Open to Variety

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

Millie and Willie enjoy the scent of a Verbena candle while reading the Variety section of the newspaper and vying for pet Leo's attention.

Leo was very tired after pulling an all-nighter on Monday night. He was rather vulnerable out in the elements, and slept for two days before he got back his vim and verve.

 

While Millie's true gift is a dog whisperer, she was able to offer comfort to Leo the cat as well.

 

Willie:  Variety is the spice of life, Millie.

 

Millie:  What spice would that be? Salt or crushed red peppers?

 

Willie: Both, all of them. Salt is the constant, like knowing that you're always there, Millie. It's in everything, and if it wasn't there, life would be bland. Sometimes, though, a recipe calls for a little crushed red pepper or cayenne.

 

Millie:  You mean, sometimes you want to add a little heat, like when I filled my mouth with hot tamales and my tongue felt like it was on fire.

 

Willie:  We laughed about it, right?

 

Millie:  Yes (chuckles)

 

Willie:  And, you remember it.

 

Millie:  Of course, it was a silly thing to do.

 

Willie:  Silly ain't a bad thing, Millie. Sometimes, we have to through off old ways of thinking and doing, and add a little spice.

 

Millie:  (smiles) Like taking a leisurely bath in the morning and burning a candle with a new scent, and then go out for coffee in the evening.

 

Willie:  Well, only if it's decaf. Let's not get carried away.

 

Millie:  (taps her big toe on Willie's big toe) How about chocolate cake for breakfast? With ice cream, of course.

 

Willie:  Now, we're talking.

 

*******************

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Do something out of the ordinary, that goes against the social mores you were taught, live it, then write about it!

 

A Long Winter's Nap

Favorite Photo Friday (might be my favorite photo - ever.)

Quote of the Day:
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.from Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore

Leo, the napping cat

All the gifts have been handed out, opened, admired, and the wrappings and trimming have been put away. As we're saying good-bye to the holidays and hello to the New Year, let us all take a few moments to rest, reflect, and enjoy.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What are your reflections on the holidays, the New Year, napping?

Leo the Writing Cat

Quote of the Day:  To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music the words make. - Truman Capote

This is Leo. 

We went to the shelter in search of a new cat.

He chose us with a leap on my lap, an instant purr, and curious blue-green eyes.

On Friday, I went to Turtle Town Books, an independent bookstore in the little town north of my home.  I wanted to get a copy of Abercrombie Trail by local author Candace Simar for my dad for Father's Day.  I had read that one and bought the other two in the series.  It's an excellent historical novel set in Minnesota, 1862, during the early days of the settlers, mostly Scandinavian, and the Sioux uprising.  So well done. Interesting story line.  Well researched.

I walked into the store and saw that they had a book signing by an author from Wisconsin.  I bought three of his books, also to share with my parents.

Several siblings and I, plus a couple nephews, were at the farm for an early Father's Day celebration, and after a delicious noon dinner, I presented my folks with their new books.  Mom saw Stolen Genes, Stolen Children by G.R. Revelle and said she bought his book when she was at Hoestfest in Minot, ND.  She said, "It's a terrible book.  You all need to read it!"  She'd given her copy to my brother Phil, and sent this new one home with my brother Nathan.  Guess I'm fourth in line.  (I'm the fourth of six kids.)

Leo was also curious about these books from a Wisconsin author with Swedish roots.

At one point he licked the books. The first time I had lobster bisque, I told the waitress that it was so good I could lick the bowl.  Guess the same goes for books, just ask Leo.

While Matilda was the piano cat who sat next to each of my students while they came for lessons, Leo sits on top of the piano and enjoys the good vibrations.  He also sits on my lap when I try to type.  I haven't quite figured out how to work around that big, fluffy tail.

Go. Create. Inspire!

And, sink your teeth into a tasty book!

Journaling Prompt:  Write about a time when you had a chance encounter or a surprising discovery.

New Guy in my Life

Quote of the Day:  FOG by Carl Sandburg



THE fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

That's just how Leo glided into our hearts.  I told the boys, "We're just going to look at HART" to see what cats they have at the shelter, and that "We probably won't find just the right one the first time we go."  So, we walked into the cat room.  I sat down on a chair, thinking, I'll let the boys look at the cats.  Then, this big, fluffy furball climbed on my lap, snuggled down and started purring.  He loved it when I pet him.  Then, Zach sat down to hold him, and he fell asleep on his lap.  They were closing, so I said we'd go home and "sleep on it."

Saturday morning, I was trying to distract myself from thinking about that white, fluffy cat at the animal rescue shelter, by reading blogs.  Inkygirl posted this link, and it was all over. It's photos of writers and their kitties.

So, I called the shelter, and we went to get him.  I told Zach to try brushing him, because with a coat like that, he'd better like being brushed.  He loved it.  I filled out the paperwork, paid the fee, and brought the pet porter into the room.  I set it on the floor and opened the door. Zach set Leo down and he walked right into the porter.  We were all shocked.  The worker said, "I've never seen a cat so willing to go in one of those.  He must really want you to take him home."  Yep, I feel like Leo picked us.

He's about a year and a half, is declawed and fixed, well cared for, and had to leave his family due to allergies.  You can tell he's been snuggled and played with, brushed and loved.

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever gotten a pet from a shelter, or rescued one?