“I’ll tell ya, Tempeste. This cold weather makes me want to sleep all day.”
“Yeah. Now that Dad is back blogging, you know that’s impossible.”
“I know it. He has been underfoot for what seems like a century.”
“It was fun visiting with our upright sisters and brother, though.”
“You are so right, but having Dad wander around with no purpose is unsettling.”
“At least he is back to work. I hear he has another book tour coming up.”
“Yes. It is a good thing. It’ll take him out for most of February.”
“That’s a long time. You think he’ll forget us?”
“Nah. He needs us. Besides that, it’s three weeks away. He’ll be around begging us to pose for photos. You wait and see.”
“That’s good. Hey, hold on. Mom just went into the pantry.”
“Too early for dinner. What is she doing in there?”
“I can’t see from here. I hear some things rattling, though.”
“Rattling things? Like maybe some pots and pans?”
“I think we ought to go check. You never know what might hit the floor.”
“You kill me. You know this is a split-second house regarding falling food.”
“Yeah, Mom is the quickest thing on two feet. Even if we can grab something, she has that iron grip that makes keeping the mouth closed around it impossible.”
“Man, did you hear that? There was the sound of a dinner can being opened.”
“Yeah, I heard it. You don’t suppose we took a longer nap than usual, and it really is dinner time?”
“That is impossible. Look outside. There is still plenty of light.”
“You must admit we don’t normally hear cans opening for the humans.”
“You are so right. That’s why I need to go and investigate. You coming?”
“Just give me a bark if I need to come eat something. Be careful out there.”
Fiction Favorites 
Twiggy and Tempeste, you two are so funny and of course cute! Dot and Lia are always at my side the minute I go into the kitchen, just in case. They can be sound asleep in the bedroom and the minute I open the fridge, they are right beside me. Stay warm little buddies. 🐶🐶
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Thank you, Miss Darlene. I think Dot and Lia are very wise. You never know what will fall out of the fridge. 😁
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Okay, John – What was in the can?
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Mom was making chilli so it was tomatoes
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I can picture the faces the girls made when they found out! haha
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I think the term “yuk” was muttered too.
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Always the same with the fourleggers. 😉 When they are hearing a can opener they are at attention. 🙂
You are so cute! We have a new cat for a few weeks, he must be a fugitive official because he eats a lot and works little. :-)) Best wishes, Michael
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Eats a lot and works little = government official.. 🤣 Good one Michael Thanks for the laugh.
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Your four-legged family members know you so well. And, you’ve beautifully captured their precious anticipation and reasoning. Another great dialogue, John. Welcome back! 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. It was a great time off. Yes, they do know me and I them. happy New Year. 😁
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I’m about to start my commute in the freezing cold. I want their life.
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I don’t blame you. I want it too and it is only 37 here.Thanks, Craig.
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They don’t miss any sound that comes from the kitchen/pantry do they! LOL!
I’m looking forward to the posers posing for you while you do the book tour.
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Thanks,Deborah. I’m not sure how I’m going to get all that done myself. THey don’t miss a sound for sure. Thanks.
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Oh lordy! Talk about returning with gusto! And Twiggy’s face in a few of the pics is priceless!
Welcome back, John.
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Thank you, Dale. It is good to be back. 😁
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Sweet!!
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😊
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Kitchen mysteries always need to be investigated.
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So right! You never know what is in there.
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Bond’s been known to try and rush his dinner time also. Twiggy looks like she’s laughing in a couple pics, lol. Glad to have you back, John!
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She was sort of laughing. Tempeste cracks her up for sure with some of her looks.
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Ha ha ha! The girls are in rare form this morning. I’ve missed them!
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Thank you so much, Liz. They have missed you as well
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Awww . . . You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Aaaaand they’re back! ‘Dad wandering around with no purpose,’ ‘been underfoot for a century’…I wonder what my cats say about me?!
Good to see you and the girls back here, John.
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Thank you, Lois. It is good to be back.
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It’s sure good to see the girls again. Congratulations on your upcoming launch, John.
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Thank you, Tim. Will be gald to get it done. 😊
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glad. Sheese.
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It’s quite an accomplishment, John.
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Thank you, Tim. How deep is the snow there?
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It has been light so far, since it has been cold (6 degrees F this morning). I have just used the leaf blower to clear our driveway and the neighbor’s.
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That is a luxury for sure with the leaf blower. Too cold for me.
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Oh, the first snow was a few inches, and I shoveled. It was light, though.
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That’s more like it.
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Haha, the sounds of food containers. Welcome back, John. Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan. Good to be back.
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The girls have something in common with my dad. He could hear the sound of a neighbor two doors down opening a beer bottle.
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Ha ha ha. I think I have the same acuity. Thanks, Linda.
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The girls made me laugh again. What can was being opened? Was Twiggy successful in purloining some food?
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It was a can of tomatoes. She was not interested.
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No, I doubt that would appeal!
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I love how they both look in profile, like Gibson Girls, with tails.
Great last line…Be careful out there. Are they watching Hill Street Blues reruns by any chance? It’s what the Sarg tells his coterie of cops after their morning briefing.
Maybe they sneak the TV on when you and Mrs. Howell are sleeping.
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It just could be we have phantom TV watchers. At least they have a great selection on Hulu, Paramount + and YouTube. 😁
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Streaming…I can just see it. Twiggy telling her naughty sister, we are not watching anything R rated.
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She would definitely do that. 😁
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I know. But she’d wait for her sister to fall asleep first. 🙂
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That is Tempeste in a nutshell.
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Yes, the sound of a can opening here has the same effect. Every can is possible tuna… lol. Glad the girls are alert to possible cleanup 🙂
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Yes they have often volunteered to do a clean up on aisle four. Thanks, Denise.
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Lol! Love that last line. And you can never miss a chance to get a treat! Good to have you back, John!
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Thank you , Jan. It is good to be back for sure.
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It looks like they are really enjoying the cosiness of the sofa.
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They love that sofa, Rabirius. 😁
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Welcome back !
You two look great.
Hope it’s a surprise treat for you.
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Thank you, Mr. Tom. Sadly it was a can of tomatoes. Not top on our list. Thanks for the welcome. It is good to be back.
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Aww, but now I don’t know if they scored some food or not, John. I hope you had a nice break.
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I did have a great break. No the can was tomatoes for chili. Thanks, Robbie.
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Poor doggies.
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Yeah, poor tortured things. 🤣
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Grin
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😁
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Sensitive ears. I hope it was worth the investigation. In any case, it’s good seeing them again. I know the blog tour will keep you busy, John, but your readers need their dog-dose, too.
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Yeah I’m trying to figure that one out right now. Thanks, Dan
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Welcome back! Those two don’t miss much going on in the kitchen.
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There are trigger noises for sure, Jo. Thanks.
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I. Love. This. LOL They’re such darlings! And that sound of the can opening has the same effect here.
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There food comes in pull tab cans. I guess they were hoping cause it was a can of tomatoes for chili. Thanks, Kymber.
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Thank goodness you’re back, John. We can’t have you wandering around with no purpose. 🤣
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I know Pete. It is not a pretty picture.
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It’ nice to have you back, John. Best of luck with the upcoming book tour! These photos of the girls are darling — I especially love the one where Twiggy seems to be laughing. Monk is the same way — no sneaking food when he’s around!
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I think these guys think they will starve if they don’t hop to it. Thanks, Debbie. It is good to be back. 😁
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So good to see you and Twiggy and Tempeste back 😊
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Thank you Esther. Good to be back. 😊
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They keep you on your toes, John. Congrats on your upcoming book tour, coming soon! 💗
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Thank you, Cindy. Yes they do keep me on my toes. 😁
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Love these posts about these amazing critters of yours. Keep ’em coming!
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I intend to do just that. Thanks, Jacqui.
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Okay, young ladies, I have a great idea for what you can do from now until this book tour is over… have an AI source draw some pictures of the two of you and create your OWN book. I’d buy a copy… xx
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Sounds like a winner, Miss Annette. The only problem is we can’t use a keyboard.😁
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Glad you Dad has a good visit. Tell us about cold temps…single digits here. Yikes! We love the crumb brigade being on high alert. Way to go, guys.
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Oops, make that *your Dad…guess my fingers were moving a bit too fast which is surprising since it’s so crisp outside. Sorry.
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You are better than us. Our use of the keyboard is iffy at best. 😁
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Thank you, Miss Monika. Sorry about your single digits. That makes our toes hurt just thinking about it.
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Thanks, John. It’s a balmy 12F now-actually warmer than I had expected this morning. 🙂
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Flip flop weather for you folks
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It really looks like they are conversing with each other. They are very cute and funny.
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Thank you, Thomas. That means a lot.
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They are so funny and cute! ☺️ love their little faces. They sure don’t miss a thing! lol 😆
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Thank you, Laura. They keep me smiling pretty much all day.
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I can’t believe I forgot to stop by yesterday to check on the tales of the dynamic duo. Then again, not knowing the day of the week is a common dilemma with snowbirds. Wow …. seems the duo don’t get many opportunities for falling food. Must be the neat eaters! Get prepared for that book tour!
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People food is verboten so we have to be careful during prep. It is like there are sharks patrolling at our feet. 😊
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Cute! Falling food takes priority. Food in any form or delivery, I suppose. 😄
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I’m just glad they don’t have opposable thumbs because I could see a Door Dash deliver in their future if they did.
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😅💸😂
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😁
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I see you’re all back. Had to laugh at dad being underfoot and mom being so quick in the kitchen. A launch in February? How very exciting, John. I look forward to the read!
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Thank you, Diana. I have your latest and am looking forward to diving in
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Thanks, John. I can’t wait to hear about your new one.
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😊
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Always look for falling food! 🙂 Congrats on the upcoming release, John. Good to see you (and Tempeste and Twiggy) back.
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Thank you, Joan. It is good to be back.
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It might sound as if the girls are being critical of you but really, they’re just blowing off steam is all. Being in charge of security is a tough job and they do it well, even if the humor can be hard hitting. It’s their coping mechanism.
Keep on keeping underfoot Boss
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I think they love me but like me in my role
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Haha!
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😁
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Welcome back, John! My kitties are spending most of their time napping too (being Southern cats, they do not care for the cold at all). But they still don’t miss a sound when we’re in the kitchen, Wendy especially 🙂 I’m looking forward to your book tour!
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Thank you, Marie. I think the tour is going to be a treat for some of my readers since it includes some folks that they may have not met before. Looking forward to my visit with you. 😁 (Material to you by the 21st if Amazon cooperates.)
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So glad you’re back, John. I hope you don’t get underfoot too much with the girls, except for photos. 😀
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Thank you, Jennie. Way too busy to be underfoot.
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That’s a good thing!
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It is.
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Haha! You have finally been called out for trying to take photos while they try to sleep 🙂
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They always seem to know, Thanks, Ankur.
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Hello Twiggy and Tempeste,
Glad to hear dad is back!
Tell him I hurt my right hand and can only type a bit at a time.
I’ve already got 6 drawings done, so my hurt hand won’t affect the post.
Here’s what happened:
I got a new cat, female, 51/2. Her owner moved to a care home.
She ran under the couch when she got here. She came out and hid behind a door. I found her and pet her… That went ok. Then I tried to pick her up and in her terror she, punctured my right hand in 4 spots, deep. Hand is messed up.. no drawing or sewing. Hand is SWOLLEN . She is in new hiding place.
Okay, that’s the update.
I’ll be in touch with last 3 drawings and question later this week.
Looking to post around Jan. 22, If that works?
OX OX
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Thank you, Miss Resa. I’m so sorry about the hand. Those kitties really freak out. If you can find her, put her in a solitary room (spare bedroom) with litter and water. Visit her to leave the food. Sooner of later she will great you when you visit. I wouldn’t give her the run of the house till she is sure about your intentions. Again I’m sorry abut the hand. Yes the 22nd is great. The book should be live on the 20th so dad can shoot you the buy links. Take care of yur habd. XOXO
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Twiggy and Tempeste, you are a joy. 🩷 John, all power to your writing elbow during January and February. Much love to you, Mrs H, Twiggy and Tempeste. Xxx 🩷
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Thank you so much, Jane. The best to you and Tim as well. 😁
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Lol, their radar is never off. And they seem to know you so well, lol. 🙂
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Thak is for sure. Thanks, Debby.
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🙂
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😁
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Il looks like black & white dreamland visited the Twiggy Tempeste resort those cold days. I hope that it was quiet …even in Saint Louis.😉🍤🍤🍤🍻
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I think once the barkees reach St Louis it becomes very quiet. 😂
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