Peg Kehret Blog

Yesterday I bought a Wii, and I’ve been bowling on it with my grandson.  Because of the weakness in my legs and arms from post-polio syndrome, it has been years since I’ve been able to go bowling.  Now, thanks to technology, I am “bowling” in my living room.

When I was paying for the Wii, the clerk asked, “Is this for your grandchildren?”   I said, “No, it’s for me.”  She was startled; apparently not too many grey-haired grandmothers purchase computer games for themselves. 

 I think the willingness to try new things is imperative for a writer. A writer’s business is ideas; all writers need to be observant and inquisitive.  Keeping up with what’s new in the world is part of my job - and it’s also a lot of fun!

Edgar has been here a week and he is doing great. He no longer bolts into his hiding place when I enter his room. He purrs and rolls around on the floor and has started “talking” to me. He has quite a lot to say.

No doubt Edgar will show up in a book some day, as I seem to use all of my animals in my work eventually. 

 I’ve been trying to start a new book and the process is always difficult for me.  I have two chapters of two different books written, but I’m stuck on both of them. Today I had a completely new idea, which I’m going to develop next.  I often do this - play around with several ideas, writing a little on one and then a little on another until one seems to “catch fire” and I know it’s the one I want to finish.

I’m reading the collected letters of Ogden Nash to his family. They are an inspiration to me.  I’ve always liked Nash’s work but never knew much about his personal life. I love reading about other writers.

Isn’t it wonderful that I can be inspired by a writer who died decades ago?  He is gone, but his words live on.

When I was asked to write an autobiography, I hesitated at first wondering why anyone would be interested in my life. However, ever since I published Five Pages a Day: A Writer’s Journey, I’ve had many letters each week from writers and going-to-be-writers of all ages who tell me it helped them.  I dare to hope that long after I am gone, my books might continue to encourage young people to read, and to write.

My newest volunteer venture is to be a foster parent for cats.  I have a large room that used to be my husband’s workshop which is perfect for fostering animals. 

My first foster cat is Edgar, a beautiful black five-year-old cat who is very fearful.  He was rescued from a hard life by Pasado’s Safe Haven. My job is to help him relax, trust, and learn to love while Pasado’s tries to find him a permanent home.

Edgar has chosen to hide under a workbench, so I am spending a lot of time lying on the floor with my hands stretched under the workbench to pet him.  He loves the petting and has a deep, rumbling purr. He even rolls on his back for a tummy rub, the way dogs do.  I hope before long he will feel comfortable enough with me to emerge from his hiding place.

 I spent an hour yesterday vacuuming that room and Edgar found the only place I didn’t clean.  I have to keep rubbing cobwebs and bits of dirt out of his fur. I don’t want to vacuum now because the noise would scare him.

I got to choose this cat’s name.  He is named for Edgar Allen Poe, the mystery writer, and for Edgar Martinez, the baseball player.

A baby deer was born here yesterday. It is so cute! It’s the size of a small dog and can already run through the grass.  It follows the mother deer, who is alert and watchful as she grazes.  Sometimes she settles her baby in the grass, and the fawn stays put while the mother continues to eat.  Mama keeps looking back, to be sure her baby is safe.

I also saw a pair of California quail yesterday pecking in the grass near one of my feeders.  I keep four bird feeders full each day and have a variety of birds but these were the first quail I’ve seen here.  My father used to put out seed for the quail when we lived in California so these beautiful birds always make me think of him.

 I don’t watch much television. I don’t need to - Mother Nature puts on a wonderful show outside my windows every day.