I’ve decided not to blog today. I thought I’d announce this decision, so you’d know that you were being neglected, instead of just suspecting it. It’s a beautiful May morning, and I plan to enjoy it. But just so you know what you’re missing, I’ll fill you in on a few things you will won’t learn on here today.
I won’t share my new secret knowledge: ring-billed gulls (commonly — though incorrectly — known as “seagulls”) practice kung fu when we’re not looking. Maybe I’ll mention it another time instead. If it comes up.

If only I were blogging today, I could mention in passing that hubs requested a pie in the face for his birthday and a rutabaga for Christmas, and now I’m terrified and intrigued — what will he ask for next? But since I’m busy elsewhere, I will be forced to disclose that tidbit another time.

On this fine morning, I will not share my suspicions that Echo the Cat looks like an Olsen Twin. This is especially clear in the link I would post if I were posting a photo to back up this information which I will not share today. Which I’m not. Or something. Now I’m all confused…
I hereby refuse to admit that our other two cats are unusually close. Often.

On a day like today, when many of you are probably hard at work on your novels, it would be far too embarrassing to reveal that I take pictures of random objects when I have writer’s block. Much better for you to suspect that I dedicate 100% of my attention to my book whenever I’m not at work or blogging.

And, because I’m afraid of public humiliation, I will never — today or any other day — reveal that I refer to this picture as “Cactus Itt” and am desperate to take scissors to the plant’s shagginess. I fear you might disagree or, worse, laugh at me.

So there you go. I bet you feel as if you’re really missing out, with scintillating topics like these available if only I were willing to take the time. Maybe on a day when there aren’t flowers to enjoy and books to write, and cats to tease, I will go more in-depth. Or perhaps not. In the meantime, if you’re feeling bereft of bloggie tidbits, I suppose you could always stop by my photoblog, Playing with Pixels. To navigate through the album, just click the right or left side of each picture to go backwards or forward, respectively, or use the arrows beneath. Or, if you haven’t done so already, read the post below and then enter to win an autographed and personalized copy of Jess Riley‘s hilarious and poignant debut novel Driving Sideways. Or find some other way to entertain yourself. You’re resourceful; I can tell that about you.









Ah, the non-blog blog
PS. that cactus really does look like Cousin It
Since you didn’t blog today, I won’t comment that I too would like to know what your huband will request next…
Yes, but which Olsen twin– Ashley or Mary Kate?
i’m not laughing at you, i’m laughing at the cactus it, i swear!
Yes, Z, that technique.
And I’m glad you agree with the Cousin Itt thing.
Ilana, me too! He’s really creative, and he’s not materialistic, so his requests are often a surprise.
Alyson, I may be good, but I’m not that good! I never can tell them apart. Maybe he’s the third twin…a feline triplet.
Yeah, sure, Emily!
Don’t check my blog today – I’m skipping, too.
Where did you find the Cousin Itt cactus? Cool. Love your hubby’s twisted sense of humor . . . that is humor, isn’t it?
Great photos. Thanks for sharing.
Kath, for some reason this very much makes me want to go check it out. I think it’s because you told me *not* to.
Sandra, I saw it on a hike through the desert a few years ago. And, yes, he has a terrific sense of humor. Thanks for visiting!
I love your blog about not blogging but you did blog, didn’t you.
I hope you’re enjoying the weekend.
I’m glad you’re playing today. (And if anybody asks, you can say you’re “replenishing your creative well.”) I’m going to take inspiration from you and try and play instead of watching the Indy 500 and drawing numerous parallels to the world of writing and publishing. I still can’t turn this darn thing off.
P.S. Echo’s cuter than the Olsen twins. (And probably weighs more.)
Oops. You’re right, Dru. Guess I’d better watch that.
And, yes, it’s been a nice weekend so far. I hope you’re enjoying yours, too!
So true, Pam! That’s the excuse I give whenever I watch a movie or read a book; why not apply it to anything fun? And, yes, Echo probably does weigh more than the twins. He needs a diet, but he’s easily angered when hungry, and he’s not pleasant to be around in such a state.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Loved the humor in this post and your “other kitties” look just like mine. I’ll be back
Once again fab photos and fab blog, or uh, non blog. You make even not blogging so much fun to read. I think your hubby’s on to something regarding gifts – I love it! And I think Echo looks more like Ashley. Just sayin. Cactus Itt is awesome! And kinda cute.
i’m not reading blogs today. its a beautiful memorial day morning and i’m outside enjoying it. (yes, your cat does look like an olsen! i should know, my professor husband taught her…an olsen not your cat!)
A blog about not blogging. Fantastic! *G* Cousin It cactus looks like it needs a haircut, I don’t blame you for wanting to take scissors to it! *G*
Thanks, L.A.! I enjoyed visiting your blog, too.
Robin, I’m glad you know the difference, since I have no idea. And, yes, Cactuss Itt cracked me up when I saw it; I just knew I needed a picture.
Enjoy the beautiful day, Joanne! And that’s cool that your husband taught one of the Olsens. Of course, now I’m nosy about how well she did in class, etc.
Thanks, Brandy!
Okay, we’re all talking about how your cat looks like one of the Olsen twins, but am I the only one who things your hubs looks like Nathan Fillion?
your plant looks like cousin it…
Thank you so much for not blogging today. If you had blogged, I would feel as though I were missing out on many wonderful things.
I’m not commenting on you not posting a non-picture of your un-funny husband without pie on his face. :0)
Caryn, love your pics and your non-blog! LOL. I have a cactus like that, it refused to die, it refuses to get well. I think it’s in the garage now, hubby took over it’s care and feeding. And the plant is still a tad “ugly.” Poor thing.
And the pie-in-the-face pic is too funny! Loved it.
i guess since it wasn’t a post, i don’t have to tell you how much i didn’t enjoy that. or did enjoy that. or something.
okay now i’m confused.
What prompted the pie in the face and the rutabaga??? It does look as though he knows what he likes, judging from the picture.
Love it! Definitely Ashley.
Great pic of the seagull on the beach.
You know I always love your photos, but the photo of the three-ring binder rings is phenomenal! LOVE IT! Also, I think Echo looks more like Ashley than Mary-Kate.
Pam, I had to look up pictures to verify, but I do see what you’re saying. How funny!
Thanks for agreeing, Patti! I feel better.
No problem, Amy! I’m glad to help whenever I can.
LOL, Mary! I love it!
Kudos to you, LaDonna, for keeping your cactus, no matter its looks. I hope it recovers nicely, and soon!
Me, too, Virginia!
Alyssa, he just likes unusual gifts. Actually, he’s not very materialistic, so when we insist that he tell us what he wants for birthdays, Christmas, etc. he sometimes retaliates by coming up with strange items — which we then feel compelled to get for him. It’s become a bit of a game.
Keri and Katie, I now have to go look at pictures of Mary-Kate and Ashley. Still, this is why I love blogging — in what other medium would you conduct a poll asking people which Olsen twin your cat more closely resembles — and get serious answers?
I have never laughed so hard at somebody’s non-blogging. You are better when you’re NOT blogging than most people are at actual blogging! (I include myself in that category.) Also: LOVE your husband’s gift requests. My husband once asked for nose hair clippers for Christmas. A pie in the face would have been so much more fun. I think I’ll just give that to him, even if he doesn’t request it! (Also: Ashley Olsen. For sure.)
Thanks for not sharing!