January 2006 Memo!

(Memo posted March 5, 2006.)

 A personal message from Kat: I’ve had this memo ready to post for some time now. It breaks my heart to say that the reason this memo is late is because on January 25^th my Mom had a major stroke. She died as a result of the stroke on February 2^nd, just six days short of her eighty-sixth birthday.

Many of you know how close we were, and you can’t imagine what life has been like since the 25^th of January. For those of you who already knew this news, I thank you for all the kind cards, e mails and prayers.

I’m not sure when I’ll be posting another memo, but I will continue to write as a tribute to my Mom. After all, that’s what she would want me to do.

So, enjoy this memo, and as I read over it, I had to smile when I read of her, I hope you will too. I’m so grateful Mom and I never left anything unsaid! Always remember to tell the people in your life that you love them, and never let anything go unsaid.

Thank you,

~Kat~

In late December we had a few days of rain, which turned to ice when the temperature dropped. Mom did her best penguin impersonation as she took baby steps to mail box and taking the garbage can to the end of the driveway.

She had to laugh when the garbage truck arrived, the young man took the lid off the can, (which is nothing more than a small plastic laundry hamper) dumped the rain off, lifted the small bag out and heaved it into the truck. Then he replaced the lid, good and tight, then threw it towards the house and watched it slide across the ice until it was close to the door. Now, Mom wouldn’t have to walk too far on the ice to retrieve it! That’s what I call service! Too bad more people aren’t as considerate.

I’ve tidy up the memo page as you no doubt saw. I can’t believe we’re approaching our third year since the first books were published. And they said it wouldn’t last. Ha! Just goes to show you, listen to your heart not what they say.

I have had occasion to speak with my editor recently and is often the case we get talking about, what else, words. After all, that’s our business! He mentioned the word “Pacific” and asked if I knew what it meant.

I chuckled and replied, “It’s the opposite of Atlantic.” He told me it also means, and get this, peaceable! I decided to look pacific up in the dictionary and found it very interesting.

If only I had time to look up different words, it’s really amazing where one word can take you. For instance, under pacific you’ll find the word, conciliatory. When you follow that word you find words like, reconcile and appease. All these words will lead you back to the beginning of your search, to pacific, which as we now know, means peaceable.

I only mention this because we have had dealings in the past with a company whose name begins with this word. Let me tell you, they were anything but peaceful. Well, enough of that, let’s move on.   

I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned all the dogs we have in our neighborhood. Most of them I must say, are usually quiet. You know what’s was coming next right? J There is always one or two that just have to make a nuisance of themselves. Now it’s not always their fault. What would you do if you were forced to spend a cold winter day outside, alone?

I’m not sure how it happens but a dog, which will remain nameless, was left outside when her owners left for work in the morning. Although the barking was most annoying, it did help to yell “shut up” out the window. The dog immediately would race up the stairs to where she lives, and be quiet for an hour or more. That is, until someone would come for their mail, which is right across the street. This of course would get other dogs in the area going. I’m left wondering, do they always have to say hello to each other?

The following day another neighbor left their dogs unattended while they went to work. Although, these dogs weren’t left outside without a way to get back in. They have a doggie door, or whatever that little swinging door is called. I tell you that door sure got a work out. One of the two dogs wasn’t as bad as the other, the one making all the noise was just recently acquired. Nice way to treat the new family member!

The long and short of this is, I wish people would take care of their pets, just because you love them, doesn’t mean everyone does! And when someone does complain, even though they were frustrated when they phoned and asked you to “shut your dogs up!” please understand where they’re coming from. There’s no need to get nasty, little kids revert to name calling, adults should know better!

Now on a much happier note, we have had a wonderful response from businesses regarding our “Book Sponsor” program. Since last month we’ve had two branches of Interior Savings Credit Union join us! Both the Rutland and Vernon branches have sponsored twenty books! As well, Lumby’s Valley First Credit Union has sponsored ten books. Roger Westlake a realtor in Lumby has also sponsored ten books. We thank all our sponsors; we couldn’t do this for the children without you! J

Just before the holidays I dropped off several copies of first and bonus episodes of The Adventures of Davey and Kathy at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. It seemed every time I called, the young patients they had, were being sent home that day. Which, I suppose is a good thing. So knowing they give gifts to the children who are in during the holidays or if the child happens to be in on their birthday, the staff gives them donated gifts. Now the books will part of those donated gifts!

There’s been a big deal made of the James Frey book, I won’t mention the title because it’s been mentioned enough I think. I would like for someone to explain to me what those little things all over the hand on the cover of the book are. They look like sprinkles one would decorate a cake with. If that’s what they are, what do they represent?

I decided to check out the book on Amazon. Once I found it I began to read the excerpt. Yuk! I can’t believe this guy’s writing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not the world best writer I’m sure, but this guy? At one point there are six short sentences, and they all begin on a new line. They all also begin with the word “I”.

Early in the book he describes waking up on an airplane. One sentence is twenty-four words long. There are three “and I” in it. He capitalizes words that don’t need to be capitalized. I’m sorry; maybe I’m just not up on the latest way to write! Personally, I don’t think I could stand to read a book that is written in this way.

Maybe the reason he exaggerated certain portions of this book is so people would find it interesting. Because the writing style in my opinion, (you can’t get sued for stating your own personal opinion can you?) Well, anyway, James’s style is not one that could keep me reading, I don’t care what the book is about! Says a lot to me about the people who think this is the greatest book to be written this century. Am I being too hard on everyone? Maybe, but it’s beyond me what the big deal is all about.

I belong to several writers’ boards but I don’t seem to have time to visit them much. When I received one of my weekly newsletters a few weeks back, btw, from one of the ladies who runs one of these boards, I just had to add my two cents. This woman was going on about what a terrible thing it was that James lied in his book. I posted a question asking what the difference was between his lying in the book and ghost writing.

I never got an answer. As we’ve talked about ghost writing in other memo’s you know I have a problem with someone, who is not identified, writing a book for someone who claims it to be theirs. Isn’t that a lie? Maybe that’s why I never got an answer to my question. This woman has apparently ghost written a number of books. No recognition for her work, but I’m almost sure she got paid for it. Could that be the answer? It’s okay when you’re making the money???

In any case I won’t be rushing out to buy James book, sorry James.

Speaking of books, this month we added a third six-shelf bookcase to our ever growing library! It’s amazing how ordering three or four books here and there can increase ones collection. By the way, I’m reading Jane Kirkpatrick’s book, Homestead, this month. What a great read. It’s her and her husband’s adventure of homesteading in the state of Oregon not all that long ago. I’ve enjoyed Jane’s writing for sometime, but this book truly reveals Jane, the person. All I’ll say for now is she’s my kind of people! Watch for my review of Homestead coming soon.

This brings us to end of another memo. I’d like to close this month with something that recently happened. Earlier in this memo you’ll remember I mention a neighbor’s new dog had driven us crazy one day. Well the husband came over and talked to Mom and me about their dogs. (The dog had been up to its old tricks again the other day.) This fellow was very nice, much different than his wife, and we were able to discuss the situation and come to terms. Now, that’s the way it should have been be dealt with in the first place, in my opinion.

I must give credit where credit is due. After the note his wife left on our front door, I figure it takes a big man to come over and make thing right. Thank you neighbor!

So until next time, stay well, read much and keep an eye on your pets. J

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