Simple Joys

One of my gifts in life is to take pleasure in non-material things. Blowing bubbles on a summer day. Flying a kite in the fall. Going to an art museum. Or simply drawing with sidewalk chalk. It may be a product of growing up with more imagination than money. It may be the way I'm wired. Either way, I'm always grateful when I get the chance to indulge in my sense of play.

Barn kittens (Holly, Bunny and Oscar)
in their natural habitat

Recently, I've been lured several times to play with the world's cutest barn kittens. They live in a fabulous work barn with lots of toys and a cat door so they can choose to to be indoors or outdoors.
- Oscar - grey, fluffy, sweet-tempered boy kitten. (He looks a good bit like my Griffin)
- Bunny - grey, soft like the Velveteen Rabbit and quite shy. (She doesn't go out of the barn on her own)
- Holly - black, tiny and utterly fearless. She's the first to try anything  and quite the little huntress.

All of them are total purr monsters.  And a touch spoiled.  They are often brought into a work office for cuddles and a play room for play. Specific cat apps have been downloaded to iPads for their amusement. (Any flat electronic surface has potential interactive play opportunities which they instinctively recognize.) They are "Barn Kittens gone Tech."

Oscar and boy watching TV

Bunny hiding behind Oscar

Holly dancing with girl

Tuesday was a snow day, and my work plans were cancelled. When I received a text inviting me to play with small children and kittens - it seemed a lovely distraction. Purring, laughing, dancing. A small re-enactment (with blunted arrows) of Brave. A grown-up to talk to.  A friendly dog to pet. It was exactly what the doctor ordered.


Take-away:  Never lose your sense of play. It keeps you young.