Category Archive for "Misc. Blatherings"

Autumn Update

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 0 Etsy, Feral Cat Crafts, Garden, Living in Michigan, Misc. Blatherings, Weather Update, Zines No tags Permalink

Holy cats, I’ve missed so many updates! As of yesterday, it is now officially autumn, so here is my autumn update covering what I did over the summer and what I have coming up.

Crafts

In my last update, July 7, I was working on items for the August Mutt Market. Mom broke her wrist and was in a brace for the market, and she didn’t get to work on all of the stuff she wanted to. Here’s my market prep video, and my market recap video. I did well with some things (a few purse charms, key rings, Blind Date with Books, and lip gloss key rings, making a total of $200. Other things, like all of the Halloween bracelet stacks, didn’t do well at all. I’ve got them up on my Etsy, and they still aren’t selling.

Honestly, if none of the Halloween stuff goes, I’ll break down the sets and give them in the staff member Halloween gift bags next month. I love making bracelets in general, and Halloween stuff in particular. I’m not sure why they aren’t selling. If you’re interested in Feral Cat Crafts, and whatever I’m doing with craft projects, the Facebook page for FCC is here.

Family

In July, Mom and I drove down to Bowling Green to see Aunt Suzie, Gail, and Sydney. I had such a great time! Love them so much. We were also fortunate to have a few coffee sessions with Cyn and Evan. And my monthly video calls with Amy and Kat bring so much joy. Bob and I worked on various small projects around the home, but really just enjoyed spending time together. It was a great summer.

Mom and I went on the annual Leila Arboretum Society Battle Creek Garden Tour again this year, and had an AMAZING time. You can see the video of the garden tour here. It gave me so many ideas, as well as recharging my soul. I used some of the inspiration to remake an old garden bed (photo of before and after, above). I made a full video as well, in case you want to see how it went. This summer was hot enough, but more than that, it was SO HUMID. The heat index was regularly over 100° and I felt like I was melting every minute. June and July were overly wet, and August was overly dry. The vegetable garden reflected the weirdness of weather, but the flower beds looked fantastic.

Zines and New Projects

I have been selling a good number of zines on my Etsy, and over the weekend I completed another one. It’s painted in gouache with added photos and hand lettering. I dropped it off at the printer, and should have it back this week and maybe get it up on Etsy over the next weekend. This one is about Halloween costumes, past and present.

My latest project is a new Etsy, separate from Feral Cat Crafts, called Whiskers & Words Book Club. Mostly, it’s a print on demand (POD) attempt, but there are some things like stickers and book marks. I’ll also make some bracelets (that probably won’t sell) and maybe have some Blind Date with Books or other items up there, too. The Facebook for Whiskers & Words is here, and I share all kinds of book things as well as doing my promotion for the Etsy shop.

I have a few October craft projects planned, and will hopefully get some YouTube videos up for those, too. It often seems like I’m managing quite a lot online, with multiple Instagrams, Facebook pages, and YouTubes. Any time you look for advice on why stuff on Etsy isn’t selling, it’s because you need to post more on your social media! I’m managing so many different things now, I probably need Chat GPT to put together a schedule for me. It sure would be nice to see some responses from what I’m putting together, at least. Is it all just going out into the nothing of the universe?

June Crafts

Monday, July 7, 2025 0 Feral Cat Crafts, Good Reads, Living in Michigan, Misc. Blatherings, Summer Reads No tags Permalink

I somehow missed all of June. It was super hot and even when it was in the 80s, the humidity just sucked the life out of everything. I did manage to get some crafts done somehow, so here are the June Crafts update. First, I kept making purse charms (see above). I mostly did a beach or coastal chic theme for them, but this one above is a pink coquette theme. I put them up on my Etsy, and have sold none.

I also made a ton of phone charms. I really like to make them, like the purse charms! I put them up on my Etsy, and again have sold none. I made one and did a tutorial for my YouTube channel (for the love of all that is holy, please please subscribe and if you watch a video, can you just like it? Please?), and put it on my own phone. It did hold up to the wear and tear, but it bugged me so much I took it off after about ten days. How do the young people manage to use phones with charms on them?

Here’s some more purse charms! Only these aren’t for the store. My dear friend Amy came for a short visit to the shelter on her way to vacation, and I made her a cat-themed purse charm and a dog-themed one for her sister Mary (with whom I was on the school paper, The Crystal, back in 1993). Seeing Amy was one of the highlights of my summer for sure.

Bob suggested I try making some bracelets, and so that is the plan for July. I’m making stacking bracelets, sets of threes. I’m also making some Halloween-themed bracelets, as I saw that people start searching Halloween stuff in July on Etsy. Will they sell? I don’t know. I like stackable bracelets, especially surfer or beach themed bracelets, but generally if it’s something I like, it might not sell.

I’m not officially doing a summer reads this year, but I have been reading. Since my last reading update, I’ve completed the following:

Hospital Hill by Katherine Anderson (hard copy)
The Long Walk by Stephen King (audible)
We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin (audible)
Paper Ghosts by Julia Heaberlin (audible)
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods (hard copy)

I’m most of the way through the audible format of Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd, and I’m getting ready to start Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann. The Long Walk was quite memorable and it’s coming out as a movie September 12. I’ve already forgotten what We Are All the Same in the Dark was about, though I know it was a murder mystery. Her Paper Ghosts was a murder mystery as well, and pretty good, about a woman who takes a suspected serial killer with dementia on her search to find out if he killed her sister, but I wonder if I will remember it in a few months. I felt the same about The Lost Bookshop, which was about 100 pages too long to get to the point it needed to make. Murder at Gulls Nest is about a nun who left her order to solve…you guessed it…a murder mystery! Again, kind of cute but probably will be forgettable after a few weeks. I need to update my reading journal and do a YouTube recording soon.

The Mutt Market is just over four weeks away. What all will I finish? I suppose some of it depends on how hot and humid my art space is. Last night it was over 80 degrees and I had two fans blowing on me. I managed to get a little work done, as it felt cooler in there than it had in the previous several days.

End of May

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 0 Etsy, Feral Cat Crafts, Kitty, Living in Michigan, Misc. Blatherings, Weather Update, Zines No tags Permalink

Suddenly, it’s the end of May. The month went super fast, as happens this time of year. Why doesn’t February or March go so quickly? Anyhow, the Whisker Mixer is over. My Blind Date with a Book basket (above) was really successful and went well over value. I’ve kept quite busy, working on items for the Mutt Market booth. I had three different varieties of bookmarks created, including this one:

I’ve been making purse charms of all varieties:

Charm bracelets and necklaces:

And key chain wristlets of several varieties, including silicone beads and the sewn ones I made last year:

I know, I know. The sewn ones didn’t sell last year. Maybe they will this year? I will be making matching airpod case pouches to go along with them. I also have plans to make larger, quilted pouches. I have yet to start any of those sewing projects as I’ve been busy with beads and charms. My plan is to get these up on Etsy, and maybe sell some before the Mutt Market. I’m back to watching tons of market and studio vlog videos on YouTube which always makes me think I could be successful, except the only thing I’ve been successful at selling are zines.

Speaking of, I did teach a zine class to four middle school students at the Marshall District Library this month. Those kids were so energetic and cute, and you know how I feel about kids in general. I’ve never seen anyone so happy about using old magazines for collage.

Morris came back to us. He was adopted out nine years ago. It’s an unfortunate situation.

Overall, May was more cold that average, with three days well below average. Mom and I did the greenhouses on the 21st and planted the cemeteries on the 23rd as Memorial Day was early this year, on the 26th. I planted our gardens on Memorial Day, and I’m crossing my fingers that we don’t get another frost as this upcoming few days are cold and rainy again.

April Update

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 0 Animals, Battle Creek, Crochet/Knitting, Kitty, Living in Michigan, Misc. Blatherings, Weather Update No tags Permalink

The most important April update? Spring is here! It actually looks and feels like spring now, and I feel like myself again. It surprises me how much of the year I don’t feel like myself at all because of the weather. I was meant to live in a world of 72 degrees and sunshine.

Bob and I were actually sick in April, for the first time in a long time. I was off sick from work two days. I also started the Aimovig self-shot for headaches and migraines. And guess what? It is working! It’s reduced my number of days with headaches by 2/3 and most of the days when I have a headache, it’s not a day-long thing. I’ve had two migraines in April, compared to 7 or 8 in March.

We snagged Tuxie #2, got him fixed and got him a home. Since then, we’ve seen two black cats and a tortie, but as of yet they are not coming around for treats.

With the reduction in headaches, I’ve had a weird mental clarity. This is how normal people live! I made this bracelet for a coworker, and will maybe make similar for the Mutt Market craft fair along with purse charms and lip gloss key chains.

I crocheted 11 cup cozies for the coffee pull for the upcoming Whisker Mixer. Then I worked on a shell-stitch sleeveless top which, when completed, will probably be too ugly to wear. Now I’m working on some crochet head kerchiefs for the Mutt Market craft fair.

I put together a basket called Blind Date with a Book for the Whisker Mixer. It has a bottle of wine, wine mug, two pairs of cozy socks, two packages of cookies, coffee, one of those thumb holder book openers, and a cute cat bookmark. The centerpiece of the basket is the blind book, pictured above. I had so much fun putting it together, I’m going to look at my book shelves at home and make six or so blind date books, and may put a few up on my Etsy. The bits and pieces to decorate it are inexpensive and I already have the books and would normally just donate them to Goodwill. This way, maybe I can make a few dollars and enjoy my creativity. I also have a pattern to make some box-shaped pouches for the Mutt Market, so I may give those a try.

Prep for the Whisker Mixer has been a nightmare with the venue. We actually had to change the date right before we sent out the invites. Ticket sales are slow, so I’m not really sure how everything will turn out. Fingers crossed.

It is nearly May. Cass’s 10th birthday is coming up May 6. I miss him so much. Looking forward to greenhouse day and cemetery day with Mom. I’m so glad spring is here!

Mid March Update

Friday, March 14, 2025 0 Animals, Art Projects, Crochet/Knitting, Living in Michigan, Misc. Blatherings, Painting, Weather Update, Zines No tags Permalink

It’s mid-March, and so it’s time for a Mid March Update. I’ve been working on various projects, and experiencing some bits of joy in between some mental issues most unpleasant. I’ll focus on the former here, and obsess about the later in a destructive manner of my own making.

Art

I’ve been making more Artist Trading Cards, both collage and some small paintings as well. My goal is maybe three painted ones a week, quick studies. Will I improve if I do this type of practice for a year? Probably not. The first three are pictured above. I rather like the one with ink on the right. I’ve used both the neocolor ii and gouache paint for them.

I finished the full-sized Who is Who zine and had 50 of them professionally printed. They are up in my Etsy store, where no one has purchased one. I have sold a couple more of the Cats zines though and might need to consider printing another round. Maybe I should just make zines about cats.

Crochet

I have almost finished the crochet baby blanket for a Board member who is going to be a grandma for the first time. It’s Lion Brand Ice Cream Baby Yarn, waffle stitch using a 5.0mm hook, and has a ripple edge. If I had yarn left and some ambition, I’ll make a hat to match. I also signed up to make eight or so crochet cup cozies for the Whisker Mixer coffee pull May 15. I can just about finish one in an evening.

Substack

I joined Substack. So far, I’m posting “interviews” with some of the shelter cats. I got one of those kiddie cameras that prints thermal black and white images for something new to play with, above. If you are interested in that kind of thing, check out my Substack here.

Misc. Other Stuff

Mom had cataract surgeries the end of February/beginning of March. She did great with the first one and hopefully will heal up with the second with no issues (we’re only a couple of days out). She can’t bend over for a week after each eye, so I’ve been on litterbox duty with Fanny, pictured above.

The weather has been a bit better, though still up and down. In the 70s today, very cold and maybe snow tomorrow. We are less than a week until the spring equinox, so the cold won’t last forever. The maple tree buds have started to pop and the pussy willows are out on the CWBP trails.

February Update

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 0 Art Projects, Etsy, Good Reads, Living in Michigan, Misc. Blatherings, Zines No tags Permalink

Holy cats, all of January has passed. Time for a February update. It has been a busy start to the year. I’ve kicked up my exercise routine, made significant changes to my eating, been reading and working on various projects. The weather has been rough for me. January was mostly below-average temperatures, including some single-digit highs. February is also expected to have mostly below-average temperatures. It is wearing on my soul, as often happens. I have seen flocks of robins here and there, and I suspect they aren’t enjoying it any more than I am.

Zines

So far in 2025, I’ve sold three zines on Etsy. I created the 2024 Year in Review zine (Detroit Lions had a great year, zine illustration above). I also made a fast mini-zine, Alternative Things to Celebrate in February Other Than Valentine’s Day that I included in my pen pal letters. I’m working on a mini zine on haikus, and I started the full zine about the World Health Organization. The Year in Review was professionally printed, and I will do the same for the W.H.O. zine.

One of the zine purchases was a lovely person who purchased my Cats mini zine and a sticker for her mom for Valentine’s Day. I wanted to do up a really nice package, so I made a little mini-journal as well:

If you would like to help me pay for my printing costs and receive a zine in the mail, check out my Etsy store here. All purchases get a few fun bonuses added. Maybe you’ll get some stickers, or a bonus zine, or an original Artist Trading Card!

Artist Trading Cards (ATCs)

You may recall in the past that I used to make and trade Artist Trading Cards, or ATCs. Or you might remember that I often make altered playing cards collage-style as a stress relief tool, and I even made a zine called Collage for Motivation (available on my Etsy store!). I am in an ATC group on Reddit and one on Facebook, and a few folks asked for trades so I sent out a few including these two (of three) from the series called My Blue Heart. The third one went in the Valentine’s Etsy order.

Valentine’s Projects

Speaking of Valentine’s Day, I always put together small packages of items for my staff members. I had been seeing these keychain charm lip balms on social media and on Etsy, and I decided to make some. It’s really fiddly work that requires good manual dexterity and good eyesight. I don’t have either of those things these days, so there’s a fair amount of frustration and swearing in the creation. I think they are cute, though. I hope the staff members like them.

Reading

Finally, the February update for reading. I’ve listened to two of the Murderbot series audio books by Martha Wells. They are sci-fi and really short, like four-hour listens. I love them! They were recommended to me by a pen pal and I recommend them as well. I also picked up Shadows in the Ward by one of my pen pals, Katherine Anderson. It is a super fast and fun spooky read.

Misc. Thoughts

January again was a rough month. We had lots of anticipation as to what would happen after the inauguration, and the results have been even worse than I could have expected. Each day reading the news is a new horror. We are living in some weird timeline, a Star-Trek mirror universe. It is not good. So for the end of this February update, I encourage you to take time to take care of yourself and feed your soul. Just like on Twin Peaks (Twin Peaks Day is February 24), each day give yourself a present. Don’t plan it. Don’t wait for it. Just let it happen.

Year’s End 2024

Tuesday, December 31, 2024 0 Animals, Misc. Blatherings No tags Permalink

Suddenly, we are at year’s end 2024. Mid-week New Year’s is odd, really. It gives a feeling of just wanting to get on with it already. Last night’s meltdown was remembering that, although I start the new year, Cass will remain forever in 2024. Nothing I can do about that.

The handsome buff cat above, wearing the bandage, is Bagel. He was a stray, feeding at a colony since October. In December he showed up with some pretty severe injuries from a likely dog bite, and we admitted him to our shelter. Since then, he’s had surgery to clean him up and neuter him, and he’s had his bandages changed out every other day or so. He is the world’s sweetest, softest cat.

I’m working on my bujo for next year. It won’t be completely ready by the start of the year, but it seems like a lot of things will work out that way for me. Year’s end 2024 just came up sooner than I expected. Maybe it was the late Thanksgiving. Maybe it’s that I’m older and time just moves like that now.

In 2024, we had the glory of breakdancing in the summer Olympics. A huge part of the maple tree fell on our roof. Biden halted his campaign for president, Trump was shot but survived, and Kamala Harris lost the election. I taught a couple of craft classes, sewed a bunch but sold very little for the Mutt Market, and made and sold zines. I did a great job with exercise and continued to work on not eating garbage all the time. The word of the year for me in 2024 was CREATIVITY and I think I achieved what I was looking for.

In 2025, I expect Trump will continue with policies and appointments that baffle the world. We will likely stop our support of Ukraine and that war may stop as a result. If that happens, it will be a win for tyranny. I hope to make more YouTube videos and make more zines. I hope to have a better sense of calm around me, as CALM is my word for the year.

If there is someone, anyone, out there continuing to read this blog and not just bots, my wish for you is a year of health and happiness.

It’s December!

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 0 Bullet Journal, Misc. Blatherings No tags Permalink

Holy crap, we missed all of November and now it’s December! This year, I really tried to get ahead on my tasks so I could enjoy some of the month. I started addressing work holiday greeting cards the end of November and had almost all of them written by December 1st. I’m about 3/4 of the way done with gift purchases. I’ve addressed all of our cards at home and have sent a few as well. My goal is to write four of them each night. All of that work has kept me from working on YouTube videos or, apparently, blog updates.

Slow Stitch Meditation Roll Class

The slow stitch class went well. A few of the participants have kept up with their scrolls after the class, so I consider that is a success. I continue to work on my own slow stitch rolls as I have time and energy. The process is so soothing.

Family Time

Mom and I met Martha and Marlene for lunch in Marshall. It was so nice catching up! There’s always more stuff to talk about than there is time to spend.

Reading Journal

I have been listening to audio books, and I though perhaps I should start a reading journal to write them down so I don’t forget what I’ve listened to. Plus, it’s a fun creative outlet that looks a little different than my regular bullet journal. I’ve added pages for all of the books I’ve listened to this year, which is not a lot. I will be starting my 2025 bullet journal after I finish holiday greeting cards.

YouTube Videos

I have plans for a few YouTube videos that I will record as soon as I have time. I had planned one on autumn fountain pen inks; all the inks are out on my desk but autumn is now over. I may wind up recording it soon anyway, because you can watch videos whenever. I will also be doing a video on the reading journal, and then a year-end bullet journal review with the preview of the next year’s journal.

The Election

The election did not turn out well for our side. The side that supports women’s and minority individuals’ rights. The side that is in favor of fact and science. Trump’s appointments have all been horrific, tied to the Project 2025. The next four years will bring much change, for the United States and likely the world.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Bob said he’s never had to take care of Thanksgiving dinner with a shovel before this year. We made dinner for Mom at our house. The turkey was done, the stuffing looked amazing, gravy ready, mashed potatoes ready. But when I took the dressing out of the oven, I briefly put it on the hot burner while trying to figure out where I had counter space to rest it. I then picked it up and it exploded tiny shards of glass everywhere. All of the food was ruined and there was glass all over the kitchen and out into the hall and eating area. We wound up serving turkey burgers and quinoa. It was a complete disappointment.

So yes, it’s December and time is running out on the year. Hope your December is off to a great start!

October Recap

Monday, October 28, 2024 0 audiobooks, Living in Michigan, Misc. Blatherings, watercolor, Zines No tags Permalink

Spooky season and the month of October has gone so fast; time for an October recap. This first photo reminds me of a stained glass window or an oil painting.

I was hoping to do something to, I don’t know, celebrate spooky season. But Halloween is three days away, so it’s all kind of missed me. I haven’t even watched a horror film. I did manage to put staff gifts together, which is always kind of fun. And I sent Halloween cards to family and friends.

I’ve been thinking of my 2025 goals and starting to think of putting together my new bullet journal. This thinking has led me to shut down my Etsy except for zines, and end the whole Feral Cat Crafts Facebook, Insta, plans for craft fairs, all of it. I did manage to get two mini-zines done this month. One is a memory zine, and the other is an instructional zine for the upcoming Slow Stitch Meditation Roll class I’m teaching at the senior center November 6. Both zines were colored with Caran D’Ache neocolor ii crayons, which I am absolutely loving. I guess you would call them watercolors, or maybe pastels?

We’ve been working on finishing up the roof project, and have started cleaning up the leaves. Soup day went well enough. I finished listening to the audiobook of “Slewfoot” by Brom, and started listening to “Fantasticland” by Mike Bockoven. Slewfoot started out pretty good, but I didn’t think the ending was great.

November will be busy, with starting to write out holiday greeting cards for work and home. I’ve got the aforementioned class I’m a bit worried about. And then there is Thanksgiving. I hope to have my holiday gift shopping done entirely by the end of November. Not sure what the election results will be, though everyone is a bit on-edge.

What are you working on?

Spooky Season Memories

Wednesday, October 2, 2024 0 Living in Michigan, Misc. Blatherings No tags Permalink

I love Halloween and all of spooky season. Mind you, I don’t like being scared. But I enjoy the costumes and the creativity of coming up with spooky themes and ideas. I haven’t had a creative outlet for this side of myself since the pandemic. So, now that it is October, I thought I’d share some spooky season memories from my glory days.

Costumes

I love a good Halloween costume. For the second year of the Trail of Terror, I had all of the guides dress up as ringmasters. It was awesome.

2019

In 2019, I dressed up as the character Agatha in the 1986 classic movie The Worst Witch, played by Charlotte Rae. It was an easier option, considering I had to put together the whole Trail of Terror – Nightmare Circus that year as well. Note, my rosacea was in an outbreak stage at this point.

2018

2018 was another year of regular costume and Trail of Terror, so I dressed as Catman from the Band Kiss (Peter Criss).

2017

2017 was a super fun year. I sewed the purple dress and green sheer overlay myself, and purchased the wig from a specialty shop (high quality) to recreate Endora from Bewitched, played by Agnes Moorehead. My Aunt Gini didn’t recognize me when I sent her the photo.

2016

I was sensitive about my weight in 2016 and could kick myself now for not taking a full body photo of my costume. I dressed as Mr. Dark from Something Wicked This Way Comes, with cat and dog tattoos on both palms.

2015

I got to live out my favorite character dreams from Mortal Kombat in 2015, with my Lord Raiden costume. Didn’t get a full body on this one either as I thought I looked like the Michelin Man. Note to self: take the photo anyway.

2014

I was recovering from my ACL repair surgery in 2014, and was on crutches. I went easy with the costume, though I designed and painted my own mask, to be one of the background dancers on What Does the Fox Say:

2013

It’s hard to find non-sexualized costumes for women for Halloween. In 2013, I dressed as Robert Smith from the Cure.

2012

This is another costume I sewed myself. I got a pattern that was supposed to be an exact replicate of the original jumpsuit patterns for Voyager. It was a bear to sew, very complicated, and it was a touch tight in the seat when I sat down. I know I must have dressed up before 2012, and I know for sure I dressed up at Community Action, but I don’t remember the outfits or years.

Trail of Terror

I really wish I would have take more photos from the first year of the Trail of Terror so I could share them on these spooky season memories. We had a section with giant scarecrows hoisted ten feet off the ground. There was a path of baby doll heads stuffed with lights to make them glow. We had a little story to go along the trail, with hostile neighbors and actors. Students from Albion College did the thriller dance at the end of the trail.

The second year was Nightmare Circus. I had so much fun designing the props. We had a long tunnel with a mirror maze. I designed and painted carnival signs. We had a fortune teller with a literal third eye, acrobats, carnies, and side show acts. It was amazing. Everything was coated with paint to glow under black light and the tour guides/ringmasters all had black glow flashlights.

We keep the lights out at our house due to our location, and we no longer have the trail of terror or the kid-and-dog Howl-O-Ween event at the shelter. Each year I put together small fun Halloween gift bags for the staff members at the shelter, and I’ve been collecting items for the bags for this year, too. I also send Halloween cards and maybe some small gifts to my pen pals. All of my props remain at the shelter in the pole barn, just in case things change. I don’t have room at home for all of it, and there really is a lot. Maybe, someday, things will change.

What are your plans for Halloween?

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