Envelope of Happiness

Today in my mailbox arrived a bunch of topo maps I had ordered for an upcoming trip. One is a custom map covering the whole area of the hike (parts of three quadrangles on one sheet!) a totally awesome yet simple invention.  Better yet the map came with a free plastic compass/whistle combo and a yellow string to tie the compass to one’s pack. Not only did I need a new compass, the yellow string proved to be the best thing my kat’s seen since a fresh can of tuna was opened two weeks ago.  Kat’s been  lethargic barely showing interest in any of her toys. I throw balls for her, drag around her fake fish, tantalize her with the orange string and with the green string, hide things under the newspaper but I barely get a pounce. But I bring out the new yellow string and she goes wild; jumping on furniture, pouncing all over the place like a kitten in a field of catnip.  Who knew the post office could deliver so much joy.