It was a dark and stormy night. No this is not the start of a new novel, it was the weather last night in San Diego. It arrived a little earlier than the weatherman predicted.

I love a rainy night

The furry ones and I cozied up in bed and I opened the window just a teensy bit so I could hear the rain fall. It's so relaxing. We watched Brit Night (Keeping Up Appearances, As Time Goes By, etc.) on our local PBS station. These shows are as old as the hills and I've seen them over and over but I still find them fun and am a big fan. Patricia Routledge who portrayed Hyacinth is 81 this year.

Keeping Up Appearances

I loved the look of this bed which is sort of dressed like my own. It looks cozy and warm, ZZZZZZZ!

Have you noticed my latest blog, The Literary Gato? It features Kitty as The Literary Gato and here he is helping me select books to review.

I previously wrote book reviews for theExaminer.com which you can still find but I have decided to forego theExaminer and start a new book blog. Here's a link to my latest book review of The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews.

Also featured on The Literary Gato are photos of Kitty's friends and fellow book lovers. Here are two of them...

Baby Kitty from Confessions of a Plate Addict

and Kramer from The Victorian Parlor

If you think your literary gato would like to join the photo gallery let me know! I'd love to feature your furry companion.

Hope you all had a fun Sunday and are looking forward to a new week!

And the winner is....

Isn't she beautiful! Congratulations to Sadie the Scottie for winning the 2010 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.



Sadie showed charm and grace and a winning form to take Best in Show. In true diva style, Sadie, along with her entourage, made the rounds to the morning talk shows after only 2-3 hours of sleep. She yawned on Good Morning America and elicited oohs and ahhs from Whoopi Goldberg on The View who declared Sadie "gorgeous!"



Still, I have to say that Sadie, the part boxer/terrier cross I share my life with, won my heart years ago and is my Top Dog! Sadie entered my life when I found her in 2000 at a nearby animal shelter. She was adopted on the day her last puppy found a home. The reason Sadie and her pups were there you wonder...the owner said they had too many animals. When I found Sadie she did not even have a name. Their loss, my terrific gain. I couldn't ask for a better companion than my sweet Sadie.


I sometimes wonder what Sadie's life was like before we found each other. She was a little skittish when she arrived home. Any loud noise or sudden movement would unnerve her. She would also not jump up on the couch or bed. I'm guessing she wasn't allowed to do that in her previous home but for me it's all part of the fun of having an animal in the family.


Pure bred dogs and cats are wonderful, our family has had many from Boxers and Lhasa Apso's to award winning (blue ribbon, baby!) Siamese cats. We've also had our share of loveable mutts and the ocassional stray cat that found it's way to our house.

I ask that the next time you think of adding a four-legged companion to your family that you consider your local animal shelter. There are many loving hearts there who are begging to share their love and companionship with you. And when adopting, please remember this dog, cat, bunny or guinea pig is a "forever" member of your family.

You can help support shelter animals with food by following this link The Animal Rescue Site or by using the button located on the sidebar.

Have a fabulous Sunday and Sadie, Kitty and I send our love.

PeAce out!

Have you noticed there’s a LOT happening today?

First of all, I would like to wish my boyfriend, Gerard Butler, a Happy Valentine’s Day and weekend! Here’s a shot of Gerard at the Golden Globes which I unfortunately was not able to attend.

Here’s wishing everyone a Happy Heart’s Day!

BUT not only is it Valentine’s Day it's also the beginning of the Chinese New Year!

Kung Hee Fat Choy!

in 2010, the Chinese New Year is on February 14th and it is The Year of the Tiger. The Chinese New Year follows the Chinese zodiac, a twelve month cycle, which the Chinese believe each person born under a particular character/animal takes on the characteristic of that animal.

You are a Tiger if you are born in: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010

Famous Tigers include: Sir David Attenborough, Natalie Wood, Tom Berenger, Agatha Christie, H.G. Wells, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Dickinson, Isadora Duncan, Roberta Flack, Frederick Forsyth, Jodie Foster, Stevie Wonder Sir Alec Guiness, Hugh Hefner, William Hurt, Dylan Thomas, Marilyn Monroe, Demi Moore, Beatrix Potter, Diana Rigg, Lionel Ritchie, Kenny Rogers.

The Tiger is considered to be a risk taker in life and a leader, rather than a follower. People born under the sign of the tiger are adventurous, self starters who are first to take on something new. They look for solutions to challenging situation rather than focus on the problems and shortcomings. They are positive in their outlook and surround themselves with people who are open, honest, effective and productive. The Tiger is thought to be a lucky sign but someone who is more likely to make their own luck. They are courageous in what they do, and proud of their achievements. They are also known to look after their appearance and sometimes can appear vain. Tigers are confident people who like the lime light, and possess a high level of personal presence.

AND DON’T FORGET, TONIGHT IS THE START OF THE VANCOUVER OLYMPICS!

I am excited to watch the spectacle tonite and in coming days I will be rooting for Apollo Ohno as he follows his quest for Olympic gold. This will be his third outing at the Olympics.

There are a number of San Diegans participating in the Olympics this year. Most notably is The Flying Tomato himself, Shaun White (snowboarding). Included in this illustrious list of local notables is Rachel Flatt (women's figure skating), Elena Meyers (bobsled), Gretchen Bleiler (snowboarding), Jeret Peterson (freestyle skiing), and Tyler Jewell (snowboarding).

Follow along with NBC as they report the latest results.

Good luck everyone and Go Team USA!