Kitten Curl

If any animal knows how to relax, I would vote for a kitten.

Many events in the past few months have made me wish to emulate this most restful pose. On a few occasions, I've been able to do so without any guilt whatsoever.

(Wait...shouldn't I be able to do it any time I like with no guilt?)

Yet in my view, a fulfilled life requires action, decision-making, and moving forward with goals, whether large or small. They can range from finishing my next manuscript to making a single phone call to communicating effectively with my little sister to improving my skills in playing the piano and ukulele. (I'm already pretty good on the saxophone!)

I don't set New Year's goals. I set them all year long!

How about you? Are you traditional New Year's goal setter? Or do you prefer to see what life brings to you, and act surprised?

Santa's New Sleigh

As those of us who didn't know before has most likely learned this year, the only thing certain is change.

Go, Santa!

Don't Sign Up!

I try to do my bit for community events, I really do. I like to help, but sometimes I have to wonder if anyone really wants it.

Make treats for last year's New Year's party? 

Sure! I'll do that.

But does anyone want to EAT them?

That's alright...you can be honest. If you had the two offerings below to choose from, which one would you pick? (Notice that the box on the left as NO missing cupcakes...not one!)

And check out this nearly empty holiday goodie tray.

But I have another question for you.

If you spent SO MUCH TIME making such attractive treats, would you really want to watch people destroy them with their teeth?

The less effort to accomplish the same amount of sweetness, the greater enjoyment in Shirley's world!

Are you a gorgeous treat-maker?

Or are you also a graduate of the Dr. Seuss school of cupcakes?

Cat In A Coat

I don't know about where you live, but baby, it's cold outside. We had snow this morning. Just a little, but if it lands on the car and ground and stays there, you know it's cold enough for a blanket at night.

It's true that animals have fur to keep them warm. According to my understanding, as long as animals are kept outside, they can acclimatize to any weather, as long as they have shelter from the wind. (I do wonder about short-haired animals. I just don't know.)

Our cat Sage loves to crawl into plastic bags...I know, you might wonder about her mental state, and you'd be right...but this time she crawled into Bob's coat. (Do you see her tail?)

All she wants for Christmas is to sleep inside, but she's too spastic for that. She's got a perfectly comfortable padded box on top of the fireplace insert on the porch. There's even residual fireplace heat, and treats...always treats in her comfy quarters when we take her outside for the night.

Maybe she wants a coat now, too...

Do you like the cold? (You can always put more on, but can only take so much off without being arrested!) Or do you prefer hot weather? (It's never too hot for a hottie like you!)

Beyond a Bed of Roses

I've heard of a bed of roses, but the people in this household thought outside the flower box.

 Why stop at roses? Why not a bed of a bunch of different colored flowers in various varieties? It makes a unique yard decoration and generates smiles.

Do you like roses?