This January 97 journal is published by my company as written, produced, and managed by the cats. Kitty and Ebony have asked for a raise in their daily allowance of Whiskas. They said they would go on strike. Since I don't have the time to do this monthly journal, I had to give in to their paw and meow union. Lots of great stuff this issue thanks to the cats. Yes, my cats like fan email. They just love attention. Why don't you give it to them? Click on the cat graphic below to visit Kitty's Memorial page.

Kitty Talk
We have a marvelous device called a Dirt Devil. It is colored red and makes a horrendous sound. Sounds like something from hell really. The human uses it to clean the floors.

When I take my power naps, I am dead to the world. I am a professional napper, you know. When the human is operating the infernal machine, I keep on napping usually in a place in the way of the work the Dirt Devil is doing. The human just vacuums me, which feels deliciously good. But all good things will be too good after a while. So I eventually wake up and move, which I think is what the human intends.

So I don't mind the noisy, red Dirt Devil at all. Yet Ebony has a different opinion as always.

I Ebony now a teenage kitten and don't like the red thing from hell at all. The noise drives me to hide in the litter box. The first time I come to live with Kitty and that human fellow, I ran right for the kitty litter. So when I am really afraid that is where I go naturally.

When the red Dirt Devil is out of its little home under the dining table bench chair, I quiver with hellish terror. I try to stay as far as I can from the hell thing, before it starts with its terrible noise and eats me whole.

Once, I tap the thing with a paw, but I too ascared to do that now. I wish the hell thing would go away. That's my wish.

Internet Stuff
What the heck is the Internet anyway? It is just a huge assortment of computers all connected together mostly with telephone lines and modems. You can do all sorts of wonderful and weird things on the Internet.

One is sending and receiving mail like letters between friends and the like. There are various kinds of email services, but the best is www.Juno.com. It is free to anyone with a computer and a 9600 baud or better modem. Email is even cheaper than regular mail.

Wow, what won't they think of next? Isn't the Internet grand on one hand and attracts some child-molesting slime on the other. I set my computer to filter all that idiotic stuff out. Otherwise, the Internet is full of fun and adventure.

One of my favorite sites is the TV Guide on line. It has much more information than the printed version with better pictures and even movie clips. The other favorite of mine is the NHL site full of great stuff.

Hockey News
This December the Tampa Bay Lightning went 5-5-3. They still have trouble winning at home, but they sure try hard. They are usually in every game very rarely being blown out. To make the playoff they have to really work hard from here on out. Go Bolts!

The NHL All-Star game will be in San Jose, California with Dino Ciccarelli representing our area. What was a total surprise to everyone in the NHL and the sporting world was that the Tampa Bay Lightning Winger Rob Zammuner became the all-time write-in vote recipient with over 30,000 votes.

Pinellas County Park
This beautiful garden spot is located off of Park Blvd. near Holiday Campground in the sunny city of Seminole, Florida. Watch for the signs to get there. It is within walking distance at just about three miles from Roycroft campgrounds. There is a two-mile running/walking path with signs saying "Beware of crocs or gators or whatever." I never saw one, but stay clear. Those critters are much faster than you could imagine.

The Park includes the usual family picnic areas, playgrounds, scenic views, and lots of atmosphere. Nearby is a place to rent jet skis, if you are brave enough to test the waters of Lake Seminole. Plenty fun!

Poetry Corner
This poem almost sounds singsong and the meaning is buried in the emotions evoked. I have had many who cite this as their favorite poem of the collection. Poetry is what you think or feel it is.

"Memories Steal Away"
October 24, 1988

A forlorn tune plays
Empty into the gentle wind
Breeze moving slowly
Upon hearing, upon living

A murmuring begins
And ends sadly
This feeling bringing a smile
Tugging at the heart

A tear streaks
Down the small face
A feeling morose
Risen with gentle persuasiveness

Why here why now
When memories fleeting
Steal away
As the moon hides

Quickly face upward
Towards racing clouds
Eyes squeezed shut
Hear the singing melody

From another place
Another time
Remembered well
Remembered not at all . . .

In the Park
Everyone here at The Shaffer Journal would like to thank everyone for the very nice Christmas and birthday cards. We were touched by how loving and kind our neighbors are. The holiday decorations last month were especially cheerful and bright. We cannot think of a more happy ending of a year than the one we had for 1996. And where else can you lie out in the warm Florida sunshine for a lovely tan on Christmas Eve day! Wow, how we like this place.

Welcome to the new managers and good luck. Our new managers seem to have brought a very nice warm spell with them. Another welcome to a long-time Nebraskan, Thomas Shaffer, my youngest son. He works now at the local Burger King, but can't give anything away for free. I already tried, darnit. As you might guess, he really is impressed with the weather here at our park. I would be too if you came from the frozen tundra of Nebraska!

Happy birthday to one and all born in the merry month of February! Roger McKenner on the 1^st, Helen Wildschut on the 3^rd, Jim Stimpson on the 7^th, Jack Norton on the 9^th, Bob Berendzen on the 10^th, Pat Hawkins on the 12^th, Vera Ionson on the 15^th, Alta Newkirk + Ester Jamieson + Peg Smith all on the 17^th, Mark Stevens on the 20^th, Al Keller on the 22^nd, Jean LaPaglia on the 25^th, Earl Stewart on the 27^th, and Bob St. John on the 28^th. Pity no one here was born on a leap year. You would get to skip four years between every birthday!

"The Mountains of Ao"
Proofreaders can now email their inputs to me. See the email address at the end of the journal. If you have the right software, you may be able to send me attached files. I can send attached files to you, which means that I can now send updated chapters to your computer by email.

The Dull Stuff
Inputs and letters to this journal are subject to approval by Kitty. All inputs may be edited for content and become the property of the Shaffer Novels/Poetry Company.

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