Grammar guru

Got a correction from a reader about my misuse of of the word "affect". So true--I blame it on the fact that in my work life I have an editor who is supposed to catch such gaffes. Anyway, for those of you who care about such things, here is a helpful way to remember the difference:

http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/affect-versus-effect.aspx

Mitzi the cat

Mitzi is turning out to be a highly satisfactory cat. However, she looks like a gray striped basketball with a tail. Another negative: her claws have grown back, and she now scratches. She hasn't learned that when she rolls on her back and displays her substantial white tummy, it's an invitation to humans to rub the soft fur.

She had a brief excursion outside yesterday. The floor guy propped the door open when he was bringing in the wood and equipment. She slipped out, but didn't get far. She was waylaid by the enticing smell of the neighborhood tom cats, who have apparently baptized the doors with their scent.