This gorgeous boy now known as Gabriel appeared late on a July evening more than two years ago in Lisa’s driveway, crying and scared. He clearly wanted help but he was too traumatized to let anyone near. He would only come so close and then dash away when anyone tried to approach him.

Over the next two years, he came to Lisa’s yard every night after dark, crying and rolling in the grass to get her attention. For months, he ran when she brought him food and water, only creeping back to eat when she retreated to the porch to guard him while he wolfed down every bite as fast as he could.

I would hope that many of you had a chance to attend the Northwest Flower and Garden show this last week. It is always a highlight of the month for me and a great way to get me into the mood for gardening again. It never fails that I don’t come home with some new plant or gadget that I just have to have to make my life complete and this year was no different. Let me introduce you to the “M Brace.”

With the festive holiday lights taken down, winter now becomes the time of hopefully white colors. Then in short periods, the snow gives us warm and happy feelings. However, if you want more color around the outside of your house try “trimming” your windows with the many hues of our non-migrating residents, the Anna Hummingbirds.

Dapper is such a lover! He loves to play with toys, especially if a person is part of that fun! He will run and flop over for you, almost like he is trying to show you how happy he is. Dapper likes to be held, and is almost always purring. He is about 3 years old, and seems to be just fine with other cats.