cats – Treehouse Writers

These are the times that try human souls.

I know that’s not how Thomas Paine said it – he wrote “men’s souls” of course. That’s usually excused by the explanation that “men” used that way includes all of us, but – not to disrespect Paine, who was a force for good in the Revolution – it really means that no one considered the thoughts, or even the souls, of women important.

At the moment, I am angry and depressed over the murder of a woman by an agent of an over-funded federal police agency that shouldn’t even exist, by the various actions against the people of Venezuela, by the way surveillance tech is creeping into all of our lives, and by the efforts (and not just by the regime controlling our federal government, but by local utilities) to slow walk renewable energy and keep polluting.

That’s just the short list for this morning. There are many other things I’m mad about.

However, I interrupt this listing of horrors for an important announcement:

We got cats!

Meet Shadow (female dark gray) and Piper (male gray tabby), our new beloved and chaotic housemates.

A dark gray cat stands protectively over a sleeping gray tabby.

Continue reading “We Got Cats!”…

Outside of a Book….

by Laura Anne Gilman

November 26, 2021November 25, 2021

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” – Groucho Marx

Wiseassery aside, it’s long been accepted that a dog is indeed humanity’s best friend. The reasons for that are many and symbiotic. However, after many months of serious study on the question, I will posit to you that a dog is not the WRITER’S best friend.

Look, I love my dog. You all know I love my dog. But she does not understand that she is not the center of my world ALL the time, the way I am (mostly) hers. She especially does not understand the appeal of the small box on my desk (or lap) that neither sounds nor smells particularly interesting. And so, she will sprawl at my feet and sigh soulfully, or wag her tail piteously, or – if neither of those attempts work – will bring me a toy (repeatedly) and drop it on my feet. And if none of that works, she will reach up and – gently – take my wrist in her mouth, as though to say, “mother, please stop typing and PLAY with me, please.”

Rinse and repeat, repeatedly.

It’s not her fault. She can’t read, after all. She has no idea what I’m doing, or that it’s being done to continue to afford her (obscenely expensive) food and dental treats and vet visits, etc etc. She doesn’t understand that when I’m snarling at the page, or swearing at the balky plot, I’m…well, mostly having a good time. Or maybe she does understand, and is offended she’s not included.

I should get up and play with her. Or take her for a walk. Or rub her belly.

And all those things are good things, and remind me to take a break and stretch. But only occasionally, dog. Momma’s got a deadline to hit. Curl up where it’s warm and take a nap, please. Convince me to stay put, as though my moving from this seat would be Worst Thing Ever.

… so yeah, when inside of a book, a writer’s best friend is a CAT.

Hope all USAians reading this had a lovely Thanksgiving!

Who Am I and What Have I Done with Me?

by Laura Anne Gilman

October 30, 2020October 29, 2020

Close readers may have noted that I missed last month’s slot. Close readers may also remember that the month before that, I had just taken in a foster puppy.

Yes, those two things are related. And I am here to tell you that writing a book, maintaining a Patreon, holding down a part-time office gig, dealing with a pandemic, fighting for democracy AND housebreaking a puppy is exhausting.

But – as everyone expected – I foster-failed, and now the household of two has officially and legally become a household of three. The puppy is four months old and (mostly) housebroken, and Castiel the Cat has learned that if he hisses and swats at her nose, she will stop trying to Make Him Love Her. So all is well, and I can get back to writing and righting all the wrongs, right?

*insert hollow laughter here*
Continue reading “Who Am I and What Have I Done with Me?”…