a little (too much) excitement

This morning I had started working on a project, and followed a tangent that ultimately had me on the floor in the living room happily fossicking through a drawer of beads, etc., when there was a terrific commotion from the kitchen.

It wasn't a loud commotion, but its components were galvanizing: fluttering, buzzing, chirping, a little thrashing, and that unique vocalization that my cat makes when her predatory instincts are activated; it's something between a growl and a "heh!".

Needless to say, I scrambled into the kitchen, where I found my minky black cat with a mouthful of hummingbird.  One of my regulars, apparently looking for me since the feeders needed topping up, had flown in through the open patio door and failed to correctly negotiate the turn when it saw, not imminent food, but imminent disaster.

I leaped upon the cat, pinned her to the floor, and pried her jaws open.  The bird, apparently not much hurt (I hope not) zoomed away outside, neatly clearing the door opening. 

Then I carefully collected the feathers left behind, because they are a bit magical; told Mr. P about the drama; and, after my heart rate returned to normal, went back to my project.

The cat informed me that I had ruined her day and that I wasn't to speak to her until spoken to.  (Anyone reading this who has cats will understand.)  She seems to have forgiven me now, and outside the hummingbird action appears normal.

I have no idea which of my regular visitors it was.  I have one unmistakeable Anna's male, and at least four others who are more or less indistinguishable - either females, or immature males.  I am pretty certain it wasn't the Anna's male, since he was the first to visit after the Incident, and I can't imagine the one that came in was in a big hurry to come back.

And the patio door is now a little less obviously open.

Comments

[Bea]

Hello! Followed you here from The Simple Dollar...I laughed at your description of the cat's behavior (I have seven, so you can imagine!)
and enjoyed your book discussions. I also enjoy dance and sports movies although I don't do either! Did you ever see an old Judge Reinhold movie where he's a policeman who teaches his squad to dance? I think it was called Left Feet or something like that. And what about The Natural with Robert Redford? That's my favorite sports movie. I'm curious: what was the profession you took up in your 40s? You mentioned that in your comment on Trent's blog. I'm always looking for ideas for a new direction...

[Alexandra Caluen]

Hi Bea! Thanks for tracking me down!

I just searched imdb.com and Amazon to try and figure out which Judge Reinhold movie that might have been ... I loved him in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Beverly Hills Cop,but havent exactlybecome an expert on his oeuvre. So Im at a loss on that. :-)

The Natural: I think I saw it ... a long time ago ... but cant remember much about it.

My new profession will, I hope, become a full-time affair later in life. Right now I am still fully employed in a law office, but three years ago I received a personal trainer credential from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM.org), and this year I finished a ballroom dance teacher training program and completed my first certification exam. Ive been teaching dance part-time this year and one day intend to transition to teaching/training full time.

What sent me in that direction was partly inspiration from my husband, who is a personal trainer and physical therapist assistant, partly my ongoing obsession with dancing, and partly the understanding that I need to be more physically active to be really happy and healthy.Given that I expect to work till approximately age 70, adesk-bound job is not the optimal situation!

Thanks again for coming by! Best to you and your kitties!

Alexandra