It was up to 5 degrees around ll a.m. this morning and I looked out of the front door and there was Flo, my new pal, looking up at me. I went outside and she seemed to be complaining to me, I suspect because she wouldn’t mind coming in the house. Maria and I have reversed roles a bit, as we have a habit of doing. No way Flo is coming into the house, she says. We have three dogs inside, she is perfectly find in her hay and blanket nest up in the woodshed, and if any cat is coming into the house, she added, it ought to be Minnie, not Flo. Maria says Flo has figured me out and turned me into a cat lover. We have been cuddling a bit lately, and I do feel close to this cat, who has been hiding out on the farm but months but it is now an open and official member of the community.

She is just right for me, not too slithery or clingy, but affectionate and I am in awe of the way she staked out the farm, put the dogs in their places and won me over me. I am much more of a dog person than a cat person. Mother has been gone for two months now, and I have never expected her to return or show up at Bedlam Farm. I suspect she has done what Flo just did – staked out some other place and moved in.

I like her style. She had swatted each of our dogs squarely on the nose and they are given her no grief and a wide berth. I agree with Maria that we don’t need any more animals living in the house. I also believe that barn cats – especially those who get their shots and are fed every day, as ours are – live good and healthy lives. They stay away from the road, have lots of dry and protected spots in and around the barns, and get plenty of attention to boot.

I suppose I could be worked on a bit and let Flo into the house every now and then, but Maria is holding firm. The barn cats are fine. I can’t disagree with it, but I also get a chuckle as she becomes the hard-ass and me the squish. It fits, I guess. I respect the life of the barn cat, and I don’t (usually) project my own emotions onto it. Barn cats face some dangers but if they are at least partially cared for – Flo goes to the vet for the rest of her shots today – they can live their lives fully and independently. I respect that. But you can’t blame Flo for trying.