The doppelganger

Last night, I went to retrieve the ferals' food bowls and heard a strident meow. I looked and saw Monty emerging from the shrubbery further back in the yard.

Obviously he'd gotten out somehow. But hadn't I just seen him in the house a few minutes ago? I looked back inside and Monty was in there, watching me.

I looked back at the yard and there was definitely a cat there. A brown tabby, with white patches almost identical to Monty's.

It came over to investigate the feral dens and bowls, and I saw it wasn't quite identical to Monty-- more of a marbled tabby than a spotted one, and a bit larger than him. I didn't see a collar, but it looked healthy and well-fed, and since it was willing to speak to strange humans I assumed it was a neighbor cat just out exploring new territory.

It wandered off, and I haven't seen it at all today, so I presume it found its way home. That was a freaky moment, though.

Week 7

It was nice and warm and largely springlike, albeit cloudy, right up until May 1, when I had to dig my thermals out again for my morning walk because it was 37F. Since then it has been cold and rainy.

A few stores are starting to ask customers to wear masks. Fred Meyer hasn't yet, but Costco, where we occasionally need to go, wants them starting tomorrow. I've been leery of getting or making any since reading that they tend to cause people to unconsciously become more reckless about distancing, but I see the handwriting on the wall and I've ordered a few.

In the shorter term, I suddenly remembered that we have full face shields lying around the house. The SO got them a few years ago for wearing to dirt-track races. I've never felt the need to wear mine before, but I decided to try it out Friday evening since we were picking up dinner from a place where one has to actually go into the building.

A few last tulips are blooming here and there. Cherry blossoms have come and gone, and now it's all lilacs and azaleas, with dandelions popping up in the local park.