The good word this week has to be the descending price of fuel and gasoline. Given the rising cost of everything else, this is good news indeed.

The Windham Town Council had a break in November and couldn’t/didn’t meet for two weeks in a row. Since these meetings usually include something of interest for a column, and Sarah Palin is out of the news, has sorted all her clothes and is back home, probably doing something mundane like putting up school lunches, I’ll have to fall back on another source of commentary.

Cats can always provide amusement. It seems that the winter hibernation syndrome has overtaken them and they’ve collectively become much more subdued, less vocal and couldn’t care less about spending the night away from home, causing their caretaker (me) to stand at the top of the stairs whistling and calling reluctant felines.

Any interruption in this calming-down mental state is cause for alarm. This afternoon, the high winds whipping around the trees scooped up all kinds of leaves and debris, whirling it against the tree trunks and brush across the driveway. Into this maelstrom, one of the cats ventured forth.

Halfway across the driveway, headed toward the shelter of a brush pile, the poor cat was hit by a speeding empty plastic container, which had rested in a garbage pail. The collapsed gallon jug attacked the cat, who wasn’t really watching for oncoming traffic.

The cat went into high gear and climbed the nearest tree, nearly to the top, where she waited a few minutes, eased herself down and put herself into overdrive for the trip back across the driveway and up the stairs to safety. I don’t think she touched any of the steps on her way to the second floor.

Never stopping for a snack, she speedily retreated to the safety of “her” chair, where I can only imagine she’s dreaming up some kind of cat-revenge. The wayward plastic container will be history once the trash man arrives in the morning, and all will be safe once again.

Every so often there’s an article in a magazine or the results of some multi-thousand dollar study, indicating that cats (maybe dogs, too) can help keep blood pressure down and that just patting an animal can relieve stress. One thing I know, without spending a penny, is that these pets are a source of amusement, and we all know laughter is healthy. If I had lived in old Egypt, I’d surely be a cat worshiper.

Many in Windham (and elsewhere) probably saw Ron Eby on the television news recently. Ron and his wife have run an automotive business in town for years and his compassion is well known. Through his continued caring for the town and residents, he’s organized a most generous Thanksgiving gift of dozens of Thanksgiving baskets (did I hear 60?) that will be given to the Food Pantry for distribution.

At least 50 (yes that’s right, 50) new requests have been made this year to the Windham Food Pantry from families for Thanksgiving baskets. A pretty clear indication of how the economy is affecting some of our neighbors.

We all should give a big thank you to Ron, his wife and his customers who have recognized a need and put their money where their mouth is, so to speak.

Thank you, Ron and Julie, for all you do.

See you next week.