My friendship with a barn cat seems to grow and deepen. At least once a day, Zip and I walk through the grounds as I soak in the sky and think about photos and even when I sit down to meditate.

Zip is a busy boy; he is out hunting and exploring for much of the day, but he seems to make time for me in his busy day, and somehow (this part spooks me), he always seems to know when I am coming out, even before I do. If it’s not freezing or wet, I sit down in one of the chairs outside, and he magically appears, climbs onto my lap, curls up, and waits for his scratching and attention. He can’t get enough.

I’ve seen the donkeys do something like this. They can hear Maria and I talking inside the house, and they know when we are coming out and start braying. I never saw a cat do it or care when I was coming out.

Today, we sat for 15 minutes in the cold. I had to go inside, and he went out to the pasture to continue exploring. In our talks, I talk to him, and he does seem to listen. Zinnia curls up at my feet, and she listens also. He’s becoming one of my scarce male friends.

Maria was walking by and took this photo. It says a lot.

Zip and Fate hang out together now, even when she stalks him. He doesn’t seem to mind, or even notice.