Letters from Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary

A great hymn, courtesy of Taylor Harvey: Hail the day that sees Him rise  

This cloudy, gray day the weather seems to join us in mourning for our little kitty, Mara. Mara, an Absynnian, came to Sanctuary House years ago. Unlike many Absynnian cats, Mara did not really appreciate human contact - and she wasn't always friendly toward other cats either! She was a quiet, shy girl, who liked her own space to enjoy her own thoughts. Mara watched the chickens and birds through the window but had little interest in interacting with anyone. In the last year of her life, she reluctantly agreed to be a roommate for two other cats, Francine and Marla, although she mostly ignored them. Mara was included in  Following the Path of Life: Companions on the Way : Mara, soft, dilute torti, Your huge round green eyes Watch me, saying “Touch me not!” Mara was a finicky eater, and over the years had various minor health problems - this last week she slept a lot and ate very little, even rejecting her all-time favorite Meow Mix cups; and every time I moved her to a...

In the very early hours of this morning, our sweet cat, Claudia, left us for the Rainbow Bridge. Claudia had lived at Sanctuary House for many years - she came when the family who had been caring for her moved away. Because Claudia had a serious birth defect - only three legs and a paw where the right front leg should have been - she certainly could not take care of herself outside, and so she came to live with us. Claudia was a favorite of every other cat - and she was wonderful with them. When we welcomed a tiny kitten with only three legs, Claudia adopted her as her own.  Sadly Claudine had many other health issues and did not live long, but Claudia loved her and stayed close to her. A few weeks ago, we discovered that Claudia had a tumor in her mouth - she was still eating, but gradually began sleeping most of the time and eating very little. I knew last night that she was ready to go. "See you at the Bridge," I promised her, and this morning she was gone.

Our Board member Cindy Tawes, whose property is right next to Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary, took this photo of a crop duster across the street from her house. The plane roared over Sanctuary House many times, too - I had hoped maybe spraying against mosquitoes, but no, just dusting crops! The horses who had seen and heard crop dusters before didn't even bother to look up. The dogs ran to the door, but then turned and came back inside - they are always interested in trucks and tractors, but can't be bothered to watch an airplane. The goldfinches hung on to the feeder, hungrily eating Nyger seeds; the red winged blackbirds sat in the tree, loudly discussing their plans for the day; a hummingbird flew by, stopping for a quick nectar drink . . . however that plane can fly, I can fly better, he seemed to say. And then the crop dusting was finished and the sky is quiet again!

 The Fourth is with me, Piper says, as she trees a squirrel, and may it be with you, too!  (Actually, the squirrel has a nest in this very tree, but according to the Sanctuary House dogs, she is NOT allowed in the yard.) Happy Star Wars Day!