My next door neighbors came by to check that it was okay to go cat-hunting in my way-back yard. My lot is 100 x 440--long and skinny. And they know that there is a gate there for easy access to the woodsy area even further back.

One of their cats didn't come home for dinner.

So, we had a nice bit of chit-chat etc.

Oh yes--and they brought over a tiny birthday cake!

The man went charging off into the woodsy area, while his wife and I chatted. And I told her about the time when an alligator had appeared in the front yard during a swim class.

One of the mothers had come back to tell me, so I told the kids to get out of the pool while I went to call the official alligator catcher. (Yes, there really is one.)

He came out quickly, captured the alligator, and while he was doing that he was giving the kids and their parents a lesson on alligators.

Much to the delight of the kids, he allowed them to touch the alligator once he had it securely tied up.

There's been too much building in recent years, and also no more reports of alligator sightings.

In fact, no interesting wild life recently, other than the raccoons and possums.

And I think I shall now gorge myself on the cake that's in the fridge.


(I was born in 1936--do the math yourselves.)