Mia was up early and running from her bedroom, through the family room, down the hall, and into the front living room. The musical light-up tree went off as she ran past it.
“Oh no, I forgot about that thing,” Mia stopped and turned around.
As soon as the musical tree stopped playing, Mia trotted over to the coffee table and jumped up onto it. She nibbled a few kernels of her food and then got a drink of water. Still feeling energetic, she trotted across the window sill, onto the blanket on top of her litter box cabinet, and then up onto the side table. She walked down to the end of it and looked out the narrow window.
“Any squirrels out there yet?” Mia said as she looked.
Just then Mia heard the tip tapping of Dukee’s toenail while he walked down the hallway. She looked and watched him as he walked up to the front door.
Dukee looked up at Mia, “did you make that colorful tree thing go off before?”
“Yeah, I forgot about it. I’ve been wondering if it woke everyone up,” Mia looked down at Dukee.
“Well, Auntie and I were already awake but I don’t know about your Mom,” Dukee looked out the narrow window.
“Hey, Auntie is a bit off schedule with our story isn’t she?” Mia asked.
Dukee looked up at Mia, “um, well, she took a few days off for Christmas. She was also tired so we took some naps together.”
“Oh, well that’s true that they were gone all day for Christmas. And I know that Mom was tired the next day too,” Mia said as she looked back out the window.
“Yep, Auntie will get back on track in the new year… Oh, and thank you for my present,” Dukee said.
“Your present? What did I get you?” Mia asked.
“Some more of the canned food that I like. Did you like your present from us?” Dukee looked up at Mia.
“Oh, in the pretty box? Yes, thank you, I love those treats,” Mia looked down at Dukee.
Dukee looked back out the narrow window by the door and saw a couple of Robin’s fly down and land in the grass. Mia tapped the snowflake garland that hung down by the window, and then looked out at the Robin’s. The Wisconsin state bird (Robin) isn’t down here in Florida as long as other birds that Mia and Dukee see, so it’s always a joy when they do come around.
“They sure are a pretty bird,” Mia said.
Dukee chattered at the birds and then said, “yes they are.”
“It sure has been cold here lately. I’m glad that I’m an in house kitty,” Mia said and licked her paw.
“Yes, it has been a bit chilly. I want to go outside in the morning but I don’t stay out to long. That floor out there is c-o-l-d on my feet,” Dukee shook his back legs.
Mia giggled while she watched Dukee shake each foot, “It almost looks like you got your feet wet.”
“Well, that’s almost how it feels, only with really cold water,” Dukee said.
Dukee walked around the leather sofa and jumped up on top of the litter box cabinet, “just thinking about it made my feet cold.”
Mia turned around and walked down to the other end of the side table and sat down. She watched Dukee as he laid down on the blanket and tucked his feet under his body. It’s a pretty day outside but a bit chilly for everyone who is used to 80 degree weather most of the time. While Mia and Dukee watch for more birds, they also want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. This will be the last chapter for 2022 so see you in 2023.