[FTV] Frozen Bubbles by JEM

Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys were Frozen Bubbles.

Do you all know what those are? You pick a clear, calm, *frigid* day in
winter, preferably at dawn or in the shade (direct sun interferes). Then
you take your bubble solution outside, and blow bubbles.

If you pick exactly the right day (it has to be *Frigid*, not just Cold,
and as windless as possible) and do it exactly right (blow the bubbles
in an upward direction, so they stay in the air as long as possible) the
bubbles will freeze before they hit the ground, because it only takes a
few seconds to flash-freeze their thin skins on a properly cold day.

If you work it right, you'll end up with all the bushes and grass
adorned with Beauty.

If you're *very* careful, and wear gloves, you can even handle and
juggle them. Knitted or fur gloves work best; the bubbles will "perch"
on the filaments, and not burst. Warm skin, though, will pop them almost
immediately.

Anyway, every winter, I made Frozen Bubbles at least a few times. Hei Yu
would stalk them, and she was *so* much fun to watch; I'm not sure
whether she forgot The Rules between times, or it was all Part Of The
Game, but...

First I'd see this little face peeking around the corner of the house.
Then she'd saunter over to the biggest bubble, and [sniff] at it. Pop!
It *vanished*!

Now no Self-Respecting Cat can let her prey get away from her, so she'd
look around for it.
Aha! -- *there* is is! (The next-biggest one, but she seemed convinced
it was the same one.)
Don't look directly at it, it mustn't know it's being stalked... Saunter
past it, still ignoring it, and -- Swat!!
Hey!! -- it escaped *again*!
Sit down and consider...
Okay, new Plan Of Attack. Locate bubble again. Stroll past again,
ignoring so it won't know, and -- Pounce!!
There, *now* I've got it -- it's *under* me, couldn't *possibly* have
escaped. Stand up veeery slowly, ready for the Escape Attempt, and look
under self.
Look *further* under self. And still further. Stretch legs and arch back
high high high, and check *all the way* under self, until you almost
turn a somersault.
No bubble on the ground. No bubble on the belly-fur. No bubble
*anywhere*. It escaped *again*! This cannot be tolerated -- sit and make
another plan.
Hm. There are *lots* of these things around -- I don't *have* to have
the very *biggest* one -- maybe the babies will be easier to catch,
since they haven't grown up yet. Maybe they don't yet know The Secret Of
Escaping The Mighty Huntress...
Sit and wash a hind leg, so they'll think I've Lost Interest...
Ignore... Ignore... and Go Crazy! Bat at every bubble I can reach! Left!
Right! Twist! Back! Turn and bat some more!! I'll get one yet!!

By this time, I (Hei Yu's person) am in hysterics, sitting on the porch
with tears running down my face.

But somewhere along the line, during this manic phase, she always
(re?)learned that if she hit the bubbles back-handed (-pawed?), and
slowly, they wouldn't burst from her claws or just the heat of her pads.

She'd go into a *slow-motion* game of *tag*, carefully hitting bubbles
with the back of her paw.

This phase was beautiful, like watching a recording played at slow
motion, or a particularly graceful and controlled ballet. I'd watch,
mesmerized, freezing but not caring, until all the bubbles had been
popped by her attentions or by the warming sun.

Then she'd trot over to me, and tell me ("Mrrp? Mrrp! Niaow!") it was
time to go inside, warm up, and eat breakfast. Special breakfast for a
Special Day -- we'd share pancakes, with sausage or bacon, and talk
about her Hunting Prowess. (*She'd* brag, and *I* was expected to offer
Fulsome Praise -- both of us with our mouths full. [grin])

I've always regretted that this happened before video cameras; I truly
wish I could have made at least one recording of it. But I can see it
again, all I have to do is close my eyes...

Those were Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys.

By JEM

--
Marina, Miranda and Caliban.
In loving memory of Frank and Nikki.

On May 16, 10:55*pm, Marina wrote:
Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys were Frozen Bubbles.

Do you all know what those are? You pick a clear, calm, *frigid* day in
winter, preferably at dawn or in the shade (direct sun interferes). Then
you take your bubble solution outside, and blow bubbles.

If you pick exactly the right day (it has to be *Frigid*, not just Cold,
and as windless as possible) and do it exactly right (blow the bubbles
in an upward direction, so they stay in the air as long as possible) the
bubbles will freeze before they hit the ground, because it only takes a
few seconds to flash-freeze their thin skins on a properly cold day.

If you work it right, you'll end up with all the bushes and grass
adorned with Beauty.

If you're *very* careful, and wear gloves, you can even handle and
juggle them. Knitted or fur gloves work best; the bubbles will "perch"
on the filaments, and not burst. Warm skin, though, will pop them almost
immediately.

Anyway, every winter, I made Frozen Bubbles at least a few times. Hei Yu
would stalk them, and she was *so* much fun to watch; I'm not sure
whether she forgot The Rules between times, or it was all Part Of The
Game, but...

First I'd see this little face peeking around the corner of the house.
Then she'd saunter over to the biggest bubble, and [sniff] at it. Pop!
It *vanished*!

Now no Self-Respecting Cat can let her prey get away from her, so she'd
look around for it.
Aha! -- *there* is is! (The next-biggest one, but she seemed convinced
it was the same one.)
Don't look directly at it, it mustn't know it's being stalked... Saunter
past it, still ignoring it, and -- Swat!!
Hey!! -- it escaped *again*!
Sit down and consider...
Okay, new Plan Of Attack. Locate bubble again. Stroll past again,
ignoring so it won't know, and -- Pounce!!
There, *now* I've got it -- it's *under* me, couldn't *possibly* have
escaped. Stand up veeery slowly, ready for the Escape Attempt, and look
under self.
Look *further* under self. And still further. Stretch legs and arch back
high high high, and check *all the way* under self, until you almost
turn a somersault.
No bubble on the ground. No bubble on the belly-fur. No bubble
*anywhere*. It escaped *again*! This cannot be tolerated -- sit and make
another plan.
Hm. There are *lots* of these things around -- I don't *have* to have
the very *biggest* one -- maybe the babies will be easier to catch,
since they haven't grown up yet. Maybe they don't yet know The Secret Of
Escaping The Mighty Huntress...
Sit and wash a hind leg, so they'll think I've Lost Interest...
Ignore... Ignore... and Go Crazy! Bat at every bubble I can reach! Left!
Right! Twist! Back! Turn and bat some more!! I'll get one yet!!

By this time, I (Hei Yu's person) am in hysterics, sitting on the porch
with tears running down my face.

But somewhere along the line, during this manic phase, she always
(re?)learned that if she hit the bubbles back-handed (-pawed?), and
slowly, they wouldn't burst from her claws or just the heat of her pads.

She'd go into a *slow-motion* game of *tag*, carefully hitting bubbles
with the back of her paw.

This phase was beautiful, like watching a recording played at slow
motion, or a particularly graceful and controlled ballet. I'd watch,
mesmerized, freezing but not caring, until all the bubbles had been
popped by her attentions or by the warming sun.

Then she'd trot over to me, and tell me ("Mrrp? Mrrp! Niaow!") it was
time to go inside, warm up, and eat breakfast. Special breakfast for a
Special Day -- we'd share pancakes, with sausage or bacon, and talk
about her Hunting Prowess. (*She'd* brag, and *I* was expected to offer
Fulsome Praise -- both of us with our mouths full. [grin])

I've always regretted that this happened before video cameras; I truly
wish I could have made at least one recording of it. But I can see it
again, all I have to do is close my eyes...

Those were Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys.

By JEM

--
Marina, Miranda and Caliban.
In loving memory of Frank and Nikki.

That's a great one, Marina. It leaves a wonderful mental picture, as
I've never
seen frozen bubbles, but I imagine what they would look like.

Sherry

On Mon, 17 May 2010 06:55:06 +0300, Marina
wrote:

Great story! it gets cold enough here to freeze soap bubbles; if it's
too windy, I've done it in my garage, on a very cold day.

My cats have always been strictly indoor kitties, so they never got to
play with the frozen bubbles.

For me, they were only interesting to do and look at.

The description of a cat trying to stalk and catch one had me LOL!

~~~~~~~~~~~~ ^..^

"Life without cats would be only marginally worth living."
-TC, and the unmercifully, relentlessly, sweet calico kitty, Kenzie.

Every day is a treasure with Kenzie; I try to treat them that way. There
will only be so many, and then there will never, ever, be any more.

How you behave towards cats here below determines your status in Heaven.
- Robert Heinlein



Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys were Frozen Bubbles.

Do you all know what those are? You pick a clear, calm, *frigid* day in
winter, preferably at dawn or in the shade (direct sun interferes). Then
you take your bubble solution outside, and blow bubbles.

If you pick exactly the right day (it has to be *Frigid*, not just Cold,
and as windless as possible) and do it exactly right (blow the bubbles
in an upward direction, so they stay in the air as long as possible) the
bubbles will freeze before they hit the ground, because it only takes a
few seconds to flash-freeze their thin skins on a properly cold day.

If you work it right, you'll end up with all the bushes and grass
adorned with Beauty.

If you're *very* careful, and wear gloves, you can even handle and
juggle them. Knitted or fur gloves work best; the bubbles will "perch"
on the filaments, and not burst. Warm skin, though, will pop them almost
immediately.

Anyway, every winter, I made Frozen Bubbles at least a few times. Hei Yu
would stalk them, and she was *so* much fun to watch; I'm not sure
whether she forgot The Rules between times, or it was all Part Of The
Game, but...

First I'd see this little face peeking around the corner of the house.
Then she'd saunter over to the biggest bubble, and [sniff] at it. Pop!
It *vanished*!

Now no Self-Respecting Cat can let her prey get away from her, so she'd
look around for it.
Aha! -- *there* is is! (The next-biggest one, but she seemed convinced
it was the same one.)
Don't look directly at it, it mustn't know it's being stalked... Saunter
past it, still ignoring it, and -- Swat!!
Hey!! -- it escaped *again*!
Sit down and consider...
Okay, new Plan Of Attack. Locate bubble again. Stroll past again,
ignoring so it won't know, and -- Pounce!!
There, *now* I've got it -- it's *under* me, couldn't *possibly* have
escaped. Stand up veeery slowly, ready for the Escape Attempt, and look
under self.
Look *further* under self. And still further. Stretch legs and arch back
high high high, and check *all the way* under self, until you almost
turn a somersault.
No bubble on the ground. No bubble on the belly-fur. No bubble
*anywhere*. It escaped *again*! This cannot be tolerated -- sit and make
another plan.
Hm. There are *lots* of these things around -- I don't *have* to have
the very *biggest* one -- maybe the babies will be easier to catch,
since they haven't grown up yet. Maybe they don't yet know The Secret Of
Escaping The Mighty Huntress...
Sit and wash a hind leg, so they'll think I've Lost Interest...
Ignore... Ignore... and Go Crazy! Bat at every bubble I can reach! Left!
Right! Twist! Back! Turn and bat some more!! I'll get one yet!!

By this time, I (Hei Yu's person) am in hysterics, sitting on the porch
with tears running down my face.

But somewhere along the line, during this manic phase, she always
(re?)learned that if she hit the bubbles back-handed (-pawed?), and
slowly, they wouldn't burst from her claws or just the heat of her pads.

She'd go into a *slow-motion* game of *tag*, carefully hitting bubbles
with the back of her paw.

This phase was beautiful, like watching a recording played at slow
motion, or a particularly graceful and controlled ballet. I'd watch,
mesmerized, freezing but not caring, until all the bubbles had been
popped by her attentions or by the warming sun.

Then she'd trot over to me, and tell me ("Mrrp? Mrrp! Niaow!") it was
time to go inside, warm up, and eat breakfast. Special breakfast for a
Special Day -- we'd share pancakes, with sausage or bacon, and talk
about her Hunting Prowess. (*She'd* brag, and *I* was expected to offer
Fulsome Praise -- both of us with our mouths full. [grin])

I've always regretted that this happened before video cameras; I truly
wish I could have made at least one recording of it. But I can see it
again, all I have to do is close my eyes...

Those were Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys.

By JEM



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"Marina" wrote in message
...
Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys were Frozen Bubbles.

Do you all know what those are? You pick a clear, calm, *frigid* day in
winter, preferably at dawn or in the shade (direct sun interferes). Then
you take your bubble solution outside, and blow bubbles.

If you pick exactly the right day (it has to be *Frigid*, not just Cold,
and as windless as possible) and do it exactly right (blow the bubbles in
an upward direction, so they stay in the air as long as possible) the
bubbles will freeze before they hit the ground, because it only takes a
few seconds to flash-freeze their thin skins on a properly cold day.

If you work it right, you'll end up with all the bushes and grass adorned
with Beauty.

If you're *very* careful, and wear gloves, you can even handle and juggle
them. Knitted or fur gloves work best; the bubbles will "perch" on the
filaments, and not burst. Warm skin, though, will pop them almost
immediately.

Anyway, every winter, I made Frozen Bubbles at least a few times. Hei Yu
would stalk them, and she was *so* much fun to watch; I'm not sure whether
she forgot The Rules between times, or it was all Part Of The Game, but...

First I'd see this little face peeking around the corner of the house.
Then she'd saunter over to the biggest bubble, and [sniff] at it. Pop! It
*vanished*!

Now no Self-Respecting Cat can let her prey get away from her, so she'd
look around for it.
Aha! -- *there* is is! (The next-biggest one, but she seemed convinced it
was the same one.)
Don't look directly at it, it mustn't know it's being stalked... Saunter
past it, still ignoring it, and -- Swat!!
Hey!! -- it escaped *again*!
Sit down and consider...
Okay, new Plan Of Attack. Locate bubble again. Stroll past again, ignoring
so it won't know, and -- Pounce!!
There, *now* I've got it -- it's *under* me, couldn't *possibly* have
escaped. Stand up veeery slowly, ready for the Escape Attempt, and look
under self.
Look *further* under self. And still further. Stretch legs and arch back
high high high, and check *all the way* under self, until you almost turn
a somersault.
No bubble on the ground. No bubble on the belly-fur. No bubble *anywhere*.
It escaped *again*! This cannot be tolerated -- sit and make another plan.
Hm. There are *lots* of these things around -- I don't *have* to have the
very *biggest* one -- maybe the babies will be easier to catch, since they
haven't grown up yet. Maybe they don't yet know The Secret Of Escaping The
Mighty Huntress...
Sit and wash a hind leg, so they'll think I've Lost Interest... Ignore...
Ignore... and Go Crazy! Bat at every bubble I can reach! Left! Right!
Twist! Back! Turn and bat some more!! I'll get one yet!!

By this time, I (Hei Yu's person) am in hysterics, sitting on the porch
with tears running down my face.

But somewhere along the line, during this manic phase, she always
(re?)learned that if she hit the bubbles back-handed (-pawed?), and
slowly, they wouldn't burst from her claws or just the heat of her pads.

She'd go into a *slow-motion* game of *tag*, carefully hitting bubbles
with the back of her paw.

This phase was beautiful, like watching a recording played at slow motion,
or a particularly graceful and controlled ballet. I'd watch, mesmerized,
freezing but not caring, until all the bubbles had been popped by her
attentions or by the warming sun.

Then she'd trot over to me, and tell me ("Mrrp? Mrrp! Niaow!") it was time
to go inside, warm up, and eat breakfast. Special breakfast for a Special
Day -- we'd share pancakes, with sausage or bacon, and talk about her
Hunting Prowess. (*She'd* brag, and *I* was expected to offer Fulsome
Praise -- both of us with our mouths full. [grin])

I've always regretted that this happened before video cameras; I truly
wish I could have made at least one recording of it. But I can see it
again, all I have to do is close my eyes...

Those were Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys.

By JEM

--
Marina, Miranda and Caliban.
In loving memory of Frank and Nikki.

That is truly a memory to treasure, and you told it so beautifully I could
see it too.
Karla

hose memories are what make the "fabric" of life so beautiful
"Marina" wrote in message
...
Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys were Frozen Bubbles.

Do you all know what those are? You pick a clear, calm, *frigid* day in
winter, preferably at dawn or in the shade (direct sun interferes). Then
you take your bubble solution outside, and blow bubbles.

If you pick exactly the right day (it has to be *Frigid*, not just Cold,
and as windless as possible) and do it exactly right (blow the bubbles in
an upward direction, so they stay in the air as long as possible) the
bubbles will freeze before they hit the ground, because it only takes a
few seconds to flash-freeze their thin skins on a properly cold day.

If you work it right, you'll end up with all the bushes and grass adorned
with Beauty.

If you're *very* careful, and wear gloves, you can even handle and juggle
them. Knitted or fur gloves work best; the bubbles will "perch" on the
filaments, and not burst. Warm skin, though, will pop them almost
immediately.

Anyway, every winter, I made Frozen Bubbles at least a few times. Hei Yu
would stalk them, and she was *so* much fun to watch; I'm not sure whether
she forgot The Rules between times, or it was all Part Of The Game, but...

First I'd see this little face peeking around the corner of the house.
Then she'd saunter over to the biggest bubble, and [sniff] at it. Pop! It
*vanished*!

Now no Self-Respecting Cat can let her prey get away from her, so she'd
look around for it.
Aha! -- *there* is is! (The next-biggest one, but she seemed convinced it
was the same one.)
Don't look directly at it, it mustn't know it's being stalked... Saunter
past it, still ignoring it, and -- Swat!!
Hey!! -- it escaped *again*!
Sit down and consider...
Okay, new Plan Of Attack. Locate bubble again. Stroll past again, ignoring
so it won't know, and -- Pounce!!
There, *now* I've got it -- it's *under* me, couldn't *possibly* have
escaped. Stand up veeery slowly, ready for the Escape Attempt, and look
under self.
Look *further* under self. And still further. Stretch legs and arch back
high high high, and check *all the way* under self, until you almost turn
a somersault.
No bubble on the ground. No bubble on the belly-fur. No bubble *anywhere*.
It escaped *again*! This cannot be tolerated -- sit and make another plan.
Hm. There are *lots* of these things around -- I don't *have* to have the
very *biggest* one -- maybe the babies will be easier to catch, since they
haven't grown up yet. Maybe they don't yet know The Secret Of Escaping The
Mighty Huntress...
Sit and wash a hind leg, so they'll think I've Lost Interest... Ignore...
Ignore... and Go Crazy! Bat at every bubble I can reach! Left! Right!
Twist! Back! Turn and bat some more!! I'll get one yet!!

By this time, I (Hei Yu's person) am in hysterics, sitting on the porch
with tears running down my face.

But somewhere along the line, during this manic phase, she always
(re?)learned that if she hit the bubbles back-handed (-pawed?), and
slowly, they wouldn't burst from her claws or just the heat of her pads.

She'd go into a *slow-motion* game of *tag*, carefully hitting bubbles
with the back of her paw.

This phase was beautiful, like watching a recording played at slow motion,
or a particularly graceful and controlled ballet. I'd watch, mesmerized,
freezing but not caring, until all the bubbles had been popped by her
attentions or by the warming sun.

Then she'd trot over to me, and tell me ("Mrrp? Mrrp! Niaow!") it was time
to go inside, warm up, and eat breakfast. Special breakfast for a Special
Day -- we'd share pancakes, with sausage or bacon, and talk about her
Hunting Prowess. (*She'd* brag, and *I* was expected to offer Fulsome
Praise -- both of us with our mouths full. [grin])

I've always regretted that this happened before video cameras; I truly
wish I could have made at least one recording of it. But I can see it
again, all I have to do is close my eyes...

Those were Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys.

By JEM

--
Marina, Miranda and Caliban.
In loving memory of Frank and Nikki.

Great story of JEM's, Marina - thanks for posting it!
Christine
"Marina" wrote in message
...
Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys were Frozen Bubbles.

Do you all know what those are? You pick a clear, calm, *frigid* day in
winter, preferably at dawn or in the shade (direct sun interferes). Then
you take your bubble solution outside, and blow bubbles.

If you pick exactly the right day (it has to be *Frigid*, not just Cold,
and as windless as possible) and do it exactly right (blow the bubbles in
an upward direction, so they stay in the air as long as possible) the
bubbles will freeze before they hit the ground, because it only takes a
few seconds to flash-freeze their thin skins on a properly cold day.

If you work it right, you'll end up with all the bushes and grass adorned
with Beauty.

If you're *very* careful, and wear gloves, you can even handle and juggle
them. Knitted or fur gloves work best; the bubbles will "perch" on the
filaments, and not burst. Warm skin, though, will pop them almost
immediately.

Anyway, every winter, I made Frozen Bubbles at least a few times. Hei Yu
would stalk them, and she was *so* much fun to watch; I'm not sure whether
she forgot The Rules between times, or it was all Part Of The Game, but...

First I'd see this little face peeking around the corner of the house.
Then she'd saunter over to the biggest bubble, and [sniff] at it. Pop! It
*vanished*!

Now no Self-Respecting Cat can let her prey get away from her, so she'd
look around for it.
Aha! -- *there* is is! (The next-biggest one, but she seemed convinced it
was the same one.)
Don't look directly at it, it mustn't know it's being stalked... Saunter
past it, still ignoring it, and -- Swat!!
Hey!! -- it escaped *again*!
Sit down and consider...
Okay, new Plan Of Attack. Locate bubble again. Stroll past again, ignoring
so it won't know, and -- Pounce!!
There, *now* I've got it -- it's *under* me, couldn't *possibly* have
escaped. Stand up veeery slowly, ready for the Escape Attempt, and look
under self.
Look *further* under self. And still further. Stretch legs and arch back
high high high, and check *all the way* under self, until you almost turn
a somersault.
No bubble on the ground. No bubble on the belly-fur. No bubble *anywhere*.
It escaped *again*! This cannot be tolerated -- sit and make another plan.
Hm. There are *lots* of these things around -- I don't *have* to have the
very *biggest* one -- maybe the babies will be easier to catch, since they
haven't grown up yet. Maybe they don't yet know The Secret Of Escaping The
Mighty Huntress...
Sit and wash a hind leg, so they'll think I've Lost Interest... Ignore...
Ignore... and Go Crazy! Bat at every bubble I can reach! Left! Right!
Twist! Back! Turn and bat some more!! I'll get one yet!!

By this time, I (Hei Yu's person) am in hysterics, sitting on the porch
with tears running down my face.

But somewhere along the line, during this manic phase, she always
(re?)learned that if she hit the bubbles back-handed (-pawed?), and
slowly, they wouldn't burst from her claws or just the heat of her pads.

She'd go into a *slow-motion* game of *tag*, carefully hitting bubbles
with the back of her paw.

This phase was beautiful, like watching a recording played at slow motion,
or a particularly graceful and controlled ballet. I'd watch, mesmerized,
freezing but not caring, until all the bubbles had been popped by her
attentions or by the warming sun.

Then she'd trot over to me, and tell me ("Mrrp? Mrrp! Niaow!") it was time
to go inside, warm up, and eat breakfast. Special breakfast for a Special
Day -- we'd share pancakes, with sausage or bacon, and talk about her
Hunting Prowess. (*She'd* brag, and *I* was expected to offer Fulsome
Praise -- both of us with our mouths full. [grin])

I've always regretted that this happened before video cameras; I truly
wish I could have made at least one recording of it. But I can see it
again, all I have to do is close my eyes...

Those were Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys.

By JEM

--
Marina, Miranda and Caliban.
In loving memory of Frank and Nikki.

Marina wrote:
Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys were Frozen Bubbles.

Do you all know what those are? You pick a clear, calm, *frigid* day in
winter, preferably at dawn or in the shade (direct sun interferes). Then
you take your bubble solution outside, and blow bubbles.

If you pick exactly the right day (it has to be *Frigid*, not just Cold,
and as windless as possible) and do it exactly right (blow the bubbles
in an upward direction, so they stay in the air as long as possible) the
bubbles will freeze before they hit the ground, because it only takes a
few seconds to flash-freeze their thin skins on a properly cold day.

If you work it right, you'll end up with all the bushes and grass
adorned with Beauty.

If you're *very* careful, and wear gloves, you can even handle and
juggle them. Knitted or fur gloves work best; the bubbles will "perch"
on the filaments, and not burst. Warm skin, though, will pop them almost
immediately.

Anyway, every winter, I made Frozen Bubbles at least a few times. Hei Yu
would stalk them, and she was *so* much fun to watch; I'm not sure
whether she forgot The Rules between times, or it was all Part Of The
Game, but...

First I'd see this little face peeking around the corner of the house.
Then she'd saunter over to the biggest bubble, and [sniff] at it. Pop!
It *vanished*!

Now no Self-Respecting Cat can let her prey get away from her, so she'd
look around for it.
Aha! -- *there* is is! (The next-biggest one, but she seemed convinced
it was the same one.)
Don't look directly at it, it mustn't know it's being stalked... Saunter
past it, still ignoring it, and -- Swat!!
Hey!! -- it escaped *again*!
Sit down and consider...
Okay, new Plan Of Attack. Locate bubble again. Stroll past again,
ignoring so it won't know, and -- Pounce!!
There, *now* I've got it -- it's *under* me, couldn't *possibly* have
escaped. Stand up veeery slowly, ready for the Escape Attempt, and look
under self.
Look *further* under self. And still further. Stretch legs and arch back
high high high, and check *all the way* under self, until you almost
turn a somersault.
No bubble on the ground. No bubble on the belly-fur. No bubble
*anywhere*. It escaped *again*! This cannot be tolerated -- sit and make
another plan.
Hm. There are *lots* of these things around -- I don't *have* to have
the very *biggest* one -- maybe the babies will be easier to catch,
since they haven't grown up yet. Maybe they don't yet know The Secret Of
Escaping The Mighty Huntress...
Sit and wash a hind leg, so they'll think I've Lost Interest...
Ignore... Ignore... and Go Crazy! Bat at every bubble I can reach! Left!
Right! Twist! Back! Turn and bat some more!! I'll get one yet!!

By this time, I (Hei Yu's person) am in hysterics, sitting on the porch
with tears running down my face.

But somewhere along the line, during this manic phase, she always
(re?)learned that if she hit the bubbles back-handed (-pawed?), and
slowly, they wouldn't burst from her claws or just the heat of her pads.

She'd go into a *slow-motion* game of *tag*, carefully hitting bubbles
with the back of her paw.

This phase was beautiful, like watching a recording played at slow
motion, or a particularly graceful and controlled ballet. I'd watch,
mesmerized, freezing but not caring, until all the bubbles had been
popped by her attentions or by the warming sun.

Then she'd trot over to me, and tell me ("Mrrp? Mrrp! Niaow!") it was
time to go inside, warm up, and eat breakfast. Special breakfast for a
Special Day -- we'd share pancakes, with sausage or bacon, and talk
about her Hunting Prowess. (*She'd* brag, and *I* was expected to offer
Fulsome Praise -- both of us with our mouths full. [grin])

I've always regretted that this happened before video cameras; I truly
wish I could have made at least one recording of it. But I can see it
again, all I have to do is close my eyes...

Those were Hei Yu's Most Favoritest Bestest Toys.

By JEM


Great reading! Best wishes. MLB