Did you read Eric Ernst’s recent column on the subject of the estimated 60,000 stray cats in Sarasota county? It’s shocking — and important — reporting. I had no idea there were that many. I’m trying to do my part to solve the problem — I’ve adopted and neutered or spayed three cats and made them a part of my family … but three’s my limit!!

Stray kitty in front of his carport box and blanket home ... but he wants a REAL home!!

I appreciate the emails and blog comments wondering about the little kitty I found. Unfortunately, I don’t have great news yet. He’s still outside; I’m still feeding him and have put a blanket and basket out for him tonight. He’s very sweet and eats a TON of cat chow. I’ve given him water also. But, he won’t let me catch him. I wanted to take him to the Cat Depot (a no kill facility) where at least I knew he’d be safe and cared for … but I can’t catch the bugger. I tried and was nearly bitten for my efforts.

Nobody I’ve contacted seems to want him. Not sure what to do next … . It’s also creating a bit of havoc inside because my three cats know he’s out there and are a bit on edge and watch him through the windows and sniff at the door, etc.

I’m enough of a crazy cat woman with three.

Read more »

Have you read The Road? — Cormac McCarthy’s unblinking view of a not-so-brave, post-apocalyptic United States? If you haven’t read it … or couldn’t read it (for reasons you’d know if you even tried to read it) … you can always see the film of the same name. Or maybe you’ve heard of The Book of Eli with Denzel Washington?

Even documentaries like Food Inc., are like big neon flashing posters of what our world is coming to and who’s going to come out on top and who’s going to be down in the gutter along with the pig entrails and chicken beaks … if we don’t change our ways about how we seed, grow, feed, and consume the stuff that keeps us alive.

And, have you seen those television shows — the ones like Jericho or even, to a lesser extent, Flash Forward and Lost, and even The Good Wife (with its entire raison d’etre based around the initial story of a political figure going down for the count because he was caught nearly in flagrante with a hooker … um, and the “good wife” who, so far, at least, is standing by her man) … doesn’t the world seem awfully pessimistic about the future of our collective, and individual, humanity? Read more »

But they sure make for a beautiful and welcome sight.

I may be stuck at my computer … but the squirrel outside is having fun trying to break into the bird feeder. Read more »

In the dark
The crows assemble

Unhunching shoulders
With glossy shrugs,
Beaks sussing out
Some unwelcome things
Among them.

Half-opening wings,
Not preening
Just quiet fluffing
And subtle shiftings
Of weight;
Almost imperceptible shufflings
In the order of things.

Readying themselves;
Maybe steadying,

For day and light
Then flight.

Copyright 2010 MC Coolidge