Snakes Alive!

Well, he is so far.

I found this little guy (girl?) today while working on the yard. Normally I would have just picked him up to look and then sent him on his way. Except this one had an injury (bite wound or abscess) and since we were expecting bad weather tonight I brought him inside. I'll take him to my reptile-crazed friend at work tomorrow and see if she can fix him up until he's ready to go back into the wild. He's a little camera shy (it took about 15 shots to get a half decent one of him), but he's really sweet. He's probably confused, it's almost January and we've had 67-75 degree weather here in Memphis. Unusual, but not rare, we've learned to live with hot spells in the middle of January and snow in May on occasion. I do love the mild winters though!

PETA = Hypocrisy

I always knew PETA was a radical, my-way-or-the-highway type of organization, but I had no idea of the hypocrisy. I guess pretending to have morals in order to gather $$$$$$$ is more important than the ETA in their name. I thought nothing else could shock me when it comes to cruelty. Check out the banner on the right.

Too Funny!

I think this must be one of Libby's littermates. LOL! This is sooooooo her thought process.

Is There a Cure for This?

Well, I don't really have writer's block, I just thought this LOL cat was adorable. Actually I have tons of ideas rebounding inside my thick skull, which is probably the problem. I have no idea which one I should isolate and try to make into something half-way readable. My real problem is that I have scraps of paper every freakin' where with story notes and almost full chapters written out that I can never seem to remember which notebook or drawer I stuck them in. I know, organization is my friend. I've found some notes and I'm getting ready to retype/edit them into a computer file so I won't have to worry about finding them again. I think tomorrow will be a good day for reorganizing my writing folders so at least I can find what I'm looking for. Sheesh. Sounds like another excuse NOT to write, eh? Wish I could blame my scatterbrainness (new word!) on the holidays or being blonde or something, but I'm guessing it's old age creeping up on me. Oh, wait, I've been this way since I was 15 so that's out too. Hmmm, maybe I should start a telethon for the incurably ditzy...now where did I put my notebook?

New Animal-Related Blog

So I decided that I would start another blog. This one would be all animal, all the time! LOL! Actually it would be mostly for my cat adoptions/sanctuary, Rowdy's Rescues, but also for tips, advice, rants (sometimes), neat or informative articles and websites that I come across dealing with all types of animals.

I've been doing cat rescue for almost 20 years - I started as a mere babe though (wink). I want a place to share things I've learned about animals and maybe help others interested in rescue or just taking care of their own pet. I also hope I can learn a little bit too. It's called Rowdy Tales and I'll post the link here soon.

Oh, and the handsome namesake above is my first bonafided rescue and the love of my life. I had him almost 19 years and he's the reason I started taking in strays and the reason I still do.

Operation Christmas Child

A co-worker's son's school was gathering shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and I fixed one up for him to take. This is a great way to spread a little Christmas cheer without going into debt!

It sure was fun to gather up all the items, but it was a challenge to squeeze all the little treasures into that little shoebox! I'll probably do it again next year too. I meant to post this before the deadline, but just now got the pics downloaded.


The finished box - I still can't believe I got everything packed in there. LOL!

Love These!

Love not only the cute kitty, but they're so true it's hysterical.

Rants and Rescue

Been a while since I posted, just keeping busy at work and home, and even taking a little time indulging in my favorite pasttime of being a lazy slug. I know, bad me. Have been getting some things done though, went to visit my mom last weekend, been fixing up the cat house (snicker) for the coming cold weather, redecorating my office, talking to long-distance friends on the phone, etc. I've promised myself I'll write some tonight, maybe even finish a long ago started story that just won't end. LOL!



I recently found a really cool rescue in my state (although a few hundred miles away) called A Place to Bark (see blog link at right). It's inspired me to get things in order so I can start my rescue efforts again full force. I still have cats for adoption, but I haven't fostered kittens in over a year and I miss that. I've probably placed or helped place over 100 cats/kittens in the last few years and while I love doing it, it does take its toll on not only my time, but on my emotional resources as well. It's mentally and physically draining when I already have my own house cats and an outdoor sanctuary with 24 cats either for adoption or in permanent residence because they're not adoptable. I still plan to file for my tax exemption status as soon as I can find someone to help with the paperwork (I'm totally lost when it comes to red tape!)

This time I want to focus on spay/neuter and PREVENTING all the puppies and kittens instead of trying to plug up the Titanic with a wad of Juicy Fruit, IYKWIM. I want to call all the 'free to good home' ads and be able to take their kittens/puppies to place on the condition that the momma gets spayed. It amazes me that in this day and time that people are still ignorant to the importance of fixing their pets. And since I work in a vet's office in Tennessee I sometimes see good-ole boys who inform us with a hauty voice that "No, I never neuter my dogs." Somebody call the village cuz they're missing another idiot.

Now, I have to stay calm despite what I'm screaming inside my head because calling them ignorant twits doesn't do any good, despite how wonderful it might make me feel. Not only for the sake of my job, but for the sake of the animal in this moron's hands. I'm sweet as pie and ask if they plan to breed him, if yes then I ask if he has homes for them already. Eventually I mention that there are tons of (insert Chow, Pitbull, Lab, etc.) at the local pound that he might like to foster and find good homes for too if he's that successful at placing them. If they say they aren't going to breed Buster, then I laugh and say something to the effect of 'wow, that must be frustrating for Buster, I take it he barks a LOT.'

The excuses are also frightening: 'it's not natural' (and killing thousands of unwanted animals a day is???); 'I don't want to deny them the joy of parenting' (are you seriously kidding me??? They don't care, honestly, they don't. And if you still want to believe it, then how do you rationalize taking away their babies at 8 weeks?); 'I wouldn't want anyone doing that (neutering) to me!'(Again, he doesn't care, and the dog/cat's nuts are not linked to yours. Empathy is fine, but in this case it's just stupid to equate your pet's testicles to your manhood); and my favorite, 'he/she is a purebred' (So? Try taking a look in the shelters and count the purebreds. It'll make your head spin how many people get a puppy and abandon it before it's a year old).


It also amazes me how many people swear they keep their intact animals inside, but correct me if I'm wrong, but the overpopulation problem isn't coming from the s/n pets. Seriously, I do try to get my point across without sounding condesending or judgemental. Sometimes that's all it takes for people to stop and think and every now and then the light bulb goes off and they finally get it.

Whew! Sorry, rant over for now. Now I definitely feel better. LOL! Oh, and the pics are some of the fosters that have come through my rescue. Adorable!

Thank You America!!!!!!!!!

You have made me proud! Hot damn!

Waiting on History

I'm sitting here on the edge of my seat, happily muching on chocolate tootsie pops, trying not to get too excited. It's looking good right now, but I'm not allowing myself to get giddy just yet. I suspect another 'hanging chad' type of snafu up the 'pubs sleeves since things don't seem to be going their way. I know, cynical much? LOL!

A friend sent me a cool article that sums up why I feel the way I do about the conservative far right. And from the people I know who are die-hardwon'tvoteforanyonebutarepublican, this fits them pretty darn well. http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20081031.html

Better Mood

Not much time to blog, but things are much better since the last post. Thought I'd share a pic of another one of my crazy feline boys. This is Rockey (Sammy of a few posts back's brother) who is such a clown it's hard to be in a bad mood around him.


He is a remote control freak! You have to hide these things because he will not leave them alone. Just like a man.



'Empty space, must fill it' is Rockey's motto.

Pass the Ammo...

Ok, it's been a bad day, well, mostly hectic day combined with not getting to go to lunch until 2:00 (being hungry really makes me cranky) and PMSing and being the only one in my area when the flood gates won't stop the oncoming waves. And it was rainy and cold to boot. So, you get the jest of my mood. (Note the squirrel. LOL)

I finally get on the computer tonight to chill out and what do I find in my email? Yet another of what seems to be a daily occurrence of political chain letters designed to scare, anger or inspire America's ignorant sheep to forgo the issues and support one candidate over the other due to rumor or out and out lies. And this isn't spam people, these emails are from folks I KNOW. Now I'm pretty darn sure everyone can guess that the current administrator and his band of evil doers aren't my favorite people. And the thought of another four to eight years of the same crap is what keeps me up at night.

That is why these stupid emails piss me off so much. Do people believe this stuff without checking it out at all? I'm guessing that's what they're designed to do, to make people gasp and declare that they must be voting the "right" way since "the other guy" is such a (insert the most scary, reprehensible, unpatriotic tripe). You people ever heard of fact-checking something before you distribute it to "as many people as you can!"? Snopes is an easy and reliable source if you'd just take two minutes and check. But I guess the truth doesn't really matter when the main point is to win at all costs.

And yes, I'm talking about my far right friends and their friends. I'm sure there are the same types of emails sent by whackos on the left too, but I have yet to receive any of those. Guess my fellow believers either don't have the time or the inclination to send this kind of garbage. Which leads me to the funny thing about this, they're not sending it to me as a "bleeding heart liberal" (which is hysterical too considering I'm merely a left-leaning moderate). No, I think that up until recently I've disguised my true political leanings and so they're sending it to me thinking I'm one of 'them'. (shudder) They're not trying to change minds, just solidify their rationale, to prove to themselves that they're the only ones who are "right". At least I hope so.

So tonight they caught me in just the right frame of mind. G

I replied to my friend (former now probably if he gets his panties in a wad) and cc'd the rest of the 50 or so twits who are constantly the original forwarders or forwardees that he gets his news from and keyed them in on a little secret. It's called the truth and I'm sure it'll be a shock to their delicate and tiny brains. Even though I doubt it'll do a damn thing to their black and white tunnel vision, it sure made me feel better.

And How Was Your Day?

Dogs, dogs and more dogs!

Wow, it's been a while, or so it seems. I've just been too damn tired to even get on the computer much less write something. I went to the St. Jude Showcase of Dogs yesterday and had a great time. It's a three day event with flyball competitions, obedience, earthdog and police dog demonstrations and dogs and their people everywhere! You'd think that I'd be sick to death of dogs since I work with them all day and then come home to my own pack. I must really be an animal person (or just legally insane). I always run into friends either at the booths or bringing their own pooches for a day out. I was prepared, camera in hand ready to get pics of all the great dogs, but alas, I only got one pic before the batteries in my camera died.



Oh, well, I'll improvise with random pics just to make things interesting. LOL! Anyway, I do have connections with this Dachshund Rescue after finding a poor old red girl wandering in the middle of the street. It was one of those divine guidance things where I was looking for a certain house and got myself turned around and went the wrong way and saw this pup staggering around in front of my car. No way I could leave her there (it was pretty cold and dachshunds aren't a hardy, cold-weather breed by any means). Since I already have a house full of critters there was no way this fragile girl would make it around here without getting stepped on 20 times a day by my well-meaning canine oafs, I contacted this rescue. Since 'Isabelle' was fairly old and had some health issues, they sent her to a permanent "foster" home where she will live out the rest of her life. They're really a great group, so if you're in the market for a dachshund, they had several cuties for adoption (that I tried to get pics of!)

Instead, you'll have to settle for pics of one of my dogs and his new friend. Mine is the fat little border collie mix, his friend is a co-worker's dog.

More on the St. Jude showcase later.

Death of a Legend

A great man and a great actor. I'm hankering to see Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, Butch and Sundance, Cool Hand Luke and The Sting now in his honor. This is the way I'll always want to remember him.

It's Friday!!!

A face only a mother could love? Nah, I think he's pretty cute and such a sweet soul. There's an advantage to working at a vet's office when you're an animal nut like me. And we get all kinds of creatures that aren't the typical dogs and cats, like this fella. Actually he belongs to one of my co-workers who is a snake/reptile/etc. nut (that's her below with him hitching a ride).

Fall Blooms

Finally my angel trumpet is starting to bloom! It's been so dry the last couple of summers that the poor thing barely puts out a couple of flowers at a time. Hopefully it'll grow like it's supposed to next summer and I can show you how gorgeous it can really be.

Republican Hypocrisy - Duh!

Surviving the Blahs

Been feeling kinda wrung out lately, got a case of the blahs and I'm super tired. Not sure what the cause is, or if there is one really, just life slamming me hard against the pavement...again. Anyway, I go online to post something and I find the blog of note and it's a literary agent's blog, (a pretty cute LA at that). So I'm reading over his blog and getting more excited about writing and getting published and he's got this whole list of great articles and tips and I'm hoping karma has intervened at the right moment, as she often tends to do, and sent me a sign of hope. I know, melodramatic much? LOL

I've got a three day weekend coming up and plan to immerse myself in his teachings and hopefully not get too overwhelmed or tired and actually do something with the info that is useful.

RIP Patrick

I'll miss you big boy!

My Boys

Finally got a decent digital camera so I've been taking pics trying to figure it all out. Still got to experiment, but this is the best I could do before reading instructions.

This is Scotty, my youngest at almost 3. He is adorably cute and loves to cuddle when he's sleepy; otherwise he's busy terrorizing, uh, playing with the other kids and flying through the house at warp speed leaving a trail of hissing and screaming in his wake. He also likes to hiss and growl for no apparent reason, but it's all bluff. His alias is "Angel Boy". Note the tuft of fur in his right claw from some seemingly innocent victim. LOL

This is Samson, aka Sammy. He's a real momma's boy and if he wants your attention or any sandwich you happen to be holding, he is not above reaching out with his body-builder paw and taking it by force. He is a pest extraordinaire and is known for talking. Not just meows, but he actually says my sister's name (Carolyn) even though he's calling me (when I have the nerve to walk out of his sight), and has also been heard saying "Help me" when he's in the cat carrier. People have chuckled when I tell them, then become believers when they actually hear (and see) him enunciate the words. I believe "creeped out" has been the main comment. Doesn't bother me as long as he doesn't start nagging.

This is my first Angel Boy, Chance. His name should have been Lazarous cuz he was dead when my SO found him as a six-week old baby. SO thought he was dead when he found him in a sleet storm, lying frozen in a puddle of water December 2001 at his dad's farm. He took him inside, planning to bury him later and after a few minutes in the warm house he felt him barely move. So two hours later when he came home with this tiny bundle in his shirt, Chance was wide awake and acting like a normal kitten. He had severely frostbitten back feet that when they healed were a good inch or two shorter than they should be, but otherwise he is hearty and totally adorable. I would say normal, but none of my critters are normal. He also talks, and talks, and talks, but his words are all kitty language, no human words like Sam. At least not yet.

I'm Just Sayin'...

Ok, so I've been told the link I provided is dead, so I'll just reprint the article instead. Now maybe my comments might make sense. LOL!

"Republican officials said yesterday that they are considering delaying the start of the GOP convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul because of Tropical Storm Gustav."




Is it karma when ‘Voodoo Christians’ pray up the wrong storm?
By The Seminal
(originally published at MWC News

Lord have mercy.

What have we done? That’s what Voodoo Christians must be asking themselves. It’s one thing to pray up a storm. It’s quite another to make God’s dart hit the bulls-eye.
In case you missed it, Focus on the Family’s self-appointed prophet-jester, Stuart Shepard, released a video on or about Aug. 8, urging Christians to pray for “rain of biblical proportions” in order to drown out Barack Obama’s climactic acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

I’m not saying the Lord had other plans.

But as I write this, Tropical Storm Gustav is bearing down on New Orleans, or somewhere close. It could hit Houston or Panama City, Florida. Meanwhile, dozens of counties in that land of hanging chads have been declared disaster areas, thanks to floods which drenched the entire state last week. Seems smiting folks with rain and winds “of biblical proportions” is not an exact, um… science.

Meanwhile…
That hoary old medicine show known as the Republican National Convention is moving toward its rendezvous in the aptly dubbed Twin Cities, where those “twins” of bad policy, George W. Bush and John McCain will spin the truth faster than you can say “Brownie, you’re doin’ a heckuva job.”

Lots of folks are invoking Katrina and Rita, twin ballerinas that spun through New Orleans and Houston, respectively, starting with Katrina almost exactly three years ago as this is written.

Democrats are basking in the afterglow of a stupendous and sunny convention—one that surely set a new standard for conventions to come. Packed stadium, sunshine, good music, Stevie Wonder and people dancing.

Amazing unity is on display among Democrats, with both Clintons, Al Gore, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama, Ted Kennedy and others basking in praise for speeches delivered like manna from heaven.

Or was that red meat they served up? Whatever it was, the media’s feasting on it. Few Democratic stalwarts pulled their punches in Denver. (At last! An answered prayer). Nearly all the speakers lit into the sad and destructive Bush legacy, giving pundits choice phrases to chew on, such as this one from Obama: “You know John McCain likes to say he will follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell, but he won’t even follow him to the cave where he lives.”

As for Shepard, liberal stalwart Keith Olbermann named him the “Worst Person in the World” for his Voodoo Christian video and enough sensible Christians–you know, the kind who follow Jesus’ actual teachings–protested so that the video was taken from the Focus on the Family website. Still, it’s widely available at YouTube.com.

From this distance, it all has the makings of a perfect storm for a Grand Old Party that’s living up to its nickname–at least the middle part.

It’s certainly old.

Even the addition of youthful Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin can’t disguise that. Her stated position against saving polar bears and other critters paints her as a just another dinosaur living off the land in the party of the carbon-filled and species-declining past.

It’s all so crazy that people who believe in Voodoo Christianity–you know, Shepard, Focus on the Family, Pat Robertson and their ilk–must be having serious bouts of cognitive dissonance just now.

Could it be Gustav hit the wrong convention? Could it be God intended to dump on the GOP?

Republican officials and the media are taking Gustav so seriously that the Washington Post, in its Aug. 29 edition reported the following:

“Republican officials said yesterday that they are considering delaying the start of the GOP convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul because of Tropical Storm Gustav, which is on track to hit the Gulf Coast, and possibly New Orleans, as a full-force hurricane early next week.

“The threat is serious enough that White House officials are also debating whether President Bush should cancel his scheduled convention appearance on Monday, the first day of the convention, according to administration officials and others familiar with the discussion.

“For Bush and Republican presidential candidate John McCain, Gustav threatens to provide an untimely reminder of Hurricane Katrina. A new major storm along the Gulf Coast would renew memories of one of the low points of the Bush administration, while pulling public attention away from McCain’s formal coronation as the GOP presidential nominee.”

OK, folks, three quick caveats.

The notion of a storm bearing down on the Gulf Coast this week is funny only if you’re far away. So if you have an urge to pray for something, how about a prayer that nobody drowns due to Gulf storms?

Let’s get real. I don’t believe God stirred up Katrina in order to smite gays, just as he never spun out Rita to smite Texas oil companies, so please eschew Voodoo Christianity. I will never believe the weather is a purveyor of Divine Justice.

As a purveyor of poetic justice, however, it manifestly holds possibilities.

Don Williams a contributing editor at MWC is a widely published columnist, short story writer, and the founding editor and publisher of New Millennium Writings, an annual literary anthology…

Clutter and Critters

Ok, so I was told today that I NEVER update this blog so nah, nah, nah, you're so wrong. I've been busy lately, trying to get rid of stuff in the attic, in the living room, every darn where. It's not like I haven't had a garage sale and unloaded an obscene amount of junk, I mean, valuable possessions I no longer had use for. I swear, I have no idea where all of this crap, uh, treasured items come from. Anyway, gave a bunch of stuff away Sunday so I'm feeling a little lighter already.

Also been dealing with a sick kitty. Poor Patrick isn't doing well and it tears me up everytime I have to deal with one of my gang being sick, especially if the odds are it's not going to turn out well. I've done cat rescue for years and losing one is never easy. With some of the ones I have in my outdoor sanctuary I knew early on that they were FeLV positive and that the day would come when they were too sick to have any kind of quality of life. I lost five cats within a two month span a few years ago (three were leuk. cats, one a rescued sickly kitten, the other a nearly 17 year old I'd had since she was a wee baby). It's always hard. And Patrick is a special boy. He was abandoned at a shelter and nearly grieved himself to death before and for a while after we took him out. He definitely had been someone's pet, he was neutered, declawed and quite a lover boy. We have no idea if his owner died or if he was just a burden that his family refused to deal with anymore, either way he didn't understand any of it. It took a while for him to stop moping and decide life was pretty good around here, with food o'plenty, a sunny enclosure to nap or chase bugs and a few humans to wrap around his not-so little paws. Say a little prayer for my big boy that he has some more time to savor the things he loves.

Getting Things Done - or at Least Started

Been having a computer problem all day but I think I've fixed it. Not sure how, but something along the way must have worked because I can actually get online now! Go me!

Finally painted my office too! No, my work didn't quite look like the picture here, but the amount of splatter on my clothes and the floor were close. Once I get past the procrastination of actually gathering everything needed I really enjoy the process of seeing the new color go up, and even have fun doing the precision work of cutting in. What I do hate is the prep work - the cleaning, the taking down pictures, moving furniture around and especially the covering everything so I don't fling paint everywhere. I'm pretty good about the first three things; (btw, had a good friend once that painted her living room and when I helped her move discovered she'd painted AROUND all the decorations on the wall!) I do make sure I paint every surface, even behind things that won't get seen cuz I'm kinda anal that way. I used to be worse, much, much worse, so I'm doing well for a recovering perfectionist.

I've figured out that there is no such thing as perfection and I'm learning to live with striving for excellence instead. And with an old Midtown house it would be an anomaly to find an entirely straight or smooth wall (I know, I've looked) so it's much more mentally soothing to just embrace the imperfections, call it "character" and get on with my life. I'll post pics of my improved office as soon as I get my new camera and figure out how to use it. But I will admit the paint job isn't too shabby, not too shabby at all. It's a step in the right direction anyway and it's a lot more pleasant to be up there now with the walls a buttery yellow instead of the depressing swamp green (what HAD I been thinking??) Or maybe it's just the lingering paint fumes that have me so giddy.

A Pet's 10 Commandments

A Pet's 10 Commandments

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters. We do not have to wait for Heaven to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!

Foster babies above, and April, one of my brood.

Night of the Living Cicada

Normally I'm not creeped out by bugs (roaches and stingy insects aside) and I've even come to like the alien-looking little cicadas that torment my cats by hanging on the screen door. If I'm outside and the little critter's within reach, I'll grab it (cuz I so love the "screamers") and then let it on its way. This usually entails about 60 seconds of screeching, fluttering, dive-bombing and body-slamming against anything in its path (including me). National Geographic style entertainment for the easily amused city-folk (me again).

So Sunday night I see one stuck on the door and my cats are gathered 'round like they've discovered the Holy Grail. I fight my way through the crowd and outside and grab the little fellow (nope, no screamer, which I'll be thankful for later) and let him loose so the cats can get their jollies watching him go nuts. After he pops me in the head about 5 times I decide I have discovered the rare kamikazee cicada and I'd better seek cover before he took me with him.

After getting successfully inside, teeth brushed, alarm on, I slide onto the cool sheets and flip off the tv. Ah, finally a chance to close my eyes, and...oh, crap! I sit up, brushing away the foreign thing clinging to my hair; a whoosh of wings and leaping cat bodies converge around me and I jumped up, flipped on the light, clawing at my hair to make sure IT wasn't still there. The crazy cicada had made his point. I didn't scream. Honest. Of course, had this particular little insect been the screeching kind you might have been sending flower arrangements and having to think of something nice to say about me.

So, after cracking up laughing at my "near-fatal" encounter, I found the terrified creature (clinging to the edge of my bed) before the cats did and released him back outside. I made sure he was buzzing the porch light before I could rest easy. Apparently the little prankster had been riding in my hair like an E.T. barrette until I plopped my big ole head on top of him (now who's laughing you bug-eyed freak?)

Only me.

Music or No Music?

Trying out the playlist thingy, just have one song cuz I figured any more than that is obnoxious. Time will tell if I leave it up or get annoyed with it myself.

My Favorite Pundit

http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=177958

I love a guy that makes me laugh despite the discouraging subject matter. I know, I've gotten lazy and decided to rely on others to amuse. LOL!

Tiggers are wonderful things

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Rainy Sundays and excuses

Everything's quiet for a change, and the rain is actually taking the edge off the suffocating heat that takes over every summer and doesn't stop until November. I should be upstairs, fixing up my office that I've been piddling at for two months now. I'm hoping that once I get the walls painted and the bookshelves up and my files organized that I'll feel settled enough to start writing again. I have no clue why I procrastinate and find everything else that needs doing (including naps) instead of what I used to call my passion, my burning desire.

I still love writing, playing with words and rhythms, creating characters and plots and letting them show me the way. And truth is once I get going and find myself in "the zone" not much else compares to that inner feeling of accomplishment and fulfilment. Then why don't I do it more often? Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe my mind is too muddled with everyday things that would get neglected if I sat upstairs for three hours (I'm indespensible excuse); maybe I'm too tired to think (most overused excuse); or maybe I'm not sure I'm any good at it and therefore wasting my time (I'm not worthy excuse).

So I'm on a quest to find a way to squash those excuses, make my muse get off her lazy behind and stop taking the Justification Highway to nowhere. I've had this inner desire too long for it to be just another of my "kicks," so I need to stop whining about it and start doing something about it.

Advice is always welcome, or if you just want to give me a swift kick in the backside to get me going, that's ok too. Off to set up the bookcase and get those writing books out of the attic...anyone know a motiviating color to paint the office?

Killer Opossums!

So, not really. I work at a vet's that rehabs wildlife so I got to raise a litter of opossum joeys. This is them after 4-5 weeks in our care (there are 10 of the little critters and they all survived) right before being taken to their new home in the wild. I'll miss you guys! LOL!

In the Beginning

Ok, so I've joined the blogging age. Not sure how this'll work out cuz for years I tried to keep a journal (a grown-up way to say friggin' diary) and it only lasts a week, maybe two. Usually during a break-up or when I was going away to college or some life-altering event like that. This time I think it's just for me to be able to get some of the random crap, uh, thoughts out of my head. Maybe it's cuz I'm getting older and more forgetful and this way I can pretend to have a memory.

Anyway, I realize I'm mainly talking to myself except for the friends I'll invite and the occassional stranger that stumbles onto my ramblings. I figure that if anyone accidentally finds this blog it'll be fate and that maybe something I've gone through or ranted about will help them out. If not, then at least it's a catharsis of some sort for me.