I roll out of bed—well, stumble—at the sound of Rascal barking.
As I grab for my robe, Mom’s fat little wiener dog (more like pork sausage) waddles into the hallway.
“Hang on, you guys,” I mutter, walking down the hall to take care of the necessities in the bathroom…
There, I’m greeted by Emma, who has apparently now decided to be a bathroom cat. I have no idea why, but she’s taken up residence there. The problem is, once in the bathroom, she has difficulty making her escape past her identical twin, the ridiculously named “Baby Kitty,” a gray tabby bird killer. We call him BK.
On the way back down the hall, I run interference for Emma as she makes her way past BK.
Apparently, he was feeling territorial this morning—there’s a hiss, an answering hiss, and then they go their separate ways.
Back in my room, I find my glasses and look at my phone.
It’s 3 a.m.
“Motherfuckers… it’s not time to get up yet!” I yell at the pack.
I put my glasses back, turn off the light, and climb back into bed.
I can hear all of them pacing back and forth… probably crossing their little legs so they won’t mess on the floor.
I turn the light back on.
“Come on, everybody.”
I make my way through the living room to the back door.
Carlo the cockatoo mutters a sleepy “hi.”
I open the back door and let everyone but Emma out—she’s an inside kitty. Well, bathroom kitty now.
But with BK outside, she has the run of the house.
I sigh and start making coffee.
It’s 3:30.
I guess I’m awake.
With my coffee started, I head out back to see what the animals are doing.
I hear snorting and heavy breathing before I see Rascal amble by, heading back into the house.
It’s dark and quiet in the patio, of course…
But there’s a glow in the sky as I look out the doorway toward the yard.
I call Babe—not expecting her to come, not on the first try—and walk out toward the grass.
As I turn the corner, I see her—
Babe, laying in the yard, keeping watch.
And the full moon, hanging low in the sky.
She’s visible through the branches of the Palo Verde tree,
The lights twinkle in the valley below.
I realize I have my phone in my hand and stop to take a couple of pictures.
Then I just stand there.
Breathing. Staring slackjawed at the beauty before me.
BK rubs against my legs. I barely notice, then I think…”funny that didn’t startle me”
The trucks on the highway just half a mile away roll past.
I watch the lights on their trailers move in the darkness. Hear the sounds of their engines.
“Stop,” I say, weakly.
A voice in my head answers: “No… say it like you believe it.”
I take a deep breath.
“Stop… just for a minute,” I say again. Not wanting to be a bothersome witch.
And there’s a gap in the traffic below.
Silence.
A cricket begins its song.
I think… wow.
And then I just breathe,
Taking in the stillness,
Feeling grateful for the moment.
