What follows is the October 1997 journal published by our company as written, produced, and managed by us cats. Lots of good stuff this issue thanks to us cats. We are in the middle of the wonderful and tropical Florida Keys. And, by dawgie, us cats love it lots. The human bean is getting water logged at the pool plus scorched by the tropical sun. Enjoy this edition. We all worked really hard on it, especially those of us with paws. July 1997 was a sad time for I Ebony, me Abby, and our human bean. Kitty became very sick the early part of July. She suddenly died of a stroke on July 9, 1997. These journals are now dedicated to her spirit. We all loved you, Kitty! Click the cat graphic below to visit Kitty's Memorial page.
Kitty Talk
Kitty born June 6, 1982. Died July 9, 1997.
This is Abraxas or Abby WhiteCat. I get to do my very first feature article. I know this furry kind lady who calls herself Madam Alto. I dunno why, but it easy to member. She and Daisy, a 17-year-old sage cat, produce a wonderful e-zine called Kitty TidBit. And it is full of tidbits! There is always a paragraph about the history of cats, which is furry interesting, me meows. They have cat announcements from all the e-zine readers too. It is always full of fun and wonderful adventure. The Internet URL is (http://members.aol.com/Alto222/index2.html). Kitty TidBit by Madam Alto and Daisy is a must for cat, kitten, and human bean!
One more thing before I have to turn over this article to Ebony is how much I not wike doing stuffers like diss, you nose. What I meowing about is about all I nose to meow about. Oh, meow, here is Eb.
I Ebony going to report on the mystery of Abby's name. Her full name is Abraxas WhiteCat. Do you human beanies remember Carlos Santana? One of his first albums was named Abraxas. That name might be magical name. It mean beautiful butterfly. Abby is pretty too. She is all white and came from SPCA of St. Petersburg. She got a cold and had to have antibiotics, a vet visit, an outside adventure, and her first look at boidees. Me Ebony not get along with her, but she loving, affectionate and purr all time. She does have one good thing for her; she loves Kitty and carry on in her memory. Good for Abby the kitten!
Now for me Ebony's own adventure. Benny Squirrelie came ever so close to me Ebony who was very still not moving a muscle. Benny unawares it seems. He inched ever closer to me Ebony. Then like a flash me Ebony zigged and Benny zagged. I Ebony reached the end of my leash and watched my rear end come up front! Now I know that not supposed to happen. Benny survived another day and now we in Marathon where only lizards. Rats! I mean that literally too. Send me some.
World Places
You don't serve twenty-five years in the US Navy and not see some places of the world. I got to see Viet Nam from the vantage point of several harbors and beaches. I saw many far eastern ports. The Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, Oman, Kenya, and several islands.
I saw many places over near Europe too. England, Scotland, Spain, France, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, and the Azores. I also got to see many Caribbean islands.
Finally, I found Australia and Scotland the most fun and friendly. A world education is important for world peace and the world economy.
Internet Stuff
The Internet continues to be fun, educational, and a means to expose one's work. I helped develop the official GeoCities Area51 Corridor Awards. A friend designed the wonderful graphics. They were inspired by the liaison for Area51. I was able to be the first Community Leader to award one of the three awards. The URL for the award home page is http://RunesofAo.com/webdoc96.htm.
I joined up with a beeper-style chat service called ICQ. It works like PowWow, but seems much easier to be connected to people. I am connected with several GeoCities Community Leaders as well with people who help administer the Circle of Friends WebRing.
People love getting awards. It is fun and worthwhile. Giving out deserving awards bring attention to your web site and is very fun too. ICQ can be added to the fun category. New things on the Internet continue to amaze and amuse not only myself but family and friends. Hey, even the cats love the Internet!
Hockey News
A new season brings excitement and new hopes for glory for your favorite teams. My three favorite teams are the Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, and Tampa Bay Lightning. I think the Panthers are the most improved. The Rangers could still go all the way if luck holds out. Yet the Lightning will probably have another disappointment this year. The season has just started so we will see how things progress in the run for the Stanley Cup. Go Panthers!
Cooking & Recipes
I don't do much cooking anymore. I prefer to spend my time writing, tooling around the Internet, or watching hockey. Yet I do cook once in a while and have some great recipes.
Chili is an old standby. Chop up some onions and green peppers. Add a pound of lean hamburger. Add tomatoes, chili beans, and tomato paste. Add chili powder and cumin to flavor. Simmer until done. My secret is a half cup vinegar with just enough equal to cut the sour taste, but not too much. I hope you enjoy.
I also do 15-bean soup, chicken or beef stew, and navy bean soup. All employ the onions and green peppers with a pound of mixed vegetables. Add beef or chicken bouillon to taste. Use a pound slice of ham for the bean soups. Simmer in a crock pot all day. Season with any seasonings you like. My secret is using chili powder and cumin in these recipes as well. Now there is my entire lineup of recipes. I can cook other things, but these are my main dishes. I like them because they are simple and fast.
Poetry Corner
"The Trekking"
October 12, 1988
After the long trek
A tiredness overcoming
All sense of living
Only desert thoughts remaining
Dry, cracked, a silence
Deadly, eyes dimming
A mind fogged
From the Remembrance
Wind churns the sand
Swirling pooling
Eddying in rivulets
Tugging at human form
A moan hisses with the sand
Eyes unmoving still
Deliciously nonexistent
Desert thoughts, secret
Dry thoughts slowing
The Remembering lost
Escaping from dry cracked lips
Words forming, words gone
The Trekking
Emblazoned on the mind
Burning images
Drifting from the sands of time
In The Park
Marathon sets on an island right in the middle of the Florida Keys. Key Largo heads the northern half, while Key West anchors the southern half. In Marathon you will find everything a big city has with lots of delightful extras. There is a long wide biking and jogging path that stretches from the northern outskirts of Marathon to the seven-mile bridge. Seven Mile Bridge is the longest bridge in the world with a view that is both fantastic and wonderful. The scenery on the bridge is outstanding and superior in every way. This bridge is worth a trip to the Florida Keys all by itself. At the southwestern tip of the Seven Mile Bridge is a very nice place called Veterans' Memorial Park, which has picnic and beach facilities. Marathon has its own beach called Sombrero Beach. It has great picnic areas too. Finally, Key West encompasses all the charm and fun of the Keys. Don't leave the Keys without first exploring Key West from Duval Street to the most southern point in the USA!
"The Mountains of Ao"
I am currently rewriting Tears from Ao so that it can continue serialized each month in the Internet e-zine called The Outer Rim (http://outer-rim.lweb.net). Tears from Ao is now available electronically on the Internet at AlphaOmega BookStore (http://www.geocities.com/maniac77.geo/). I continue writing on The Mountains of Ao Chapter Ten.
For email proofreaders, just email me. Snail-mail proofreaders are reminded to send their opinions to me at PO Box 501833, Marathon, FL 33050-1833. If you want to become a snail-mail proofreader, write to Larry Shaffer at the above address. I will send you a disk (specify format needed, e.g., WordPerfect 6.1). I'll gladly have Abby lick the stamps and paw the packages shut tightly!
The Dull Stuff
