Waiting for the Appliance Repairman

The term ‘appliance repairman’ is almost quaint. Perhaps ‘appliance repairperson’ would be better if more difficult. But Mr. Spirko has been repairing our appliances since 2003 or so, so I’ll allow for the throwback to 1970. Laura and I are both unable to recall how we learned about him. There used to be a Northside […]

GI Sue: Part Six in a Chronic Health Crisis

Sue Kerr Cats

G.I. are initials used to describe the soldiers of the United States Army and airmen of the United States Air Forces and general items of their equipment.[1] The term G.I. has been used as an initialism of “Government Issue,” “General Issue,” or “Ground Infantry,” but it originally referred to “galvanized iron,” as used by the logistics services of the United States Armed Forces.[2][3] During World War I, American soldiers sardonically referred to […]

Too Blue to Fly

People tell you a lot of things about grief – the phases, the stages, the array of emotions. They tell you about the heart-stopping-grasp that grief has in your chest, a constricting band that hurts your heart and tightens your breathing. They tell you that each experience of grief is unique, that the absence of […]

How to Dress Like Cat Folx (or a Cat Lady)

There are two types of attire for cat folx. There’s the fun, cute, stylish stuff – the sweaters and anything with knit-in cat ears. Things you wear for fun. The gift items someone buys you for your birthday. I have scores of socks, several tee shirts, and one bedazzled sweatshirt. Then there’s the things you […]

Help Keep Outside Kitties Warm and Comfy

We have a very specific need at the Fort Faulsey colony, if you are feeling an impulse to help animals. Our cats have shelters stuffed with straw, feeding stations that use heated discs to keep the water from freezing over and the food as well. When it is dry, the cats stretch out on the […]

Sled Riding the Pipeline in West Mifflin

Sled Riding in the 1970s

And though he never would wave goodbyeYou could see it written in his eyesAs the train rolled out of sightBye-bye In this cold snap, I drive to my cat colony even though it is faster to walk. Not so much faster now sliding on the snow and exerting myself to get the gate unlocked and […]

Married White Cat Lady ISO a Shed

  I need a shed. Every week, someone calls me or reaches out offering to donate their gently used pet stuff – beds, bowls, carriers, crates, litter pans, sheets, etc. And these items are in great demand by cat colony caretakers, rescue groups, and more. It is a fantastic example of a community connecting the […]

Cat Folx Aren’t Saints, Heroes, or Martyrs. But We Are Your Neighbors.

Long post: giving back to your neighborhood Their are community cats in your neighborhood. And if you are lucky, someone is caring for them. We launched the petfood drives to specifically support cat colony caretakers in 2019 after learning they often were not eligible for many pet food distributions b/c feral cats aren’t pets. They […]

I Put Up a Christmas Tree For My Feral Cat Colony

We have three Christmas trees this year. Our main living room tree in its usual corner spot, wedged in with a rocking chair and a few cat beds to avoid feline fiascos. It has lights and cat-friendly ornaments. It is lovely. I could watch the lights for hours. Of course, we put no gifts out […]

The One Year Anniversary of the Establishment of Ft. Faulsey Cat Colony

One year for Christmas, my brother received a fort and I received a Barbie townhouse. We had a lot more fun with the fort – my father had us lay out the armies for the attack. I usually included my barbies, stuffed animals, and assorted small toys. Setting up the actual plastic soldiers was dull. […]