Visitors.....

Last week, I noticed a small (about 2-3" long) brown praying mantis on the eave of my condo. The next day, I found him on the gate. I haven't seen him since.

I like praying mantises. They're good bugs 'cause they eat the bad bugs.

Yesterday afternoon, there was a gray-and-white cat sitting on my doorstep. Mercury was getting very excited; his tail was twitching and he was in full-alert posture. I think the visiting cat is trying to get at some of the chipmunks that live under my stoop.

Also last week, one of the neighbor's cats -- the tortiose-shell cat named Little Kitty -- was hiding behind one of my bushes, between the bush and the outer wall of the condo. I chased him away.

I don't mind when the local kitties visit me. I just wish they didn't go after the chipmunks and suirrels.