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32 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | MARCH 2021 | It is hard to believe it's been almost a year since our writing group met around the big table (actually six tables placed together) in what we used to call the Multipurpose Room in the Main Sun Lakes Country Club Clubhouse, which one hopes is still there. It is strange to be in a self-imposed quarantine when you are not sick. The dictionary, which we all use as writers writing in the English language, tells us that the highly contagious and very sick people are the ones to be quarantined. We must be in what some call "opposite day," only this one lasts a year. The best advice for a writer is to take advantage of staying inside and keep writing. Most books on writing tell one to write about what you know. Interesting! How about a story about walking from the living room into the kitchen for a snack, trying to find a television program that you haven't seen before, or choosing an outfit such as what color sweatpants to wear that day. If you are adventurous you might step outside and look through a window into your house to see if you are home. Lots to write about. Of course you could tap into your imagination and find all sorts of ideas to write about from flying saucers to pirates and even how great you were in your old job. Very rarely does anyone check up on you and your knowledge. We will meet again someday; so, in the interest of keeping our group together and to encourage you to keep writing, we are looking into our own website to share our writings. If you would like more information call Roger Smith at (951) 769-2808 or email rlswriter@verizon.net. Pets Without Thumbs Why not find something special to celebrate this year?! March 3rd is "If Pets Had Thumbs" day. Unless you have a pet monkey, panda, koala, or a special species of frogs, your pet does not have a thumb. The thumb is our only opposable finger. We are going to take this special day and not only spend the first half of the day like our pets, without access to a thumb, we will also try to teach our pets to do some tasks that usually require a thumb. We will attempt to teach our pets how to text, turn a doorknob, zip a zipper, button a shirt, and, if we have time, drive a car. Unless you have a Great Dane, they probably won't be able to reach the pedals, but at least they will learn how to steer. The other night I superglued my thumb and forefinger together… don't worry, everything is okay. We will be doing this on a Zoom call on March 3 at 8:30 am. Please email nothumbsupforyou@yahoo.com for login instructions.

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