At Your Service

I spend a good portion of each day seeing to the daily needs of the non-human creatures on Casa Claire. Claire, of course, is first among equals, and seeks me out when she wants my attention. A snack, a daily brushing and occasional hug, are often on the menu, and sometimes Claire comes by just to discuss the progress on the books, but she spends most of her time moving about the entire property of Casa Clair with her side-kick Honey, grazing, scratching herself, sunbathing and just making sure that things here are as they should be. Queen of the Manor.

The Beagle Brothers spend most of their time around my feet.

Following me everywhere I go – bathroom, kitchen, garage, office, barn. They sleep on the couch two feet away from me when I watch television.

And of course they sleep in our bed.

They do occasionally go off on a roam around the property together patrolling its perimeter, stopping by the barn to chase mice and say hello to the mules. They also love to bark at the rare pedestrian passerby, as well as any dogwalkers or horse riders, just to let them know that beyond the perimeter fenceline there be dragons.

I have my feral cats who live and eat in the fenced off area right outside my front door called the Jack The Spruce Grotto.

We have Smokey, the longest resident.

Smokey spends most of her day here in the grotto off Casa Claire. She understands that she can enjoy peace and tranquility in this fenced-off area, that covers the prettiest area in the front of the house, protected underneath JTS’s low-lying and broad canopy, or among the mystical statuary, able to eat and drink as much as she wants and to sleep as required in the warm and solid rectangular bunker that is heated in the winter and set in a way that is protected by branches and angling from the gales of NoCo. Her bunker also provides a perch that allows her to see which of the delivery companies are coming down my driveway. Smokey has my number. If she wants to be fed, she sits on my front porch staring at the front door. If that doesn’t work, she’ll climb the tree and dance along the branches that are right in front of our kitchen windows. If, for some reason, I am too busy watching TV in the living room, she’ll come to the sliding door off the back deck and caterwaul, watching until I get up from my recliner and head to the front door where I then meet her with dry & wet food of the highest quality. She’ll allow me to pet her on occasion, usually during meals, but never spoils me.

Mittens a/k/a Mike, will come by for his meals and sleep in the black round heated bunker during cold or inclement weather, but doesn’t usually hang around to socialize. He’s a busy Tom who enjoys roaming. As a once upon a time Tom, I get that.

Mike is selective when showing affection. He will rub up against my feet as I am dishing out his meals. He will also allow me to pet him a few times while he’s eating. I enjoy watching him sliding out of his bunker when I do the early morning feedings after I let the Beagle Brothers out and do my tree hugging/grounding. Mike goes off each day on his territorial patrol, sometimes shacking up in local barns, but he always returns to Casa Claire.

It’s funny but the BBs won’t bark at the cats, and my neighbor’s dogs never bother with the cats themselves when they stop by numerous times a day to raid their food bowls. The cats just sit in the tree and watch the dogs clean their plates, knowing that in a moment or two, I will be back outside replenishing the lot.

I also feed the visiting flocks that stop by Casa Claire for a drink and bath in the fountains and troughs (using my special netting that prevents them from falling in and drowning- 100 % effective).

The opening shot is a very cool solar feeder I have hanging from The Old Man.

If, for some reason, I forget to put out some birdseed, the birds will alight on my back deck to remind me.

I toss out all my old fruit and bread for the murder of crows that regularly visit.

It is always gone within the hour.

I really enjoy my life of service here at Casa Claire. The creatures never complain about its quality, they just accept it on the basis it is offered, with no strings and lots of love.

Well, the new day has arrived and that means my chores at Casa Claire begin again.

My brain/receiver is resting as I await the mock-up cover for Free Radical as well as a few more responses from some of the other writers and cold beta readers. I would like to have this wrapped and submitted by the end of this month. Done and dusted.

Speaking of done and dusted, Lisa has talked me into drafting our wills and today we are going to get them executed at my magnificent accountant’s office (Bob K is the best). I’ve drafted many wills over my four decades of legal practice, for some truly famous people, so I know my way around them. Ours are far simpler.

I have offered my viewpoint on wills in FR, so if I suddenly disappear, you know who to blame.

Well, on that note, you fine, five readers finish your cuppas and pull on your boots and go out into the world of civil productivity and commerce.

And no matter what we get up to, let us make today a great one.