Sue Perry's Blog: Required Writing, page 33

Weekly Photo Challenge: The Sign Says… Loser

My son does some great screen printing. He made this t-shirt as a class project. I wish he would make me one! Or at least give me one of the stickers. (Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge.)

Weekly Writing Challenge: 1,000 Words, 10,000 Thoughts

HER: “Did you set the timer?” Did she see me? I don’t think she saw me. HIM: “Ten more seconds.” Gwen is so withdrawn tonight. HER: “Oh now I hear it ticking. I couldn’t before.” I think she recognized me. HIM: “How’s the glaze coming?” Is Gwen angry with me? HER: “Almost there.” She kept […]

Weekly Photo Challenge: The Sign Says… A Question Well Worth Asking

I’m sorry I was late for work the day I spotted this bumper sticker. Might have liked to stick around to meet the owner. Perhaps Bop the mean cat should pose this question to herself. (Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge.)

Weekly Photo Challenge: The Sign Says… Hmm. About That Cyclist…

I am not sure how to interpret this advisory sign: Am I to understand that they lack cyclists there? Or do they only care about one of the cyclists? Should I watch out because one of the cyclists (and apparently all the hikers) are dangerous? Or is the takeaway message if the hikers don’t get you, […]

The Daily Prompt: The Zone – Digging for Boulders

I love to dig in my garden. My neighborhood lies in the foothills of a mountain range, so all the yards are full of rocks of many sizes which were shed from the mountains in ancient landslides. When I dig a hole for a new plant, I am a rock archaeologist, discovering buried artifacts. Except […]

The Daily Prompt: Silver Linings

We could debate whether silver linings exist in reality or in attitude but the answer may not matter. Either way, from my perspective, the ability to perceive silver linings is essential to happiness, contentment, and peace of mind. Silver linings are all about the ability to hope, to get past the inevitable bad and ugly times with the belief it gets better.  Many other people have thought about this, too, that’s why we have anonymous sayings like

If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

or the Springsteen  lyric

It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive.

or Eugene O’Neil’s

Man is born broken. He lives by mending. The grace of God is glue. 

I know a young woman who tried to kill herself this year. Twice. In between, she found a boyfriend – apparently also preoccupied with death – who did then kill himself. I have struggled and flailed to find the right words or argument that would convince her to keep going, to not give up. But I realize it won’t be anybody’s words that turn her around. The desire to live has to come from the inside.

When I was younger I was obsessed with not getting tricked or fooled and I was always determined to Know the Truth in every situation. I don’t think I care about that nowadays. I’m not saying I believe everything I read or hear. I’m not saying I’ve lost interest in truth. All I’m saying is that a suspicious nature takes a severe toll.

It is a fantasy to imagine I or anyone can live without illusions. Optimism is a kind of illusion. Optimists live longer and happier lives. (There are scientific studies about this so it must be true.) My current thinking is that I am going to believe that things will work out and life will evolve in good ways. Maybe on my deathbed I will say Wulp I was sure wrong about that. but in the meantime I will have enjoyed many days of hope and enthusiasm rather than bitterness and resentment.

Wildfires make nasty air.

Wildfires make gorgeous sunsets.

This post topic comes from The Daily Prompt.

Weekly Photo Challenge: The Sign Says… Join the Dogwalkers’ Hall of Shame

This sign in the yard of a neighbor* begs the question: just how trainable are the owners?

Hmm. Recorded. Camera?

* For the record, I have lived here 10 years but never met nor seen this neighbor, who kept a ROMNEY/RYAN sign in the yard for several months after the November election.

Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge.

Weekly Photo Challenge: The Sign Says… An Unimagined Danger

The errant are risky but it is the frivolous balls that are really treacherous.

Sign on golf course fence, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California.Posted as part of

Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge.

Weekly Photo Challenge: The Sign Says… Ah, At Last We Know

At last a confirmation. Always hoped there were extras around somewhere. (Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge.)

Cruelty and Compassion, Feline Style

Because we must be insane, we have 5 cats. Two grown cats, Bop and Luna, age 10; and three teen cats age 8 months.  The youngsters immediately displayed distinct personalities but are all as friendly and as loving as can be.

Bop (left) and Luna. Bop needs an attitude adjustment. Luna is an object of worship. In ten years together this is the only time they have ever hung out together!

One of the grown cats, Luna, tolerates the youngsters but avoids them because whenever they spot him, all three converge to incessantly sniff him and follow him and try to get him to touch noses with them.

Grown cat Bop wants to be the only critter and she never will be, which has made her bitter. She is sweet to humans but chases the 45 pound dog; she is prone to unpredictable attacks on Luna (until Luna whaps her one); and she wants to kill the youngsters. Whenever she gets the chance she attacks youngsters Arrow and Bo.

Arrow and Bo, the most frequent victims.

Mostly we have kept her separate from the youngsters, which is even more of a pain than it sounds. Every so often we let them mingle, in hopes the youngsters will realize that they are now larger than Bop, and that if they stand up to her she will leave them alone. Bop is a classic bully. But so far the youngsters still run.

Recently, for the first time, Bop attacked the youngest cat, Leo, who started as a runt and doesn’t understand that he is now enormous. Leo’s is a goofy and gentle soul. He purrs when he eats. He plays with the dog’s tail.

Leo, the latest victim. Ferocious looking, isn’t he?

When Bop chased him, Leo got so scared he wet himself.

Now this is where the story gets good. After I sprayed Bop with water and locked her away, the other 10-year-old, Luna – the worshipped one – demanded to come inside.

He went over to Leo and touched noses with him several times, apparently in solidarity. Then he went back outside.

Leo pulled himself together a little and soon the other youngsters showed up to help Leo with his grooming. Within the hour he was back to his goofball ways.

P.S. Although this post makes light of it, I’d appreciate any advice about how and whether the youngsters can be put together with Bop. My son wants to get rid of Bop, but I can’t do that. She may be a mean asshole but she is part of the family.

Bop the villain, back when we had a rabbit. Bop loved to go in the rabbit’s cage, probably for the adrenaline rush. The rabbit attacked anyone who went near that cage. Bop and the rabbit were kindred spirits.