“What do you suppose happened out here?”

“Looks like the trees have finally let go of their leaves.”

“This yard was clean a day ago.”

“I know. I think the chilly weather made the trees dump their leaves.”

“I’m going to check out the patio  and see what’s happening there.”

“Now that the days are warm again, I’ll go with you.”

“All looks okay here. But, I wonder about Mom’s potting area.”

“This looks great out here. Maybe sunbath time.”

“Might be a good idea, but I must have a look-see first.”

“Never heard of the fate of the curious cat, I suppose.”

“What cat. I don’t smell a cat.”

“Never mind. I forgot how easily you are distracted. Looks like a lot of leaves here too.”

“You were saying about that sun bath?”

“Since it’s warm, I thought we could lay out.”

“Check out the roses. Looks like we are getting some more blooms.”

“Correct as usual, King Friday. They are beautiful.”

“I’m going to stake out my lounge. You coming?”

“Just want to look at this Mandeville. No blooms on it.”

“Boy, this is going to be a great day. It’s like summer all over again.”

“I agree. I wonder if mom will put more plants in this pot.”

“You can ask her.”

“After our sunbath. I think I will. This would be a good spot for some red cyclamen.

 

“Whoa, It’s chilly out here.”

“It is for sure, Little One. I wonder what happened.”

“Whattya mean ‘what happened?'”

“It was so warm yesterday.”

“Well, this is Texas, after all.” Where you going?”

“There’s some sun over there. I’m going to see if it’s warmer.”

“Any warmer?”

“Maybe a little, but it’s hard to say.”

Why don’t you get into the big sun?”

“Now that’s a good idea.”

“Why are you walking this way. The big sun is behind you.”

“I know, but I thought you and I could play over there.”

“You go ahead, and I’ll join you.”

“You are not just saying that.”

“No, here I come. Would rather be inside, though.”

“Come on, it is definitely warmer here.”

“Seems a little warmer but not up to my standards.”

“Let’s run around. Maybe that will help.”

“Uh, running this time of year is another challenge.”

“Maybe you would like to run back to the house.”

“Now you’re talking. Can you say bee-line?”

“Hey, Dad. What’s the temperature out here anyway.”

“My trusty watch says 39 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s 3.8 degrees Celsius.”

“Okay, that’s it. Inside for me.”

“I’ll be right behind you. I didn’t realize it was that cold.”

“I think I can see my breath.”

“Oh, stop. It has to be much colder for that. Come on, Dad. We need in.”

“Where you going, Little One?”

“I’m going to the wilderness.”

 

“The wilderness. Where’s that?”

“No dog’s land around the corner.”

“Hey, wait for me. That could be dangerous.”

“Hurry up then. An adventure awaits.”

“Okay, keep talking to me, so I know you’re safe.”

“Everything is fine. So far, so good.”

“You sure everything’s fine? You’re pretty silent.”

“Just sniffin’ the clues. Can’t talk and sniff at the same time.”

So, what did you find out here?”

“A big bunch of nothing. That’s what.”

“Looks pretty bare, I’d say. I’m leaving.”

“One more sniff over there, then I’m with you.”

“That was a pretty long sniff.”

“After the puma takes in the wild scent of the water buffalo, the stalking is on.”

“Cut that out. You look like you’re possessed.”

“The puma keeps the water buffalo in its sight, careful not to spook it.”

“Well, the water buffalo has other plans than to be jumped on by a demonic puma.”

“The puma checks the trail. Yes, the scent is fresh.”

“I’m going inside now. You can stop.”

“Step by step, the puma closes the gap. The water buffalo looks panicked.”

“Hey, mom. Open the door. It is definitely time to come in.”

“The puma has the water buffalo cornered. The time has come to spring.”

“Come on, mom. This is getting serious.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, you big chicken. I’m just playing.”

“Okay then. I guess that no dog’s land got me spooked.”

“The puma saves the water buffalo treat for another day.”

“Quit that.”

“What the heck is that, Lucy?”

“I don’t know Little One. Looks like a toy.”

“What’s a toy doing in the backyard?”

Yeah, that is a good question. Smells like a toy.”

“You think Dad dropped it here?”

“I don’t see him but I wouldn’t be surprised.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Maybe to take photos of us wondering how the thing got here.” You know how he is on Thursday.”

“I can tell you, this is not something I would play with at all.”

“You have to wonder sometimes. Our parents seem tone deaf when it comes to certain toys.”

“That is some kind of flower or something and I’m not going to jump at the bait.”

“You know it could be an agave. You know how dad is about margaritas.”

“We are a couple of dogs. I wouldn’t be caught dead playing with an agave.”

“I’m sure dad meant well. But I think you’re right.”

“I’m chalking that up to a toy fail. I think I’m going to tell mom.”

“Okay, but be careful. She may have a hand in it too.”

“Good point. Maybe they’ll get the hint when the thing sits there a while.”

“Yeah, a good old passive-aggressive move for sure.

 

 

“Looks like we need an inside game. Little One.”

“I’ve been sitting here thinking what it should be.”

“Maybe we could toss around a couple of these balls.”

“Um. Seems like we just did that.”

“One thing is certain.”

“What’s that?”

“As long as you lay on that couch, nothing will get started.”

“I suppose you are right. Race you to the toy pile.”

“You won, as usual, Fast feet. Uh oh. I see your inner puma coming out.”

Yes. The sleek puma turns at the sound of a stick breaking under the hoof of a water buffalo.”

“The water buffalo pauses when she catches the scent of the puma.”

“The puma turns to face her foe head-on.”

“The water buffalo lowers her head in anticipation of skewering the puma on her huge horns.”

“Hey, hold on. I don’t think female water buffalos have horns.”

“Don’t be silly. Females have horns. They are smaller than males but still sharp.”

“How do you know that?”

“Everybody knows that. Look it up if you don’t believe me.”

“No, I believe you. It just seemed strange, is all.”

“That a female could be strong and fight off a puma?”

“No, not that exactly. It’s just when you think of fighting, males come to mind.”

“Well, females can fight too, but I get what you are saying.”

“Yeah, females tend to work things out instead of getting into a ruckus about it.”

“So the Water Buffalo should have a conversation with the puma?”

“Well, no. That takes the fun out of the game. After all, it’s just pretend.”

“I think I’m going to need a rest after that session of gender awareness.”

“I see what you mean. Too much thinking takes the fun out of the game.”

“That might be true of life too, Little One.”

“Careful, Lucy. Someone may accuse you of being a philosopher.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

 

“So, Lucy. What did you mean by the comment, “The more things change, the more they stay the same?”

“It is just an observation about life, Little One.”

“Yeah, but what does it mean?”

“It means there is a certain continuum that seems to control what we do.”

“Can you repeat that in some language I can understand?”

“Let me give you an example. It is starting to turn to fall, right?”

“The leaves are starting to come down, and the day temperatures are less hot, so I would say it is starting to turn to fall.”

“Notice you used your experience of past falls to compare with what is going on now.”

“I didn’t think about it, but now I see that for sure.”

“So my point is even though the weather is changing and it may seem like a new thing, in reality, it is the same changes as last year.

“So the more the weather changes, the more it is the same as last year.”

“I believe you’ve got it.”

“How about another example?”

“Humm. Well, the more our need for food changes, the more our food keeps us satisfied the same way.”

“I think that example was driven by the sound of kibble hitting the bowl.”

“Maybe after lunch, I can do better.”

“I think we have had enough philosophy for one day.”

“Okay then. I think tag will work better.”

 

“Lucy, it’s another day. Got a game in mind?”

“I haven’t given it much thought up to now.”

“We could play tag.”

“We just played that yesterday. Let’s think harder.”

“Yeah, you’re right. We haven’t played Water Buffalo and Puma for a while.”

“That’s true. I always like that game ’cause I don’t have to move fast.”

“Okay, then it’s settled. You are the water buffalo, and I’m the puma.”

“I have to get into character. One minute while I grow some horns.”

“Okay, I hope the Stanislavsky method stands you in good stead.”

“The water buffalo stands on the prairie above the water hole sniffing the wind.”

“The puma decides that the water buffalo would make a tasty lunch.”

“Jeepers. The water buffalo is taken by surprise as she catches the scent of the puma.”

“The puma decides to do a flanking maneuver to avoid those deadly horns.”

“The water buffalo swings around to protect the flank and the butt.”

“The puma goes for a direct frontal attack, counting on speed for an advantage.”

“The water buffalo stands steady and prepares to lower her head to meet the puma.”

“One last burst of speed, the puma does a slight fake to throw off the water buffalo.”

“The water buffalo braces for a direct hit from the puma.”

“The puma was not ready for the about-face of the water buffalo.”

“The water buffalo surprises the puma with a burst of speed and in the end avoids danger.”

“Nicely played, Lucy. But, unfortunately, I was not ready for that evasive trick.”

“Well, it shows that old dogs can learn new tricks.”

“You can say that again. How about I buy you a drink.”

“Very kind of you, Little One. Have the barkeep set up a pan of water? That is hot work.”