Writing Styles and a Pupdate

Isn’t this the cutest bug posing nicely on a feeder hook? Can anyone ID it? It flew off, smacked into the siding, and disappeared.

A few months ago I was talking to a dear blogger friend about writing and the many fabulous styles we read every day. I remember her saying that a few words can be more meaningful, if you can do it. I know that less is more and for a moment I wondered if she was suggesting I work on a little condensing... I thought, "Well, gee, are my posts that lengthy? Yes, but I have been trying to work on my run-on sentences, whenever I think about it.” Then I smiled and was certain she wasn’t suggesting anything. She’s too kind. With every post I’ve written since then, I remember that conversation for a fleeting moment and continue to ramble and babble.

One of the most poetic writers is Nina at Nature Remains. Nina can tell a story in ten lines or less, expressed so beautifully. The words she chooses pulls you in and takes you there, leaving bits and pieces of information left to your own imagination. Now, that’s a gift. You can’t learn to do what Nina does. One of her recent posts tells a heartbreaking story about a hummingbird nest. It must have been painful for Nina to write but she offered a few lines of her standard poetic grace. Without her mentioning, we knew the sadness she felt and could imagine the chain of events in our minds. If I had to write the same story, it would be written as a chapter book with no less than ten thousand words. …and then…, and then, …and then…, and then… ;-)

I’ve already inflicted more than 280 words here, so the rest will be a brief update on Bella who is almost off drugs. After more than a month, there are only three doses of Prednisone left in the bottle and I think she’s much better. Notice I said “I think” she’s much better. A Mom is never too certain.

Bella: It’s been so l-l-long, Mommy. I think we n-n-need to play. Right now.

I’ve been gently easing her into action since last week.

She is allowed one throw and chase a day as opposed to thirty. Doesn’t she look charged?

Once in a while, I see her hang the head low and I worry. It might not be pain she’s feeling - a little steroid psychosis instead.

A gentle roll of a ball is all she gets a few times a day. Circus acrobatics are not allowed.

Both Bella and Chloe have been bored for too long.

Dear old Chloe misses action, too. I need to be sure she sees the ball before I throw it.

Bella: If you scratch my arm p-p-pits I will like it.

Do it s’more.