The Rest of the Story ... and a Fond Farewell

It has been so long since I posted, I scarcely know where to begin. I intended to take a little blogging break, and suddenly four years had gone by. And what years they've been.

While I no longer have the time to devote to a regular blog or three, it always bothered me that I never really said good-bye to this sliver of  blogosphere that occupied a large place in my life for so long.

My home is still the "House Where the Black Cat Lives."  Litter-mates Henry, Sammy, Nettie, C.J. and Koko are all alive and well though getting on in years. They turned 13 this past July. They remain the lights of my life.

Other HWTBCL occupants have come -- and some have gone.

Sadly, my precious Roxie passed away in 2012  after a brief illness. Her sweetheart, my  big guy Ernie, he of the many toes, followed a few months later from a rare form of  cancer. Though I still miss them every day, it is fitting that these two, so devoted to one another in life, are still together.

"The Tuxedo Cats" -- Stanley, Stella and Clancy -- mere kittens when I last posted --  are now big and beautiful, especially Stanley. His girth and out-sized personality  reminds me so much of Big E.

Their big sister, Gizmo, did not adapt to domestic life as well. Though she lived with us for several months, and  followed me everywhere,  she never quite fit in with the other cats.  One day she darted out an open door and never returned. I have not seen her since. My hope is that she found a place where she could be happy. Though always half-wild, she was a sweet  little thing.

Surprisingly, the cat I thought would never stay did. Yes, I am talking about Peggy Sue, the grande dame of my  garage. Every morning she waits on the steps by my back door for her breakfast and  when I come home in the evening, she runs to greet me and asks for her dinner. Touching is still not allowed (except on very rare occasions and only when she initiates it), but she is happy and healthy. I love to watch her chase butterflies and sun  herself in her favorite spot.  Her story, once seemingly so sad, has had its happy ending.

And so has mine. Which brings me to the newest resident of The House Where the Black Cat Lives. Hint: This one walks on two legs, not four.

The oft-mentioned  Recurring Gentleman Caller is now the Permanent Gentleman Husband. We tied the knot in a beautiful intimate New Orleans courtyard ceremony in 2013.  The cats are still in denial.

And so now you know "the rest of the story." Time to turn out the lights.

Good-bye. Thanks for stopping by!