A miscellany of thoughts about dogs, cats, writing, life in the Ozarks, & occasional book reviews
The pandemic has turned much of the world upside down, including many dog-related activities and special events. Of these, the Westminster Kennel Club dog show may be one of the best known. Typically held in February in Madison Square Garden with all the glitter and glamour you'd expect of a 145-year-old tradition, expect this year's …
Continue reading Westminster Dog Show, Summer Style
Whether you're new to sharing your household with cats and dogs or they've long been a part of your life, it's a good time to remind ourselves of potential issues houseplants may pose for our pets. I've compiled a "top 5" list of some of my favorite websites with photos and vital information about houseplants …
Continue reading Houseplants and Health
For reasons that totally escape me now, I convinced myself it would be a good idea to plot my current work in progress (WIP) Dangerous Deeds by writing segments based on themes, characters, and key plot lines. So what, you might wonder, was wrong with that approach? The short answer: everything. Imagine dumping dozens of jigsaw …
Continue reading This Writing Life
Want to spend four days immersed in the world of fiction writers and fans? This year, you can participate in the legendary Malice Domestic convention--still going strong after 30+ years--without ever leaving your home. No need to worry about DC-area traffic, or hotels, or crowded venues amid the seemingly never-ending pandemic. It all happens July …
Continue reading Murder, Malice, and More
My Sheltie Sasha's best friend is Buddy The Wonder Cat, and he's 10 years old today! Buddy the Wonder Cat came to us as a feral kitten, 10 weeks old and weighing just 2½ pounds. Since he joined our household, we've discovered he's a champion jumper (as long as he doesn't have to jump …