Psst... Hey buddy. Wanna buy some pine needles?

Sitting at my desk working today when the doorbell rings. An older gentleman in a down vest and hunting cap is at the front door, pickup truck parked in our drive. 

He gives me a smile. "Ma'am. I was wondering if that's your land right behind this house?"

"Yes," I say. (Side note: Do you ever wonder what it would take for you not to be polite and answer someone's question? I have no idea who this man is, why he's at my door, or why he wants to know about the land behind our house but it doesn't occur to me to question him. I wouldn't want to appear rude.) 

"Would you mind if I took some of the pine needles ya'll got back there?"

"Uh...sure?" (Again, with the not wanting to be rude.)

He tipped his hat. "Thank you, ma'am. I always like to stop and ask first."

And that was it. He got in his truck and I watched him pull around the block to collect pine needles from our yard. For what? I don't know. How many? Clueless. I assume he wants those already fallen off the trees but for all I know he's back there right now with a chainsaw, hauling off whole pine trees and thinking (rightly so) that he received permission to do so. 

I started this post thinking it would be a funny commentary on how strange people can be but I see now that I'm the weird one. Hey, here's an idea. Why don't some of you show up at my door and ask me about my finances or love life or where we keep the good china? I'll tell you all you want to know.

Wouldn't want to be rude.

Video Interview by The Cat's Meow

This past weekend in NY, I finally had the chance to meet, in person, The Cat's Meow blogger Karen Nichols. Years ago when the blog was launching on Catster.com, I was one of the three finalists interviewed to run the blog. I lost out, however, to Karen's superior and hilarious writing skills. Plus, she wears snazzy pink glasses. I can't compete with that. 

Karen and I have been e-mailing and Facebook friends for years, so it was a thrill to catch up in person. Karen was working on a post about people who have cats instead of kids and she had me sit down at the conference for a quick interview. The You-Tube video is below but I suggest you visit The Cat's Meow and get lost in all the great cat commentary Karen offers. 

Hanging Out With Writers

Spent the weekend in White Plains, New York at the annual Cat Writer's Conference. Laugh if you will (and many do) but this is a serious group of writers. Most have medical knowledge to rival any veterinarian. Many are on the front lines of legal battles to protect animals in their state and across the nation. And many of these wonderful people do more rescue work in a week than I can ever hope to accomplish in a lifetime. I am astounded, and grateful, for the work they do. You just would not believe the horror stories of the animals they rescue. Would. Not. Believe them. 

Aside from being amazed that this group of people not only lets me hang out with them but actually present to them, I love the fact that returning from a writer's conference always gets me jazzed up to do more with my writing.

Aside from Who Moved My Mouse?, I've done no pet writing this year. No columns, no magazine articles, nada. Which got me thinking that I've done very little magazine writing this year, period. A few articles for local and regional publications, but most of my efforts this year went toward my book, a ghostwriting project, and corporate work. Nothing wrong with any of that, but hearing everyone at the conference talk about their articles and pitching editors got me to missing it a bit. I'm going to spend some time coming up with some article ideas that are pet/cat based and dip my toes back in the water. 

I'm open to ideas and suggestions. Any pet related ideas you'd like to see explored?  Send 'em my way!