On Writing

I told the Companion about the comments about writing. This is what he had to say.

"Writing for me is rewriting. I'm a rewriter. I love the phase when I work with a text to shape it more, and to develop more themes and ideas. The first draft is always the hardest for me to accomplish."

So he started this morning reading the my story and reworking it. He does have a bit of a smile on his face. But lets remember what he said, that I posted on my fan page on face book, "I think this text displays my writer's aesthetic and is defiantly from my writing point of view." No more Project Runway for him. NO more.

There will be a war in this house if he uses tired phrases like, out of the box, and push the envelope.

First Draft

Oh poor Companion so tired. He left and went to Starbucks to finish the draft. He came back with a draft completed. As I hoped he would.

He came in, laid on the sofa, my sofa, and pulled the hoodie down and went to take a nap. I'll have to keep my eye on him, so that he doesn't get lazy. A completed draft is not a completed book.

Writing is Memory

I sometimes think it was so long ago that my companion seat-belted me into the contraption, and we started out on the bicycle journey across the country. But it was only six moons ago. The beginning is at times cloudy, like the rainy days that started our journey. While other parts of it are in sweet sunshine, and the memory of it warms like the sun that streams in the window on the sofa I love to sleep and spend my days. The journey was not my idea, and one that I would have originally said no too. But having done it, having seen and smelled so much of America, I’m so glad we did it. I know the Companion feels really proud, and so do I: I’m proud of what we accomplished! But now its time to think back to those early days of journey.

It is time for us to write. To focus and to remember all the stories. The Companion, who prides himself on his memory, is having trouble. He's having trouble remembering so much.

It isn't that. It isn't that at all and he knows it. He knows that when he focuses his mind on remembering, he remembers well. But has he types, I can see changes in him, in his mood. It's not bad, its not even something I worry about. Well worry about too much.

He thinks of this work, as apart of our greatest accomplishment, as the final, the ending of the journey. And like when he diverted to go see Jenifer (150 miles out of the way) he diverts the work, so that he can continue to enjoy the journey.

Because, he felt most alive there alone with me and the bicycle. It was that purpose.

He is learning to find new purposes. Like pictured here: taking dictation. Type on!

A Thank You

This week I received an email from another Dog who blogs. Scoop has a blog called The Daily Dog Scoop. Its really interesting. Scoop Blogs about so much concerning dogs.

Thank you for sharing our story with your readers! This is the best way to encourage others, I think. When humans talk to each other about these issues, suicide and animal rescue, others get involved.

Please be sure to go to Scoop's Blog and check it out. http://dailydogscoop.blogspot.com/. I've also included it in my favorite blogs list.

OH and by the way. If you are on Facebook, become a fan of me, Antigone Puppleupagus.

A Welcoming Oregon

A few Lights ago, an article about us was printed in the Oregonian. This has happened a few times for us before. But this time, we didn't do anything: they came to us! The companion was really excited about it. The article was really nice and both the companion and I liked it.

Since the article was published we've been sent lots of lovely messages of welcome! The companion is feeling really good too. And I know his spirits are lifted. He's been happy a lot but I think he's feeling less important.

I think he misses the purpose we had while on the bike ride. For some reason he doesn't see writing my story as purposeful as the bike ride. I think he needs to get out more and move his body. I've encouraged him to do this . He would work on my blog more when he had been bicycling all day and now that he isn't he works less. Well that is going to change. He's not told you about Dove Lewis at all. My my my!

And he calls me the lazy bum.

But all the welcomes we have received has encouraged him again. And yesterday he got out and went for a run.

Why anyone would want to go running, I don't know. But he said he would enjoy it. But he's not always non crazy.

This picture was drawn by a welcoming Oregonian! She was inspired by our story. I like it, and the companion does too. He loves sketches. I think it looks just like me. The companion said to me: When an artist draws you, it is their greatest compliment. Its like dedicating a book to someone.

We are really touched with the warmth we are receiving here in Oregon. Thank you all for your warm welcomes!

The Companion however, has a few things to learn. One in particular: when I'm sniffing, I'm working, and I need my quiet, space, and most of all not be be dragged away from him, because you got some coffee to drink. Please! And he needs to remember how much we, me and the readers, believe in him.

He's so forgetful! And he needs to get me a new trailer! I'm tired of not bicycling!

Expectations

I hope I'm living up to expectations.

I've been feeling odd lately, and I didn't know why. I get antsy some, and want to go out more than I did in Chicago. Well Portland is prettier! And when we walk around the neighborhood, its so much more quieter than Chicago, and there is less traffic so I get more intensive smells of what I want to smell. Then I come back and sleep! I like my sofa, and I like sleeping.

But then I wonder, what's going on? where are we going? Shouldn't we be doing something. I'm not used to this sitting around all day. And what's with the Companion? Sitting here with me.

and I've not seen the bike for a long time. He went out on it. I know he did, he told me he did. And he said: I don't like riding alone, I miss Antigone being there.

The companion things that I might just be missing the adventure. I think he is missing the adventure. I like being at home. But really, I kind of miss it. I kind of miss all the nice people we met, I miss all the new things we saw and smelled. I miss the work of bringing awareness to basset rescues.

It was really a great time!

I know he is working on the book, but we could use a few days out on the bike I think. I'd like to see more of this Oregon!

There he is: Zac the Cat. Here he is on my sofa, stalking me while I sit next to the companion.

I don't enjoy the company of cats.