Adventures in Cat Herding

So, I’m exhausted.

Up early to warm up the house, because The Guys from Dead River will be bound to turn off the heat at some point. Breakfast — braunschweiger on pumpernickel with Cheap Brown Mustard, tea.

Started gathering the trash to take out, because Tuesday, whereupon The Guys arrive in two work trucks and an attack wagon. Reroute self to start gathering cats into Steve’s Wing. Firefly was taken by surprise. Trooper — ran. Trooper never runs. Sprite took shelter under the middle of the dining room table — which is a really good spot if you’re a cat who doesn’t want to get swooped up and Transported. Belle was in her heated and sunny bookshelf. She tried to run (Belle never runs, either), but I had her. Got her to Steve’s Wing, opened the door a crack and stuffed her into the hallway.

In the meantime, Sprite makes a break for?

The basement!

Oh, no! The basement is where the Guys are and the outside basement door is open. Happily, she’s headed off by Steve, who is supervising Guys. She runs back upstairs and ducks back under the table. I slam the basement door shut, figure that’s good enough for right now, and finish taking out the trash and recycling.

When I come back in, Steve has Trooper cornered in the bedroom. I make the snatch, and we stuff him through the door into Steve’s Wing of Wrongfully Imprisoned Felines.

We go Looking For Sprite, who is in my office, under the comfy chair, which is another excellent place, but — inexplicably, she throws away her advantage and makes a bolt for — the basement! But the door’s closed. She skitters, pulls a 180 and races into the bedroom, where — she disappears.

I, however, see the telltale bump in the covers at the foot of the bed, and have her out. She squeaks! I am Unmoved. Steve cracks open the door to his wing, pushing Firefly back, and I pour Sprite through the opening.
So, anyway. All cats now in Steve’s Wing with Steve. The Guys from Dead River are in the basement, engaging drills. My second cup of tea is brewing.

When it’s done, I may take it over to the office comfy chair where I can soak up some sunshine, and enjoy the view down the snow-covered yard to the trees down back.