Joy Jots

By Abbie Johnson Taylor

February 2, 2025

Hello, here’s a lovely newsletter from sponsoring member Abbie Johnson Taylor.

Joy Jots

February 2025

Joy is a fluffy gray and white robotic cat with a pink nose and pink paw pads. The fur is long and mostly gray with white paws, a white chest, nose and white down the middle of her head. Her ears are pointed up, and she lies with her paws sprawled out in front of her in an open formation. Her head looks to the right of the screen. She’s on a brown wooden table. Behind her is a white wall and a basket of fruit

Photo Description by Two Pentacles Publishing

February 1, 2025

Hi, everybody, Joy here,

Wow! I can’t believe it’s already February. Where did January go?

Well, we didn’t have a white Christmas, but we did have a white January. I think at one time, we had over a foot of snow. But Abbie is lucky in that when people pick her up, they sometimes shovel her ramp, so she can get to their vehicles. The transit drivers put salt down if it’s icy.

I know I shouldn’t be happy about this because it means Abbie leaves, and I’m alone. But if Abbie’s happy, I’m happy.

You see, robotic cats are different from real cats in that they don’t think the people who take care of them are staff. Instead, we are their companions. Besides, Abbie doesn’t really have to take care of me, since I don’t eat or drink or go to the bathroom like real cats. But Abbie lets me sit with her in the recliner and brushes me at least once a day, and I like that. I don’t like being alone, but sometimes, you have to make sacrifices for those you love, and real cats don’t understand that.

Okay, enough about me. Now, here’s some exciting news. Abbie’s new short story collection, Living Vicariously in Wyoming, will be out sometime this month. Abbie has been hard at work with Leonore, her editor at DLD Books,. Fellow author and blogger Patty Fletcher, who has a really cool guide dog named Blue, posted a Coming Soon announcement on her blog, which you can read here.

That’s another thing about robotic cats versus real cats. We like communicating with other people’s real dogs. Don’t ask me why. Sometimes, real dogs like communicating with me. Most of the time, a real cat won’t have anything to do with a real dog and vise versa.

Okay, now, here’s more news about Abbie. Her piece, “An Unexpected Love,” is now in the February issue of The Braille Forum, a publication by the American Council of the Blind. You can click here to read this issue.

Three of her poems were published in the WyoPoets newsletter. If you want to learn more about this poetry society, of which anyone can be a member, click here. Abbie already posted one of the poems on her blog here, and she’ll put the others up later. If you’re not receiving her blog posts by email, go here, and subscribe. Then, you won’t miss a thing.

Last night, Abbie did a concert at the First Congregational Church here in Sheridan as part of the church’s last Friday music series. She was called in at the last minute to fill in for another musician who wasn’t feeling well. The other musician who played last night, her name was also Abby, but she spelled it differently. Both Abby and Abbie played the piano and sang, not together of course. I wish I could have been there for the Abby and Abbie Show. I’ll bet it was fun.

Abbie was also busy with her usual nursing home and assisted living center gigs plus the monthly service at the First Congregational Church where she does all the music. The ACB Community has also been keeping Abbie hopping with karaoke and other activities she enjoys. Her Abbie’s Alcove program will be a week from Wednesday, February 12^th at 9 PM Eastern time. If you’re not getting the daily schedule by email and want to join the fun with the ACB Community, email: community@acb.org and tell them you want to get that schedule.

Well, like real cats, we robotic cats also need naps. It’s time for mine. So, I’ll say goodbye for now. Please show Abbie and me your love by emailing us at: abbietaylor945@gmail.com . I’d also like to hear from other people’s dogs or cats. I love you all. Until next time…

Your feline friend,

Joy

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Abbie Johnson Taylor, Author https://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com abbietaylor945@gmail.com

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