*@#% Cat

I didn't really talk about the Cat Drama while I was gone - but it was kind of funny - when not so aggravating! 

The Sunday I was leaving (last Sunday), I was bringing things from the car into the house (so that there would be enough room for everyone's luggage) and, as I was walking in the house, out went the Quincy cat.  He stood for a minute on the porch - looked at me with a definite gleam in his eye and darted down the stairs and into the bushes.  I had no choice but to leave for the conference and leave Don with the daunting task of getting him back into the house.  I honestly thought it would only be a few hours.  HA

Later that night, in the hotel (with the lousy wireless connection!) I found out that Quincy had met up with two neighborhood cats who run "wild' and the three of them were under the house (and could be heard in the area near the pantry).  Monday the story was the same - although that night, after getting home, Don left the front door open hoping Dumb Cat would come in.  And he did - to be met by the Queen:  Cleo who REALLY WANTS TO BE AN ONLY CAT.  She proceeded to charge him hissing and growling whereupon he turned and raced out of the house - AGAIN.  (But not before getting a mouthful of food!)  Don left the door open some more hoping (again) that he'd come back for more food. 

A while later, Don noticed that Cleo wasn't in the family room (where she stakes her claim on the sofa) and went looking for her.  She (who NEVER wants to go outside and become an outdoors cat again) was outside on the front porch staring at the vent opening where Quincy had gone under the house - I guess she was daring him to come back!  Guarding the front door against all enemies - Quincy included!

Finally on Tuesday evening Quincy got hungry enough to come in the house again and Don was able to get the door closed behind him.  I got a text message and a voice mail that the *@#% cat was back in the house and all was well . . . almost!

I got home Wednesday evening and took Thursday off so I was sleeping in!  I woke up and didn't put my glasses on on my way to the kitchen for a glass of water.  I saw some black blob on the railing on the porch (next to the flag) and wondered what it could possibly be.  Then - oh no he's out again but that can't be!  So I looked around (without glasses!).  No Quincy in the living room, kitchen or family room where Cleo looked pleased!  I tapped on the glass next to the door and the blob turned around to look and it was, indeed, Quincy.

Not knowing if he'd run again, I carefully opened the door (no movement); stepped out onto the porch (still no movement); walked over and picked him up.  With a little squeak I had him!  From the corner of my eye I saw the other black cat streak away from the corner of the house.  Once again the STUPID cat was inside!  SiGH.

During the whole under the house ordeal, Don had ventured out into the garage and found the door that we'd taken down between the family room and the main hall and he'd rehung it.  Now I have a way to get into and out of the house safely - as long as I make sure he's securely behind closed doors!!