Free at last . . . I'm free at last.

No, I haven't died. I'm just lazy. A lot has gone on in the past 2 months that I'll cover over the next few weeks, whenever I feel like it. We have spent a couple of sessions at the cat gulag, and one 3 dayer at home, alone while the old guy went skiing. Generally, life is peaceful, until last night.

It is common knowledge in the household that other animals lurk in the neighborhood. There's cats, possums, mice, bugs, you name it. There are a number of perfect viewing areas in our house, but the favorite one is downstairs, near the front door, where there is a floor to ceiling window that is actually two pieces of glass which come together at about a 45 degree angle. It's like living in an aquarium except that instead of fish going by, it's animals and people. Last night Chow was in the aquarium window looking out when two things happened in close proximity. First an unidentified animal passed by. This got Chow to pacing up and down next to the window. Then the Pretty Lady got home after visiting her mom. Chow really wanted to chase the unidentified creature which went by. The Pretty Lady was carrying a bunch of stuff in her hands. Chow, knowing she had to open the door, and seeing her hands otherwise occupied, positioned himself near the door. As the Pretty Lady opened the door he leaped at her. Now the Pretty Lady is pretty fast too. So, her hands being full, she trapped Chow between her legs and yelled for the Old Guy. Now, while the Old Guy fashions himself as quite the athlete, his speed is unmatched by Chow's determination. While the Pretty Lady had him pinned, he wiggled and made himself thin, and slithered away. Interestingly, he ran about 10 feet and turned to give a special look of satisfaction and accomplishment to the Pretty Lady. By then the Old Guy had arrived to see Chow's "B" hole toddle off down the walk street. The Old Guy went on the chase but it was too dark. Chow slipped between the houses so the Old Guy went and got a flash light. He then made a fool of himself, walking between houses yelling "Mein" and going "psss, psss, psss" which is the household universal call for just about anything, including food. Of course Chow just blew him off. The Old Guy could hear the jing, jing, jing of Chow's bell, but couldn't see him. Then, just as the Old Guy was ready to admit defeat, he saw a cat silhouette run by. He tried to follow it back to the house where he looked up at the front door. He couldn't see Chow. But he could see me through the glass straining my neck looking to the left. Then Pinot came up and he looked real interested in something too. Well, we were looking at Chow who had made a decision that being outside was not as cool as it looked and he wanted to get back in. The Old Guy figured that we were giving away Chow's position and followed our gaze to the Mein himself, who allowed the Old Guy to pick him up and throw him back in the house. All three of us spent the rest of the evening at the acquarium window wating for something else to walk by. The Old Guy? We must have tired him out because he went to bed.