In the middle of winter a warm day means a chance to open the windows and air out the house. I recently had the chance to do this.  I opened all the windows and started opening windows and removing rugs. I placed a throw rug on the porch rail to air and went inside.
 
All four of my cats were enjoying the spring little weather and acting like kittens. They were running and playing with everything that moved. Like most cats they like to jump up on the rail and watch the birds and squirrels at the feeders. For a few minutes they are the rulers of the jungle
 
The youngest cat, Ellie Mae, is the smallest and most inquisitive. She reacts and jumps impulsively.   She didn’t notice the rug on the rail .She only saw the bird at the feeder in front of her. She jumped on the rail just as a strong gust of wind lifted the rug off the rail. All I saw was a very confused cat with its paws out stretched and crouched low on the airborne rug as it rode the carpet off the rail.  The rug and cat sailed gracefully for several feet and landed gently out into the yard.
 
Several people were outside when this happened. All conversation stopped. Everyone was starring at the cat and rug as it sailed off the porch. I wasn’t the only one who just stood open mouthed and watched Ellie Mae’s short carpet ride.
 
Once the rug hit the ground, Ellie Mae ran into the house with her tail down and her ears laid back. Since this episode she has no interest in going out on the porch. She absolutely wants nothing to do with that particular rug.