“What are you doing, little one?”

“I’m wondering if we should play ball.”

“I don’t know. The grass is pretty wet from the rain.”

“Yeah, but we can still play.”

“You better check out this grass. I know how you hate to get a wet ball.”

“It doesn’t feel that wet to me.”

“Well, stand there a while and let the water seep into your paws. Then tell me.”

“There sure is no sun, so we might as well make the best of it.”

“I’m walking away, so you’ll have to speak up.”

“Oh, look in the sky. I think it’s an eagle.”

“Get on the porch then.”

“It’s a vulture. He won’t bother you.”

“You sure? I don’t feel like being picked on.”

“If I didn’t know better, I would say that vulture spooked you.”

“Nope, just keeping up with my exercise program.”

“There is one more thing to watch out for. A spider.”

“Yikes. I don’t even like the looks of him.”

“They are good things to have. They eat insects.”

“You have to walk carefully around them for sure. Insects? Yuk.”

“So the final final on the ball game?”

“All this talk about eating makes me want a snack. Let’s pass on ball and go for food.”

“Who was talking about eating? I just mentioned the diet of spiders.”

“Did you mention the word, ‘eat?'”

“Yes. . . Oh, for heaven’s sake.”

“Just beat on the door. You are bigger.”

“Lucy. The umbrella isn’t up.”

“Yeah, I can see that. I’ll call the boss.

“You get a hold of him?”

“Yeah, he’s coming. Sounds like he was heavy into his book.”

“Well, he is pretty quick whatever he was doing.”

“That is a good thing except at bathtime.”

“Why are you still laying out in the yard?”

“I love the sun. It is warm and feels good.”

“I was just about to join you, and you passed out.”

“Just resting my eye, Little one.”

“You coming here or not?”

“Just a few more minutes.”

“Might as well make myself comfortable.”

“You like it?”

Rather have the shade.”

“Okay, I’ll come and do the lounge lizard impersonation.”

There is a lot of sun on my lounge.”

“Maybe the boss will come out and adjust it.”

“Ah no. You know how he is when he’s on a roll with a WIP. I’ll just lay here beside you.”

“You are more than welcome. Little One. Does it get any better than this?”

“Peanut butter would make it better.”

“Dream on.”

“Whoa, Lucy. This ground is warm.”

“Yes, it is. The temp is 81 degrees F today. That’s 27.2 C for our metric friends.”

“Why are you laying there staring at the fence.”

“No reason. I just wanted the sun on my back.”

“I’m not buying it. There must be something over there.”

“There isn’t anything, I promise you.”

“Well, that’s disappointing. I thought you would have a reason for laying that way.”

“Nope, just catching the rays.”

“You lay here if you want. I’m going to check out the patio.”

“Hmm, the snow didn’t leave any marks.”

“What? I can’t hear you.”

“Nothing. I was just admiring the vincas. Are these edible?”

“You are mumbling. Come where I can hear you.”

“Okay, I’m here. What’s that over there?”

“Weren’t you saying something about the patio, and now you are wondering what is over there?”

“Well, yes. That’s what I do. Attention isn’t my strong suit.”

“Where you going?”

“I need a drink. I’m going into the saloon.”

“Very funny. What’s wrong with a little deficit in the attention department?”

“Huh? I was looking at that shiny thing on the porch.”

“Okay, I get it.”