The final countdown

This summer, North Texas in July at 8 A.M. feels a lot like North Texas in October at noon, and that kind of weather makes my early bird walks totally worth it.

Late fall/early winter is the most perfect time of the year, riddled with cool breezes, bare trees, football games, spicy scents, long sleeves, and more fun holidays than you can jingle a bell at. And this year, that king of seasons will be even more special; on December 19th, the day that I turn 21, I will adopt my very first kitten.

A couple of days ago my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and I told her matter-of-factly that I wanted a kitten, a litter box, and a trip to the vet to get her spayed and declawed. Then I mentioned that it might be funny if I gave her an alcohol-related name (in honor of her being my 21st birthday cat) and my mom scooped that idea up and sprinted away with it. In no time we were rummaging through the liquor cabinet shouting out some ridiculous ideas like, "Gin!", "Whiskey!", and "Bicardi!" along with some less-ridiculous ones like "Kahlua!", "Brandy!", and "Margarita!". The cutest names that I could come up with sounded too boyish ("Martini!", "Mojito!", and "Cosmo!"), and then my mom came to the rescue by suggesting "Mimosa!".

I realize that owning a cat named for a tasty cocktail (and also a genus of plants) may lead some to question my sobriety, but this is a creative opportunity that's almost too good to pass up.