“Okay, so we are on a hunt. What are we hunting for, Little One?”

“I was thinking it was time to get a new beast.”

“A new beast. Tired of being gored by the water buffalo?”

“Get your horns away from me. No, it’s just we need new prey.”

“Well, okay. Have any beast in mind?”

“I thought I heard a Wildebeest out there.”

“You gotta be kidding me. There are no Wildebeests in Texas.”

“There are water buffalo, I suppose.”

“Yeah, good point. Okay, so what was out there?”

“I’m not sure. Go have a look at the other side. I thought I heard something over there.”

“Sorry, kiddo. Only that pesky squirrel.”

“I would like to get my mouth around that pest for sure.”

“Yeah, good luck on that one. I think I would concentrate on the Wildebeest if I were you.”

“Makes sense. So you think a Wildebeest would make a good victim?”

“I guess it would. Who is going to play that part?”

“Let’s see. If I’m the puma, who do you think?”

“Not sure I have ever been a wildebeest before.”

“For heaven’s sake . How hard could it be? You played a buffalo, and a Wildebeest couldn’t be too much harder than that.”

“I’m going to call my agent before I can commit.”

“Life has just gotten too complex.”

“Hey, Lucy. Why are these weird-looking runners here.”

“Against her better interior decorating sense, mom bought them for me.”

“For you? Why?”

“Well, Little One, I’m having trouble walking on the tile.”

“Trouble? What kind of trouble?”

“We old folks sometimes can’t control slipping.”

“Then what happens?”

“I basically fall down and can’t get up. I’m like a turtle on its back.”

“I thought you were just fooling around. So mom got you something where you wouldn’t slip.”

“Yup, and she laid them in all the hallways and paths I take.”

“Well, they sure look out of place.”

“Mom said it was okay. The important thing is safety.”

“Now you don’t fall down? Want to play tuggy?”

“Geez. Two questions. No, I don’t fall down and don’t want to play tuggy.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Let’s see. I’m on the couch. Half of me is comfortable. What do you think?”

“It is a long shot, but I’m guessing a nap.”

“You surprise me with your clairvoyance, youngster. You are spot on.”

“I think maybe I ought to do the same.”

“No argument from me.”

“So, how did the procedure go, Little One?”

“I’m never speaking to mom again.”

“Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad.”

“How do you know? You weren’t there.”

“I’ve had my teeth cleaned many times, so I do know.”

“Yeah, but my procedure was the worst.”

“Open your mouth and let me see.”

“There is no way I’m letting you look in my mouth.”

“Okay then, if you won’t let me look, let’s play tag. You’re it.”

“Why am I always it. You should be it sometime.”

“Well, catch me and I will be it.”

“No fair. Your legs are longer. You can move faster.”

“You don’t see me moving at all right now.”

“That could be true, but I think I hear some kibble falling into a bowl.”

“You can forget kibble for a while. You get soft food so you won’t hurt your teeth.”

“Soft food? What kind of soft food?”

“Well, mom takes your kibble and then soaks it in water.”

“Now that sounds horrific.”

“It’s not so bad, and it will feel good on your teeth.”

“I think a nice thick steak would feel better.”

“Of course, I have to wonder, when was the last time you had a steak?”

“Never underestimate the power of positive thinking.”

“You two going to go outside?”

“Gee, mom, that cold front brought some cooler temps.”

“What do you think, Lucy. Should we go out?”

“You kidding, Little One? The wind is blowing, and it’s cozy in here.”

“I just thought we could run around and stay warm.”

“Seems to me we can lay here and stay warm as well.”

“I suppose we could grab a toy and play keep away.”

“Or pretend that the toys have all taken the day off.”

“Heaven help me. So you are saying you want to lay on the couch.”

“I must say, Little One, you have become a mind reader.”

“A mind reader? I don’t think so. I just want to play.”

“I have an idea. We can play silent and deep.”

“You two still here? Time to go outside.”

“Lucy wants to play silent and deep, whatever that is.

“Stay silent and sleep deep.”

“Alright, up and out, you two.”

“Hey, Lucy. That silent and deep thing got us tossed out. Is that a squirrel over there?”

“I underestimated mom’s desire for us to play outside. That’s no squirrel. It’s a robin. They are making their migration to the north.”

“See, it is good to be outside.”

“I suppose. A nap would have been nice too. Let’s play tag. I’ll be it.”

 

“Where you going Little One?”

“I thought I heard dad say there was some damage to the trees from the ice storm.”

“The damage is over here on the patio side.”

“Oh. I don’t know why I thought it was the potting bench plants.”

“Well, they are toast too. But take a look at the mountain laurel.”

“There are some limbs here on the ground.”

“So true. The weight of the ice broke those limbs off the tree.”

“Can we put them back on?”

“I’m afraid not. Once a limb has been severed it will die.”

“OMG. That sounds pretty severe.”

“Did you notice Dad’s magnolia?”

“He’s not going to like all those limbs on the ground.”

“I think we’ve seen enough, Little One. Let’s go play.”

“This stuff still smells alive. Are you sure it can’t be put back?”

“I’m sure Little One. It is the way nature works.”

“Well then we ought to invent a way that things can live even if they have something wrong wth them.”

“You talking about trees, now?”

“Like these leaves, Lucy. Why do they have to lie here.”

“It’s a cycle that we have talked about before. It is the way nature works.”

“Doesn’t mean we have to like it.”

“You can stay there and sniff that turf all the way to St Louis. As for me? I’m thinking about a soft chew.”

“Hold on. I think I found an acorn.”

“Too early. It’s a rock.”

“Tomato, tomahto. Still interesting.”

“You coming?”

“Right behind you.”

 

“Little One. Did you see this Fig tree?”

“Yeah. It’s getting some new leaves.”

“Well, that’s not good. There’s more cold coming.”

“Don’t you think the fig knows what it’s doing?”

“I’m not so sure. These crazy winters have most plants confused.”

“These begonias seem to be doing sorta okay.”

“Yeah, for now. Wait till a freeze hits.”

“These roses are getting new leaves too.”

“I sure hope they aren’t sorry. I’m going over to the patio.”

“What’s over there?”

“There were a bunch of flowers in pots. I want to make sure they aren’t budding as well.”

“If they are, what are you going to do?”

“Well, they’re not, so your question doesn’t need an answer.”

“Lucky for you, ’cause I don’t think you had an answer.”

“You may be right. How about we play in the yard.”

“I see a bud here, Lucy. What are we going to do?”

“You know everyone dislikes a wise guy.”

“Good thing I’m a girl, then.”

“How about a game of hide and seek?”

“Great, you’re it.”

“One one thousand, two one thousand….”

“No peeking.”

Please be aware this post is about a serious subject.

Hello, friends of Lucy and Twiggy. We have all enjoyed the adventures of these two, and in some ways, we have become family interacting with their experiences. It is fitting for you to know that Lucy has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer. There is nothing that can be done but to keep her comfortable. She is on medication that keeps her pain-free and eating and drinking normally. It is a matter of time, now unknown, before we will have to let her go. We feel that to have Lucy disappear and then explain after the fact would not be faithful to the time you have invested in her stories. Although this information is hard to communicate, I think we owe you transparency regarding her condition. The stories will continue for as long as possible, and we won’t be mentioning cancer again. Lucy is talking to Twiggy.

“So what did the doctor say?”

“She said I have inoperable cancer, Little One.”

“What does inoperable mean?”

“Well, it means they can’t fix it.”

“If they can’t fix it, what’s going to happen?”

“It means I’m going to be taking a trip.”

“Trip? What kind of trip?”

“I’m going to go and find Bailey over the Rainbow Bridge.”

“I don’t think I understand. When will you be back?”

“Well, Little One, I won’t be back if I find Bailey.”

“Won’t be back? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“It is the way life is, though. There is a circle that we all move in.”

“If it’s a circle, can I go with you?”

“No, that’s not how it works. You have a full life ahead of you. Besides, mom and dad will need your help.”

“Please let me go with you, Lucy.”

“Twiggy. You have your job to do here. Don’t worry when it is your time. I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Promise?”

“You have my promise, Little One. Now let’s get mom to give us a treat.”

“I love you, Lucy.”

“I love you, Little One.”