"Farewell to Rufus and Momma Kitty!"

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Two very special pets from the world of "books and writers" have gone to the Rainbow Bridge.

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First, there is Rufus, who was has been known as Amazon.com's "shortest volunteer worker." He was owned by Amazon's former editor-in-chief and their principal engineer, and dating all the way back to the early days, he would accompany them to work every day.

Rufus had a wonderful life! He was able to sit in on all the meetings he wanted (something he loved to do!); stroll the hallways; take leisurely naps in his crate; he perfected his game of hallway tennis-ball-chase; and somehow he was able to charm people into giving him extra treats and goodies, whenever they saw him. Ah, to live a dog's life.

As soon as Amazon customers discovered that there was an "Amazon dog," he was overwhelmed with presents, and he was particularly delighted to receive an offering from his good friends in Guam. His celebrity status never changed him, though. He was always the same old lovable Rufus.

He was most proud of his accomplishment of starting up the dog-friendly culture that is present at Amazon.com today. Employees can thank Rufus for being able to bring their four-legged friends with them to work today, something that most companies wouldn't even dream of allowing their employees to do.

Amazon is sure going to miss you, Rufus!

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The next pet that has gone on to "meet the sweet reward" is my own precious baby, Momma Kitty. You probably don't remember the article that I wrote on April 3rd about writer's block, but I wrote a whole paragraph about her in that article, here.

I have been dreading this, ever since they re-blacktopped the road out in front of our house. Momma was so good about looking both ways before crossing the road, but there had been some strange, stray dogs out here lately that had been chasing her and the other kitties, and I knew that she had been depending on being able to hear the vehicles coming, just like in the old days, but she wouldn't be able to any more. Now the road was all smooth, and the vehicles travelled along it quietly. How could I warn her and make her understand that? I was frantic!

I tried to tell her, but she didn't understand what I was trying to say. She just purred and looked up at me with love in her eyes, enjoying being held by me and listening to the sound of my voice as tears ran down my cheeks.

Days passed by and she was ok, and this gave me hope. Then days turned into weeks and I was cautiously optimistic, but still I worried and prayed. I couldn't bear the thought of living without her. Then the weeks turned into months and I thought maybe, just maybe the hurdle had been crossed, but the months never had the chance to make it to a whole year. In less than ten months, my Momma Kitty, the only kitty to have survived the traffic on this treacherous road for anything over a year, was gone.

For eleven years, I was the one that she had loved the most. I was the one she ran to when she had boo-boos from fighting with the other cats; she would sit by the door and "meow" until I came out to see what the problem was, because that wasn't something she'd normally do. She was such a good kitty, and we could read each other. I had never had that before--not in my entire life--and now she was gone. I was going to miss her terribly.

My new neighbor, Sheila, had called me on the phone that morning, and when I answered, instantly I had been able to tell something was very wrong by the sound of her voice.

"Oh...uh, hi, Cynde," she stammered. "Is Dion around?"

"Hi, Sheila," I answered her, immediately on alert. "No, Dion went back to work this morning. Can I help you with something?" My husband had just returned to work after taking a few days vacation, and for some reason, she obviously didn't want to talk to me.

"Well, not exactly," she said. There was silence on the line.

"Is something wrong, Sheila?"

"I'm on my way to an appointment, and I'm going to be late," she said, agitated. Silence again.

I had been laying down because I didn't feel good, it was around 11:30 a.m., and I still wasn't dressed. Something told me to get up and start slamming on some clothes as we spoke, which I did. "Sheila, what is it?" I asked, alarmed.

"Well, I was just going to get out into my car, and I happened to notice that one of those cats are out in the road."


(The kitties in the photo above are Momma's last litter, from left to right: Luke, Capote, Grady, and Duke)

My first thought was, oh no, I bet it's Duke. All we had left now were three yellow tiger kitties: Momma Kitty and two of her kittens, both boys, Capote and Duke. Then Sheila shattered my world!

"I think it's that old one," she said.

I think I may screamed, "Oh no, not Momma!" but I'm not sure. I don't remember exactly what happened after that. I do remember thanking her and having a hard time getting her to get off the phone for some reason. Now that I think about it, I may have upset her with my devastated reaction, but I'm not sure. I just know that I had to get off the phone so I could finish dressing so that I could see if it was Momma; and she if she was alive; and then see if I could help her.

A few minutes later, I was dressed and ready, then I flew out the door. The very first thing I noticed were the two kittens, Capote and Duke, looking out towards the road, and howling, as if they were physically in pain. I have never seen anything quite like it, except when cats were in heat, and they definitely were. not! Just the sound of it made my heart race. Then I turned and saw that it surely was Momma lying there, so I ran with the soft towel that I had brought with me, and went to check her out.

Oh, how it grieved me to see what had happened to her. A car had driven right over her, and I won't describe the whole thing to you, but yes, she had died instantly, thank God. I said a prayer for her, then scooped her up, and tenderly wrapped her up in her shroud, then I cradled her in my arms, and took her to her favorite spot in our front yard so that she could rest there, covered, until Dion got home to bury her.

I went in to call Dion at work, and when I looked outside, both the kittens were nuzzling her. Then, each one of them got as close as they could, one of either side, and they both snuggled up next to her, and fell asleep. I totally lost it then. I told Dion what had happened, and I cried so much that I got the hiccups. I had to assure him that I was going to be ok, because he was coming home to be with me, he was so worried about me. That's the way he is; we love each other so much. I couldn't have gotten through this without him.

I know that some of you will think that this is ridiculous, but I loved her so much. I loved her in a way that I find hard to explain. I'm home every day, all by myself, and it gets so lonely, so I talked to Momma, for hours...and she listened happily, without complaint. When she saw me coming, she would literally run to greet me. And the night before she died, she came into the house on her own, and went looking for me.

I had just gotten out of the shower and Dion was drying me off, so she must have heard my voice. Dion had left the kitchen door open by mistake when he carried some things in from the car, and when he came in to check to see how I was doing with my shower, he just dropped what he was doing to help me dry off.

Then we both heard, "Meow!" "Meow!" and I opened the bathroom door just in time to see my poor little Momma Kitty looking more distraught than I had ever seen her in her entire life. I bent down, gently pet her head, and said, "how did you get in here, sweetheart?" She immediately responded by blinking her eyes at me, then wrapping herself around my legs as she weaved in and out, purring loudly as she did so. Oh, how I loved the way she talked to me. She was never too embarrassed to say "I love you, Mommy," no matter where we were or who was there.

Momma had basically been a feral cat, but she let me do anything I wanted with her, and she was the almost the same with Dion. We were her two favorite people in the world, but anybody else...and she took off like a shot! She had never come into the house that far before...it must have been a sign from the Lord, because that was the last time I ever saw her alive. She had come to say "goodbye".

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As a side note: the kitten that took it the hardest and that has been missing Momma the most, "Capote," (this is him in the photo to the left) has been following me everywhere! He isn't Momma, but he is awfully sweet, and I know Momma would want me to take good care of him. Who knows...I may grow to love him a lot, if I can learn to let my guard down. He is so smart, and I already do love him (and Duke, too, of course). I just don't want to get hurt again, I don't think my heart can take it, that's all. Pray that he doesn't get hurt, would you, please? Thanks!

Until next time...stay safe, stay well, and may God bless you all.

Cynde

Please visit my other blogs:
Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!

"Welcome to my Page, Leona and Angie!"

By now, you all know how excited I get when a new "follower" comes on board my site! I whoop and holler; I jump up and down; I dance the jig; and I do cartwheels--well, not really...but I do smile a lot!

Seriously speaking, every last one of my "followers" represents someone that likes my blog; that cares about what I have to say; and that cares about me. I'd say that's pretty special. I owe it to all of them to do my very best to at least write something, now and then, that is entertaining, or at the very least, interesting.

My first new "follower" today is Leona G. Shankle, a published author and poet. Her book, entitled "At The Starting Gate," is a collection of assorted poetry and short stories ranging from humorous to serious and inspirational.

Leona also maintains her two blogs: Her first blog is named after her book, At The Starting Gate and it's filled with the things she learned "along the way to publishing [her] book," plus "some tips and insights," and what she calls "a mind-boggling set-back every now and then." Her second blog, Fun n Inspiration , is the sister site to her other blog, and in that blog, she shares inspirational emails and stories as well as things to "help make [our] day a little brighter."

My second new "follower" today is Angie Lofthouse. (Don't you just love her last name? She "is a stay-home mom of six children. Her fiction has appeared in NFG, AlienSkin, Amazing Journeys, The Sword Review, Dragons, Knights and Angels, Irreantum, and Unparalleled Journeys. She is also an editor for Mindflights Magazine. She lives in a little canyon in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains with her family of writers, artists, singers, composers, illustrators and musicians."

Angie's blog, which is entitled Notes From The Writing Chair, is loaded with valuable writing tips and secrets; updates on her family life; book reviews; links and resources; and so many goodies that it's a veritable goldmine! Her husband even has a gardening blog, called Loafer Canyon Gardening, which I signed up to follow because, I think that our spouses need supporting, as well, and when we as writer's, support each other's spouses, too, it gives us a boost emotionally and spiritually. What could be better than that? We've got to show some love, write right? (LOL!)

Aside from the amazing, very first book that Angie has written, called "Zion Rising," which she is now in the first stages of trying to get it published, here is a list of Angie's published works:

• "Soul Singer" in "The Sword Review" — September 2006


• "Brierly's Lilies" in "Dragons, Knights, and Angels" — April 2006


• "Casualties of War" in "AlienSkin" — April/May 2005


• "Ripped" in "Amazing Journeys" — March 2005


• "Fidelity" in "Unparalleled Journeys Anthology"


• "Getting Colder" in "Amazing Journeys" — June 2004


• "Sacred Places" in "Irreantum" — Spring 2004


• "Among the Silent Stars" in "Amazing Journeys" — March 2004


• "Blessing Stone" in "NFG" — June 2003

As you can see, I am beginning to amass some fantastic "followers" on my blog(s) and it's a shame if you haven't joined yet. It's not too late; you can join at any time!

Let me say, once again, "Welcome to my site, Leona and Angie!" and also..."I hope you enjoy being part of the "Cynde's Daybook" family. I am honored to have you as a members, and I'll do my best to make you glad that you have joined us!"

Until next time...stay safe, stay well, and may God bless you all.

Cynde

Please visit my other blogs:
Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!

"Writer's Image Prompt!"

"Picture (no pun intended) This:"
written by: Cynde L. Hammond

It was Thursday night, 02 April 2009, at one of the Lariat Sandridge Energy oil rigs, south of Fort Stockton, Texas. There was an eerie calm outside while the men were busy working on the rig, but they couldn't help but notice the dazzling light display being played out right before them as they worked.

"I don't think I've seen lightning like that before as long as I've worked on these big rigs," Carl said thoughtfully. "Have you, Joe?"

"No, I can't say as I have," he answered, as he watched the thick shafts zig and zag towards the earth. "Somebody got a camera around here?"

"I've got one out in the truck," Bill yelled from the back of the group of about ten men that had formed to watch the show. "I'll go get it."

Just as Bill had turned to trot off and go get the camera, one of the men grabbed him by the arm and whispered in his ear, "Forget it. Get back to work--here comes Red," and with that, Bill went back to his station, never skipping a beat.

Red was a mammoth, barrel-chested man, with a head full of bright red hair, a beard, mustache and lamb-chop sideburns to match. Despite all the face hair, you could still clearly see the cleft chin and deep dimples on both cheeks, which were the perfect compliment to his sparkling, bright blue eyes.

On many occassions, the men had heard the women from the business office talk about what a handsome man Red was, and how they couldn't wait until he was ready to start dating again. They all babied him, brought him cookies, pastries, and all kinds of goodies, ever since his wife had died of uterine cancer two years earlier. Even though they were all jealous of the girls' attention to him, none of them would ever want to trade places with him and have to go through the pain that he had had to endure.

As Red stalked on to the platform, the men quickly scattered in the hopes that he hadn't noticed that they had been goofing off and congregating there, watching the lightning. "Bill!" Red yelled in to the darkness.

Bill swallowed hard, not sure he could answer. He knew he was in trouble now! "Yeah, Red?" he squeaked.

"Go get that camera!" Red commanded.

You didn't have to ask him twice, for Bill was off and running. He was back with his camera in a matter of a couple of minutes. Slowly, the men were gathering back together again at the platform, and watched as Bill handed the camera to Red.

"Well, come on!" Red demanded. "Come on over and gawk if you have to, because I know you won't get anymore work done tonight until these dern pictures have been taken, so let's get it over with!"

Everybody started laughing because they all knew he was just kidding. He was so easy to work for. He was such a fair man, and he'd give them the shirt off his back, if that's what you needed.

"Here, you taken them," Red said, handing the camera back to Bill. "It's your camera!"

So, as Bill prepared for his shot, the men lined up around him and waited in anticipation. "Take a bunch of pictures!" one of the men said, just as Bill was about to click. Now he'd have to get ready all over again. Bill was nervous being watched.

"Give him a little bit of room," Red said, sensing his unease, and Bill flashed him a grin. Now he was ready. This was going to be a great shot. He was going to click right when the lightning flashed! Bill took a deep breath, waited, it was almost time, he could feel it, and then he clicked!

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Now...let's see what you've got! Pick the story up from where I left off, and write how you would finish this little story, just for fun, ok?

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Until next time...stay safe, stay well, and may God bless you all.

Cynde

Please visit my other blogs:
Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!

"The 'What's-Up-Wednesday' Short Story Review!"

When I was first told the title of my friend Suzette Saxton’s short story, and that it had been published in the fantasy and science fiction magazine, Mindflights, I thought surely there must be some mistake.

The title, “The Bone Setter,” conjured in my mind, visions of a muscular man twisting, punching and pulling at the half-naked, horizontally-inclined body of a weak woman needing joint manipulation. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

From the start of this enchanting, speculative fiction tale, the relationship between the orphan girls and their sovereign drew me in. I marveled at how well Ms. Saxton had described the scenes; it was almost as if I were there myself. And the characters seemed so believable, so real. How had she done that to such perfection? I felt compelled to read further. As I did, somewhere along the way, I had forgotten that I was reading. The journey had become mine as well. I was with “The Bone Setter.”

Visit Mindflights magazine so that you, too, can be lost in the wonder that is: "The Bone Setter" by Suzette Saxton. ”When ancient bones speak to an orphan girl, she struggles to free them from their mortal bounds while Monsignor, her sovereign from birth, strives to overpower her."

My overall rating: excellent!

Until next time...stay safe, stay well, and may God bless you all.

Cynde

Please visit my other blogs:
Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!

"Query Tracker Turns Two--Let's Celebrate!"

Guess What! It looks like it's a proud parent moment--only I'm not the parent, and Query Tracky isn't exactly a kid anymore. But it's still the same excitement!

They're having a PARTY!

Copy and paste the link below the picture at the bottom of the page for more details. Oh, and there's also a little blog chain contest going on. The grand prize of this hulla-baloo is a FREE WEBSITE designed by the awesome Carolyn Kaufman and QT's daddy, Patrick McDonald. That's right. FREE. (They're the Purple Squirrel Web Designers. Check 'em out.)

You want that, don't you? Um, yeah..

You get one entry into the grand prize drawing for every contest you enter. (Details on the carnival page, click below.) You can also get another entry by helping us advertise!


Thanks, Elana!

Now here's how you do it: Simply make a post like this one you're reading on this blog. Make sure to use the wicked fun graphic and direct them to the carnival page for more deets. Then go here and leave a comment with your link and real name. Or email your link with your real name to any one of the members of the QT blogteam (listed on the right-hand side of the blog) on this page here. Use: Their Name(at)QueryTracker(dot)net.

They'll make sure you get in the drawing.

Be sure to tell your readers to EMAIL THEM (or comment here) your link and real name so they can put your name in the drawing. You can link to this post so everyone knows how to make sure they're entered for the FREE WEBSITE!

And hurry! You must have your blog post up by next Saturday, May 23 to get the extra entry.

Spread the word! Win a FREE WEBSITE!

"The 'What's-Up-Wednesday' Guest Interview!"

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

"Official Teddy Bear Book Announcement!"

According to the "Official Teddy Bear Book," something of momentous importance has occurred in the world of Teddy bears and babies! Would you like to hear what it is?

It's so exciting! Are you ready?

Well, here is what happened:

At 3:15 a.m. on Saturday, 02 May 2009, our grandson, Noah Christian Hammond, was born! He weighed 7 lbs. 9 ozs.; he was 20 inches long; and he has a head full of medium-dark brown hair. He is a perfect cross between his beautiful mom and his handsome dad, plus he also looks just like his grandpa, Dion, too. He's a "Hammond," through and through! We're so blessed and happy!

Noah is one of the most beautiful babies that I have ever seen in my entire life! Here, take a look and judge for yourself:


I fell in love with him the moment I laid eyes on him! He is so precious, don't you agree?

He's such a cutie pie!

I'll be posting more photos as soon as I get them. You know how fast these little guys grow up. I just hope he doesn't grow up too fast because I'd like the chance to enjoy some time with him before he goes off to college!

Until next time...stay safe, stay well, and may God bless you all.

Cynde

Please check out my other blogs:
Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!