This report of my death was an exaggeration.

The Herald Standard - News - Obituaries
Sandra K. Williams, 57, of Mount Holly Springs, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2008, at . . .

But then, I’m not 57 and I don’t live in Mount Holly Springs, either.

May 2, 2008

See the first blue can on the left? It’s ready for the blue can in the foreground to swirl toward it. What a lousy dancer that blue can on the right is. It’s got three left wheels.

A week ago, this tree had no leaves.

April 18, 2008

This morning the cans were butted up to the curb, honest.

Sydney killed another rat early Thursday morning. Or maybe the killer was some other cat; the rat was left in the middle of the lawn, and Sydney usually dumps her presents at the back steps.

I found the rat Thursday afternoon. I’ll leave it for the possum, I thought.

The rat was still there Friday. Guess the possum wants it a little riper, I thought.

Saturday the rat started to stink. I made sure not to open the bedroom window, which opens to the lawn. Sitting on the patio wasn’t too bad, depending which way the breeze blew. There were probably maggots, but I wasn’t going to check. Tomorrow, I thought, tomorrow I’ll have to bury it.

Early Sunday morning I woke to the smell of rat, then went back to sleep. After my husband and I were both awake, I offered to toss a coin for the privilege of burying the rat. Lucky me! He had a brand-new shovel he wanted to try out.

He came back in a few minutes later. “The rat wasn’t there.”

Yum. Guess that possum was letting it age to perfection.

Sorry, no photos this time.