Upbeat Cat News–Max the Cat Graduates with Doctoral Degree

Love this story of Max, the cat, earning a Doctoral Degree at Vermont State U at Castleton after 4 years hanging around the campus.

According to the story, he was friend to every student, helped to keep their anxiety level down, consoled and maybe even counseled them during rough times and just made the campus a more pleasant place to be.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/cat-roams-university-campus-4-173249442.html (copy and paste the link). I think you’ll enjoy the story.

Posted in About Cats, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Big Day in the Klepto and Calico Cat Mystery Factory

We’ve just published our 90th book in the factory–Number 70 in the Klepto Cat series.

This one’s fun because the cover features a photo I took of the cat-model for these stories. This is Smokey aka Rags. chasing a bee in my mother’s garden.

In this story Craig and Iris’s new home is finally a reality and they plan a housewarming, but someone or some thing is attempting to quash their dreams. Their peace and safety are at risk also at risk so they summon the sheriff’s department and solicit the assistance of a psychic to help unravel the growing mystery. When all else fails, they bring in Rags to sniff out the trouble, and sniff, he does, eventually leading Craig to the culprit. this story takes readers on some unexpected excursions. No worries though, Rags also brings us to a happy surprise ending.

Available in kindle and print at Amazon.com. Order your kindle or print copy of Claws and Effect TODAY!

Posted in Announcement, Cat Books | 2 Comments

Keeping Up With Cat Holidays

Today is one of my favorite cat holidays. In fact I like it so much that I indulge in it every day of the year. It’s International Hug Your Cat Day. Can you imagine all of the kitty-cat hugs going on this week and probably every day of the year if you’re as huggie with your cat as I am.

But imagine the thousands of cats that won’t get a hug or even a brief petting or a second look today or any day of any week—the homeless and lost cats. And folks they’re everywhere—in every country, state, community, and neighborhood. And there are thousands of people working tirelessly to make life better for as many of those cats as is possible.

Yes, there are sad stories of cats that may never experience the love and caring of a human. But there are maybe as many stories of cats being rescued, protected, cared for, and loved. Let’s hope that all cats experience safety and love in 2024.

June is National Adopt a Cat Month. This is a great opportunity to spread the word about the joy of bringing a cat into your home, donate to your favorite rescue organization, help to socialize rescued cats, and even adopting one yourself. Some shelters even lower their fees for adoption this month—but if you can pay something, it’s always greatly appreciated and well-used for the care and protection of cats.

June is a good month to step up and give to the care of cats in any way you can. And don’t forget to spread the word through social media, word of mouth in your community, letters to the editor, church bulletin, podcasts, blog—whatever means you have at your fingertips. Cats, in my world, are love. Let’s love them back.

Posted in About Cats, Cat Rescue | Leave a comment

Most Asked Question: Will You Write More Rags and Olivia Stories?

Some of Rags’s and Olivia’s fans are so attached to the Klepto Cat and Calico Cat stories that they fear each new book is the last. So one of the most asked questions I get is not, “Will the price go up?” it’s “Will you write more books?”

The answer is yes. I plan to continue until I can no longer sit at the computer or see the computer screen or function at the computer. You see, I enjoy writing the stories maybe as much as Olivia’s and Rags’s devout readers enjoy devouring them.

So what’s happening this month in the Klepto Cat and Calico Cat Mystery Factory? On the last day of April we published Olivia’s 20th edition, “Olivia Goes Undercover.” And I, and my team, have been feverishly working to bring you Rags’s 70th book, probably early in June. That’s 90 books in the last twelve years.

And what am I doing now as I wait for the ebook formatter to work her magic on Book 70? Well, I’ve already completed Olivia’s Book 21. It’s with the beta reader as I begin Rags’s Book 71 and look forward to my 84th birthday in a few weeks.

Have any of you read “Olivia Goes Undercover,” yet? Are you all caught up on the reading of these stories? Many readers go back and reread either their favorite Rags and Olivia stories or they read as many books in the series as they can while waiting for the next installments in the life of Rags, the Klepto Cat, and Olivia, the sassy-britches calico. Some fans claim they’re re-read the books numerous times.

Music to my ears. You, dear fans, are what keep me going—as well as my love for cats and the process of writing and producing books. Win! Win!

 

Posted in Announcement, New Klepto Cat Mystery | 3 Comments

How Olivia Spends Her Time Off

Olivia has a lot of toys–balls of various types, beanie babies, plastic spring-toys, wand toys, etc., but none are as precious to her as her finger-rockets. She dug one out of the grandkids’ toy box one day and it became her favorite toy. She bounces and leaps all over the place playing with that toy.

After a while the sponge started wearing out, but she still played with it. We decided she needed a fresh new finger rocket. So we bought a packet of them. They were delivered yesterday. Olivia actually ran to the door when she heard the package hit the porch. I brought it in and she was super interested in it. We opened it, removed the finger strap from one rocket thinking it might be a choking hazard and she grabbed that rocket and began to gleefully celebrate her good fortune to now have two of these spongy toys to bat around, toss in the air, and, yes, even hug. Happy calico! Happy mom and dad!

Posted in Activities for Cats, Living With Cats | 1 Comment

Catscapades Feedback

I’d like to thank those of you who commented on my post where I revealed my possible plan to end or cut back on my blog posting. I appreciate knowing that some of you read my posts and that you benefit from and enjoy them. With that in mind, I’ll consider continuing in some manner. As writers often do, I’ll go with my impulses and share what’s on my mind and in my heart maybe sporadically or not.

It appears that many of you are interested in Olivia and in my two mystery series, and I will keep that in mind as I plan occasional or frequent blog posts.

At any rate, you’ll receive notices of postings as usual. I hope you will click the link often and check out what’s happening at the Klepto Cat and Calico Cat Mystery factories and with Olivia and in the world of cats when I do post something on these topics.

This month, for example is National Pet Month. No one needs to tell loving pet owners how to celebrate with their precious cats, dogs, horses, hamsters or gold fish. Just keep giving them the best life possible with a whole lot of love.

I’m writing this during one of my favorite times to write—early-early on a Saturday morning with Olivia curled up and purring in my lap—my inspiration and my love.

What part of the day and activity do you enjoy most with your pet(s)?

 

Posted in Announcement | 2 Comments

Changes to the Catscapades Blog

You may have noticed my absence this week. Yeah, I’m getting kind of burned out on producing this 15 year old blog. For most of those years I posted 5 days a week, then I cut down to 3 days a week. While I’ve enjoyed bringing the blog to you, I’m also to the point that all I want to do is write–the books.

I’m considering keeping the blog alive–only posting just when I have an announcement: a new book, or something that interests me that I think might interest you.

Your feedback about this decision is welcome.

Posted in Announcement | 6 Comments

Meowy Monday – Taking a Time Out

Even a prolific and dedicated cozy mystery author must get away sometimes and leave her precious cat in the care of someone else. We were gone for a weekend to my granddaughter’s beautiful wedding.

I left behind my writing schedule and my sweet routine with Olivia and participated instead with family. It was a wonderful weekend. I’m home now giving Olivia all the cuddles she craves and enjoying her sweet affection and, yes, I’ll be diving back into my work.

Book 70 of the Klepto Cat Mysteries goes to the editor today and I’ll write chapter five and maybe six of Olivia’s Book 21 with her on my lap for inspiration and direction. I hope you all have enjoyed Olivia’s most recently adventures in Olivia Goes Undercover, Book 20.

Posted in Living With Cats | Leave a comment

Feline Fun Friday – New Calico Cat Mystery

Olivia reveals a well-kept secret hidden among the books.

Olivia and Parker are summoned to a mountain village with Jag and Archie to expose a mystery that’s plaguing a small bookstore. Nonnie and her pup, Louie, go along for the ride, and what a ride it is. They save an abused dog, rescue a woman and two feral cats after their car careens off a mountain road, and they discover that Nonnie has a history with Jag’s uncle, who has a cabin in the area. Meanwhile Olivia’s curiosity and instincts are at work unfolding the complicated and elusive bookstore mystery which takes some most unexpected twists. This story will hold your interest and pull at your heartstrings.

Readers Reviews

“These are very intriguing and entertaining stories.”

“The Calico Cat mysteries are always a good read.”

“These books are fantastic, Keep writing.”

“This is an awesome series.”

 

Posted in Announcement, Cat Books | Leave a comment

Paws Up for Wednesday—Olivia Turns Four Today

Four years ago (in 2020, during a world-wide pandemic) Olivia was born under a house in the Los Angeles area. When she was about six or seven weeks old she was trapped with other kittens—possibly her siblings—and transported to ResQcats in Santa Barbara to be cared for and hopefully adopted.

Jeffyne, who runs ResQcats knew we had just lost Lily and that we wanted to make a home for another needy cat, so she sent us a picture of Olivia. How could we resist that head tilt? There was no visiting kittens that year to see if there were any warm-fuzzy feeling between you and a cat or kitten. We had to make our decision on that picture and we said, “Yes.”

Before we could bring her home, however, her siblings came down with ringworm, which meant, she, too, had to be treated. So it was another couple of weeks before we could formally meet the kitten named Olivia.

Finally the day came. Believe it or not the exchange took place in a parking lot (of the local Humane Society). Olivia (who came with that name) had just been spayed and was coming out of the fog. We peeked through the holes in the carrier, confirmed our original decision and that day we brought Olivia home.

Needless to say she was a purr-fect fit for our household, which included a human surrogate mom and dad and an elderly tortie named Sophie.

Olivia was naturally frightened and unsure at first, but I believe our patience with her and Sophie’s presence helped her over the hump and she quickly became an active part of the family.

Today, Olivia is an only cat who is very much loved and doted on and she’s the star of my second cozy cat mystery series, the Calico Cat Mysteries. Book 20 of the Calico Cat Mysteries is due to be launched in a few days. So watch for the announcement. And by the way, Happy Birthday Miss Crossy-Paws, Fluffy-butt, Precious Olivia. We adore you and the way you adore us.

 

Posted in Announcement | 2 Comments