Rambling Friday: Mouse...or Cat?

The question was...

should I use a MOUSE (my intended creature) in the first book of The Nursery Rhyme series:  

Catch Me If You Can or...

a CAT? Especially a special cat, like a Savannah cat? 

Because an editor suggested women don't care for mice (really?), I took a poll. sigh. It was decided (by me) that another creature would be best for the story. So I did some research. Then some more. I finally decided if I was going to use a CAT, then I wanted to know the personalities, and well, more about them. I considered a couple different ones. Then I ran into the article about Savannah cats. How sociable, how intelligent, and their unique personalities, and I was convinced! 

A Savannah cat was the choice. It made perfect sense. Having two older brothers (well, one is a twin), who liked to tease her (like, all the time), giving her a Savannah cat would be the ultimate tease for a sister who was loved by both brothers and a grandfather. 

Hence...meet BOET! And I'm dearly afraid he may end up being the star of the book! 

For a chance to win a Kindle copy of Catch Me If You Can, comment below. Author's discretion on giving away a copy, depending on how many entries. 

Of Mice and Men and February Contest Info...

Mice: Could you consider one for a pet? The reason I'm asking: in one of my suspense novels, yet to be published, Tara--the detective--has one for a pet. Her twin brother gave it to her for a joke, and she ended up loving the little fellow. He's also sensitive to what is right and/or wrong in the cases she's trying to solve and he's able to give her animal hints (if she's smart enough to figure them out!)

So, would you have a mouse for a pet? Is it too icky? (By the way, I'm considering changing Tara's pet to an exotic cat) Are you afraid of mice? And are they more trouble than men?

That's what I'm getting at. Mice mess (uh hem) where you don't want them to. They get into the food you don't want them in and cause more work. But what else do they do? They scamper, but then who wouldn't when a monster-ish human form towers over you? I'd run for my life, too!

Men:
Not to be too indelicate (have you ever cleaned a toilet bowl?), but yeah, same difference. Then, ever try to hide the cookies? (homemade bread, pie, cake, etc. etc.) You'd think they were going through a worse persecution than some foreign third world country. They're much worse than children when they get sick. (I carry the phone around afraid any minute I'll have to call emergency.) And just let them prepare some document, manuscript, article, etc. You must, must, must listen to this. 

So why is it when I have a tiny bit of my novel I need proofread, "I'm too busy right now" is what I hear? Fair turnabout is what I thought it was all about.

Men!

They insist on heading to the most boring sections in Wal-Mart. They chat endlessly about sports and cars and jobs, but let us mention a baby! Oh, my, their eyes turn glassy and droop with a sudden syndrome called sleepiness.

Tell me this: is that fair?

But, hey, I gotta remember, I get warm cuddlings from one certain handsome man (hubby!), and I can't complain about him not taking me places.

He helps me in the house, strives to give me what I need--and want (most of the time--don't want to get too generous here!) He's good at keeping the fireplace stoked because he knows I love it. He puts up with my pets, when he'd just as soon not have any. He listens-- sometimes, or, at least, pretends to--to my eternal chatting about my writing. He buys me flowers. And I think he loves me.

Hmmm . . . I think I'll keep him around for awhile yet. 

CONTEST QUESTION TIME

(You must comment on every contest question I have this month--

February, 2018,

 and I will label them as such. 

One per week for the whole month.)

Contest Question:

So what is it to be:  Mice?  or  Men?  

VOTING TIME...

Oh, yeah, you want to know what you get?

This:

and a kindle copy of 

Knight in Shining Apron

Book 2

of the Appleton, WV Romantic Mystery series

How's that for a beautiful, romantic gift?

Happy Reading!

Weird Stuff from My World

Of Mice and Men

Mice:
Could you consider one for a pet? The reason I'm asking: in one of my suspense novels, Tara--the detective--has one for a pet. Her twin brother gave it to her for a joke and she ended up loving the little fellow. He's also sensitive to what is right and/or wrong in the cases she's trying to solve and he's able to give her animal hints (if she's smart enough to figure them out!)

So, would you have a mouse for a pet? Is it too icky? Are you afraid of mice? And are they more trouble than men?

That's what I'm getting at. Mice mess (uh hem) where you don't want them to (excuse me, but have you ever cleaned a toilet bowl?) They get into the food you don't want them in. But what else do they do? They run around, but then who wouldn't when a monsterish human form towers over you? I'd run for my life, too!

 

But they're smart, cute and tiny enough to sneak into places most people don't want them.

Men:
Not to be too indelicate (see above vague hint), but yeah, same difference. Then, ever try to hide the cookies? (homemade bread, pie, cake, etc. etc.) You'd think they were going through a worse persecution than some foreign third world country. They're much worse than children when they get sick. (I carry the phone around afraid any minute I'll have to call emergency.) And just let them prepare some document, manuscript, article, etc. You must, must, must listen to this.

So why is it when I have a tiny bit of my novel I need proofed, "I'm too busy right now" is what I hear? Fair turnabout is what I thought it was all about. Men!

They insist on heading to the most boring sections in Wal-Mart. They chat endlessly about sports and cars and jobs, but let us mention a baby! Oh, my, their eyes turn glassy and droop with a sudden syndrome called sleepiness.

Tell me this: is that fair?

But, hey, I gotta remember, I get warm cuddlings from one certain handsome man (hubby!), and I can't complain about him not taking me places.

He helps me in the house, strives to give me what I need--and want (most of the time--don't want to get too generous here! Grin) He's good at keeping the fireplace stoked because he knows I love it. He puts up with my pets, when he'd just as soon not have any. He listens-- sometimes--to my eternal chatting about my writing. He buys me flowers. And I think he loves me.

Hmmm . . . I think I'll keep him around for awhile yet.

Blessings!

And Today We Have With Us . . .


Hickory, the pet mouse from "Catch Me If You Can." He's agreed to be interviewed and has some interesting observations.

Caroline: Thanks for sharing with us today, Hickory.


Hickory: No problem. Glad I can enlighten a few minds about the world of mice.

Caroline: What do you mean?

Hickory (a minute cough behind paws): For instance, people think of us as nuisances. That's not entirely true.

Caroline: Really? I've always thought of them as . . . well, pests.

Hickory: That's because you're uneducated on that subject.

Caroline: You're being a little blunt here. Tell us something about mice that will change our minds.

Hickory: Ahem. Mice are smart. No, don't laugh. We really are. We enjoy good music. That's why many times we hang around pianos. Love those keys! And not to brag, but we're clean, interesting and fun to have around. At the least, you'll get some attention from others if you're really devoted to us!

Caroline: Really?

Hickory: Did you know I could have been groomed for exhibition, but decided living the life as a partner to a detective would be more exciting.

Caroline: Wow. That sounds fascinating.

Hickory: And my curiosity makes me an excellent choice as a pet for a detective. I do have pretty keen senses. We can sense things humans can't.

Caroline: Okay. You've sort of got me convinced. Now tell me what your role is in CMIYC.

Hickory: I'm a pet.

Caroline (scowling): Funny.

Hickory (laughing): Just kidding. Tara's brother gave me to her as a joke, but she ended up loving me. I go with her everywhere because I'm small, content to be quiet when I have to be, and smart enough to give her a few hints in her career.

Caroline: What is her career?

Hickory: She's a teacher turned detective.

Caroline (with eyebrow lifted): Why did she choose that career?

Hickory: Because of her older brother's murder. Tara's been struggling a lot with bitterness over it. But she did feel like God was leading her to begin this new career.

Caroline: I heard that you were kidnapped in CMIYC. Are those rumors true?

Hickory (nodding): Yes, they are. The villain stole me in my cage because he thought it would send Tara straight to his arms.

Caroline (shivering): And did it?

Hickory (with far-away look in eyes): Yes, it did. And that's all I'm going to tell you about CMIYC. If you're interested in reading more about me, er-r-r, I mean about this story, you'll have to get the book!

Caroline: Thanks, Hickory, for telling us a little bit about yourself and this super-sounding mystery. Hope you can return some day.

Hickory (shrug): Perhaps. If I don't get too famous or too busy.


Folks, you never know what kind of characters will pop up. Let's hope Hickory doesn't get so famous he forgets about us common folk!




For those of you who've suddenly developed a desire for a mouse-pet, remember:

• They must have attention, or you'd be better off with two.
• Tin cans, paper cups and ropes in a cage are great entertainment activities.
• Give them something to chew on.
• They like treats such as sunflower seeds.
• Curious ones are the most healthy.

Enjoy!




(Hickory came across this quote after a nap one day on top of a book. He wanted me to use it! Smile):
You don't have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things . . .You can just be an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals. --Sir Edmund Hilliary


Have a fun evening and many blessings!

Hickory, Dickory, Dock

The other day one of the loopers in my writing group told a story.

She was working in her church basement, typing away and concentrating on a nonfiction book. She felt something watching her. She looked up and there forming a circle around her were several mouse staring at her. They did that for several days.

Wondering what she was doing? Trying to figure out why she'd invaded their territory? Hoping to get something (cheese?) from her?

I loved the story!

If any of you have read snippets of my mystery, the protagonist (heroine), Tara, has a pet mouse named Hickory. You might ask--why choose such a pet?

Here's why: because I like pets in my stories. (I love animals, but I won't start spouting about that!). In this one, I wanted a pet that could travel with Tara: small, smart, interesting, and different. Something that would get Tara attention and questioning looks. And a mouse came to me.

In the book, Tara first receives the pet as a joke from her twin brother, but ends up loving the little fellow. He even helps her in his own initiative way, in her cases.

I researched mice before using Hickory: went to a pet story, studied (in the store) a book, checked on the mice they had, and even considered buying one for an experiment. They are smart, fun, and who knows? If you've ever owned a pet, you know that most of them are NOT predictable. They have senses that go beyond what we know or feel. Why should mice be any different?

So, I rest my case. I think I made a good choice for Tara's pet.

What do you think?



Don't you just hate it when you've gotten a stain on something you love?
Stain Remover Hints:
Rubbing Alcohol--Grass
Ammonia--Sweat
Baking Soda--Odors
Cream of Tartar & Lemon Juice--a great homemade bleach
Hydrogen Peroxide & Cold Water--Blood
Shampoo--ring around the collar, mud, & cosmetic
Pine-Sol--any stain
Dish Soap--Olive oil/cooking oil & grease
WD-40--salad dressing, grease splatters, crayon (spray on, set 10 mins, work in soap, wash)



Quote:
Don't ever let yourself get so busy that you miss those little but important extras in life--the beauty of a day, the smile of a friend, the serentity of a quiet moment alone. For it is often life's smallest pleasures and gentlest joys that make the biggest and most lasting difference.


Blessings.