: About Me

I have been writing for several years, both fiction and non-fiction. I began writing feature stories for the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. Within a few months I was named Social Editor. While at the paper, I penned a weekly column for which I won an award from the New York State Associated Press.

I have written several stories that have been published in various anthologies, including "Burning Memories of Dad's Easy Chair" in Forget-Me-Knots from the Front Porch, by Obadiah Press. "Back With Eli," a story of a re-incarnated cat, was published in a Romancing the Soul series by Zumaya Publications. Most recently, '"Scents of Remembrance," a story about my grandmother's death was published in a Rocking Chair Reader series by Adams Media.

My first novel, Winter Mournings, was published in January, 2004. It's a contemporary women's fiction piece focusing on life in and around Lockport and Niagara Falls. I compiled an anthology, "Unconditional Love: Pet Tales by the Humans Who Love Them," which was published in September, 2004. My second novel, A Different Flavor, is looking for a publisher.

I have also published five historical town books through Arcadia Publishing all set around Lake Ontario or the Erie Canal. They are: Newfane and Olcott; Albion; Medina; Wilson, and Carlton and Point Breeze, which I co-authored with a local historian.

In addition to writing, I rescue animals. Currently I have 13 permanent cats, five foster cats, five dogs, and six equines. Another horse is supposed to be coming soon. I am an advocate of spaying and neutering, and I feel all animal cruelty laws should be stricter.

My passion is ...

Writing and animals

I know too much about ...

Animal Cruelty

My parents always told me ...

To keep my knees together

My childhood ambition ...

To own a stable of horses

My favorite memory ...

My grandmother

Why I write ...

Because I have to

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Anything soothing

My first job ...

Bookkeeper at an insurance company

My best moment ...

Riding Brandy for the first time

My inspiration ...

Intelligent people

Pets & Animals > Cat Care & Health How to treat urinary blockages in neutered male cats

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Neutered male cats are prone to urinary crystals, and if the problem is not taken care of in a reasonable amount of time, the cat can die. A "blocked" cat suffers one of the most painful ailments a cat can suffer, as his body is being poisoned by urinary infection. Many people do not recognize the signs until it is too late. If you notice your cat straining in the litter box, acting like it's constipated, there is a good chance it is beginning to block. If it starts soiling areas or urinating outside of the litter box, there is a problem. If it tries to urinate frequently, but nothing or j...

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