When she arrived at her new home with Kacy Cooney a year ago, then-three-month-old Cameo was distressed. She didn’t know where she came from—maybe Alabama, maybe Mississippi; she didn’t know her mama—she was one of two litters nursed by one mama when the other died; she arrived at the rescue site in a Chick-fil-A drinkContinue reading “Cameo Finds Solace”
Category Archives: Writing
Molly and the Feline Siam
When Siam arrived in our household, he let us know he didn’t belong. “I want to be a terrifying tiger,” he mewed from what has become his favorite spot on the sun-drenched ottoman. His voice was so high-pitched I almost couldn’t hear it. Could it be that I imagined it? While I pondered that possibility,Continue reading “Molly and the Feline Siam”
Waiting for Angels
“Angels?” Miss Kitty asked when I suggested she might like Odyssey of Angels by Joan La Blanc. She accepted the book and then looked at me with more antipathy than confusion. “I thought you meant the Christmas kind. You know, with wings and harps. I’m ready for mistletoe and holly. Not nurses on a mission.”Continue reading “Waiting for Angels”
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”
Succeeding at a Creative Challenge
When I visited neighbors Nancy and Vince Baclawski recently to share my May 25 feature in the Florida Weekly, co-bloggers Rocky (top) and Beamer insisted on reading the newspaper before Nancy and Vince could get their hands on it. Editor Cindy Pierce had interviewed me in conjunction with a story I had entered in lastContinue reading “Succeeding at a Creative Challenge”
All That Remains Is to Read
Mickey, who lives with Nancy and Rick Blanchett, is enjoying his copy of All That Remains, a collection of my short stories, now available on Amazon for $1.99. But he got his copy free by visiting http://www.PattiMWalsh.com. That’s right. Free. All That Remains is a book about ordinary—and some extraordinary—folks overcoming adversity. From the brokenheartedContinue reading “All That Remains Is to Read”
Feline Rescues and Readers
Blogger Nina Cat died of acute respiratory failure on November 5, 2021, after 18-plus years with us. Like Ron and her brother Nino, Nina was family. She was also the inspiration behind this blog. When I saw her snuggled up with So You Want to Live in Hawaii, by Toni Polancy, I knew she wasContinue reading “Feline Rescues and Readers”
Rising Weekly to a Writing Challenge
When the Florida Weekly comes out on Wednesdays, this household looks forward to reading it. In addition to a cover story on a local trend that ranges from demographics and wildlife to ecosystems and the economy, the newspaper lists arts, music, and food events in South Florida. Nina likes the crossword puzzle; Bob, the restaurantContinue reading “Rising Weekly to a Writing Challenge”
She’s Resting on My Laurels
When I received notice on August 1 that my middle-grade novel Ghost Girl is a semifinalist in the 2021 Royal Palm Literary Awards competition, I immediately added the honor to my resume and the badge to my digital accounts. Sponsored by the Florida Writers Association, the annual awards recognize “extraordinary writing” in about 30 genres.Continue reading “She’s Resting on My Laurels”
The Pink Slippers
“The Pink Slippers,” by Patti M. Walsh, will be published in “Footprints,” the Florida Writers Association’s collection book, in October 2021. “Cathie?” Surprised that my neighbor had hailed me by name on such a cold evening, I pivoted toward his raspy voice, then hesitated. Mindful of the thin layer of ice beneath my feet, IContinue reading “The Pink Slippers”
What the Cats Are Reading 