I am so excited to share my new book with you Cottage Cats, My Companions on the Path to Joy! As many of you know, about two years ago now, I went a little round with breast cancer. I am fine now, in fact, I was fine then. It was an incredible experience. It was just the little divine push that I needed to get my life in order, the strong wind that cleared away the clouds that I was letting obscure the light of my inner joy. And then my good fortune continued when my publisher offered me the opportunity to talk about how my cats were so instrumental in my inspiration towards joy and in maintaining that joy through observing all their wonderful "cat-ish" ways. Not only would I write, but I could match my little inspirations with all my favorite cottage cat paintings.
As you will read in the introductory pages, my amazing little cat Malai helped me find the lump, then she was the most comforting affectionate, available (unlike most cats we all know that do everything on their time) cat I have ever known. I want you to meet her here as she really ended up getting only a little mention in the book. Here she is on one of her favorite perches, my work chair. She's got her ball and is ready to play baseball. She had the most uncanny ability to bat my pitches right back to me, or play soccer, a real team player, always passing the ball, and she would fetch too!
She never shunned me when
we returned from my long medical journeys, rather,
when I'd call "Where's my kitty?," she would always
run to me immediately, ready to be scooped up and
cuddled! A fine welcome home, one that you will see
fancifully painted (with just a few extra cats!) in
the first pages of the book.
It seems as though Malai came specifically to share just that pivotal year with me. She had newly adopted us at the shelter, and when all my discoveries, doubts, decisions, and cures were handled, she simply wandered away and we never saw her again... I hope that she is with someone else now, helping them through their own challenging time.
Of course, I now have two other
little lovely companions, home from the same shelter, my
saucy Jeerie and mischievous Ooty. You'll hear about them
in the book too. Maybe I will show them here next!
So, I do hope that you will like my book. Both the art and
the writings- a challenge for me to me sure!
If it speaks to you in some way, please do ask your local
book store to carry it! it would be wonderful if it were a
success. Then my publisher will be happy and ask for
another!
I would love to get your feedback on it. Click here to write me!
All my best to
you,
KIm