What a beautiful night. The moon shimmers in the blackest blue sky. The reflection on the breeze-brushed water shimmers in response to her visage. The stars twinkle overhead. The daytime temperature has fallen from nearly 20C to 12 degrees. There is, still, slight warmth in the night breeze. The chimes gong in their fashion, the wind coming in over the water sings a tune of joy and hope and things that are meant to be.

Our cat, cooped up whilst we were out in the day doing our numerous errands, has decided that the nightlife is just for her. The mice call her name is glee. The moles are busy building underground caverns. She sits and contemplates their open door policies, Buddha-like in her patience and persistence, politician-like they know they can promise her the moon. My husband has been out 3 or 4 times over the course of the football game, in breaks and intermissions, trying to coax her in. But we know that you do not own a cat. Cats own you. She is trying to dispel the angst of her big day. She can never tell when those humans will stay away for a day or two. A cat has to get her center of focus back. Her daily yoga poses and stretches do not seem to be enough to maintain her well-being.

My husband spots her on the railing, a bit funny, as she tends to prefer to sit under the bench, safely hidden from anyone who might want to pick her up. Perhaps she feels more bold in the dark of the night. “Come on in!” he scolds her. There’s a football game to watch. This is her usual position. She tends to nap during the games, as they are far too exciting for a cat. Oops. Lo and behold, it isn’t the cat on the railing, but the fat raccoon sitting on the rail bold as brass. It likes to clean up around the bird feeder for us. Even a ‘coon has to have a purpose in life. It looks as if it was thinking about the offer to come in – making a move towards the door. It is warm inside, there is lots of food, and a ball game to watch. But no, not this time. Its favourite team, San Fran, isn't playing tonight. Perhaps another time!