 The Shaffer Journal
Volume 3 Issue 7 July 1997
What follows is the July 1997 journal published by my company as written, produced, and managed by the cats. Lots of good stuff this issue thanks to the cats. Note: This edition was ready to go very early in July, but was delayed due to Kitty's illness and eventual death. Sorry it took so long to get this edition on line. Thanks. July is a sad time for I Ebony and my human bean. Kitty became very sick the early part of July 1997. She suddenly died of a stroke on July 9, 1997. These journals are now dedicated to her spirit. We all loved you, Kitty! Click on the cat graphic below to visit Kitty's Memorial page. Kitty Talk
 (Kitty died July 9, 1997, but left this article and several more.) I Kitty have some furry sad news this month. It all started because Ebony had to get wormed again. That means to be safe I would have to get wormed too. Doesn't sound furry fair to me, but that is the way it is. At the vets they found I had a fever and was dehydrated. I got fluids injected into my body plus some medicines. They ran some tests and found out I have feline leukemia (FeLV). Nobody can say how I could get this disease, because I go the vets every year and get my shots. Another test said my kidneys were failing. Well, I know I am only a cat, but even I know that is bad. Then with the help of medicine and lots of love from all my cat and human bean friends plus all those wonderful people and cats on the Internet, I am doing much better. Still not out of danger, but prayer does work! I Ebony know something wrong cause when I try to play with Kitty she didn't do her usual hissing and phffftting. One furry good thing out of all this is the extra Whiskas we both have been getting. I all for that. Yes, meow! I am. At the vets I got checked for FeLV too. I thought I was going to escape without any NEEDLES! But, no, I had to get that nasty old test. Meoweee and OUCH! But good news, I don't have that nasty disease at all! Purrrr, I so furry happy. Wish Kitty didn't have it either. I wanted to learn more about this deadly disease. So I pawed the catputer to a place all about FeLV. (See Kitty's Memorial Page for more details.) It only happens to cats. It is transmitted from direct contact like fights and stuff. Human beans and dogs are safe. It is like aids in that it weakens the immune system. Whew, these long human bean words are frying my cat brain. Kitty still has a chance to live a long life, all nine. So let's all pray for Kitty and those like her. I be good this time and write a good cat story. Amazing! Hot! Hot!!
Now this kind of weather is what I came to Florida for. Over 90 degrees everyday. Really nice sunshine shining some part of every day. I say some because rain falls daily it seems, but you almost certainly have four or five hours of hot Florida sun every day. The tanning index is high, and the fun is outrageous. Music, beaches, beachwear on the women, hot sand, the smell of suntan oil everywhere. O, yes, I like it, I really do! Internet Stuff
I have found some very interesting places on the Internet. A complete TV guide with actual previews for any program any market. USA Today, Windows and WordPerfect magazines, the Tampa Tribune, NASCAR, NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL, and many more on the Internet. I can find out what the weather will be like anywhere in the world. I can see a map of any city in the world right to the street address. Every company local or national that I do business with is on the Internet. I do all my banking on the Internet. Yes, it is secure! Once, when my Aunt Lee and Uncle Roy were visiting, I asked my aunt her favorite thing. She said crocheting. So we looked it up and found a wonderful place with patterns and everything you would want on crocheting. You can access the Library of Congress, write any government official, and visit the White House online. Finally, I have made and make new friends every day. Even found some old ones from when I was in the US Navy. Yep, the USN and other military services have a ton of stuff online too! The Internet has endless possibilities both good and bad. It keeps growing by leaps and bounds with new technology every day. Hockey News
The Stanley Cup Conference Finals featured the Philadelphia Flyers for the Eastern Conference and the Detroit Redwings for the Western Conference. The Flyers were heavy favorites, which is probably what jinxed them. It wasn't even close. The Redwings beat the Flyers in four hard-fought games to become the world champions of hockey. Even though I was rooting for the Flyers, it was still a chilling thrill to watch the Stanley Cup skated around the crowded hockey rink. You all know how much I love my hockey. Well, finances such as they are has forced me to give up my Tampa Bay Lightning season tickets. Besides, the contract I had specified that the price of season tickets would not go up by more than 3%. Mine went up over 10%. You just can't win! Florida Keys!
After I get this journal put to bed and in the mail as well as posted to the Internet on my web site, I intend on going down to the Florida Keys. Now that I am not tied down to an NHL city, I can live anywhere I want. Hemingway lived in Key West. But 30 miles east of Key West is a wonderful town called Marathon. There is a campground called Gulfstream that I am going to checkout. I have already talked with the owners. If all goes right, within a year or two (maybe sooner, who knows) I will be living really close to the Gulf of Mexico and crystal-clear water with white beaches. Poetry Corner
Well, I am not lonely, but I know how it feels. Such emotions and feelings do make for some good poetry. Many times I hear a piece of music that evokes different emotions. Then I can I capture them on paper or the computer as the case may be. Here is an example. Enjoy:
"Lonely for the Last Time"
June 30, 1997 Sitting here all alone
Lonely for the last time
After all these years
After all the love gone Yesterday where has it gone
Setting sun, emotion low
Quiet so loud
Lonely for the last time Where did we go
When did it end
Why be so alone
Ah, look at that star Quiet like you were
Words gone
Love lost
Lonely for the last time Night deepens
Sitting here by the tracks
Not a sound
Images playing The air so still
The moon dull
Sitting here all alone
Love lost And the mind numb
The eyes closed
Against the tears
Lonely for the last time In the Park
Since it is not too busy in the park this month, I thought I would share a excellent poem from Myrna Joy Backus-Moore called In Loving Memory of Dad dated June 9, 1997. Sometimes a poem can say the things
that we can't say aloud
But one thing that we all can say
is how he made us proud
For not only did we know the many,
he also was our dad
His loss will cause us grief and sorrow
and often make us sad His love and kindness we always had,
on that we could depend
And with his passing we all know
in time our hearts will mend
Losing him this rainy day
didn't seem quite fair
But being all together
made the pain easier to bear We had each other to lean on
which eased the pain a bit
Without each other's comfort
could we have handled it?
Thank God we'll never have to know
as we'll always have each other
We're now missing an important part
but we'll carry on together The love and kindness that he showed
we will share with all we meet
His legacy of love and humor
we'll pass on to all we greet
His body we can no longer hold,
but this we'll always know
His spirit will live in all of us
in our minds, our hearts, and our soul Rainbow Bridge
Kitty suddenly became quite ill early in July. Within a week she had died of a stroke. Ebony and I took her up to Ohio to bury her in The Shaffer Cemetery on my brother's place. She has a sunny spot on her hunting grounds. Kitty is now at Rainbow Bridge. Kind of like heaven for good animals. There they are not ill, old, or in pain. Kitty is in a much better place watching over us until we can meet her at the bridge someday. Thanks Kitty for all the love and laughter. Ebony and I are devastated to say the least. Kitty received over 300 email sympathies. She was very popular for "just a cat." She left us several articles to enjoy. Then Ebony will take over entirely. Thanks to all for your love and understanding. "The Mountains of Ao"
I have written about half of chapter nine. There is a lot of editing, correcting, grammar and spell checking, and rewriting to do, but chapter nine is coming along. I write almost a page a day, sometimes more. This is the real fun, writing daily. The Dull Stuff
Inputs and letters to this journal are subject to approval by Ebony. All inputs may be edited for content and become the property of the Shaffer Novels/Poetry Company. [Previous Journal] [Journal Index] [Next Journal] But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about His law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper. [NLT]
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