White Cat came every day. She was my model.
Her housemate, I had named “the Lion”, liked to follow her. Sometimes
curious. From afar. From the fence. He just stared.
When I met their family, I discovered White Cat’s name was “Cordelia”.
The Lion was “Patience”. It was a great way to meet friends...
I discovered White Cat liked to sleep in the grape vines. It was closer to the birds. She liked the birds. A lot. I used to find bird heads in the garden.
She brought me the head of a bird ( such a lovely gift). I took the
hint, and started photographing birds. Live ones.
And the occasional, slithering garter snake. I praised
her. Patience still never left the fence. He just stared. I praised him for being so attentive.
Seasons changed. Years toddled by. Cordelia came over to visit in snow, rain, the heat of summer. Other cats followed her here. Patience still stared from his fence.
She no longer hung out in the grape vines, but opted to sit on the steps.
Hawks hunting in the yard, swooped low to catch prey. The hawk hooked her yellow talons over bare tree
branches, to sit and watch Patience.
Cordelia concerned herself with washing her pretty paws.
Cordelia always brought her friends. Now there are different cats who come by every day. Golden Mr. Spencer still shows up . To whisper greetings.
In latter years, Cordelia and Patience could no longer get over the
fence. I’d go to them, up on the hill. Through the slats, I’d see them nuzzling
together, under the trees, in the long grass.
After all those years, Patience let me reach through to stroke his
golden lion’s mane. Cordelia always by his side.
Then it was only Cordelia who came to share a quiet moment in the day. She was a little slower, but still so sweet and lovely. At last, she formally retired inside, to a warm home and the family who
loved her.
But for 19 years, she was my muse, an inspiration.
I can still see her, when the light is low in the winter sun, and hear myself whispering:
“Hello, White
Cat…what beautiful adventure shall we
have today?”
Photographs 2026 In memory of Cordelia ( Jan 2026 age of 19)
and Patience ( March 2024 age of 18)
