Merry Christmas, everyone! I’m finally slowing down after a hustling and bustling past few months. I’ve got the rest of the week off from the corporate day job and look forward to visiting friends and family; but like an overstimulated feline who retreats to their safe place (box, cozy corner of the closet, or atop baskets under the console) I’ll also be retreating to the sofa with my latest good read in hand.

In 2026, I’m going to be sharing fascinating feline stories told to me by colleagues and friends over the past year. I’ve discovered cat lovers in cohorts who I’d no idea were into cats, and I’m amazed at the passion and love they have for their felines. Wait until you hear about the attorney from the California Department of Real Estate who went to great efforts to rescue abandon kitties in a Target parking lot, and the studio cat of local kiln glass artist.

Stay tuned, and in the meantime, I leave you with some Christmas cheer in the below poem I wrote a couple of years a go…

Catmas Eve at The Cottage

T’was the night before Christmas and the cottage was bustling
With kitty cat cries and Cat Lady hustling,
Baking cookies, brewing tea and happily dancing,
As her kitty joined in, by joyfully prancing.

The twinkle lights hung in the garden with care,
As Cat Lady looked on hoping Santa Paws would soon be there.
When startled by a clatter that filled the room,
She turned to see her floof flitting around, zoomy, zoom, zoom!

The kitchen cupboard was open, catnip spilled all around,
Cat Lady laughed at the scene, while kitty rolled on the ground.
The ginger floof frolicked in catnip with glee,
With her teacup now dry, Cat Lady announced, “It’s time for whiskey!”

Cat Lady sipped her nightcap as she gazed at the moon,
Wondering if the arrival of Santa Paws would happen sometime soon.
Suddenly in the dark, outside the French door,
A sound so startling, kitty flew across the hardwood floor.

Cat Lady and kitty peered out the window seeking to see,
What caused such noise, oh my—could it be?
Then what they heard caused no doubt in their minds,
“Meowy Catmas to all!” rang out a voice boisterous and kind,
Then he was off in a flash, flying high up above,
Leaving the best gift of all, the presence of love.