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.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Succinctly Yours #178: Pitiful

Thank you to Grandma’s Goulash for hosting Succinctly Yours! The idea of this meme is to use the picture to scratch out a story in under 140 words or 140 characters. The bonus word this week was “jealous.” Problem was, I struggled with this week’s picture because that poor cat looks miserable! I’m so weird, I can’t look at it very long. I just want to tell the cameraperson to stop taking pictures and wrap that kitty in a towel and bring it inside. So here’s my sad little 57-word attempt:

The dogs of the world were jealous on the day that it only rained cats.
The good news is that our own cat—rescued over a year ago right after some massive storms—is recovering from his phobia of rain. Like Pavlov’s cat, I'm pretty sure he now salivates at the sound of thunder. He definitely arrives at my lap at the first sound of raindrops. That’s okay. It’s better than seeing him cower under the bed. 
Am hoping the kitty in the picture got warm and dry right after the picture was taken!

Empathy is meaning. ~Anne Lamott, Stitches



12 comments:

  1. I so agree! The picture made me sad and I wondered what sort of story you'd write about it. As always, you did a terrific job.

    On closer inspection, I've decided the picture looks like its been photoshopped. Kitty's fur really doesn't look wet at all. Yep, that's what I'm going with...not wet at all.

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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    1. Lol, Pat, I knew you would. Yes! Photoshopped! Now that you mention it, you're right. I'll go with that, too.

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  2. Kitty looks mighty unhappy, and who can blame him? My kitties are indoor cats and spoiled, with no idea what rain is. Hope the fur-baby in the picture found a warm spot.

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    1. Sounds like all of your pets are exceptionally well cared-for! Thanks for stopping by, Lisa.

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  3. Tammy--That IS good news about your cat.

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    1. Yep! We go through a lot of treats, though. :)

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  4. I prefer to think that Kitty is on the inside of the window pane, with a couch and three pillows in the background. However (SHAME ON ME!), the first thing I thought was, "That's one wet...kitty."

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  5. You know, I thought it looked like there might be a window pane, too...but I couldn't figure out why there would be cobblestones in there. Now I see that you are right! It IS a nice warm couch! With a small fish inexplicably caught in the cushion.

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  6. Hari OM
    I found this one a real challenge also - trying to make something at all positive out of what were both, in essence, negative prompts; no harm in such challenges of course!!! Well met... YAM xx

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  7. You did a wonderful job with this as usual, YAM!

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  8. Oh so good, Tammy!!! :) [I'm still smiling.]
    I am with you, I generally count characters and spaces but today I went to words. Poor little cat.
    Then I whittled, down from 184 to 140. It still sounded okay when I finished. Poor little cat.
    ..

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  9. Thank you for being so gracious about my little bitty contribution! I appreciate it. Can't wait to read yours.

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