Best Two Out of Three

[rolanni]

Thursday night I finally conceded defeat, printed out what there is of Crystal Dragon and on Friday morning plunked it down on kinzel's lap. I then spent the next while running errands and Not Thinking About The Book. I stopped at the Animal House, where Scrabble was on work-study before she came to us, to pick up some cat food to get the resident felines through the weekend, and was warmly greeted by Brady, yet another outplaced cat looking for a permanent position. Brady is a portly orange-and-white shorthair, about five years old. Unfortunately, he's been on outplacement for some while. When I first met him, back before Thanksgiving, he was into the Compleat Scardey Cat thing, and was done -- DONE! -- with humans, a pox on all their houses. His opinion has gradually softened, largely due to the wonderful handling of the Animal House folks, who never met a cat they didn't like. The last couple times I've been in the store, though, Brady has made a special point to seek me out and give me Large Ankle Hugs.

"He really likes you," Tom commented as Brady followed me to the counter and jumped up to head-butt my shoulder.

"And I really like him. But I have four cats."

"'nother cat's no problem. Hey, I'll throw in a bowl."

"No."

"Test drive him. Take him home, let the other cats check him out. If they don't like him, bring him back. Nothing ventured --"

"No."

"Suit yourself. Nice cat, though. Likes ladies. Hey, Brady?"

"Tom."

"Yeah, yeah. OK. Ya gotta try, y'know?"

"I know."

So, after the Animal House, gym, the bank, and the grocery store. It was a pretty day and it was relief to only be thinking about mundane things. Once or twice, the backbrain tried to put forth story ideas, but I ignored it.

Back at home, I made two online job applications, then packed up some more signed Crystal Soldier, then the back-logged SRM orders, read some more Indian abduction histories and variously goofed off 'til about 10 p.m., when kinzel finished reading and we had dinner.

Yesterday dawned sunny and blue. We got up early, divested ourselves of the mail, ate breakfast at Governor's, and went for a ride in the sunshine. Bangor-Brewer-Orrington-Bucksport-Belfast-China-Windsor-Augusta-Home, with a short stop in China to look at the pretty used Subarus, and another in Augusta to check the bookshelves for Crystal Soldier and to chat with Stew, the guy who takes care of the science fiction and fantasy section. During the ride, we talked a bit about the book, the characters, those things that had been promised, and those things as yet unaddressed. Back home, we had a late lunch of spaghetti and garlic bread, then kinzel went downstairs to download and noodle with the newest Linspire while I retired to the blue chair with a book.

I read a book from cover to cover in one sitting -- something I hadn't had the leisure to do in some time -- and about 9 p.m. met kinzel for a sandwich and a glass of wine and so to bed.

This morning started with pancakes. kinzel's already signed a Big Buncha Books, and I've got bread rising. Time to get off the machine for a while and find my signing pen.

Comments

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Didn't Brady Anderson used to play for the Balmer Orioles?

Does he have sideburns?

Could be a Fate thing going on here.

Kaygo, who never thought she would get a second dog and has since lost her office to the Mickelator.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Didn't Brady Anderson used to play for the Balmer Orioles?

Y'know, I think he did. No sideburns on this Brady, though -- very smooth he is. Looks like a banker.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I have a friend who swears that getting another cat/kitten or a dog would cause my feuding cats to side together against the newcomer.

Almost desperate enough to try it.