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This will be a chronological telling of a rather special day in my life and that of the Long Suffering Spouse. July 16th 2009 will always be a memorable one for more then one reason as you shall see. Ruth and I lead such a structured existence these days that when a day like this one occurs it stands out from the crowd much like a New Yorker living in Ohio--you know there is something unique about him but hard put to figure out what.

I decided to use my subtitles from the last entry as a bit of teaser/memory jogger. and demonstrate how truth can be told but somewhat concealed at the same time and exceed or disappoint reader expectations. Similar to the last issue of Alan Moore's Watchmen (#12) you'll go "THAT was the master plan!!??"

Anyhooooo---

1. A Family Member Runs Away

The day started with the end of my work shift at midnight. I turned the computer off, killed all but one row of lights in the call center, set the alarm using the total number of sermons in Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit as my password, let calltaker Brenda out the door, locked it and departed for Casa Mtpspur looking forward to my main dinner meal. It was going to be a busy day ahead. Some of it I was dreading--greatly.

It's only a 15 minute drive and I arrive without incident and enter my domicile that has survived some remodeling by my overzealous landlord hoping the meal is ready as I'm hungry only really having had lunch the day prior.

Supper isn't ready. Not even close. Worse. Turkey burgers--again. Day before payday meals are always a treat the grizzley thinks to himself. The approaching verbal warfare is about 15 minutes into the future and will be on an entirely different subject.

I take my one evening pill--(the other six are done around 11 am usually), sort the mail, sit on the couch and glare. The Long Suffering One comes out of her room where no doubt she has been on the computer probably talking to Amy from Indiana who (since a certain fall from grace a few weeks back) has been more civilized to her and acting more like a friend should but she'll never be a favorite of mine.

Ruth begins puttering around working on the upcoming gourmet masterpiece as I turn the TV on. I have recently discovered a great time waster in That 70's Show reruns and have been delighted with the characters. They run it several times a day and in the past month or so I've seen about 50 of them so far and have a handle on the story arcs. A night of reading episode guides on Yahoo helped.

That 70s Show starts. Supper is still cooking when the first disaster comes out of nowhere.

Ruth goes into our bedroom, makes a noise denoting displeasure (a similar noise is often heard at the mention of marriage benefits but usually a sigh is appended to it) and emerges with a flashlight and a quick exit out the front door. I hear movements and activity outside then she reenters and drops the bomb.

"Marbles has got out the window again."

Our youngest cat. Male, fixed but feisty and about five years old. The bedroom window has a loose screen easily pushed out and is SUPPOSED to remain CLOSED at all times I don't care how hot the room gets. Which is why a ceiling fan is more then just a hideous decoration. Ask anyone who has ever watched an episode of Trading Spaces--death to ceiling fans. That will keep the heat down. But noooo someone has to have a window to air the room out from paint smells courtesy of the landlord. Sigh. Mind you it was the living room that had been painted.

2. A Husband and Wife Quarrel

The grizzley awakens. Dull meal ahead, two projects to be attended to later today so I'm already calculating how much beauty sleep I'm about to miss and now THIS!!!! Been about two years since his last flight to freedom and he was gone three days back then. I turn the TV off and start in on the accusations about the window.

Ruth maintains the window was only cracked and Marbles pulled it down and forced his way out. I actually believe this as I've seen him in action but I'm stirred up now and in You Never Do What I Tell You mode. So I don't admit she is right and it wasn't a plan to deprive me of my favorite feline.

Which she hates. The self righteoues know it all attitude that is.

Then of course she asks the very least desirabale question.

"Well what do you want me to do?"

The Drama Queen channels John Houseman and George C. Scott as Patton with the old standard--"What I tell you too."

Yeh like that always works.

I stomp outside and glare at the screen that is on the porch. I replace it as best I can. It falls back off and of course I remember who the real handyman of the house is. I stomp back inside and have HER fix it. Lordly overbearing manners and all.

It's too dark to go cat hunting and Marbles (a tabby by the way) will come when HE is ready. I have lost my appettie so Ruth puts it away. I suddenly want it but am too stubborn to admit it. Instead I begin listing the several reasons this should never have happened. I'm especially evil as I remind her that Patches escaped Thanksgiving Day because she left the door wide open when Onyx got loose year before last. It's called the reach back method of arguing--you put stuff away from past arguments in your mental pocket and bring it up as ammo when you want to overpower your opponent with data rather then deal with the immediate issue. Not at all good for problem resolving it is to be confessed.

I finish with threats of just staying home today knowing THAT ultimatum is just hot air and if I blow these events off I might just as well start a long term relationship with a divorce lawyer so instead I do just a bit on the computer and go to bed. Sulking.

3. An Attempted Break-In at Home

At about 6 am I have not slept well doing the usual ruminations of I shouldn't have said that, should have done that, don't dare ask for make up sex since I had been nastier then usual which I keep blaming IRS and AAA for. Been getting a lot of unwanted overtime lately due to vacations and missing a second shift slot that AAA will not rehire for and very tired of it.

There is a sudden BOOM on the window which is directly behind our bed and I jump up. I have the presence of mind to grab my bathrobe and head right outside. A prayer has been answered.

Marbles was trying to get back in the house by way of his escape route but the screen was blocking him.

Now there was a time he would NOT let himself be picked up willingly but the past year has finally brought out his affectionate side. He allows me to pick him up and I carry him back inside.

Right into the bouncing paws of Onyx. I quickly toss Marbles beyond him to avoid getting scratched up, nudge Onyx out of my way and give Ruth the news and begin making amends. No marriage benefits though. But I already have plotted out that scenario with a view for later.

Much later as it turned out.

To be continued---