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A white-haired woman in glasses whittles wood on a porch table as a ruddy Abyssinian cat sniffs the curled shavings. 33 / 34

Grandma Ruth Started Whittling on the Porch. Saffron Couldn't Look Away.

AI imageabyssinian catwhittlingporch

Curl after curl of pale wood peels away from Grandma Ruth's small knife and drops onto the weathered porch table. She works slowly and carefully, glasses low on her nose, the green quilted vest zipped over a gray tee, a tiny smile playing at her lips as a shape begins to emerge from the block in her hands. Saffron is fascinated. He sits right at the table's edge with his nose lowered toward the growing pile of shavings, golden eyes tracking each new curl as it tumbles down. A woven basket of firewood, a potted plant, and a blanket-draped chair fill the porch behind them.

Whittling is a relaxing hobby that keeps the hands nimble and the mind focused, and it has long been a favorite porch pastime. With a pet nearby, a little extra care goes a long way. Sharp knives should never be left within reach of curious paws, and it is wise to put tools away the moment you stop working. Small wood shavings are mostly harmless to sniff, but cats should not chew or swallow them, since splinters can irritate the mouth or stomach. Treated, painted, or varnished wood is best kept away from pets entirely. Sweeping up the shavings afterward keeps the porch tidy and safe.

What is Ruth carving? It might be a little bird, a spoon, or something only she can see yet. Whatever it turns out to be, Saffron has supervised every curl, and he clearly considers himself a co-creator.

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