Jinx Yengst likes to read about the cardinals, finches, and other birds in his dog- (eh, cat-) eared Golden Guide: Birds. Not only does he like to learn about them as he watches from his favorite cat seat, but he also likes to chirp—or is it chatter? chitter? trill? Or is he reading aloud toContinue reading “What the Ek? Prey-ing for Birds”
Author Archives: Patti M. Walsh
Puzzling the Pieces
Like many puzzle aficionados, Beamer Baclawski spent January 29, National Puzzle Day, working on a jigsaw puzzle. “Why would anyone cut up a perfectly good picture only to reassemble it?” he asked, though he didn’t pause his nifty paws work to puzzle an answer. Anyone familiar with jigsaws would recognize the enigma of the puzzle—itContinue reading “Puzzling the Pieces”
Fostering a New Habit
Any cat can tell you that a comfortable habit is hard to break. Miss Kitty, for example, loves to lounge on the lanai with a favorite book. Not that she has the time to read it, mind you. She’d like to, but life is complicated. There are so many other things to do, you know.Continue reading “Fostering a New Habit”
Hungry for a Good Story
When Mickey Blanchette saw my copy of The Hunger, he misread the title as “I’m Hungry”—an understandable error for a feline with an ample waistline. And while the book features no cats, it does feature Mutt, a family dog. Mickey approved of that. The Hunger, a fictionalized first-person account of the 14-year-old Philly McCormack, detailsContinue reading “Hungry for a Good Story”
A New View of Old Birds
While engaged in her favorite pastime of backyard birdwatching, Miss Kitty found herself distracted by a copy of Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird that I had left for Tania and Nancy, Kitty’s humans. Naturally assuming it was a field guide to her fine-feathered friends, Kitty pawed through the pages. Finding neither pictures nor plates, however,Continue reading “A New View of Old Birds”
What the Cats Are Singing
You may find yourself dancing to what the cats are singing.
The Declaration of Independence
July 4. Independence Day. The Cats are reading the Declaration of Independence. Of course!
Crack, Bam, Dot—Creating Chaos Out of Colorful Order
When a neighbor recently invited me to play mah jongg, I balked. Having played once, more than a decade ago with my friend Claire, I didn’t want to appear foolish. So, I sought out Mr. Beamer Baclawski. He’s a fanatic, doesn’t suffer fools quietly, and did teach me to play Rummikub. I started with theContinue reading “Crack, Bam, Dot—Creating Chaos Out of Colorful Order”
Scrubbing for Wildlife
Mickey Blanchett takes after housemate Rick when it comes to observing birds. On a recent bus trip organized by the Calusa Nature Center to the Archbold Biological Station in Venus, Florida, Rick spotted horned owls, swallow-tailed kites, and caracara when everyone else saw cows. His wife, Nancy, is accustomed to people gathering around Rick whenContinue reading “Scrubbing for Wildlife”
Going Head-to-Head with Manatees
Pukka is not a people-friendly feline—unless, of course, he’s snuggling up with his housemates, Martha and Rick. Only then does he allow his true cat-onality to express itself. His prevalent feral spirit involves patrolling his environment, bringing home small rodents, and indulging a curiosity with another primitive mammal—the manatee. Not that Pukka would actually jumpContinue reading “Going Head-to-Head with Manatees”
What the Cats Are Reading 