Settling into my new writing digs at Beehiiv has been fun, if a little overwhelming with the customization options. That said, I have a new friend!

Quick backstory: I have four cats: 🐈‍⬛ Samson 🐈‍⬛ Emperor 🐈 Arizona 🐈‍⬛ Dice.

They are as pampered as any cat could hope for, and their girths show it. They get a combination of wet and dry foods every day, and have me on a tight schedule of feeding. The pate wet food comes in a variety pack, which I thoughtfully rotate through each feeding session so they don’t get bored.

Nevertheless, they still have favorites and less favored flavors, which they show by leaving food on their plate. Not wanting to waste it and knowing that my rural community has plenty of living creatures outside in the wild, I put the leftovers outside for them.

That brings me to the cat in the photo above. He has taken to hanging out and knows my feeding schedule. He sits at a health escape-distance and eyes me warily, but then darts in to lay claim as soon as I empty the plate and go inside. He let me take his photo as he relaxed the other day, napping well away from me but still within observational distance.

He now has water and a dedicated feeding place and the plan is for cold-boxes in the coming winter. Happy #Caturday, everyone!