He pulled a Molly...

This morning, while having our morning pastries, we heard the doors unlock!  We both turned our heads towards the front of the coach and saw that Rufus had reached over from his perch on the dash and hit the power door lock button.  Not by accident.

I wondered what was going on when we came back to the coach the other day and the cabin door had both locks locked... we generally use just the deadbolt lock because it is more secure.  Apparently, Rufus felt the need to double lock the door while we were gone.

About the title to this post: when we had picked up the C-Dory at the factory in Washington State (in 2006), we brought it back to the factory to have some shake-down items fixed.  Since it was going to take several hours for that work, we ran some errands; then went back to the factory to get our laundry out of the boat to get that done while we waited.  I knew it was only going to take us a moment to get the laundry off the boat, and since it was hot out, I left the motor running on the truck so Molly would have air conditioning.  We got about 10 steps away from truck and heard the doors lock... while we were outside... with the keys in the ignition ('cause the motor was running).

Molly had stepped on the door lock button and locked us out of the truck!

It was morning break time at the factory and workers were outside; it didn't take long before there were a bunch of people around our truck, looking at the cat locked inside.  I tried to coax Molly back towards the lock button, hoping that maybe she would "accidentally" unlock the door.  Nope.

The shape of the doorjam on the truck made it impossible to get a coat-hanger in there to try to press the unlock button.  One of the workers - and it just so happened that he was one I had some cross words with regarding how long it would be before we could get the boat back - came to the truck with a pry bar and a rag.

"Oh, no," I said, "The truck is brand new - I don't want to pry the door open!"

He said, "I won't hurt the truck.  Get your coat-hanger ready."

In seconds, he had enough of an opening that I could get the wire in there and get the door unlocked.  I offered to pay him for his help, and he said, "Well, I would like to pet your kitty."  (Molly had that effect on most people.)

Deal.  And, for the record, there was no damage to the door.

We learned to have an extra door key with us if we ever stepped away from the truck with Molly in it, even for just a couple seconds.

Fortunately, we still both carry both door lock keys with us when we leave the motorhome.  Just in case.  The button that locks the cockpit doors also locks the coach door.

How things wander on a forum...

It's a long path to get there, but somehow the discussion devolved on a guitar forum to a mention of Tweety Bird.  Yes, that "I taut I taw a puddy tat" Tweety Bird.

I asked Rufus if he had seen Tweety Bird...

"Me?  Saw a bird?  Um... no.  Why do you ask?"

;-)

All about Rufus...

Since Steph complained yesterday about not getting to see any new Rufus photos, I worked on that today...

Well, first we picked up Steph and Dan way too early to go out for breakfast.  That's what one does in the big city, if you don't want to have to wait to get a seat.  Black Bear Diner is one of Steph's favorite breakfast places, and considering their "thick, meaty bacon" (their words, and it is so true), one of my favorites, too.

After breakfast, we dropped them back at home and went out for grocery stopping.  Yes, still early enough that the crowds were easily manageable.  Back to our place, then Joan wanted to go to another store.  Rufus and I decided to have a guy's day while she was out.

Rufus's first choice: "Feed me again - I really like that!"  I put his harness on, and we practiced on the leash again; then sat out on the the patio, taking in the beautiful weather.

I got serious about getting a photo.  You want to get a good photo of a little subject - you have to get to their level...

We keep trying different toys to see what tickles his fancy; I don't think he has had any experience with toys, but we're both giving it some effort.  Dan gave us a rope and some ribbon to see if he would like to chase that.  It did get him into stalking mode...

Kinda looks like a "house panther," doesn't he?

This is the one toy that he seems to enjoy...

He doesn't just play with it, he beats the snot out of it.  It entertains him for 10 to 15 seconds at a time.  ;-)

The other thing necessary for a decent photo: good light.  There is a lot of indirect light that comes through the entrance door of the motorhome, so I moved his toy there to get him in the best light.  He still isn't totally sure about that "outside world," so there is little concern about him making a break through the open door.  It also lets me be outside on the ground, giving me a good angle with him on the floor of the coach.

Showing off some of the stripes on his front legs...

He is wearing his walking harness.  We don't leave it on him all the time, but he seems pretty comfortable with it.  It comes off when I know we are done going outside.

He is a good boy!

Apparently...

Our sweet daughter thinks we have nothing to do besides post photos of Rufus... as evidenced by her text to us this morning asking, "So, where are the photos of Rufus today?"

We went to a movie today: started at 10:45.  Yes, am.  The price is better and there are no crowds.  Off to our favorite theater here, with the big comfy reclining seats that you get to pick before you ever leave the house.

What movie?  Thanks for asking... Black Panther.  Good movie - plenty of action, a bit of suspense, and some interesting special effects.

It also made me realize that I have characterized Rufus incorrectly: I have been calling him "a house lion"... apparently, he is "a house panther."

We sat with him outside when we got back from the show, just giving him a chance to get used to the different noises and passers-by.  He did fine, but he was most content on one of our laps.  Hmmm - maybe a lap panther?  ;-)

OK, the real full moon...

Another crispy clear night here in the desert.  Here's the first full moon in March...

The first?  Yep - on the 31st, there will be another Blue Moon.  Pretty cool, huh?

The race is run...

Our last day with the Gravity Cruisers project - today was the finals.  An enthusiastic crowd gathered by the stage, cheering on each team as their Cruiser made two runs...

Joan was the official score keeper, I staged each team for their start, the two guys from GM measured distances.  Here's a look at one of the Cruisers...

When the teams had all run their races, the results were tabulated, and Joan gave the info to Steph and Ashley to announce the winners...

GM provided the medals, I was "volunteered" as the photographer to record it all for their yearbook.  The winning team, with the GM reps...

Steph was elated that one of her teams made it as medal winners.  I reminded her that just last week she said, "This is all about the learning."  "Yeah," she said after the competition," Until today, and then it is about getting a medal!"

I think the kids learned from this, not only about the physics involved, but also about working together as a team.  And, I think they had fun in the process.

Joan and I went out for a late lunch to celebrate completing the project!  ;-)

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall...

Yesterday, we were telling Steph about Rufus jumping up on the bathroom counter to check himself out in the mirror.

This morning...

Caught him looking at himself... "I really am a good-looking cat!"

"Oh-oh... they caught me on the counter."  (We don't let him up on the countertops.)

He knows how to work us... "So, I'm really cute, huh?"

"Yes, Rufus, you are a handsome boy."

:-)