Favorite Flowers

Henri of Twin Brook

      Today was one of the few mornings this spring which were warm enough for me to attempt an escape through the kitchen door. I bounded into the garden, or what was left of it after a really difficult winter. It was not as enticing as it had seemed through the computer room window. Within minutes, my paws had become stiff from the earth, still chilled from the winter's frost. I climbed onto the deck, found a patch of bright sunshine and curled my front feet beneath my chest. My eyelids grew heavy as I thought of blue skies and soft breezes. I inhaled deeply, drawing the cool air into my lungs. I sneezed!

      "Bless you, Pussycat!" Standing on a flower pot filled with soggy earth was Raymond Hazelwitz, rodent activist. A striped scarf was wrapped around his neck. Canvas running shoes adorned his feet. "You better go inside, Pussycat or you'll catch your death of cold, doncha know."

      "Hi, Raymond," I meowed. "I haven't seen you for some time. How is everything over at the Evergreen Lake Colony?"

      "They're doing fine. Getting the place spruced up for spring, doncha know. Cynthia, that neat orange tabby had four kittens last week. They are all gray and white, just like you Henri....."

      I purred at Raymond. "My days of romance are over. I am not longer the tomcat about town...After I became a housecat, I lost interest in roaming the streets in search of companionship. My domestication led me into other activities. I prefer gardening and bird watching now."

      "Yeah, right......Speaking of gardens, which you were, where are all the flowers?" chattered Raymond.

      "It's been such a cold spring that most of the flowers are still buried underground." I meowed. "I'm still waiting for the daffodils to show their faces. The rose bushes are really behind schedule and I'm afraid a few did not survive the winter."

      "Too bad," remarked Raymond. "I happen to like flowers, so it's always sad to see then wither and die in the fall. I love daffodils! They are my favorite flowers. It means spring is on the say and the bright color reminds me of sun beams and soft breezes. My mate Brenda, likes them too. How about you, Henri? What are your favorite flowers?"

      I thought about it for a moment. "I really like the Rose of Sharon. It's really a tree and it doesn't bloom until late summer but there are so many different varieties. We have several in our front lawn and backyard. The white Rose of Sharon look lovely at dusk. The blooms seems to have an inner glow. Of course I like all of them, Raymond, the blues and rose colored flowers but I guess the white Rose of Sharon blossoms are really my favorite."

      "Well, we'll just have to wait," chattered Raymond, wiping his ears with his paws. "Spring will arrive when it's ready to arrive." He shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I'll be off on my daily run. Jogging is good for the soul, doncha know. By the way, Pussycat, let me know when you're going to be having another astronomy party. ..."

      "Drop by anytime, Raymond," I purred. "I'll probably be taking some pictures of the moon as soon as the skies clear." I watched as he ran down the driveway. He's really a very nice rat although I wish he would call me Henri instead of Pussycat.......