The prompt for today is how is my writing voice like me. I think my writing voice is the same as me. I am myself when I write because it’s something I really enjoy. Sometimes I might sound sweet, but most of the time I am sassy. Remember: it’s hard to hug a cactus.
So I signed up for the NaBloPoMo March writing challenge today. The goal is to blog every day, and there are prompts to assist me. I missed yesterday’s prompt, so I will tell you five interesting facts about myself to get on track.
1. I took belly dance class and enjoyed it!
2. My soul mate is stuck (for now) in another country.
3. I prefer the company of my pets to people.
4. I can wiggle my ears.
5. I also have the (dubious) talent of talking like Donald Duck.
I feel like I’m juggling chain saws lately. Let me explain. I have a full-time job as a Spanish teacher with a history class thrown in for fun (and it has been a blast so far!). On the weekends, I do laundry at the local nursing home. If you’re counting, that’s two chain saws in the air. I am also studying for my Master’s (in Spanish, of course) and taking six credits (two classes) each semester. I’m counting each class as a chain saw, so that’s four, right? Did I mention I have two lovely daughters? Only one is still at home, so she counts as my fifth. I also have a house full of furry kids, so let’s figure them all as one more. (They are darlings, and they are considered family.) Since I’m a volunteer firefighter, I am glad things have not been very flammable lately. I do, however, have meetings to attend.
Right now I feel that all the chain saws are in the air—but it is a precarious situation. I have the sinking suspicion that one is about to drop to the ground. Let’s just hope it doesn’t whack off something important when it does.
Funny hats are mandatory for a Nebraska winter.
Here’s what we did….spent 10 minutes bundling up to play five minutes in the snow with the pups. Dressing the dogs took longer than getting our winter gear on, but they look so stinking CUTE! My butt got cold because my pants were too thin for a blizzard. The monkey hat always makes me smile.
My neighbor in Mexico
I have friends in Nebraska, but I’ve only been here four years. I still classify people as “work” friends or “people I know.” For me, it takes much longer than four years to form a strong, real friendship. My friends—the ones I really count on—can be numbered on one hand. They have been through hard times with me, and we have come out stronger for it. People who know me in Virginia or Mexico have a much deeper understanding of who I am than people I’ve met here in my adopted town. I’m not saying anything negative about people here; it simply IS. It takes a long time for me to really trust someone. A gal I know said I have trust issues. Not true. I’m just not stupid or easy to know.
I can call my friends, wherever they may be, and we can start our conversation where we left off before no matter how long it’s been since we chatted. My best friend knows how I drink my coffee, what I think about politics, and how I raise my kids. She also knows how to guard a secret and watch my back. The same things make us laugh. Or cry. She knows my deepest regrets, and she still respects me in spite of my failings. THAT is true friendship.
Friendship takes time!
Ysabela and her friend, Gidalty
Are you feeling tired and rundown? Are you in good physical health? Do you “have it together” in your head? Job going well? If you are on a roll in your life, but there’s still “something” wearing you down, you may be the victim of an energy-sucking vampire.
A what? You read it correctly. An energy-sucking vampire. If you have ever been in contact with one of this not-so-rare breed, you know exactly what I mean. Maybe your friend comes to visit, stays a while, leaves, and you feel worn out by the time the visit is over. You close the door after him or her, lock it and sigh. You might even have a headache. You survived, but the price is high. This particular breed of human takes your energy like a vampire takes blood. You have my sympathy if you are a victim. You also will have some advice.
There’s a lock on the door for a reason. Use it, and don’t apologize. You have the right to be comfortable and free from intrusions in your own home. Your home is, after all, your castle. Pull up the drawbridge! (I am considering building a moat!)
Set limits on those who waste your time. It can be awkward, but sometimes you just have to say something. Don’t let anyone run over you, especially when it concerns how you spend your precious free time. Friendship should be a pleasure, not an expectation or a duty. It takes time to develop a real, solid friendship. If you’d rather not visit, just say so. Remember: the energy vampire keeps you from doing things you want to do. Be assertive.
Let me insert here that I am not known for my tact, but when it comes to protecting my free time after a hard day’s work, I can be ferocious. (Think: Mama bear. With a cub.) I do try to be nice, but nice isn’t always effective. I am not the kind of person who enjoys hurting someone’s feelings. I can see you nodding your head! I’m glad you get it.
Do you need some graceful ways of letting the vampire know it’s time to leave or that it’s a bad time to visit? You might want to check with Miss Manners, but I have a few suggestions.
*I have an appointment at (insert time/place), so I need to have time to get ready.
*I’m sorry, but it’s family time right now.
*Oh, I wish you had called first! I have plans already.
*I’m helping with homework right now. Maybe later?
*Can you come back another day? I’m taking care of chores.
*I have to get up early in the morning, so I need to cut this short.
If none of those work, be more direct. It might feel awkward, but you have to protect your energy and your time. Good luck. If you have any suggestions that work for you, let me know. I love reading comments on my blog. Thanks for reading!
If you know a family who used to have a grey and white Maine Coon cat named Jersey, get them to the computer. I want to tell them something.
When I first saw Jersey’s photo one Saturday on the North Platte Animal Shelter Facebook page, I thought she was stunning. That’s the only word that came to mind. Then I read the short bio on the page and got mad. Her family was moving and turned her in—14 years old (didn’t look it!), spayed and declawed. I tried to imagine how she felt being in a shelter environment. Monday couldn’t come soon enough for me to go and pick her up. I was worried someone else might steal her away before I could get there.
She was still available when I arrived in a rush and breathlessly announced that I had come for Jersey the Maine Coon. Since she was already spayed, she was able to load up for home right away. After seeing how big she was, I congratulated myself on having the good sense to bring the biggest crate I had.
Jersey girl talked all the way home. She has a cute meow that sounds like she’s asking a question. Before she was integrated into my existing family of felines, she slept on my pillow every night. Jersey must have a sense of humor. One night I was awakened by a front paw smacking me between my eyes. She wanted me to pet her.
I have had this beautiful cat for a few months now. I realize I’m not angry at her previous family. Jersey was obviously loved and well fed before. She knows her name and comes quickly for attention. Now that my anger is gone, I understand circumstances change, people move. I also know our pets shouldn’t have to pay for what we do. I love my animals like family and have high expectations of other pet owners.
I want to thank you for loving Jersey. Know that I love her, and she will be with my family until the end of her days. By her behavior, I know she’s comfortable and happy in my home. I hit the lottery the day I adopted her.
For pictures of more animals needing homes, check out https://www.facebook.com/NorthPlatteAnimalShelter?fref=ts.
What’s your first reaction when you hear someone say, “I have to get my cat declawed”? Don’t think about it—how does your gut react? My first instinct is to grab that cat and run! Personally, I believe it is an inhumane thing to do, and, as such, I can’t imagine ever having it done to one of my felines.
To better understand the issue, I spoke to my semi-local veterinary clinic about it. Dr. John Werth helped put things in perspective for me. He explained that if a cat is very destructive, the owner may be faced with ugly alternatives—euthanasia, perhaps, or turning the cat in to a shelter (where the cat may be put to sleep if not adopted). Dr. Werth stated for a situation like that, it comes down to the lesser evil—declawing. It makes sense. He also said the vets there talk people out of declawing in many cases. Good for you, Dr. Werth!
We discussed the procedure itself, which disgusts me. According to Dr. Werth, declawing is not simply the removal of the nail and nail bed; it is the removal of the entire first joint of the toe. Ouch, and no thanks.
I asked about claw tips (or covers), and he said that he would be concerned unless the cat owner is very diligent and monitors the appliance carefully. Any device can be misused, either intentionally or unintentionally. In either case, it can harm the animal.
I guess the decision to declaw would have to be decided on a case-by-case basis, but I am still against it unless the animal’s life is at stake.
Sparkle has very sharp claws!
An English translation of Yoani Sánchez's blog Generación Y, from Havana, Cuba
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