 The Shaffer Journal
Volume 3 Issue 9 September 1997
What follows is the September 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. Enjoy this edition. We all worked 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. I Ebony and Abby are proud to present Kitty GreyCat's very last article. We cats and the human bean miss Kitty very much. So do lots of you! I be Abby and only little kitten, but I hears all kinds of stories about Kitty. Before Kitty died, she had pawed two stories waiting to be puts here. Here is the last one about a mouse project at human bean brother's place from Kitty's point of view. Here it is: Tony and Rhonda, my human bean's brother and sister-in-law, had mice problems at their Ohio place. Knowing I Kitty was an expert huntress, I was hired to search and destroy, kill mices to pieces, being the predator and killer extraordinaire! Kashmir, the tomcat, didn't know a thing about mousing. Aren't all toms lacking in something? Well, I try do the job but ran into lots of noisy, clutchy kiddies and that tomcat too! In the end, Kasmir the tomcat surprised even me and began to catch them bad old mousies. I misspell Kasteroil's name on porpoise, Kachmir is right or is it Cashmere? Aw, meow, anyway, he only a brain-dead tomcat. Anyway, I was glad I could get out of that job, because I wanted to go back to the protection of my fifth wheel travel trailer and do what I do best - boss my human bean around and eat Whiskas lots and lots. I Ebony and me Abby want to meow that Kitty GreyCat will live forever in our memories and photos on our web site. Visit us soon. Florida Keys
Well, it is my turn. I am the human bean. I learned to live each day like it is my last, because here today and gone tomorrow. Bye, Kitty. We are now at Gulfstream Trailer Park and Marina. We are very happy and contented. The sun seems to shine a little brighter here. And the pool is a daily experience we don't miss. Well, I don't miss. Ebony and Abby don't care for large bodies of water or small ones either for that matter. There is a wonderful bike path the length of Marathon, which is used almost daily. There is even excitement. We watched a water spout churn up the Gulf waters for over twenty minutes. A water spout is just a tornado on water. Good place for them too! Around Marathon you will find many boats of all types and descriptions. Wish we had one! The VA and Navy clinics are on the same compound in Key West. Finally, we have found that Marathon is a very good place to live and play. Internet Stuff
You will notice starting with this issue that there will be no more letters, as the journal transitions to a more online status and less published and mailed. This is being done primarily due to costs, and the increasing popularity of the journal on the Internet and through the email system. Current subscribers will be able to receive their copies of the journal through snail mail. Snail mail is the Internet term for letter mail. Additionally, current subscribers will be allowed to continue their subscriptions in this manner. New subscriptions from now on will be delivered either from the Internet at our web site or via our email systems. Our web site continues to grow in popularity. We are well over 5,500 visitors coming to the home page since January. Home page means the first page people see when entering the base URL. URL is the address of someone's web site. Total traffic volume averages almost 75 to 100 visitors per day. Thank you to all those visitors; we love you! Our web site has grown to 101 pages. We continue expanding and will need 15 megabytes of server space very soon, but our rate of visitation more than pays for that expansion. Yes, each visitor's visit gives us credits with GeoCities, that we use to pay for the monthly cost of maintaining our web site. The human bean, Larry, has been named GeoCities Area51 Corridor Manager with responsibility for Community Leaders and their 10,000 homesteaders. A homesteader is an owner of a GeoCities web site. Also, Larry will have his first novel, Tears from Ao, serialized during the next 11 months in the Area51 Ezine. An ezine is an electronic magazine. So you can see a lot has happened this last month. We are all very busy, but we don't mind. We are happy and contented. Hockey News
Preseason has started and news about hockey increases. The Internet provides our hockey nut with a wealth of free information. Our human bean gets daily news tailored to his preferences. He prefers news about the Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, and Tampa Bay Lightning. We get standings, schedules, statistics, and stories for these teams and many more. Our prediction for the Stanley Cup: Colorado Avalanche versus New York Rangers with the Rangers winning in seven games. Who knows, we might be right! Now let's watch some good NHL hockey! Please Write Me
How do you get children and grandchildren to write, call, send pictures, visit, and observe special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries? I have tried writing every day and not writing at all. I have sent prepaid post cards and envelopes. I have thought about telephone cards. But I think I can figure out that life gets busy, especially when you live so far away from certain loved ones. It is hard to remember how important communication is. Many times children don't realize how things seem. Children don't truly get it, until their children do it to them. And the cycle repeats itself time and again. Wouldn't it be nice if we were born with the gift of staying in touch with loved ones? All we can do is continue to love and be patient. All things come to those who wait and love. Poetry Corner
Sometimes the simplest things are the best: "Away . . . "
December 8, 1971 Blue light filters through the day
Diamonds sparkle in the pond
Sandy bottom, a carpet forever
Light breeze runs thru the valley So walk along these paths
Speak wisdom to the cows
Whisper love to the butterflies
Hope they carry you away . . . In The Park
Starting next month, this article will include mostly Gulfstream news. But Roycroft could be included as well. Speaking of which, there are big changes coming to Roycroft. Many changes will not be so good for all the kind folks who trusted management. I, for one, am very thankful that I was able to escape when I did. The Pinellas Trail, a bike/jogger's path in Seminole, Florida, has sprouted two new overpasses. Roger, a friend, and I explored these new items and biked 10 miles north to Clearwater. We had a very nice and pleasant time. "The Mountains of Ao"
I finally finished chapter nine. After some more editing and proofing, I should be able to email the next manuscript version to all proofreaders who have email accounts. Because of higher expenses, I must use the email system for proofreaders now. If you are willing to bare the costs of snail mail, then you may remain a proofreader. For email proofreaders, just use any of the email form link below. 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
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