ; These two kittens were busy surveying the landscape between them and the big creek called Hacker's, and because of the high grass and the wind in my favor, they didn't notice my presents.

As I watched, they made their way down through the briar and bramble to the water's edge. ; Here they lapped up a few gulps of the cool water and strolled about checking out all the smells.; Soon they made their way several yards in a southerly direction along the creek bank before turning to go back up the mountain.

It was early last fall when I first met their mother. On that particular day, I was in search of roots  that grow in the wooded area below the rock ledge.; I had been about my task for a couple of hours when I decided to remove my pack and sit down on the old fallen oak to rest. As I bent over to retrieve a pear from my pack, that all too familiar and  unwelcome feeling of being watched came over me.; Without straightening up, I began, as is my habit, to visually search the forest for a  movement or silhouette that would give away my stalker.; After a minute or two of searching, my eyes came to rest on the eyes of Kitty, as I have nicknamed her since. She was standing to the right and above me on the rock ledge. ; Every muscle in her body was rigid and her eyes never left mine.

Having found the source of my uneasiness, I slowly straightened up and began eating the pear, the pear being one of several  I  picked up along the way, over on the old Thornhill homestead.

As I sat there enjoying the sun, I realized that it was I who was the intruder and decided to leave; After picking up my pack, I began to make my way down to the county road and turned to look in Kitty's direction once more.; Kitty had relaxed and  sat down to watch me leave.

Since that  day, I have passed by the ledge several times and always look for Kitty. ; On a few occasions I have spotted her and we seem to have an understanding. ; She never gets up from her laying position, but she also never takes those cold, fierce eyes off of mine.

I am sure, that the two small cats I saw this morning, belong to Kitty.; I am also sure, that she was watching me again  ...from the ledge...with those same... cold... fierce eyes.

In speaking earlier of my back pack, it  hangs in its usual position on my porch.; Should you come by and want to borrow it, I must warn you that a pair of Wrens have taken up their domicile within the confines of the hickory weave.; As I do not know the habits of Wrens, I can't tell you how long you should wait...In their interest, the next time I visit the village, I plan to ask ...surely one of the "old timers" will know.

                                                                                     As always,

                                                                                     T.S. Blue

© copyright Gary L Warner

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