A Cat Named Tommy Lived 16 Years, But Only One Week of His Life Inside

This is the story of a very specific feral cat by the name of Tommy. It is also parts of the stories of all feral cats. It is a farewell tribute. It is a call to action. Tommy first showed up in our backyard in 2017. He was sturdy and ate a lot of food. […]

Pet Food Pantry Opens on Northside for Cat Colony Caretakers

Pittsburgh Cat Folx

The Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry distributes first round of food this week. With your help, we’ll be able to give some food to each participant every month. In addition to donations of pet food, we need the following gently or partially used items Donations can be dropped at 1440 Faulsey Way […]

She’s had 408 days to apologize and right her wrong

She’s had 408 days to apologize and right her wrong

This past week, I blogged about Nazis, a pet food pantry, and a loving tribute to a feral cat named Tommy. I wrote about the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette strike, posted a round up of Toys for Tots programs in 26 counties and shared some thoughts about my birthday. I also took two cats to the vet […]

Help 16 year old neglected cat get another chance

Peyton found us. She crept out of an abandoned house, leaping into the arms of my neighbor, Marie. At the vet’s office, we learned she weighed 4 lbs, had serious dental issues, and a mystery malady in her upper respiratory system. Her coat was caked in crud and a greasy substance. That was September 6. […]

How to Request Toys For Tots in Western Pennsylvania 2024

Toys for Tots Pennsylvania

This is our annual (13 years) round-up of Toys for Tots programs in Western Pennsylvania for 2023. I’ve done my best to sort through the available information and provide you what you may need to know. PLEASE click through to the applicable link to double check the details. I will update as information becomes available. […]

Campaign Signs Are a Hot Commodity This Year

yard sign

Campaign signs are a hot commodity this year. A long-time campaign volunteer explained that this is in part due to Pennsylvania’s races being so tight that the two federal races (President and US Senate) are spending mightily on broadcast advertising, forcing up the rates for downballot candidates. Un turn, this forces them to allocate resources […]

Residents of Millvale Learn That They Have an Alleged Nazi For a Neighbor. Now What Will They Do?

Photo of Millvale

Content Note: white supremacy, fascism, Nazism, racism, homelessness, anti-Semitism. Some of the links go to more direct content. Please read and click with caution. If a Nazi lives in your neighborhood, would you want to know? We are loosely defining a Nazi as self-affiliated white supremacist whose actions promote fascism. If that person is actively […]

I Love Big Birthdays and I Will Not Lie

Happy Birthday cards

October is my birthday month -Yay! Last year, my birthday  (53) was the first ‘occasion’ while I was homeless and couch surfing with friends. They were lovely. Cooked me a meal I chose, made me a cake from scratch. But I fled the table, overwhelmed by sadness and a tidal wave of all that I […]

A New Page in My Passionate Affair with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Last week, I attended a town hall meeting organized by the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh. It was invigorating, but I had to work through some stuff to step out of my skin and into my role as a supporter. As I headed out the door to the meeting, imposter syndrome wrapped me in familiar tendrils. […]

It is arduous and ardently driving us all mad

The humidity, this version of humidity seeping into our sanity right now, making us uncomfortable in our own skin. Everything, every word, every glance weighed down by the dew that lingers into all of the corners. It’s oppressive, slowly sucking daily activities into unfamiliar langorous rhythms. It is arduous and ardently driving us all mad. […]