Kate Collins's Blog, page 69
February 23, 2018
Everybody needs to eat
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Yesterday, I received the Foodlink annual report. Why would I get this? Because I send them an annual donation of a certain amount. With the report was a notice saying that I have been added to their Leadership Circle.
Wow.
I don't take this lightly. I've been very interested in food instability ever since I wrote the third Booktown Mystery, Bookplate Special (which went on to be nominated for the coveted Agatha Award). While writing it, I mentioned to a friend that I was including Dumpster diving, and she suggested not only that I add a food pantry, but that I talk to her mother who just so happened to run one only a mile from my home. I hadn't even known the Greece Ecumenical Food Shelf was there. It's not a secret, but it's not all that well known, either.
The idea that senior citizens and children go hungry on a regular basis
in my community
really hit home.
As part of the Leadership Circle, I can attend special events and receptions, personal tours, breakfast with the leadership team, and insider updates. I want to make a point of taking advantage of some of these opportunities. Does that mean I will write more about it? Maybe--maybe not. But I like the fact that I can make an impact in my community.
The sad fact, is that I need to make that impact because these seniors and little kids have no other options than to depend on charity to eat on a regular basis. It's a sobering thought. I feel so lucky that I have never needed these kinds of resources.
But I can remember a time when there was nothing in my house to eat. I'd just bought my first home and money was tight. I went through my fridge, found something in the back of it--scraped off the mold and that was my dinner. (My parents would have been appalled.) I wouldn't want anyone else to have to do that ... but I'm sure it happens every day and not far from where I live a comfortable life.
Have you ever donated to a food pantry? (If not, I hope you'll consider doing so.)
Yesterday, I received the Foodlink annual report. Why would I get this? Because I send them an annual donation of a certain amount. With the report was a notice saying that I have been added to their Leadership Circle.Wow.
I don't take this lightly. I've been very interested in food instability ever since I wrote the third Booktown Mystery, Bookplate Special (which went on to be nominated for the coveted Agatha Award). While writing it, I mentioned to a friend that I was including Dumpster diving, and she suggested not only that I add a food pantry, but that I talk to her mother who just so happened to run one only a mile from my home. I hadn't even known the Greece Ecumenical Food Shelf was there. It's not a secret, but it's not all that well known, either.
The idea that senior citizens and children go hungry on a regular basis
in my community
really hit home.As part of the Leadership Circle, I can attend special events and receptions, personal tours, breakfast with the leadership team, and insider updates. I want to make a point of taking advantage of some of these opportunities. Does that mean I will write more about it? Maybe--maybe not. But I like the fact that I can make an impact in my community.
The sad fact, is that I need to make that impact because these seniors and little kids have no other options than to depend on charity to eat on a regular basis. It's a sobering thought. I feel so lucky that I have never needed these kinds of resources.
But I can remember a time when there was nothing in my house to eat. I'd just bought my first home and money was tight. I went through my fridge, found something in the back of it--scraped off the mold and that was my dinner. (My parents would have been appalled.) I wouldn't want anyone else to have to do that ... but I'm sure it happens every day and not far from where I live a comfortable life.
Have you ever donated to a food pantry? (If not, I hope you'll consider doing so.)
February 22, 2018
Pasta Favorites
by Karen Rose Smith
What’s your favorite type of pasta?
While growing up, my mom and grandma introduced me to pasta making—spaghetti, lasagna and ravioli. I tried it once but then decided that buying pasta suited our lifestyle better. Pasta has always been a comfort food for me. It reminds me of ravioli-making in my mom’s kitchen, as well as friends and neighbors around the dining room table enjoying a pasta meal together.
I usually make meat dishes with pasta. A dietitian told me protein with carbs is the best way to eat because it’s helpful in preventing sugar spikes. She also surprised me with the news that leftover pasta warmed up has less carbs.
There are many varieties of pasta these days that not only differ in size and shape but in the ingredients used to make the noodles. From egg noodles developed only with egg whites to vegetable penne in many colors and lasagna that can be used straight from the box in a crock pot or oven without boiling it, a cook can find a colorful pasta or one to suit dietary needs on the grocery shelf.
Also in specialty shops, I can find unusual pastas. I have a friend who often gives me a unique pasta for Christmas. I’ve received cat face shaped pasta, colorful fettuccini and this year rainbow-like farfalle pasta.
Last evening I prepared a beef/onion soup with the farfalle pasta. It made a tasty, even pretty dish that I would serve guests.
Does your family enjoy pasta?
What’s your favorite type of pasta?
While growing up, my mom and grandma introduced me to pasta making—spaghetti, lasagna and ravioli. I tried it once but then decided that buying pasta suited our lifestyle better. Pasta has always been a comfort food for me. It reminds me of ravioli-making in my mom’s kitchen, as well as friends and neighbors around the dining room table enjoying a pasta meal together.
I usually make meat dishes with pasta. A dietitian told me protein with carbs is the best way to eat because it’s helpful in preventing sugar spikes. She also surprised me with the news that leftover pasta warmed up has less carbs.
There are many varieties of pasta these days that not only differ in size and shape but in the ingredients used to make the noodles. From egg noodles developed only with egg whites to vegetable penne in many colors and lasagna that can be used straight from the box in a crock pot or oven without boiling it, a cook can find a colorful pasta or one to suit dietary needs on the grocery shelf.
Also in specialty shops, I can find unusual pastas. I have a friend who often gives me a unique pasta for Christmas. I’ve received cat face shaped pasta, colorful fettuccini and this year rainbow-like farfalle pasta. Last evening I prepared a beef/onion soup with the farfalle pasta. It made a tasty, even pretty dish that I would serve guests.
Does your family enjoy pasta?
February 20, 2018
You the author
Cozy mysteries have themes. My Cycle Path series is a bike shop owner and in my Consignment Shop series Reagan owns the Prissy Fox consignment shop. There are yarn shops, fabric shops, fudge theme cozies, hairdresser cozies, and on and on.My question to you is... Is there a theme you’d like to see that you haven’t run across? Or a theme that’s been done but you’d like to have more?
And what about locations? It seems like the south is done to death so is there another location that you’d like to visit in a cozy mystery? A place you visited and thought... this would be an amazing place to set a cozy?And what about foreign locations? Would you want to see a cozy set in Italy? Spain? France?And then there’s the age thing. Do you like the main character to be old? Young? Middle aged? And what about gender? Do you like the sleuth to be a gal or are you up to a guy taking it on?
I think a lot of themes are so overdone and locations the same and I have no use for the perfect sleuth who makes no mistakes and is always picture perfect and eats healthy and goes to the gym would rather eat her shoe that snatch a candy bar.So how do you feel about any of these things? If you were going to write a cozy mystery where would you set it? How old would your main character be? What theme would you use?
February 18, 2018
CATS ARE PURRFECT FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, PART 2
by Mary Kennedy
Last week, I wrote I devoted my blog to "cats for emotional support to nursing home residents" and detailed a few of my experiences. If you missed it, you can read it right here. I talked about Lucky (pictured above) and what a wonderful "therapy pet" she was, always calm, quiet and appreciative of any and all attention. And who could resist that cute little face with such an intelligent expression! She was a rock star when I tied a little blue scarf around her neck and took her for visits.
Here is Shadow, another calm cat. I could pick him up and he would immediately snuggle next to me, purring happily.
I hope some of you have been inspired to visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities with your cat (or dog) and here are a few tips I've picked up along the way.
I learned a few things along the way that I’d like to share with you.Cats can be wonderful therapy animals because they provide a sense of peace and contentment. Lucky knew how to live “in the moment,” and seemed to enjoy every situation she was in. The residents were happy to see her, no matter what she was doing, even if she was just sitting on a windowsill, bird-watching or taking a quick cat nap.Residents love spending time with cats because it gives them a sense of companionship they once had and brings back happy memories.Be mindful that some residents might be allergic to cats and be sure to check with the social worker, activity director or nursing supervisor before bringing a cat onto the unit.Be sure to ask a resident if you may bring your visiting cat into their room. The resident might be in pain, tired, or just having a bad day. Always be respectful of their privacy.Don’t allow the residents to give treats to your cat, unless you have already modified your cat’s diet to allow treats. Weight gain in cats is a serious issue.Don’t overstay your welcome. About fifteen minutes is enough time for a cat to visit in a resident’s room. I always would visit the “activity room” at the end of the morning, so everyone would have a chance to enjoy Lucky.You’ll be surprised how much you’ll look forward to visiting with your therapy cats. It’s a two-way street and you’ll enjoy it as much as the residents. See you next week!!
Mary Kennedy
Last week, I wrote I devoted my blog to "cats for emotional support to nursing home residents" and detailed a few of my experiences. If you missed it, you can read it right here. I talked about Lucky (pictured above) and what a wonderful "therapy pet" she was, always calm, quiet and appreciative of any and all attention. And who could resist that cute little face with such an intelligent expression! She was a rock star when I tied a little blue scarf around her neck and took her for visits.
Here is Shadow, another calm cat. I could pick him up and he would immediately snuggle next to me, purring happily.
I hope some of you have been inspired to visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities with your cat (or dog) and here are a few tips I've picked up along the way.
I learned a few things along the way that I’d like to share with you.Cats can be wonderful therapy animals because they provide a sense of peace and contentment. Lucky knew how to live “in the moment,” and seemed to enjoy every situation she was in. The residents were happy to see her, no matter what she was doing, even if she was just sitting on a windowsill, bird-watching or taking a quick cat nap.Residents love spending time with cats because it gives them a sense of companionship they once had and brings back happy memories.Be mindful that some residents might be allergic to cats and be sure to check with the social worker, activity director or nursing supervisor before bringing a cat onto the unit.Be sure to ask a resident if you may bring your visiting cat into their room. The resident might be in pain, tired, or just having a bad day. Always be respectful of their privacy.Don’t allow the residents to give treats to your cat, unless you have already modified your cat’s diet to allow treats. Weight gain in cats is a serious issue.Don’t overstay your welcome. About fifteen minutes is enough time for a cat to visit in a resident’s room. I always would visit the “activity room” at the end of the morning, so everyone would have a chance to enjoy Lucky.You’ll be surprised how much you’ll look forward to visiting with your therapy cats. It’s a two-way street and you’ll enjoy it as much as the residents. See you next week!!
Mary Kennedy
February 16, 2018
Parting with the written word
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
When I was growing up, my parents subscribed to two newspapers and lots of magazines, and there were bookshelves FULL of wonderful books to dip into. There was always something to read. (Sadly, my brothers didn't take to reading as much as me.)
During high school, I did a lot of extra credit "reading" projects. I would take a couple of magazines with me on babysitting gigs, read them, and then summarize the articles. No wonder I always got an A in English class. I mean, once the kids were in bed I'd be sitting there for hours with nothing to do but read the magazines. (This was in the days before a million TV channels on cable.)
My Mum was a bit of a packrat (which explains why it took me nearly a year to clear out her house), and one of the things she kept was magazines. Is it any wonder I do the same? But I've been watching all these organization videos on Youtube (like At Home with Nikki and the Messy Minimalist) and one thing they all stress is "magazines have gotta go!" Man, they're ruthless about it!
I mostly collect--er, read home decorating magazines. I currently get English Home, Romantic Homes, Victoria, This Old House, HGTV, Food Network, and Women's World. I used to get a LOT more. Mum used to love to visit Barnes and Noble and their magazine section because she could get a lot of different English magazines. (My Mum and Dad both came from England.) After she'd read them, she passed them on to me. And because they were so expensive ($8 or $9 each) it felt terrible to throw them away. So I kept them. And kept them. And kept them. Along with most of the other magazines.
Mind you, I wasn't the only one hoarding magazines. When we moved here, we also moved in boxes and boxes of National Geographic that Mr. L had been saving since his first issue. But one year for Christmas, my mother gave me a CD boxed set of all the National Geos from day one until present and Mr. L said, "I can part with the paper copies." And he did. And now he reads them and puts them in the recycle bin. Um, it's taken me another ten years to get that far.
But, I'm on this purging kick, so last week I started looking at the old issues of these piles and piles of magazines, determined to pull out the articles and recipes that interested me and chuck the rest. A funny thing happened. I wasn't pulling out all that many articles. Why? Because during the intervening years, my taste in home decorating had changed. Suddenly the recycle bin was FULL of just magazines. (And boy are they heavy to haul down to the end of the driveway for the recycling truck.)
There are keepers. I'm not giving up my old copies of Taste of Home magazine. We're talking the years before Readers Digest bought them out. When they were charming. I do have most of the yearbooks of recipes, but I enjoy re-reading the articles. (Um, I have two sets of those. Here and at our cottage.) So far, I've been unable to part with Victoria magazine--the original version, and the reborn version, which are still very good. But the Teatime, Country Almanacs, and other magazines are history. And I've been able to part with most of the English magazines, too.
Now that those shelves are almost empty, I can put more of my Mum's cookbooks away. They've been sitting on the floor in the living room for more than a year because ... SURPRISE! I find it very hard to part with books, too. (Hey, I'm an author. I know how much work goes into them!)
Mr. L was quite pleased when I first got on this purging kick. But recently he's hollered, "STOP CLEANING! Go write something." And so ... this blog post.
What's piling up in your home that you find hard to part with?
When I was growing up, my parents subscribed to two newspapers and lots of magazines, and there were bookshelves FULL of wonderful books to dip into. There was always something to read. (Sadly, my brothers didn't take to reading as much as me.)
During high school, I did a lot of extra credit "reading" projects. I would take a couple of magazines with me on babysitting gigs, read them, and then summarize the articles. No wonder I always got an A in English class. I mean, once the kids were in bed I'd be sitting there for hours with nothing to do but read the magazines. (This was in the days before a million TV channels on cable.)
My Mum was a bit of a packrat (which explains why it took me nearly a year to clear out her house), and one of the things she kept was magazines. Is it any wonder I do the same? But I've been watching all these organization videos on Youtube (like At Home with Nikki and the Messy Minimalist) and one thing they all stress is "magazines have gotta go!" Man, they're ruthless about it!
I mostly collect--er, read home decorating magazines. I currently get English Home, Romantic Homes, Victoria, This Old House, HGTV, Food Network, and Women's World. I used to get a LOT more. Mum used to love to visit Barnes and Noble and their magazine section because she could get a lot of different English magazines. (My Mum and Dad both came from England.) After she'd read them, she passed them on to me. And because they were so expensive ($8 or $9 each) it felt terrible to throw them away. So I kept them. And kept them. And kept them. Along with most of the other magazines.Mind you, I wasn't the only one hoarding magazines. When we moved here, we also moved in boxes and boxes of National Geographic that Mr. L had been saving since his first issue. But one year for Christmas, my mother gave me a CD boxed set of all the National Geos from day one until present and Mr. L said, "I can part with the paper copies." And he did. And now he reads them and puts them in the recycle bin. Um, it's taken me another ten years to get that far.
But, I'm on this purging kick, so last week I started looking at the old issues of these piles and piles of magazines, determined to pull out the articles and recipes that interested me and chuck the rest. A funny thing happened. I wasn't pulling out all that many articles. Why? Because during the intervening years, my taste in home decorating had changed. Suddenly the recycle bin was FULL of just magazines. (And boy are they heavy to haul down to the end of the driveway for the recycling truck.)
There are keepers. I'm not giving up my old copies of Taste of Home magazine. We're talking the years before Readers Digest bought them out. When they were charming. I do have most of the yearbooks of recipes, but I enjoy re-reading the articles. (Um, I have two sets of those. Here and at our cottage.) So far, I've been unable to part with Victoria magazine--the original version, and the reborn version, which are still very good. But the Teatime, Country Almanacs, and other magazines are history. And I've been able to part with most of the English magazines, too.Now that those shelves are almost empty, I can put more of my Mum's cookbooks away. They've been sitting on the floor in the living room for more than a year because ... SURPRISE! I find it very hard to part with books, too. (Hey, I'm an author. I know how much work goes into them!)
Mr. L was quite pleased when I first got on this purging kick. But recently he's hollered, "STOP CLEANING! Go write something." And so ... this blog post.
What's piling up in your home that you find hard to part with?
February 14, 2018
Recipes, Recipes, Recipes!
by Karen Rose Smith
I’ve enjoyed cooking ever since I watched my mom, grandma and aunts do their magic in the kitchen. I remember the first meal I cooked when I was twelve—meat, potatoes, vegetable and cake for dessert—and how difficult I found the process to have all the food done at the same time! My mother was looking over my shoulder but I gained a new respect for the meals she cooked every day after a long day at school teaching third graders.
When I was a senior in college and sharing an apartment with three other girls, a few times a week I cooked supper for my fiance. It was a funny situation. At that time, guys couldn’t visit in our second floor apartment. So I would serve dinner on the top step! I often consulted with my mom about recipes and she always had good suggestions. I also got more creative on my own.
My mom kept recipe boxes. Most are hand written recipes but she also included recipes snipped from the newspaper or a magazine. Those boxes include instructions on how to make everything from basic pasta to lemon-honey syrup.
Every day I’m grateful that I have these boxes that were, in a way, the heart of my mom’s life. With a pure Italian background, she believed cooking food was showing love. She passed that belief down to me.
I’ve enjoyed cooking ever since I watched my mom, grandma and aunts do their magic in the kitchen. I remember the first meal I cooked when I was twelve—meat, potatoes, vegetable and cake for dessert—and how difficult I found the process to have all the food done at the same time! My mother was looking over my shoulder but I gained a new respect for the meals she cooked every day after a long day at school teaching third graders.
When I was a senior in college and sharing an apartment with three other girls, a few times a week I cooked supper for my fiance. It was a funny situation. At that time, guys couldn’t visit in our second floor apartment. So I would serve dinner on the top step! I often consulted with my mom about recipes and she always had good suggestions. I also got more creative on my own.
My mom kept recipe boxes. Most are hand written recipes but she also included recipes snipped from the newspaper or a magazine. Those boxes include instructions on how to make everything from basic pasta to lemon-honey syrup.
Every day I’m grateful that I have these boxes that were, in a way, the heart of my mom’s life. With a pure Italian background, she believed cooking food was showing love. She passed that belief down to me.
Love In Your Life
Okay, today is Valentine’s Day, a day for lovers but not just the couple variety. I’ve always felt V-day is about everyone we love and telling them how I feel.
This opinion hasn’t just come because there is no man in my life to celebrate with but years ago probably when I had my first child. I realized this day celebrated my love for her as well.
So why have a love day? I mean we love those in our loves all the time. So true but this reminds us to tell them. It’s a wakeup call or like getting hit with a pie in the face. Oh, yeah, I really do love all these people and I need to tell them.
In my parents generation saying I Love You didn’t come easy and it doesn’t for a lot of people so with this day you can do something, buy a card, make a special dish, leave a rose that conveys the message for you. And it makes you realize yes you do need to make those you love aware of how you feel and how much you appreciate them.
So here’s to Valentine’s Day, the day we celebrate those we love in our lives, the people and pets who make life good for us. Do something to let them know you care and are special to them.
This opinion hasn’t just come because there is no man in my life to celebrate with but years ago probably when I had my first child. I realized this day celebrated my love for her as well.
So why have a love day? I mean we love those in our loves all the time. So true but this reminds us to tell them. It’s a wakeup call or like getting hit with a pie in the face. Oh, yeah, I really do love all these people and I need to tell them.
In my parents generation saying I Love You didn’t come easy and it doesn’t for a lot of people so with this day you can do something, buy a card, make a special dish, leave a rose that conveys the message for you. And it makes you realize yes you do need to make those you love aware of how you feel and how much you appreciate them.So here’s to Valentine’s Day, the day we celebrate those we love in our lives, the people and pets who make life good for us. Do something to let them know you care and are special to them.
February 12, 2018
A Ticket to Ride----At Last!
by Maggie SeftonSerena and her fellow crew mates at the International Space Station training center in Russia.
[image error]
My NASA Astronaut daughter Serena (Dr. Serena Aunon-Chancellor) has finally gotten her "ticket to ride"----a trip up to the International Space Station (ISS) this coming June as part of Expeditions 56 and 57. She'll be part of a 3-person team which will include Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency) and Sergey Prokopyev of the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos).
The crew will participate in 250 research investigations during their six-month expedition. And there will be daily TV coverage on NASA TV as well as on various television stations around the U.S. and worldwide. There will also be an introductory news conference this Wednesday February 14 Live on NASA TV and streamed on the NASA website-----www.nasa.gov.
Here's a short graph from the NASA website:
"Originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, Auñón-Chancellor earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C, and a doctorate in medicine from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s McGovern Medical School. She was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2009, after coming to NASA in 2006 as a flight surgeon."
As a proud Mom, you can be sure that I will keep all of you wonderful Cozy Chicks readers and fans updated as the date of the launch draws nearer. Meanwhile, if you are interested, you can follow news of Serena and the upcoming Missions Expeditions 56 and 57 by following www.twitter.com/AstroSerena
February 11, 2018
CATS ARE PURRFECT FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Part One
By Mary Kennedy
I’m a writer, a psychologist, and a cat lover. And sometimes the three worlds mix. I created two fictional cats (Barney and Scout in the Dream Club Mysteries) and I have six adorable rescued cats at home. Both my fictional cats and my own fur babies have many traits in common; they spend their days bird-watching, playing and of course, sleeping. I always feel calm, centered and happy when I’m with my cats; there’s something peaceful and comforting about their presence.
When I visited an assisted living facility, I found myself chatting with the residents about animals. Everyone was eager to share stories about their pets and the nurses told me how much they enjoyed weekly visits from a therapy dog. But where were the therapy cats? A social worker admitted that no one had ever suggested it and she seemed surprised that so many of the residents were confirmed cat lovers. If a dog can be a therapy animal, why not a cat? I wondered.
I quickly decided that this was a project I could tackle. The first question I asked myself was this: would any of my own cats work out as a therapy cat? I took a long look at my unruly brood. (I have six indoor cats and two of them are semi-feral). One of them, a large orange tabby named Henry, was practically a sociopath until I tamed him. I called him "Gladiator Cat" because he would dash inside the house, eat dinner, terrorize my cats and run back outside. No manners at all! But no worries, all that changed when I kept him in the house all the time and socialized him. He is a changed cat!
Damian, a black cat, has a sweet personality, but dislikes being picked up and squeals noisily in protest. He loves to explore and wouldn't sit calmly in anyone's lap.
Calpurnia, a stunning calico, is simply too skittish and it’s almost impossible to catch her. I found her when she was four months old and I’ve never been able to really socialize her.
I went down the list of the other cats and made an executive decision. Only one of my cats would be suitable; a sweet, mild-mannered female cat I rescued from a vacant lot. Snow white, with an alert, intelligent expression, “Lucky” was one of the most laid-back cats I’ve ever owned. I decided to try her out right away as a “therapy cat.” Admittedly, it would have been better if I could have found a training group for her, but at that time, none existed, so I had to wing it.
I put a bright scarf on her neck and brought her with me the next time I visited. Lucky was a huge hit. I took her in to see the Director of Admissions and she was amazed that Lucky sat quietly next to me on the sofa while we chatted. Once I had the green light, I took her onto the unit. The residents took turns holding her, petting her and telling her what an amazing cat she was. Lucky loved every minute of it. Once I’d broken the ice with Lucky, it opened the door for other cat visitors.Next Monday, I'll give you some tips on how to do therapy visits with your cat. Stay tuned!
Mary Kennedy
I’m a writer, a psychologist, and a cat lover. And sometimes the three worlds mix. I created two fictional cats (Barney and Scout in the Dream Club Mysteries) and I have six adorable rescued cats at home. Both my fictional cats and my own fur babies have many traits in common; they spend their days bird-watching, playing and of course, sleeping. I always feel calm, centered and happy when I’m with my cats; there’s something peaceful and comforting about their presence.
When I visited an assisted living facility, I found myself chatting with the residents about animals. Everyone was eager to share stories about their pets and the nurses told me how much they enjoyed weekly visits from a therapy dog. But where were the therapy cats? A social worker admitted that no one had ever suggested it and she seemed surprised that so many of the residents were confirmed cat lovers. If a dog can be a therapy animal, why not a cat? I wondered.
I quickly decided that this was a project I could tackle. The first question I asked myself was this: would any of my own cats work out as a therapy cat? I took a long look at my unruly brood. (I have six indoor cats and two of them are semi-feral). One of them, a large orange tabby named Henry, was practically a sociopath until I tamed him. I called him "Gladiator Cat" because he would dash inside the house, eat dinner, terrorize my cats and run back outside. No manners at all! But no worries, all that changed when I kept him in the house all the time and socialized him. He is a changed cat!
Damian, a black cat, has a sweet personality, but dislikes being picked up and squeals noisily in protest. He loves to explore and wouldn't sit calmly in anyone's lap.
Calpurnia, a stunning calico, is simply too skittish and it’s almost impossible to catch her. I found her when she was four months old and I’ve never been able to really socialize her.
I went down the list of the other cats and made an executive decision. Only one of my cats would be suitable; a sweet, mild-mannered female cat I rescued from a vacant lot. Snow white, with an alert, intelligent expression, “Lucky” was one of the most laid-back cats I’ve ever owned. I decided to try her out right away as a “therapy cat.” Admittedly, it would have been better if I could have found a training group for her, but at that time, none existed, so I had to wing it.
I put a bright scarf on her neck and brought her with me the next time I visited. Lucky was a huge hit. I took her in to see the Director of Admissions and she was amazed that Lucky sat quietly next to me on the sofa while we chatted. Once I had the green light, I took her onto the unit. The residents took turns holding her, petting her and telling her what an amazing cat she was. Lucky loved every minute of it. Once I’d broken the ice with Lucky, it opened the door for other cat visitors.Next Monday, I'll give you some tips on how to do therapy visits with your cat. Stay tuned!Mary Kennedy
February 10, 2018
When it all starts coming together
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Hi, Kathy Grant here. Just popped in to tell you what I've been up to since the holidays.
In case you didn't hear, that was when the big storm hit, the power went out, and my unfinished, not-ready-for-prime time inn suddenly had to host Christmas dinner. Luckily I installed a big, fat generator, and a good time was had by all--especially me after an impromptu treasure hunt.
Wish an influx of cash, I've been working hard to keep my soon-to-open B&B, Swans Nest, on track. There's lots left to do, but the structural work is pretty much done. Soon it will be time to decorate.
When I bought it, Swans Nest was a wreck, but with the help of my friend and contractor, Anissa Jackson, we've bought it back to life. Part of the fun was going to architectural salvage places trying to match up flooring, tile, and woodwork. When we couldn't do that, Anissa found a way to replicate it. She's worth ten times what I've been able to pay her, but she keeps telling me that Swans Nest is her portfolio piece, and that it will bring her lots of work in the future. 
My BFF, Tori Cannon, has helped when she can, but luckily she's been gainfully employed. In fact, she's been keeping both of us afloat while I've worked on my B&B. She was my college roommate, and we're roommates once again. I live in her house--the one her Gramps sold her for a dollar--and she substitute teaches while she waits for spring to come to reopen Cannon Bait & Tackle. (I don't know how she handles those worms, spikes, and other icky stuff. I sure couldn't!)But even though it's only February, I'm counting the days until the first weekend in May when I'll be open for business. I hope you'll come and see Swans Nest when I welcome my very first customers.
Until then, keep warm, stay safe, and count the days until Swans Nest opens. I know I will.
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The Lotus Bay Mysteries currently contain the stories, Panty Raid, With Baited Breath, and Christmas At Swans Nest. For more information, just click on those titles.
