A Blogger's Confession - I Steal Friends. I'll Show You How.

Now that I've been blogging a while, I've developed some sneaky habits. I love comments, so if people comment on my blog, there's a good likelihood I'll click their profile shots, get to their blogs and leave comments.

On workdays I can't always do this because we're not allowed to visit websites on the office computer, only check email. When I'm lucky, the network card on my laptop computer is working properly and I can access blogs on my breaks. Otherwise, I try to catch up while watching TV at home.

I digress - Back to the subject at hand.

You might say there's nothing unusual or underhanded about reciprocating comments.

What I do next is - I steal other people's friends, kind of like I do on MySpace. After I leave my comment on someone's blog, I look for other people's comments. If I see a likely target, I'll click on that person's profile shot, check out that person's blog and leave a comment there. Later that day or the next, often I'll receive a comment back on my blog from that blogger thanking me for visiting. If I'm lucky, and sometimes it happens, the blogger will like my blogspot and come back more to visit and leave comments.

This sneaky way of making friends has gotten me into trouble, but it's a good kind. Every time I do this, I've added another friend's blog to an already bulging list for me to go through when I can, check their blogs and comment. That's my reward and my punishment.

What about you? When readers comment on your blog, do you reciprocate? Do you take it a step further and steal their friends?

Please share or confess.

Eight Reasons to Comment on Blogs

I'm curious. I wonder how many blog readers like to comment and how many don't.

It wasn't until I got heavy into blogging that I understood the values and joys of commenting. Before that, I would read a blog that caught my interest, but wouldn't think of leaving a message below it to say what I thought of the blog.

If you don't leave comments, you're missing out on some great opportunities, such as:

1. A chance to slip in a tie about your latest work-in-progress if it relates to the blog topic;
2. A chance to get your brand out to the public;
3. A chance to rack up another Google when people look up your name;
4. A chance to be considered an expert on a subject;
5. A chance to make cyber friends;
6. A chance to share your thoughts with the blogger and successive readers of that blog;
7. A chance to promote your own blogspot by including a link at the bottom of your comment;
8. A chance to make a fellow blogger look good. You may not have thought of it before, but regular bloggers do check other bloggers' posts to see how many comments they receive.

Can you think of any other good reasons to comment on a blog?

If you don't usually comment, has my post convinced you to try? I'd love it if this were the first post you commented on. It's easy, just click at the bottom right side of this post where it says comments (or the number of comments if someone has already made one). A pop-up window will come up. You may need to answer Yes. After that, you can add your thoughts. When you're done, it may also prompt you to say Yes again. Once you've done that, a message should say your comment is saved.

If you're a regular at commenting, as always I welcome your insights.

Regulars or rookies, please share.

The Followers Gadget on Blogger - Part III - The Benefits of Being a Follower

If you've been keeping up with this series, you already know:

• How to add the Followers feature to your blogspot.


• How to follow another blogger's blogspot.
  

If you missed the first two posts of this series, just scroll down to the two posts below and you'll get caught up to speed.

Today's post covers why you should be a Follower.

Part III - The Benefits of Being a Follower. You may or may not have noticed some of the rewards that'll come your way when you decide to follow someone else's blogspot. Here are the ones I've discovered. Maybe they'll convince you to take the step of being a Follower on your favorite blogspots, if you haven't become one already:

1. If you click and agree to follow a blogspot, your photo (unless you choose to be anonymous) gets added to the Followers grid on that site for all visitors to see.


2. Anyone who moves the mouse to your photo will see your name displayed.


3. Anyone who clicks on your photo will automatically land on your Profile, which, if you've filled it in correctly, should contain your website, your blogspot(s) and other valuable information, along with any blogspots you're following.


4. Because the links to the blogspots you're following are conveniently listed on your Profile, you can easily follow the blogs you like by accessing the list on your Profile.


5. Here's something else, which I found surprising, and you may not realize - If you Google your name, or receive Google Alerts, your name most likely will come up on that blogger's blogspot even if you haven't visited it that day. This has happened to me quite often.


6. You'll make a blogspot owner very happy you decided to be a Follower. Doing that will give you a warm feeling inside.


7. If warm feelings aren't enough, look at it this way. Following is one more way to network. The more webs you weave, the more opportunities you have to become known and get your brand out.

Have these benefits convinced you to be a Follower? Or, are you one already? Do you know of any other reasons to be a Follower?

Please share.

The Followers Gadget on Blogger - Part II - How to Follow a Blogspot

In my first blog about the Followers feature of Blogger, I showed you how to add the Blogger feature to your own blogspot. If you missed it, just scroll down. That post will be at the bottom of this one.

• Today, I'm going to tell you how to become a Follower on someone else's blogspot.


• Tomorrow I'll finish this series by revealing the benefits of following other blogspots. You may be surprised by what you find out.

Part II - How to Follow A Blogspot:

1. Look for the section marked "Followers"


2. Click on the phrase, "Follow this blog"


3. A popup window will come up asking if you wish to follow by using your own name or being anonymous


4. Indicate your choice and click Follow at the bottom of the popup


5. If you get a question asking if you really want to follow, answer yes


6. That's all there is to it. Now you're a follower. If you answered yes, your photo will displayed with the others. That means anyone visiting my blogspot will see your photo. That's not all the benefits you'll get by being a follower. Stay tuned for much more.

Please come back tomorrow for Part III of my series which will explain the many benefits you'll now receive because you've become a Follower.

Did this mini-course teach you how to be a follower? Or, were you already a follower here? If so, I thank you.

If you're one of my new followers as of today, I also thank you.

Do you need to learn more about the benefits of following before you commit?

The Followers Gadget on Blogger - Part 1 - How to Add The Followers Gadget to Your Blogspot

Blogger has all sorts of neat gadgets to make a blogspot more appealing. I've had lots of fun using them at Double M and at my group blogs.

This is the first of a three part series.

1. Today I'll tell you how to add the Follower feature to your blog.


2. Monday you'll learn How to Follow Someone's Blog.


3. Tuesday you'll get the scoop on Why you should be a Follower. You may be as surprised by the benefits as I was.

So you've heard about and seen this cool feature called Following on other people's blogspots, but you're not sure how to add it to your own. It's not that hard. Here's what you do:

Part I - How to Add the Followers Gadget to Your Blogspot:

1. Sign in to Blogger.com with your username and password, either from your own blog or just by typing the url at the very top of the screen;


2. Find your blogspot on the dashboard. You may only have one, unless you're blog crazy like I am with many of them;


3. Click the Layout button. The outline of your layout will come up;


4. Click Add a Gadget;


5. You'll get a popup screen with Gadgets listed. One of them is Followers;


6. Click the plus sign by Followers;


7. Keep the name Followers or you can call it something else. Click Save in the popup window;


8. Blogger automatically puts the gadget at the top. If you wish the Followers feature at a different location on your blog, drag the box labelled Followers or whatever you've called it yourself to a new spot;


9. Click Save again when you're through deciding where it goes. You can always change your mind again by dragging the Followers box somewhere else later and saving it.


10. Click at the top of the layout where it says View Blog.

Now that you can view your blogspot, look in the spot chosen in the layout. It should say Followers (or whatever other name you gave it), plus it will say Be the First to Follow This Blog. After you've snared your first follower, it will say Follow This Blog instead.

You've done it! The Followers feature is now up and running on your blog. Here's hoping you have many followers.

Stay tuned tomorrow when I tell you how to become a follower, then on Tuesday when you learn the many advantages of why you should be a follower on other blogspots.

I'm curious. Have my instructions helped you to put the Followers gadget on your blogspot?

Or did you already have it? Please share.

Market No-Nos

When I first joined Chicago-North RWA at least 13 years ago , one of the things I learned was if I wanted to get published, I needed to study the market.

The fiction market at the time frowned on singers, sports heroes, older people, or people with infirmities as main characters in books.

Since then, it appears the market's attitude has loosened, but I wonder how much. I've noticed that Boomer authors are getting older and some of their characters are aging along with them. Other Boomer authors are still writing about people younger than themselves. So far, my published novels are about younger characters, although I am a Boomer. My work in progress does contain middle-aged characters, but they don't stay that way for the entire book. You'll see what I mean when it's published. (G)

Anyway, I have noticed more novels which include blind characters, cancer survivers, and people with other disabilities, but not many yet about singers or sports heroes.

What do you think? Have you noticed a change in the market? Do you write about characters who were once considered no-nos?

Please share.

Tracking - How do you keep track or don't you?

If you have a blog, it's a good idea to know how many people are reading it. You can do this by installing a tracker which will tell you how many hits you're getting. Some popular trackers are stat counter and site meter, as well as the one I use, which is Google Analytics.

This tracker can be visible or invisible, depending on which you prefer. If you're a beginner or someone who doesn't expect high traffic on your blog, you may want to keep the stats to yourself. Vice versa, if you're proud of the amount of readers you pull in, you may wish to advertise.

Since I'm still building the following on my personal blog here, I don't share my results. Although other people can't see them, I can access these results by going to Google Analytics and checking my report. I also own group blogs at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/ and http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/, which I track at Analytics.

For tracking to be effective, it's best to check the results each day. I use a small spiral notebook to mark them down. I include the date, the amount of visits and how many visitors. Visits and visitors can be different, since sometimes people visit the blog more than once. I also filter out my own IP number, so that my visits back and forth to my blog are not counted in the mix. To find your IP number, you can go to http://www.myipaddress.com/.

For the dates I have higher results than the others, I write down the blog's subject line in my notebook. That way I can keep track of which topics produce the most results, so I can blog about similar topics later and hopefully get good responses.

If you don't track your blog hits and you're serious about blogging, I advise you to get started.

If you do track, which tracker do you use? How do you keep score? Please share.

How Good Are You at Names?

I might be the world's worst person at remembering names. I can be introduced to someone and five minutes later I won't remember that person's name. Or, I can remember a name that day, but if I meet the person a week or two later, I won't remember the name. I've known people for years, but can't remember their names and am too embarrassed to ask them.

On the subject of names, if I'm looking over a book to decide if I'll read it, if I don't like the names in it, I'll put the book back down and skip reading it.

I actually had a few hours today to spend on my work in progress. You'd think I would have noticed it before, but for some reason three characters in the book all had the same name of Marilyn. Of course, they were spread out into different sections, even supposedly living in different states, but still I can't believe three. Two, but three, that is very name scatterbrained!

If a novel has people's names even beginning with the same letter, I get confused about who that person is in the book.

What about you? Do you have trouble with names? Have you caught yourself doing some kind of name slipup? Please share.

Do You Do It In the Morning, Afternoon, Night, Or All of These?

I can do it on the train in the morning, in the afternoon on my days off of work, or late at night when the DH and the dog are sleeping. Sometimes I do it on a TV tray, while I'm watching television, but not often, because it's harder to concentrate that way.

I'm talking about writing, in case you're wondering.

What about you? When does inspiration strike you?

Are you a morning person, or does it take you a while to wake up and get started?

Or maybe you're a Night Owl?

Please tell us. When do you do it?

Do Bloggers Visit Websites?

At the end of August, I jumped headfirst into the blogosphere and began blogging here daily. Before then, I'd just dabbled with blogging, posting Wednesday blogs at my group blogspot, http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/.

A chance mention of the listserv, blogbooktours, in a blog by Echelon publisher, Karen Syed, led me into the blogging labyrinth where I've since become willingly entangled.

As I honed my blog, I began visiting other blogs and leaving comments. In the process I've made countless cyber friends. Each friend leads me to another. When I read a blog, I usually leave a comment. This courtesy is reciprocated at my blogspot, even by bloggers I've never visited before.

Now that I'm a full-fledged blogger, I spend about 95 per cent of my time at blogspots and not websites. Blogspots seem more current, more personal, are faster to get in and out of, plus they afford the option of leaving my opinion on the topic of the day.

Because of my tendency, which I presume is shared by others, it's all the more important that my blogspot be as much as it can be, with catchy post titles, hot topics, excerpts from my books, buy links, a website link just in case a blogger should wish to wander over, plus a blogroll, a followers section, bookmark option, and other features.



I've done what I can to lure bloggers here, but a question still lurks in my mind. Since I've become guilty about ignoring websites, do other bloggers do the same thing?

Do you visit websites? If so, how often?

Please share.

What is the Best Time to Post?

I've been wondering. Is it better to post a blog way at the beginning of the day or wait until afternoon? How many people have time to read a blog bright and early?

On weekdays, many are rushing to get ready for work in the morning. On weekends, they're probably catching up on sleep.

On the other hand, some people do have time and make it a habit to access the Internet before work, or while commuting by using a laptop computer or other device. Some are lucky enough to receive full Internet access at work with no restrictions.

Other workers wait until evening when they can sit in front of their computers and read email and blogs at their leisure.

Retirees, stay-at-home-moms or Mr. Moms, the work-from-homers, when do they like to read blogs and email? Does it change from day-to-day or do they have certain down times from their duties when they go online?

What is your preferred time for reading blogs, or does it vary? Please share.

Trials by Wind, Cold, Snow, Water

A new river - the backyard!

First we had the trial by wind, coupled with that of cold, when the wind chills dipped to 25-30 degrees below zero. Then came the trial by snow, when we were blessed with 12 inches of the white stuff. The latest is the trial by water, which began Friday night. All day Saturday it rained, alternating between light and heavy. Do you believe it? A tornado watch in parts of Illinois and Indiana in December. Fortunately, that's been lifted and we're spared that trial.

The good news is so far the ceiling in the kitchen is not dripping. We did have ice shoring up beneath the shingles from our prior trials. I was kind of worried about water dripping down the kitchen ceiling, since that had happened a few days before Christmas. We managed to control it with a few towels and a bowl then, but I didn't know what heavy rains would do so soon afterwards.

The bad news is seepage in the basement started very early Saturday morning and is still going on. This only happens in extreme circumstances, which is certainly the case this time. I know from experience to keep valuables on higher ground, such as on tables, or chairs or counters down there, just in case, so I didn't have to worry about rescuing items. So far, not sewer backup so at least it's not the germy stuff, relatively speaking anyway.

Normally, we can handle a day or so of rains, but not after the recent snowstorm which dumped 12 inches of snow on us. When the snow melted, it had to go somewhere. Some of it poured into the window wells, some under the window wells. Some gathered alongside the patio, making the river effect in my photo. Lots went into the storm sewers on the street outside.

When I watch TV and see the damage wreaked on other homes in the area and see the travelers stranded at the airport, I consider myself lucky. I was able to get to the show and use up my free pass before its expiration at year's end.

At home, the DH, I and Rascal still have electricity, heat and food. My computer and TV are in working order. What more do I need?

What about you? Have you had any weather related problems lately? Did it play havoc with your Christmas or the days after? Please share.

I haven't the foggiest - yet

Here's a fog photo from our Fall Wisconsin vacation, which seems to fit well with the weather theme here in Illinois today - Heavy fog, temperatures up in the 50s, and rain pouring. I couldn't take a new photo today since I didn't want my Iphone to get wet.

The DH and I have movie passes to use up by the end of the year, so I'm hoping we can get out to the show this afternoon. We'll have to see what we can see then by then.

That's because fog gets in the way, making it hard to make out shapes. Everyday things takes on different dimensions, whether you're driving, walking or whatever you're doing.

I'd never thought of it before, but including fog in one of my mysteries might be a good idea. All kinds of scary things could happen. A killer or monster could hide in the backyard. A murderer could hit someone with a car and make a clean break since the fog hid the license plate. Those are just a few instances.

Maybe you could name a few more. Or, maybe one of you has already written a story with fog playing some type of role. Or, do you know of a novel with fog in it? Please share.

Boxing Day - What Do You Do With Leftovers?

The day after Christmas is celebrated as Boxing Day in Canada and England. It's said the name came from a long ago practice when the rich people boxed up food after Christmas and donated it to the poor. With the food laws these days, I'm not sure if that would be an accepted practice. Now we have food depositories and charities where we can send cash or donate food before it becomes leftovers.

On the subject of leftovers, I have to admit I love them. When I go out to a restaurant and can't eat all the food, I'm not bashful about asking for a carton or a doggy bag. I also enjoy getting leftovers when family or friends have me over.

It's true the leftovers hardly ever taste as good as the first time around, but often they're a close second. Also, they're a reminder of the enjoyable experience I had the first time around.

Okay, I have to admit another reason is I don't go all out with my cooking endeavors except on special occasions or when I have a lot of extra time, which doesn't happen often, so it's nice to just heat something up in the microwave and have it ready to eat.

Anyway, I cooked for the family for Christmas and did have leftovers. Not a whole lot, I'm proud to say, which means they enjoyed the meal. Afterwards I made sure to pack up small cartons for everyone to take home, since I know that's what I would have wanted.

What about you? Do you eat leftovers? Do you ask for doggy bags? Please share - your thoughts, that is. Not your food.

Was Santa Good to You?

When I was a child, we didn't have much money. My parents couldn't afford to spend a lot on Christmas presents, so often they were practical items. The big excitement of the Season was watching for the UPS truck. That truck meant gifts from our grandmother, who liked to be called Nana, in California. She faithfully sent presents each year. We were allowed to open one present the night before Christmas. The others had to wait until after the Christmas service the next morning. One year I opened the present from grandmother on Christmas Eve, a lovely sweater and skirt. The only problem was she'd put it all in one box, so the next morning I had nothing to open from her.

Another year my Nana sent me two small dolls, complete with a tiny plastic closet teaming with clothes. I played with that gift almost every day.

Since then another generation has grown. We've gotten to the point that with the nephews and nieces being older, the family does the grab bag thing to avoid the hassle of running around buying gifts for everyone.

I still enjoy receiving presents, but they're not as important as they used to be. What's more important is being with the loved ones in my life. My husband is with me. My parents are gone, but they left their love behind, plus some wonderful memories as gifts. My friend, Jeanne, has come in from Wisconsin to spend time with us. The DH's aunt and cousins make our Christmas Eve special every year.

On Christmas Day, I've got my brothers, their wives, my nieces and nephews here enjoying my home cooked meal.

Having these people in my life are the best present ever, so I have to say Santa has been very good to me.

What about you?

Oh Christmas Tree

Christmas trees are a fun part of Christmas. When I was young, our family fell on hard times. Still, we celebrated Christmas in our own way. Dad would go out on Christmas Eve and buy a scrawny tree for a dollar from a vendor in front of the local gas station. We had fun decorating it with tinsel and old fashioned ornaments that were very fragile.

This year, as well as last, I've put up a small fiber optic tree which changes colors and looks pretty in the dark, instead of a full sized one. One reason is because I still don't trust my dog, Rascal, not to do something naughty with the ornaments or lights. Another reason is I can't find a spot for one. I've used up almost every spot in the house and don't know where I'd put a big tree.

The tree pictured here in this blog is in the lobby at the Wellington, a great restaurant in Arlington Heights, Illinois, one of the places where you get the entire meal - soup, salad, main course, plus desert - all in pleasant surroundings, with excellent service. The lobby was so nicely decorated I took advantage of the opportunity to snap several shots there.

I digress. Getting back to trees - I miss having a normal-sized tree in the house for Christmas. Maybe next year I'll break down, put one up and see if it survives. If so, it will be an artificial one I've got stored in the basement, along with various ornaments I've gathered over the years. I've got red ribbon bows also to go on it, along with red wooden cranberry color garland, instead of tinsel.

What about you? Do you have a Christmas tree? If so, what kind, artificial or real? Do you have a certain way you decorate your tree? Please share.

What's Cooking? Who's Cooking?

I'll be cooking Christmas dinner this year. Two of my brothers and their families will be over. The brothers are vegeterians, but not the wives and offspring, who are no longer kids.

I've had a request from one sister-in-law for ox tails. Since I've never fixed them in my life, my husband who is partial to them, has volunteered to cook some up.

I'll be baking a corn souffle, which is the standard dish I supply when asked to bring something. It's easy to make and hard to mess up. I'll also do two green bean dishes, one with tomatoes and fresh onions, the other standard green bean casserole everyone makes with the mushroom soup and the crunchy onions on top.

Other side dishes will include sweet potatoes , baked potatoes, a big salad with croutons, cottage cheese, also, green olives and black olives for those who prefer garnishments. I'm thinking a leg of lamb also for the non vegetarians, with currant jelly on top for flavor.

To drink, probably apple juice, pop and coffee.

After dinner, we'll drive a mile to my younger brother's family's house, where my sister-in-law will serve desert after feeding her side of the family. I'm not sure if we'll exchange presents there or at our house, but since it's grab bag, if we bring the presents with, it won't be too difficult.

What are your plans for Christmas? Are you cooking or are you let off the hook this time? If you are preparing the meal, what's on your menu? Would you like to share?
Your plans, not your food.

Christmas Movies

One thing I like about the Christmas Season is the great selection of Christmas Movies. There are so many I never tire of watching from year to year.

Saturday I saw the Bishop's Wife with Loretta Young, followed by White Christmas. On one station I've heard they'll be playing the Christmas Story all day for Christmas.

Who doesn't catch at least some part of It's a Wonderful Life, even if not the entire movie each year? When I was freelancing for the Daily Herald I had the honor to meet and interview the all grown-up Karolyn Grimes, who played the child, Zuzu Bailey, in the film. She's the one who says at the end, "Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings." Strange, but I never pictured her as anything but a child in the movie, but children do grow up.

Then there's Natalie Wood who played another child in the Miracle on 34th Street, who also has a great phrase, "I believe, I believe, it's silly but I believe."

What about the Bells of St. Mary's with Bing Crosby? That's another great one.

Do you have a favorite Christmas movie? What makes it special? Maybe it's one I've already mentioned, or another. Please share.

New Fad - People Are Being Nice

A new fad seems to be growing lately. I don't know why, but for some reason people are being nice.

At the stores, the sales people are actually helping me find things. Not only that, they do so in a pleasant manner and even make conversation with me. This has happened not only at card shops, retail stores, but also at grocery stores.

At the cafeteria where I go to lunch almost every day, the chef talks sports with another diner, then asks me what sport I like the best. I confess to him I'm a fair weather fan, as people who've read my Honest Scrap blog here already learned.

Anyway, when I went to pay the bill at the same cafeteria, the cashier says, "Nice to see you again."

At the restaurant Saturday night, the same thing happens. Before, my waitresses would hide from me and pretend I wasn't there. Not this time. The waitress appeared instantly and was very friendly. Not only that, the busboy came over more than once and asked to take away the dirty dishes.

I'm across the street from church trying to navigate the sidewalk when a huge pile of ice-crusted snow blocks my path. My glasses are fogged. I can barely see. I'm not sure how I'll get safely across. A woman appears out of nowhere and holds out her hand to help me. Okay, maybe this one doesn't count since you might expect someone going to Church to be nice.

Still, I'm extremely puzzled about what's going on lately. What is this strange phenomenom? Am I lost in a pleasant dream or is this really happening? If it is, why are people being so nice? Is it the poor economy and they're worried if they don't behave as they should have all along, they might lose their jobs?

Or is the Holiday spirit catching on?

Whatever the reason for this current fad of nicety and helpfulness, I hope it lasts.

What about you? Are you experiencing good will or good service lately at stores, restaurants, or other places? If so, what do you think is the reason? Or, is there one? Please share.

I Love Dogs, Do You?

If you read my Honest Scrap blog the other day, you'll know that when I was a kid I was afraid of dogs. I remember my parents had gotten a small one, I think an English boxer, but I was so afraid of it they had to give it away. In fact, in those days, if I saw a dog coming, even though it was on a leash with its owner, I'd cross the street to get away from it.

It was not until later on in high school that my fear subsided. That's when my family owned this great Collie named Thunder, which we all loved.

Anyway, my husband and I are now on our fourth dog, all from shelters. First there was Sadie, a Basset Hound, then Missy, an undetermined type mutt, then Morgan, a German Shepherd mix, whose name I stole for my pen name, and our latest, Rascal, who is part Amstaff (pit bull), part Dalmatian, and deaf.

Sadie was adept at howling and we laughed when she did that. She also barked and demanded food scraps because I spoiled her early on. Her great joy was sitting on the couch and staring out the window.

Missy also could do great howling renditions. She learned to do tricks, such as sit up and beg. She also had this gland problem and sometimes scooted her butt across the floor, which was comical. Missy was a charmer, and in the days when we were ambitious enough to throw Christmas parties, which we don't do any more, she was a great hit with the guests. Being a dominant dog, despite her not so large size, we never knew which other dogs she'd get along with. She was picky in that regard.

Morgan, although a fairly large dog, we assume had to have been mistreated as a pup because she was deathly afraid of people and only felt comfortable around my husband and I. She developed a seizure disorder six months after we adopted her, for which we had to medicate her each day. That somewhat controlled the problem, but not completely. If a person were to come into the house, we could almost guaranty the next day she'd get a seizure from her bout of nerves.

Now we have Rascal. She's the only dog we've had that almost every time we go for a walk into town, someone is bound to remark on how unique she is, with her white coat speckled with dots and her black patch around the eye. She loves people and other dogs. Though she can't hear, she's so smart people can't tell unless we clue them in.

The last few weeks the weather has been brutal in the Chicagoland area. Poor Rascal, who very much enjoys her walks and really needs them, has been subjected to quick dashes into our fenced yard and back in again. Today was another terribly cold day, with many of the sidewalks still icy and snowy after the 12 inches we got, but I hit on a good plan.

What we did was drive into town where the sidewalks and streets were already cleared. Then we walked the three blocks with Rascal to her very favorite place, Bentley's Corner Barkery, a small pet-everything store in town, a place she considers dog heaven. The owners, Lisa and Giovanni made a big fuss over Rascal, as usual, and she mooched treats off of them, as usual. Then more dog owners came inside to shop and Rascal conned them into petting her. It was obvious from the way her tail wagged and her eyes sparkled, that she had a great time.

I came home feeling really good we'd had the opportunity to make Rascal happy. That's the thing about dogs. I can't help but love them and want to do things for them. They expect and get so little in life compared to us.

Please share. Are you a dog lover? Or, maybe you like cats? They, too, are adorable, but we've never owned one because of allergies.