Pi

From the messy countertop of the Lazy Housewife...

Pets! This might be my favorite letter of the month. Pets are so wonderful. Some people don't like or want pets and see them as too much responsibility or just a general nuisance. But if you've never had one, you really don't know what you're missing! Here is what a pet can do for you:

** Find a pet to suit your needs - most of these traits come from dogs, but there are various other animals that provide close to the same benefits. There is surely a pet out there for you.
** Unconditional love - no matter what happens, they won't fault you for it and they will always forgive you and be there for you
** Attention - they give it to you, undivided, whenever you want and they're always happy to see you
** Warmth - most furry pets like to cuddle and it's a great feeling on a cold night
** Smiles and laughs - animals will get into trouble and do silly things all the time, they don't mind doing the tricks because they live to make you happy! (and get treats) Just watch America's Funniest Home Videos!
** Extension of life - people with pets live longer than those without...
** Protection! - having a dog lowers your house insurance for theft prevention!
** Listening Ears - pets are a willing, captive audience and they don't talk back or give their opinion or make you feel bad. Usually by just listening, they can help you talk out your problem to find a solution!

And 2 Bonus P TIPs

• PMS management, taking care of your cycle: (guys can skip this section)
• wk 1 - on it. need more sleep and less caffeine and screen
• wk 2 - peak of least annoyance! tackle tough jobs on to do list. and enjoy the friskiness!
• wk 3 - drink milk, more milk pre PMS can lessen symptoms during
• wk 4 - PMS again, already? Avoid salt, drink water, your body is bloated enough this week
•  Plants promote health! and not just by providing oxygen. Here are some Positive Plants (info from Prevention, 1/13)
• Gerbera Daisy - my favorite! reduces levels of dry cleaning chemicals which can compromise immune system
• 'Janet Craig' - lowers levels of a toxic chemical released from hot shower steam (called TCE)
• English Ivy - removes formaldehyde, which is used in some dishwashing liquids and disinfectants AND some cabinets and tables!
• Peace Lily - a powerful detoxifier
• Boston Fern - also effective for removing formaldehyde and toxins present in some fabric softeners, carpet cleaners, and paint
• Golden Pothos - removes ozone from auto emissions (not THE ozone)

Apparently our modern conveniences and inventions are killing us - I need to bring more nature into my house!

Editing Tips

Passive - don't be. engage! entertain! punch! pounce! proliferate! ponder! Not is/was/were which are define passive.
POV - no head hopping. Stay in one POV per scene and indicate a change in POV by extra spacing or asterisks or chapters. As the narrator, to keep a tighter POV, make sure you only reveal what the current POV knows and not what others think.
Plurals and Possessives -

• singular or plural not ending in s, add 's; 
• singular ends in s, add 's (unless next word starts with s)
• singular proper noun ends in s, only add '
• plural ends in s, only add '

commonly confused "P" words:

passed (v. past tense of pass) / past (no longer current, over)

peak (the pointed summit, the point of greatest value or intensity) / peek (look quickly) / pique (n. vexation or resentment; v. to provoke or arouse)

penned (enclosed by a fence, or wrote) / pent (confined, repressed)
populace (the general public) / populous (containing many people)
principal (main or first; leader of a school) / principle (basic rule or doctrine)
prone (lying face down) / supine (lying face up)

Find more A to Z posts here.