Mildness

Portia has taken to staying out late more often. A couple of nights ago she stayed out until after three o'clock in the morning, and last night she didn't come home until almost four thirty. Then she wanted to go out again, but I didn't let her. Maybe she's trying to make up for the outdoor time she lost while it was raining. I have no idea what she does, although the night she stayed out until after three she did catch a rat. I found her munching on it in the garage. She ate the whole thing, except for one kidney. Maybe it's a good thing she stayed out late that night. Otherwise she might have tossed up a clump of rat parts on the carpet or some piece of furniture.

She'll have a couple more mild nights to prowl in— mild for the time of year, anyway. Wednesday and Thursday are going to be quite warm, as today was. I opened all the windows to air the house this afternoon, though I had to close them again about six o'clock. It's much fresher in here now that some outdoor autumn scent has gotten in. There's a slightly spicy tinge to the air this year. I have no idea what is causing it. Maybe there's a new plant somewhere nearby— perhaps some variety of Witch Hazel.

My phone has rung one or two rings then stopped before I could answer it three times tonight. I'll bet its some robocall program gone haywire. Stupid gedgetry.