Cats aren’t always easy to read
“Most of the cats are under the beds,” said Kurt, our occasional roommate, and consistent pet-sitter. Andy and I are vacationing in South Lake Tahoe, and Kurt had called with an update on our cats.
“Jimi is the only brave one who’s walking around.”
Sometimes the cats go under the bed when it’s hot, so that could be the reason for Allie going deep undercover. Carlos is afraid of Kurt, so he’s hiding, and Josie is probably pissed off that I’m not there at the ready to supply kisses and cuddles.
We’ve had Carlos for almost a year, and we’ve…
It would make everything better
Did you know tiger pee smells like buttered popcorn? Yes, the treat most of us enjoy at the movies or watching T.V. at home, and tiger urine smell alike.
Do you know what cat pee smells like? Not popcorn, candy, nachos, or any other treat you’d get at the movies. If your cat is healthy, their pee smells like something acidic that’s gone bad.
If your cat is a sprayer and uses their pee to warn or mark their territory, the smell is even worse. …
A tiny bit of mystery is the secret to compelling writing
“Everyone needs a little mystery, and you, Christine, have none,” my mother said to me several times. And it’s true; I have very little mystery as a person and even less as a writer. I tend to be of the TMI School of Writing, where I reveal a little too much, give too many details, and roam into uncomfortable territory.
I’ve published pieces that were too intimate and revealing, and I regret they’re out there forever. I realize I did myself a disservice because when you give everything away, how do you keep your readers engaged?
I blame personal essays…
Did you think they were staring at you because you fascinate them?
I’m in my office, and Carlos, our cat, is asleep underneath the fan in the window. Kurt, our roommate/friend, comes in, and we start catching up as he’s rarely here.
I notice Carlos’ ears twitching and that he’s no longer in a deep sleep. I get increasingly anxious with each sentence until Kurt and I move to another room to carry on our conversation. Did I do this because of my own free will, or did Carlos use his amazing cat-mind-control powers? I believe the latter is the answer.
Cats may look innocent enough, but they’re cleverer and more devious…
How I proved myself to be a true fan of Stevie Nicks
Before Coachella, but after Woodstock, there was Day on the Green, a series of all-day concerts in the Bay Area. And only was I able to go to one of these legendary shows, but because of some creativity of my part, I was able to turn seeing Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks live for the first time into a momentous life event.
Stevie Nicks has been my idol ever since I brought home the self-titled Fleetwood Mac album. While I listened to it repeatedly, I studied the liner notes as thoroughly it was as if I were looking for clues…
They’ve hurt you enough already
My mother has been using the silent treatment on me for as long as I can remember. Like many narcissists, the silent treatment was an effective way for her to punish, control, and manipulate me, and she continues to use this tactic to this day.
She often writes letters to former friends or family members to let them know she’s not speaking to them, which is, in fact, speaking to them in written form. She ignores her neighbors on the street or refuses to speak to me after I’ve done something she feels is disrespectful to her.
The silent treatment…
Be as supportive to your friends as they are to you
I’m cynical when someone I barely know tries to friend me on Facebook. I immediately assume they’ll want something from me in the future and that their request has very little to do with me or my friendship.
I want to say, “Okay, I’ll add you, and when you ask me to contribute to your fund-raising page, watch your indy film, see your show, go to your art exhibit, or read your words, I’ll do so, but I’d appreciate it if you’d show me some support in return.
Think of it as a barter system of time and energy. It’s…
And why is there an Amelia Earhart day?
This photograph is from the Harris & Ewing collection at the Library of Congress
The Amelia Earhart story has something for everyone: mystery, invention, and perseverance headed up by a strong woman. Amelia Earhart not only created world records, but she also broke them.
I’ve been fascinated by her since I was a little girl — once, I even wanted to go as Amelia Earhart for Halloween, but all the vintage aviatrix costumes must have been sold out because I went as a cat instead.
A simple answer to who Amelia Earhart was is that she was an aviation trailblazer…
They think about some of the same things that you do
In the cartoon world, owls are portrayed as the big thinkers in the animal kingdom. They’re often drawn wearing glasses, and the sound “Who” is thought to be the owl questioning everything. Owls are known for being wise, having a high intellect, and being able to reason.
Cats are bigger thinkers than people give them credit for, and sure, cats have a brain that’s approximately the size of a walnut, but that doesn’t mean they don’t think things over, contemplate, and lowkey strategize.
Cat thinks all kinds of thoughts even if they don’t share those thoughts with us, their human…
I’d do it again
“Did you think you could come in here and pretend that you didn’t just cheat on me?” Carlos said.
He had taken one whiff of my finger and got an unpleasant look on his face as if my finger was orange-scented. His whiskers were twitching, his tail was thumping, and he was clearly pissed off.
“What did you think I wouldn’t notice? I can smell them all over you. You’ve been with other cats, and you’re not even sorry about it.”
He was right. I don’t know why I thought I could get away with it. I’d spent a lovely…
Christine Schoenwald
Writer for The Los Angeles Times, Salon, The Startup, Tenderly, Fearless She Wrote, MuddyUm. Christineschoenwaldwriter.com
