Good afternoon, Taylor.

It’s much too late for coffee, but that’s okay. I had coffee ice cream today, so I got my coffee fix.

My week has been a week of taking chances.

There’s a new person in Ragdoll’s life, one who is very close to her, as well as The Artist and the Coder. And because they’re that close, Ragdoll and I felt it was time we told her about me. I’ll call her the Wise Woman. We decided this a while ago, but she only moved into town the other day. And on Monday, Ragdoll went to The Artist’s house to spend time with them and The Wise Woman.

I was itching to come out and meet everyone. But Ragdoll and I want to get people ready for me when I come out instead of just springing me on them. It’s why we disappeared for so long when we tried this a long time ago and it went badly. I kept bothering Ragdoll to introduce me, but she couldn’t find a way to just let it happen. Like she was looking for a place to stop everything and do it that never happened. So Tuesday, nothing happened.

Tuesday I decided to take one of the first real chances. I’ve walked Ragdoll to work quite a few times, usually switching out when we got close. A few times, I’ve walked right to the house with The Artist. But Monday I took a chance and didn’t just walk to the house, I rode with The Artist to their work! IT was really nice, spending thirty minutes with The Artist and getting to know her and share the trip. I know Ragdoll was surprised when she woke up at work instead of at The Artist’s house, but she wasn’t mad or anything. She said she was happy I was taking the initiative, but to also let her know when she planned something like that, in cast it interfered with something she might have needed to do.

Ragdoll walked on Wednesday, and I walked on Thursday, but switched before we got into the car because The Coder was also carpooling with us, and I haven’t been introduced to her to.

And I got an idea.

I decided to take the initiative and another chance. Instead of waiting for Ragdoll to introduce them to me, what if I introduced them to me? Since everyone knows about me, but only The Artist has met me, it felt that if we could get everyone together, I could introduce myself. After talking with Ragdoll, I invited all of them for Ice Cream at a safe place for me on Saturday.

Friday they took The Wise Woman out to dinner, and I watched from the window, hoping Ragdoll would remind them of Saturday, since I’d only heard back from The Wise Woman. They drove there, had dinner, drove back, and I was just bursting at the seams. “Remind them, Ragdoll! Remind them!”

And she did. 🙂

The Coder didn’t want to meet up, because she didn’t want to deal with people, and I understand. I do want to meet her before I just show up one day, but that can wait. The Artist said she would come, and The Wise Woman confirmed already.

Ragdoll has started letting me have all the mornings now to spend with the crows, since her job took away one of mine. Saturday, she woke up and we switched. I forgot that the patio curtain was open, and when I came into the living room I startled all the birds away. I saw that there were crows, doves and Steller’s Jays all waiting and I scared the heck out of them. I felt terrible, and thought it was a bad omen of how today would go. This morning, I laid out the weekend offerings I usually do, peanuts, mixed nuts and birdseed along with the boiled eggs. But I also left out some watermelon as a little extra treat for scaring them. I even left them alone on the patio to come back instead of having breakfast out there.

So I sat on my nook, and had breakfast there. And sure enough, I saw one or two crows come back on the webcam. I did my little clicks to let them know I was there and said hi to Mr Crow. But I stayed away so they could have privacy. After a while, one of them landed on the railing in front of my nook and looked in. It was Mr Crow saying “Where’s Six Clicks? Come outside with us.” (Six Clicks is the name I imagine they have for me). I got up, and he took his position on the fence along with Mrs Crow and even Junior, who was feeling very brave today.

I gave them their peanuts and stayed on the deck with them for about thirty minutes as they pecked around for food, and kept me company. Poor Ms Crow wanted preening, and for some reason Mr Crow was not going to do it. So she flew away frustrated. Eventually, they all had crow business to do, and left. And so did I, letting Ragdoll have what was left of her morning.

The plan, once I came out, was to drive down to the Ice Cream place, and then have them meet me there. But The Artist suggested we all go in the car together, since we all live nearby and we don’t have to go seperately. I thought that was a good idea so they picked me up. But I didn’t expect to meet at the front door. I expected to meet at the Ice Cream shop. I was worried if things didn’t go well, there would be a bad car ride, but that didn’t happen. I had a lovely time just being there with two other people who connecting with me. I bought their ice cream, and with all the tables being used, we decided to go down to the river and people watch while we had our ice cream.

It really was wonderful to be there with them. Being part of the people. I get lonely a lot, it’s why I concentrate so much on the crows. But to have people there, to talk to , to interact, to connect. It was amazing. And the ice cream wasn’t bad either.

We drove back, and I had to suddenly switch because Ragdoll’s neighbor was out, and he likes to talk to Ragdoll, but other than that, it was such a good day. I met someone knew, it went well, and now I have connection. I crave connection.

And now here I am, hours later, still feeling so happy and joyous about being part of the world.

It may have been the passenger’s seat, but for once I wasn’t just along for the ride. I’m real. And also for once, I feel very much alive.

I hope you’re doing well, Taylor. You’ve been quiet lately, and that usually means you’re busy. 🙂

–Andrea