Hello my lovies!

My name’s Melissa, the cat lady nature writer behind this blog.

There’s a few things to know about me…

First, I’m a total cat lady. I love my cats and other people’s cats and cats on the internet I’ve never even met. I especially love and have a big soft spot for elderly cats.

I live with 15 and a half year old cat called Sophie (who we call Miss Soph among many other names).

Still living with my parents is my other senior cat Sapphy, my mum’s cat Sylvie, and my sister’s cat Topaz, all of whom you’ll be hearing about.

I’ll share my experiences looking after these cats in their golden years, and may share tips from veterinary professionals (I’m definitely not a veterinary professional! Just a devoted cat lady).

Something I really enjoy doing is knitting and crocheting blankets, toys and anything else cosy for animals. I’ve made a number of items for rescue groups and shelters that I donate, as well as cosy things for my cats. Stay tuned for more about these DIY crafts for cats and other animals!

On a more serious note, a challenge of loving elderly cats is the health challenges and knowing that at some point, we’re going to have to say goodbye.

In 2020, Sophie’s sister Pippi went in for a routine chest x-ray to investigate some ongoing issues. She didn’t come home. After being kept in the vet clinic overnight, she passed away the next day. This was sudden and unexpected for all of us, and we tried to make sense of things. It was particularly hard on Sophie.

When we love animals, inevitably there comes a time when we have to say goodbye. In my experience, it always comes too soon.

Nothing anyone says can take away feelings of grief. I hope in documenting my own story with different types of grief and loss that it might bring some comfort to anyone going through any sort of grief, whether it’s due to a loss that’s occurred or an impending loss of an elderly or ill cat.

Recently, Sapphy was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. She seems to be going great on her medical regimen, but with the uncertainty of the prognosis, I’ve been experiencing on and off anticipatory grief.

While the experience of caring for our elderly cats in their final years is beautiful, I’ve become aware of how precious these latter years are to appreciate.

Join me on the journey of looking after elderly cats with Cat Stories, with my personal experiences, tips, and advice.

And nothing would excite me more than for you to introduce me to your cats! If you’ve ever wanted to tell people about your cats, now is your opportunity. Feel free at any time to send an email to [email protected] about your cat(s) and any stories. Like I said, few things would excite me more than being introduced to your cats so don’t be shy. It would likely make my day.

Soon I’ll be adding in a “Cat of the Month” to my email newsletter, so let me know if you’d be happy to have your cat featured!

You’re warmly invited to sign up to this newsletter at the bottom of this page.

The second thing(s) to know about me is that nature is my safe space and I cry at David Attenborough documentaries.

I feel like nature documentaries have gone from, “look at the pretty butterflies”, “see how the ocean creatures live” and “watch how this baby sloth moves” to “we’re on the brink of global disaster and our planet is collapsing as we know it”, “climate change” and “human impact on the environment” (and often not a good impact).

It’s not often I have the emotional stability to watch one of his documentaries, but I did recently and it was awful. I mean the documentary was incredible, but some disturbing content stayed with me.

I’m a homebody who loves nature. Home has always been my favourite place to be. Nature has always felt like home. Animals have always been my favourite company.

Growing up on a hobby farm in Australia I enjoyed learning deeply about nature and the planet I lived on. I borrowed DK Eyewitness documentary videos (cue the theme music and yes, I’m talking about VHS videos) from the local library repeatedly. I borrowed as many nature and animal-related books as I could get my hands on or was allowed to check out at any given time. I learned the most from observing the natural surrounds of my home town.

As an adult, when I walk in solitude in a forest crunching along the fallen pine needles listening to the bird sounds and the whispering breeze through the tall trees, I feel like I’m home. When I’m walking along in the shallow waters of a beach, always bare-feeted, I feel at ease and free.

Nature is so precious to me, and I feel it should be precious to everyone; without a functioning planet, humans cease to be.

Connecting to nature through listening deeply and cultivating a respectful relationship I believe will help support the environment and the planet in healing. Supporting our shared planet starts with developing a healthier relationship. Healing any relationship starts with connection and being curious.

Through my Nature Essays I’ll explore three things:

1) The relationship between humans and nature with my own experiences and through observing the natural cycles like the seasons and celestial events.

2) How we can connect with nature wherever we find ourselves to experience healing.

3) Live harmoniously with our planet and the creatures we share it with through respectful connection by observing and listening deeply.

The third thing to know about me is the creative path that I’m on as a writer and illustrator.

My passion for writing started at a young age. I would write and illustrate small books that I’d then staple together myself about animals, nature, and fiction stories.

At university I studied creative writing and felt like I’d found my thing. I enjoyed and still enjoy reading, writing, and workshopping with other people.

I’m finding myself getting pretty passionate about helping people workshop their “shitty first drafts” of nature writing or fiction short stories, so if this is something that would interest you, send me an email at melissa@thequietandcurious so I can gauge whether proofreading, editing and offering feedback and workshopping on first drafts might be something I can help some of you with.

In the meantime, on the blog, my YouTube channel, and other platforms, you can check out and follow my creative processes and adventures as I write, illustrate, knit, crochet, and create whatever I feel called to create.

I’m excited to share My Creative Adventures with you and stoked to bits that you’re coming along (and possibly joining me!) for the ride 🙂

Please let me know what you’d like to hear more about so I can be as helpful and supportive as possible in serving this wonderful community! You can reach out to me at [email protected].

You’re also warmly invited to sign up to join other quiet and curious folk on our email newsletter below:

I hope you enjoy your time in this online space, and that you check us out on all the other platforms. 

Love, 

Melissa (and Miss Soph) x

P.S. if you see any technical hiccups while browsing this site, be sure to let me know! I’m much more comfortable digging through soil in the garden than in the realm of the interwebs #nottechsavvy. But we’re all here to learn so please bear with me while I’m in a steep learning phase. Your patience is much appreciated and YOU are much appreciated.

I’m a Gemini and like long walks in the forest.

My favourite season is winter.

I’m a quiet introvert with nearly three decades of life experience.

I play the flute.

In the future I hope to explore Ireland and Scotland with my partner – my dream would be to move to Wicklow or Cork and live in a tiny house with him and all our future rescue animals on a big piece of land growing vegetables, fruit trees, and a flower garden (I’m a bit obsessed with tiny houses).

I read tarot cards (which sit right next to my crystal collection) and I’m into astrology and numerology.

My music taste is wide and varied, but a bit of Beethoven is always appreciated. Most of this blog was built to the tune of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons or other ambient music with nature sounds.

I enjoy British murder mystery shows (I know, very HSP friendly content, but who doesn’t enjoy the views on Shetland?).

You’re warmly invited to join The Quiet and Curious email newsletter below for news and updates from Melissa: