COPY

I had to get out my copy of The Synonym Finder book (1978) by J.I. Rodale Rodale Press, Inc.,

 because as I was reading this old thesaurus, and in the different meanings for copy there was: revise, revision, rewrite, rewriting, rescript and I was thinking because that had to do with printing.

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In The Synonym Finder for copy: imitation, reproduction, replica, ectype, transcript, apograph, replication, duplication; duplicate, carbon, facsimile, carbon copy… reproduce, duplicate, replicate, transcribe, rewrite, plagiarize.

  food for thought: Is there anyone you want to copy?

What Are You Staring At?

Dear Mom,

The other day a deer came up pretty close to the window and started munching on the bush. He had been eating some liriope grass that I was hoping he'd continue grazing on because it's out of control. Hubby told the deer, "Hey go eat more of the grass." He didn't listen.

But then the deer noticed Smeagol, who had been staring at him the whole time he was chewing on the bush.

"Hey what are you staring at? Can't a guy eat in peace?"

NaNoWriMo Day 17

Watching my cat eye two squirrels munch on acorns is kind of funny. I wonder if he thinks they are over-sized chipmunks. Those squirrels devour nuts faster than my brother-in-law shovels down his dinner.

Oh yeah... NaNo writing for the day, 2,233. Total word count: 36,736. Can I really babble for another 13,264 words? I'm sure hubby will have to say yes to that one.

Did I mention I shot off an article for submission, thanks to my writing buds.

NaNoWriMo Day 4

Another crazy morning with various interruptions, but I kept at it until I had my minimum goal met (1,950). Word count today: 2,303 bringing my total to 13,183. If I can do math correctly, that leaves 39,120 words to go. I won't be posting or writing the next two days (will be out of town), but I'll see you back here bright and early Monday! Woot! Woot!

Here's what I wish I was doing...

That little stinker has the life.

Catnip Mouse Toys

Dear Mom,

Prior to Christmas when my list was a mile long and I was helping Jessica with her new nonprofit (AlphaWom) fundraiser which was a huge success by the way, I spotted an article in ReadyMade magazine about making a mouse toy filled with catnip for cats. I never think about getting Smeagol something for Christmas but when I saw the article, I decided I would make the little stinker a mouse. And while I was at it, I’d make one for my friend Carole’s two cats Cookie and Amy—and one for Jessica’s cat Kitty. I probably could have made 50 for all the cat lovers I know, but there wasn’t time.

My husband came down while I was sewing. He’s been hearing me whine about all the tings I have to do and how this and that probably won’t get done. “What are you doing?” He had that tone—what is she up to now?

“Making these.” I pointed to the article sitting next to me. I felt like a child getting caught at something.

Of course he rolled this eyes and walked away. As he was leaving I said, “It’s something I really want to do!” I had no idea why I wanted to make cat toys when I hardly had anything else finished on my list—and even scratched some things off the list! But I was happy sewing cat toys.

I took the cat toys over to Cookie and Amy. Much to my surprise they loved them, licked them, cuddled them, tossed them and you could see how happy they were to have them. Cookie and Amy normally stay curled up napping when I’m there. Cookie meanders out and allows me to give her a belly rub. Amy barely wants to be seen but on rare occasions permits me to rub her belly too. But that day I found out they could move!

All the love I put into making the cat toys was absolutely worth it watching how much they loved their catnip mice. There must be something to doing what you want—what’s pulling at your heart to do.

Just look at those little cutie stinkers. Cookie is the mother of Amy. Cookie is in the first picture, Amy in the second. The last picture Amy sits a bit disappointed as Mom took over both toys!

More on Mr. Smeag

Dear Mom,

After my daughter leaves here with her two dogs, I have to go find Mr. Smeagol. He’s a true scaredy-cat and hides under the bed while the dogs are here. The next day he is exhausted from all the anxiety he’s dealt with.

Naturally, I had to snap a few pictures. He’s cutest when he sleeps. I just wish he’d do more sleeping when I’m sleeping rather than pulling my hair to get me up or howling like a wolf. Really he does howl.

I took this picture to capture the shadow of his ear, but if you just look at the sunny part, like you would with one of those hidden pictures in a picture—the button on the bench Smeagol is sleeping on looks like an eye to a fish’s head with its mouth opened like it’s going to get ready to eat Smeagol’s head. I think it’s rather unique—a fish getting ready to nab a cat.

If Smeagol could see this, I wonder whether he’d run like he does when he hears the dogs coming in.

Smeagol Likes to Help

Dear Mom,

The other day I was getting my Bunco gifts together and who has to get in on the action? Smeagol. He’s so cute, I could hardly get upset with him.

He follows me everywhere and wants to help with everything. Not that he really is a lot of help. When I’m reading or writing (with a pen), he’s climbing on my lap, trying to get right on top of the paper or the book. When I’m typing on the computer, he wants to walk on the keyboard. When I’m throwing laundry into the dryer, he likes getting in there.

If my husband is fixing something in the cabinet with the receiver equipment for the television, Smeagol’s right there.

Or when I'm in the kitchen.

Smeagol plays around in the sink when he follows us into the bathroom.

If he were quiet (like most cats) it wouldn’t be so bad. No matter where he goes or what he’s doing, he meows, meows, meows. I recognize his “I’m hungry meow.” Or his “Let me out on the back screened porch meow.” (Although that is usually followed with him running ahead of me so I will follow.) Most of the meows must be his begging for attention. Right now he is rubbing his face into mine—his way of kissing me—that beats when he bites me on the ankle for attention.

And like all of us who have pets, well… you just can’t help loving them no matter what they do.