Priestly Problem

My dear Readers, how are you enjoying this wonderful Fall weather?  The cooler days and mild nights are just what the Hotep needs to go about my priestly duties.  I am enjoying circulating among my people here in Avinger, having a meal here and there with friends and dozing the afternoons away beside my alter.

I had an accident a week ago.  Something bit my front paw as I was making my nightly rounds!  It become terribly swollen and infected and I was taken to Dr. Seymore, the vet to the High Priests.  Oh my he touched my paw and all manner of awful stuff came forth!  I was given a large injection of antibiotics along with foot salve, and I have been enjoying hot Epsom Salt foot soaks every night.  I am feeling so much better that I have recommenced my ramblings and the foot is not swollen any more.  Here is a picture of my swollen foot:

As you can see I was well cared for by my keepers.  I think they are going to take out some insurance on me.  Egyptian priest cats with klutzy tendencies probably should be insured.  I seem to have more than my share of incidents, all of which are accidental.

I have not been able to hunt since my paw was injured, but I am watching a mole hill closely in the side yard.  Cliocatra is trying to catch it also and I have to periodically threaten her away from the mole hill to claim my territory.

The persimmons are falling in the back yard, and the coons are making nightly raids to consume them.  Did you know you can tell what the winter will be like by opening the seed of a persimmon?  If you open and see a spoon outlined there will be lots of snow.  If you see a knife, get the kitty litter ready for you will need it for the ice to come!  Just be sure not to short your feline's catbox.  We get most upset about that.  The Hotep is an expert weather prognosticator based on the signs from Mother Nature.   There are many bois d'arc balls this fall also.  That foretells a hard winter too, and they are also excellent insect repellants if you put them in your cabinets.  Not to mention all the extra hair I am suddenly growing all over!  I love my fur coat!

The leaves are turning gold and red, and the sunny days bring out the sulfur butterflies.  I watch the birds sailing through the blue sky above, and think what a beautiful place to live.  Soon it will be Halloween and I shall don my costume and go forth to solicit treats from all my friends in Avinger.
I hope they have some sardines and catnip.  I don't care for candy much.  I haven't decided on a costume yet.  Do any of you wonderful readers have any ideas?  If so, feel free to post a comment with your suggestions!

May your horn of plenty run over with the joys of Fall!  Your Happy Hotep.

A Terrible Asp

Dear Readers, I want to share a warning with you regarding the asps of East Texas.  Here behind the Pine Curtain, there lurk awful poisonous creatures who will strike and kill!  Such a terrible reptile was found and eradicated at the lake house of one of my benefactors.

Lady Janelle Knowles has a lake house near here.  She was so kind when I had my eye injury to donate toward my surgery and I have a very warm feeling toward her ever since.  This summer around Labor Day, a terrible asp reared up at one of her guests down by the lake.

Now, it's against the law in Texas to kill certain protected species of snakes.  The asp that was killed was one who looked like a protected snake, but I'm certain Lady Janelle would never allow a protected reptile to be killed, so we are sure it was a kingsnake who looked suspiciously like a timber rattler.  Here is a picture of the offending reptile.

 

This terrible asp sent shivers over me when I saw the picture.  Even the mighty Hotep would not want to encounter this monster!  I am so glad my friend was not injured by the asp, although I am sure it would scare her awfully should she come across it in the grass.

Please remember if you are raking leaves or walking in the woodlands to beware the asps of East Texas.  The Hotep takes great care to avoid them at all costs.

Fall in Hotep Land

Oh my dear Readers, I'm so sorry for the lapse in my sharing with you, but the last months have been so hot and miserable I just haven't felt up to preparing an epistle!  I have spent most of my time in my keepers' house or on the front porch trying to stay cool.  Now Fall is in the air, and Hotep loves the Fall.  All the little animals are getting ready for winter and I love to watch them at work.

While I don't eat squirrel, I do enjoy seeing them rush about gathering pecans in Ann Cook's yard.  Sometimes they see me and fuss at me, thinking I'm going to be aggressive with them.  I just laugh and keep going.  The persimmons are falling off the tree, even though there hasn't been a frost, and the coons are coming at night to eat them.  I sit on the deck by my alter to watch them.  I find them quite amusing.

It has finally rained a bit.  I didn't even go into the field because it was so dry.  I hate stick-tights and they would get all over me.  Now the grass is soft and sweet, and the field is full of bunny rabbits.

I went next door to the renter's house.  Her name is Kathy, and she puts out water for me.  She has some jewels she is going to loan me for a photograph when she returns from Hawaii.  I have been watching her house while she is away.  I love to lie on the rug she has on the patio.  It's much more comfortable than lying on the concrete!

One of my keepers fell on her face in the kitchen last week.  She has been in terrible pain, and I have been sleeping with her as a comfort.  She likes to reach out and touch me at night to be sure I'm there.  I seem to offer her a degree of warmth and rest.  She hit the floor like a large tree and did not move for a moment.  I was afraid she would block my food bowl, but she crawled up finally.

I had a wonderful adventure this morning.  It was raining when I went forth at 5:30 am.  The neighbors next door, Steve and Patty, have some giant trash piles in their yard teeming with snakes and rodents.  As I made my way over to inspect them, I was able to catch a giant rat.  I was so happy I took it to the front porch to show my keepers my hunting skills.  After they praised me, I beat it severely, then consumed the top part of it.  Cliocatra was watching from the door, green with envy.  I was so happy to have topped her capture of a very small mouse two days ago!

When I finished the delectable treat and was washing up, my keepers came to the door and saw that I had left the rat snout, entrails, and lower half.  I only eat my favorite parts as there are many more rats to catch next door.  I can afford to eat only the best parts.  This upsets my keepers, who then have to get Monte to bring a shovel and remove the remains.  Meanwhile, Cliocatra wants badly to inspect my kill, but the keepers won't allow it.

I will do a ritual of thanksgiving at my alter once the rain stops.  Hotep is always grateful for a savory tidbit!

I hope, dear Readers, that cooler weather is coming soon.  The great full moon makes me want to spent the nights outside on the porch swing, enjoying the night air and seeing what things come forth to dance in the moonlight.  I shall be in touch as the Fall progresses.  The garden has been turned over and burned off for the year.  The circle of the seasons is turning toward winter.  Soon the leaves will begin to turn.  Don't you love the Fall in East Texas?

Until next time, the Hotep wishes you mild days, beautiful nights, and some hot cider!