The summer left the grass in sad condition; the following rains perked up the native varieties we’ve been planting but showed us how much St Augustine grass was still in the mix as it died off the hardest. (That really doesn’t make me sad, I detest St Aug grass.) There is one particular healthy clump that Sophie the cat likes to “hide” behind. I didn’t get the photo of her stalking pose, but did capture the moment she thought the tuft should die.

As I was tending chickens, I saw my neighbor’s tuxedo cat easing over toward the coop. Then I spotted Sophie (who is the only one we pay vet bills for) crouched behind the water fountain, and saw her run out to confront the intruder. Meanwhile, Mr Tom (from the neighbor’s house on the other side), is laying low, watching the shenanigans. If Sophie had spotted him first, she would have run him off as well. Sophie has the privilege of coming inside our house, where she is most of the time. I think the other cats are easing into her territory because she does hang out inside. I would rather she be an inside cat and not fight. All cats pictured have been spayed and neutered.