This fuzzy photo is the best I could get in the circumstances under which I was working. A young female Cardinal (if you look closely you can see her head/beak on the right and tail on the left) has taken up housekeeping in a small hanging basket left out in the freezing cold over the winter. In the carefully constructed nest just below the top of the container are three small eggs, the first cardinal eggs I have ever seen.
The circumstances I mentioned above are (1) that the basket is hanging within four feet of my back door, and (2) opening the door widely spooks her off the nest. I just opened the door a crack, stuck out my cell phone/camera and snapped without really looking or trying to focus.
It makes my heart glad to see her there, and my heart needed a gladdening. I discovered her nest this past Saturday morning, when my grandson and I went to the back yard to dig a grave for my sweet Missy cat, who went to play with her baby Sweetie Pie last Friday afternoon.
I now have four cats buried in my back yard: Bubble (the sweetest kitty I have ever had) died in July 2000; her brother Squeak died in May, 2012; Sweetie Pie went to be with the kitty angels just over a year ago, and now, Sweetie Pie's mama, Missy. They are all buried in their favorite sunning places.
I think that's the end of my having cats; it's just too hard to let them go, even when it's inevitable.
Tomorrow is also a day.
9 comments:
Oh Pat, my heart aches for you. I'm so sorry you lost yet another sweet cat. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to those darlings. Hugs to you.
Very cool that you have a Cardinal family growing by your door. I'm sure you'll enjoy watching their progress. I'll bet we will also. :)
It is so terrible to lose a pet. We had to bury three cats next to our house. They were all three of them the most loyal and sweetest cats in the world. A fourth cat was still young when she died of cancer in her mouth, which hurt so much that she couldn't eat . We went with her to the vet. We left her there. The other cats were hit by a car.
Pat, how are you? I saw on TV that your area was dealing with cyclons and I hope it's okay with you. What I saw was awful. I am so sorry for the loss of lives and property.
I am thinking of you and the other Patti.
Oh, Pat. I'm so sorry to hear about Missy. I guess I really shouldn't share -- folks will think I'm nuts, but I have the ashes of 5 kitties in a trunk in my living room. We are all going together when I go -- to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. I'm looking forward to seeing and playing with them again when I make my trip to the stars. My kitties are my babies. They are all rescues. My days of having kittens are over, but I can see myself taking in a senior -- we need to stick together and we all need love. Was so happy to see your comment at Twisty ... I'd been thinking about you and all the storms.
OH My---so sorry about your kitty... It is hard to let them go, but can you live without a kitty in your life/house???? That might even be harder!!!! God Bless.
Congrats on the Cardinal babies... I knew that Carolina Wrens used porch items like wreaths or hanging baskets to nest --but had never heard of Cardinals getting that close before... Hope you can get more photos of the family.
Hugs,
Betsy
Oh Pat, I am so sorry for your loss.
I hope you are ok after this last storm. Take care.
I am so very sorry....our pets are such a part of us that when we lose one it's like losing part of our very selves. Perhaps the cardinal babies soon to be hatched will ease your heavy heart. blessings, marlene
Oh, so sorry about Missy. Pets are our familiars - they know us best and love us anyway.
Aww Pat, I am so very sorry for the loss of your Missy. I do wish you would not go pet less but I understand. I have not replaced Mighty and Minnie is my last.
I am glad you have new life to watch and enjoy.
Dear Pat,
I was so sorry to read that Missy has died, it hurts so much to lose a pet. Like Patti who commented before me, I am glad that you have that Cardinal in residence near your back door. It will be wonderful to marvel at that little life out there.
Kind Thoughts from us and hugs,
P
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