Cats ahoy! Cows off the starboard side...

One might wonder what the three felines do when we are rollin' down the highways and biways. Well, we've added my Cinco (Stinko) cat to our collection. She was staying at my house to see if she would get along with the renter's cats since I didn't think she would get along in a smaller space with my two kitties, Cuatro and Kikipeepee. As we took off from the NIle Farm in Mt Shasta, I put all three in the loo and closed the door. I knew Cuatro would go in her usual spot, inside the kitty litter igloo. Typically, Kiki usually just sleeps on the bed but I didn't want to take any chances.

When I stopped to check on them, she was watching out the window at every stop to see where we were. The new addition, Cinco (Amelia Earhart is her aka since she loves heights) managed to squeeze into the tiniest compartment behind the toilet. This is the place #4 found when we hit the highway during our first expedition so I blocked it off with a hardback Jim Harriet book - You would know him as the veterinarian who treated animals in Scotland and wrote 'All Creatures Great and Small." Well, I could rename it "All Kitties Great and Small" because Cinco squeezed in there! I saw her get out with no more effort than Houdini look-alikes as they do on these talent shows, bending and twisting in abnormal ways that people should be locked up for doing. The problem is you can't lock them up. Same goes for the cat. So, she has to be kept under strict scrutiny and I have to double check the doors and windows when I go in and out.

Several years ago when I adopted Cuatro (my black feline), she had been at the shelter for about 5 -6 months and was so accustomed to living in the small cage that she was in my bedroom for two weeks before she volunteered to come out. It was then about ten days in the house before going out and NOW LOOK AT HER! World traveler! She is about ten years old and enjoying the trips. She's doing great. She's not really ken on giong out thoough she did a few times at Nile's. It's much more safef in the ARK and she gets three squares a day with a little tuna thrown in on special occasions. SHe sleeps under the covers on my bed during the day. Watch where you sit because that slight lump may easily be her!

My youngest cat, #5 is learning the ropes. She does however wants out at night and I might just let her out at the R Ranch. After being at the Nile Farm, I'm fairly certain she won't run off but she gets the itch and last night she kept plucking at the blinds hoping I would let her out at the emergency exit above my head! Ugh! We had words. Then she has he gall to sleep all day... Ho hum!

Gotta tell you about Moe and Millie's favorite cow ! If you are a local, you know all about Moo Donna, the metallic replica of a cow. She is just alongside of Interstate 5 in a field and is in the act of mooing with her head upwards and pointing towards the freeway. She's been there for years and is always dressed up for some occasion or festivity. My dogs always see her a few miles off and in starts the tail wagging, peering through the front windshield, whining and soon howling-type noises that are saved for specifically one special bovine. They watch her out the back window until she is out of sight and I confess, I wave at her and often call my sista Michelle in Colorado so we can share the moment. And no, I am not eccentric.

Well, it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and if NFL players can wear pink shoes, and gloves etc. then our Moo Donna can wear pink socks and a bonnet, too. I had seen her a few days earlier and made a mental note to get a photo next trip. Well, all of us are in the ARK and I wanted a photo so I slowed the ARK down to a stop behind another car who had the same idea. I am not only 30 feet long with the ARK alone but also, let's add on the Beehind Runner and tow hitch so...about 45' total.. No cars coming so it's a good time to take a photo and Moe and Mill are ecstatic to get this close to their cow! Let's do it.

I had the camera ready and with all the excitement two tail waggers could muster, I got a shot or two of the silly cow and flipped off my flashers, put on the blinker and headed out slowly only I momentarily forgot just how wide we can be and (thank God the other car had fled the scene) we headed straight for one of those posts that stick up on the freeway, probably to keep people like me ON THE ROAD - Well, we flattened it, I'm sure. I won't tell you what word I said but I told Isaac not to repeat it. I got off at Easy Street and checked for any damages - Remember the ARK is a 1992 model and probably good and sturdy - It already had some pretty good dings on it, as does the Beehind Runner but I was most interested in making sure nothing was leaking (my favorite word) be it oil, radiator fluid or air out of a tire or two or three. Both vehicles looked sound and just as roughed up as before the post met it's Maker. Now I could say "Thank You, LORD!" I keep them guardian angels busy, don't I? ARK ANGELS... That's what they are. Get it?

So, we finally made it to the lovely R Ranch in Hornbrook. Now you know why it takes us all afternoon (that was after getting another new battery for the Ark at Les Schwab Tire where I get frequent flyer miles, stopping at Raley's, Easy Street and Moo Donna.) to go just about 50 miles up the road. We'll stay here for a bit and relax... Come on up. We'll leave the light on for ya. The only thing moving is the river. You are safe with us.... when we are all fast asleep.
1 Cor 15:10 "But by the grace of God, I am what I am; and His grace toward me was not in vain.."