Bingo's Journal: Just Stop Following Me!

I know that I am a "celebrity" cat, but can't the paparazzi let up for just a little bit around here? The simplest things, like me taking a bath, seems to attract a crowd! I just need some privacy. Simple alone, by-myself time, me time, no one else time! Is that too much to ask?


I mean, how exciting is it to watch me lick my paw?! It's only dirty kitty fir and a wet tongue. I am simply a cat who likes to be clean. Come on!

So, then I went for a simple stroll out back, and there again, I was followed. And my picture was stolen from me. I was not so happy about it.


But then I found the blue pond and took a few sips of clean, clear water. Cat's are good at locating good water. That fresh drink perked me right up, and I didn't mind the camera flash quite so much. It was still annoying, but I just ignored it.


Thankfully, I found something fabulous out there in the barn. It was the Hay. Hay smells good to my kitty nose. It feels great on my cat fur coat and it gets all my itches scratched in an expedient manner. Obviously as a cat I can roll in the hay.


Finally, I climbed the hay bale tower and sacked out. Time for a nap. I rationalize that if I am not moving I am less likely to be stalked by the camera "person." She is very demanding.

Leading the life of the supermodel can be so taxing. I don't know how I do it. But I am a cat who can sleep on a bale of hay . . .

Bye for now,

Bingo

November Here Already?

I am a cat, but I do pay attention to the seasons and I just noticed that it is already November! I have not updated my journal in a MONTH! The Tall Lady has told me I need to get to work and report on my latest outings.

Besides thinking in big words, I went exploring on the property. It's my job. I take it seriously. I am a cat explorer, or so I like to think so.


Today something startled me and I had to look a second time to make sure I could escape from it if needed! I may be Bingo, a Mighty Bold Adventurer, but I have my limits too! But then again, cats get scared pretty easily.


But it was only Gemma the Horse trotting across her field. She likes to run and kick and buck and sometimes she frightens me and I run away from her like a bee has stung my tail!

Seeing as Gemma was not threatening me with any bodily harm I investigated the new grasses that have sprouted since the last rains. Cat's are good at looking carefully at the ground. The plants and dirt were interesting to my kitty eyes for a few seconds. Then...


. . . I spotted The Boy! He was pulling a long blue string and it had to be chased. Like a moth to the flame I could not resist. I am not able to control my self! I was hooked! I am a cat who will chase strings, it's just instinct.


Then he pulled the string over the fence and I was in cat heaven! To play like this is the BEST!


Now if I could just teach him how to use the words exuberant, vibrant, and energetic! That would be a great trade for dragging this piece of baling twine for me.

While my job as a vocabulary wise cat is to introduce new words to kids, I still like my natural role as a curious cat too! It's just biological!

Bye for now,
Bingo

Bingo's Journal - A Day In My Life

I seem to be sleeping a lot these days... The Tall Lady observes that I am always curled up in a happy kitty circle with my eyes tightly closed for many hours of the day.

What can I say? I am a CAT!

At least I am taking a nap in something that goes fast...usually.

But in my defense, I do spend a quite a bit of time running from the little humans on the farm. One little human in particular really likes to chase me. She takes of her paw coverings before she engages in her favorite form of "frolicking."


I'd think that her bare human feet would make it harder for her to bother me but NO! She seems to run FASTER!

Run Bingo, RUN!!!

It seems she takes a particular glee in seeing me scatter-gallop away from her screeching stampede.

Thus, when I am found sleeping, please note that I need the rest!


Please pass no judgment on my cat-like ways. I may be named after a very famous DOG, but I am still a feline.

I need my beauty sleep.

Bingo's Journal - It's All in a Days Work

Some days I am so very bored! The "hippo" yawns over take me even though I am supposed to be a Mighty Adventurer.


But today I saw something staring at me from behind a cluster of grass. There were bright yellow eyes beaming out from the plants and I had to investigate!


I think this cat thought he was invisible or something. But I carefully walked up to him just so I could meet him.


Oh, it's just Lucky. He's my friend and we chase each other rather frequently here on our farm.


Things were going well for this morning's greeting. I believed it was business as usual for my shiny, black-coated friend. A nice sniff and then we go exploring together.


But then I saw a wild twitch in his tail and a sparkle in his eye that told me trouble was on the way.

Then he jumped me!

I had no choice but to do a body lift and slam him!

See, I showed him. I don't think he'll try that wrestling move again any time soon.


It's all in a day's work for Bingo cause I am a Mighty Adventurer...or rather Mighty Wrestler!

Bingo's Journal-The Dog Days of Summer

Do you ever have days where you wander around aimlessly wondering where everyone else is in the world? It's like they are there, but not there. They are large and looming, but you have no idea how to find them.


Then there are the days when you just want to rest. Stretch out. Observe and think. I like to feel the gritty sand scratch my back in the giant litter box where the horses are ridden. Then I enjoy the feeling of fine particles of silt clinging softly to my fur giving it a powdery finish. So much for a shiny clean coat.


And I like to make strange faces while rolling in the sand. If I show my teeth I look like I might cause some trouble. Gosh the Tall Lady takes some strange photos of me. I think I may have to take away her camera some day. Or not . . .


Because, a scratch on the cheek by the Tall Lady can be really nice and very rewarding.


Sometimes I have to climb to new vantage points on the old back fence to oversee the world around me. New perspectives are good for a cat. I have to keep on my toes around this place. I never know what might happen next.

Like this..... Once again I have become butt up on the tail end of a joke . . .

Until next time.

Signing off,

Bingo

Bingo's Big Words - Yes, I have a large vocabulary!

August 24, 2010

Good day humans! Since I am Bingo, the Mighty Adventurer, I wanted to propose a topic for debate.

It has come to my attention that I may write "too big" for some kids in my book Bingo's Big Adventure. There have not been many humans complaining, but I still wanted to talk about this subject since it is on the top of my feline mind. The Tall Lady has mentioned to me that a very small number of reviews have talked about this fact.

Just for the record, I am a smart cat! I like words. And if you want your kids to learn new words, let them hang out with me. There is an excellent study you could also read about how important new words are to kids HERE.

While I appear casual and relaxed for my daily grooming, I am really thinking of new words that should be introduced to children. I want kids to have a BIG vocabulary. It makes their minds grow!


As I lay between the corn rows contemplating what new words I could use, I reflect upon the plants growth which rockets to the sky. It was not long ago that I was taller than the corn . . . but I digress.


I was thinking about the fact that the famous children's book writer, Bill Peet used HUGE words in his books and I have not heard criticism of his work. Heck there are many, many, many other authors who include vocabulary enriching text in their works.

So what's the big deal about ME using some good words mixed with those kids already know?


I think kids get bored after a while with the same "ole" word set. For most kids my book will seamlessly merge into the family library. For other kids who are not quite ready for my word empowerment, then the adult humans should wait until those kids are a little bigger before letting them dig into my thoughts!

It's possible that a 3 year old may not be able to sit through my book, but I know MANY who already do! So as a human parent, your job is to gauge when the time is appropriate to introduce the bigger worded books to your little humans. On the other end of the spectrum, I have watched some 7 and 8 year old medium sized humans tear through my book and absorb the new words with fervor!

So with all things, parents are crucial in implementing a reading program that broadens children's exposure to new words. The sooner the better is what the Tall Lady always says.

I guess my parting thought is if you want your kids to grow their minds, read books like Bingo's Big Adventure to them. If you like the comfort zone, my book may not be right for you. But I still hold the hope that you change your mind . . .