Letters from Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary

 Guess what? I just found out that I, Goldie, am in the new book,   Handful of Stars   . . .  and so are my good friends Buddy and Bubbles  and Zed - and  Titan , the horse! Of course, there are a lot of other animals at Sanctuary House, and a few of them are also in the book . . . but the book has a lot of subjects that are not anything about animals. There is even a poem about dandelions - I think I could be a dandelion, golden and white! Mom has been cleaning and rearranging furniture almost all day - because it's the end of Summer, she said. Leah and Bubbles don't like changes, so they are not happy at all. I don't mind if Mom wants to move things around so long as she keeps the dog biscuit box at easy reach. We hope you are having a beautiful Sunday!

 Today is the Feast of St. Michael and all Angels - special greetings to everyone named for angels, including our sweet kitty, Michaela "Chaelie," and our beautiful Pekin duck, Gabriel "Gabby." And here is an  Angel  puzzle! We're hoping everyone will have a safe, happy, and blessed weekend.

Gus here . . . I'm writing the blog today because Mom is busy repairing window screens. One of my usual jobs is reminding readers about our  Wish List , so let me do that first. As we get ready for Autumn, we especially need towels for the cats and dogs, and blankets for Willow, Titan, and Sonny. . . Imagine already has a blanket and Rosie doesn't need one because she'll be in the barn in bad weather - she's too young and small to stay out in the pasture.  Mom put some towels on the Amazon wish list, but if you are looking for a new home for last summer's beach towels or are redecorating your bathroom with new towels, we are also always glad to have old towels. Another thing we especially need from the list is Cool Calories or Manna Pro Weight Accelerator for Seniors for Sonny - Sonny is our oldest horse and he needs extra calories with his food so he doesn't lose weight. Can you imagine?! Not many of us need extra calories, but I guess old horses do.

It's an overcast, gray day here, but the kitties were happy to pose for photos: Adelaide, Lucy, and Evans. Actually, Lucy was hoping for cat treats. Adelaide was waking up from a nap, and Evans took a break from a game with Clegg. Today someone asked if the Sanctuary House kitties go outside . . . she was afraid they'd catch birds! No worries - our kitties may dream about catching birds, but they are indoor only cats, and any bird watching is done through windows with screens and safety bars. Nobody here is catching birds!

Happy first day of Autumn everyone! By the calendar, anyway, it is the first day of Autumn, but the trees here are still full of green leaves and the grass is still growing . . . attempts to work outdoors proved overwhelmingly that in many ways (heat, humidity, mosquitoes) it's still the strong end of Summer! Back indoors a few cats opted to sleep on the cat tower in front of a sunny window. Others kindly agreed to close-up photographs: Remmy, Lucy, and the elusive Yannah. Buddy  the beagle, always eager to please, looked up from his nap to consider the camera.

Sonny was surprised to see a deer grazing right where he wanted to be . . . a little cervid/equine discussion and negotiation followed. Soon the deer and horses were  happily grazing  on this peaceful, sunny Thursday morning.

Willa (right) and Goldie (below) reluctantly agreed to smile for the camera - it's another hot, humid morning and the girls would prefer an indoor morning nap near the air conditioner. Annie Oakley , on the other paw, is always eager to please and really wants to pose for the camera. "Here I am," she says, "take a picture of me!"

The horses were delighted when Cindy brought watermelon for an afternoon snack! Baby Rosie is too young for watermelon, but she was happy with Macie's kiss on her nose. [Macie Tawes took the top photo; Cindy Tawes took the photo of Macie and Rosie] The Farmer's Almanac  promises a cold, cold winter coming . . . so we're shopping for warm, waterproof blankets. If you might be able to help, please check our wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1FB5Z27CS0ZPN   - thanks very much!

Beautiful Mimsy, who rarely allows herself to be photographed! On this rainy Saturday, Mimsy sat near the window and watched the younger cats play.  Una  chose to rest with her stuffed tiger and blanket. Xanti, too, allowed her picture to be taken - usually she is so involved in running and jumping that photographs are out of the question!

Chrissy's serious expression is not for nothing! She has just learned that September 22nd is National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day . . . for some cats that's not a problem because a lot of veterinary clinics are closed on weekends (unless humans decide to celebrate for the whole week) . . . but Chrissy knows our vet is open. No worries Chrissy - you're healthy and up-do-date on all shots. . . no trip to the vet for you this coming week or next weekend. "Don't get me wrong," Chrissy says, "it's not the vet - I actually like him. It's the car ride . . . I do not like leaving my comfortable home to ride in a car - that's for the dogs. Anyway, I'm glad I'm going to be staying home!" Here's a little puzzle of  flowers  . . . happy Friday, everyone, stay safe in the rain or whatever weather you are having.

Simon is glad that he just stayed in his hammock and didn't panic about Hurricane Florence . . . apparently she has turned toward the south, completely away from us. Even the yellow alert light on the weather radio has gone off, so we're not worried at the moment! Cindy and I worked on unfinished chores in preparation for the hurricane - gate hung on the horse run-in, new shavings in the chicken coop, extra food and supplies stocked, a large tree branch trimmed, some old wire fencing taken down. Those chores were all on our Autumn to-do list anyway, so now we're feeling a little ahead of schedule! The little chicks are doing well - this little Easter Egger never had a thought of a storm. The  flowers  in the garden have bent with the wind, but are still blooming up their own storm. Stay safe if you are in the path of Hurricane Florence or wherever you are!

The ducks were quite satisfied with the mid-afternoon downpour - after all, what could be better than rain!? Betty, the chicken tried her best, but just couldn't share the ducks' enthusiasm . . . she soon went back into the coop. Pansy Louise , the cat, has even less interest in the rain  - time for a cat nap, now!

Shanah Tovah, happy new year, to our Jewish friends - may your coming year be holy and sweet - and a prayer for peace for all of us in memory of our kitty, Tovia, who loved everyone. The meaning of Tovia's name is "God is good." Tovia was one of the very early cats at Sanctuary House - her story is recorded in  The Cats of Sanctuary House  (Willow Creek Press). We miss Tovia, but know she will be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.

Good Sunday morning! Possum is ready to jump out with a happy greeting . . . "Always play in the box," he says, "think outside of the box, but hide in it ready to jump out and share your great ideas at just the right moment." In spite of clouds and rain, the horses went out to graze. A deer joined the horses, grazing near the fence, but keeping an eye on  Sonny  . . .and no doubt Sonny was watching the deer, too.

Our Board member Aimee Lauer brought four little chicks this morning - they were rescued from Craig's List. As far as we can tell, two Easter Eggers and two Legbars. This weekend is a strange mixture of weather - rain, wind, and sometimes moments of sun. The  sunlight in the tree  this morning made the wet leaves and branches look as though they were decorated with diamonds. We are hoping and praying that Hurricane Florence will miraculously weaken, although current maps show East Coast landfall and predictions are that the storm may be a category 4. Stay tuned . . .

Willow and Imagine know that it's nearly dinner time - standing at the gate might just remind the humans that horses are waiting! Betty, the hen, has already found an afternoon treat - pizza crust!  "Almost as good as watermelon," she said. And these beautiful  eggs  make an interesting puzzle.

Not just every cat will sit for photographs, but Louie apparently likes to pose for the camera! And, a first official picture of Clegg, who was not happy at all having to be still. Two minutes later he let me know exactly what he thought about it:  Cleggy on having his picture taken

Happy Labor Day! Hope you'll be having a great picnic or  watermelon party  or whatever celebration is great for you! Stay safe and enjoy the day. Thea says she tried watermelon, but she'd rather have a biscuit party, thank you!

"Good morning," Hemmy says, from his garden . "It's raining outside, but I'm a happy, dry cat - I'll just watch the rain from here!" And then the sun came out - "Even better," Hemmy said, "for enjoying my wall garden!" Between rain showers, a  skink  and two  toads  searched for flies and spiders.

Friday night was dark and stormy, so Willan did the wisest thing - snuggled into bed for a long peaceful sleep, safe inside, away from lightning and thunder and rain! Saturday morning dawned clear and bright - still very wet from the rain - Willan went out to greet the dawn. Our kitty  Melita  (named for the hymn tune, of course) reminds us of these words: Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm hath bound the restless wave, who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea. O Trinity of love and power, thy children shield in danger's hour; from rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect them where so e'er they go; thus evermore shall rise to thee glad hymns of praise from land and sea. . . . rest in peace, John McCain, and rise in glory