FROM ARIZONA TO TEXAS

Judy has so much to do sightseeing, driving and all that she assigned the media task to me. If I remember correctly Judy left you in anticipation of visiting, Bisbee, Tombstone and Boothill. If I were to report the days' events from my point of view, it would only be I pondered the universe and its  relationship to me for hours in cat meditation until Judy returned from a full day of sightseeing.

Judy and Vicki arrived at Bisbee early and checked out the town.
 

She marveled at the architecture and visited with shop owners who recommended a great Mexican restaurant called Santiago’s for lunch which had great Chicken Mole.

*

 When she returned home I batted around a catnip toy, the result of her morning shopping. It was a nice bit of recreation to work out the kinks of the day’s heavy meditation.

Judy raved about Tombstone with its friendly residents and shop owners who charmed her with historical stories. Although we’ve toured “the town too tough to die” before, Judy never visited the “World’s Largest Rose Bush Tree,” sent from Scotland and planted in the spring of 1885 by the Macias family. The unbelievable pictures made my paws itch to climb through its myriad of branches.

 The adobe inn encompassing the patio where the Lady Banksia Rose Tree thrives was one of the first structures built in Tombstone. In 1935 the Macias family changed the name of the adobe structure from the Arcade to The Rose Tree Inn and has continually tended the rose bush for four generations. Every author who has visited Tombstone has found his or her way to the inn, not only for the fine accommodations, but to seek out Mrs. Macia’s vast knowledge of the area’s history.

That night we packed up for a day of traveling in the southwestern sunshine. Deming was our next stop at an SKP (Escapee) Park, Rovers Roost in Casa Grande, Arizona. The first night was free if we boondocked so Judy counted on me to keep her warm if the night turned too chilly. Vicki had a friend in the park who took us to dinner and in the morning we headed for Deming, New Mexico.

The Dream Catcher in Deming New Mexico was another SKP campground.

*

Judy related the time she passed through eight years ago on her initial trip to Florida. Recently widowed, she recalled their friendliness with an invitation to the potluck that night. Even though she was not an Escapee member at the time she was touched by their kindness.

Evidently it was just their way, because when she checked in this time, they offered free turkey soup, bread, and carrot cake. She returned to me that night with a contented smile from good food and good folks. She reminded me how traveling always introduced you to the nicest folks. She met a fellow at the dinner whom she met in Yuma in March. He was what we RVers call a snowbird, headed for San Diego to escape Michigan’s winter. The campground hosts talked of the rock hounding and loved the area so much they bought land in Deming. Judy says Rving is a great way to discover where you want to settle down when you retire. As a cat I have been retired all my life, that is why I don’t mind filling in like this for Judy when her schedule is too tight.

*

 

Bidding the friendly folk at the Dream Catcher goodbye we traveled our preferred two hundred miles and then began to search for a place to curl up for the night. After searching for a campground Judy discovered many had gone out of business, like the poor truck stop above, we finally pulled into The Mountain RV Park in Van Horn, Texas. *

 The new owners of the park Sharon, Sue and their timid dog Shila were accommodating and eager to make their new adventure during their retirement years a success.

After another beautiful sunset, morning found Tika and me discussing our route.

Tika informed me that she and Vicki wanted to stop at an SKP park in Pecos which would cause them to veer sixty miles from our planned route. I told her Judy and I decided to stay on schedule and we could meet up in Hondo Texas.

I sat for awhile reviewing our adventures and wondered what was in store next.

Check out our books, COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST and our newest, GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST on Amazon. The best gift for the holidays or a birthday http://www.amazon.com/JUDY-HOWARD/e/B005H1KXYU/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0is a book.
 

A BEST SELLER IS NOW LIVE ON kINDLE!

I am in Tombstone, Az. I will blog later but just had to all you bloggers that GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST  is now live on Kindle an don it way to the best seller list! Check it out! I'll blog more tonight... gotta visit the "town to tough to die."

CATS ARE BETTER THAN DOGS

Scientific facts that prove Cats are Beter Than Dogs.
http://youtu.be/TyXJ1sAQtaY

MAKING FRIENDS

 

Happy Halloween. I am sporting my new outfit and it’s a hit.

 

 

I don’t do the trick or treating thing but I am always up for attention. In fact I fancy my expertise in training the staff at the grooming shop to   jump to my meow with treats, hugs and kisses. And they do, even though sometimes I scoff at the kibble they sprinkle and always resist the affections they offer. I am proud and confident that they are here to serve me and life is good.

I am always open for learning new things. When I mentioned to Judy that I was anxious to meet my friend Tika’s new companions, Birdy and Tweety Bird,

 

 

she warned me that I couldn’t just pounce on them, that they are quite flighty. So I put out the word to my peeps on how to handle the meeting. And one of my loyal followers sent me these step by step instructions.

Step One: Introduce yourself.

Step Two: Shake hands.

Step Three: Give a hug.

Step Four: Give out compliments and high fives.

Step Five: Enjoy your new friend's company.

Step Six: Rest assured, following these steps, you now have a friend for forever.

 

 

 

           

FREE E-BOOK? WHAT'S THE CATCH?

Wow! You guys gave it your best shot out there in Kindle world. THANKS SO MUCH. Here’s a high five to you all. We made it so close to Number One Ranking that I wanted to tell you all you did it. But Judy says lies can come around and yank you by your tail, so here is how close we got. So close to number one by whiskers twitched. Out of one million books – Got it? – Out of ONE MILLION E BOOKS. Our book, COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST ranked 354. See what I mean? It was like NUMBER ONE! So here’s my High Five to each and every one of you. Purrs and Meows all around.

Of course you know there is no such thing as a FREE E-BOOK. Now that I’ve rubbed up to you and rolled on my back and showed my cute belly to you. Don’t you think you should do something nice for me? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not asking for your pet’s prize toy, or a case of Fancy Feast.  Judy told me to give you my cutest and bestest pose, because now we want you to write a review of COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST.  It is so simple to do if you’ve never done one before. There are over 500 of you out there. That’s right OVER 500 responded to our promotion! So come on! Tell everyone what you think. Even a one line like, “WOW! GREAT BOOK!”

HERE’S THE LINK:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GRE602

1. Find the five golden stars and click on the “customer reviews.

2. Then there will be a button that says “Create your own Review.”

It is as simple as that. Come on! I could do it and I have no thumbs!

HERE'S THE LINK AGAIN.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GRE602

THIS IS A BIG OFFER!

My friend, Stud, agreed to pose for our promotion this week. He is such a jokester!!

Judy and I just want you to be aware and tell everyone of our HUGE OFFER!

COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST  IS FREE!!

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

 

Judy and I want to give you this opportunity to read our first book before GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST  is released.

We know if you read COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST you will be hooked and  will be waiting anxiously like I do for my catnip treat when  GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST hits the book stores in 21 days.

 

We are proud to announce that the sales of  COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST  has maintained its ranking in the Top 10% of e-books in it genre throughout the year.  Please help us to push it the last  lap to # 1. 

This FREE OFFER  is only  for 5 days.

 

 

Rabbit Hash, Casa Grande, and Bisbee

I told Judy I want to visit Rabbit Hash, Kentucky.http://www.rabbithash.com/ A friend of mine claims the town has a general store that has been in operation since 1831 and that a dog is mayor. I don't know what kind of dog it is but I could run against him, hand out catnip  and win with a landslide of litter. The town is on the Ohio River and has been a trading center for the farmers in Kentucky and Indiana.
I  prowl the Internet at night while Judy sleeps but sometimes I get so excited from a discovery my tail twitches and I pounce onto her bed hoping to wake her so she'll come look.

I heard Judy talking to her friend Vickie in Florida today. They chattered on about how it was going to be so nice to see each other again. It worried me because Vickie was telling my mom about someone she knew who was riding her horse across country to raise money for cancer. She said the woman was just taking her time and it had been months since the woman had slept indoors.

http://www.plaintalk.net/cms/news/story-632076.html

 

 

  Judy thought that would really be an adventure. I just don't think I could do that. I still have nightmares from those huge animals in Tombstone, AZ. that pulled the stagecoach past our campsite.

But I don't think I have to worry. Every night in the motor home Judy snuggles  in bed with me and whispers  how great it is.. I don't think she's ready to rough it like the woman Vickie talked about.

I found this place on the Internet  that looks like it's right up my scratching post. It is called Casa Grande near Tucson, AZ.  If it isn't made out of sand I'll eat my cowboy hat. ( You haven't seen my calfskin cowboy hat, no? I'm saving it to wear when we stop in San Antonio, Texas.) 

About ninety miles south of Tucson is an old mining town called Bisbee. I don't know what is there for me to do but Judy will love the history and shopping. I'm sure I'll be tuckered out after digging around Casa Grande.

So I have researched Arizona and realize we could spend months touring  Tombstone, Fort Hauchuca, Kartchner Caverns, and Cochise country. My paws are itching to move on Next week I will concentrate on Las Cruces, New Mexico and begin to explore Texas. Any of you cats out there in cyber land have any suggestions?

CAN YOU GUESS OUR SECRET?

 

Remember last week I was afraid to talk to Judy? Well, I told Judy my secret. She promised not to tell and I swore I would not reveal her reaction. But I am so excited. I saw her looking at the maps yesterday. I pounced on her finger as it traced a line along Interstate 10. I know what that means! But I can’t tell because it’s a secret.

We spent some time in the motor home last night after it cooled off. I jumped up in each cupboard and pointed out the inventory. We need laundry soap and quarters, more chemicals for the holding tanks, and paper goods, like plates, bowls and towels. Judy made a list as I rolled around on the microfiber throw rugs that are so soft. I am purring and pacing. I am not sure when what I can’t talk about will happen, but she promised it will.

It has been so hot this summer all I can think about is last summer in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Colorado. Oh how I miss those cool days. I have been complaining about the heat here in southern California to my friends I’ve met in my travels throughout the south. Maybe I should be more grateful for my air-conditioned crib when I look at the pictures they send.

This is Ricky from Quartsite, Arizona. Boy I know how hot it can get there in the summer.

Chipper begged to come for a visit  because  Lajitas, Texas is unbearable.

I had met Tiger at a campground near Carlsbad, New Mexico. She worked the reception desk of the campground. We shared alot of stories about customers and working with the public.

I met Bucko the Bulldog at a rest stop off I-10 in Mississippi once. I remember how great the weather had been but it was November. He wanted to show me that August was not for sissies.

I am purring a sigh of contentment just knowing what my future has in store. Meanwhile I'll finish out these hot days dreaming of adventures to come. I promised Ricky, Chipper, Tiger and Bucko we will meet again.

A PERMANTENT VACATION?

I haven’t told anyone what’s bothering me, but today I decided to lay it all out in the sand. And then when it’s spread smoothly and exposed, I’ll cover it up. It will be gone - my secret that I have been holding in. I’ve told no one, not even Judy.

I’m afraid to tell, especially her. What if she doesn’t understand? What if she gets mad? What if she throws me out, or even worse, what if she finds me a new home? I'd rather live on the streets, like I did when I was a kitten than pretend to love someone else.

Judy has expectations of me that, up until now I have been happy, no, honored and proud to fulfill. Posing as the receptionist at the grooming shop wasn’t even a job. I reveled in making the customers smile, the golden retriever in the cage bark in excitement, and soothing Judy’s harried nerves when her schedule became hectic. The business has been my life. Summer mornings meant a leisurely ride to work in the golf cart, watching cars roar by as I sniffed the cool California air. And evenings at home we fell asleep together in the chair, exhausted from the day’s work. Judy would say, “Another day another dog,” then we would pad off to bed. I would curl up on the covers at the foot, on top in summer, under in winter.

So my secret? What am I hiding? Life has changed. I have changed. I want more. If Judy isn’t grooming, she is always at her desk. I lie nearby watching the mouse, wishing there was more, - wishing for the desert flora of Arizona, Mississippi mud to roll in, and mice in Maine in the spring.

This is my friend, Snowball, who lives with an author. The author,like most, has a day job too.Snowball warned me that this is what will become of me if I don't confront Judy and insist she slow down the pace and take a long, extended vacation. After seeing my friend, I am worried.

Judy is stressed by the fast pace of our lives. If she isn’t writing her next chapter, she is blogging about her next book signing, planning a new seminar, or researching for her next book. She spends little time in her recliner and less time in bed.

 

 

Yes my life has changed. I have itchy paws. Judy calls  it“itchy wheels” – the urge to travel. Before life became complicated with books and publishing and marketing, I eagerly filled Judy’s expectations of me as navigator on our trips across the country. Packed with adventure, my role challenged my cat tendencies to sleep all day. I became the big Tom, who roamed farther than any of my ancestors ever conceived. The part I played satisfied and nurtured my wild side.



 

I’m telling her my secret desire tomorrow. I want a vacation. No dog grooming. No book writing. Just the two of us. We need those special moments, listening to the crickets chirp and the woodpecker’s tap-tap. We need to hear the Rio Grande’s gurgle and see the full moon’s reflection on its waters. I want to meet the cats that hang out on the pier in Nova Scotia and prowl the Everglades.



I want a permanent vacation.

PICTURES OF SERENITY

Jojoba Hills SKP RV Resort. The beauty calms the soul and quiets the mind. I never tire of this place. Hiking trails, swimming in the pool, two hot tubs, sauna, shooting range, library, potlucks, barbques, and an ice cream social. We had it all this weekend. I watched the quail parade past our door and the lizards  bask on the rocks. I had time to contemplate my tail and dream of far off places.

 

 

I wondered about life and what was to come. Would it be tuna or salmon tonight?

I never pondered more than a few hours at a time, because, really, that is all any of us have. I point that out to Judy and entice her to look out the window, see what I see. 

The sound of the water  was as  musical as a waltz while the thunder and lightning the first day was exciting as stimulating as war drums.

 

 

 Judy told me about Jimmy Ortega and his "Listen Up Band."  They played easy listening music while she dined with fellow Escapee members at the pot luck on Friday night.If you need a band for your event, Judy got their email teleguitarman@peoplepc.com .
 .

 

The evenings were picturesque every night, the nights were flourecent from the full moon.

 

 

 

 

Exploring the campsite and lying in wait for the quail was one of my favorite things to do, but when Judy said, "We have to go home tomorrow.".......




 

NO!!!



 





VANITY AND VETERANS

What do you think about me now? I know how to give the right look, the right purr and the paparazzi go crazy over me. I know it is the younger, cute kitten side, but hey, if it sells books?

You can read the entire article on Judy's Blog.

Judy and I are in limbo. The manuscript has been sent off to the publishers at Createspace. They are editing the manuscript, designing the cover, and creating promotional text for GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST. The projection for publication is the end of October.

 INVISIBLE HEROES, book number three, involves a lot of interviews with veterans, dog trainers, as well as inmates who are also involved in the training of service dogs. If we get enough press about the book I might get lucky enough to meet Tuesday, Luis Carlos Montalvan’s service dog. Judy read Luis’s book, UNTIL TUESDAY, to me. It moved me and educated me and I am excited that Judy has become involved. As our men return from Iraq, more and more veterans are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Check out Luis’ book at www.luiscarlosmontalvan.com You will not be sorry.

 

And if the opportunity to touch paws with Tuesday doesn’t manifest itself, perhaps I will rub fur with Dean Koontz’s golden retriever, Trixie, whom he acquired from Canine Companions for Independence. http://www.cci.org who have a local chapter in Oceanside, Ca.

Koontz’s book, A BIG LITTLE LIFE, is also an eye opener about service dogs. You can find Dean’s book at www.deankoontz.com ) who knows? Anything’s possible.

 

For now I lounge around a lot enjoying the lull. I sneak on the computer and prowl the Internet when Judy sleeps. She is so involved, I feel compelled to begin research for our trip to Florida in November. She freaks if I lay a paw on the keyboard, so I wait until the early morning hours.

 

During my research I began corresponding with Krishna the Cat. This poor cat from India has inherited a large sum of money but needs an American bank account number before he can get the money he needs so desperately. He says he’s been forced to sleep with fleas, and hide in alleys to avoid animal control. It sounds like he has a really miserable life. He sent this picture. He is on his last leg and if I don't help....well you can see he's in bad shape. He says he just can't go on.

 

 Stories like this make me glad I’m an American cat. I am thankful for the American soldiers who have given everything just for me to have the privilege to beg for treats, sleep in air conditioning, and be able to plan an consider an extended adventure sniffing and chasing bugs and birds all across this great country. God Bless our veterans.  I only hope the vision we have for our book INVISIBLE HEROES will become all we hope it to be.

 

We sent the manuscript off to the publisher today. I know I don't look excited , but inside I am. Now maybe we can have some fun. I heard Judy make reservations for camping, so I am even more excited. But first a nap.

I dreamed about my friend Tika. Her e-mails describe her adventures in Oregon and Washington where the air is cool but she rarely sees the sun. There is always the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, so as jealous as I am of Tika's adventures I know my time will come to experience the Oregon coastline and the forests of Washington.I heard Judy tell Tika's mom, "Next summer for sure. Well be there."

The real reason I want to visit with my friend is she told me about the new additions to their traveling entourage. 

Tweety Bird and Birdy Bird., a canary and a cockatiel. 

Boy! I can't wait to travel with them. I wonder if they like cats, because I like birds. I can  never get up close to them. They fly off. But Tika assures me they are right there, inside her motor home. "Mom doesn't let me chase them, but I can reach out and put my nose up to their house. Really! And you can too, Sportster. When you get here, you can come in and see them."

I can't wait to meet Birdy Bird and Tweety Bird. But for now I just have to wait while mom gets all the details taken care of with the publisher. We have to decide on the color of the paper in the book, the Font, and the cover. Oh I can't wait to see the cover!

Don't forget to click on the link below. Last week Judy was interviewed by the Press Enterprise. That's the newspaper that serves the Inland Empire here in Southern California. She is really excited about the press.
http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/menifee/menifee-headlines/20120820-menifee-author-turns-loss-rv-adventure-into-book.ece

I can't wait to tell you about our camping  trip.  A little down time in which Judy can scratch my belly and take me for walks. I'll make sure she takes lots of pictures.So until then, have a great week. don't forget to let me know what you think of the article in the newspaper.

SO MANY BOOKS!

I have so so much reading to catch up on. Besides Jeri Westerson's book, TROUBLED BONES,Troubled Bones I have S.Kay Murphy's newest release, THE DOGS WHO SAVED ME. (Kay is donating the proceeds of this book to the local animal shelters)

The Dogs Who Saved Me

 

And of course don't forget to watch our new book trailer for GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST

SPORTSTER GETS HIS WAY.

I did it! 

I purred and meowed. I rubbed and I cuddled.  

I'm in the book trailer!

THE BOOK IS FINISHED!

We wrote the last chapter, the last paragraph, the last line to GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST. We’re done! …if a book is ever – Done.

I am excited. Judy spent hours today showing me possible photos for the book cover. She admitted she never anticipated the job of publishing and marketing when she sat down to write those first words of her first book,COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST. Since then we discovered that writing a “great American novel” is the easy part, the fun part. Judy laughed, “If I had only known.”

WE'RE  DONE!

When no one is around Judy complains a lot. I’ll bet you didn’t know that about her. I don’t think she’s really complaining, it’s her way of sorting out all the commitments she makes, the book signings, workshops, conferences, and panels. 

Me, I loved it when we went on the road with our book tour last summer. How many states did we cover? Let’s see, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming. We were in Idaho for thirty minutes, just passing through, then South Dakota, Colorado, and New Mexico. What a summer.

The first week at Ruby’s Campground in Bryce National Park, Utah, Judy flipped out when she looked up from her chaise lounge. She was resting after a horseback ride through the park. I remember she told me about the couple she’s met from Sherwood Forest. Really? I always thought that was a fictional place. Not so. I did not go with Judy on the horse adventure. I would not have gone even if she invited me. I’ll stick with keeping company with Shitzus, and Min Pins. (My friend Tika is a Min Pin- short for Miniature Pincher: a little dog with a big attitude - kinda like me.)

So that day I slept the hours away. The high altitude made me more laid back than usual. When Judy returned, I smelled the scents she brought home and I have to say, they made me shiver and my hair spike on my spine. The odors of the strange creatures that had rubbed onto Judy took me back to Tombstone, Arizona. Do you remember the scene in our first book, COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST? (The cat is me.) Page 29 in the second edition, check it out. I’ll never forget those horses pulling the stagecoach.

After sniffing every inch of her clothing, I proceeded to tell Judy I missed her. Since I am without words I use action. (You do the same with writing, don’t tell, show.) I rubbed against her and followed her from the couch, to the kitchen, to the bedroom, the bathroom and back again to the living room...all not even a hop, skip and a jump. In a motor home its only one jump from place to place.

Judy collected her brochures and coffee and we went outside to relax in the pine scented air. I get excited when its my turn to do the tourist thing. After a few sniffs here and there, I plopped down and rolled on my back, on my side, my other side, feeling totally in touch with nature.

. “SPORTSTER!” I was jarred from my ecstasy.

Judy grabbed me so quickly I didn’t know what was happening

.

“What have you done? Just look at yourself.”  

Before I could twist or turn in protest, she whisked me to the bathroom, past the full length mirror on the closet door.

I didn’t recognize the reflection. 

The cat I usually saw in the glass was quite a handsome cat. A beautiful white strip between his eyes leads to his pink nose that is also a furry pure white. His left leg, the color of cotton does not match his right which is grey with black rings of fur. Observing this cat in the mirror, I was alarmed. It was not the same cat. There had never been another cat in our home, except the prideful one I mentioned.  I tolerated that cat since he seemed to know his place. He never ventured further than the closet door.

THE PRIDEFUL CAT IN THE MIRROR

This cat was red, dirty red – the same color as the ground with which I had just communed. He must have been a stray. Believe me my heart goes out to the homeless, but still. The glimpse of this poor creature was just a split second  before Judy threw me in the shower and began to hose me down. “What?” How am I supposed to commune with nature when I smell like lavender? “Hey!” I yelled louder. It was obvious Judy didn’t understand. These are the times I long to be articulate.

It seems I digressed. I never saw that cat again. I hope he found a nice, loving home despite his disarray. But what I started to say is I love going on the book tours in the motor home. Judy loves it too. I hope now we get to do another with this book, GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST. I love my public.

GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST
BOOK TRAILER