“It’s a beautiful day. You two should be outside”

“Twiggy, you hear anything?”

“Just Dad.”

“Well, Tempeste, I guess we had better listen.”

“I agree, Twiggy. Besides, who can sleep with that racket going on?”

“Wait up. What’s the rush?”

“I want to see if that monster dog is out. I could use a good bark.”

“Since it is so quiet, my guess is the monster dog is not out.”

“Nope. Looks like he is in the house.”

“Where are you going now?”

“Although it is nice outside, I sorta want to play with a new toy Mom got me.”

“Correction. We both got a new toy.”

“Yeah, you are right. We each got one. I just take gifts like that as a personal expression.”

“I can understand that. I always feel good with a new toy.”

“It makes us both feel good, then.”

“Well, are you going to play with it?”

“You have to hide your eyes. I don’t want you to know where I stashed it.”

“For heaven’s sake, Tempeste, I’m not going to mess with your stupid toy.”

“You going for Marshmallow again?”

“I like marshmallow. The new toy is fun, but Marshmallow is my go to toy.”

“Where is your new toy?”

“I hid it.”

“See. And you called me out for doing the same thing.”

“Age has its privileges.”

“Tempeste. What are you doing over there?”

“I’m thinking there was some kind of wild animal that came through here.”

“Wild animal? What kind of wild animal?”

“I’m picking essence of rhinoceros.”

“You have gotta be kidding me.”

“No, I’m quite serious.”

“The last time I looked, there have been no Rhinos here.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“Because they live in Africa, not Texas.”

“Who’s to say one or two haven’t jumped on a boat and snuck into Texas?”

“I think you have an active imagination.”

“That may be. What if I told you I’m picking up a giraffe, too.”

“I would say you have been reading too many books on animals.”

“Well, laugh if you must. Don’t come to me if you get run over by a Rhino.”

“To prevent that I think it’s time for a nap.”

“I could sure use one too.”

“Rhinoceros indeed.”

“Don’t say I haven’t warned you.”

“What is that thing, Twiggy?”

“It’s a window Bot.”

A window bot? What kind of crazy is that?”

“Dad-kind of crazy. He’s tired of paying to have windows done.”

“So he’s allowed another bot into the house? AI is going to take over.”

“Yep. I don’t know about takeover. Right now it is most annoying.”

“I just wanted to look out and check if there were some St. Louis candidates  lurking.”

“Yeah, well, not right now. That thing is doing our window.”

“How long is it gont ot be there?”

“Hard to tell. Maybe five minutes.”

“I’ll keep watch. Maybe it will get the hint and move on.”

“Don’t count on it. Those things don’t listen well.”

“Can we bark it away?”

“Sorry, No. They have no fear of us for sure.”

“I give up. I think it’s going to be there all day.”

“I’ll give you five minutes; it’s really 35 minutes in dog time.”

“That is an eternity.”

“Not quite. Wait. I think it is done.”

“So why are some toys out in the backyard?”

“Dad tossed them out here. He said it is cool enough to play in the yard.”

“I don’t remember giving anyone permission to fling Marshmallow into the wilds.”

“Call me crazy, but I don’t think Dad needs permission.”

“I’ll ask you to leave Marshmallow alone.”

“Just taking a sniff. I know it’s your precious pal.”

“So, maybe we can play tug-of-war with Elf.”

“Not sure Elf would like that, but it is a possibility.”

“Okay, I’m coming down.”

“Lookout, world, here comes the sumo wrestler.”

“Alright, so let’s go.”

“Come get Elf.”

“A quick stroll and I will have him.”

“A morning walk, you mean.

“Here he is. Okay, Elf, you are on my team. Where you going, Tempeste?”

“With all the fooling around I have a urge for a nap.”

“Well, that does it. I can’t play tug-of-war by myself.”

“No. You can play with Marshmallow.”

“Maybe a snooze will do you good.”

“Sounds like you don’t approve.”

“Who am I to say whether or not you take a nap?”

“That’s true. So what will you do?”

“Hmm. Maybe I’ll go inside and see it I can weasel a treat.”

“Wait. That sounds way more fun than a nap.”

“Twiggy. Why don’t we go outside?”

“It’s over 100 degrees (40+C); that’s why.”

“I guess that’s a little too much for Frenchies.”

“You bet it is. With our short snouts, we would run out of breath very quickly.”

“That makes sense. I guess we will have to play inside.”

“Yes, we will. At least until this evening when it gets a little cooler.”

“You doing that marshmallow again?”

“I love this marshmallow. Go find a toy to play with.”

“I think this popsicle looks pretty good.”

“Okay. Well, give it a run for its money.”

“First I will grab it by its stick and shake it.”

“You go, girl.”

“Then  I’ll tell it to give up or die.”

“Now you’re talking.”

“Then I…Wait, what’s that?”

“That elf by the stairs you mean?”

“Yeah. Where has this been all my life?”

“I’m sure you have tripped over it at least five times today.”

“But now it’s like a long-lost love.”

“Tempeste. Get a grip. I think you are getting cabin fever.”

“So Twiggy. What are those lights on the wall?”

“That’s the sun shining through the upper windows.”

“Upper windows? Are you sure. Look like open doors to me.”

“Yes, I’m sure, Tempeste. That is just sunlight cast on the wall.”

“How come I’ve never seen them before?”

“Maybe you weren’t paying attention, or it was cloudy when you were.”

“That is kind of a stunner. Seeing something for the first time.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. You are very busy, and the sun only comes out for a few minutes.

“A few minutes? You and I have been sitting here a few minutes, and they are still there.”

“Okay, I’ll give it to you. Maybe it’s more than a few minutes.”

“What else aren’t you telling me?”

“There is nothing else. The sun passes overhead, and the rays disappear.”

“Sun overhead? What kind of magic is that?”

“Brother. I didn’t mean to get into all of that.”

“So tell me.”

“The Earth goes around the sun, so sunlight appears to move, but really it’s the Earth.”

“Seems pretty complex. I can see the squares getting smaller.”

“There you go. As we move, the sun gets higher in the sky and poof, no more direct light through the windows.

“I’m going over there to make sure those aren’t doors.”

“While you are there, check out the little halos around the sunlight.”

“Okay, now I’m really confused. Where did the halos come from?’

“The refracted light from the window glass makes the halos.”

“I gotta lie down. You are making my head hurt with all this stuff.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. Come join me in a nap. When we get up, the lights will be gone.”

“Taking their halo buddies with them, I hope.”

“Yup. The whole gang will be adios.”

“Gosh, Tempeste, I’m beat.”

“*Snort*… what did you say?”

“Sister went home, and we had such a good time, I’m exhausted.”

“Me, too. It was wonderful having her here.”

“Yeah, it was. All that playing does wear one out.”

“Notice I’m not moving too fast.”

“Yeah, I noticed. What are you doing?”

“This is my upside. down dog yoga move.”

“That is very strange. I haven’t seen that move before.”

“That’s cause I just invented it.”

“Enough of this lying around. I’m getting up.”

“That couch jump is going to get you into a big bunch of trouble.”

“No one’s to know unless you blab. Ah, down-facing dog.”

“Don’t worry. You have enough on me to guarantee my silence.”

“Up-facing dog. How about it? You going to move today?”

“I think I’ll just stay here and rest my eyes.”

“Well, okay. I guess I’ll find something to do by myself.”

“Maybe that’s a good thing.”

“Or maybe I’ll just close my eyes, too.”

“Now you are talking. Best way to get over someone you miss.”

“I do miss her.”

“Me too.”