Scarlet Flame Burning Bright

Spring is nearly here in Redondo Beach. There are some warmer days mixed in with the cooler ones. Today was cold, and I was feeling emotionally hung over from the early loss of one of my two cats. Trying to keep myself busy, and still nursing my surgically repaired arm in a sling, I was poking around in my mini greenhouse. In it I found a P. vitifolia 'Scarlet Flame' blooming bright. After my emotional stress, it was nice to see that flower. There's no over wrought analogy to make. It just felt good to see.

Doppler used to pull the screen door open so that he could slip through, and when I turned around to see that there was now a cat sized gap, I would always find him just lying in a spot of sun on the brick patio or on a chair rubbing his head. He loved being a semi-indoor kitty that could prowl through the bamboo culms and stalk butterflies without any real outdoor threats. He was a good boy, that minded his parents, loved his hairless brother, and filled our lives with 5 years of silent meows and head butt.

Rest in peace Doppler Cheese. I miss you, and I'll never forget you.