I don’t want to talk about about rape today. Or any day. March 21 is World Poetry Day. I love reading poetry. I love writing poetry. And six of my last seven columns have been on intense topics: Consent, “Don’t Say Gay” laws, criminalizing gender affirmation, Nazis, and Ukraine. I could use a break. We…
Tag: Erika
Accent (Caturday Questions)
Little Cat came home from his travels in the big city rocking a Cuban accent. He thinks it sounds sulty but really it sounds annoying. Big Cat started calling him “gringo.” It’s really getting to be too much. How Much is too Much with Accent? What do you think? As a writer, do you use…
Consent: Changing the Conversation
Rape and sexual assault can happen to anyone regardless of gender identity or gender presentation. Likewise, issues of consent can apply to anyone. One of the things that I struggled with as I was writing this is the very binary way in which everything I read and watched during my research fell into an either/or…
Tell me a Story (Caturday Questions)
So. Adam always makes fun of Erika (A.K.A. “Human-Mom”) for having cat-friends who (let’s be real) are total jerks. Every other moment they are perched on her neck. Or under her elbows. Or on her upper-arms. It makes writing a challenge. Kind of like when the physical therapist has you walking with those weights strapped…
Affirming Gender is not a Crime
When I got pregnant with my first child, it seemed like the moment the stick had turned pink, the first thing people asked was: “Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?” When I was far enough along to know what I was having, that question became: “Are you having a boy or a…
Finishing a Poem (Big Cat, Little Cat)
Big Cat has decided to draw on his experiences (sitting on his Human-Mom’s head while she’s trying to write poetry; and listening in on conversations with Human-Mom’s friends when they trade poems back and forth) to bring you this handy guide. Which you shouldn’t really need. I mean. Finishing a poem can’t be that hard,…
Russia and Ukraine: If I had a Rainbow Hammer
Last week was a really hard week to get through. Between book banning bills and the Don’t Say Gay stuff in Florida. Texas deciding that affirming care for transgender kids is child abuse. And a student bathroom bill in Alabama. It was rough. Oh, and HB 1557, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill that I’ve written…
It’s Caturday and We have Questions: Introvert
Little Cat has been having a quiet week, living the introvert life since his recent attempt to take Orlando by storm. He’s been staying home mostly. Enjoying the time spent alone. Trying to take joy in the little things. You know, like in stepping on Human-Mom’s head while she tries to write. Yowling at birds…
“Don’t Say Gay” is Bad, Not Just for LGBTQ Kids
(Editors Note: On February 25, 2022, the Florida House of Representatives passed H.B. 1557, “Parental Rights in Education,” colloquially known as the “Don’t Say Gay,” bill. The addendum discussed here, which would have required schools to out LGBTQ kids, was struck from the bill before it was voted on. Meanwhile, The Florida Senate is expected…
Big Cat, Little Cat: Obscenities
This week was a big week for Little Cat in particular. Got out a bit. Learned some new obscenities. All in all a good week. He escaped while Human-Mom (a.k.a. Erika) was taking in the groceries. He made it as far as Orlando and visited a cat-house. (Please nobody tell him. Yeah, Little Cat puts…