Murphy's Morning Chores

Murphy, the youngest Outdoor Farm Supervisor, is beginning to feel a bit more secure in their role.

In other words, Murphy has decided what role Murphy is going to play. She's a cat, so that's typically how it works.

Murphy is unlikely to grow much more than she has up to this point, so it is fair to say that she is a small cat.  You can get an idea as to size by looking at how big she is as compared to my size 12 foot.  Yes... my foot is a foot long.  

No, it's not a joke.  But, I suppose if you must...

One of the important tasks Murphy feels needs to be done is making sure that at least one of the farmers provides food and water for the Farm Supervisory Crew.  In her zeal to do just that thing, it is not uncommon for her to forget the fact that this task has already been completed.  But, that's what happens when you really love your job.  You enjoy it so much that you just can't wait to do it again!

Once the sun comes up, Murphy will station herself somewhere near the back porch of the farm house.  That's the door the farmers typically emerge from and it is very important that she be RIGHT THERE at the moment the door is opened.  To do this job right, there must be some conversation as the door opens.  In Murphy's case, she opts for a bright and cheery tone, salted lightly with implied urgency and the tiniest dash of reprimand for slow service.

The next step is to trot lightly down the stairs of the back steps and make a route that goes over the picnic table and on to the garage where the food is stored.  If one of the other Farm Supervisors happens to be in the path, there is usually an exchange of mild aggression - usually a clawless bat at each other.  It's Murphy's way of reminding everyone of the importance of her task.

Outta my way, Soup!  Ima gonna get us some food!  Watch it there Inspector!  Comin' thru!  You'll thank me later!

If the farmers are unusually slow on a frosty morning, we might be greeted with a message from Murphy on the back steps.  An impatient little dance leaves impatient looking foot prints for the farmer to read as they open the door.  

On days like this, Murphy often does not show up right away to escort us to the food.  Instead, there is only this message that spells out frustration and maybe even disdain for the farmers' lack of consideration for the Farm Supervisory Crew.

But, I actually got outside recently before Murphy was ready for me and I left a message for her.  There it was, a single set of foot-long foot prints leaving the farm house and heading straight for the garage.  From the garage, the footprints led to the granary and then to the Poultry Pavilion.  

And, sure enough, as I opened the hen room door to exit their room, I found Murphy waiting there for me.

You see, on a typical morning, all three cats will eat a little bit as soon as the food is placed by the garage for them.  Like many outdoor cats, they'll eat their first few morsels as if they are starving.  But, these cats do fine and they often do not eat much more than a few bites at this time.  (hunting time is often prior to sunrise and they do manage to catch some rodents on a semi-regular basis)

Once the food has been tasted and found to be sufficient, I often get some supervision as I perform the poultry chores.  And, of course, there are skritches to be doled out the the Farm Supervisory Crew.  

Murphy is often a bit too wound up to get much more than a little bit of attention most mornings.  But, on this particular morning, she insisted, in her own way, that I should pick her up.  So, I did - after giving Soup and Inspector their greetings.  And, Murphy let me know she got my message by snuggling in and providing me with a good purr.