Tadpole Weather

It rained cats and dogs this weekend; the lightning and sound of falling water woke me in the wee hours. When I opened my eyes next, it was just becoming light. As I came awake, I became aware of a gentle pressure against my hip. Our black cat had curled himself into the small of my back. His warmth and the almost imperceptible movement of his breathing reminded me of my children as infants. Their tiny bodies heavy and smelling of milk. I fell back asleep, careful not to stir.

An hour later, as I climbed the three steps to my house after feeding the neighbor’s kitty, I heard a woodpecker tapping nearby. I stopped in the cool morning air to listen. After the rain, the air was fresh and the ditches full.