I Saw You Out The Window Today

Dear Chippy,

I was just looking out that side window -- you know the one that overlooks the kitchen garden -- at the birds and bugs and there you were, all striped and sleek.

I can see it's been a good summer for you in some ways, even though it has been hot. I heard them talking in here about the big trap Jim and his drinking buddies made next door and they said how they hoped you were not stuck in there under Jim's shed. He's such a misrodentist; in fact he's a misfaunaist! I notice that the wire mesh he put all around the bottom of the shed was too fine for that big Rat Snake to get through. In either direction! They said he was pumping some sort of gas underneath once they got it sealed off. We all hoped everyone got out before the lockdown. (Even that sneaky R.S., though I am sure your daily grind would be easier without him around.)

I mean, I know in my bones what it's like under a shed-- all dry and musky smelling. My eyes were not yet really opened when I lived under our shed, but it was really a risky business yelling for help that day my mother went away. I yelled at Brinks and he sniffed me and yelled back. I thought it was Curtains then, but it was really the Beginning of Life in many ways for me.

Anyway, I am glad to see you are fat and shiny. If I were allowed outside I'd run after you and probably catch you. Of course, you are used to being pursued by my family out there and I know how certain activities remind one of Curtains, so you would probably not be very friendly. But if I ever met you face to face I would try to remember your station in life as a member of our extended family -- much the same way that Pimmy and Brinks try to remember that I am not prey in here.


Appreciating your sleekness, K.C.