The last several weeks have tested my tolerance of the heat. There is never any lack of work on the farm, but usually by the time it gets in the upper 90s to over 100 degrees, it has stopped raining. No rain means no mowing.
In late summer we do very little outside; usually. But this year I have been spending my weekends outside helping my daughter to get my ex-husband’s house ready to sell. There was so much that needed to be done that it has taken the last 3 weekends to get it ready to put on the market. We made it, though. It took only a few days on the market to get an offer; hopefully some papers will get signed this week.
Now, my husband and I are torn between taking some much needed rest and some very overdue yard work at our own house. It is a good thing that we do not have an HOA or fussy neighbors; we would have been busted weeks ago.
August is the hottest month of the year in Texas, with mean temperatures over 100 degrees most days; the heat index makes it seem even hotter. We have been very blessed this year with an unusual cool front from out of the north. It has dropped temperatures as much as 15 degrees, and has increased the chance that we will get a little rain.
What is especially nice about the cool front is that it is hanging around for over a week. This opens up a lot of opportunities for us. Yesterday, the kittens stayed outside all day. We had some errands to run, so I decided it would be the perfect opportunity for them to stay outside.
They seemed like they were doing fine when we got home; we spent some time outside with them just to make sure. They didn’t seem like they missed us very much. I devised a way to put a bowl of their kitten food outside that the dogs couldn’t get into.
Aside from the heat, figuring out a way to feed them was the major reason they weren’t already outside cats. Hannah is a big dog who has a tremendous appetite. Instead of trying to outsmart her with her size and weight advantage, I decided to use that against her; I put the food low and out of reach with a small access space that would only fit her big head. That was yesterday; so far so good.
They came inside for a little while to rest and recharge, but were wanting to go outside with me when I went to feed the horses. Last night, the temperature was really nice so I decided it was time to let them stay outside for the night. It was a tough decision; I guess I have gotten very attached to them as house cats. I worried about their first night outside, but they seemed to be very well adjusted when I checked on them this morning.
It eases my mind that they are truly comfortable being outside, now. I was concerned about going out of town for 2 weeks, and leaving my husband with such high maintenance kitties. At the end of August, I will be in Oklahoma City for 2 weeks to take training for my other job. The cooler temperatures this next week will be perfect to get the kitties into a routine of being outside most of the time.
This afternoon, they have come inside for some people time and to nap in our laps. They seem truly content. The house was just not big enough for them anymore; especially the laundry room/office that they stayed in at night and while we were away.
While it has been really nice raising these babies (especially being aware that they needed a permanent home), they have added to the frustration of not having enough time to take care of the house and yard. Now that they are transitioning to the outside, we all seem happier. I have no doubt that they will be spending some time inside with us in the evenings, and that will be a great time to reinforce the bond between us.
It’s funny, last night I felt like an empty-nester. My babies are growing up and moving out into the world! It seemed this morning that they didn’t miss us very much, but this afternoon, they needed some people time. I am happy now; they have let me know that they are not too big for cuddles and snoozing in my lap.
1 Corinthians 1:4-5 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.
