SUSAN LOESCH

CATS IN THE STACKS

I’ve always thought of January and February as the draggy, dull months in the school year. Alex assures me that isn’t so, at least for him.

Last week, our secondary social studies students staged a history parade, complete with costumes, signs and drums. Alex had to go out and see what was happening in the hall, and he had his picture taken with the group.

One student in the parade was our exchange student from Turkey.

As Alex was passed from person to person, our new student asked if she could hold him.

“Of course,” I said. I was aware that she hadn’t petted him or held him while hanging out in the library. I soon found out why.

“Oh!” she exclaimed. “This is the first time in my life I have ever held an animal!”

How exciting to be a part of her warming up to Alex and maybe taking her first steps toward becoming a lifelong animal lover!

We have been anxiously watching the weather reports this week! It is Spirit Week at Arkansas School for the Blind, leading up to our Homecoming Parade, winding through Hillcrest, on Friday. We are not liking the 80% rain chance.

Spirit Week, though, is in high gear and Alex is involved to the max.

On Stars and Stripes Day, he wore his flag-print bandana and posed with his secondary buddies who also wore red, white and blue.

For Fairy Tale Day, he dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, complete with red cape, and hung out for a while with Makayla, who was dressed as the same character.

On Western Day, Alex wore a wild mustang-print bandana. Alas, little kitty cowboy boots were nowhere to be found, which is probably why Alex was so happy all day!

After Dress-Up Day, wearing a tie, Alex will ride in his own float Friday in the parade.

We have finished the big signs with his picture and the words “Alex, ASB Library Cat.”
This will be Alex’s first Homecoming Parade and he is ready to roll!