Category: A Little Personal

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy, Tempeste, and the Robot

~ John W. Howell ~ 99 Comments

“Twiggy. Wake up. That thing is here again.”

“Uh. Please let me nap. That thing is always somewhere.”

“But not right here in our sanctuary.”

“Yeah, only once a week.”

“I don’t trust it. It makes a weird noise.”

“It is picking up dirt and hair.”

“Look, it wants me to move. I think it should move.”

“Don’t be a baby. Just get out of the way.”

“Okay, but only cause you say so.”

“Oh, brother. Next, you’ll want to give it a panther treatment.”

“Good idea. The panther gets into its striking position.”

“I hope that thing doesn’t have an electrified defense system.”

“Wait. You think it might?”

“You never know. If I were an AI machine, you better believe I would have a zapper like nobody’s business.”

“There’s Dad. I’m going to ask him.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“Dad. Does that bot have a shocking defense system?”

“I can’t imagine where you got that idea, but her initials are Twiggy. No defense systems at all.”

“Then it’s okay for me to give it a panther lesson?’

” I wouldn’t do that. Although it has no systems of its own, it is under the protective cover of Mom.”

“Say no more. That’s even more powerful than a shock.”

“Smart dog.”

 

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Inside.

~ John W. Howell ~ 113 Comments

Here’s what was outside. Meanwhile inside.

“The puma makes a preemptive strike on the panther.”

“The panther is ready.”

“The puma does the famous step over maneuver.”

The panther does a kung fu kick, which takes the puma off guard.”

“The puma decides a clutch hold will work best.”

“The panther works to break the hold.”

“The puma brings the panther to the floor.”

“The panther prepares for another lunge.”

“The puma lets out a terrific roar.”

“The panther bares her sharp, shiny teeth.”

“The puma defends against the attempt at a choke hold.”

“The panther prepares to toss the puma to the mat.”

“The puma breaks away and does the defensive roll.”

“The panther follows up for the kill.”

“The puma grabs the panther in the death squeeze.”

“The panther begins to laugh since the death squeeze seems more like a hug.”

“The puma joins the laughter.”

“That was great, Twiggy. We should do this more often.”

“I agree, but like everything, the time has to be right.”

“Yeah, like when there is ice and snow outside.”

Thursday – Anything Possible – Twiggy and Tempeste at Home

~ John W. Howell ~ 104 Comments

”

“You know I haven’t jumped off the couch in months.”

“This is not the time to start again.”

“It does look pretty far down there.”

“A dislocated hip just waiting to happen.”

“Oh, come on. There is a bed on the floor.”

“With one inch of padding.”

“Why are you always a killjoy?”

“Five years older than you is why.”

“I guess experience does count for something.”

“Yeah, try a $5000 visit to the emergency vet.”

“Oooh. I don’t like that place at all.”

“So, get off the back of the couch.”

“I think you are right.”

“So why don’t you get off?”

“Did you ever hear of an irresistible impulse?”

“Oh, brother. Now I’ve heard everything.”

“What do you say we go out and chase a ball?”

“At last, you have come to your senses.”

“If only I could break away from this couch back.”

“Please stop.”

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste On Their Own

~ John W. Howell

So where is Dad and Aunt Barbara?”

“They went off to see a sculpture garden and an art exhibit.”

“So what does that mean to us?”

“Of course you would ask that. Well, it means we are on our own until they come back.”

“On our own. Like we’re orphans?”

“No, it means that Dad will be taking some time to be with her.”

“How much time?”

“As you know, she came in on Tuesday and will be leaving Saturday.”

“Okay, so why did Dad turn off the comments?”

“He will be busy and won’t be blogging again until Sunday.”

“So in theory, we are without Dad.”

” When Dad is gone, yes. Here comes Mom to open the door.”

“Gee, I will miss Dad.”

“Don’t be silly. He will be here,  just not blogging.”

“But this blog is part of our world.”

“Don’t get too extensional. It just means that come Sunday, Dad will be blogging again.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy Worries About Tempeste

~ John W. Howell ~ 91 Comments

“So, Tempest, you’ve been playing around that tree, right?”

“How’d you know?”

“I heard the fence move, and that can only mean one thing.”

“Well, I may have tried to get to an ornament or two.”

“You know that is the quickest way to drive Mom up the wall.”

“How much could it hurt? There are plenty of ornaments.”

“That’s not the point. She doesn’t want you swallowing anything harmful.”

“I don’t think a couple of needles would be harmful.”

“Says the dope who continues to eat leaves. Say, what’s that on your face?”

“Face? Nothing.”

“Oh man. You have got to be kidding me. You got an ornament. Where is it?”

“Okay, you caught me. It’s over under the tree.”

“Come here and wipe your mouth like this.”

“Why? I didn’t eat anything.”

“Trust me, you need to wipe your face. You need to spend some quality time doing that.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about. I didn’t eat anything.”

“That’s not going to help you when Mom sees your face.”

“Oh, hi, Mom.”

“I can’t bear to watch.”

“Tempest, do you know anything about this ornament on the floor?”

“What ornament?”

Thursday – Anything Possible – Twiggy and Tempest Make a Decision

~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

“So Tempeste. What do you feel like doing today?”

“I was thinking about heading outside for a little toy ruckus. What about you?”

“I could use me some good old nap time.”

“You just had a good night’s sleep, right?”

“Well, yeah, but it is chilly out, and a nice snuggle would be nice.”

“There is a matter of exercise.”

“I can do it right here. A couple of push-ups and it’s done.”

“I guess you can kid yourself if you want to, Porky.”

“Did you just body shame me?

“It’s not a shame you are just big boned.”

“Well, I hope not. We are just built differently, that’s all.”

“Yeah, I love exercise, and you love naps.”

“Here I go. Ten pushups.”

“I would still rather go outside.”

“Well then, why don’t you just go?”

“Like you said, it is chilly out there.”

“You crack me up. Yeah, it is chilly, exercise or no.”

“Okay, maybe a nap is the best course after all.”

 

“Tell me this isn’t better.”

“You were right. This is better.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Have a Discussion

~ John W. Howell ~ 127 Comments

“So, Twiggy, I have a question.”

“I don’t want to play with your pink thing.”

“That’s not the question.”

“I don’t want to go outside. It’s freezing.”

“That’s not it either. I’m wondering why this fence is around the Christmas tree?”

“Oh, brother. You really have to ask?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The fence is there because a certain child can’t keep from pulling off branches.”

“A certain child? You mean me?”

“Winner, winner chicken dinner.”

“Well, for heaven’s sake. I’m only investigating what it is made of.”

“Yeah, and chancing a trip to the ER.”

“I wouldn’t swallow those branches. Just a taste is all.”

“Well, Mom and Dad can’t take that chance. They have Tempeste-proofed the place.”

“I don’t think that shows a lot of trust.”

“Says the kid who can’t stop eating leaves.”

“Okay, you have made your point. You sure you don’t want to ruckus with me?”

“Let’s wait a little. It may warm up later. It’s supposed to be 55 degrees (12+ °C) later.

“Still chilly.”

“Yes, for us, but better than right now.”

Thursday a Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

~ John W. Howell ~ 1 Comment

“So this is Thanksgiving.”

“Yes, Tempeste. A time to give thanks for all our blessings.”

“Look. Dad has turned off comments.”

“He wants our readers to not have to take time away to comment.”

“So we should wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Yes. Wait for it.”

“Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours.”

“And if you know the ASPCA emergency number, ask them to help us.”

Costumes courtesy of ChatGPT.