It was 6:17 AM...

Let me start this story by saying I'm a big chicken. At 6:17AM my bladder overruled the "But it's Saturday" argument. As I was coming back to bed I noticed that the light from outside was strange. The color wasn't right and neither was the time of day for it to be the sun. Half asleep. Oh, well. Climb back into bed, fluff the pillow, hear a THUMP in the kitchen. Back up. Go investigate. Now, that "strange" light shining in the kitchen windows looks like headlights. Groan. "Who is here at this time of morning?!" I get to the back door and realize that the dog pen flood lights are on. Dang goat!...well, most likely, but ...the light switch is outside and I am barefoot so that's gonna have to stay on (good of an excuse as any!) I turn around with my flashlight and find the kitchen trash is knocked over and the cat is rummaging through, explaining the thump sound I heard earlier...or does it?...I have seen enough horror movies to know that there is a pretty good chance it ain't the cat. Heck, I've even yelled it out to the main character, "IT AIN'T THE CAT YOU BIG DUMMY!" to no avail as the people in movies never listen. However, I am sleepy, the dog seems satisfied with the cat/goat theory, and I don't hear creepy music in the background so I head back to bed. I get all covered up and snuggled back down and start to drift back to sleep. Suddenly, there is a CLICK and the whole room is washed in a bright blue light. I throw back the covers, possibly use profanity, and find that the blasted TV has turned itself on again. Even the dog has a "Holy Crap!" look on her face. I scramble to find the remote and click it off...and so THAT'S how I came to be sitting up in bed holding a firearm before daylight this morning...

For those wondering about where my husband was when the boogy man was lurking, let me tell you about how the chores are divided on the Rancho de Oehler. Mark-o rides night guard - responsible for varmits, storm watching, stampedes, and Indian raids. I ride the last guard and jingle up the cats, heat the iron and stoke the cook fire - or as I like to call it, the microwave...

Happy Saturday, to all!