2023

Well, here we are. Another year has come and gone. I hope 2022 was kind to you all.

When I was younger, I remember wanting time to go faster. I couldn’t wait to drive, have a career of my own, to make my own money, essentially, I couldn’t wait to be an adult. My folks would chuckle and always heed a gentle warning “the older you get, the faster time goes. Enjoy the now.”

That phrase often runs through my mind. They were right. Adulting isn’t as much fun as I thought.

2022 was an admirable year. There were definitely some shining moments of adventure, laughter, and new experiences. However, 2022 also took a loved one away from me. Mourning a loss is always a challenging path to navigate. I know I’m not alone in that one.

And so, as I look upon 2023, I have deemed it the year of light, love and laughter. Adventures are in the works for this year and my career has taken a new path. There are also some things happening behind the scenes in regards to my writing that I can’t quite share with you yet. Stay tuned!

….also, who knows, maybe this will be the year I actually stay consistent with my blog.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2023.

xx Katt

My Kayley Girl; August 11th 2022

I knew from the moment I saw you, you were going to impact my world. And my, that you did.

It was late September when I wandered into the shelter. The smell of urine and the piercing barks filled my eardrums. And there you were. A small black fur ball, cowering in the corner.

I knelt low and held out my hand. You ever so hesitantly pressed your nose to my palm. You raised a little paw and draped it against the mesh barrier between us. I knew right then and there, you were mine.

You were such a sweet, quiet and loyal soul. We had a lifetime of adventures and very few of my memories are without you.

You beat cancer in your early years. When it came back to plague you late in life, we knew this time it would be goodbye. I was never ready for this day, but you were.

Though saying goodbye to you was one of my hardest trials in life, it was also the greatest gift I could give you.

Kayley was laid to rest at home, on her pillow on her favorite spot on the deck. The frogs and crickets sang their evening song. The sky was a crisp blue and the sun sat low in the sky. I stayed by her side until she took her last breath and her heart gave its final beat.

I will forever think of you when I see the falling snow. I will always feel you next to me when I stroll the sandy beach. I still feel you there riding shot gun in the vehicle.

There is a definite void in my heart and home. There is never enough time with a good dog.

Thank you for all the wonderful memories my sweet, sweet girl. Thank you for walking beside me and keeping me safe for all these years.

It was an honor to be your “mom.”

Until our paths cross again.

Xx Katt

Tis The Season

Another year has almost come and gone. Is it just me or does somebody have the fast forward button on time? It seems like all I have to do is blink, and poof! Months have gone by.

I know the past few years have not been easy on the world. I think we could all use a collective sigh of relief and normality in our near future. Cheers to 2022 as the year to return back to normal.

Despite all the, ahem, garbage that has been thrown many of our ways, there is something so special about this time of the year for me. Yes, its dark when I get up and dark when I come home from work, that part is less than desirable. But, there’s just something so reminiscent and comforting about the Holiday Season. Looking past the goodies and the wrapped parcels, its a time for reconnection. A time to check in to those you don’t see everyday. A time for gatherings.

There’s a noticeable buzz amongst the air and I like to think it brings a sense of magic, that almost anything can happen. Maybe I’ve watched one to many Christmas movies in my day, but I don’t want to lose my child’s sense of wonder entirely.

And let’s not forget those Christmas lights, a shining beam of cheer that twinkles during the dark drives. It brings a sense of warmth to my bones. The Christmas tree is a close second. It brings back all the warm feels from when I was a kid and the excitement of waiting for Santa.

Wherever you are this year, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas or whatever you choose to celebrate. I hope you are surrounded by loved ones with good food and a warm roof over your head.

I’m signing out for the rest of this year to spend it with those I hold close to my heart. I hope you get to do the same.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Katt xx

There's Something About Fall

Fall is my favourite season. There’s just something so magical about it. After a sweltering Summer, the cooling temperatures are a welcome treat. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I thoroughly enjoy digging out my cozy sweaters, boots, and toques. Not to mention the tasty warm beverages.

Now, let’s talk about the Fall “scents”. Is there anything more comforting than the sweet yet spicy notes of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves? My diffuser has most definitely been working overtime these days. One of my personal favourites hands down is the “Chai” blend. It truly does add something special to the season. It reminds me of childhood and visits with my Oma as we would dress up the house for seasonal festivities.

As many of you know, I spend the majority of my free time in nature with the dogs. I’m an explorer at heart and there is nothing that eases the soul like a good hike. I’m very much a visual person and this is by far the most captivating time of the year to get out there as the leaves fade from green to gold. It may symbolize the ending of life but to me, it represents so much more. Out with the old, in with the new. As the seasons change, it promises a fresh start and let’s be honest, who couldn’t benefit from that?

Until next time,

Katt xx

Dog Days Of Summer.

It feels like all I did was blink and summer disappeared. Between the sweltering heat waves and forest fires, I did manage to sneak in a few adventures. I hope you were able too as well.

The pup, Kenzie, is now six months old. She has graduated puppy Kindergarten, much to her dismay. She LOVED going to ‘school’ and she did so good!! I am so proud of her (and me) for all the work we put in. Kenzie is very much a wriggly, people loving giant in the making.

Kayley, my older dog is now eleven years old. Her and Kenzie have forged a decent bond. Occasionally Kayley still throws shady glances my way. I think she’s appalled by how big the puppers is getting. Overall, they love each other or so I tell myself.

My ‘adulting list’ grows shorter and shorter each day. I managed to complete a few projects around the house before winter envelopes us. In terms of writing news, the first set of edits has been completed on the latest book! I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel on this one.

As the temperatures begin to cool and the days grow shorter, a small part of me is looking forward to Fall and all the cozy sweaters it will bring. Until then, I’ll soak up the warm weather while it’s still here and enjoy every minute of it.

xx Katt

Setting The Mood

I’m admittedly not the best at keeping up with regular blog posts. I can only write so much about the latest edits and what not that goes into writing a book. Hint hint, currently working on the first sets of edits for the latest book…

And so, I’ve decided to do a quick recap on my summer morning routine. I’m a simple gal. I don’t drink coffee, so I swap with my matcha lattes. My general get ready routine is fairly standard, feed the dogs, wash my face, apply my serums, lotions, and sunscreen. Bam. Ready. Now let’s get on the good stuff.

My garden. I love my morning watering routine. I surround myself with plants, flowers, and fruit trees. It’s the best part of my day where I’m truly relaxed. My garden has started producing and definitely beats a trip to the grocery store. I mean, really, what’s better than that?

I know the daily grind can get hectic. I truly believe that if you’re able to start the day off with something that brings you joy, you’re one step ahead of everyone else.

Enjoy the sunshine and do something for yourself today!

xx Katt

New Addition

Do you ever look back and think “What have I done?”

Well, that thought has crossed my mind more than a few times within the past few weeks. Let me catch you up.

For over ten years, I have always wanted a Great Dane. I am a lover of giant breeds, whether that be horses or canines. As of recently, events sort of fell together and I became the proud owner of a Great Dane pup, an 8 week old female I’ve named Kenzie

I had a few weeks to prepare for the new arrivals homecoming. I busied myself puppy proofing the house, the yard, purchased a variety of toys, feeders, containments, etc for the pup. I even had a few chats with my older dog giving her the heads up of what was coming. I’d like to think it helped prepare Kayley (my older dog). Either way, she’s fully aware of the situation now.

Now…I haven’t done the whole puppy thing in a very long time. Let me just say, there is a reason puppies are so frigging cute. It’s a facade for the hair pulling moments you will have, and trust me, you will have them. I faintly remember being sleep deprived with Kayley’s puppyhood and saying the word “no” to exhaustion. By night two, let me tell you, all those distant memories became a hard reality.

Sleep deprivation is a real thing. Every bone in my body ached. My eyes burned from sleep exhaustion and nausea followed me around for awhile. My brain was in a constant fog and I wanted nothing more than to curl into a ball and sleep. But, that would not be happening anytime soon. Instead, I had to be alert and follow around a bundle of energy that consisted of oversized paws and legs.

Kayley also had a bit of an adjustment. On the first day she was thrilled with her new pup. All the old girl wanted to do was play with her. By day two, once she realized she wasn’t leaving, she began to sulk. By that time, Kenzie assumed they were now best of buds and lines had to be drawn.

The first week was rough. And I mean, rough. I had many moments of "what the hell have I done?” Kenzie screamed for the first few nights. I remember lying awake at night, staring at the ceiling in horror and doubt at what I had gotten myself into. Not only that, but it was tiring getting up every few hours to take Kenzie outside to keep up with house training. Kayley abandoned her pillow in the bedroom and sought refuge in the silence of the living room. I can’t say that I blamed her.

We are now on week three and I am happy to report things have improved drastically. Kenzie now sleeps through the night (in fact, she snores like a log) and she is learning her boundaries with Kayley. I take the girls out every day on the trails and they have bonded through our adventures. Kenzie is on her way to learning the basics: sit, stay, shake, lie down and wait. We have been accident free in the house for about a week now. None of the furniture has been destroyed (knock on wood) and Kenzie now sits at the door when she needs to go outside. Yay for the small victories!

Kenzie and I begin puppy kindergarten classes in mid June. I’ll do a blog post and update how the training is progressing. Since Kenzie is going to be a very large dog, I want her to be as well behaved as possible. I will say, for anyone who is thinking about getting a puppy, keep in mind that they are A LOT of work. And I mean a lot. Please be willing to put in the time and be consistent with them. It will make for a much easier life in the long run even though some days you may feel like you are going nowhere. Keep on going! Everything eventually clicks and there will be an “aha” moment!

So, as we near the end of week three with the pup, my earlier regrets are gone. I am beginning to see progress and Kenzie has adapted to our “life” routine. She is a very, very sweet girl and is so eager to please. It really has me looking forward to our future together and all the adventures yet to come.

I will say, that for every frustrating moment we face, the smiles and laughter she brings outweighs that by a long shot.

xx Katt

Something's Coming...

It’s official. “The Loss” has a sequel and it’s coming soon. Over the past few weeks I’ve been playing around with a few options for the title. I’m fairly certain I’ve chosen a winner….that announcement will come once the cover art is complete.

Whew. This one has been a doozy of emotions to write. I can’t wait to release it in the very near future. For now, I’ll leave you with a small snippet.

Everything started out the same as the day before. Except for the wind. Looking back now, it’s hard to imagine that a gentle breeze would be the beginning of the end. Who knew that this is where we would really begin to fall apart. But that’s the funny thing isn’t it? One never knows when your last moments will make their final appearance.

I wish I had paid closer attention to the warning signs. I would’ve sought cover but I was blinded. A storm was brewing in his mind. That easy breeze would eventually turn into his final bow, destroying everything in its path. I didn’t stand a chance.

xx Katt

The Weight

Happy 2021 everyone!! Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this year holds a lot more light and happiness than 2020 did.

I’ve been steadily working on my next book, and I’m coming on here to vent a wee bit. Honestly, this is one of the hardest books I’ve ever tackled. Silly me, and here I thought “The Loss” was a major emotional roller coaster to write. I can say with absolute certainty, this one tops the cake in that regard. The title is still a work in progress but it will be a follow up to “The Loss.” I was on the fence writing this one, but I can’t hold it in. It weighs heavy on my mind and it’s a darkness I need to let go of.

This one holds a very close place to my heart. All of my books do, but I suppose in a way this book offers the chance to heal. Trauma comes in many forms, and not everyone deals with it in “textbook” form. Be patient with me. This one is hard, but it is taking form. And it’s going to be a force.

xx Katt

Sending My Love and Holiday Wishes

Today is Christmas Eve. What a tornado of a year it has been. I’m curled up with a mug of tea and admiring my new surroundings. I received the keys to my new home four days ago and I am finally settled in. I managed to full on decorate the place for the season, I couldn’t help it. The inner child in me yearned for the comfort.

Christmas is a time of year that holds so many cherished memories and though this year has a definite void, I am trying to find comfort in the small things, like the soft glow from the lights, or the woodsy feel from the garland. Sometimes it truly is the little things that get us through the day. It’s so important not to overlook them.

As this year nears its end, I can’t help but reflect on what 2020 has brought. For many, it has tossed our worlds upside down. For others, it brought joy and good news. For myself, personally, I would like nothing more than to forget this year. But, I find that I’m hesitant to do so. While it has caused immense heartache and loss, it has also given me valuable life lessons. 2020 has shown me that I am strong. I am resilient. I have learnt to adapt to change and I will continue to do so. New doors have been opened, and I have jumped in with both feet. Who knows, perhaps this is the start of something that will be better than I could have ever imagined.

And so, with that said, I’m going to be living in comfy clothes for the remainder of the season and indulging in the holiday treats. I hope you get to do the same.

Wishing you all a warm holiday season and a happy, bright New Year. Here’s to 2021! May it be kind to us all.

xx Katt

Flying Solo

I’ve been on a soul searching mission. This year has been one of the most difficult years of my life; I’m sure a lot of you can relate to this one. A few months ago the world that felt so safe and solid got taken from me. The person I trusted more than anything clearly had another plan, one that did not include our home, or myself. It was a massive hit to my heart. When you’ve shared your life with someone for a long period of time, it’s hard to imagine life moving on without them. What I found to be more troubling is I had forgotten who I was, without him.

And so, over these past few months i’ve been on a personal journey of finding “me" again. I made a promise to myself that I would continue to do all the things we loved doing together. I would revisit my goals and hobbies that he tossed aside because he didn’t see the point. I would get rid of anything or anyone that was toxic in my life. Nothing looks the same as it once did, which is slightly terrifying but exhilarating at the same time. If I'm going to start fresh, its going to be on all fronts.

And you know what? I am so proud of myself and all the things I’ve managed to accomplish in this short amount of time. I’m starting to remember who I was before him, and I realized something very important….I really missed her. I missed me.

I’m not going to lie and say this has been easy. There are still days my heart aches so much and my stomach goes into knots. Some days breathing is a laborous chore. But looking on the flip side, I am now free. I no longer have to put all my effort into making someone happy when the same wasn’t done for me. I no longer have to hear things that made me feel so small and useless. I can simply just be….me.

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. One day when I look back on this, I hope it will make sense. For now, I am taking it day by day, step by step. I am working on rebuilding what he broke and I will learn from these mistakes. For now, all I can do is breathe, smile, and carry on to the next adventure.

Xx Katt

Don't blink.

And then it’s gone.
I’m left standing in my driveway admiring my home. Only it won’t be my home anymore. Someone else will be creating a life amongst the freshly painted walls and new floors. That was supposed to be me. It was supposed to be us.

Only this time, I won’t be packing my things with his. He will go his way, and I will go mine. The person I thought I knew no longer looks back at me. They are the eyes of a stranger, the words careless and unkind.

I blinked, and everything was gone. The life I worked so hard far no longer exists. My feet are unsteady, my vision hazy. I am left at the bottom, surrounded by the pieces of my life.

It’s hard to say goodbye. It’s one of the loneliest things in the world. It makes it even harder when you constantly clung on to the hope of change, that things would get better.

And so, here I am on the outside looking in. I am left to rebuild everything that I once had. I am temporarily lost. But those who are lost, can always find their way back.
xx Katt

She's back

Scars aren’t something you can always see. It doesn’t have to be something that made you bleed and left its mark. Sometimes it can be a memory that haunts you. A word that that has knocked you to your knees, especially if it comes from someone you thought you could trust. Scars are everywhere. We just get good at hiding them. Some more than others.

For those of you who have read “The Loss”, well, I can tell you that Ryleigh Carter is making a comeback. I never thought I’d write a sequel, but life’s a funny thing. Her story isn’t over. Not yet. In many ways you could say its just beginning.

P.S. I really suck at blogging every Wednesday. Sorry! I think one post per month may be more attainable for me…

xx Katt

What if....

What if?

It’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot lately. What if I went left, instead of right? What if I never said yes to that smile? What if I walked away? What if I stayed? What if I closed that door? What if? What if?

I’ve been pondering life lately and the illusions it can bring. When you see a house with a “sold” sign, is it the start of a new, exciting adventure? Or is it the breakdown of a family? That couple in the photo smiling, was it only for a brief moment? Once the flash faded, did he let go of her hand?

We all go through seasons in life, and they’re not always easy. I think a lot of people can agree that this year in particular has been a real treat for a lot of us.

I don’t have all the answers, hell, I’m not even sure that I have one at the moment. But, I think that’s okay. I give myself permission to be absent. I give myself permission to cry. At the end of the day, I know things will be okay. After all, sometimes you have to be lost in order to find yourself once again.

xx Katt

Moving On Up

Well. I think a HUGE thank you is in order. Two of my books, “Forget Me Not” and “The Loss” are moving up in the ranks thanks to everyone who has supported my journey thus far. We’ve cracked the top 10 and top 50 in certain categories and I honestly don’t know what to say. All I can say is thank you. THANK YOU!!!

Writing is not easy. Honestly, there are so many talented writers out there and for an unknown to jump into the big pool is scary. More often than not, it’s disheartening and overwhelming. It’s so incredibly easy to get buried and lost in the shuffle. My advice for anyone who is starting this journey: be prepared to fail. Be prepared to feel like it’s not worth it. Be prepared to want to give up.

I know from experience how much damn work and love goes into writing a story. It can be an emotional experience developing characters and deciding how their lives play out. And when people don’t gravitate toward your work, it’s hard. So hard. But keep on going. Especially if you choose to self publish, be prepared to study hard. To work hard. To write more than you ever thought was humanly possible. Keep going. It will take some time, maybe a lot of time, but in the end, you will find your audience. You will fail, you will stumble, but you will find your footing eventually. Keep going. Not everything in this world comes with instant gratification. Sometimes, the best things in life take damn hard work. If it’s worth it, you will fight.

xx Katt

Time to leave it all

There comes a time when you have to know to walk away. Most of you may not know, but writing is not my full time gig. Life is expensive (unfortunately) and so, I have a day job as well as my writing. Sometimes the pressure of the two combined, and the stress of the daily hustle can really eat away at you. You know the feeling, right? Sleep gets hard to come by, your brain won’t shut down, all the worries, and responsibilities gnaw away at you day after day. Sigh. You know what I mean.

When that happens, it’s time to say “see ya later” and hit the refresh button. What does that entail for me? Well, one of my favourite things; hitting the backroads. There’s nothing more satisfying than watching the smooth pavement fade away and the rough gravel roads hit the tires. The buildings and lights dissipate, and the world grows very quiet.

Close your eyes. Can you feel it? Can you smell it? The scent of exhaust is no longer present. The air is fresh, clean and so crisp it almost burns your lungs. The mountains and trees loom in the distant and suddenly, you realize how small you truly are in this world.

Sigh. I want to be there now. There’s only two more days until the weekend. I urge you to get away from it all. Recharge. Reset. Don’t forget to live.

xx Katt

Trying something new...?

Okay, okay. Fine. I’ll admit it.

I’m terrible at posting regularly on the blog.

There. I’ve said it.

Honestly though, can you blame me? The world we live in at the moment is utter chaos. There is SO much happening, it makes my brain hurt. Also, I’m not the best at “self promoting” my books. You can only write about them for so long before people will get bored.

Quick recap, I have four books out there in the world right now. Four. And I think they’re pretty good! If you want to take a peek at them, you will find them on the website under “Books” all the details are there.

I suppose I should mention I’m working on my fifth book as we speak. It bounces between the “then” and the “now”. The new venture starts off with a bang, quite literally. It won’t be until the end of the book that you will find out how the character ends up in the unfortunate situation where you initially “meet” her.

Anywho, referring to the title of this blog post aka “trying something new.” I thought that maybe I’d play with a “wordy Wednesday” blog. In which, I will try, and I mean try, to post something every Wednesday. It might not necessarily be about my books, but other aspects of my life. Road trips/ exploration, my critters; in general things I’m up too. Think of it as getting to know me, outside of this whole author business, put a “face” to a name so to speak.

Again, I won’t promise I’ll be posting on the regular. I’ve already admitted that I’m dreadful at it. But, I will most certainly try. Stay tuned! And I do hope you’re all staying well and positive.

xx Katt

Psst, I heard we have a sale....

Some exciting news…for a limited time only, Smashwords is offering “A Father’s Daughter” and “The Loss” for $2.79 US, ebook format. Offer is available until May 31, 2020.

If you’re curious about the books, now is a good time to check them out! And as always, thank you all for the support. Happy reading!

xx Katt

"A Father's Daughter" ebook

"The Loss" ebook

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day everyone!

Although a lot of us may be confined to our four walls, let’s not forget to appreciate the sheer beauty of this planet. From the vast deserts to the towering mountains, our planet is truly a beautifully crafted gift. Let’s treat it with kindness and enjoy the adventures it has to offer. When I think back to some of my best memories, they all stem from the outdoors. From the endless camping trips down the backroads, horseback riding in the trails, or digging a vehicle out from the mud after an off roading excursion gone wrong, they’ve all been absolute winners.

Over the past few weeks we’ve been busy getting our garden back to tip top shape. Our seeds are started, the fruit trees are blooming, and my flowers are in the ground for a pop of color. After a long, grey winter Spring always seems to take me by surprise. The life that is starting to bloom is a welcome sight to these somewhat unstable days.

Even though i’m terribly missing exploring the community I live in, i’ll keep my head down, hands in the dirt and admire the blooming view.

xx Katt

Day Dreaming

How is everybody doing?

It’s an odd time for the whole world, most certainly one for the books. I must admit, when I start to dwell on the significant impact this will have, my chest tightens and the panic begins to swell. I don’t want to live there, I won’t allow myself to go down that rabbit hole. And so, I find comfort in the familiar. The safe. The reminiscent of better days. That includes something as simple as baking.

I must admit, I’ve been doing a lot of baking these days. Like an obscene amount. I think it’s the comforting scents that bring me back to childhood. Whether that be the sweet smell of cinnamon and apples or the luring aroma of baked cookies, they all take me back to my Oma’s kitchen. I can clearly see her fussing around the oven with her apron on, humming an upbeat tune. Those were good days. Everything was right and I never knew the dangers this world could hold.

Despite everything that is going on, I know how incredibly blessed I am. I live in an area where the air is clean and the ocean is never that far away. I don’t know whether it’s the soothing sound of the sea as the waves lap onto the beach, or the bite from the salt air, I can’t help but feel hopeful better days are around the corner. I long to explore this area that I call home. My favourite places will be there when all this is done. For now, all I can do is day dream and wait.

xx Katt