The Pink Journal

July Camp Nano 2024

2024-07-02T21:19:46Z

July Camp Nano 2024

I decided to sign in and post a project. I'm going to use this camp session to try and catch up on all my open fics. I have several unfinished ones.

I'm also going to try and catch up on some loose prompts from GYWO. There are a few Dove prompts that need my attention too.

I never thought that getting back into writing would be so hard. I just need to put my head down and get it done.

(80)

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April Camp Nano 2024 Results

2024-05-03T15:41:46Z

April Camp Nano 2024 Results

Goal: 21,000

Week 1: 4152

Week 2: 5321

Week 3: 5567

Week 4: 00

Week 5: 00

Total: 14159

Finished:

Blog Posts: 2

Dove: #125, #126

Camelot Drabble Prompts: #594, #595, #596, #597

GYWO Challenges: August- The Dump, March- It’sA Cat–astrophe!, June- Green With Graffiti, May -Story Prompt,

GYWO Yahtzee: Set 1 (2024) Contact: Age and Death (Arrow),

Set 1 (2023) Plans for the Future (Arrow), Set 2 (2021) 3 Random Aces

Thunder and Lightning (Ogham Duir)

Worked on:

Unconventional Courtship: The Warlock’s Secret (Merlin)

Page 6 (Arrow)

Asa and the Dragon Egg (Original)

Overview:

I may not have reached my word goal but I managed to prove to myself that I can and should be writing.

I still have work to do. My Unconventional Courtship fic is due soon and I've almost finished a wip (Page 6) that's been sitting idle for far too long. I have other wips that need attention too.

I did surprise myself by writing some original fiction. I miss Ogham Duir and it was nice to revisit it. I also tried some new things. A fresh new idea is always motivating.

I'm trying to get back into a habit but I keep getting distracted by my issues. My health is still not great but I'm trying to work around it. I just need to keep trying.

I succeeded more than I failed. I am closer to my overall word goal now and I have written more this year so far than I had in the past two years. Overall, I did well and I'm happy with my progress.

(270)

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Damn Words

2024-04-20T23:26:30Z

Damn Words

I'm behind in a big way. Again. I'm farther than I thought I'd be but I'm still behind. I was hoping I could keep up with the pace this session of Camp Nano but I'm still having trouble with motivation.

My health is also a factor.The headaches aren't helping. Neither is the pain I'm having from just trying to get through my day.

No excuses! I need to get my but in gear. Writing is important to me and I don't want to give it up again.

Off to make words……

(94)

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Clouds

2024-04-17T01:54:55Z

Photo 51 Child on a ladder pointing at a cloud

I wonder what it would be like to touch a cloud. To reach up and feel its fluffy softness.

But a cloud is not a cotton ball. It is a mist of water and air. Not dry or fluffy. No soft bunnies or puppies floating in the sky, just the promise of rain.

But rain can be nice too. A soft cascade of rhythmic drops on a tin roof. Rain can also disappoint. Hard. Cold. Drenching. Rain is a fickle thing.

I wonder what it would be like to touch the sky. Somehow I don't think it would be as wonderful as I wish it could be.

(107)

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Power

2024-04-17T01:52:46Z

Photo 48 Crumbled altar in concentric circles in a valley

It was the place of the old gods. Older than the dwarves. Older than the fae.

The ground itself vibrated with an ancient and sacred power. The power increased as the rings grew smaller and the power was the greatest at the crumbling altar.

The high priestess let the power fill her as she walked with her offering to the altar. She took a deep breath and let the power fill her lungs.

At the altar, she put the basket of fruit and grains down. She held a rowan wand high in the air. She whispered an ancient spell then left the circle smiling as she went.

(107)

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Documents

2024-04-17T01:50:48Z

Photo 17 Burning letters or documents with a map matches and magnifying glass

The documents must not fall into the hands of the enemy. The soldier had traveled far and fought bravely to bring these documents across the front lines.

Unfortunately, he was killed by mortar fire. His body was under a tarp in the old barn.

The woman held the match in her hand ready to strike. She hesitated. If she destroyed them now, the soldier would have died in vain.

She stuffed the documents into her corset and followed the map to the soldier’s final destination. Who would suspect a woman carrying a basket of fresh eggs? She needed to be careful all the same.

(104)

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The Racing Dog

2024-04-17T01:47:33Z

GYWO JUNE CHALLENGE: GREEN WITH GRAFFITI

Prompt: Dog-racing

The Racing Dog

Over the centuries many types of dogs have been used for sport. Hunting and racing are just the two more popular uses.

Racing dogs, like horses, are bred for speed. The most common breed of dpg used is the greyhound. Greyhounds are sleek, long legged and focused on the goal of getting the stuffed thing they all chase.

Most dogs are well fed and well cared for but some are not. Owners over-breed the females and race the males until they drop. Some have even been euthanized when they can no longer be used for racing. The racing dog is not guaranteed a good life.

In more recent years, a program for rehoming former racing dogs. This gives them a few years of love and comfort before they die. Not all dogs find a home that understands their particular needs.

Is racing dogs ethical? It's only ethical if the needs of the dog are put above the need for the owners to win. In most cases, it is not. Laws are in place but there is no guarantee that they are followed.

Should dog racing be banned? That would be a debate for another day. The dogs should be the primary concern when making that decision.

(209)

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Midnight Hunter

2024-04-12T05:56:46Z

GYWO March Challenge: IT’S A CAT–ASTROPHE!

Prompts: Warm/nice clothes, Soft fur, Sing-a-long, Dangerous animals, Iceberg, Lightning

Midnight Hunter

In the dark of the night, the eyes of the most dangerous animal in the world glowed. The little demon was stalking her prey. Quietly, she moved low and slow. Closer. Closer.

And then ….

A flash of lightning momentarily blinded her. She stood and shook her head to clear her vision. She let out a squeak of displeasure.

Mahmee had turned on the kitchen light. “What are you doing? I thought you were in the bedroom with the others. Why is my iceberg lettuce on the floor? Did you put it there?”

The little black kitten looked up with big innocent eyes.

Mahmee sighed and picked up the lettuce from the floor. “Go on. Good thing it's still in a plastic bag or no treats for you.”

The little kitten ran out of the room like her tail was on fire.

Mahmee laughed and put the lettuce in the fridge. “I knew I forgot to do something. I need to watch that little demon.”

Mahmee walked into the bedroom and looked in the basket of clean clothes. “There sat the little black kitten.”

“I see you're getting hair on my nice clean clothes. You just can't stay out of trouble, can you?” Mahmee reached down and picked up the little black cat. She stroked the soft fur as she sat down on the bed. “It's time to sleep now.”

All the cats on the bed moved over to let Mahmee lay down.

“You need to learn to behave, little one.”

The kitten snuggled down next to the woman and joined the sing a long of purrs coming from the others.

“Go to sleep my babies. Mahmee loves you.” She closed her eyes and let the cats lull her to sleep.

After a while, the little black kitten opened her eyes and saw that the woman was asleep. She crawled off the bed and went to stalk the slipper under the bed.

(322)

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Blood Stains

2024-04-09T07:20:17Z

Prompt: Your character types are: ER doc and little sister/brother.

Your object is: shirt.

Blood Stains

“Jack, what the hell?” Rudi held up a blood tee shirt. “What were you thinking? I've told you not to wear my clothes.”

Jack winced. “I didn't realize it was yours until I got to work. I was late and I just grabbed the shirt on the top of the pile. I didn't even look at it. I'll buy you a new one, okay?”

“No, it's not okay.” Rudi sighed. “You're buying me two.”

“Fine, I'm buying you two.” Jack grabbed his jacket. “I got a shift.”

“How did you get so much blood on this anyway?” Rudi wrinkled her nose.

“The patient severed an artery. When I was trying to stabilize him, the makeshift tourniquet came loose and I got sprayed.” Jack explained.

“Did the patient make it?” Rudi took in the large amount of blood on the shirt.

“No”. Jack picked up his keys. “He had lost too much blood before we could stop it.”

“Sorry.” Rudi felt sad for him. She knew he didn't like losing patients but being a doctor in the E.R. he was going to lose one sometimes.

Jack sighed. “I'll be fine. I'm just glad that I have a little sister who loves me even though I ruin her clothes on occasion.”

“Yeah. Just go save some lives.” Rudi walked over to the trash and dropped the shirt in. “You can settle up later.”

“See you in the morning, Rudi.” Jack waved as he walked out the door.

Rudi said a silent prayer that he would have a good night.

(258)

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Favor for a Friend

2024-04-09T07:17:15Z

Favor for a friend

Hastings P.I

Shelly, Jax

WC: 143

Prompts: spill, cheese, flour, wine, dairy, warm

Shelly sighed. She really didn't want to be there but a job was a job. She sipped the warm wine and picked up a cheese puff from a passing tray. She took a bite but immediately regretted it. It tasted like flour and goo.

She found a napkin on a nearby table and spit it out. Someone bumped her arm and she spilled some wine on the tablecloth of the buffet table.

Jax walked over. "Don't like the nibbles?"

"No but I don't expect much from a cop party." Shelly sighed. "I wouldn't be here if I had a choice."

"I know. I appreciate the help on this one." Jax sipped her wine and made a face. "This stuff is nasty."

"You're gonna owe me big time for this." Shelly nodded toward the door. "He's here."

"Keep your eyes open." Jax moved away.

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James Bond Names

2024-02-04T02:54:55Z

James Bond Names

Ivana Kizemal

Ivana is a red haired, green eyed vixen. She talks slowly and close to one's face. She plays with a wisp of her long hair and pouts to get attention.

Her goal is to distract James from completing his mission.

(42)

Bubbles Popalova

Bubbles is a curvy woman with short blond hair and blue eyes behind glasses. She is a world renowned scientist in chemistry with an emphasis on explosives.

She is working for the villain to perfect a bomb that can be used underwater.

(44)

Bertha Bunhomme

Bertha is the assistant to the villain. Her dark hair is in a perpetual bun and her glasses are precisely perched on her nose.

She is a sturdy woman in her forties that seems to have many dangerous secrets. She has a scar over her heart and a tattoo on her behind. No one who has seen her tattoo has lived to tell about it.

(67)

Boris Fukitoff

Boris is a Russian oligarch with more money than brains. Boris is tall bald with a heavy beard and a noticeable limp on the right side. He was shot in the leg during an attempt to take over a small town on the Ukraine border.

He wants to blow up a submarine patrolling the black sea. He thinks the submarine is spying on him.

(66)

Gaia Terenchantra

Don't let the sky blue eyes and golden curls fool you. She will cut your heart out. She is petite but deadly.

She portrays herself as a tree hugging pacifist but she is an agent for the Russians. You would never guess she's russian. She sounds like a southern bell from the Carolinas.

(55)

Lady Silva Regina

Lady Silva is a true lady in every way. Her silver hair piled high on her head and her pale gray eyes are striking.

She is the captive of the villian. A prisoner used as a money source. The ransom is in the millions and she is worth every penny.

(53)

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SHINE!

2022-06-30T03:21:20Z

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GYWO NAME CHALLENGE

2022-02-01T00:56:31Z

GYWO NAME CHALLENGE

1 MINERVA "MINI" GILFORD

Mini from Kansas is a barista at a local coffee shop. She dreams of becoming a star of the stage. She will tell you that her job is just to pay the rent until she gets her big break.

She hasn't lost her spirit yet but after so many auditions its becoming clear that stardom will always be a dream and not a reality for her.

Her bright smile hasn't dimmed yet but there isn't muck call for green eyed brunettes these day. She refuses to give up and refuses to change her hair color.

Until then, she will be the best barista she can possibly be. If the acting doesn't work out, she could always manage the coffee shop.

(120)

2 REGINA "REGGIE" DONNER

Fresh faced and freckled farm girl Reggie always tries to see the good in everyone. The problem is she can see more than what's on the surface.

Her granny calls it the gift bur Reggie thinks of it as more of a curse. Every generation in her family has had that one woman who had the gift. Reggie was the unwilling recipient of her generation.

Soon she will have to leave the farm and find her place in the big world. It wasn't her choice to leave. She would gladly stay among the cows and chickens forever but the farm was failing and her father had decided to throw in the towel.

She had no idea what the world was like and what she was going to be in it. She wanted to use her gift for good but how would she cope when there would be so many people hiding their true selves from the world

(157)

3 HARRY REDMOND

Everyone knows Harry. He's the guy that can find you anything as long as you don't ask where it came from.

He has connections. A cousin or a friend of a friend. Its always vague and there are never any names.

The cops tried to turn him into a snitch but Harry wasn't about to talk. He may not be big time yet but he'd never get anywhere if he told tales. Well, he'd get six foot under.

Some say he's the illegitimate grandson of the local mob boss. Others think he is a common hustler. When you ask Harry, he will just grin and keep silent. A guy has to keep his secrets after all.

(116)

4 COOPER BOND

A dancer at a gentlemans club. Tall blonde and blue eyed, she is a crowd favorite. Topless is all she goes for never a private dance in the back room.

She enjoys a good time but never with the customers. In here off hours, she looks like a kindergarten teacher. She even toyed with the idea of going to college and getting her degree. She realized her past would come back to haunt her.

She won't do this forever.but for now the bills are paid and she manages to put a little away. She has a few ideas about what he wants to do foe the future. It will take some planning but that's for another day. Today she has to dance for her supper.

(126)

5 HARRIET "HATTIE" KLINE

Hattie sat at her dressing table and looked into the mirror. The grey streaked through her dark brown hair. She wondered where the years had gone. She used to be so beautiful but that was years ago. The lines were creeping into her face.

Here she sat, beauty gone, years passed, and alone.

She picked up her hairbrush and started to brush her hair. There were going to be changes soon. Just what changes there were going to be, she wasn't sure.

Maybe she would try ballroom dancing. Isn't that where a lady of a certain age found companionship? She laughed zoftly. Just when did she consider herself a lady of a certain age?

Companionship is about all she could hope for now. Her time of hoping for a husband and family was over now. Unless she changes her life, she will die alone; an old wrinkled spinster.

(148)

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Not this year 11/2…

2022-01-20T18:42:35Z

Not this year 11/2…

I decided not to sign in for Nano this November. I might not make my yearly word count and I dont want to make myself even more disappointed.

This year I have no motivation to write at all. I don't know if its because of my increasing difficulty seeing or my odd need to craft. Ive only made it through half of my words for this year.

I keep whining about my lack of motivation yet I have done little to get my self motivated. So...no Nano for me...this year.

(97)

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Ugh 4/28

2022-01-20T18:39:10Z

Ugh 4/28

I need to write words. Any words. Words. Words. Words.

The thing is I don't want to write anything. I look at my unfinished pile and just sigh. I really don't feel like working on any of them. I need to finish something. I need to finish them all.

What the hell has happened to me? I can't even think straight half of the time. I used to be so good at this writing thing. I made lots of words and told lots of stories. Now I can't even write a coherent blog post. Depression? Possibly. Loss of interest? Maybe. Lack of motivation? Definitely. Distractions? Oh hell yeah.

It bothers me. I went from +350k a year to barely 75k. The Pile isn't getting smaller It's larger now than it ever has been. This sucks. It really sucks.

(139)

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Playing catch up is hard…

2022-01-20T18:35:29Z

Playing catch up is hard… 7/17

I'm almost caught up on my nano words but Im still more than 1K short. Its going to be a long month. I know I can do it its just time consuming and giving me a headache from using the tablet so much.

I'll write as much as I can but there are other things I want to do as well. One knit along just finished and a crochet along is about to begin. Summer stitching is a thing it seems. I have kits coming and unfinished projects in the tote too.

At this point sleeping is an option. Sigh. I do this to myself every time. I must be a glutton for punishment.

121

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I'm slowing down to nothing again…

2022-01-20T18:31:25Z

I'm slowing down to nothing again…7/16

This always happens. I get distracted and then my word count just goes poof! I don't know what to do to fix it but I'm going to get my Camp Nano words if it kills me. I am in desperate need of words or I won't reach my GYWO pledge and considering I am at the lowest one, that's not good.

I better get back to my Merlin Bingo card and all the other stuff I'm supposed to finish this month. I need to get things finished and posted so I can whine about other things that need to be finished and posted.

Writing is hard enough when you have motivation. Writing without motivation is nearly impossible.

123

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I'm going to Camp 7/1

2022-01-20T18:27:29Z

I'm going to Camp 7/1

So I haven't been writing for a few months. I know bad bad writer. In my defense, have been crafting. Now I'm in a hole with my word count. So off to Camp Nano I go.

That's not the worst part, I haven't signed in at CD in a few months. I bet they think I died or something. (Nope, just my will to write Merlin is dead.) I hope the yearly bingo happens so I can prove I haven't died. (Yeah, I know that's sad.) No land comm stuff or Unconventional Courtship either. That's really bad. I usually always have something going.

I just don't want to write…..but the word count is the word count. So I must go to Camp to rectify my lazy ass habits. Time to put those knitting needles and crochet hooks down and write some shit.

(147)

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Camp Nano April 2021

2022-01-20T18:24:50Z

Camp Nano April 2021

Goal 10k

Week 1: 2297

Week 2: 2533

Week 3: 586

Week 4: 2749

Week 5: 0

Total Words: 8165

Finished:

Blog posts: 2

GYWO Yahtzee Prompts: 3

Camelot Drabble Prompts: #421 #446, #447, #448, #449, #451, #452, #453, #454, #455, #456

GYWO March Challenge.

GYWO Roll-A-Prompt #434 #266

Worked on:

Warlock's Secret (Merlin-UC?)

Thoughts:

So I got distracted again. Sigh. I did try at the end to catch up. 80% is better than nothing but I should have done better.

I'm so far behind I don't know if I'm ever going to catch up. I need to put the yarn and the smutmance novels down and write my ass off. Will that

happen? Maybe not.

I didn't set a high goal for this session but I think I will have to for the July

session just to get me caught up.

(146)

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Camp Nano July 2021

2022-01-20T18:16:12Z

Camp Nano July 2021

Goal. 25K

Week 1: 5399

Week 2: 6332

Week 3: 3830

Week 4: 00

Week 5: 00

Total Words: 15551

Finished:

Blog Post: 2

Camelot Drabble Prompts: #457, #458, #459, #460, #461, #462, #463, #464, #465

Camelot Drabble Bingo Prompts: 25 prompts (2 mini fics and 2 singles)

Message in a Bottle (original fic)

Case of the Thieving Husband (original fic)

Thoughts:

Well I didn't make it but I'm closer to being caught up on my word count for the year. Too much going on in the real world to play in my fantasy worlds. Deaths, funerals, dog sitting, and cat kerfluffles were the real life drama I had to deal with. It was a wild month. I'm surprised that I managed to write as much as I did.

On a side note, my vision is getting worse. I may not be able to write at all soon if I don't get it fixed.

(158)

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What did I learn in 2021?

2022-01-20T16:15:03Z

What did I learn in 2021?

This is a tricky question. I did actually learn some things about myself. Not all of them are happy revelations. Hopefully, I can fix them in the new year.

I need to be excited about writing to do it.

I'm bored with my fandoms and with my open stories. I need new and exciting things to explore. I'm searching but no luck so far.

I need to be organized as I write.

Nothing is in the right place and I have a ton of unposted stories in various places. They're spread over three devices and platforms. Its a mess.

I need to organize a time and place to write as well.

I used to do this but Ive ket things slide these last few years. I like to write when its dark. Early morning and late night seem to be my most productive times. Maybe a sundown writing policy. Start to write when the sun goes down. It's a thought...

I can disappoint myself and I did.

I was really disappointed in myself when I didnt reach my word count goal. I didnt think it would bother me. I used to write thousands of words a month but lately the words are just not there. Hopefully, I can find my spark again.

I want to write I just need to make sure I do. I need to remember that all good things come to those who work for it. I need to work for it.

(251)

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Writer's Resolutions for 2022

2022-01-20T16:09:40Z

Writer's Resolutions for 2022

This year I'm going to do something different. Im not going to have any set goals. Nope, no long list of fests big bangs and Nano promises. This is going to be my start over year.

This year, I will fall in love with my characters. I will create new ones and rediscover some old ones. I will make them my friends and go on adventures with them.

I will organize all the little bits and combine them into bigger stories. Wylding Manor and Hastings P.I. are all in bits. I need to get them organized and fill in the spaces. Ogham-Duir has been needing this for a while as well.

I'm going to explore new fandoms. Even if I only write one scene or a drabble, it will be something fresh and new. I need to write something that excites me. Ive gotten myself into a fandom rut and I need to get out of it.

This year I will learn about self publishing and I may even publish something. I have a few things I've been sitting on. Maybe its time to take the leap.

I will make more of an effort to write even though my word count goal is only 75K. I used to write 300K. I should be able to get this done without even trying but my lack of enthusiasm has killed my word count, possibly my confidence as well.

That's enough for this year. Let's see if I get any of it done. Here's hoping.

(257)

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GYWO PLEDGE FOR 2022

2022-01-20T16:06:50Z

GYWO PLEDGE FOR 2022

I'm going for it again. I pledged Light (75K) again. I am going to try to get it done this year. I should be able to do it.

I have no idea what happened to my words last year. It's bad when I can't even finish the lowest word count goal. I am very disappointed in myself.

I have my fingers crossed and I'm full of hope for a better year.

(75)

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I Hate Winter

2022-01-20T16:02:05Z

I Hate Winter 1/8

Winter is getting harder every year. The cold. The bills. The darkness. The weather. I have lived more than half a century and it never gets better.

The Cold…..

I have never liked the cold. Not even when I was a child. I could never get warm enough. Now, I feel it in my bones. It feels like deep hard cold causing pain and stiffness. I'll not be warm again until June, maybe July.

The Bills..

I don't get any assistance such as food stamps or energy assistance. In the winter my electric bill more than triples. It means there's no money for food and barely money for the other bills. I don't like being so tight with money. Until I marry a rich husband, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The Darkness..

Darkness reminds me that I could be blind soon. With this looming over my head I mourn the sunsets and rejoice in the sunrises. That's cheesy but very true.

The Weather….

I hate snow and ice. I don't see anything pretty in them. It's just more of Winter's chilly fingers reaching out to grab me. It catches me more frequently than I'd like.

Give me Summer with its warm long days as soon as possible. In the next ten minutes would be lovely.

(224)

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A Tale

2022-01-20T15:53:44Z

A Tale

I look at the cats and frown. "If you boys don't behave you're going to lose your jingles."

They all look at me.

Polka (Pokey the Bobert): "I has jingles?" He looked at his butt. "Oh those things! You can has mine, Mahmee. I not using them." He bounces off to make more mischief.

CCP Bean (Phat Boy in Training):. He sighs, disappointedly. "But Mahmee... Unkie Buddie just showed me how to licks them. I be good. Don't take my jingles!"

Buddie (Senior Furbaby in Charge): His bottom lip quivered. "I like my jingles. I licks them all the time. I keeps my jingles clean, Mahmee. See!" He turns arounds and lifts his tail.

Lucky (Stinky Doodle): Squints for a moment. "I bites you!"

Well then…..

There's a little kitty giggle from the top of the shelf. I turned to her.."What do you think, Dottie?"

Dot (Baby Hellcat): "Silly boys! I bop them on they heyuds."

(159)

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