The family welcomes a kitten

Cats and kittens were a part of my growing up years, When our mama cat would have babies we’d crowd around her, count kittens, admire colors, and wonder how many we could keep.

My younger brother Jeriah would literally spend hours outdoors, holding baby kittens.

Earlier this summer when one of the boys told me he could get a kitten from his cousin my heart melted. How I remember those big deals as a girl. I told him I would need some time to think about it as I knew not everyone in the family was sold on the idea and I didn’t want to rush things for big sister who inherited her Daddy’s dislike for cats!

Off and on there were discussions on kittens, the pros, the cons, and all. While the thought of having a cat walk right in front of your feet was abhorred by some, then the thought of having help with the mice population around the farm looked appealing. An aunt shared the thought of having it neutered to not have them multiply in an unreasonable speed.

I pushed the topic to the side for a while until one day I noticed a black and white kitten in the flower bed. My youngster who had been aching for a pet kitten explained that as his cousins were ready to come to our house when the kitten sneaked on and got a ride to our house. Okay, okay, it’s here now, let’s see how it goes.

The next morning happy voices were heard on the porch long before breakfast time where the new kitten was jumping and playing as delighted children came up with new ideas of what it would like to play with. When I joined them, I told the new owner he’ll be the one who gets to name it. After a bit he knew what it would be: Skunky- Monkey! The black and white reminded him of a skunk and its antics that of a little monkey

Last night Skunky- Monkey discovered an open door in the basement. Big sister was trying to shoo it out the door when little brother came along. With a, “Here kitty, kitty, kitty,” Skunky- Monkey was in his arms and placed outside. Those little creatures know who spends time with them.

Now a minute ago the boys were waking up and beginning to be rowdy as boys can. I asked if they’d want to go out on the porch with their new pet. There was no second bidding needed. Great, now I get to keep writing, maybe she will be a keeper if she helps me babysit? Today I want to help the children give it wormer.

And by the way, big sister is doing fantastic! Now that the kitten has found a new home here, there has not been one negative word spoken against cats. It makes me stop and ponder over the blessing of ideas being blended with no grudges or agendas? Where there’s people there’s bound to be blending. As a little girl my imagination vividly pictured Mom’s version of blending two dynamics in personalities. This is what she’d say, “We should just put them in a bag together and shake them up!” Okay, that may not be realistic, yet there is a profound stability that comes with merging ideas and perspectives beyond what we’d come up with on our own. Surely none of us have all the character qualities on our own, that’s why I need you and you and you and you! Together we make a team. If we are not there to compete against each other, we will be able to complete each other. Yes, let’s do it!

These kitten conversations get my scratching for a good recipe. I won’t settle for cat food, though. Instead we'll do my sister-in-law's specialty she makes her family each summer when peach season rolls around. Enjoy!

BLUEBERRY PEACH PARFAITS

· 1/2 c. sugar

· 3 T. cornstarch

· 1/4 tsp. salt

· 2 c. milk

· 2 eggs, lightly beaten

· 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

· 2 med. ripe peaches, peeled & sliced

· 1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries

· Whipped topping

· Mint leaves (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat.

2. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into eggs. Return all to the pan. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir in vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

3. In 6 parfait glasses, layer 2 tablespoons custard, 2—3 peach slices, and 2 tablespoons blueberries. Repeat layers. Top with whipped topping.

4. Garnish with a peach slice, a few blueberries, and a mint sprig, if desired.