What’s New With Katrina Kittle

April 2025

Welcome to April!

Whew. February and March were tough months for me, with my dad’s medical issues. At times, things felt overwhelming and so, so stressful. Fortunately, his situation is now feeling more manageable and we’re adjusting to a new normal—I’ve been slowly venturing back into writing, starting seeds indoors (cucumbers, zucchini, hollyhocks), and have had time to experiment with a new crème brulee (this month’s flavor: espresso).

I have to say that keeping a Reasons to Be Happy list really helps during tough times. Such lists obviously don’t keep bad things from happening, but they really can help you change how you react to them. Tracking moments that make you happy—or things for which you’re grateful—helps you see more of them. There will be days when good things seem hard to find, and those are the days you need the list the most.

Annie’s String

Oh, how I adore this little derpy girl. And, oh, how she adores that little pink string. She pulled that string out of one of my hoodies, and now carries it from room to room. She brings it to us for us to “play string” with her. She likes to chase it and leap for it. Sometimes I wake up and she has brought it onto the bed. After I make coffee in the morning, I always play string with her for about 10 minutes. It’s the perfect way to start a day. I love watching her walk with it—one end in her mouth, the string between both sets of legs. She has to waddle with a wide gait trying not to step on it. I’m determined to get a video of this someday!

BEING MORTAL, by Atul Gawande 

This book was published in 2014, but was just recommended to me by my cousin Kris (as we both deal with aging/ailing parent issues), and I’m so grateful to her for this important read. Gawande, a doctor, talks about how when it comes to the inescapable realities of aging and death, what modern medicine can do often runs counter to what it should. He writes about how to have hard conversations (that I actually used when talking with my Dad), and reminds us that endings are not controllable, “but neither are we helpless.” Two quotes from the book that hit home for me:

• “…our most cruel failure in how we treat the sick and aged is the failure to recognize that they have priorities beyond merely being safe and living longer; that the chance to shape one’s story is essential to sustaining meaning in life.”  

• “One has to decide whether one’s fears or one’s hopes are what should matter most.”

I highly recommend it! Gawande has done several interviews as well that are riveting, like this one from Fresh Air, with Terry Gross.

Remember I raved about Untethered last month? I’ve loved all of Angela’s books, but this may be my favorite (so far). I caught up with her and asked her a few questions:

WHAT ARE THREE THINGS BRINGING YOU JOY OR DELIGHT THESE DAYS?

Exploring a New Genre in My Writing
I’m currently working on a novel in a brand-new genre—fantasy—or at least a genre that I have never written in before. One I’ve always enjoyed reading but never attempted to write. The experience feels like play, which is something I hadn’t realized I was missing in my creative process. Since I often write serious, literary fiction, stepping into a space where I can experiment without overthinking has been incredibly freeing.

Practicing the Art of Saying No (and Yes!)
Lately, I’ve been embracing the power of choice—saying no to things I don’t want to do and yes to what truly excites me, all without explanation or guilt. It’s a work in progress, but the more I practice, the lighter I feel.

Spending Time with Family
There is no greater joy than being with my children and grandchildren. Whether we’re laughing over dinner or simply sitting together in comfortable silence, these moments remind me of what truly matters.

CAN YOU LIST THREE PET PEEVES OR THINGS THAT ARE TRYING YOUR PATIENCE THESE DAYS?

I could list the big, obvious issues happening in the world, but instead, I’ll focus on small, everyday pet peeves—the things I can at least attempt to control!

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No, I do not want to buy another face cream that will make me look twenty-six instead of fifty-six. No, I am not interested in food prep services or a maid service that will clean my entire house for $19.99. May I please just scroll through social media or binge watch my favorite shows without all of those doggone ads???

The Grocery Store Checkout Line Shuffle
I commend those folks who are penny pinchers. Considering the times we are living in, I should do more pinching myself, BUT do those shoppers REALLY have to use a coupon for every SINGLE item in their cart? Listen, Linda, I have some milk and a $90 carton of eggs. Please, just let me go first and I will get out of your hair.

The Vanishing Phone Charger
No matter how many chargers I buy, they all mysteriously disappear—usually into the depths of my children’s or grandchildren’s rooms, never to be seen again.

I AM SO CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW PEOPLE ARE TAKING CARE OF THEMSELVES DURING THESE TRYING TIMES. I’M HUNGRY FOR NEW IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO STAY SANE AND HEALTHY. CAN YOU SHARE WHAT YOU ARE DOING?

With the world in constant flux, I’ve found a few simple strategies that help me maintain my peace of mind:

Watching Mindless, Comforting TV
Lately, I’ve been indulging in shows like The Great British Bake Off—where the biggest drama is whether a sponge cake is too dry. It’s exactly the kind of low-stakes entertainment my brain needs.

Reading Books that Bring Me Joy
Instead of diving into heavy, thought-provoking reads, I’m reaching for stories that uplift, entertain, or transport me somewhere magical. I just finished reading Stephen King’s Fairy Tale for my book club and it was a nice, easy read that did not require me to overthink or become overwhelmed. 

Limiting My News Intake
I used to be a news junkie, but now I only check the headlines a few times per day (if that). It keeps me informed without overwhelming my mind with endless negativity. Call it “putting my head in the sand.” I call it survival.

Have Happy, Will Travel

I love bringing my classes and workshops to schools, libraries, and organizations. On Sunday, March 9, I led a “Happy Class” at the Oxford Lane Library in Oxford, Ohio. I almost rescheduled this full-with-a-waiting-list class because of all the overwhelming medical drama happening with my dad. But then I thought: I NEED this class. As much as I love to share the simple practices that help us hang on to joy and calm with stress/negativity swirling all around us, I knew I needed the reminders of those practices myself. I’m so glad I went—it really helped refuel me. Are you hungry for happiness, too? Get a full description of “Happy Class” and my other offerings on my website’s Events & Classes page. I can travel to or do virtual sessions for groups that are not in the Dayton area.

Cliff Cash’s stand-up comedy special, The Long Road (The full special is available on YouTube. His section about his father’s death really hit home for me, and some of what he said truly helped me during the roughest days of my dad’s hospital stay).

The Turkish Delight Latte at my favorite coffee shop, ContempoRoast (This drink is a luscious concoction of pistachio, strawberry rose, cardamom, espresso, and milk. Indulgence in a cup.)

Annie and her string

U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett

I’m grateful to you all for subscribing. Be kind and good
to each other out there.

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