Catherine Shaffer
@cathshaffer
Freelance Science Journalist | SFF Writer MSU/UM grad | Ann Arbor 🏠 | Clarion '97 | AnLab 🏅 | Obligate herbivore | Cat lover | Allergic to cats | Achoo!
My central vacuum power head was struggling today, so I pulled it apart to investigate. Found, I kid you not, a 12-inch plug of Newfie hair. How did it not fail negate that point??? My son has captured the culprit here. (Lab included for scale)
Jammer is shedding so heavily right now one of her balls of hair came to life
This is what I see when I zoom it in. That’s not readable to me at all and it doesn’t look like blurred text. It looks distorted to me. That bottom word should be “Showdown.” Nothing about it looks like that. I also don’t see a letter “C” for Czech.
Gremlin under my desk wants permission to eat my nice steelcase series 2 office chair starting with the feet. Let her yes or no?
My morning writing session requires a certain aesthetic, and the Decompsition Book is essential. It must feel disposable, so I can scribble, but simultaneously look elegant, with illustrations that are equal parts whimsical and science-coded.
If you don’t have an office beagle buddy for your afternoon power nap, you’re really missing out.
This is Jammie’s room. Yes, she liked the curtain that way. No, she doesn’t mind if you use the facilities.
Some Minneapolis skywalks. I got list today and had to descend to street level to find my way back. A wonderful adventure.
As a rule, Mishka is anti-bath and anti-swimming. But when she catches a scent, she does what a hound must.
This is the most underrated dog breed right here. Beagles have great personalities, are good for kids and families, can fit into an active or quiet lifestyle, and are a nice, hard-to-find medium size. There are plenty available for rescue.
I took a notebook to bed last night to hammer out the plot points in my novel. Very productive! Now to decipher my notes.
Don’t tell Nimue she’s not going to be a Newfie when she grows up
She cried at the empty food bowl this morning. Then when I filled it, she looked at it and walked away. 100% cat.
I’ll have to try this. Meeting people is Jammer’s favorite activity, and it’s so nice to see those smiles.
My son and his girlfriend moved in with us temporarily while they renovate their house. The pantry goods overflowed our kitchen, so I made a tea and snack station in the dining room. It’s so cozy!
The tornado emptied a trash can full of dog poop in bags and scattered them. Here’s one stuck in the fence.
Random Spin scooter in the middle of the field far from streets and sidewalks
A windshield cleaning wand from a gas station, found in the middle of the park.
Where did the portapotty come from? It wasn’t anywhere near here.
Large metal light pole snapped at base and smashed nearby fence.