"Swanny, how i love ya..."

We were on our way to Franki's open house first birthday bash when we encountered a swan. We were travelling east on Lakeshore Blvd and Swanny was travelling west in the eastbound lanes. We were in a vehicle and Swanny was on foot. Pedestrians always have the right of way so we stopped and watched Swanny plod down the inside lane at a very leisurely pace. Last seen heading west!
On to the open house and the birthday girl who took it all with her usual aplomb. She generously shared her blueberries and bits of bread and any other food she could get her hands on with all who seemed interested. She even managed a tiny sip of prosecco but didn't care for it. When we left she was meeting and greeting and looking forward to more birthday grub.
I wonder if the swan was an omen for her future. Were I a Roman I would know this but my Roman ancestry is far away and long, long ago. I have no idea what a swan on one's birthday could mean. If anyone does know I would be pleased to hear from you.

A Likely Story....

This is a true story about ghosts. I think that is what I am seeing. I don't really know what it is so if anyone reading this has some insight it would be nice to hear it.
Several years ago Heinrich and I were in Kingston for a week. We had gone to Fort Henry only to find it closed but we could wander the grounds if we wished. While we were passing a wall with a cannon poking through it I saw a shimmer standing beside the cannon about two feet off the ground with an oval shape to it. I stood there looking at it for at least a minute then called to Heinrich to come see what I was seeing. Of course when I turned to look at it again it wasn't there.
Last summer I started seeing these shapes in the cedar hedge at the back of the garden. I thought it was my glasses reflecting something but they were still there with or with out glasses. These were smaller shimmers but several. They came and went all afternoon.
Yesterday while shopping there was a shimmer standing two feet off the ground in front of Staples. I watched it for a good five minutes then when I turned to talk to Heinrich and looked back it was gone.
There is also that awful smell of cigarette smoke that comes up very strongly in the kitchen now and again. As though someone was sitting at the table having a relaxing cig and waiting to chat.
This is an old house and there have been many strange things happen in it. Just ask the younger offspring and they will tell you, but that belongs to the house .
Who or what the shimmers belong to is the question. At least for me. I have theories but I just don't know!

Karoline With A K

An update on the Christmas kitten just in case anyone is interested. She is now three times the size she was when found. She can mew and gives voice when she hears action in the kitchen. She is still tiny so that is why her Dad who is totally under her minute paw is feeding her on demand. He went shopping for her second fave, sardines, as her first fave, turkey, is all gone. After dining she likes to relax on the big bed with her Dad keeping her company. She is enjoying watching The Wire with him though at times she gets carried away with the excitement of it all and has a biting, slashing session. Dad's hands are a mess!
We were out yesterday and Auntie Kath came with Meals On Wheels for lunch. Karoline wouldn't surface but made a lot of noise while in hiding. Finally Auntie Kath realized that her company was not needed and that there would be no feeding while a stranger was in the house.
We came home hours later to piteous peeps of starvation. She had cleared the decks.
She has her furry mice now that have to be killed many times a day and of course tail chasing when all else palls. Speaking of the tail it used to trail behind her like an afterthought. It's now upright like any other self respecting cat. Another milestone on the way to growing up.
I can't believe I wrote this drivel. I need to get a life!