Snow Business

Don't despair, ladies and gentlemen, spring is almost here. I'm not sporting my short shorts yet but it's only a matter of time.

But let's flash back less than a week ago, when a weak and ailing winter spewed out some defiant last-minute flakes. The day had been fairly warm but (as boring people would say,) "Don't like the weather in Boston? Wait a minute and it'll change!"

I decided to go outside and take photos to send to loverly Rebecca in Toronto, the Boston of the North. When I left my room, Didier the French fathead was waiting to sink his teeth into my calf like it was a tuna steak. No problem- one swift kick to the ribs and I was on my way.

Careful not to let him out in the snow, I went out and took some magical photos, eyes wide and shiny like a wee cherub. I was so dazzled that I neglected to be careful on the way back in. Didier darted past me, freaked out when he got a little wet, then scooted under a car. Shit.

Despite my love/hate relationship with that French cat, I was not going to let the little bastard freeze to death in the last snow of the year. So I got some kitty treats and crouched under the parked car to entice him out.

Thing is, Didier is no dummy. Whereas Grayskull would follow strangers to the kitty incinerator (remember this?), Didier is French and suspicious. I put a treat in the snow and got excited when he came out and sniffed it. But then he saw me creeping towards him like an eager cartoon villain and he scampered away.

On his second emergence for a treat, I didn't hesitate to pounce. Thing is, Didier was all wet from the snow and angry to boot, making him slippier than a greased pig. He pulled out from under me and I toppled into the half inch of snow. That would be my last effort on the cat's behalf.

As I headed inside, all of a sudden the situation struck me as hilarious. I was soaking wet from snow-wrestling a cat I didn't get along with, not to mention I lost the fight. I started cracking up and soon I couldn't stop. I was probably out there laughing like a crazy for over 30 seconds.

Here is my hair after the wee adventure: