Typing With Wet Paws: Unauthorized Changes Edition

February 8, 2026annabowling Leave a comment

Tails Up, Storm Troopers! I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. It is super cold here in NY today, so the humans are having a hibernation day. I am fine with that, because it means many cuddles, scritches and belly rubs. Aunt Linda made somebody hunt pizza and bring it to us (I, of course, had cat food) and Mama Anna suggested I might think about posting. Since she asked nicely, okay.

Okay, maybe I’m a little mad. Cats are notorious for not liking change, and there are changes going on around here. The bed, for one thing. For as long as we have been here, Papa slept closest to the door, Mama Anna on the other part of the bed, and then me on top of or next to her, depending on my mood. Sometimes between the two of them. Since Papa had to go to Rainbow Bridge, this has meant Things Are Different.

I will start with the best part; my big cat bed is now on the people bed. It started out on Papa’s side, but due to structural issues with the bedframe, Mama Anna switched sides. Now she sleeps where Papa did, and my bed is on the side where she used to be. If that weren’t enough, the humans are talking to the dog dad across the hall, aka Maintenance Dude, about getting rid of the old bed, after which there is a new bed to set up, in a different location than the current bed. My big cat bed will be on Mama Anna’s bed when the new bed is here, so I guess that is okay.

In case you missed the last blog Mama Anna posted, Drama King is here, and yes, there is a cat in it. His name is Clawed (that exact spelling) and he is an orange boy, with strong opinions on sharing (he is not a fan.) He is not on the cover, but he is important. I was the sensitivity reader for cat-ness on this one, so I give it four paws up. Good job, Mama Anna and Aunt Melva. Shout out to my play cousins, Murphy and Ollie. They are boy cats, so they helped with the boy cat part.

If you read the book and liked it, consider leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads. That helps the authors a lot (including but not limited to purchasing more cat treats.) A review can be as easy as “I liked it,” or “good book” or “the cat was my favorite part; the next one should have a calico girl and/or tuxedo boys.” All three of us felines are hard at work helping our humans with the next books. Do you like books with pets in them? Let us know in the comments, to keep in mind for future books.

One more thing. Some humans have asked if they have to read Chasing Prince Charming before Drama King, and the answer is no. Of course the authors hope that you will, but if Drama King is your first Love by the Book story, that is okay too.

Okay, that’s it for this week, apart from another picture of me. Cat pictures are always a good thing.

How was your week?

Typing With Wet Paws: Hello, January Edition

January 10, 2026annabowling Leave a comment

Tails up, Storm Troopers! I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws.

this is probably a Greatest Hits picture, but I have been busy

Things are taking on a new rhythm around here. I am Mama Anna’s number one emotional support since Papa had to go to Rainbow Bridge early. Big Sister Skye and Big Brother Ginger are surely giving him lots of purrs and headbonks. His side of the bed is now my side of the bed, and I am absolutely on top of all incoming mail. Literally. I like sitting on stuff.

Some of that stuff is stuff Papa ordered before, well, you know. These are so far surprises for Mama Anna and Aunt Linda, because he didn’t talk to either one of them about any incoming packages. No, they are not holiday gifts. The first one to arrive was an incense burner. Nobody can figure out why he ordered that because asthma. Mama Anna is not sure if incense and cats are a good mix. She has wax melts anyway.

Another thing that came was a sweater. At first, Mama Anna thought that a big, chunky sweater would be like a nice present from Papa, but then she had Aunt Linda check the fiber content. Aunt Linda knows basically everything about fibers. As suspected, it was a wool blend. Mama Anna is allergic to wool. Back in the package it goes, so it can keep somebody else warm.

The third thing I want to mention today is something Mama Anna found that was a secret, and is very much a gift from Papa. It is no secret around here how much Mama Anna loves journaling. Papa had made some noises about asking her to help him set up a journal like hers, but we all thought that did not happen…until Mama Anna found a small black fabric book. Hm. No words on the cover, nothing to tell her what it was, so she looked inside. Guess what? Papa had started a commonplace book, which is a type of journal where humans can keep lists of stuff they think is interesting, bits of ephemera and stuff.

Papa only wrote on a few pages, and his first list was creative ways to express irritation. Mama Anna says I am not allowed to post that kind of language, but she says it was like hearing him, and she laughed. She will pick up the book from where he left off and put in some pictures and memories, because they have the same sense of humor and had a lot of fun together. I suggest some pictures of Papa and me, because we love each other a lot. I was technically not allowed on his desk, but we all know how rules like that play out:

Not every day is easy around here, but finding things like I talked about today make things more…well, Papa-y. Mama Anna and I are getting plenty of cuddles, and I help her watch stuff on her glowy boxes, preferably while she gives me belly rubs. Belly rubs benefit both of us.

Anyway, that’s pretty much it around here this week. Okay, there was the time Mama Anna caught me trying to climb the dresser drawers to get to the drawer where my treats are. She was less than impressed by that, but if I can get my own treats, that’s one thing off her plate, and on mine (literally.)

Journal Writing During Family Emergencies

December 15, 2025annabowling Leave a comment

Yesterday was a gorgeous snow day in NY state. We are not in the city, but I saw plenty of such pictures from those who were, and it was everything I ever would want from a NYC snow day. I did get to see the snow from the waiting room outside where Real Life Romance Hero is staying right now. Yesterday was a good-ish day. The day before, not so much. We are still figuring out a few things. I am not using my planners much right now, as days are pretty much the same – days are for hospital, then home for dinner and sleep. Housemate is handling domestic matters.

Journals, though, I am using a lot. Hospital journal. Personal journal. Notes on writing stuff. Not notes about blogging, because I am winging it for now. This is a time for blurting. What is on my mind is on the page. We are one day at a time-ing it over here. This is my favorite time of year, and yet this year, we are outside of it. That is what it is. I am setting up for 2026, though. I like the focus. This does include writing things. The need to write is strong. Fiction the most, because that’s my big creative love. I am interested to see what my writing will do in and after this season.

Storm is definitely doing her job. When I get home from the hospital, she meets me at the door. She leads me into the bedroom, and insists I lie on the bed, so she can jump on me, loaf, and purr. I pet her. She is warm and soft. She insists that Housemate and I give her gushy food when we have our dinner. She has a new tilted food dish that is only for gushy food. She deserves all the treats and many belly rubs.

Housemate comes with me most days now. Having the company helps a lot. Yesterday, she sat next to me and crocheted, explaining her stitches and such, even though I do not myself crochet. I like the rhythm of her stitches. I tell RLRH about what is happening at home, the weather outside, share memories and inside jokes. I write in my hospital journal, notes on RLRH’s care, and thinking on paper, much like here, whatever is in my brain. I know I need and want to be reading, though my brain is not quite there yet. I haven’t listened to Christmas music; I want to, though. My usual Christmas movie re-watches — Love Actually, The Holiday, About A Boy— I have waved at from a distance. I love them, I think about them, and I can absolutely watch them at any time of the year. Same with Christmas/holiday books, foods, etc.

Family emergencies are tough. Holidays can be tough. Combine the two, and it’s something else altogether. Like I said, we are one day at time-ing the whole thing. That is good enough for now.

illustrated image of a redheaded woman writing in a journal as her calico cat observes. — *as always, Anna*

Typing With Wet Paws: Mama Anna’s Birthday Week Edition

October 30, 2025annabowling Leave a comment

Tails up, Storm Troopers! I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. October has been a quiet month for the blog, but that’s not because nothing is going on. It’s actually the opposite. Super powers are in full swing, and Mama Anna is not idle. I will say, though, that she is slow on the uptake on one thing.

Her favorite week of the year is what she calls the tucked away week, from December 25 to January 1, aka between Christmas and New Year’s Day. She has only this year acknowledged that there is a second (or rather, first, as October comes before December) tucked away week, and that is between October 24th (her birthday) and October 31 (Halloween.) Start and end with a holiday both times, special foods and customs, seasonal decor, friends and family, you get the drift. Which is quicker than her in this case. That’s okay. Not everybody can be a cat. I am, though, so I lucked out on that one.

Anyway, Mama Anna’s birthday was great. Social media people showed up with good wishes, Aunt Linda took her to lunch and the art store (Mama Anna loves the art store) and Papa got Chinese food for dinner and they got to hang out at home. I gave her cuddles and headbonks and we played red dot, which was super fun. The next day, the party kept going.

This is Cousin Skye, who is a dog, and different from Big Sister Skye, who is a cat (Rainbow Bridge) and her lobster toy from all of us. That is the only picture of said lobster toy, as she loved it to death. Literally. RIP, Lobster. We all knew that going in. Next time, Kong. That’s Uncle Brian with her, who is married to Aunt Mary, who makes the bestest pina colada cake (I have to take the humans’ word for it, because apparently it is Not For Kitties) I stayed home with Papa, because I am not great on my own for whole afternoons. They did go thrifting and I got to inspect the results of that. I approved everything.

Here I am, with a paper bag that passed inspection with flying colors. Very crunchy, smells great. Papa said I did mostly great on our afternoon, playing with him, getting treats and cuddles. I did pace for the last hour-ish, but as soon as I heard Mama Anna come home, I was all better. I have been sticking close to her ever since. She had to help Aunt Linda do something out of the house on Monday, which is too soon for Mama Anna to go out after being out already, but she brought back interesting bags and I got catnip. I forget what happened after the catnip, but my paws are amazing. I have switchblade fingers.

For those wondering if I am going to dress up for Halloween (if your question is do I let Mama Anna put things on me, like hats and capes, the answer is yes) wait no longer. I will be dressing as an ice cream sundae. Dark fudge and chocolate on vanilla, to be exact. It is the traditional dress of my people, the Calico. It is also the same as my everyday look, because it’s just that good.

What are you up to this tucked away week?

Typing With Wet Paws: September Super Powers Edition

September 9, 2025annabowling Leave a comment

Tails up, Storm Troopers! I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. I am taking Mama Anna’s slot this week because 1) I am a cat, and 2) I have to strike while the keyboard is free. It is September now, and that is when Mama Anna’s super powers kick in. If you are new here, she loves autumn. Displays in stores are turning from back to school, to Halloween, which is not at all a problem for her, especially because that means spooky stationery and decorations, which she will use all year long.

The big news for me is that I got my first Chewy box. Moe, the Chihuahua across the hall, said his dad gets him stuff from there and I should try it. (This isn’t sponsored. I only wanted to explain how awesome the box is.) Mama Anna had ordered a vintage gothic romance novel by an author she loves, and hadn’t read yet. The store sent a book with the right title, but by the wrong author. It’s okay. Mama Anna will read the wrong book anyway, and the right one is on its way. Anyway, there was a Chewy coupon in the envelope, and the humans figured Moe was probably on to something, and now there is a big bag of food and some cans of gushy food. They forgot to order catnip, but that can be next time.

The humans put the box on the big bed and then did nothing. I climbed right in and started sniffing everything. It’s pretty great. I love playing in boxes, and if they smell like my food, that is even better. Mama Anna will probably use that box to store finished journals and out of season stationery, but that’s okay. I still have my Ulta bag and the last big box to sleep and play in whenever I want. Mama Anna put a catnip toy inside the box, which is super fun.

That’s me checking out the goods. I stayed in there for a while. The humans did not let me rip the bag open and eat the crunchies straight from there. I have feelings about that ruling, but they do provide the food, so I guess I can accept this.

One of the ways that I can tell the super powers are back is that Mama Anna is making tea in the mornings. She likes tea. A lot. We have a kettle and a machine that makes hot water super fast. No, not the microwave. Mama Anna is not a savage. Well, not that kind of savage. She can be kind of intense when it comes to setting up her secondary desk. That one is in the kitchen, which she uses for video chats, and probably recording some vlogs. Being able to talk about stuff makes her want to do it more, and that’s okay. I can watch her fine from my scratchy thing next to the bathroom door. Not only is it good for keeping my claws in shape, but it’s super comfy. I like sleeping on it, or just hanging out.

That’s about it for this week, except for the part where I got to consult with two of my peers this morning. They were humans, not cats, but we are all pest control experts. I told them we don’t have any pests (if we did, I would find them and bring them to Mama Anna) and they checked the thing they left last time, and what do you know, I was right. No pests. You’re welcome.

How is your week going?

Typing With Wet Paws: Papa’s Birthday Eve Edition

August 14, 2025annabowling Leave a comment

Tails Up, Storm Troopers! I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. We are still in the cat days of August, which are mostly me lying in front of our air conditioner, Koolio, during the day and doing most of my cat stuff at night. Mama Anna had her special talking vet appointment yesterday, and tomorrow is Papa’s birthday. We are going to do whatever he wants, which will probably be at home, because he is a homebody. That must be where I get it. He will probably ask Mama Anna and Aunt Linda to go get cannoli, because he likes that better than cake (which is still good.) I think the Italian side of the family must approve.

this is about what I look like during the days

Mama Anna is chugging along with the writing stuff. When the sun is on her desk chair, she can go to the soft office, which is the big bed. She got a lap desk she can pop on the big bed and work with her laptop from there. It also works for writing longhand, which is where she does the most of her composing. I like to be on hand (or paw) to supervise and inspire.

Since my “days” begin at night, one of my favorite parts is when Mama Anna comes to bed after her bath and watches an old English tv show on her tablet. It’s like The Walking Dead but in the 1970s in England, and there are no zombies, but lots of farm animals. Obviously, she likes it a lot, and it inspires her to do more world building and character lore development for her medieval post-apocalyptic stories. Zombies aren’t a problem in this show, or in her books, but questions like “crap, where are we going to get salt?” and “oh no, the sheep ate the wrong grass; does anybody know what we do now?” are super big deals. Mama. Anna. Loves. It.

Reading is kind of not happening right now, which she is not liking, but the Talking Vet gave her some tips that she will try. That happens sometimes. She has plenty of books, so that is not the problem. My suggestion is to keep watching stuff and give me belly rubs.

We have Papa’s presents ready to go, and he gets to pick what dinner will be. Yes, I will be getting a special treat as well, because I always do on holidays. Usually, we share a can of people tuna.

What’s up for your weekend?

Typing With Wet Paws; Sunday Funday Edition

July 20, 2025annabowling Leave a comment

Tails up, Storm Troopers! I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. I am blogging on Sunday this week because we finally got a break in the heat, and there was a while earlier when it was me-ing outside. That is Mama Anna’s favorite kind of summer weather. Papa is working a long shift today, which is nice for him, because he likes his job, but it does leave me without my Papa for such a long time that I do have to mention it. I will spend a decent amount of time on the Papa spot in the big bed, so he remembers where home is.

Since Papa is out hunting for cool stuff (that’s what working is, right?) we are having a chill girls’ day in with me, Mama, and Aunt Linda. Mama Anna is spending part of the day helping me with my blog post, and part of it playing Sims (one of her Sims families now has a calico cat, so that makes the game that much more fun) and part of it taking naps.

This has been an interesting week on the home front. Nobody likes heat, but Koolio takes care of that. Earlier this week, Papa had to do some stuff at the people vet. No cone of shame, but he does have to take some pills. He is brave. He doesn’t even have to hide them in tuna or anything. I am proud of him. Mama Anna picked up a low grade virus that she gets sometimes when stressed, but that is also under control. I have been working hard on nursing duties (the health worker kind, not the kittens-eating kind) which seem to be working because the humans are getting better. Aunt Linda appears to be fine.

I am still in love with the orange Ulta bag. The humans agree I get to keep it until it gets too worn or gross, at which point, Mama Anna and Aunt Linda obviously have to go to Ulta again. I wonder if they make pet beds. I bet they would be awesome. Mama Anna should show the picture of me on the bag to the Ulta people. I bet they’d love it. I pick it over some other beds when given options. Aunt Linda got me a canvas pouch with a calico cat on it, so the humans can keep my daily dose of treats in one place that is obvious in case a cat sitter or somebody needs to know where my stuff is. They can probably put the catnip there, too. There’s also a spare toy. Speaking of which, Mama Anna got me a laser pointer (that is safe for kitties) that has different options for the shapes I can chase. Variety is a good thing.

This is me on top of Mama Anna’s Kindle and one of her composition notebooks. I love this time of year, because Mama Anna gets super happy about school and office supplies going on sale. I, of course, have to inspect all new arrivals and make sure they smell right. That means like us. In about a week, we will be moving into the end of July and then it will be August, which is Papa’s Birthday season, and also shifts, at least for Mama Anna, from summer to pre-fall, and pre-fall is Super Powers Prep Time.

This is also the anniversary of the time I tried, without permission, to be an outdoor cat. Spoiler alert; I am not one. Many thanks to Mama Anna, Papa, and Aunt Linda for spending all that time looking for me and making sure I got home safe. I am never going outside again. I am an indoor cat for sure. Koolio, heaters, fans, comforters, electronic devices, toys, beds, Ulta bags, all that good stuff. Also treats. There are zero treats in the wild.

How is your weekend going?

Typing With Wet Paws: So This Is July Edition

July 6, 2025annabowling Leave a comment

Tails Up, Storm Troopers. I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. We have landed in July. So far, it’s shaping to be quite the month.

First of all, my human cousin was born! They were expected a little later than this, but everybody is happy and healthy and home. We have not met them, of course, but seen pictures. I am not sure how much I am allowed to say here, so we will call them Human Cousin, pronouns they/them. There is no cat at their house, but there is a dog. I am sure they will be besties.

I am very proud of myself, having managed this great feat (with my great feet) this early in the summer. I managed to get on Mama Anna’s office chair, while there was a towel on it (she says terrycloth is the best texture for both heat and anxiety) and turned it so that I was both directly in the sunbeam and directly in front of Koolio (our air conditioning unit, if you are new here. Also, for those who are new, Hi. I’m Storm. You love me. We’re friends now. What’s your name?)

Kitty fit check. If you were wondering if I would let Mama Anna put clothes on me, the answer is yes, but ONLY Mama Anna, and we have only done hats and scarves so far. We may try dresses later, but I am already gorgeous au naturel. Mama Anna did once see a video of a calico cat wearing a clear raincoat walking through rainy Tokyo, which cemented for her that if I ever need a raincoat, it will be clear. I probably won’t need a raincoat. I am an indoor cat.

Have I shown you this picture of me in a box before? Well, it’s worth a second look. I love boxes. They are pretty great. With the way Aunt Linda likes Amazon, I am not lacking in boxes. Right now, I have an orange Ulta bag that I love super super super much. The humans have agreed that this is a special bag and they will keep it until it’s beyond use. They are smart. Mama Anna had Papa take pictures of me on the bag because he takes the best photos, and the next step is to get him to send her the pictures so we can put them here. Did I mention I really love this bag?

That’s about it for this week. Mama Anna has some TV and movie stuff to watch while rubbing my belly, so we better get to it.

What’s going on with you?

Typing With Wet Paws: Koolio in the House Edition

June 6, 2025annabowling Leave a comment

Tails up, Storm Troopers! I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. As the title might suggest, we have our air conditioning on, and it feels awesome. I have been unusually talkative lately. Papa and Mama Anna think I want to make sure they are okay because it is summer weather now, and Aunt Linda thinks I am reacting to the air pressure. The weather report says it will be me-ing soon and that does things to the atmosphere.

Mama Anna was curious to see if I would accept clothes. The answer is yes.

Mama Anna tells me that tomorrow’s trip will be the last one of the summer, as she and Aunt Linda are going to see Aunt Mary again tomorrow. That is why I am posting today. They will be back on Sunday, so only gone for one night, but that is still too long for my liking. I get to spend the weekend with Papa. He may work on the new headboard. You will all be glad to hear it is unanimous that I will be allowed to scratch it if I want (it’s distressed already.)

Now that we have the proper inside temperature, and nobody is sweating to death, the humans will be better able to function. I still get the open window in Aunt Linda’s room, so that’s good. Having air conditioning means that it is much easier to function. The humans had been stubborn and insisted that fans were enough, but Papa ended up at the vet last year, and then they broke down, got Koolio, and, well, Mama Anna hauled out her weighted blanket last night. She had her feet sticking out. Best of both worlds.

Last week, Aunt Linda put a lot of her extra yarn in storage. She still has more to put away, and all of the humans need to switch their winter and summer clothes. Seems like a lot of work. I just shed. Much more efficient. We also have new summer sheets, which I will have to inspect when the humans make the bed next. That whole bit about “remove cat” being every other step in instructions for changing sheets with a cat around is funny because it’s true.

the white thing is a t-shirt, so I will shed on that and not on Mama Anna’s pink chair.

Warmer weather means more daytime naps for everybody, and then more activity when it is dark and cool. I could have told them that. With Mama Anna’s desk in front of a window, that puts her in direct sun during the day. Thankfully, she can take paper and pen to the soft office, or her laptop, for that matter, and go back to the desk at night. In case I didn’t mention it earlier, Mama Anna got a whole big box of tiny bubble wands and keeps one at her desk. She says blowing soap bubbles is good for calming down when she has anxiety. I am not sure about them. I gave them my best Halloween Kitty posture, but they don’t seem to do any harm, so maybe they will be fun to bat with my paws, as was suggested. These are the regular soap kind. Mama Anna needs to try the catnip kind. I will probably like those.

What does your weekend look like?

Typing With Wet Paws: Going to a Baby Shower Edition

May 17, 2025annabowling Leave a comment

Tails up, Storm Troopers. I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. Mama Anna thinks I don’t know she is going away overnight tomorrow because she is packing an overnight bag rather than a suitcase, but I know the signs. I should state that Mama Anna and Aunt Linda are the ones going to the baby shower. I am staying home with Papa. We will be getting the primary bedroom ready to install Koolio when Mama Anna gets back. Right now, we have fans going, but Mama Anna is firm. It’s humid. Try dealing with that when wearing a full time fur coat. I guess the humans are putting Koolio in for themselves, too.

This is what Mama Anna woke to this morning. It took her all night to finally fall asleep, so I wanted to keep a close eye on her and make sure she was okay. Spoiler alert, she was. She’s still sad from her friend going to Rainbow Bridge, but also excited to help the people kitten’s family get ready for them. When she gets back, she will be tired. Fortunately, I am great at helping with naps. I will also inspect her bags for any interesting things.

It’s been an interesting week over here. Mama Anna is happy she was able to blog, both her turn and helping me here. Hopefully next week will be more fiction-y. Once Koolio is up and running, she will be much better equipped to function during the summer, which it totally is right now.

Change of season also means change of Mama Anna’s nighttime journal. The big chonky journal is the old one she just finished, and the thin one, still in its shrink wrap, is the new one. They are about pocket size and last about three months. The old one is metallic gold and the new one is lavender. Mama Anna thought that was good for summer. The other options were black and navy blue. She is saving those for fall and winter and then needs to restock. The art store near Aunt Mary sells them, so she will probably get some when she visits there. The art store in our city has them sometimes.

Now that it is summer time, the layout of the home office is a little different. Mama Anna’s desk is next to the window. She can work there in the morning, but around noon, it is too bright, so she moves us (I work with her, obviously) to the soft office, aka the people bed. The whole room will be cool when Koolio is in use, but right now, there is a fan pointed at it. Two, actually, one on each side. It’s pretty comfy. I like the breeze in my fur.

Anyway, that’s about it for this week. How are you getting ready for summer?

Typing With Wet Nails

for the love of romance

family