A Satisfactory Day

My friend Jere's highest compliment was simple and direct: if something was delicious, or beautiful, or comfortable, or enjoyable, or . . . anything good, he'd announce, slowly after thought, "It's satisfactory."

This day was satisfactory, thanks to breakfast in Bell Buckle, my visit with Florence and her daughter A and step-son D, freshly groomed Prince, and the flowers in the window through which Jere enjoyed his garden during his last months.

A loss, surely, but love for satisfactory friends, too.

His Highness, Prince-Still-Abed

The best thing about waking in a cold house where a pet lives?

Very possibly this.

Keeping Watch

Unused to long days alone, Prince waits to play, then plays, then waits, keeping watch for his humans' return.


This is loyalty and, perhaps, love.