"So, what do you want to do today, Maddie?" I asked while out walking this morning. "Wander downtown, take a drive, or head back to the house and read a book?"

In reply, Maddie stomped through a pile of leaves, then came up grinning.



"I know," she said. "Let's go to Walnut Park and check out the Whiskerino Contest. I'm a shoo-in in the 'Best Ornamentation' category."