I was snuggled up to Grandma while she was looking at her laptop.
“What are you doing now?” I asked.
“I’m on the Internet,” she answered.
“What’s that?”
“It’s sometimes called the Information Highway. You can find out what’s going on in any part of the world, or research different subjects… I can do a lot with the information I get.”
“I’ve got an information highway,” I told her.
Grandma looked down at me. “Do you have a computer I don’t know about?”
“No. Mine is on the ridge behind our cabin..”
Now she was interested.
“Are you talking about the highway below the cabin?”
“No. It’s on the ridge,” I repeated.
“Professor Petey Podengo, would you please explain yourself?”
“You know the game trail where the wild apple trees are?”
“Yes.”
“That’s where I get all kinds of information. Like who’s been by since the day before. All I have to do is read the signs.
“Such as…?”
“Well, they must think the spot by the broken fence is a roadside stop. For it shows the elk and deer have pooped right there, next to each other.”
I added, “And if you’ll recall, there were several piles of bear poop under the apple trees.”
“That’s rather smart of you, Petey! You’re a good scout! Who taught you all that?”
“I listen when you’re talking to Uncle Rod or Uncle Clay about outdoor things.”
“I’m impressed! But when we were up there today, I saw something you may have missed.”
“What’s that?”
“Claw marks where a cat scratched a tree.”
“The neighbor’s cats?”
No, a big cat. A cougar cat. The highest scratch was 7 feet above the ground. That’s why you missed it. Uncle Clay said the other day he saw tracks on the other side of the hill. I want you to stay close.”
“I can out run it, Grandma!”
“No, Petey. I doubt you can outrun a cat that has a 7 foot stride. You stick close to the house unless I’m with you, do you understand? You’d be a tasty tidbit for that cougar!”
“Did you like my Information Highway?” I asked.
“Yes, I did. You’re pretty smart in figuring that sort of thing out.”
I dozed off, dreaming of ways I could outrun a cougar.
