Fred the Large

After the last of our four legacy cats died, we were torn about signing up for another 15-20 year commitment. Cats are SO fun, but given that our last cats lived up until a very old age, we had forgotten just how fun and rambunctious younger cats can be. Given that we live in the country and thought we could use the insurance against the meeces, we dove in. Our first new cat was Fred, who we now call Fred the Large.



In addition to being extremely photogenic, Fred is a mighty hunter. As he has no front claws, I continue to be amazed by the dragons he's slewn. Toads, birds, voles, moles, and field mice had better watch out when Fred's on the move! I think the squirrels continue to press their luck - I don't want to be home when that one goes down. It's so fun to watch him bound across the backyard!

Fred is also a snuggler and he LOVES to be spooned. When he sees me getting ready for bed, he sometimes beats me to the bedroom! I often wake up with him stretched against me. Unfortunately, he's also a big fan of waking us up by making biscuits on our heads or chests at 6am to tell us it's time for breakfast. This is a practice that we are adamantly discouraging.

It's not really an exit strategy...

Those of you who know me (lucky you!), know that I do A LOT of thinking about what's next. It drives Shawn crazy that I cannot ground myself in the here and now. It's not that I don't *LOVE* my current life, job, circumstances, etc...and it's not that I don't appreciate and thank the universe for those "in the moment" experiences and blessings, 'cuz I do. I like the think of it as the Gemini in me working through options, so when the time comes for opportunity to present itself, the homework of thinking through it all could very well be done! (or something like that.)

One "project" I've been doing some serious scheming and researching on involves starting a summer resort in the Michigan UP. I mean, who wouldn't want to spend time in place like this?

Part resort, part retreat, we could offer activities we like to do ourselves and bolster the local economy at the same time. I rationalize that the current economic situation is the perfect time to start a retreat. Now is the time when people starting thinking about their options...a great time to confirm one's perspective and perhaps "find oneself." We could help make it happen!

Our guests would be immersed in the beautifully rugged scenery formed by volcanoes. Just imagine...yoga and meditation on a rocky beach, the waves crashing all around...mountain biking through the woods...kayaking in the big Gitchee Gumee...sunset cruises...berry picking and pie making...personal reflection while hiking along waterfalls...creek walking...the options are limitless! This is a powerful place. Lake Superior holds 10% of the world's fresh water - just think of all those positively charged ions pulsing into me (they stop hangovers...did you know that?).

Maybe it is an exit strategy, because the more I write about it, the more I'm ready to go! It's either that or my longing for spring to hurry up and be sprung!