Sangria was so excited to be liberated that she ran toward the woods and sniffed out the perimeter of our backyard. We don't have any solid fence or barrier to keep her from going off our 11 acres... or from wandering onto Wilmer Road... but thankfully, she kept close.

I've been taking the kittens outside almost every dry day since we got them... letting them play in the grass, but keeping a close watch. I just can't let them "go" until I know they will return when they need shelter... or when they are called (or when I shake the cat food box, a noise which usually attracts cats like glitter does to drag queens).

By nightfall, Sangria had indeed returned from her scouting expedition... and was lounging between her two tethered children. I brought them back into the utility room and fed them. I always try to pet them while they're eating so they'll know that my hands are the hands that lovingly give them that food. I guess time will tell if Bitumen and Hepsebah ever fully learn to trust human contact.