Peg Kehret Blog

Ever since I posted a picture of Edgar, my foster cat, on my Web page, I’ve had frequent inquiries from readers who want to know how he is and if I still have him.

 He is fine and, yes, I still have him. Edgar lives in the space that used to be my husband’s piano workshop. He has toys, a scratching post, two beds, a litter box, an eating space, and several window ledges with views of the bird feeders. What he doesn’t have - and what he wants most - is a permanent family.  I play an active game with Edgar every day and I also sit with him so that he can be on my lap for snuggle time. This is his (and my) favorite activity together. Edgar has a great purr and he clearly loves to be held and petted.  But there is a limit to the amount of time I can spend in his room. He needs to live in a household, not in isolation.

I would love to adopt Edgar but every time I try to introduce him to Molly, my indoor cat, it ends in a cat fight. I followed all the advice about keeping them separate for a few weeks, trading spaces so they’d smell each other, gradual introductions, etc. It didn’t work. Molly is fourteen and she’s scared of Edgar. In order to have Edgar in the house with me, I have to shut Molly in a bedroom. Otherwise, they fight. Edgar gets along fine with Lucy, my dog.

When Edgar arrived last June, he was terrified and hid from everyone, including me. Now he craves attention and rushes to greet anyone who enters his room. He’s curious and loves to follow me around.

The big problem with foster care is that no potential adopters see him. He is cared for but he is not visible. He’s posted on Petfinder.com and he’s listed with the cats for adoption on www.pasadosafehaven.org but people who are looking for a cat to adopt don’t see the loving expression in his eyes, or feel his soft fur, or hear his wonderful purr. I now carry small flyers with Edgar’s photo and information so that I can talk about him wherever I go. So far my efforts have not resulted in a permanent home for this wonderful cat.

That’s why I’m taking Edgar to a Pasado’s cat adoption event at Unleashed Pawsabilities in Seattle on Dec. 8. They are located at 2920 N.E. Blakeley - right next to All For Kids Books & Music. Edgar and I plan to be there from noon until three.  If you live in the Puget Sound area and know anyone who needs a fine cat companion, please tell them about Edgar and invite them to come on the 8th to get acquainted.

For the last two weeks I’ve been shopping for, setting up (with much help from a friend) and learning a new computer system. My old laptop had serious symptoms and I feared it would quit in mid-sentence. In order to turn it on, I had to poke a paperclip into the hole where the on/off button used to be. When I saved to a floppy disc, the only way to remove the disc was with a tweezers. Clearly, it was time for me to upgrade.

I bought a new laptop, a new printer, and a wireless router.  This seemed a good time to learn Word so I’m attempting that. Until now, I’ve used Word Perfect for my writing but some editorial offices don’t use Word Perfect whereas everyone seems to have Word.  The new computer came with Vista, so I’m learning that, as well.

The best part of all this change is that the new printer makes copies. I LOVE this feature; it will save me many drives into town when all I need is one or two copies. It also scans, which will be useful.

Although I’m pleased with my purchases, all of the concentration needed to learn new programs wears out my brain. It also slows me down because I have to stop and think how to do each task - or look it up. I have a guide to Word and two guides to Vista; all are getting read a lot, but not much writing is getting done.

Still, each day I learn one or two new skills and I know that eventually I’ll be as fast with the new system as I was with the old one.

I often get thank you letters.  Sometimes the letter-writer thanks me for writing a specific story; sometimes it’s a more general “thank you for writing good books.” Children often thank me for volunteering to help animals.

My good friend, Larry Karp, who writes terrific adult mysteries, always e-mails the day after he and his wife have been to my house for dinner, to say thanks for the meal and the conversation. Another friend never fails to send a hand-written note of thanks for her birthday gift, even though I always give it to her, and get thanked, in person.

My grandkids always thank me for attending their sporting events or concerts.  Lucy thanks me by wagging her tail and dispensing doggie kisses. The cats show their gratitude with loud purrs.

Of course I would write stories even if no readers wrote to say thank you. I would host dinners for my friends and remember their birthdays whether they contacted me the next day or not. I enjoy seeing my grandkids perform and I’m always glad when they invite me to watch.  Still, everyone likes to feel appreciated and a simple “thank you” costs nothing.

Many, many readers have brightened my life over the years with their words of thanks.  Now it’s my turn:

Thank you for reading my books. Thank you for telling me when you like them, and for recommending them to your friends. Thank you for caring about the animals, and each other. Thank you for being the best fans ever!

One of the joys of being a grandma is that I go places I would never go otherwise, because one of my grandkids is involved. Last Sat. I attended Woodstick, an annual event where hundreds of drummers gather to play together and raise money for charity. This year over three hundred drummers participated. Celebrity drummers from all across the country come each year. They are seated on a raised stage so that the amateur drummers can see them as they play.

My oldest grandson, Eric, is a drummer. He has played in Woodstick every year since its inception in 2003. Until you’ve heard 300+ drummers playing at the same time, you don’t know what LOUD is. Even with ear plugs in, it is an amazing sound. My favorite part each year is when they all play the song, “Imagine,” together. Alan White, the drummer who played with John Lennon when “Imagine” was first recorded, attends Woodstick and he leads that particular number. It never fails to give me goosebumps.

The drummers range in age from four to eighty. They bring their own drum sets, so set-up and take-down time is considerable. A professional conductor, wearing crisp white gloves, takes the podium and, with only a few instructions, has the whole group performing perfectly.

Each celebrity drummer is allotted a few solo minutes; the other drummers show their appreciation not by clapping their hands, but by clicking their drum sticks together.

Last year the group broke the world’s record for the largest number of drummers playing the same song at the same time in one place. Last year was special for my family, too, because Eric was the top fund raiser, raising $2520!  The money was divided between a community shelter and a program that provides band instruments to needy children in public schools.

It is an amazing experience to see and hear that many people who are passionate about music, all playing their drums at the same time. I’m glad Eric participates in Woodstick, and I will be there again next year.