The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V130
BANNER AND POP-UP ADVERTISING PAYS ONLY FOR WEBSITE. THIS PUBLICATION
RECEIVES NO COMPENSATION FROM STORMPAGES NOR THE ADVERTISERS. NONE.
***
Got guts? Tired of being lied to? Like an alternative source of
information truly independent and free of government propaganda? Want
this publication to continue? Send a financial donation to P.O. Box
997, Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609.
***
Publisher's Note: Due to repeated problems with the Maxpages server, a
new Ledger website has been created and is under construction.
Programming is at the HTML level with far greater webspace, so a much
better site will result after the learning curve is breached. The URL
is http://www.stormpages.com/llanoledger. Both Maxpages websites,
however, will continue to be maintained and updated for quite some time
until the readership has been made aware of the new website.
Maxpages sites:
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
*************December 25, 2001************
Fleetingly, the last deliciously warm glow of sunlight bathed Purr's
fur as he quietly and contentedly slept on the window sill. The tough
old tomcat loved comfy cozy places and especially enjoyed napping
before dinner. Paws quickly peddling as he dreamed of chasing a
zigzagging cottontail, suddenly the smell of beef stew cooking on the
stove overtook slumber and gently woke him. -- As he struggled to open
first one eye and then the other. He was a tired old puss and greatly
treasured his beauty sleep, -- as every cat with any measure of
self-esteem.
Not surprisingly, food was a prime mover and sleep could wait. His
mistress had managed to take good care of him, always making sure he
had enough to eat. ... Often, going without herself. Lahna spoiled him
rotten though. Treated him more like a kid than the tough old feline he
was. -- Consequently and to her delight, he usually behaved as a "son"
and not as most rough and tumble toms. ... Told him constantly he was
the best cat she ever had. Purr would vainly look at her with a "grin"
ear to ear as if to say: "Yeah, I knooooowwwww."
Shaking off the vestiges of sleep, the aging feline gingerly got up and
stretched letting out a grown as the stiffness in his joints took their
toll. Off to the kitchen and the source of that delectable aroma he
knew was dinner. "Reoooow?", he politely inquired sauntering up to his
mistress as she went to the fridge to get some milk for her most loyal
companion. "Well, Purr, it's almost dinner, honey. Hungry?", said the
frail elderly women as she filled his bowl. "Reeoowww!"
The tough old tomcat didn't need a second invitation. Nothing beat his
mistress' home cooking. Nothing. Not even the feline delicacies he was
so adept at securing, much to the chagrin of his best friend and
mentor. ... Lahna wasn't terribly happy about the bird hunting and a
few of his other "bad habits", always lovingly but disapprovingly
reminding him. -- "Hell, what's a self-respecting cat supposed to do?",
he always thought to himself.
Compounding the problem, she hardly let him go out any more, fearing
he'd get hurt in a fight or run over by a car. He sadly spent his time
inside, dreaming of past conquests and glory. Lovingly, Lahna had
prepared a special meal since it was Christmas Eve and she didn't know
how many more they'd share together. Both were gracefully growing old,
and she treasured every moment they had.
Purr, remembering last year's remarkable festivities, especially
looked forward to Christmas this year as Lahna put up and decorated an
artificial tree after dinner. He was immensely attracted to the
dazzling lights and shiny glass balls decorating the tree. Like a moth
to a flame. He raised a paw and began to box one playfully as Lahna
told him to behave himself and be a good boy. ... She knew mischief was
the function of any tomcat worth his salt, however, and let him
continue.
... Things went a little too far though as he sneakily backed up to the
tree... "Puurrrrrr! DON'T you dare!", she hollered as he reconsidered
the wisdom of what he was about to do. After all, "How's a cat supposed
to let everyone know what's his?," he thought to himself. "Damn...", he
quietly "muttered" as he wisely and quickly moved to the sill and out
of her glare.
As Purr and Lahna aged she became more and more protective of him.
... And him of her. -- But, it got to be a bit much. Especially, when
she wouldn't let him go on his daily jaunts any longer. A real sore
point for a proud old puss. Something had to change. After all, how
could a grizzled, battle-scarred, fun-loving rabble rouser have any
self respect when he could no longer go out and soundly kick every cat
and dog's ass in the neighborhood?
As much as she needed him, -- and him her, he grew restless and weary
of the restrictions. Sadly, he sat on the sill and watched the world go
by, thinking of better days long since gone. "Funny", he thought to
himself, "how humans feel so useless and isolated as they grow older."
The same was certainly true of tough old tomcats. After all, Lahna had
talked about life and its foibles for years, not realizing he
understood much more than she could have ever known.
She told him how lonely and unwanted she felt as children and
grandchildren forgot holiday after holiday. He was all she really had.
The old puss understood and loved her dearly. Yet, he still had a few
wild oats to sow. ... Ahem... so to speak. And he was bound and
determined. After all, a tomcat can't be what a tomcat is, or at least
was, if he has no freedom to do what only he can do best...
The sun had already set and darkness was quickly sweeping the cold
winter landscape when dinner was finished, last dishes put away, and
the tree decorated. All with Purr's dutiful "assistance". The elderly
woman wasn't feeling particularly well though when he decided it was
time to curl up in her lap in front of the fire that lonely Christmas
Eve.
"Purr, I hope we make it another year," whispered Lahna sadly as she
ran her gnarled fingers through his immaculately well-groomed fur.
Indeed, her body was racked with pain. Often, a choice had to be made
between buying food or medication. -- She never knew how they would
make it. They just did. Barely.
September 11 made quite a change in the community, however. While
food banks and other charities were hurting nationwide, she was
pleasantly surprised when her neighbors started looking in on her and
Purr every now and then. Even dropped off food occasionally. -- Food,
she and her loving tomcat desperately needed. A few had even invited
her to Christmas dinner. Politely, she declined. Didn't want to leave
the house, -- or Purr, even for a little while.
As night fell, she and her best friend dozed in front of the boob
tube. Christmas music cheerfully played and the heat of the fire felt
good. She and Purr, however, were gently roused from a deep sleep as
the caroling grew louder and louder. Suddenly there was a knock and the
old tomcat protectively got up and ran to the door. "Purr, we were just
dreaming, honey. Go back to sleep", said Lahna as the elderly feline
let out a loud "Reeeeooowww!" as another knock could be heard. This one
more insistent than the first.
"Okay, Purr, I'll get it, I'll get it," assured Lahna as the old cat
grew increasingly impatient. She struggled to her feet and slowly made
her way to the door. "What the hell is going on?", Purr thought to
himself as his mistress finally reached the door. As it turned out, it
was an evening neither would quickly forget.
As Lahna greeted her visitors, the singing intensified in spirit and
everyone yelled "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, Grandma!". Tears
streaming down her face, she asked her kind and generous neighbors to
come in. They had brought gifts and food. Lots of food.
Purr couldn't believe their good fortune, but was taken aback by all
the noise and commotion. ... Cats being creatures of habit, he was
surprised at all the attention and people trying to pet him.
Gracious and graceful as he always was though, the old puss took it in
stride. Nothing ever got by him, and he quickly noticed the cute young
thing slip in with one of the carolers. He watched her always from the
sill for months as she romped and chased birds daily in his yard. She
never failed to come up to the window to say hello. Sadly, Lahna
wouldn't let him go out any longer and wasn't even aware of their daily
encounter.
... What the hell was a tomcat to do? Purr sadly scratched the
window pane in vain, while Lahna sternly and repeatedly told him to be
good. "Good for what?", cynically thought the tough old puss. Now,
things had finally changed for the better as he majestically strutted
over to meet his feline friend. Getting away from the crowd, both
jumped on the sill and warmly nuzzled. Lahna, smiling wanly, saw how
truly happy he was greeting the cute young lass and finally understood
what his problem was all these months.
Suddenly, both bundles of joy were distracted by a warm red glow in the
yard and couldn't believe their eyes when a man dressed in red,
sporting an empty sack and a long white beard turned and waved to both
as he hurriedly jumped onto a sleigh.
... Second year in a row for Purr, who had a most similar encounter the
year before. Hell, he wouldn't have believed it had he not seen it
himself, -- twice. ... There was something, after all, to this thing
about the "magic" of the Season. Undoubtedly so.
Couldn't have wished for a better Christmas though as he lovingly
nuzzled his companion. Deftly raised a paw and gently held it on the
pane as the jolly big elf smiled broadly and quickly went on his way.
The soft tinkling of bells could be heard as Lahna lovingly caressed
both cats and looked out the window in stunned amazement. ... Nothing
would ever be quite the same again.
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609