It's a Little Spring Thing

Ahhhh! What feels better than napping in your very own patch of sun after months of snow, sleet, ice and sub-zero temperatures?

Today I've seen people on bicycles, jogging, or just taking a walk. We've all been housebound far too long and itching to get out and enjoy a dance with a glorious day. This one certainly fits the bill. Tomorrow we may even hit 70 degrees. H'mmm. Maybe I need to take a psychological sick day from work. After all, I am totally sick of winter.

Yet I must admit I love the seasons we have in Missouri. Christmas wouldn't be the same without (a little) snow and chilly temperatures. But just as gray begins to completely permeate my world, I start to long for the green grass and yellow tulips of spring. Then when spring gives way to the warm temperatures of summer, what fun it is to wear flip flops and shorts while sitting by the water. As the last days of summer brown both people and plants until we're brittle and dry, I dream about the crisp air and brilliant red-gold colors of fall. And of course, once those leaves have drifted to the ground, reading a good book by the fire while snowflakes swirl outside sounds like heaven. And so we begin all over again.

I'm lucky. I know I wouldn't appreciate the warmth of spring nearly as much if I hadn't spent time shivering in the frosty cold first. Guess that makes me a true "four-season" person. Or someone with multiple personality disorder. You pick.

We hope you've found your patch of sun today. Enjoy it!

Moms, Snakes, and Creativity

Yesterday I received notification that my story, An Open Minded Mom, will appear in NYBM on Being a Mom, due for release April 8. It's about what happens at our house when my son asks to get a python (yikes!) as a pet. Several of my writer gal pals' stories will also be included. How cool is that?

The NYMB series of books are sassy, funny, and highly entertaining. If you've never read them, I encourage you to check out the Publishing Syndicate for information on what titles are available for purchase. As a bonus, they're always looking for new stories. Click on the Submit Stories for Not Your Mother's Book tab to find out submission requirements and how to send them your story.

I've been thinking lately that I really need to do more things that nurture my creative side. Scrubbing toilets while contemplating new story ideas just isn't cutting it anymore. I considered my interests and wrote out a wish list which I politely handed to Hubby. What would he select? Painting? Photography? Wood carving?

Ta-da! Hubby gave me a keyboard for Christmas! It does all sorts of nifty things, but mostly I keep it on "piano" mode trying to learn what notes correspond to what keys. It's slow going as I practice, practice, practice. No one even has to nag me to do it (so far anyway).

Unfortunately, this has led to a demand request from Indy and Bogey. They've put together a wish list, too:

Thanks for the support, guys.

Bogey's New Talent

Bogey has many talents.

He has the dexterity of a cat burglar and is able to open nearly any cabinet, drawer, or door. Why just yesterday, Hubby caught him standing on the counter-top microwave using his front paws to push the freezer door handle. Yep. He got it open. And here I only thought we had to worry about him getting into what's in the refrigerator.

Bogey is also a daredevil stunt performer, perfecting jumps, balancing acts, and skywalks that would put the Flying Wallendas to shame. And he doesn't work with a safety net, either. One of his favorite tricks is to leap from the toilet tank to the top of the shower rail. This allows him to easily snoopervise showers, bathroom cleaning, and hair drying.

Last weekend he stood on the shower railing and then jumped to the floor of the bathtub. He sat down in the tub and stared at me (through the frosted glass shower doors), waiting for me to open them. I decided not to obey him and see what happened. 

I watched him and he watched me with an expression that revealed nothing. We both waited. I wondered which one of us would give in first as a thin sheen of perspiration formed on my face. Perhaps I had misjudged him. Maybe Bogey really was trapped. Maybe he needed me to open that door. But then the phone rang. I ran from the bathroom to pick it up. 

Immediately, I could hear the sounds of paws banging against the shower door. No less than 10 seconds later, my tiger-striped cat zipped past me down the stairs. 

I think Bogey has added a new dimension to his repertoire. 

A talent for poker playing.

How to Go Anywhere with Your Dog

Last month we took a long family weekend in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale was warm and inviting, a lovely respite from Missouri's brutal polar temperatures and unending snow. Spending time with family was pretty awesome, too.

Above is one of the outdoor shots I took of the famous Barrett-Jackson auction. It's the one you've probably seen on television where people who live a totally different lifestyle from mine, think nothing of bidding 1.5 million to pick up a nice vintage vehicle. We spent a lot of time checking things out.

I could go on forever describing what we saw...amazing cars, celebrities, television moments, and vendors who arrived on scene to sell anything you can imagine...yes, even pianos.

But I want to focus on something else that interested me. I've never seen so many people with dogs wearing service vests in any place I've ever been. There must have been dozens and dozens of them, each with a vest displaying tags that looked very official. Some of the dogs even wore cute little outfits along with the vest.

I asked a few different handlers whether their dogs were in training or working. Each one smiled and said their dogs were working. Several mentioned that their dog did pet therapy.

Let me tell you, no one is more a fan of making dogs welcome in all places than me, but this was a no-dogs-allowed event EXCEPT for service dogs. I didn't notice anyone checking credentials, nor did I notice any millionaires lining up for pet therapy.

Later I went on-line and discovered something. Several companies will be happy to sell service vests to anyone along with patches, ID tags that include federal regulations mandating service dog entry into any building/area, and instructions on how one can travel by air with a service dog. (The service dog apparently flies free)

The websites selling the products have a disclaimer saying they aren't a certifying agency and they do not accept responsibility for any false information supplied to get the products. They add it's fraudulent to misrepresent a dog as a service animal, yet no certifying paperwork is required to make a purchase.

I know there are plenty of folks with highly trained service dogs for a specific and necessary purpose, but Barrett-Jackson made me wonder. Could it be that some people order vests and tags just so they can take their pup wherever they go?

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of dogs and people spending time together, but something seemed a bit odd. Is it my imagination or is this a new way to travel anywhere with your dog?

Mom, I expect you to order a service vest for me immediately!

An Open Letter

Dear Whomever Is Still Singing and/or Dreaming About a White Christmas,

It is now February. Please stop.

Thank you,

The Critter Alley Crew

This Means War!

I am a peaceful person. I don't like reading or watching even fictional stories about war. But sometimes things occur and you simply have to say enough is enough.

Well, Blogger Buddies, on Saturday that's exactly what happened for me.

While making the bed I heard a faint scratching noise from outside. I couldn't see a thing through the window, so I stepped out the back door. On the corner of the rooftop I saw something hideous.



I went into the yard and found this...

and this on the other side...

Once again, some really rotten rodents (aka squirrels) have decided it would be a great idea to remodel my house for themselves. We went through this three years ago when squirrels chewed a huge hole in our soffit to build a cozy nest. This act of war resulted in the Great Squirrel Relocation Project of 2011. Looks like we're the victims of another attack, so we're on to the second World War.

As far as squirrels go, I've been live and let live. I don't care how many hang out in the yard. But taking over my house is more hospitality than I'm willing to offer.



The trap has been set and baited. I hope that dratted squirrel will be chewing on something far, far away from me and my house.



This is war, Squirrels. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Hey Mom, there's a tree rat in the back yard pointing at us and laughing.

From Pigtails to Chin Hairs...

Media experts warn if you don't post at least once a week, you'll lose readers. I hope that's not true because I've been a real slacker in the posting department lately. It seems as though I've been doing nothing but run around like the proverbial headless chicken (ugh, sorry for putting that image in your head) all the while not getting much accomplished. But that's a confession for another day.

What I want to tell you about today is a book. My friend, Becky Lewellen Povich, recently published her memoir, From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir and More.  I started reading the book on Monday, praying I'd like it because I really like Becky and planned to publish a review. I finished the book today. No need for me to worry. Becky's witty and charming writing style kept me turning the pages.

I, too, was a child of the 50's and her stories prompted many memories for me. I could hear the cicadas chirping on a steamy summer night and once again smell my own mother's homemade cookies baking in the oven. Through good times and bad, before cell phones or Diet Coke, we somehow found ways to survive. Sigh. If you enjoy a funny and nostalgic read, put From Pigtails to Chin Hairs on your list. (By the way, don't you just love that title?)

For more information, check out Becky's blog, her website, or you can order her book from Amazon.

And It Just Keeps Coming...

Snow, sub-zero temperatures, more snow, and a little sleet just for good measure. We are NOT having weather fun around here this week. Blogger Buddies in Alaska and Canada, I feel like we somehow got transplanted right next door to you. Fortunately, though, there's a glimmer of light for us at the end of this snowy tunnel. Tomorrow we're getting more precipitation, but in liquid form...and apparently lots of it.

With all this snow and all this rain, the moisture will have to go somewhere. I won't be a bit surprised if the next weather warning is for floods. Oh, it's been a very satisfying week for the weather peeps.

Despite the possibilities, you may ask who wouldn't be thrilled over getting rain rather than more snow? Well, I can tell you that one of my household members does not see the latest weather prediction as much of an improvement...

I think it's just about time somebody builds somebody an indoor toilet.

Are You Ready for Sno-maggedon?

It's on the way. Weather forecasters are telling us a substantial snow will be starting tonight and continue throughout tomorrow. We could see up to 10 inches before it's all over. But wait! There's more!

On Monday, our "high" temperature is supposed to be only 0 (zero) degrees, thanks to a polar vortex (yikes!) sending arctic air straight at us. This will bring the coldest temps we've had around here in more than a decade. On every channel, the weathermen (or weather ladies) are so excited they can barely contain themselves. There's nothing like a weather calamity to demonstrate what real troopers they are. Each one smiles giddily while orchestrating a tag team of non-stop weather broadcasting. I suppose it's the weather people's version of the Boston Marathon...pushing, pushing, pushing all the way to the finish line.

I've come to the conclusion that snow days have morphed into yet another holiday. We talk about them, plan for them, and get so excited we run to the grocery store in anticipation, because everybody knows you can't enjoy a holiday without plenty of good food. Consequently, store shelves that once were bursting with bread, milk, and chili beans have been picked cleaner than a Thanksgiving turkey.

My pantry is full and I have several good books to read. I'm ready to hunker down and enjoy a bit of our Sno-mageddon holiday. I hope you are, too.

And while you're hunkering, remember snow and frigid temps are NOT critter-friendly. Please bring in your pets and put out some food to help birds and other wildlife make it through the storm.

Brrrrrr! Baby, it's gonna get cold outside!

Happy New Year 2014

Can you believe we're almost at the end of another year?  As a kid, I used to groan at the length of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It seemed an eternity. Meanwhile, my mother would sigh over how fast time flew. Now I'm the mother and I totally get how she felt.

In only a few short days, 2013 with all its warts, wrinkles, and age spots, will be a memory. Some people will make resolutions for the new year, while others will scoff at the notion, claiming nobody can keep all those well-intentioned intentions.

Personally, I'm a resolution maker. For me there's something undeniably appealing about turning the page and getting a fresh start. It's my chance for a do-over...an opportunity to get it right this time.

After years of floundering with resolutions, I've finally figured out that success lies in making them doable. I'm better off if I resolve to eat only 1 chocolate chip cookie rather than forbidding myself to have any. Parking my car in the most distant spot means I'll need to walk a little more. That sounds much better than trying to wedge my thunder thighs between all the Skinny Minnies at the gym. If I tell myself to write just a few words each day, it's more likely to happen than if I decree no less than 500 will do. So this year I'll be a little kinder to myself and therefore much happier in February.

I'm proud of being a resolution maker. We are optimists until the end. We're the dreamers, planners, and glass that's half-full kind of people. We know for sure we'll finally quit that smoking habit, lose those pesky 20 pounds, and maybe even take a piano lesson or two. So go for it. Just remember to take baby steps before you try to run that marathon.

Resolution Makers be forewarned. There's one tiny little side effect that comes with the territory. You'll gain a heart that's full to bursting with hope.

Happy 2014 from all of us at Critter Alley!