Cat Redemption

George has forgiven us for yesterday's blood-sucking debacle.  We went for a walk in the woods, and then we had some catnip. 

["Nip, that's what I'm talkin' about!"]  Gracie had some too.

We have a lot of squirrels living in our field.  Thankfully, we haven't had to trim their numbers this year because they've behaved themselves.  In fact, they are performing somewhat of a service because they post a lookout squirrel who "barks" at the first sign of danger lurking.  Danger usually comes in the form of our neighbor's cat, Uno.  Nevertheless, George and Gracie have put two and two together, and they both go on red alert (as Gracie has in this image) whenever they hear squirrels barking.  It's good to know someone else is on the lookout for coyotes.

After our walk, we relaxed in the shade for a while and then watered the flower pots.  The weather has been lovely the past couple of days.

While I was watering the flowers, this guy came around. 

Usually, I don't bother getting the camera when I see them because pointing a camera at them seems to be the quickest way to shoo them off.  This guy stayed around quite a while and seemed not bothered by me lurking close by.  (I try to avoid casting a shadow on them, both for the picture, and because it seems to alert them to my presence.)

After that, we planted the second round of lettuce in the garden, and took the opportunity to harvest the first of the beets.  These are about the size of a lime, a pretty good size.  For canning, however, I like them a little larger because I quarter them.

There are still lots of beets in the garden.  I think in about a week they'll be ready to harvest and pickle, which is what I like to do with them.

Gracie, for her part, loves rolling in the dirt.  She is a fastidious little creature, and usually her white parts are perfectly gleaming white.  After rolling in the dirt, however, she is filthy.  Today's dust bath was so complete, Mike had to brush her before she could come inside.

That's okay with her because she loves brushing.  Can you see how dirty she is where his hand is?  She'll have herself spotlessly clean within the hour.

And the weather was so beautiful that I spent way more time outside this morning than I intended to.  I have the laundry started, and now I'm going to get going sewing the embroidered blocks together for my Winter Wonderland quilt.  It'll be my last chance to sew until after our camping trip, so I want to take advantage of it while I have the time.