A paved path runs near our house where we frequently walk. There’s a spot where the trail goes between the DART light rail tracks and the parking lot of an apartment complex. Here, along the fence line and beneath the bushes and in the storm drains, we sometimes see stray cats that run away the moment we approach. I wish all cats had a home, and every home that wanted one had a cat or two or three. It makes me sad to see them living hard lives in the wild, when my own kitties are so happy, safe, and spoiled inside. I also know I can’t save them all, so I usually send some hope and love to the strays I see and keep walking.
But last month, I stopped.
On December 14th, my husband and I were walking along the trail just before dusk beneath a rising full moon when we saw three little black cats frolicking by the path—chasing, tumbling, climbing, playing. It was clear that these were young siblings, not even a year old. My heart squeezed in my chest at the sight of them as I remembered my own beloved black cat, Gink, who I had for almost twenty years. The not-quite-kittens froze when they saw us, and their big yellow eyes grew wide before they scurried back into the bushes. But I saw something in those eyes that I hadn’t seen in the eyes of the other strays on the trail: youth, curiosity, hope. I decided these three little ones deserved a chance at the good life.
Over the next couple of days, we trapped the three cats and, with the help of Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance and Dallas Animal Services, were able to quickly get them spayed and vaccinated. It turned out that all three were females.
If these little girls had been truly feral, we would have returned them to the trail and hoped for the best, knowing that at least they would be healthier now and not producing multiple litters of homeless kittens. That’s the goal of the TNR (trap, neuter, release) program: to control the feral cat population. It’s why the vets tip one of the cat’s ears during its surgery—to show they’ve already been spayed. But these kitties weren’t totally wild. They showed signs of being socializable (<– my computer says that’s not a word, but I’m using it anyway) and adoptable, so instead of putting them back outside, I gave them a temporary home in my safe, comfy, heated shed and set to work getting them to trust me.
What do you call three black cats caught beneath the full moon two weeks before Christmas? I decided to name these spooky little shadows after the three spirits in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
Ghost
Ghost, the first cat we caught, is named after the Ghost of Christmas Past. So far, she’s living up to her name, hiding from humans, staying in the uppermost corners of the shed, and only coming out when no one is around. (But I have proof on camera of her existence.) She’s not mean, only scared. I still have hope she’ll come around with time and patience. Lately, I’ve caught her watching me pet and play with her sisters, so maybe that will help her understand I’m not a monster.
Ghost is the one inside the crate with the spot of white on her chest. She’s cute and playful at night with her sisters when no one else is around.
Gift
Gift, the second cat we caught, is named after the Ghost of Christmas Present. (Present = Gift. Get it?) She’s the smallest of the three. At first, Gift was a giver, and her gifts were mostly bites. She was the spiciest sister by far. However, Gift quickly stopped biting, and now only growls and hisses when I pet her with a gloved hand. She’s becoming more calm and tame, coming out to eat near me when I’m in the shed and cautiously playing with me. She still needs more time but is well on her way to being adoptable. Something tells me when she turns that corner and finally lets herself relax, she’s going to be the sweetest of them all.
Grim
Grim is the last cat we caught, not because she was the most skittish but because she was the friendliest. Rather than going into the trap for the food, she approached us instead, following our footsteps and wanting to play. Grim is named after the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, the scary one who takes the form of the grim reaper. But the irony is she’s the least scary of them all. Grim’s future is bright. She’s a cute, playful sweetheart who is already completely tame and ready for a good home. She loves playing with wand toys, likes to be brushed, makes adorable purrs and trills when petted,, and even tolerates having her claws trimmed. She’s not a lap cat yet, but she doesn’t mind being picked up, and I think she will figure out the joys of snuggling with a little practice and some treats.
Watch these videos with the audio on to hear the adorable sounds Grim makes when she’s happy.
This is the first time Grim let me pet her on New Year’s Eve. She was nervous at first but then immediately started purring and trilling with happiness.
Grim getting brushed. Listen to those happy trills!
It is my great hope that these three beautiful cats can all find happy homes. Grim is already ready to purr her way into her new owner’s heart.
Is your home in need of a sweet little shadow cat? Do you know someone who could use an adorable piece of darkness to snuggle with? Do you want to help Ghost, Gift, and Grim get the comfy life they deserve? Here’s how you can help:
Reach out to me via my website or email (cariejuettner@gmail.com) if you’re interested in adopting or fostering one of these beauties. Fosters must be in the DFW area, but adopters can be from anywhere if you are willing to travel to pick up your new friend.
Share this blog post with others.
Help socialize the cats by coming to play with them. Bribes of treats and toys are welcome! Contact me to schedule a visit.
Thank you to my hubby’s mom for giving me this awesome shirt.
Happy New Year! I’m not quite ready to share my accomplishments or make my resolutions yet. Those are still percolating. They may need a little campfire smoke and moonlight to make them come out of hiding. But I’m always ready to talk about books, so in honor of the calendar turning a page, I’d like to share some of my favorite page-turners from 2024.
According to Goodreads, I read 65 books last year. I actually read (or listened to) 67, but two were not listed on their website. Fifteen were picture books, chapter books, or very short middle grade books, in case that matters to you.
I love to read (obviously). It’s not just the stories that I love, but the books themselves and the experience of reading them. Today I’m sharing 24 books that I enjoyed last year for various reasons and one that I didn’t. Let me know if something catches your eye or if you had a similar (or different) experience with one of these titles. I always like to hear other perspectives on the books I love.
My Most Notable Reads of 2024
* Top Five Best Books *
Sorry for the poor lighting. I blame the dusk and the fact that I was writing this blog post in my shed. More on that in a future post.
The five best books I read this year were, in the order I read them:
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
The Hunter by Tana French
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier
Tana French and Daphne du Maurier are two of my favorite authors. I’ve read everything Tana French has written and have loved all but one. (Her stand-alone novel The Witch Elm lost me toward the end, but it was still good.) French is a phenomenal writer, with characters so real that I often get distracted thinking about them long after I’ve finished their books. I discovered Daphne du Maurier’s work a few years ago. Since then, I’ve read five of her novels and three of her story collections and don’t plan on stopping until I’ve devoured them all. She’s such a good storyteller, and I always look forward being transported into her settings. I expected to love both The Hunter and Frenchman’s Creek, and they did not disappoint.
The other three books in my top five are all titles that people have recommended to me for years, and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to take their advice. A Wish in the Dark is pure magic. If it were possible to visit the The House in the Cerulean Sea and spend an afternoon with the characters, I’d be booking my ticket yesterday. And The Guernesy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is my favorite kind of historical fiction. Tucking facts and hard truths around humor and whimsey and quirky characters and books? Yes, please. I didn’t love the end, but the rest of the book was charming enough to earn its spot in my top five.
Best Picture Book
Vernon is on His Way written and illustrated by Philip C Stead
I randomly picked up this book from a Little Free Library in my neighborhood, and it is an absolute delight. The characters are endearing, the art is adorable, and the little stories are unexpected and heart warming and funny. Honestly, if I had a “Top 6 Best Books” list, this one would probably deserve the last spot.
Best Nonfiction
Two very different nonfiction books stood out to me this year.
The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts by Loren Grush
and
The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renklwith art by Billy Renkl
The Six was an easy, informative read. Actually, I listened to it and recommend the audiobook. I learned so much about Sally Ride, Judy Resnik, Rhea Saddon, Kathy Sullivan, Shannon Lucid, and Anna Fisher. Grush did a great job telling their stories.
The Comfort of Crows (pictured above) is a lovely collection of short essays based on the flora and fauna in the author’s backyard. It is organized into seasons, following the cycle of the year, and I read it slowly, putting it down for weeks at a time and then picking it up again when the weather changed and I wanted another dose of Renkl’s observations about nature. The art in the book is beautiful, so I definitely recommend you get a physical copy.
Best Sci-Fi
The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex
I don’t read much science fiction, but this book was a delight. The characters were hilarious, and I recommend the audiobook for the great voices the narrator gives them. I just found out this book was the inspiration for the 2015 animated movie called Home, so I’ll have to check that out now.
Best Covers
The House Where Death Lives edited by Alex Brown, cover image by Rachel Jablonski
Firefly Lullaby written and illustrated by Karen Weiss
A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney, cover design by Lucy Rose
Aren’t these books absolutely stunning? I used all three of them as decoration at some point because I just loved looking at them so much. The House Where Death Lives includes a few more illustrations tucked into the anthology of disturbing stories inside. Every page of Weiss’s picture book is an explosion of color and joy. And A Dark and Secret Magic cheated by putting so many of my favorite things on the cover. Pumpkin vines and crows and black cats and books? I’m in!
Best Reading Experience
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
I really liked this book, but I LOVED the experience of reading it.
On February 23, 2024, I went to the library thinking I had a book on hold (even though I was already in the middle of several books). I didn’t have one on hold, but I saw The Christmas Guest on display in the “new” section, and I checked it out on a whim. Then I came home and read the entire book in one sitting– something I never do– all while enjoying a beautiful, spring-like day in my backyard with my dog. I figured out the twist on page 15, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the rest of the story. I had so much fun reading the library book, I bought my own copy.
Favorite New Author
The Return by Rachel Harrison
Cackle by Rachel Harrison
Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison
I love discovering an author whose books I can count on to make me ignore my chores and come back to my reading chair with another cup of coffee or go for another walk so I can listen to a few more chapters. Rachel Harrison’s horror novels The Return (not pictured– I think I loaned it to someone), Cackle, and Such Sharp Teeth are all so gripping, not just for the horror elements but for the deeply realistic relationships between the women in the novels. Harrison is a master at writing about female friendships in a way that no other author I know can do. I was so excited to get to meet her at an event at Half Price Books a few months ago. Her novels Bad Sheep and So Thirsty are both sitting on my to-read shelf waiting for me.
Most Inspiring
Also pictured: Meow-Man, very hard at work.
1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round by Jami Attenberg
The snippets of writing advice, revelations, personal anecdotes, and pep talks in this book were often just what I needed to get me back to the page or push me past a block. The essays by Attenberg and the many messages from other successful authors that are included in 1000 Words are honest, humble, and relatable which is what made them so inspiring. Even when I wasn’t writing, reading these essays or listening to them while I ran errands or took a walk helped me feel like a writer and made me want to get back to my projects. I plan to keep this book handy as I set out on my writing journey this year.
Most Unforgettable Scene
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
This YA dystopian novel is set in a world where all babies must be born, but from age 13 to 18 a child’s parents can choose to have them “unwound,” a medical process in which 99% of their body will be donated to others in need. There are many shocking and thought-provoking moments in this gripping, fast-paced read told from multiple points of view, but one particular scene will haunt me forever. I still think of it often.
Most Soothing
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
This book is pretty much the polar opposite of Unwind. It’s a short, lovely little read– philosophical, thought-provoking, and gentle in its message about humanity. A Psalm for the Wild-Built will make you want to quit your job and become a traveling tea merchant, or at the very least put down your phone and go for a long walk in the woods.
Most Challenging Read
The Bromance Book Club by Lissa Kay Adams
Maybe I should clarify. I don’t mean challenging in the sense of complex language and enigmatic themes. I mean challenging to me personally because it’s out of my comfort zone. I generally don’t read books in the romance genre. While many of my books do have romance in them, that’s not the section where they would be shelved. They are mysteries with a little romance or horror stories with a little romance, not ROMANCE romance. So this year, I decided to read a ROMANCE romance. The Bromance Book Club is about baseball star trying to save his failing marriage and getting help from a secret book club made up of men who study romance novels to help them improve their relationships. I didn’t love it, but I liked it and am glad I tried something new.
Most Surprising
Pity Party by Kathleen Lane
What a strange, satisfying little book. I saw Pity Party mentioned in an article or on a list somewhere earlier in the year. By the time I checked it out from the library, I could no longer remember who recommended it or why. But once I opened it, I couldn’t put it down. Told via a variety of creative ways, including speculative short stories, lists, and cartoons, Kathleen Lane’s funny, clever middle grade novel is like a modern day Sideways Stories from Wayside School that revolves around all the anxiety-inducing aspects of middle school. I think my favorite “chapter” was the one about the tree. If you’ve read it, you know what I mean.
Award for Creeping Me Out WAY More Than I Thought It Would
Tales to Keep You Up at Night by Dan Poblocki
THIS BOOK GENUINELY CREEPED ME OUT! Based on the cover and the summary, I was expecting your average middle grade horror stories, not the creatively sinister and truly chilling tales in these pages. This is a book-within-a-book situation, and the overarching story left a little to be desired in my opinion, but the short stories tying everything together? They were excellent. “The Babysitter and the Bell,” “The Ride,” and “Baby Witch” were my favorites.
Award for Appealing to My Sense of Humor
The Chicken Squad series by Doreen Cronin
The target age group for readers of the Chicken Squad books is apparently 5-8, but I would like to share that people 40 years outside of that age range are allowed to love them too. These books are so funny and so cute. Every single one of them made me burst into giggles at least once. Doreen Cronin and I must have the same sense of humor. I hope to one day write a book that will make her laugh as much as her books have made me laugh. (After finding this image online, I’ve just realized that I somehow skipped Weird Blue Chicken. Gasp! I must go get that one from the library.)
Award for Giving Me the Biggest Smile
Who Built the Moon by Kevin “Shinyribs” Russell (lyrics) & Katie Terrell Ramos (illustrations)
For Christmas this year, my hubby gave me this book, which is an illustrated version of a song I love by Shinyribs, the musician who played at our wedding and who we have heard many times together. The book is so cute and the illustrations include lots of little treats and references for all the Shinyribs fans out there. Everything about it makes me smile. To get your own copy, head over to the Shinyribs store, and to listen to “Who Built the Moon” click here.
Most Disappointing
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Last… and least. I was so excited about this book. Cozy fantasy and coffee? Yes, please! Brew me a cup and give me a comfy chair and a free afternoon. I’m in. The cover, the description, the positive reviews– everything about this book made me think it was going to be in my top five reads this year. Instead, I didn’t even finish it. After 40 pages, the book was still about the construction of the coffee shop. Confused, I decided to flip ahead (something I never do) and found that on page 126, they were STILL RENOVATING THE COFFEE SHOP. What??? I gave up. Instead, I spent my time drinking coffee in coffee shops that exist in the real world while reading books that actually have a point and don’t bore me to death.
Note: I don’t usually trash books. Being an author is hard, and I don’t want to post something that will bring another writer down, especially since everyone has their own opinion and someone else might love a book as much as I disliked it. I’m making an exception here because, with 251,000 readers and an average Goodreads rating of 4.09, I don’t think my little post is going to do Travis Baldree any harm, and I’m truly curious to hear the other side’s opinion on this one. If you loved Legends & Lattes, tell me why. WHY??? What am I missing?
***
Books Left Unfinished at the Time of This Blog Post
There you have it, my 2024 reading in a nut shell. But, you may be wondering, what about her Book Bingo goal? Did she complete it?? Did she get a double blackout???
The answer is…
…ALMOST.
I filled in all but TWO squares on my double bingo board and read many other books as well (those you see in the margins). The two squares I didn’t mark out were two specific books that I never made time for: Places Left Unfinished at the Time of Creation by John Phillip Santos and A Journal for Christa by Grace George Corrigan. Both are memoirs. The first is a sweeping family saga by a Mexican-American journalist. It was given to me many years ago, and I keep planning to read it, but never have. I’m not sure why. Maybe 2025 will be the year. The second is a collection of notes, letters, and remembrances about Christa McAuliffe, written by her mother. Perhaps I will set that one aside to read on January 28th, the 39th anniversary of the Challenger disaster.
***
What’s on My To-Read Shelf?
Here are a few of the books I want to read in 2025. What’s on your reading list?
You’ve just arrived two hours late to your best friend’s Halloween party. They demand an explanation. What’s your excuse? Use the charts to determine your answers, then fill in the blanks below to create your personalized apology.
Blank #1:
If you identify with this age group…
Fill in the first blank with this…
I’m so young an adult had to read this for me.
through my living room
I’m under 18 and should be doing homework.
through a dark forest
I can vote, but just barely.
across a precarious rope bridge
Late twenties, early thirties, ish.
down an abandoned street
I’m having the first of many mid-life crises.
up a steep hill that never seemed to end
I’m in my 40’s but the cool part of my 40’s.
beneath a highway overpass
I’m in my 40’s and they’re not cool anymore.
through a dank tunnel
I’m a little over 50.
across a cemetery
I’m a lot over 50.
along a river
I can’t even remember 50.
across a railroad bridge
Blank #2:
If you were born in this month…
Fill in the second blank with this…
January
a pumpkin
February
a tombstone
March
a crystal ball
April
a severed head
May
a cauldron
June
a random eyeball
July
a giant spider
August
a broom
September
a severed arm
October
a clown shoe
November
a cursed spellbook
December
absolutely nothing
Blank #3:
If you were born on this day…
Fill in the third blank with this…
1
zombie
2
witch
3
vampire
4
Frankenstein
5
clown
6
werewolf
7
Edgar Allan Poe
8
cheerleader
9
dinosaur
10
ghost
11
Barbie
12
pirate
13
black cat
14
Beetlejuice
15
skeleton
16
devil
17
robot
18
princess
19
alien
20
Darth Vader
21
scarecrow
22
Spider-Man
23
mad scientist
24
raven
25
Ghostbuster
26
fortune teller
27
bat
28
Taylor Swift
29
mummy
30
angel
31
Wonder Woman
Blank #4:
If this is your favorite color…
Fill in the fourth blank with this…
Blue
a dead tree branch
Green
a rusty nail
Red
a piece of chain
Yellow
a rickety fence
Purple
a squeaky gate
Orange
a skeleton’s finger
Black
an invisible force
Blank #5:
If this is your favorite animal…
Fill in the fifth blank with this…
Squirrel
an 8-foot tall clown
Rabbit
a talking cockroach
Raccoon
an escaped mental patient
Opossum
a headless horseman
Skunk
a screaming banshee with bad breath
Armadillo
an invisible woman
Bobcat
a confused wizard
Coyote
a werewolf with fleas
Crow
an ax murderer
Owl
a very friendly chupacabra
Blank #6:
If this is your favorite spooky movie…
Fill in the sixth blank with this…
Hotel Transylvania
Skittles
Hocus Pocus
Brownies
Beetlejuice
Chocolate-covered crickets
Halloween
Deviled eggs
Friday the 13th
Kool-Aid
Poltergeist
Cookies
The Fog
Chips
Scream
Root beer
It
Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
Trick ‘R Treat
A veggie tray
Create Your Excuse:
Fill in the apology below with your answers. Then copy & paste it and share it in the comments!
I'm sorry I was late to your Halloween party, but I was walking [Answer #1] when I tripped over [Answer #2] and my [Answer #3] costume got caught on [Answer #4]. Luckily, [Answer #5] came by and rescued me, so I invited them to come along. Is that ok? They brought [Answer #6].
Here’s mine:
I’m sorry I was late to your Halloween party, but I was walking through a dank tunnel when I tripped over a clown shoe and my Wonder Woman costume got caught on a squeaky gate. Luckily, an escaped mental patient came by and rescued me, so I invited them to come along. Is that ok? They broughtcookies.
Carie Juettner 