Living Life and Lovin' It

Reach for the sun, Upward Salute yoga pose.

I love my life in Sun City, California. Even when I spend hours at the computer clawing through my notes and ideas for my next chapter, it is a simple life.  I am an appreciative and easy going cat. Throughout the process of writing editing ,and the many, many rewrites it takes to polish a chapter before I can prowl on to the next, I do not allow stress on my agenda, instead I am content to paw and bat around the littlest twisty tie or a wad of paper. When I am not writing another leg of Sportster’s Adventures, meditating and brainstorming occupy my time.

Meditation and yoga pose, Downward Cat

I also listen to audio books. Of course my two favorites are GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST and COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST

 

 

As I reminisce about my life, I am amazed by the things I have done and the places I have been.  So I write about what I know, and of course that is why my story is  so valuable. I am revealing philosophies and life lessons about living nine lives that have never been told. I know you, my fans, are excited for these truths to come to light, but a good book, especially a bestselling novel, which is what SPORTSTER'S ADVENTURES  will become, takes time. Greatness does not happen overnight.

 

Preparation for greatness can be uncomfortable, and seem unnecessary when the goal is so far in the distant future.  As much as I dislike my bath, you can see I grit my teeth and tolerate the process. Like I said, greatness doesn’t happen overnight, and although it doesn’t happen in the bathtub either, cleanliness and neatness are essentials to an efficient, meaningful life whether you live one or nine of them.

 

The morning view from our Sun City  office window.

 

 

At the day’s end I can sleep soundly, knowing  I have worked hard, knowing I’ve done my very best, and  knowing  the chores I hate are completed ,because I believe  every day you should do at least one thing you don’t want to do.  At last, at the end of the day, I know I am prepared for tomorrow and another adventure.

Hunting in the desert.

You, my fans, know how I enjoy traveling. It is the grist for my tales , and the flavor for  scenes. I endured my bath, and I'm now on the road again. Our first stop Quartzite, Arizona, and then  Phoenix, and now Casa Grande.

Looking for lizards in Quartzite. My kind of shopping.

 

 

 

I pounded out a lot of chapters while Judy presented her seminars at The Good Sam -Camping World Rally  at the Phoenix International Raceway in Phoenix.  She came home after giving her seminars on The Road To Writing bursting with excitement, wanting to tell me about the wonderful folks she met,  all 80 of them attending  Part One, and 46 attending Part Two.  While she taught I  spent the time meditating.

"I'm busy. Can't you see I'm meditating?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Do I still see your lips moving?"

"Please! I'm concentrating."

Judy also helped out The Geeks On Tour manning their booth while they presented their very popular seminars about electronic technology to audiences with standing room only.

The rain held out until the day we left  when we traveled seven miles to visit Judy’s granddaughter in Avondale.

After a great visit with Judy’s granddaughter and great grandchildren we moved on to The Rovers Roost in Casa Grande, Arizona. This is an Escapee Campground for members only. Meet Seely, my new escapee friend. He likes to walk along walls, too.

 

 Friday we head out to Tucson, Az. to attend the  Escapade at the Pima County Fairgrounds  in Tucson, Arizona.  No seminars presentations for Judy this trip,  but come see Judy at  The Geeks On Tour booth where she will be helping out Jim and Chris Guld  while they present their very popular seminars to standing room only audiences about  today's technology..

Don't forget to come see us at the FMCA 91st Reunion & Rally in Pomona, Ca.
 We will be there and Judy will be conducting her two seminars, Friday, March 27, at 8:00am and Saturday, March 28, at 11:30am.
We  are extending our apologies for the mix up at the January 2015  FMCA Rally in Indio, Ca.  Judy had reluctantly declined to present her seminars, but had not been removed from the program, thus many were disappointed.
We love the folks at the FMCA rally in Indio, but always  received complaints that our attendees had trouble hearing. The use of a  microphone was prohibited because it would only interfere with  the seminar going on next to us.
And Judy instructed me to give a shout out of thanks to  Elaine Held, an author friend of Judy's for stepping up and saving the day at Indio. I hear her  seminar debut was informative and inspiring, too.
We are also Attending the The Tucson Festival of Books, the 4th largest book festival in the country. Meet Judy  at the West Pavilion on March 14, Saturday at 12:30 to 2:30. Her latest book, MASADA'S MARINE   will be available.
she always likes to meet her fans. She is not like me. I am a bit of a recluse, but she will tell you about my latest book in the making.

And finally, if you are near Quartzite, Az. on  Friday March 20th, and you missed Judy in Indio, Ca. She will be at  Bouse Public Library in Bouse, Az. presenting both of her seminars titled, "The Road To Writing, Part One and Part Two." 

So there it is. I have my whiskers to the keyboard while Judy fulfills her busy schedule.
 

 

New Beginnings and New Memories

I can’t believe  January has slipped by without sharing  my fantastic life with you.

Time and memories. Never enough time, but never too many memories. So much happened in 2014, I find it difficult to catch my breath and begin a new year.

 

But no time to reminisce, only to look forward, since one month has already slipped out from under my paw. The future is racing around the bend, full blast.

I  share this news with only you, my fans. Please, don’t reveal this secret with Judy. My job title is no longer just,  co—author. I have appointed myself to a full time author. Since leaving our pet grooming shop, the hours at home began to leave me discontented. How could I retire, I'm too young? So one night while Judy slept, I sneaked into her office and began to spin my own tail tale. She has no clue. I still sleep all day, like cats do.

My story is going to be about living in the wild, of prowling, and freedom.  You won’t be able to quit pawing at it put it down.  Who hasn’t yearned to climb trees and hunt, be free, and  have no commitments?  You, too, will be sleeping all day when my book comes out, because you will be turning the pages  all night.

I am not sure what the title will be, but for now, I’m calling it simply, SPORTSTER’S ADVENTURES.  Below is the first paragraph.

My eyes sprang open and my hair stood on end. Judy’s scream joined the howls of the protesting motor home. As my body slammed against the windshield, screeching tires mixed with groaning metal and protesting fiberglass. Airborne, our sanctuary lurched off the road, like the birds I envied. The windshield, which had insulated me from the outside world, crammed painfully against my body. Jagged lines crawled and crunched across the once unobstructed view while branches, rocks, and dirt spewed up and pounded the varicose pattern until the glass security gave way.

As fun as my book is going to be, I don’t want any of you to forget why we all can laugh and chase catnip balls  enjoy life. Because our veterans have sacrificed so much, sometimes everything, for us we can live this privileged life. Please don’t forget them and their families.

And please, check out Shari Duval and  her organization, K9s For Warriors -STOP 22 . Her efforts to rescue our veterans and  bring awareness about the horrors of PTSD is non-stop. Help her to make miracles with her service dogs.

Every hour  22 veterans commit suicide.

And of course, don't forget, like the movie, American Sniper, Judy’s book, MASADA'S MARINE, also portrays the plight of our men and women coming home from the war.

Just like K9s For Warriors, Masada's Marine brings hope to our warriors and their families in the form of the big brown eyes of a service dog, named Masada.

MASADA'S MARINE

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: December's Artist Of The Month

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: December's Artist Of The Month: By Shirley Wible, Literary Arts Chair, Arts Council Menifee Judy Howard had been a dog groomer since she was 11 years old. She loved ...

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: December's Artist Of The Month

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: December's Artist Of The Month: By Shirley Wible, Literary Arts Chair, Arts Council Menifee Judy Howard had been a dog groomer since she was 11 years old. She loved ...

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: FREE TRIP ON THANKSGIVING DAY: COAST TO COAST WITH...

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: FREE TRIP ON THANKSGIVING DAY: COAST TO COAST WITH...: I am thankful for all of my readers who have supported me. In appreciation, I would like you to    Enjoy a day of Reading and Eating!! ...

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: FREE TRIP ON THANKSGIVING DAY: COAST TO COAST WITH...

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: FREE TRIP ON THANKSGIVING DAY: COAST TO COAST WITH...: I am thankful for all of my readers who have supported me. In appreciation, I would like you to    Enjoy a day of Reading and Eating!! ...

SPORTSTER'S TEASE - FIRST PARAGRAPHS

If you remember the other day while Judy was in the living room watching Blacklist, I revealed the first chapter of MY  book, Sportster's Adventures. I know the name  is generic, it is only a working title.


I've worked too long and too hard on Judy's last three books. So here is my plan. All I want to do is play. I'm going  to tease your senses, lure you in, and keep you pouncing.

Every week, I am posting  the first paragraph of a chapter from my book. Your comments will be welcome.
  This week I am offering up The first paragraph of Chapter Five from Sportster's Adventures. If you are new, check out my previous posts to catch up.

 

SPORTSTER'S ADVENTURES

CHAPTER FIVE

On the second day of the storm, they gave up waiting for the skies to clear. The cardboard sagged, heavy with rain, and the kibble bag, light and near empty, floated in a puddle. During those dim, dreary days Tattooman and Jawbreaker would drop in and listen as Guitarman shared his music. “My dad served in Viet Nam,” Guitarman said. “He described the jungles there, and I imagine Nam was a lot like this rain forest.” His hand slid over my back as a lay beside him. “Me, I did a tour in Guantanamo. And, it was like this. I don’t know about you, Bro.” He looked up at Tattooman.  “But I’ll be glad to get out of here. Stirs up too many memories.”  He strummed his guitar as he told his grisly tales.

SPORTSTER'S TEASE - FIRST PARAGRAPHS

If you remember the other day while Judy was in the living room watching Blacklist, I revealed the first chapter of MY  book, Sportster's Adventures. I know the name  is generic, it is only a working title.


I've worked too long and too hard on Judy's last three books. So here is my plan. All I want to do is play. I'm going  to tease your senses, lure you in, and keep you pouncing.

Every week, I am posting  the first paragraph of a chapter from my book. Your comments will be welcome.
  This week I am offering up The first paragraph of Chapter Four from Sportster's Adventures. If you are new, check out my previous posts to catch up.

SPORTSTER'S ADVENTURES

CHAPTER FOUR

 

Stirring to the warmth of the morning’s rays, I moved my tail gingerly and licked my injury. Only a scratch.  I jumped down from my stump and proceeded on a secluded path toward Jawbreaker’s camp.  Everyone still slept. Again, I stole over to the kibble and water. I drank first, then nibbled on the few nuggets left in the bowl. Jawbreaker, wakened by the sound, raised his head.  His nose, more bloody than black, twitched. Red streaks tracked down his chin through his grimy hair and disappeared between his legs.  He started to rise, paused, and then stared as I licked his bowl clean. The dog turned to the man who didn’t move, as if looking for back up. I winked, enjoyed another long drink, and moseyed back to my perch in the forest.

 

SPORTSTER'S TEASE - FIRST PARAGRAPHS

If you remember the other day while Judy was in the living room watching Blacklist, I revealed the first chapter of MY  book, Sportster's Adventures. I know the name  is generic, it is only a working title.


I've worked too long and too hard on Judy's last three books. So here is my plan. All I want to do is play. I'm going  to tease your senses, lure you in, and keep you pouncing.

Every week, I am posting  the first paragraph of a chapter from my book. Your comments will be welcome.
  This week I am offering up The first paragraph of Chapter Three from Sportster's Adventures. If you are new, check out my previous posts to catch up.

SPORTSTER'S ADVENTURES
CHAPTER THREE

The comfortable path beside the river veered to my right, into the salty breeze. I turned away, and limped down the less traveled trail which headed home.  I felt good. The night’s rest relieved the soreness in my foot.  Adventure! My tail twitched at the thought.  With the bear and the elk behind me, I could enjoy the wild the way I had always imagined. 

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: Two Days Only

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SPORTSTER'S TEASE -FIRST PARAGRAPHS

 If you remember the other day while Judy was in the living room watching Blacklist, I revealed the first chapter of MY  book, Sportster's Adventures. I know the name  is generic, it is only a working title.


I've worked too long and too hard on Judy's last three books. So here is my plan. All I want to do is play. I'm going  to tease your senses, lure you in, and keep you pouncing.

Every week, Starting with the first chapter I will post the first paragraph of each chapter. Your comments will be welcome.
  Since you have already read Chapter One, I will repost the first paragraph  along with the first paragraph of Chapter Two.

  SPORTSTER'S ADVENTURES

CHAPTER ONE

My eyes sprang open.  Judy’s frightened scream joined the howls of the protesting motor home. My body slammed against the windshield. Tires screeched, mixed with the squeal of metal and squalling fiberglass. Airborne, our house lurched off the road, like the birds I envied. My body crammed against the windshield, which kept me insulated from the outside world. Jagged lines crawled and crunched across the once unobstructed view while branches, rocks and dirt pounded the varicose pattern until it gave way. Encased inside, we sailed, as if we would meet the heavens.  A sudden but sublime silence overtook, only to be broken by a crashing jolt. The vehicle squashed onto the ground and the tires exploded. My body flew through green scented air, not like small birds on the wing, but rather like the hawk on its deadly dive to earth for prey. 

 

SPORTSTER'S ADVENTURES

CHAPTER TWO

Many of the creatures in the woods, I learned, existed on a nocturnal schedule.  Judy resisted any time I attempted to establish a similar routine, by refusing me entrance to the bedroom.  Well she wasn’t here now. Instead of waking with the sun, life in this jungle returned to their burrows, nests and decayed logs. I figured, an easy adaptation for me. I retreated to my rotted trunk, crouched within its caverns, and stared at the bugs that crawled its walls. They crept along their self-made tunnels, content to stay off of me.  I blinked to stay awake.

 

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: HOW IT ALL BEGAN -PART ONE

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: HOW IT ALL BEGAN -PART ONE: This is Part One of a series titled , “How it all began .”   Statistics prove over 25% of you dream of writing a book.   In the beg...

AUDIO BOOK WINNERS!

We have a winner! We have a winner!  From our very first drawing for a free audio book of GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST.

I am proud to announce the results.

Because the word, “Free” has not spread throughout the neighborhood like crazy cats in the springtime…we only had two entries.

It is pretty difficult to perform a random selection with only two names in the pot. Soooo….

 

We have a winner! We have a winner!

That’s right we have TWO WINNERS!

Congratulations Shirley Wible and Din Milem . You are our first week’s winners of the audio book, GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST.

Thank you for participating.  Judy and I hope you both enjoy your books as you hike in the hills, or  stomp it out on the treadmill, or on that long drive to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving.  Judy told me she would love for you to tell us how you listen to your audio books. Remember Audio books make a wonderful gift.

 

 

 

Next week’s drawing will be for the audio book, COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST  This book is Judy’s (and mine, as the co-author) best seller. You will enjoy it, as much as I enjoyed helping her write it.  So spread the word, “FREE” to your friends and family.

 Audio books are trending these days. Great for working out, driving or soaking up the warm fall days on the patio swing.

All you have to do to enter the drawing for the FREE audio book, COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST, is leave your name in the comment box. Good luck. And remember after the drawing your information will only be used to line my litter box.  The last day of this week’s drawing will be on Halloween, October 31^st. I will announce ONE winner on Sunday, November 1^st.

Happy listening and reading.

Please don’t forget about Judy’s newest release available as paperback or on Kindle. 

 

MASADA'S MARINE ON AMAZON

Every Hour A Veteran Commits Suicide.

 

A FREE AUDIO BOOK IS NOT SPORTSTER'S SECRET

 

 

Exercising regularly has always been on a cat’s priority list. We don’t live out our nine lives because all we do is sleep. We always receive bad press concerning our lifestyle.

 Even Judy plays that card. She wants everyone to think she is the only one who works like the hummingbirds outside our office window, flitting around doing, seminars, book signings, and research, or when she’s home, writing, editing, critiquing, and blogging, messaging, and twittering.

I don't want to steal her thunder. She has even sworn me to secrecy. She gave me these adorable pics to post as a cover for what I am actually working on. Again, the sleeping, lazy theme. Really?

I mean REALLY?

Okay, Judy did insist I post these head shots. . She is promoting her audio books, COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST and GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST.
My point about exercising? About living nine lives? When you work on the treadmill or take a long hike, listen to audio books. Be entertained while you lengthen your life.

 

This week we are giving away a FREE AUDIO BOOK of GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST. All you need to do is enter the drawing by  typing your name in the comment box. Next Thursday  I will personally, and randomly, select a name and announce the lucky winner.  The following week we will repeat the drawing for  A FREE AUDIO BOOK of COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST. So don’t forget. Type  your name in the comment box.. After the drawing we will only use your information to line my litter box.

So there you have it, the reason for this post.

 

 

BUT WAIT!

Judy’s in the living room watching her favorite show, Blacklist.

Do you want to read the first chapter of my novel!

 

THAT’S RIGHT!  MY, MY, MY NOVEL!

But you’ve got to keep the secret under your collar.  Judy hasn’t decided on an appropriate title yet, but I’m calling My novel….Get ready for it…

 

Get Ready For It!!

 

 

 

 

SPORTSTER’S ADVENTURES!!

Scroll Down

( Drum roll )


















SPORTSTER’S ADVENTURES

BY

JUDY HOWARD

 

Sportster, The Awesome Cat

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

 

My eyes sprang open.  Judy’s frightened scream joined the protesting motor home and my body pressed against the windshield. Tires screeched mixing with the squeal of metal and squalling fiberglass. Our house lurched off the road, airborne, like the birds I envied. My body flattened hard against the windshield, which had kept me insulated from the outside world. Jagged lines crawled and crunched across the once unobstructed view while branches, rocks and dirt pounded the varicose pattern until it gave way. Encased inside, we sailed, as if we would meet the heavens. For a moment, we soared. Silence overtook, giving a false sense of sublime safety, only to be broken by a crashing jolt. The vehicle squashed onto the ground and the tires exploded. . My body, forced from its cozy cocoon as an egg from its shell, flew through green scented air, not like small birds on the wing, but rather like the hawk on a deadly dive to earth for prey. 

 

In its flight, my body puffed to twice its size as the wind swept through every follicle of hair that now stood on end. I sailed on, penetrating the forest’s first line of pines.  I landed solid. The force trumpeted a warrior’s call from inside my lungs – a last-stand challenge, which chased the boiling fear swelling within my chest. The bold roar, defying the wild, went unheard, absorbed like a pillow to my face, smothered by the only sound the rain forest allowed – silence.

Moments before I had been stretched out on my usual spot across the motorhome’s dash.  The engine purred as Judy, my companion who attended to my every need, drove. “It’s time to say goodbye to the Rain Forest, Sportster. We’re heading home.” Like the motor I, too, purred as the lush green landscape sped by. If cats were of the inclination to make lists, the campground we had left would have made number one for me. During our stay I had prowled beneath the ferns on pine-needled carpet, which felt as soft as a cat’s paw. Strange scents had stimulated my active imagination, and I dreamed of roaming as my ancestors had. Wasn’t that how I was born to live? I’ll admit, my home on wheels had a deep luxurious rug and my own tiger-striped, cushy bed, but the wild is what I had always yearned for as we drove away, only moments before, on to our next destination.

 I continued to crouch where I landed and gathered my senses.  Peering through the trees, I watched the vehicles’ wheels spin in the air .and vapor hiss from the hood. An occasional ping mixed with the quiet. Judy was nowhere in sight.

 

 

 

How many hours passed before I stood on all four shaky legs? In my lifetime I have not been inclined to track time. My eyes, large and round, scanned the area, my tail twitched, and I squeaked out a small meow, but hoped the forest muffled my cry as it had my warrior’s shout... This was no time to play the kitten’s role.

 Nothing had changed in the forest. The ferns draped as they had yesterday and the trees remained warm, wrapped in their cloaks of moss.  I examined every hovering shadow under each frond and every blade of grass glistening with sunlight.  Nothing had changed, and yet, I sensed nothing would ever be the same. Wary of the deceiving quiet, I dared a step, then another, my plan - to seek reassurance from Judy.

Sirens, faint in the distance, gave me pause. I moved deeper into the forest as they grew louder, until their shrieks pulsed in my ears. Outside, on the road, flashing lights pierced into the pines and glared upon the maple leaves, discoloring their golden colors. Slamming doors and strangers’ shouts sent me shrinking into a fallen log’s dark recess.

I waited. The noise abated. The sirens squealed again, then drifted down the highway. Once more, the rain forest became quiet except for the occasional swish of a vehicle on the road. I waited to be sure. The sun moved across the sky and passed up my naptime. Still I waited. Invisible under the log, I studied the birds who still chirped their warnings as the sirens faded away   I began to absorb the scents and sounds of my surroundings, examining and evaluating.  Invisible under the log.  A large Elk tip-toed by so close I tucked my tail under my trembling body, his odor so strong, my eyes watered.

Shadows crept across the forest floor, stopping the invasion of sunlight into the thick foliage. The maples turned grey and the green pines melted to black. Darkness overcame the forest bringing with it an increasing stillness.  The moths and insects I had enjoyed chasing yesterday at the campsite now flitted and danced in the fading light, taunting me, as if they knew I did not belong.

The shelter of darkness instilled in me a fragment of courage, enough for me to venture out from hiding. With each cautious step I paused, always listening, always sniffing, aware for the first time in my eight years that my eyesight was sharpest at night.  I peered out from the forest’s edge.

There in the grass lay Judy’s sweatshirt. The one I loved to curl up on when she left it on her bed. She would find me there, push her face into my fur, and make sputtering noises that tickled my tummy. Of course I jumped up and walked away so she would not grow accustomed to my bewitching charm.  The memory caused my heart to flutter, and I scanned the expanse between the forest and the road. I whimpered.  What had become of Judy?  I expanded my search mission, my courage diminishing with each step. Desperation pushed me into the clearing. My overturned water and food dishes rested on a clump of grass, kibble sprinkled the area. My stomach growled, reminding me of its presence, and I realized I was ravenous with hunger. I crunched down a few kernels as I investigated the scene. My bothersome rhinestone collar hung on a nearby bush. Like glitter on a Christmas tree, the garnets caught the moonlight and the gold ID tag glowed. The scents of strangers rose from the motorhome’s deep gashes in the damp earth.  And Judy’s! I circled the area again, but the trail went nowhere. I circled one last time. Perhaps I had been careless. I reexamined pieces of the motorhome scattered here and there, glass from the headlight, a towel and a map - scraps from our life.

When the moon moved to the top of the sky, I collapsed on Judy’s soft sweatshirt and waited. My eyes drooped, but I struggled remaining vigilant until daylight threatened to reveal my position. I then I made one more sweep and slipped back into the woods.   I would wait.

                                                        ***********

 

 

While you are waiting for my book,

                              Don't Forget.

                                                                

                                               MASADA'S MARINE ON AMAZON

 

EVERY HOUR A VETERAN COMMITS SUICIDE.

 

 

  

Teddy Roosevelt, the Olympic Rain Forest and Living In The Wild

  A tragic event occurred on August 12.   I lost contact with my peeps while I attended   the FMCA RV rally in Redmond, Oregon. It happened when the battery in Judy’s computer died and had to be airlifted to Toshiba’s tech hospital somewhere in cyber land for resuscitation. The damage was extensive and we were forced to survive with only the tiny keyboard on our cell phone, too small for my furry paws.

Limited to Facebook the last six weeks of our Washington-Oregon coast adventure, I was forced to keep my comments terse. I advised Judy NEVER to purchase a computer with an irreplaceable battery EVER again.

 

I longed to share with you all my memorable adventures.

Oops! Sorry, that was from the motor home's Kitty Kam while  Judy was out walking the beach.

 

  I stayed home dreaming about Kira, remember her? I told you.. She lives at the Portland Wild Animal Park, in Portland, Oregon. All I do is  dream of  someday  joining her in the wild.

When we stayed in the  Hoh Olympic Rain Forest, I  knew I could make a home for me and Kira, prowling under the fern fronds and chasing the butterflies and leaping up at dragon flies.  the two of us would stretch out amongst the tall grasses, fish in the river, and sleep the afternoon away.

 

 

 

Judy reminded me  the wild is not all it is hyped up to be. She spread out in front of me these pictures  from The Olympic Game Farm in Sequim, Washington to bring home her point. She emphasized   she was able to shoot these candid pictures because it was a drive-thru safari experience.

 

But still, I dreamed of days when I could  be free to wander the land.

 Judy continued her adventures while I chose a spot to nap that demonstrated how confined I was feeling, not living in the wild. 

Again, the Kitty Kam caught the pose while Judy spent the day in a copper sculpting class at Massey Copper in Port Townsend, Washington.

 

 

She returned home and proudly  showed me her creation. Still too confining to sleep in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I won’t give up. I will keep up with my yoga moves, I must stay in shape for Kira …and The Wild. 

 

 

And I will remember Judy’s wise words, “It is far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered with failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much, nor suffer much, because they live in a twilight that knows not victory or defeat.”….or maybe it was Teddy Roosevelt’s words.

 

And please remember our veterans  and their families  who have followed Teddy Roosevelt's  philosophy....and mine.

Every hour a veteran commits suicide.

Please carry the message.

MASADA'S MARINE,  The Story Of A Service Dog And Her Wounded Marine Warrior

Masada's Marine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Walk On The Wild Side

We all have our idols, the ones we look up to, the ones we strive to follow in their path.

For me it is Kira, who lives at The Walk On The Wild Side  at the Portland animal refuge. When Judy showed me her picture I fell in love like an old man lusting after a young model strutting down the cat walk. No matter I am nine years old and getting long in the tooth. No matter  Kira has the advantage of youth, strength, killer energy and wildness.  I am sure I could show her the ways of domestication.

Judy warned me that Kira  is a free spirit from another world  and her ways are not ours, that she dreams of dangerous and exotic pastures.

 I argued if Kira could not adapt to my culture I would pledge to learn hers. I hung my head in instant regret  as soon as the words left my mouth. How could I leave Judy? She reacted to my thoughts of betrayal and I read her stunned, hurt features. Quickly I  slid up next to her for her reassurance as well as mine. How could I leave her for Kira?

But my love is strong, though I said no more. I reviewed my last few days on the road. I am not an amateur of the jungle. I have roamed in the Olympic Rain Forest and survived.

I hunted in the tall grasses and prowled under large fat ferns. I challenged  birds that screamed their warnings. In my heart I  was a big cat...until I had to go to the bathroom. I don't use the outside, public toilet, I like my own, but I am sure Kira could adjust to inside plumbing.

I have been everywhere. I would take Kira  to places she's never been. I'd  show her how to  leap higher than she's ever dreamed.

We'll swim the deepest rivers. catch the biggest fish.

And watch the waves wash upon the beach. Oh Kira, I love you. Oh, Kira, I need you.

Oh Kira, I will find the way back to you. Please wait for me.

 

Every Hour a Veteran commits suicide.

 

Don't forget to recommend MASADA'S MARINE,  The Story Of A Service Dog and Her Wounded Marine Warrior.