Writing is like being able to put life into a snow globe. It takes the things that are too big and scary and reduces them into a form that I can put away when I want and look at from a distance. It also takes all that’s good in life and captures it into something I can take out when I want and look at close up and keep forever. It makes the bad things into something I can hold…and the good things into something I can hold onto. Both help so much that I need that little souvenir of life.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Succinctly Yours Week 208: Backyard Drama

It’s time again for Succinctly Yours, a delightful meme offered courtesy of Grandma’s Goulash. We are invited to play with the photo to create a story of 140 words or 140 characters or fewer. The bonus word this week was “disdain.”


Scampy was terrified of doves—strutting around the yard the way they did, like they owned the place! And Lily viewed squirrels with distain. Those nuts!  123

Squirrleo and Doviette’s love was forbidden. Both sides would look on the union with disdain. So they squirrelled away moments to coo to each other behind the lilacs. 139



I’ve been struggling with more than the meme this week as our beloved Catsby is very slowly going downhill. The vet says there is no effective treatment and he won't recover, so we are making him as comfortable and happy as possible and hoping we will always choose the course of action that he would choose for himself. Right now I'm grateful he still obviously enjoys life, looking out the back door and "barking" at scenes much like the one pictured above. Again, I thank you for your good thoughts!



Animals have come to mean so much in our lives. We live in a fragmented and disconnected culture. Politics are ugly, religion is struggling, technology is stressful, and the economy is unfortunate. What’s one thing that we have in our lives that we can depend on? A dog or a cat loving us unconditionally every day, very faithfully. ~Jon Katz

15 comments:

  1. The second one is my favorite. I'm sending love to you and Gatsby... your quote says it all.

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  2. Lynn, that means more than you know. And I usually use quotes from what I call my "OCD Files," but this one I searched for and love because I agree with you - it sums it all up so well.

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  3. Hari OM
    Nicely done Tammy, though I too favour the second. got distracted this week so missed it I'm afraid. Tomorrow.... YAM xx

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  4. Hope they were pleasant distractions, YAM, and thank you for visiting!

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  5. If you found this week's prompt tough, I see no sign of it here. The tale of forbidden love was just too perfect!

    Thanks for coming to play. I was fearing that I would be celebrating SY's 4th anniversary by myself.

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    1. Sorry, Grandma. I am experimenting with when to post. Am always telling myself I will get it together one of these days. In the meantime, thank you so much for offering this, and happy anniversary!

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  6. I have a feeling Squirrleo and Doviette like to dine in the same establishment, that quaint, boxy restaurant on top of a pole, known for its seed selection. Best wishes for Catsby's comfort.

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    1. How did you know? There is a famous scene where Squirrleo gazes up at her while she's in that restaurant and says, "What light in yonder bird feeder breaks? Tis the east, and Doviette HAS SUNFLOWER SEEDS!"

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  7. I'm so sorry that Catsby is declining. Will be keeping you and him in my thoughts and prayers.

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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  8. This was the first message that arrived in my inbox after Catsby died. I appreciate it so much, Pat.

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  9. Oh Tammy... I am so sorry for your loss. You should be comforted in the knowledge that Catsby ended his life as a much-loved creature.

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    1. Thanks so much, Sioux. He definitely was loved. Just wish it could have been longer...!

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  10. Oh Tammy, I'm so so sorry for your loss. I know how tough this is. Please know I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers. And never doubt that you did right by Catsby. Any time we make decisions out of the intention of love, they are the right decisions. Do let me know if there's anything I can do.

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    1. Thank you, Theresa. Your experience with your cats and congestive heart failure really did help so much. You said I would know when it was time, and I do feel like I did. In the end, that little bit of wisdom was what we all needed.

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  11. First, let me say I'm so sorry about Catsby. He had your love up till the end, and returned it full measure. You were both blessed.

    The first is cute, but the second is my favorite. As a romance writer, I had to go where love was blooming. :)

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