May 11, 2023 — I love the truth of this kind-hearted little card. And can’t you just feel the love in the big squeeze Contributing Cardie Liza Greenberg is giving silly goat Mickey?!
I’m fortunate that Liza lives in the apartment next to mine on Miami Beach. My friendship with Mickey and her big brother Sebastian grew while walking our dogs day after day here in the hood. Just last week, I was walking along with their mom and dad when another dog walker recognized Leo, their gentle giant Rhodesian Ridgeback, and approached to say, “You must be Sebastian & Mickey’s parents! I’ve wanted to thank you for raising such amazingly bright, outgoing, and well-mannered kids.”
Ana and Lars smiled appreciatively, and I cracked up … they could fund college for their whippersnappers as well as 10 friends if they had a dime for every time they heard that same praise from people like Liza and me who’ve come to love their kids like family.
Funny story: Over the Christmas holidays, I read a book suggested by Contributing Cardie Judy Cortner in one of our Whatcha Reading? issues of CNews: The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo. While recommended for readers aged 8-12, I enjoyed it so much that I gave it to my playful English professor neighbor.
Inexplicably, Liza fell immediately in love with the story’s most cantankerous character: Answelica. As the book’s first few lines describe, “Answelica was a goat with teeth that were the mirror of her soul — large, sharp, and uncompromising.” Yet Liza was somehow so smitten that she, well, wouldn’t shuddup about that dang goat! 😆
Haha, esteemed Professor Greenberg continually expressed such fondness for the feisty fictional character that, for Valentine’s Day, I gave her a handpuppet resembling her beloved nanny goat. Apparently, that only made Answelica more endearing, as weeks later Liza produced a hilarious puppet show video starring you-know-who for my birthday.
We celebrated said birthday with a Family of Friends Dinner + Movie Nite, where Mickey was at her most mischievous and made off with Answelica. The professor was positively peeved. She raised such a ruckus about Mickey needing to “Bring back Answelica!” that Mickey and I were inspired to conspire: The head-to-hoof costume you see Mickey wearing in the framed photo above arrived the following week, well in advance of Liza’s birthday party. And the pic was taken just seconds after Mickey made her grand entrance as “Answwwwwweelllliccaa.” Omg, so much fun. Our big family of friends laughed so hard!
As you read this, Liza and her fun-loving mother are cruising the coasts of Spain and Portugal. It’s the trip of a lifetime and, you guessed it, one Answelica wouldn’t miss!
Through emails and text messages, Liza is keeping the whole gang back home laughing at her goat-on-a-boat antics, snapping pics of Answelica here, there, and everywhere.
Given that you’re a Cardie, you’re likely blessed with an extended family of friends, and know that there are many more would-be buddies out there just waiting to meet you. We know from all the cards you send that you believe in your ability to brighten lives as Liza and Mickey and so many in this community do. Thank you!
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
May 11, 2023 — I love the truth of this kind-hearted little card. And can’t you just feel the love in the big squeeze Contributing Cardie Liza Greenberg is giving silly goat Mickey?!
I’m fortunate that Liza lives in the apartment next to mine on Miami Beach. My friendship with Mickey and her big brother Sebastian grew while walking our dogs day after day here in the hood. Just last week, I was walking along with their mom and dad when another dog walker recognized Leo, their gentle giant Rhodesian Ridgeback, and approached to say, “You must be Sebastian & Mickey’s parents! I’ve wanted to thank you for raising such amazingly bright, outgoing, and well-mannered kids.”
Ana and Lars smiled appreciatively, and I cracked up … they could fund college for their whippersnappers as well as 10 friends if they had a dime for every time they heard that same praise from people like Liza and me who’ve come to love their kids like family.
Funny story: Over the Christmas holidays, I read a book suggested by Contributing Cardie Judy Cortner in one of our Whatcha Reading? issues of CNews: The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo. While recommended for readers aged 8-12, I enjoyed it so much that I gave it to my playful English professor neighbor.
Inexplicably, Liza fell immediately in love with the story’s most cantankerous character: Answelica. As the book’s first few lines describe, “Answelica was a goat with teeth that were the mirror of her soul — large, sharp, and uncompromising.” Yet Liza was somehow so smitten that she, well, wouldn’t shuddup about that dang goat! 😆
Haha, esteemed Professor Greenberg continually expressed such fondness for the feisty fictional character that, for Valentine’s Day, I gave her a handpuppet resembling her beloved nanny goat. Apparently, that only made Answelica more endearing, as weeks later Liza produced a hilarious puppet show video starring you-know-who for my birthday.
We celebrated said birthday with a Family of Friends Dinner + Movie Nite, where Mickey was at her most mischievous and made off with Answelica. The professor was positively peeved. She raised such a ruckus about Mickey needing to “Bring back Answelica!” that Mickey and I were inspired to conspire: The head-to-hoof costume you see Mickey wearing in the framed photo above arrived the following week, well in advance of Liza’s birthday party. And the pic was taken just seconds after Mickey made her grand entrance as “Answwwwwweelllliccaa.” Omg, so much fun. Our big family of friends laughed so hard!
As you read this, Liza and her fun-loving mother are cruising the coasts of Spain and Portugal. It’s the trip of a lifetime and, you guessed it, one Answelica wouldn’t miss!
Through emails and text messages, Liza is keeping the whole gang back home laughing at her goat-on-a-boat antics, snapping pics of Answelica here, there, and everywhere.
Given that you’re a Cardie, you’re likely blessed with an extended family of friends, and know that there are many more would-be buddies out there just waiting to meet you. We know from all the cards you send that you believe in your ability to brighten lives as Liza and Mickey and so many in this community do. Thank you!
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
OMG! I love and miss you very much! Answelica and i are exploring Ibiza today!!! Xoxox sending pics . Family is more than blood and more than species! 🙏🏼
LONG LIVE ANSWELICA ♥
MAY WE BE HER
I send many of your cards because they express my sentiments without being flowery or gaudy. Unfortunately I do not have many friends or family who respond to them. I do not know if they liked the greetings, but I enjoyed sending them.
What a bore life would be without friends that make us laugh. THANKS Liza. Have a GREAT trip.