Storm Troopers

Another stormy night, but only a light mist falling yesterday morning.  Just enough sunshine to create a rainbow behind the danged mistletoe.  There are two massive invading forces up here:  mistletoe above and star thistle below, almost impossible to eradicate.  This happens to be my neighbor's tree, but I have one that is almost as bad.  Mistletoe killed the oak down by the goat barn.  It is the enemy.

Bessie Anne has her own set routines, a schedule she adheres to for daily outings.  The thing is, she demands that I come along.  In good weather, we (and I do mean "we") go outside on the deck after I'm finished with barn chores.  About three o'clock, we go out the front door.  Sometimes I'm permitted to sit on the porch while she checks the perimeter.  Yesterday I pulled weeds in the herb garden.  It's too early in the season to rake leaves, but I felt the need to be productive.  The storm clouds of the last few days were retreating, the battle over for the time being.

My redheaded ninja warrior was on the prowl in the afternoon.  Sitting at the table doing some paperwork, I heard a noise behind me where there should be no noise.  The armoire is a good eight feet tall, a safe place (I thought) to keep a collection of beautiful vases given over the years with gorgeous bouquets from Deb and Craig.  Is there nowhere this cat won't go?  Carefully and with great stealth, he managed not to knock any over.  Whew.

Worn out from the day's search-and-destroy mission(s), Ralph was caught in this rare moment of repose last evening.  I have no doubt he was conserving strength and planning his next attack.  Like the weather, Ralph is full of surprises.