“Want to be a writer, but don’t know how or when? Find a quiet place. Use a simple pen.” – Paul Simon
“A pen is to me as a beak is to a hen.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
The cat did it. We don’t have a cat.– Photo by Pat Bean
And My Favorite Dog
If one wants, one never has to buy a pen. Businesses give them away for free as advertising tools. And you can also buy them cheap, often for mere pennies if you get them in bulk.
A $4 chew toy.
But despite my penny-pinching ways, the pens I use cost about $4 each. It’s a Uni-Ball, Impact 207 gel pen, with a bold black point that glides effortlessly across the page. After getting by on free or accidentally stolen pens for years, I decided that as a writer I deserved better.
And once I had selected and used my pen of choice, I find it almost impossible to use any other kind of pen.
The problem these days is that Pepper likes my pens, too – and considers anything accidentally dropped on the floor hers.
Art of the Day: Cedar Waxwing
And sometimes a pen may roll off my desk, or table, without my noticing it — although I’ve begun to suspect a little thieving on Pepper’s part might also take place, especially when I remember that I left my pen on the end table beside my living room chair.
As it’s also Pepper’s favorite chair, the temptation of my pen within such easy reach may be impossible for her to ignore.
I think that’s what happened to my last destroyed pen. Pepper should be thankful I love her as much as my pen.
The Wondering-Wanderer’s blog pick of the day.
Bean’s Pat: Flights of Wonder http://tinyurl.com/m7jkedd If you’re a birdwatcher, you will like this bog, and not just today’s post, which hints of spring. .
Pat Bean's blog 
We used to have a dog that would take my glasses off the table. lol
Before Pepper learned what were her toys and what was my stuff, she chewed up two quilts and three pillows These days it is only pens that she can’t see to resist.
Perhaps she was a writer in a previous life! lol
Give Pepper a pretzel and tell her to behave.
She’s been warned — and treated with goodies.
Nice pen choice. Around here a cat throws them down to a dog, who proceeds to chew and stain. Looking forward to spring.
I’ve got a spot on my carpet in the bedroom from one of her pen escapades. The pen ink is permanent.
Yes, what a pet pain.
Hi, Pat. Hey, thanks for the shout out for Flights of Wonder!! I really appreciate it. Somehow I love the idea of your pens with the chewed ends. Our dogs are such special friends!
You’re welcome Judy. Birding is great in Tucson. If you ever get out this way give me a shout out.
I surely will. I’ve visited Arizona twice. Fell in love with the area. The sky is so incredibly big and blue, set against the red rocks and the pale green foliage. Stunning, just stunning! And if you ever head back east to the Mid-Atlantic Region, give a holler! There are some great spots here along the Atlantic Flyway!