This Old House and Rip Van Winkle

This old house is not in good shape. It has surely seen better days and yet, although mostly vacant, has not been totally abandoned. Every year the little building looks a bit sadder, a few more shingles fall off and the grass and trees take over a bit more, but each fall someone comes to visit and stay in the little old house for a few weeks. On dark nights a light glows in the windows and a car is parked in the yard. I am always amazed and wonder who it is and where they come from.

Down the road and around the corner a mile or two is another run down house. This one has not been abandoned, just neglected. In the garage outside the second house are two old cars and a bunch of feral cats who enjoy sunning themselves on nice days. I have named one cat Rip Van Winkle because he is always asleep on the trunk of one old car. Rip will not be waking up any time soon. He has been sleeping there on the back of that car since early January. At first I was horrified by the fact that no one bothered to take care of him, now I am just amazed he is still there. Once or twice I had to laugh when I saw another cat using him as a cushion to sit on. (That was back in the colder weather.) Months ago I thought about calling animal control. I have considered taking his picture... Now I am just curious how long he will remain asleep on the trunk of that old car.