Author: jodileabooks

I have had the privilege of teaching elementary students since 1996 at Southwestern Elementary, in Hanover, Indiana. Born in Connersville, IN, my family relocated to Madison, IN, when I was in fourth grade. I've been a resident of Jefferson County ever since. Currently, I live in historic downtown Madison with my felines, RockyTop & BlackTop.

Jasper’s Fans & My Friends

Wow!  What a day!  It started with tears…again.  But…a wonderful thing happened between 2:47 yesterday and 2:47 today….tears subsided and were replaced with smiles.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  I’m sure tears will still come when Facebook memories remind me of Jasper’s antics and our 11 1/2 years as roommates, but the journey is more smiles and less tears.

Why?  Because of you…and my kiddos.

Countless friends, family, & Jasper fans have left sweet condolences jasperand well wishes on my last blog post.  When I read them, tears flowed, but they also wrapped a verbal hug around my sad shoulders.  Then, I entered 302…knowing that my kiddos knew….and….

Z gave me a sweet note. “Dear Miss P, I am sorry for your loss.  I enjoy Jasper’s stories.  He was a great cat.  Love, Z”

R gave me a sweet card. “Never was a pet better cared for or loved. Wishing you peace and comfort in the memories of the friend you loved so much.  Sorry for you loss.  Love, R”

R#2 sent me an email.  Subject? “roses are red, violets are blue, you may not be able to see jasper but he’s right beside you.”  The message?  “Sorry for your loss.”
[I admit, my first thought was…”Where are the capitals?”  It’s a  teacher-thing.]

S offered me one of her kittens.  She has three girls and one boy.  I told her I figured I’d get two boys in hopes the companionship would help the territorial nature stay away, and I hoped to find brothers.  But, if I can’t find two related boys, I’d gladly take her little  guy.  When she told me her brother got some paint on it, I smiled.

Two girls suggested I get a kitten that looks “just like” Jasper and name him Jasper, so I’d still have a Jasper living with me.

Honestly, they were so sweet and caring about how I felt that my cup started overflowing with a bit of joy in the midst of the sadness.  Many coworkers also offered hugs or sweet sentiments….

Then, a remarkable thing happened.  I talked about Jasper and this weekend… without tears.  Seriously!  I ended the day  by reading “A Cat’s Night Before Christmas” and dedicated it to the memory of my finicky feline.  We laughed at the parts that were “just like Jasper”.  And A asked, “Are you going to still write Jasper’s books?”  To which I assured him that the stories are still here even if Jasper’s not there to climb on the keyboard while I try to type them.

For now, I prepare for my next feline roommate(s).  Between the fact that field mice have a peculiar appreciation to my home and the realization that it’s pretty sad being the only breathing body in the house…I figure…why not.  I’m sure Jasper would expect a new feline (or two) to rule his realm.  I mean, Miss Fuzzy Hair can’t take care of his kingdom without whiskered help.  And…I could just imagine him saying,  “Yep, it’ll take two cats to replace me…cause let’s face it…I was King!”jasper bye

The Cat, the Myth, the Legend…

On a warm sunny day in June 2007, Connor & I ventured to Madison KDH Clinic for me to pick between one of two kittens.  For those who’ve read “Kitten Chronicles”, you know that the active one peed on Connor, and the other had beautiful markings and slept calmly.  The urine vetoed Connor’s first choice, so he & I agreed that the other would be the best pick for my house-mouser.

For a few years, he was a hospitable pet accepting Connor and other guests into our home.  However, the summer when Connor spent most of it at home with his father instead of his “favorite aunt” (self-proclaimed…haha), Jasper changed his disposition.  He transformed from an animated pet to a persnickety protector of his realm.

His antics have entertained the masses….or at least a decade of third graders, Facebook friends, and family. He’s been the subject of jasper4many writing lessons and animated storytelling illustrations in Room 302.  In fact, he became the muse to finally kick-start my “one day” dream into reality.  “Jasper’s ABC Book” and “Kitten Chronicles” have both sold over 100 copies in the 4 and 3 months they’ve been published.  His behaviors and reactions have created chapter titles for three more chapter books as well as four more picture books.

However, life on Main Street started changing this past weekend.  Saturday morning, I noticed he was breathing oddly and clenching his stomach muscles.  Since he’s known for liking to chew…anything and everything, I guessed he had eaten something he shouldn’t and was having difficulty digesting.  I figured it would come out…one way or the other. (Sorry for the image).  Then, as I returned home from church Sunday afternoon, I realized his behavior wasn’t normal.  His movement was slow, and his napping position less comfortable.  I requested an appointment on Monday with his veterinarian figuring they may have to do a procedure to remove whatever he’d eaten that was causing his problems.  Yet, on Sunday night, I realized it was worse than that.  He jumped up on the bed, as usual, but his meow wasn’t the “I’m here, so pet me” meow…but an “I’m in pain” meow.  With tears in my eyes, I pet him, and he lay his head down in my palm.  Then, jumped down and left the room.

I was predicting that he would be gone when I awoke, but alas…he was still trying to rest, but not himself.  So, I spent the day in 302 awaiting his 3:30 appointment and preparing my heart and mind to be able to do what needed to done that afternoon.  So, as I scurried to my car, I pondered whether he’d still be waiting when I walked in the house.

I easily put him in his carrier, which in itself shouted “this is it”.  He cried a couple of times on the way to the car, then rode to the vet clinic silently.  We waited….he silently sat as he breathed laboriously.

Then, the attentive veterinarian and her assistant removed him from the carrier and examined him thoroughly.  As she tried to take his temperature, he was refusing to allow it.  I reached out and placed my palm on his face to scratch his neck, and she was instantly allowed to accomplish her task.  As I watched their facial expressions, I knew.  Then came the words I hadn’t expected….heart failure.

After hearing what treatment would be, aftercare would be, and the impact on my lively roommate, I knew I had to do the hardest thing a pet owner must do.  Let him go.  He’s much too proud and too lively a cat to adjust to the possible life IF all that actually helped.  So, I sat…holding his head and petting him as he finally let go of his pain.

In the end, I’m okay.  Yes, the tears com…here and there and range from slight tears to ugly sobbing…like right now as I share this weekend’s journey with you.  But, with it comes the joy of realizing that his stories are still here.   He wasn’t a normal pet whose name you remember but not much more.  I could tell you only a few things about Moses, Samson, Shadrach, and Bucky (other cats I’ve had during high school and after), but Jasper?  Shoot!  Have I told you about…

Let’s face it.  To some he will be “just a cat” and they won’t understand why tears fall.  But…to my students…to his fans…to those who’ve laughed or been shocked by his behaviors….

Like chasing the mailman down the sidewalk…

Keeping grown men from entering my house without either a spray bottle for protection or a promise that he was locked up….

Or the fact that he could stretch out on my legs and touch both my hip and my foot with his paws…

They’ll understand when I say….

Heart failure may have stolen his life
like an unexpected tornado,
but his legendary reputation
will never die.

Jasper, thanks for trying to rid our home of field mice, protecting it from intruders (mailmen, landlords, and other visitors), inspiring me to chase the dream of writing, and being a part of my heart for now and forever.

Good-bye, my feline friend, I love you.

12-18

June, 2007
to
December 17,
2018

More Than Mean

Have you ever known someone who is known for only one aspect of their personality?  For instance, when former students are asked, most will say “Miss P was the teacher with the funny voices.”  Obviously, I do more in Room 302 than speak in different voices, but that’s what stands out because it makes me different from a lot of other teachers.

Now, Jasper…he’s obviously known for being a less-than-hospitable feline.  He’s known for hissing, swatting, clawing, and occasionally spitting at unwanted guests, relatives, landlords, house repairmen, roofers, mail carriers, and…you get the picture.  So, it was simple to use an arrogant and demanding feline voice for “Jasper’s ABC Book”.

However, he’s more than mean.  He can be sweet, at least to me.  Once upon a time, he was also sweet towards my nephew.  In fact, on October 7th, a FB memory from ten years ago showed Connor with his arm around Jasper, his head leaning on him, and quoting him as saying that “Jasper is nicer than my cat.”  I quickly sent the pic and quote to Connor to remind him of a time when Jasper liked people who visited our house.

I think over the past ten years since it’s 99% me & Jasper only in the house, not including an occassional field mouse, wasp, moth, or cricket that sneak in.  When you get used to not having other living creatures around, it seems that you gain an attitude of “This is my kingdom and you’re not invited.”

Now, this cat who hisses and swats and has become known for his dominant ways…is only that way when others come.

Many evenings, he jumps up on my lap and either laps on my legs, my students’ work, or my lap.

At night, he’ll often curl up beside me and lay his head on my hand.

While I shower, he generally moves his nap to the purple rug in the bathroom.

While I cook, he’ll relax on the rug by the kitchen sink.

In the midst of fall cleaning, he’ll jump in empty drawers, lay on newly made beds, and follow me from room to room until the vacuum starts to roar.

On Wednesday, while having his annual check-up and vaccinations at North Madison Veterinary Clinic, another veterinarian was amazed at the stories of his behavior towards others.

You see….he’d known for being “mean” but he is also protective, sweet, and a seeker of company….on his terms…in his time.

Now, this makes me think of a discussion my Bible study group had last night.  We so often just see God as a “Loving Father” because…He is.  But…He’s also so much more!  He’s also…Just….Righteous….Holy…Jealous…Sovereign.  If we just look at one aspect of who He is….we will miss out on what a Mighty and Great God we serve!

So….I’m more than a teacher who makes funny voices…I’m also an author who writes in the voice of an arrogant cat…I’m a friend who tries to be there for the people I care about…I’m a church member who serves in various ministries…I’m a daughter who   spends time with her parents…I’m an aunt who has a one-of-a-kind relationship with the “best nephew in the whole entire world”…I’m a follower of Christ who attempts to live out her faith in word and deed.

Oh…I forgot.  I’m the roommate of a cat named Jasper who is known for being (more than) mean.

What are you more than?

What are you working on now?

One of the questions I’ve received frequently over the past couple of weeks is “What are you working on now?”  To which I respond “Parent-Teacher Conferences”.

You see, I’m a teacher.  Back on a mission trip to Gary, Indiana, in the summer of 1986, I realized I was called to work with children.  God had given me some teaching skills and creative skills which allowed me to engage children in lessons and discussions.  So, I became a teacher.

During the 22 years I’ve taught thus far and the four years I subbed before that and even the four years of undergraduate work prior to that…my dream of writing a “real book” grew.

While teaching my third graders to compose their thoughts into sentences, paragraphs, and papers, I modeled my own writing.  Many times my students would tell me that it would be a good book.  The dream grew.

So, in May of 2018, when my kids had the chance to write their own ABC book, I modeled the beginnings of “Jasper’s ABC Book”.  They chuckled as I read the pages, and…the dream grew.

Then, goals were set.  Focus began.  The dream was put into an action plan.  Granted, my first books has only sold 9 copies on Amazon, but it’s sold over 100 in Jefferson County.  “Kitten Chronicles” hasn’t sold a single copy on Amazon, which I admit makes me a bit sad, but…I’ve sold over 30 personally.  Not bad since the copies just arrived a week ago.

Guess what?  Parent-teacher conferences are over, so….after some fall-cleaning, a dental visit, and Jasper’s vet appointment…I think it’s time to start “Pet to Predator: Memoir of My Life as a Feline Hunter”.

For now…I’m going to go home and collapse.  Thankful that this LONG work week has finished.  It was productive, positive, and packed….but now….I think Jasper and I are both ready for a restful Friday night.

A Whole New World

So, last spring….I set a goal.  Actually, I set four goals.  One each in the area of reading, writing, cooking, and exercising.  Being a bit “methodical”, I was determined to check each off my list.  The biggest challenge was the writing goal.  Not because I didn’t have the ideas.  I’ve had ideas for writing since high school.  Not because I didn’t have time.  I have the summer off since I’m an elementary teacher.  It was the most daunting because it forced me to face the fear of failure.

If I didn’t cook a new recipe each week, no one would care but me.  If I didn’t exercise regularly, no one would know but me.  If I didn’t read ten books… Well, that wasn’t even an option with my voracity for reading.  But…if I took my writing…put it into a book…and no one wanted to read it. Or, if they read it and condemned my efforts….I would endure the heartache.

But.  A goal is a goal.  And my self-imposed personality issues made it a must to accomplish.  Thanks to the experience of David Kummer and Benny Newell, I was able to be guided to CreateSpace where my goal…my dream…could become reality.  I kept telling myself that even if the only person who read it was me and my class that it was worth it.

So…in August, “Jasper’s ABC Book” was completed.  Less than two months later, over 100 copies have been purchased!  Then, last week, a mere two days before my first event sale at Jefferson County Old Court Days, “Kitten Chronicles: Memoir of My First Year Living with a Teacher” arrived.

Will everyone enjoy my books?  Nope.  Will everyone want to buy future books?  Nah.

But.

Will I write?  Yep.

Ideas remain.  The joy continues.  The dream has become a reality and the journey has just begun. What fun this adventure will be for me.  I have the HEART of a teacher, the IMAGINATION of a writer, and the FAITH of a child.  Come along with me…and enjoy the journey!