Tip typing

I've enjoyed writing Tip's Tale the past few weeks.
Well, enjoy might be too strong a word. It has been challenging.
I had no real plan when I started writing it. I thought it might be a good idea to write something using Tip's voice. My relationship with that dog has lasted longer than almost any other relationship in my life outside of family, so I feel that it is OK to put words in his mouth.
I invited my brother to read the story to his daughter who will be 5 in August, so I have to swing the storyline in a direction that would not scare Gracilyn and that would be appropriate for her (wise-beyond-her-years) ears.
On the other hand, I haven't felt like writing for this blog recently because I have focused on Tip's Tale (as Kelly, a friend from high school dubbed it).
And speaking of that friend from high school, I have to say that is one of the best aspects of the Internet. Kelly and I attended the same high school and college. To say we were friends in high school is probably stretching it a little. We ran in the same circle of friends, but were not close to each other. In college, we ended up living in the same house off-campus our freshman year and got to know each other much better.
In our sophomore year, she moved into a regular dorm (probably a good idea) and I stayed in the house (probably not the best idea).
After graduation, we went our separate ways and there may have been a few Christmas cards here and there, but that was all.
I have been a member of one of those Internet sites that connects you with former classmates. When I saw Kelly's name on the list recently, I sent her a note and we have started corresponding again.
There was another Kelly in that house in college - Kelley, actually. She was my roommate. The other Kelly lived next door, I think. In a weird coincidence, Kelley recently moved to the Valley after living in California for many years and now Kelly has told me that she is moving to Charlottesville after living in Pennsylvania for a number of years.
A pair of Kellys/Kelleys coming home to roost.
I have not contacted my old roommate, however. And I am not sure why. She called before Christmas and left a message on the answering machine and I just could not bring myself to call her. The Ump made me feel really bad about not calling her, but I still did not pick up the phone.
Kelley is much more high maintenance than Kelly - in friendship terms, anyway. Kelly is the type person you meet after not talking to for awhile and when you start talking the years melt away with each word from your mouth like bites of cotton candy.
My friendship with Kelley was very intense at first and then became much more complicated and, finally, felt very smothering to me. More like the residue left on your fingers from cotton candy when you regret that you indulged and you don't have something handy that will take away the stickiness. (Analogy stretching at its best.)
I hope to see Kelly when she moves to Charlottesville later this summer. Kelley, well, I imagine I will contact her too. I just need to work myself up to it.