These two cannot understand why, when the world is sitting right there on the other side of that door, they cannot go out and explore it like they always did in small town USA. Why? Could it possibly be that when the unknown neighbor called last week to inform us she had broken up an almost fight between Banana and sly ol’ fox, it was a huge warning sign that Banana and Split must now become indoor only cats? Could it possibly be that when we let Banana and Split out to get some fresh air, they decide fresh air is much more pleasant than the smell of lacquer and paint and refuse to come when called? Hmmmm.

They just sit and wait, and wait, and wait some more.

And when I see this sight one too many times, I give in, and I let them go out. And I love to watch Split roll on the concrete and Banana act all lion tough as he crouches in the grass, ready to attack a random bug. What “master” doesn’t like to give his “people” good gifts and watch them enjoy? It is when those cats are given a porch of freedom and then try to take a neighborhood that they get themselves in trouble. Hence, the fox…and a glass door barrier.

But they keep trying, keep tugging at my heartstrings, keep patiently waiting, just in case I change my mind or the unsuspecting visitor opens that door just a little too wide for them to sneak out.

*********

Speaking of waiting. A whole home remodel requires it, especially in post-pandemic. It really hasn’t been that long, but when you live in construction chaos and sheetrock dust, it feels like it has been forever and a minute.

I could be very ungrateful for the summer flu I contracted that has kept me in my bedroom, now going on 10 days, but instead, I choose to be grateful for the opportunity to be home and witness the arrival of our granite.

Living here for the past couple months started out with the minimum it takes to live, filling the old drawers and cabinets in the kitchen with the food essentials, compounded with new mail, former owner mail, tools, and everything that normal people deposit onto their kitchen counters as they come and go.

When it was time to begin work in the kitchen, everything had to be moved to another room, so it was ALL piled high with no sense of up or down. Did we cover anything to protect it from the construction dust? Nope nope nope.

Sam’s place to relax and take breaks has been moved to the front porch. There IS a folding chair in the bedroom, I guess. Poor guy. Every room is hard hat territory.

Until this past weekend.

Things are beginning to take shape, and this morning, Sam had a space to sit and relax INSIDE, rather than outside.

I am grateful for transformation – personal, and remodel.

I am grateful for God’s goodness to us that is all around us at every turn.

I am grateful for a boss who shares meds.

I am grateful for beautiful stone and a husband who says it reminds him of God’s creation when he looks at it.

I am grateful for less dirt.

I am grateful for a dumpster and the guys who empty it every week.

I am grateful for cats who put up with lots of noise and chaos, and don’t add to it.

I am grateful the coughing is finally beginning to subside.

I am grateful for a weekend that included a day of sleep and a day of productivity.

And I am grateful for a toaster oven and little microwave while we do a Banana and Split – sit and wait and wait, and wait some more…for appliances.