Introductions

Last night I was fixing a bowl of ice cream and when I went to wash off the scoop my outdoor cat jumped on the outside of the window I was standing in front of. She scared me to death but it was also weird b/c she had something huge in her mouth. I decided to go find her and see what she had caught. First let me say that it is raining like crazy outside and that this cat doesn’t meow like other cats. She also does NOT respond to being called by her name, etc. She brrrs and makes a noise like little kids do when they are trying to mimic the sound of a vehicle running. So when you call her we have learned if you make the brrr sound she will come.
I head out back and she runs to the front like she is ready to come in but will only come in the front door (she does this often). Well I go out the front and don’t see her- so naturally, I do what every cat owner does, I stand out in the rain brrr’ing for her. About that time my new neighbor (whom I have met once) steps outside as I am calling for my cat. I try to tone it down and brr quietly for her. Of course the rain picks up and is falling loudly. I am getting soaked and I really do need to get her inside for the night so I am forced to brr even louder. Next thing I know our neighbor is back outside with her husband. I can just hear their conversation “Come see the neighbor girl”! “But, it’s raining like crazy out there.” “No, come see, she is standing out in the rain making strange noises”. So now I have an audience. I continue brr’ing and luckily a few min. later Kali hears me and comes running. She STILL has the thing in her mouth. Not registering what it is and in a hurry to get away from my audience I pick her up. About that time she lets go of what is in her mouth. A huge wood (cock)roach lands on my shirt. I (gently) drop the cat and start dancing around trying to get it off of my shirt. Anyway I am sure we made a great second impression on the neighbors. I got the roach off, waved at the neighbors, gave the hello nod, and took our cat inside! It was quite the event.

Also, this is the second run in I have had with one of these roaches. The first night we moved to Texas our rental house had several of them in the garage. I was less than thrilled. I’m sure you’ve heard everything is bigger and better in Texas. Well it includes these lovely roaches. As I was washing my face, to get ready for bed that night, I grabbed the hand towel to dry my face. As I was drying it something felt awfully strange, when I pulled the hand towel back I realized I was drying my face with the back a wood roach. One of these little treasures had found its way inside and decided to make my first night in Texas a good one! Everyone who lives in this part of Texas says that the wood roaches will come in your house no matter what, that it’s the little ones you have to worry about. They still gross me out. Where I’ve lived before you only get roaches if your house is really dirty. Anyway I have no problem with bugs and spent a majority of my childhood collecting them. However, these bugs and I have never had a good introduction!