Jet vs Sweet Potato Plant

Yesterday and for the benefit of my kitty, Jet, I have had to say good bye to the sweet potato plant. Growing so nicely, it was almost 10 inches tall, with a total of eight leaves and more tiny ones yet to unfurl. Jet saw it as a source of nutrition. First, one of the big bright green leaves attracted his sharp teeth. I moved it out of his reach - I thought. Then a second leaf showed the ravages of his teeth. In the meantime I researched ‘toxicity of sweet potato plants on felines’. Digestive upset and hallucinatory effects concerned me. There were minor effects - jumping back from his water as though he’d seen something frightening; digestive upset that didn’t stop him from eating or drinking. After a couple more days of trying to keep plant and cat separate, I decided to apologize to my little bit of greenery and let it go.

“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”

~ Robert A. Heinlein,  Time Enough for Love

24 Hours

You don’t need to run away

You don’t need to cry

Clouds will do that for you

 Their tears trickle down in 

a fine mist or

       full fat drops

Wind blows them away

  Pushes them onto the next 

prairie or woodland

       mountains or out to sea

the sun is allowed to shine

in skies clear and blue

or velvet black with

        star shine and crescent moon

You don’t need to run away.

You don’t need to cry.

“My courage does not depend on the weather.”

~ Mary Anne Radmacher, author