Author Archive

Some little thoughts and observations: How do you know it’s forty-five degrees in Pittsburgh? Every other person you see is wearing shorts while shoveling his/her snow. How do you know the Steelers are in the Superbowl on a given Super Sunday? Every store in the Pittsburgh metro area is cleared out by 2:30pm and every [...]

Well in my dreams anyway. Last night I dreamed I was shot in the neck and to this moment I can still feel the way the black, clotted, warm blood felt just above my left shoulder.   How gross is that? Very, I know. I googled the words "dreamed I got shot neck died" and surprisingly, those exact [...]

DSC02835, originally uploaded by kathieshoop. Oh man, youth basketball is not for the weak. Well, it depends what team your kid is on–some teams are nothing but a disconnected web of fundamental weaknesses. But, hey, we’re talking first and second grade, here…everyone is weak at that point, right? No, some teams run like they’ve been [...]

This cow commercial is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Man, I don’t know if it’s the voice or just the concept of it or what, but everytime this comes on the tv I cringe and turn away. Sort of like my friend in college who couldn’t stomach hearing the word "nipple." What skeeves [...]

DSC02878, originally uploaded by kathieshoop. Seriously, January in a place where it barely gets out of the thirties isn’t so bad. The benefits are huge: 1. the kids FINALLY get “back” into the swing of going to sleep early and easily…yes, for my kids it takes four months to recover from staying up late in [...]

DSC02914, originally uploaded by kathieshoop. Or things, as today’s game shows. What on earth do you see here? You must go into the head of a Lego Star Wars obsessed boy’s head and imagine what these creatures are. Ah, I gave you a hint… Happy Administration Switch Day!

DSC02881, originally uploaded by kathieshoop. It doesn’t matter that it’s -7 degrees without wind chill, that he’s stuck in the house most of the day, that his furry coat will only go so far in keeping him warm, that he has no boots. The guy’s just happy to be alive. I’ll take a note.

DSC02797, originally uploaded by kathieshoop. This is Bob, the new addition to the family, the third child and sweet boy! Jake named him Bob and Beth chose his middle name–Golden. So, Bob Golden Shoop is making himself comfy at the old homestead. He’s a typical puppy–tons of work, but cute and trouble. So, everyone say [...]

DSC02541, originally uploaded by kathieshoop. This avenue lives in the town where I’ve set my latest novel.  What a great name for a street. If you lived there, things would seem ever-optimistic, wouldn’t they? Well you’ll have to read the book to find out!!! But until then you can just revel in the following tidbits that [...]

nano_08_winner_large, originally uploaded by kathieshoop. Well, if finishing means you won, then I did! Fifty-thousand two-hundred thirty-seven words and I’m done. Well, the first draft is, anyway. Now I have something to work with so I’m off to make the book actually be readable. Hope you all had great Thanksgivings!