Mrs. Peel, we're needed

Before Trinity wore a catsuit in The Matrix, before Lara Croft raided a tomb, there was Mrs. Peel, of The Avengers. I can remember no other heroine of the small or large screen who inspired me anywhere near as much when I was a young teenager. She rescued her male partner, John Steed, as often as he rescued her. Their relationship was one of mutual respect, delicious flirtation, and absolute equality. Could you find that in Honey West? No. Charlie's Angels? Oh, please!

Shakespearean actress Diana Rigg played the role of Emma Peel with wit, sophistication, and elegant sexuality. Yes, she wore that leather catsuit, but she wasn't spilling out of it. And you may keep your brilliant but humorless Dagny Taggart. Emma was a scientist and a martial arts master, and she liked to laugh.

Today has been an historic day. President Obama announced last night that Osama bin Laden has been killed (while Trump was congratulationg himself for forcing Obama to release his birth certificate, the president was doing something rather more important and bold). I pray that this will be a beginning of bringing our troops home, and of using our resources in more positive ways.

On a much more local level, by which I mean here in this Bronx apartment, a new "Mrs. Peel" arrived earlier this afternoon, wearing the best catsuit ever. She has already cleared the apartment of all evil forces, seen and unseen. Here she is, just waking from a nap.

She'll have some dinner, and practice her ninja moves, and then we'll settle down on the sofa to read Diane Duane's enchanting novel, The Book of Night with Moon , which every young cat should know.

I want to thank the folks who formed the lovely chain of events and hearts that made it sweetly inevitable that this kitten would come home with me. It seems you knew, even before I did, that I was ready to brush fur off my clothes again.  You know who you are, and you know I love you.