Example of 10 Minute Writing Exercise

In both the Creative Writing class I just finished & the Walkerton Writers Group I just started, ten minutes seems to be the magic number for the length of time we should get for a writing exercise. Depending on the topic, ten minutes can be too much time, too little time; move too quickly, move not quickly enough; and sometimes, just right. Typically, I don't get too caught up in finding the 'perfect' story to write about. It is a ten minute exercise, after all.

In my first Walkerton Writers Meeting last week, we were given the writing prompt "I've never been so scared in my life" for our exercise. In my ten minutes, I wrote the following:

I've never been so scared in my life as I was when my little dog, Orion, ran out of the house on that dark night in January.

I opened the door to step outside to retrieve the mail and before I could close it behind me, he was through my legs and down the stairs. I didn't expect him to go far since the ground was covered in days old snow and he's only 15" high to the tips of his perked ears. Unfortunately,m Orion had other plans, taking advantage of the cleared paths and shooting straight down the driveway to the street.

A million scenarios flashed through my mind as I considered how I might find him in the dark. Without a flashlight, there was not enough light to navigate my way through the banked snow. Yet, going inside to find a working flashlight sounded like a time-consuming effort in futility. Still, I opted to search for a flashlight, quickly found one and ran back into the freezing night calling the escapee's name.

I paused every once in a while to listen for the telltale jingle of his collar and continued dow the street in hopes I'd picked the same direction he'd chosen.

After what seemed like an eternity, I turned into the darkness in time to see glance my way and attempt another escape. Calmly, I knelt down, lured him closer with loving, sweet sounds. He ambled my way, crossed right outside of my reach and raced down the street in the opposite direction. The same direction from where I saw headlights approaching in my direction. I doubted the oncoming traffic would see such a small pup, so I did what any mother would do and stood in the middle of the road.

... and then she called time. Ten minutes was up.

I love Halloween, by Orion

This year I decided to take a more 'active' role in Halloween. I wanted my mommy to make me a homemade costume that wasn't too hot or too tight. I like to be able to run! She made me this cool costume - a basketball player! My jersey has my name & I even got to carry my own ball! Oh, she also made little sweatbands for me, but I wasn't digging those & had them thrown to the floor before the camera could even be found!

I love this holiday! It's the best because I get to hang with 'the boys'. I really like those guys. One of the boys is really small - almost my size. He talks to me & follows me around a lot. I don't mind. He's nice enough.

This year there was another lil person with us. I don't think it was another of the guys though. This lil person was dressed like my siblings, Cheddy & Moodles, but in a really weird color. I've never seen a pink kitty before. And the cats at my house, they can be very noisy. Sometimes I'm trying to sleep & that orange one will start talking & won't stop. The only way I can get back to sleep is hiding under the covers next to mommy! I think that's very rude. You can tell he's fresh from the streets! Look how much skin he shows at home! Have a little modesty!

Anyway, this pink kitty, she smelled kinda funny too. I don't think I have that smell at my house. And one of the guys kept staring at her! I was sniffing & looking, trying to figure out what he was so enrapt with & I just couldn't see it!

The guys & I hit the ground running. I was excited to hear, see and smell all the things they had going on their neighborhood. So many bushes to smell - it was like being in heaven! I wasn't worried about getting candy though because I'm trying to watch my figure. I don't work out on the courts for nothing!

There was a scary moment that night. I saw these things in the yard & they looked really spooky! I ran between mommy's legs & hid my face. She explained they weren't real & couldn't hurt me. I wasn't so sure about that white guy on top and didn't look directly in his eyes. Good thing we had a sorcerer with us!

There was another big person with us on Halloween... it was a Pink Cat. It's lucky for them that I likes cats. I don't like pink very much, but Pink Cat didn't stick around the whole time. During our outing the 2 cats went off hunting mice & lil pink kitty didn't come back. I guess she was really hungry for lil mice!

I have to say it was another good Halloween with the boys. After we said goodbye, Mommy & I went home to tell the others about our adventures. SydSyd & Jakester were very interested in the scents I brought back with me! I think they were a little jealous though... I drifted off to sleep not long after that. Trick or Treating really takes it out of a pup!

I'm already thinking about my costume for next year!

Where Have I Been?

Mi madre has been making comments lately about the lack of posts on my site! I know, I know... it's true. I've been bad! But... I have reasons - lots of them! Stay tuned & I might just tell you about them!

I *might* be writing about:

~~ my 20 year high school reunion
~~ the reading I had with the medium
~~ all the birthday festivities in my family (though, not mine!)
~~ my creative writing class + possible examples
~~ Halloween with my pup

See? All good reasons to stay tuned! I'll be back!

The Amazing Cheddar

Today Cop’er & I brought home our newest ‘son,’ Cheddar. We finalized the adoption on Saturday at the Richmond Animal Care & Control office. Cheddar (also known as “Scooby Snacks” in a former life) was first spotted on their website. I zeroed in on him like a heat-seeking missile to its target. He had all the criteria I was looking for—orange, not a teeny kitty and friendly.

When they led us into the ‘cat room’, we were shown other orange kitties, but again found ourselves drawn to the now-familiar face of Cheddar. I asked to hold him & he just sat in my arms, looking around. The volunteers in the room kept commenting on how he looked to comfortable just sitting there.

I didn’t need to see any other cats—i knew Cheddar was the one. So I put him back into his cage & went out front to see about some adoption paperwork. We filled everything out and even had a few tests done on the spot to make sure Cheddar didn’t have anything he could transfer to Moodles. He came up negative—luckily!

We couldn’t bring him home until today because he needed to be neutered. I don’t think he’s going to be hookin’ with Moodles, but I know they need to have it done for my sanity too! Cop’er went by the SPCA today & brought home the little cardboard box that held our newest family member.

I, of course, spent part of the day getting ‘his room’ ready. I decided to move Cheddar into the laundry room. It something we were going to do with Moodles anyway, but this was the perfect time to make the transition. He has all he needs in there including a window to look out of. Unless he’s looking for birds that land on the roof, he’s not going to be seeing anything!

According to Sister Fantanimal, I should let Cheddar chill in his room & allow the other animals to get used to his smell from under the door. Well, we have no patience for that! We let Moodles get a glimpse & sniff of Cheddar before he made his way into his quarters. I’m not sure Moodles is on the bandwagon for sharing his mommy however… he followed up the sniffing with growls & hisses. Let’s hope this is just the warming up phase!

The dogs… what can I say? They are who they are. NUTS! So far they have only gotten scents from the carrier & from under the door. I let Lil Guy in the laundry room for a VERY BRIEF SECOND & Cheddar turned into a cheese puff!

I took Cheddar into our guest room while I worked on organizing ‘things’ and so he could look around without the peering eyes of his siblings. He must’ve checked every nook & cranny in the room & then came back to get lots of pets from me. He seems to be quite affectionate and loving!

Now... I just need everyone to get along so Cheddar doesn't have to LIVE in the laundry room!

Alive & Walkin'...

For those of you keeping tabs, all the neigh-sayers, the got-your-back supporters and even those who just stumbled onto this blog thinking that the title of this post meant something a little more sinister... it's update time.

Back in February, I blogged about my Healthy Lifestyle Change. I started, as you may recall, the beginning of January (conveniently my first day back at work after the looonnngggg holiday) to change my eating habits and make better choices.

Well, faithful readers, I HAVE NOT swayed from this path! That's right... I'm still kickin' it HLC style! I haven't had fast food in 14+ weeks & have only had one soft drink. Can I get a 'hell yeah'????

I didn't know if I had the willpower... Seriously, there were many days when I didn't think I would be able to drive by McDonald's without stopping in for fries!... but somehow, i found the gumpshun within me to do it.

Fessing up:
I can admit that I have had french fries, but I don't eat them all - & not from a fast food restaurant.
I also have not always made the best choice for meals, but I am much better at balancing the options throughout the day.
I do eat breakfast every morning - during the week.
I have had ice cream (what a weakness), but only 2 times. The rest it's straight-up frozen yogurt!

Yeah, that's the damage. That's all I can fess up to. I'm not perfect & I don't think it would do me any good to pretend that i was, but I am really proud of my 14 weeks 'sober'.

I also mentioned in February that I'd be walking the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in May with my family. If you'll take a quick peek at your calendar - i'll wait - you'll notice that it's just a month away! OMG! Just how am I going to perform when faced with 3.1 miles ahead of me??? I am in NOT a walker, runner or someone who gets her rocks off from exercise. But then again, there was no way I am going to be the one they are pushing (or dragging) to the finish line.

Come on - 3 itty bitty little miles??? I can do that!

Can't I?

I wasn't so sure. I needed to confirm this for myself. Unfortunately the only way to do this was to... walk.

WHOA IS ME!

So last Friday I strapped on my Zune (for you iPod people, that would be the Microsoft MP3 player), leashed up O and headed out the door for parts unknown... you know, around the neighborhood.

While O was an eager walking companion, I don't think he was sharing that vibe with me. I made it about a mile & was never so happy to see my abode in the distance (I think I might have even hallucinated it when I wasn't close to it). It was only a mile, but it was more than I'd walked the day before... & it was 1/3 of the distance I have to complete for the 5k.

You know, I think I might be able to do this...

And to prove it to myself, I have walked 10 miles since then with the longest distance being 2.5 miles.

Good thing I have a few more weeks... I'm almost there. ALMOST.

Leg-in-Limbo Chronicles

We knew it wouldn't be long... Not much time until... you know...
he started running around again.

Yes, Jakester is feeling quite a bit better. He's putting a little weight on his Leg-in-Limbo and he's not trying to snap my fingers off when i get near him. The pain patch came off & he's just finishing up the obligitory antibiotics he has to take.

I think he might be getting a little too used to the "posh life" he's living for 2 weeks. Since he can't do much rough-housing or wrestling with his siblings, he's been in O's sleeping spot while O has been with SydSyd. Sure, who's going to complain about sleeping on pillows and being carried up & down the stairs.

I know some days I'd like to have that kind of service.

When I took him out last night, I put him on the ground and he went to do his business. I happened to be standing at the bottom of the steps. He comes back to me, sits at my feet and looks up.

Ok. Climb them steps, boy! Let's see what you got going on!

Ha. I might as well have said "Jakester, can I carry you into the house?"

I picked him up & he settled in for a nice trip into the house. As soon as his 3 legs hit the floor he was racing to the cushy pillow he's taken over. (I hope Cop'er doesn't think he's gettin' a new one. I didn't tell him to give that one to the dog!)

Jakester still has another week+ with the stitches (that are still intact, but very well licked), so it's likely he's going to be carried around a bit more.

I just hope when he's 'good as new' he doesn't think I'll be carrying him around everywhere. If he has those thoughts, I'll just show him this:

Why Pets are Like Children

Obviously, I don't have kids - unless you count the 5 pets we have. If you are a follower of my blog, you will have already been introduced to our 2 cats (RoxyAnn & Moodles) and our 3 dogs (SydSyd, Jakester and O).

More often than not, Cop'er & I find ourselves as referee, loving parent, disciplinarian and good cop/bad cop (neither comes more naturally than the other for Cop'er, by the way). There's always a fight to break up, teasing to end, loving to administer, baths to give, meals to make, punishment to dole out, messes to clean up, toys to put back, sitters to be lined up. Like I said, pets are like kids.

A few of our "kids" have very distinct personality traits... O likes to sleep in the bed with us at night. He whines at Cop'er's feet until he's carried into the bed to sleep with his Mommy. I can't complain - he's very well behaved when it's sleepy-time. He also like to use the bed for other purposes... burying bones.

Lil Guy as a pup - what a cutie!

Every so often, Cop'er gives the kids a dog bone triat (Alpo, the large variety) to keep 'em busy (aka quiet). Well, O isn't very interested in actually eating the bone. He just carries it around in his mouth, whining to Cop'er for a lift to get in the bed. Once in the bed, he's bound for the blankets. He drops the bone in the midst of the pile and digs, digs, digs until the bone is "buried." There's no telling how many little treasures we might have sleeping with us.

Another very distinct personality is Moodles. He's the baby cat in our family. And by 'baby' I mean the youngest cat, 8 years old. He also sleeps in the bed with us - on the other side of me. He likes to stretch his paws out until he's touching my face. i don't think he knows he still has claws & they kinda hurt sometimes. The little quirk he has is climbing on my nightstand, knocking the lampshade over & over making it tap, tap, tap on the wall beside the bed. Talk about annoying things to hear at 3am!

The kid with the over-the-top trait would have to be RoxyAnn. She's full-fledged animal dominator of the house. She doesn't like the dogs, but puts up with O. She scraps with SydSyd & bops Jakester on the head. She takes nothin' from no one. I think that might even include me & Cop'er! Early in the morning, RIGHT BEFORE we are ready to get up - you know those precious moments of quiet you savor before the day starts - she is on the dresser. You'd think she would just chill, enjoy the quiet herself, but she doesn't. She cleverly paws all the bottles, boxes, trinkets, etc on top of the dresser until they fall over (bang!) or fall to the floor (crash). She does it over & over until I get out of bed, trick her into coming closer to me & throw her out the room. That is not the right way to wake up in the morning - especially on a Monday... or the weekend!

Of course, they all have their good & bad days. Sometimes they are great kids - full of sweetness & love. Sometimes they are the devil's spawn & there is nothing you can do but call it a night. At this point in my life - childless - I still feel like I get a little 'taste' of what it's like. And sometimes, I'm ok with having kids that let me sleep in late on the weekend!

A Tale of O

My Lil Guy is quite adventurous. He likes to check out the grand world around him. He sniffs & runs & barks & chases his siblings all around the spacious (to his small size) backyard.
He also likes to go on car rides. When he hears the keys being moved, people gathering things to leave the house, he's right there at the door BEGGING to go out. I mean, BEGGING as if it's his lifeline & he must leave through that door -- to the other world only found by exiting via the 'big people hole'. We don't fall for that cute, furry little face; we know he's just trying to get his way.

With the snow covering the ground (& him), he wasn't as inclined to go out & about -- through either front or back door. One day we happened to be outside digging the driveway out from under its white blanket and we let Lil Guy out with us. After all, he couldn't get too far. He had a ball boucing in the footprints we'd made; hopping through the snow mounds like a teeny little gazette - everso graceful with the flakes of snow sticking to his nose.

After a while he tired of the constraints the snow was causing on his adventurous nature and wanted to go inside. Or was it b/c we were tired of making sure he didn't make a quick dash into the neighbor's yard???

A few days later I was going to get something out of my car & he was waiting by the door. Well, i guess I wasn't fast enough --- he slipped right by & out the door. No problem, I thought. There's still snow everywhere out there! It's freezing! And it's dark too! Where's would he really go?

Well... perhaps I should have asked "where wouldn't he go?"!!! As I slowly made my way down the slick steps, he'd made his way down the street! I walked down the driveway, calling his name. He was nowhere to be found. It became apparent that he wasn't going to come to me with a simple calling of the name.

I came to a crossroads.

No, he wasn't there waiting for me.

Crossroads = do I go in & get a flashlight or try to find him in the dark?

Hmph. Neither.

I'll call Cop'er. So what if he wasn't there & 10 miles from the house working an off-duty job. I pull out my cell & call him up... "O RAN AWAY & I CAN'T FIND HIM!!!!!!!!!!"

Cop'er: What? Are you serious?

Me: YES!!!!!

Cop'er: Why did you let him out?

Me: I DIDN'T! HE SNUCK PAST ME!

Cop'er: Well, just call his name.

Me: HE WON'T COME!!! HE'S GONE! THERE'S NOTHING BUT DARKNESS & HUGE PILES OF SNOW!

Cop'er: What do you want me to do about it?

Me: I DON'T KNOW!

Cop'er: You shouldn't have let him out...

Me: [click] *thinking -- I don't have time for the blame game--my pup is lost in the big city!*

Back at the crossroads (still no pup). Flashlight or walking through the dark, snowy streets of my 'hood. Ok, I'm going in for the flashlight. Maybe a coat too. Possibly some gloves & a scarf (I said it was cold!).

Back out with the flashlight... down the driveway. Uh oh. Another crossroads - go left, go right. Think like the Lil Guy. Which way would he go?

I picked right. Walking down the street with my flashlight, which, by the way, isn't lighting much!

"ORION!!!!"

"WHERE'S MAMA'S BABY????"

"OOOOOOO!"

"COME 'ERE, O!!!!"

Nothing. No little tags jingling. No sounds of small paws digging out of the snow (I had visions of him falling into one of those deep piles of snow on the side of the road. He might have frozen instantly!).

Ok. I can't find him. My mind starts wondering what to do next. Calm down. Just go inside & find a good picture of him & we'll make some 'Lost Lil Guy' flyers and post them up around the neighborhood.

I wonder how much Cop'er would let me put for the reward. How much is our 'child's' return worth to him?

Perhaps I should say 'how much is your wife's happiness worth to you?'... I think that's a more effective (& realistic!) way to word it!

Then I start to really think about it and come to the conclusion that no one is going to find that cutey pie & give him back willingly. I might have to get Cop'er to bring the law down on them!

As I am plotting how to retrieve my pup from his new home, I turn the corner of the next street moving the [very wimpy] flashlight beam into the darkness that swallowed Lil Guy up.

"ORION!!!!"

"WHERE'S MAMA'S BABY????"

"OOOOOOO!"

"COME 'ERE, O!!!!"

WAIT.

What was that? I saw something move (yes, at this point, it could have totally been my imagination).

AHA! There he is!!!! He was actually walking up someone's driveway, sniffing along the way.

I crouch down to his level (sorta) & call him. He stops. Looks at me. Smiles (no lie). Starts running my way.

YEAH!!! Here he comes!!! Come on, boy!!!

There he goes. Right past me. What a tease.

Oh & looky there... a car coming too! Great. How are they going to see this Lil Guy amongst the huge snow piles??? I start flashing my light so they see me & the pup. The car slows. Lil Guy keeps on walking down the street like he's large & in charge. As the car turns down the street we were just on, I hear the driver yell out his window "My dog does that all the time!".

Great. Maybe that's where mine learned it! (Geez. Will this night ever end?)

Me, the dutiful mother, still following behind him with the hopes he's going to get tired & realize we are passing the house --- in the other direction now.

HiHo HiHo... still toolin' down the street, checking things out, just not slow enough to get caught.

OH!!!! FUN!!!! Another car coming TOWARD us. I'm flashing the light again. Walking in the middle of their lane. They stop. When I finally walk passed their car, they're laughing.

Nice! Hahaha to you too!

Lil Guy is still a good ways ahead of me. I don't know if I am going to be able to catch this little mongrel! Now he's walked up someone's driveway again - looking back over his shoulder to see how much distance he'd put between us.

He's at the sidewalk now... Great. What's next? Will he be going to the porch & ringing the doorbell? Sure, I'm sure they have some nice kibble & a warm bed for you!

And just when i think he's going to make another path to avoid slippery capture... he stops. Hmmmm... well, what do we have here?

A scent?

A special treat?

A bigger dog? (Though I don't think this would have stopped him)

A cat?

No... it's the end of the sidewalk. It's snow. Snow that no one had walked through. Snow that was still as high as he was tall.

Thank heavens! I nab the little devil & tell him he better not do that again. I don't know that he understood b/c as soon as we got home & closed the front door, he was there begging to go out again.

Since then I'd like to say he hasn't gotten out... he has. This time it was with Cop'er & he 'chased' (down very icy streets, but in the daylight) Lil Guy a few blocks down the road until a neighbor caught him. I think it's safe to say after that episode, Cop'er knew exactly what I felt like when I called to tell him O got out.

I watched from the window.

A Few Shots from Snowhell

It's no surprise to some of you that I don't like the snow. I long for days with the windows down & the wind in my hair as I drive wherever I want just because I feel like it. Obviously, that's not going to happen in recent weather we've had.

Here are a few images from Snowhell 2010.

ABOVE: Lil Guy during the 2nd snowfall. He's looking a little like a full-fledged snowdog!

An interesting view of the headlight on my car melting the snow.








The snow through the trees in our backyard













A view of our house from the front

It looks like we have our own skating rink... the pool may never be the same!

A view from the comfort of my house, looking outside during a blizzard like moment (3rd snow)

I'll leave you with this pic. I happen to love this shot of Lil Guy... He's obviously planning his next escape down the street. If he's heading to the Caribbean, I'm likely to follow!