Under the "heaven tree" in the front yard (which is actually a weeping cherry), there are three lawn chairs and a table. I like to breakfast there in the very early morning. I am here now, sitting on one of those green chairs, coffee on one chair arm and tofu and vegetables on the other. In my lap are books to read and this journal, which I will transcribe into the blog sometime today.

All this to tell you about the cat bird. Cat birds are related to mockingbirds. They make a cat sound but they have the personality of a little monkey. Our cat bird likes to walk up the front walk, jump onto the front step, and skip gingerly to the front door as if to go in. She has done this many times.

When I sit under the tree, she flits all around my head, greeting me with a soft "chip-chip" sound. The cat is laying at my feet, so at first I thought the bird might be worried about some little ones.

My mother loved the birds and taught us the difference between bird calls, some alarming, some warning, some just happy chirps, and then the song. The song begins just before sunrise. It expresses various bird emotions. It can mourn a lost mate or nestlings. It can attract a mate. Mostly, I've noticed, it is sung with great joy to greet the new day.

I love watching the cat bird. I see her so often that I thought about giving her a name. She hangs onto the tiniest branches nearly upside-down, looking straight at me making her joyful chirping sound.