This story might be a miniature version of a braided essay, there being at least three major strands to it.

First, let us establish what I mean by Bobcat. I refer not to the 30-odd pound wild feline, but instead to the small-by-comparison piece of heavy equipment. Like this guy, which picture I found on eBay:

Second, let’s establish the backstory.

In the late 1980’s my husband and I worked summers at a landscaper/tree nursery in Anchorage, Alaska. Scott worked on the hydro seeder, and I spent my days pruning, watering, and repotting plants. And driving a Bobcat, similar to the one you see above. Although no pictures of me engaged in this pursuit have come into my purview, I recall that I got pretty good at it. A Bobcat is a type of skid steer, which name references the fact that the operator can turn in an extra-tight circle by dragging the outside wheels.

During these summers I spent some of my down time writing silly poems about my co-workers and bosses. My boss Peggie encouraged me to write them up and illustrate them. We produced a limited-edition chapbook which Peggie cleverly named “Nursery Rhymes.” And not to be outdone, Peggie contributed this little gem:

              Here’s a song about Bobcat Ev,

              And how she made her motor rev.

              Through the nursery she would fly

              Under Peggie’s watchful eye.

              You’d think she had a souped-up Chev!

When I learned a few years ago that Peggie had died, I dug through old pictures until I found this treasure, taken in Anchorage in the summer of 1987. It shows you that, besides appreciating my technical skills, Peggie also liked my puppy-tails. I of course would have called this particular hairdo “ponytails,” but whatever, Peggie was Peggie, and puppy-tails they were.

Third, let us introduce my son Brooks, who has in his young life heard the above story a time or two, and who has recently entered the world of heavy-equipment operators. He is currently on the job in Ketchikan, Alaska. I texted him recently to ask him how his week was going, and he responded with just two words:

“Bobcat Brooks.”

So that’s my cue.

              Here’s a song about Bobcat Brooks;

              He’s got the style, he’s got the looks.

              Through the streets of Ketchikan,

              He’s always there to lend a hand,

              Repairing the roads by hook or by crook!

And the beat goes on.