Our new neighbors across the deck have a handsome black and white tuxedo cat who likes to sit in the front window. He notices me this morning through the side window and stares in curiosity. I immediately locate my 15-pound, feral-looking raccoon of a cat, hoist him up onto the counter, and force him to look in the direction of tuxedo cat, who freaks out and begins to porcupuff. Grendel finally notices The Other and his spine telescopes as he evaluates how best to defend his territory, despite the fact that tuxedo cat's window is eight feet above the deck. Undeterred, he bounds off the counter and shoots out the kitty door.

Also, new neighbors totally have our couch. I had no intentions of meeting them until I noticed this and am now plotting how best to confirm, although I'm pretty sure I'll have to wait until my less socially maladjusted half returns.