This is a story about the Cat.

This is the Cat. Most of the time I am grateful that he is around. Have been for over ten years. Sometimes, though, he is aggravating....

A few days ago, on the 14th, the cat and I were enjoying the outside world up on our mountain. Normally we go for walks around the area. He is a pretty decent cat. Follows me about. Listens. Shows affection on occasion. You know. Pretty decent cat material. Much like your best mate that really isn't keen in all your hobbies and interests, but joins you nonetheless.

If I recall correct, it actually was snowing a bit. Very light flurries.

I had gone outside for two reasons. One was to use the restroom (Inside a camping shower tent surrounded by creek willows). The other was to fill up the wheelbarrow with those dried branches that are piled up in the dry creek bed.

The idea being to burn the free wood, the other to fire mitigate, and clean up the property for eventual permaculture designs.

Mr. Pickles will often walk from the House to the Restroom to meet me once I open up the flap. This time was just the same.

Pet the cat.

Head over to the creek to haul up branches. Snap them in 1.5ft lengths for the fireplace. Pile them by size into the wheelbarrow.

All exciting stuff here.

Decide it is funny to chase the cat all the way to the house. Gee... he runs quick.

LOL ;-). He runs up the steps and stares up at the front door. Nope. This time he has to wait because In my haste, I didn't break down all the firewood to what I need just yet. Kiki decides he was going to walk down the stairs and head off to the side of the house.

At the moment the place lacks skirting. Meaning the cat is free to hide under the house. Not good. Reason being is that when he is out and about, he will listen. When he is under the house all bets are off.

On the 14th I called for him to come inside and he was a no show. I prodded around under the house with a long stick to (gently) entice him to surface. Nope.

So I went inside and ate food. Heated up the place. Called for the cat again. Nothing. Watched a movie. Decided to got to bed at midnight. Called the cat. Nothing. Walked around my property and the neighbors. Looked into the neighbors run down barns. Nothing.

Thoroughly pissed. I mean upset. Cat not listening. I went to bed. This is the first time he has stayed outside while I've been with him. It was below freezing. Mid to high 20s.

I woke up at 6am. Called. Nothing.

At noon, I finally go back outside to collect more wood. Normal day living stuff. Figuring that I am now a lonely man in the mountains without even a house cat.

*shrugs*

Lovely.

Before going inside, I call again. This time he runs to the house from the creek where the Bathroom Tent is. 

Inside to eat. Proceeds to spend the day sleeping. It is now the 16th. The cat seems to be much more at peace with himself. He is affectionate. Currently lacking any desire to go outside.

Hopefully that got it out of his system! One miserable-hellish-cold evening of strange noises and things that literally will eat him.

Next on the agenda is to skirt the house so he has not a place to hide. Making him more apt to listen when I tell him, 'Inside Cat!'.

:/

*Mutterings*

April 3rd.

It's Official. The cat and I are fully on the road together. Yesterday, as in April 3rd, we flew down from Bryan, OH to Louisville, KY. This super cat just went to sleep in his soft carrier.

The FBO here turned out to be quite accommodating. Earlier in the season we had a few pilots based here and it has been a concern about whether I was going to be able to 'Camp'. Last night the owner allowed myself to just sleep in the building. You should have seen how big the cats eyes were trying to walk around the place. Of course, while I was asleep I have to place him in a larger metal Dog kennel. Wouldn't want to over stay our welcome with pet spots all over the place.

Woke up earlier this morning to ask again about just setting up the tent. Kiki/Mr.Pickles needs it in order to have his litter box and everything setup while Im off jetsetting, cough, I mean aerial mapping for the afternoon. We got the A-OK for placing it in the hangar right behind the King Air. Not bad.

I suspect after the season is over, he will become a much more developed personality through having to cope with all the travel, noises, and people.

:)

ps. It gives incentive to make the landings nicer. Our first landing together was so soft. I felt like I was a real pilot.... this time.

Enroute - 0G6 to KLOU

Home behind the King Air

Cat napping till landing.

Evening one: Day one down.

So folks,

Kiki and I made it through our first evening and a day together. I have to say, selfishly, it is nice to have him around.

Most of that time he spent inside my sleeping bag. Which is actually a blessing... I am gathering if he makes it his spot to sleep, then perhaps, just perhaps, he won't be compelled to get back at me by urinating on it.

These are mighty big requests at this point, I know.

Last night the low was 29F. I would have never known it first hand. Having a furry space heater crammed inside a sleeping bag with you is actually quite utilitarian. :) Slept very well.

As I write this on evening two, he is all the more calm, spending a peaceful evening with my coworker and I in the small airport FBO building.

Cat on the Run

Here it is late on a Tuesday.

Some new things have popped up today. My roommate showed up from a visit back to Ohio. Turns out he want to move back. So, on my day off from flying due to snow cover... I spent the afternoon moving what few belongings  (too much for my tastes) back to a storage unit in town.

The lovely thing... well, now I am without anyone to care for Mr.Pickles in my absence. Turns out, he is coming with me on the road for the last few months of the flying season.

Yup. One 14 1/4lb cat and me in a two person tent. Enjoying the road life. Hmm... Should make for much more interesting video instead of me rambling on about Tents.

Dear God... I hope this works out. :-/