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So today started like a responsible adult movie montage. I woke up, laced up my invisible sneakers, and went for my morning walk. I even treated myself to two cans of tea at the store. Hydration and discipline. Look at me go. Then I walked back. Halfway home, my lungs decided to file a formal complaint. I could barely breathe. The kind of breathing where every step feels like you’re auditioning for a dramatic hospital scene. Convenient timing too, because I already had a doctor’s appointment about… my breathing. Up until now, a few doctors had waved the magic wand...

I woke up today to Whiskey Kitty performing what can only be described as a full-contact affection routine. Slobber on my ear. Snuggle attack. Then a sneeze. Then a cough. Direct hit to my face. Normally, that might qualify as grounds for a tiny feline lecture. But she’s too young to know better, and honestly, if you’re going to be germ-bombed by anyone, it might as well be by a kitten who looks like innocence with whiskers. The day started sweet, but my mind wasn’t exactly floating on clouds. I’ve got a court case hanging over me like a storm...

Today brought a small trumpet blast of good news. I’ve been contacted by the La Mirada Arts Colony to do a paid demonstration. Paid. Demonstration. Two words that make an artist’s heart do a little tap dance. I chose my specialty watercolor technique, the one that happens in the dark, where the painting isn’t just traced by line but by shape, gradient, and color memory. It’s like drawing with intuition instead of eyesight. A little nerve-racking. A lot magical. So naturally, I asked Mom if we could go to the art store to stock up on what I’d need. She...

So if this blog is about quitting smoking, why all the talk about my art and my cat? Why not just write, “Didn’t smoke today. End of story.” Because quitting isn’t just about not doing something. It’s about doing something else instead. There’s a psychological term for this called opposite action. It sounds like a superhero move, but really it’s a simple idea. When your brain wants one thing, especially something destructive, you give it something completely different. You redirect the current instead of trying to dam the river. Years ago, Subway had that famous spokesperson, Jared, who went from...

This morning started the way only a kitten can start it. Whiskey needed breakfast and decided my ear was the emergency alert system. Sucking, nibbling, then full-on chomping while I was trying to drift back into dreamland. Mom said that was her way of telling me she wanted me up and ready to play. Who would’ve guessed that something so small, cute, and fuzzy could come with the responsibility level of a part-time job. So much for sleeping in. After the kitten Olympics, Mom and I headed out to drop off my art and books for the upcoming show at...