I wonder what this happy tree feels when Palemale comes over to take a rest on her? Does his sharp talons tickle when he walks along her branches? I wonder if the tree feels kind of how I feel when a certain fat orange and white creature jumps on my lap and tucks his chin on my chest and goes to sleep with a big, soft paw extended up to smush my face in a little. Is that ole tree, like me, afraid to sway too much that her little companion may wake and hop off to go someplace else to take a nap. But not keep her excited branches too stiff so her beloved friend may snuggle in cozy and get to wedge his chin into a perfectly comfortable spot. And in the middle of the nap as the tree stares down in awe at Nature's perfect little creation, does an eye open lazily and finding that he is being stared at so closely proceed to lick the starer with a warm moist raspy tongue to the delight of the starer and perhaps the licker too--both parties thankful to be existing in a world regardless of its numerous disappointments--a merciful world at that, thoughtful enough to provide some consolation to both the tree and I, in the form of a feathered percher and a furry napper. All images above are Palemale after sunset, photographed Tuesday August 10, 2010. REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES: 1-800-TIPPDEC [(800) 847-7332] newitem200121192