Temporary Setbacks

I have been remiss about writing. The fault is that of my cats. They plague me. They harpoon me. They rule me. They issue orders and commands from the time the sun comes up until late into the night; like Ebenezer Scrooge, expecting long hours of work in the cold, dreary room, with just a pittance for a candle and the rest for cat toys. Even when they sleep, they demand my attention. All I want to do is write, but they have other ideas. Schooner drops toys at my feet and expects me to play. Hobie feels the need to sleep nearby and occasionally flip his tail into me.

So, in order to get anything done, I must sneak away. This is temporary.

(Okay, yeah, I'm simply taking a break from the blog for another week or two. But it is so much more dramatic to blame it on the cats.)

Remembering September 11th

I was on my way to drop off my car to have a new convertible top installed. It took a while to figure out that what was happening in New York was not just a dreadful accident. I think when the second plane hit, the realization dawned that the events were the personification of evil beyond comprehension. By the time I reached the upholstery shop, tears made wet paths down my cheeks and left dark patches on my light blue shirt. I got out of the car and stumbled into the front office. The owner looked askance while I handed him my keys. I blubbered something about just having been listening to the radio, as if that explained the red eyes and snuffling sobs. He just stared like I was nuts, took the keys and told me the car would be ready at four.

To this day I'm sure he didn't yet know what was going on 3000 miles away. I didn't tell him. I couldn't. There were no words to explain. I don't know how the newscasters did it.

My heart goes out to all who were there; those trying to escape, those trying to help them escape, those left behind to deal with the aftermath, and to all the friends and families who suffered loss.

Caffeinated Revisions

I'm at Starbucks, working on further revisions, and just went up to get my free refill with my registered shareholder's card. One of the employees said, "This is my favorite card. All the employees are standing outside in their little aprons, looking so happy."

"Yeah, like that would happen," another said.

Another employee snatched the card and they all gathered around to see it. "Yup, they really look happy."

"Well, of course, they are Starbucks employees," I said. "What is not to be happy about that?"

The first young man smiled. "Sure, we could look just like that," he boasted.

It is lucky I usually have my camera with me.

Yup. They look pretty happy. Now, may I have my coffee?