Heat Waves, Cats, and Concerts

Posted on September 30, 2026 by Pamela Knudsen

It’s been too darn hot, as the song goes! Something is definitely going haywire with the weather when it reaches 90 degrees at the beach, and over 100 just a few miles up the road in the canyon. Mother Nature’s hot flashes have made it challenging to stay cool in a 104-year-old cottage with no air conditioner. Open windows haven’t offered much relief as the ocean’s breezes had even stopped blowing. We’ve relied on the ceiling fan and a small desk fan for relief, but the high humidity left me feeling damp most days. One evening as I was getting ready to attempt sleep, my weather app indicated that it was 83 degrees at 10:00 p.m. The quiet desk fan next to my bed saved me.

Samantha spent most of her late-summer days stretched out on the hardwood floor, ditching her usual cozy spots on the rugs. I’d get up in the mornings to find Samantha sleeping on the floor under the wafting air of the ceiling fan, her demanding cries for breakfast silenced as she slept in. Clearly, the heat was wearing on her energy.

So, what better way to spend hot summer evenings than at an outdoor concert by the sea? John and I recently attended a couple of the Friday night Sunset Serenade concerts in Heisler Park, sponsored by the city of Laguna Beach. We were dazzled by the clear skies and blue ocean (the marine layer often settles in at dusk, even this time of year), and the soulful melodies of our amazing local musicians. At the first concert we attended, while settling into our lawn chairs and pouring wine (allowed only at these concerts), I scanned the lively crowd, taking in the range of music lovers, from toddlers bouncing to the beat to folks singing along and swaying to the melodies when my gaze froze upon a music lover of a furry kind.

The couple in front of us had a cat in a harness and leash who was lounging on their blanket. I’ve never seen a cat so chill in a crowd. I thought he (I assumed boy and was right) might be on gabapentin. After I spied the kitty, he looked at us then sauntered over to our blanket and reclined next to John. Perhaps it was the Turkish Van breed, or that the cat just digs great music, he was naturally relaxed and comfortable in a crowd. The cat’s mom shared with us that she adopted Jasper from the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. He’d been hit by a car, had hip replacement surgery then recovered at the shelter until she adopted him about a year ago. Incredible! I shared that Samantha came to me from the same shelter recovering from bladder stone surgery. The beauty of community.

The following Friday at another Sunset Serenade concert, we sat next to Jasper who was just hanging out, taking in the vibes of scene. Get to know cool cat Jasper on Instagram: @hipcatjasper.

On another note, my passion for cottage living is being chronicled in my new blog, “Cottage Memoirs,” which can be read on my author website: pamelakknudsen.com. Discover the challenges and enchantments of living in a century-plus old cottage in a historical subdivision by the sea.

Fourth of July Get-Away: Club Cat and Idyllwild

Posted on July 18, 2026 by Pamela Knudsen

The 4^th of July has been traumatic for Samantha Jo, living two blocks from one fireworks show and one mile from another. Gabapentin, flower essence calming spray and ambient music have not been able to quell her fear of booming fireworks and their shockwaves that shake the cottage. Last 4^th, we took her to a pet-friendly hotel, but the room smelled like pet pee and chemicals, and ongoing noisy chatter of guests in the hallway drove us out and back home after fireworks shows were over. This year—I finally got it right. I booked a stay for Samantha at Club Cat, a luxury feline-only boardinghouse, or as I call it, a fancy cat hotel. She would be in a peaceful environment away from the fireworks and loud partygoers in my neighborhood. My only concern was how Samantha would feel being dropped off in a strange place, albeit well appointed, but still—away from home and from me.

We were greeted at the front door by manager, Destiny, and after going over feeding instructions and checking in with staff member, Drew, we were ushered to the “Romeow and Juliet” deluxe suite where Samantha would reside for the next few days.

Each suite is named after a literary classic with a feline spin in the title. Their eight-feet high ceilings provide perching places and a cozy bay window above the entry door, making for a comfy stay.

I brought Samantha’s scratching post, her favorite toys, a blanket, and my pillowcase for an added sense of solace. She looked around the room, wide-eyed and curious, showing no signs of anxiety. My fears of Samantha feeling abandoned were alleviated. I reassured her I’d be back in a just a few days, after the loud noises are gone then hugged and kissed her goodbye.

One of the features Club Cat offers is an app to a live webcam to your cat’s suite. The moment we were in our room at Tahquitz Pines Retreat I had to check on Samantha. There she was, peering out the door of her suite, looking peaceful. We checked the webcam several times a day over the weekend, which provided such relief. Sammy was either sitting by the door, eating, reclining on her blanket atop a cushioned seating area or sleeping. Not once did she appear anxious or scared.

Meanwhile in Idyllwild, a rustic small town in the San Jacinto Mountains, John and I had the best Fourth of July without fireworks! We sipped wine while listening to live music at Middle Ridge Winery, had savory breakfasts at Red Kettle Restaurant and delicious dinners at Café Aroma and Restaurant Gastrognome. We cheered at the Fourth of July parade and explored art galleries, tea houses, antique shops, boutiques, and one of my favorite places, the Idyllwild Gardens nursery.

On Monday morning, I entered Samantha’s suite to nonstop meows. She was happy to see me, and I was thrilled to see her in good spirits. Club Cat sent us off with a darling matted photo of Samantha and a pack of “I love you” catnip.

Thank you, Club Cat! Samantha Jo will see you next July 4^th…

Visit Club Cat’s website, clubcatusa.com to learn about all the features this fabulous feline hotel offers!

Shana Martin-Club Cat Founder/Owner

The Baby Bird Incident – Part I

Posted on June 13, 2026 by Pamela Knudsen

“Nestled in your wings, my little one / Is special, morning brings another sun
Tomorrow, see the things that never come today”

Lyrics from “Bird” by Neil Young

Spring ushered an assortment of songbirds into the yard in multitudes this year. I don’t recall ever seeing as many house finches, bells vireos, house wrens, and those loudmouth crows congregating in the trees. An especially rare treat is the beautiful blue bird couple that visit every day, who enjoy the birdbaths and sunning on tree branches.

Photo courtesy of John Ford.

Photo courtesy of John Ford.

The songbirds’ melodic chirps and twitters begin just before dawn, followed by a mocking bird whose ongoing cacophony of vocalizations last into the evening. While perched on a telephone pole next to the cottage, the mockingbird moves to its avian hip-hop vocals, springing upwards in time with feather-spreading motions, like a pogo stick with wings. I cracked up the first time I saw his flamboyant performance. He got Samantha Jo’s attention while she was perched on the windowsill to the catio curiously staring at his antics.

For a couple of weeks, I watched a finch couple flitting from trees to the eaves above the living room windows. I suspected they were making a nest, and my suspicions were confirmed when I spied the female nestling in the eaves and the male perched in the near-by tree, seemingly on guard. A baby bird was on its way! For days the female routinely flew into the eaves where I would see her hunkered down in the nest. Then one day, I heard the sweet peeps of a baby bird. I wanted to get up onto my stepladder to get a glimpse of the hatchling, but on second thought, didn’t want to disturb the nest. Samantha also wanted to get a look—or get a hold of it.

Remnants of the nest in the upper right corner of the eaves above the window, and where Samantha perched with a close eye on the nest.

She perched on the porch railing that joined at the siding of the house, a straight shot below the nest then stretched upwards with all her might, clawing at the siding, but she was unable to reach the eaves. Her presence was disturbing the parents, who would come flying towards the nest, see Samantha then redirect their route back to the tree, waiting for her to leave. I put a potted succulent in Samantha’s perching spot, which kept her at bay…until it didn’t.

* * *

I was at my computer when I heard loud clattering coming from outside the living room window. I looked over my shoulder to see Samantha’s torso hanging in the window, front legs straight upward, hind legs and tail dangling. This sight only lasted for a moment as she quickly came crashing down, landing in the potted plants below the window. I rushed out to find her crawling up onto the porch, okay, but startled.

“Samantha! What the hell…?”

I looked up towards the eaves pondering what I just witnessed. I deduced that in her determination to get to that nest, she leapt upward with enough force to latch onto the edge of the eaves for two seconds before she lost her grip. I promptly lined the porch railing leading to the siding of the house with potted plants.

The baby bird, once again was safe from the beast.