Males and Females

It was about eight, but the morning was dark, cool. and still except for the territorial bickering of two male cardinals.  The desire to control land must be built into the male genome.  All that females want is a safe place to rear their babies.

Morning

Fio awoke this morning to see the eye of the fire, the last burning ember, watching over her through the screen.  And out the window, the back porch light lit the darkness like a yellow moon. Awakened by Fio's activity, Sonia Dog adjusted herself against Ftorella's side, then went back to sleep again as Mommy reached under the couch for her laptop to type this entry.

Good morning.  May your day be blessed.

Fiorella's Christmas Sonnet, 2015

Christmas Fire

The firewood salvaged from our fallen trees
We've dried and heaped upon the fireplace grate
To counteract the deep midwinter freeze
Which lowering temperatures prognosticate.
Steel strikes flint, the tinder pile is lit,
A quick flame flashes, then  is gently fed
Until the fire is burning bright and brisk
Its fingers reaching high, its embers red.
Cackling and raging and roaring with each bite,
The hungry fire consumes the waiting wood,
But after we have gone to bed  at night
The flames burn out--untended, unrenewed.
      Yet warmth awakens us upon the morn--
      Merry Christmas to all!  Christ is born!

The Long, Slow Awakening

After decades of leaping out of bed at the command of a screeching alarm clock, Fiorella enjoys the luxury of awakening on her own--slowly.  Not yet opening her eyes, she gradually becomes aware of the morning.  Her back arches a couple of times, her arms stretch out, her fingers curl and uncurl, her legs and toes do the same, her hips rotate, she moves her head back and forth, and, finally, she opens her eyes.

Then shuts them again. She doesn't want to wake up, to leave the comfort of this soft, warm bed and the big dog snoring at her feet.

But her body is rarin' for action.  She opens her eyes again and sits up.

Rise, Fiorella. Rise, arise shine.  Every dawn is a new day.

GOOOOOOOD MORNING!

Fio is cool, Fio is fine,
She didn't awake till almost nine.
Her body's rested, her brain is too,
So she feels great--how about you?