We decided it was time to bring a new friend into the house. We had taken in a cat that couldn’t be cared for by his previous family, and when he ran away, the kids were heartbroken, and we were missing our mouser/birder. (Sometime this year we’ll get the roof work done, but until then, the attic is one giant birdhouse.) While looking for our lost cat at the Animal Rescue League, we peeked at the cats up for adoption, and saw Pumpernickel. He was hanging on the side of his cage, seeming desperate to come home with us, and his determination paid off. We haven’t set him loose on the attic, but he does seem to be a great cat for my writing. Sleeps with me, but not on the keyboard….we’re off to a great start. Welcome, Pumpernickel. Thanks for picking us.
If you’re in Des Moines, the ARL has too many kittens and cats right now. Please consider going to see if anyone is hanging on the side of a cage, waiting to go home with you.
Here’s the thing: I hate being sad. Sad sucks, and I was really sad about our chickens. It’s been a rough summer generally with my Dad and Sis both in the hospital for a while, and I had just about had it with sadness. So, we adopted a kitten from the 
We are in the middle of an unbearable heat wave, and the kids are bugging me for anything cold about once an hour. (The Hatton House has window AC units, which are more than adequate….until the temp gets over the mid-90s. After that, it’s just hot). I really can’t stand loading them up on high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors to cool them down, since my kids tend to get hyper when they eat fake food…and no one wants hyped up kids in a heat wave!
We know, when this house was finished 125 years ago, the flag only had 38 stars. Please forgive out inaccuracy. This is the 20×30′ “Midwest Mama” flag that covers American Outlaws supporters in soccer stadiums around the USA.
Hatton House Diaries 