In the winter, Maria and the barn cats play a kind of Catholic School tug of war about whether the cats should come outside in the sun.

I think it’s a riot, and I’ve started calling Maria Sister Maria. In the dead of winter, we set up the basement for the cats with their own beds, daily food and treats and a well-built foundation that never lets the temperature fall below 55 degrees.

At the first sign of warming, Maria declares that the cats have to go outside and take in the sun. With all this snow and ice on the ground, the cats are too excited about coming up from the basement.

If they balk, Maria announces “the sun is out, you’re going outside!” and she marches down into the basement and picks them up one by one and sets them down on the porch.

Flo accepts this graciously but Minnie keeps trying to run back inside. She knows a good thing when she sees one.

I think Minnie would be delighted to stay in the basement all year. There are mice down there, and light coming in several windows. And meals get brought to her and Flo in special bowls.

Today, the temperature is edging towards 40 degrees, and Maria – she reminds me of one of those tough Mother Superiors you see in the movies – was adamant about them going outside today.

Flo found a good spot on the back porch table and started dozing. I think she agreed with Sister Maria. Sometimes tough love is good for you. When it starts to get dark, Maria relents and lets them in.

Like the Mother Superior’s in the movies, her tough demeanor hides her big heart.