Page 26 - December 2019
P. 26
FIELD NOTES
My Good Deed
James Wantz, DTM
I rescued a 6-month-old kitten last week. I coal though - hopes and dreams just don’t heat
don’t say this to blow my own horn. Nope, I am worth a damn!)
saying this because the end of the year is fast Enough of that! Back to the kitten. Yep, sweet
approaching. I want to end with as much goodwill adorable Swift went missing (yep, that’s her
and positive energy as I can muster (January is name...I prefer cat names that are emblematic of
such a downer!). the cat in question: Dash, Sprint, Scritch, Silent,
I can’t be certain if the naughty/nice list is a Squeak, Chewy, etc. - all names for the strays in
myth (like Santa...oops, trigger warning). Better my backyard over the years). I hadn’t seen Swift
to be safe than holding a stocking of coal on the for 3 days, and I was beginning to get that sinking
25th, I figure. However, I didn’t always think this feeling when one of the strays disappears. I never
way. While young, my family heated the house know exactly where they go...but many of them
with a wood stove. When Christmas came, my do go (to wonderful accommodations at the Cat
mom confronted me about my bad behavior Hilton, no doubt). The strays that are fractious
over the past year. or downright nasty I don’t mind them going
“But Mom, I’m trying to get as much coal as AWOL, but I get depressed when my favorites
we can.” - those that purr when I hold them - disappear
“You’re what?” without leaving a note.
“Santa gives coal to bad kids...that’s what you I was up early that morning (because I was
always said. And coal burns hotter & longer than dreading a visit to the dentist) when I decided to
wood.” I smiled my best smile. check a few of the spots Swift frequented over
“You are too clever by half,” she muttered. the months: under the office trailer, behind the
“That’s not how it works...there’s a coal shortage fence, under the porch. No cat to be found. As
this year. Santa is giving out more chores instead.” I stood on the front porch of the house I rent
Those who know me read this little interaction (in the middle of an industrial zone) I thought
like an oracle fortelling my future (...in prison). I could hear a distant yeowl. I waited for the
But you would be wrong!! There were no coal cement trucks, traffic, and trains to quiet (in the
stoves in the prison I was in; there were giant back of the house is a cement company, in front
boilers that burned on the hopes and dreams is a roofing company, and across the street is a
of the incarcerated. (They need to switch to train track - lots of noise!)
26 ONE COMMUNITY
