Can't Sleep

Toby said, "I couldn't sleep last night."

"What! Toby, I can scarcely believe that. You've always been a blue-ribbon, champion sleeper. What's happened? Are you OK?"

"Yeah, I'll be alright. Especially since it's going up into the 60s today. I'm looking forward to a place in the sun."

"Yes, I see your dog friend Bert stretched out there in the yard, comatose in the sun. But tell me, what made you stay awake."

"Oh, that loose wire in the barn picked up somebody's broadcast again and it was amplifying from the birthing stall camera. One bad news thing after another! The pandemic is being eclipsed by war! You humans have a lot on your hands. The war news is horrible. Lewis Carroll said, 'Oh, you can't help that, we're all mad here.' A kind of 'we' all are in it together and so are our foibles. Definitely not hateful, cruel, and lethal like this madman Vladimir Putin over in Russia using his soldiers to kill off his neighbors. Men, women, kids, even babies! so he can take over their whole country. God help the cats and dogs and animals that get in the way. I was so upset I couldn't climb up in a tree and I couldn't sleep."

"I do understand, Toby. I see news, too. Sometimes it makes me cry. The only hopeful part I see is people around the world are rallying to find ways to stop him. Even in Russia, many people want him to stop but he's made so many scared of him by being the worst kind of bully. His police pack off protestors by the thousands to jails and prisons. Plus, a lot of Russians are making the mistake of believing the lies he broadcasts to them. "

"I'm glad you see why I can't sleep."

I thought a minute, then made a suggestion, "Would it help if you slept in a crawl-space between some hay bales up in the loft so you didn't hear the broadcasts?"

"I'll try anything!" he said.

"Also, I came over to see if I could help with your kitty patrols around the perimeter to see that that Vladputin cat doesn't get any bad ideas about your territory."

"Thank you! I appreciate the help. I feel better already."

"That's good to hear. While you go find a place to nap in the sun, I'm going for a walk around the perimeter of the farm. Vladputin won't like the human spoor so he'll stay away. I'll come back often and keep up the walks."

Toby leaned into a circle around my ankles, then set out to join his buddy Bert who was stretched out full length, sound asleep in the sun. I went out the yard gate and began my walk. It felt like the next right thing.

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From the Family Corner...

Keoni was here during some of the past week on his spring break in between trips to NYC and Cleveland. Then Aidan arrived home from Cincinnati on Sunday for a week at home. Quite a treat to see these guys in the flesh.

Here's a pic Wendy sent of Aidan when she picked him up from the airport...

From the Weather Desk:

The frogs have been croaking so they were pretty confident Spring is here. They have been busy laying and ferilizing thousands of eggs in the little pond by the farm...

On a walk with Aidan, he captured some pollywogs who are growing their legs...

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The Arts Desk has a drawing from evenings trying to promote a better routine that helps sleep...

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When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.*

                                                                                        --Jimi Hendrix

*Sent from my sister Sandy.

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Wage Peace, Not War!