Raccoon visited!  My colleague The Tortoise Cat has yet to update her blog and tell of her Raccoon adventure, so I will share my side of the story (that I already tweeted) about a visit from Raccoon on September 13th, a Sunday morning.  Tortoise Cat is a sweet, bold, fierce little kitty, but a reluctant blogger. 

We both savor the fresh, night breezes of summer and we start early and stay late.  As the weather permits I sleep next to the screen door, most nights from June through September.  It is the next best thing to stretching out under the urban light filtered clouds or stars.  Tortoise cat sleeps on a chair nearby or watches for mice and other critters through the screen.

In the wee morning hours Tortoise Cat was fussing to go all the way outside so I let her sit on the steps, attached to her longer backyard string, lying back down but remaining restfully alert, just in case.  Too soon I heard her yowl and jumped up, though I was not too concerned.

As I opened the screen door to peer out, supposing she had tangled her string in the deck chair already, a terrified, medium-sized Raccoon shoved me aside and rushed in!  By the security floodlights shining through the window I stared, thoroughly amazed, at this hefty young fellow who was sitting up on my bedding with paws stretched towards me, mouth opening and closing, with what looked like tears moistening the dark fur mask around his glistening eyes. 

I cannot say how I knew this Raccoon was a male.  Tortoise Cat and I have met the neighborhood Raccoon family and are somewhat aquainted - at a distance.  We catch sight of them often, stealth-ambling past on the way to or from the dumpsters, usually between mid-night and 3AM.  Raccoon mom is huge compared to her two bulky 'teenagers' who I (somehow) take for brother and sister.  The three littler ones who run behind?  I have yet to get any notion of their genders.

"Hey, little guy", I said, "that Tortoise Cat is LOUD but she's tiny.  You're almost 4 times her size, so muster up your courage, young friend, and hurry back outside so your folks won't worry!"

My Raccoon guest appeared to agree and crawled cautiously back into the doorway and peered out, but froze when he saw the Tortoise Cat still blocking the steps.  I called to Tortoise Cat to be courteous and make way for Raccoon's safe passage by, but, as usual she did not comply, and stood (well, actually she sat) her ground and began emitting a low, eerie, rumbling, surround-sound synergy of moan, groan, and growl while her eyes glinted and glared. 

Then Raccoon uttered a trilling screech, crawled onto the railing, jumped down, then scurried gracefully through the bamboo bush and back into into the safety and comfort of shadowy shrubs and darker corners.  His mother and siblings must have been waiting nearby.

I was wide awake and this encounter happened in ordinary reality.  Yet, as Raccoon is a long-term shamanic helper, I know there were messages and gifts in this visit.  I realized how great a privilege this was and I feel highly honored.  One night (or day) soon I will remember a shamanic dream with Raccoon and learn more.