My thyroid was off earlier this past summer. I heard about others fixing their thyroid with a vegan lifestyle, and figured it can’t hurt. (But of course I was doing this for the animals, which I wrote about in previous blogs).
Just a few months of being vegan, my thyroid is excellent again!! Along with all my other bloodwork! Perfect sugar handling, perfect iron, perfect cholesterol, perfect D, etc.
I always share my age for reference to others — 58.
Fish and rennetless cheese were the last things I gave up. I haven’t had pork, veal, lamb, or conventional meat since 1986. Five years ago I started eating grass-fed beef, but quickly gave that up. Don’t remember when I last had chicken or turkey. Maybe 2017? Note, I’m also taking natural vegan supplements. You have to give yourself extra loving care with a vegan lifestyle, otherwise you’ll have deficiencies. I highly recommend hiring a health coach, like I did.
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats
At the Art Parlor (Historic Frenchtown, NJ) last night. Gallery opening for my beautiful friend, Darlene Foster. That’s her incredible work behind me! Zoom in, or visit her website: darlenefoster.com — Go to the gallery, you will be amazed!
Darlene Foster and Maryanne
Dennis Mistretta, Maryanne, and musician Tom DiPaolo
People can make a difference in big ways like donating a ton of money to charities, writing a hit song that people play on their wedding days, or becoming a motivational speaker. It’s also the little things in life that can make a difference, whether we realize it or not. Try smiling at a stranger. Many may not smile back, but you’ll get that one who will–and her whole face will light up. In a day and age where no one reaches out, call someone. Many will be annoyed that you interrupted their groove, but you may catch a person who is ecstatic to hear from you.
The other night my husband and I went to see The Monkees. I recognized a young girl who was running the merchandise table. She was in a band I love called Jackknife Stilletto (https://jackknifestiletto.com/welcome). Her name is Annie Stoic. I told her I loved her band and of course she was happy to hear that. Later on in the night, my husband went back to the merchandise to get another Monkees program. Annie gave my husband a few stickers of her band and said, “Give these to your lady.” That small, kind gesture made my night. A week ago I was diagnosed with arthritis in my neck and am currently dealing with natural pain management. I’m okay most of the time, but some mornings, when I’m alone after my husband goes to work, I cry. I haven’t shared this news with many people yet. I’m usually the go-to happy go lucky person. Nevertheless, I want to continue being kind to others. I do not want my pain to make me a grouchy person. So, I may be in pain, but I will continue being positive and saying nice things to people, because that is how I am. And when someone is a little extra nice to me out of the blue, now I appreciate it more than ever.
A few years ago before I went out for the evening, I cut up 23 pieces of paper (because it was Aug. 23) and wrote positive messages on all of them. I wrote things like, “You are blessed.” “You’re awesome.” “You are loved.”
I put the messages in a pouch and put them in my bag. I temporarily forgot about them. That night I went to see Sheila E. perform with my husband. If anyone has seen Sheila E. in concert, you’d know firsthand she is all about LOVE. At one point in the concert, she encouraged the audience to turn to a stranger and shake hands or give a hug. (This was before the pandemic). With that, I remembered my messages! I gave out 23 positive messages to 23 strangers. People read the messages and smiled.
I wonder how many of those strangers will remember that evening?
What have you done to make a difference? Please share your thoughts and inspire. Keep the love train going!
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats
The above will be featured in an upcoming book by Richard Houghton
I told the story so many times about reaching out to Jim Hutton–and that he wrote back to me. I’m excited to have this story in an upcoming book so the rest of the world can know what a great guy he was. I highly recommend “Mercury and Me” for a true perspective of the relationship between Jim Hutton and Freddie Mercury. It’s poignant and at times hilarious.
After all these years, I still cherish the card. Now you can too, this is it! The kitten’s name was Minky.
Jim Hutton’s kitten, Minky, from a Christmas card he sent me in 1996.
My name is Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta. And I am a Jackass.
“Jackass” was a television show that aired three seasons on MTV, between 2000 and 2002. Back then I was having too much fun in my real life to pay attention and poo-poo’d the show as something I was above watching. Then when I started dating someone who was into the show — and the movies — I realized, “That’s me, I am a Jackass.”
As a kid, I wouldn’t say I was a tomboy. In fact, I was bad at most sports. But I did many things that were a bit daring, like somersaults on a balance beam in gymnastics class. I also loved Evel l Knievel and did pop-a-wheelies with my bike. And one time built a ramp so I could do some jumps.
We always had a pool and I could never master a perfect dive, but I could do a somersault in mid-air into the water. That was my “go-to” feat at parties. When everyone else was being boring eating and drinking beer, I was the one doing somersaults off the diving board into the lake.
“There she is, showing off again,” some jealous bitch would say.
Why was being natural showing off? I do not know. People have done way more exciting stunts. I was just doing what felt free and natural. But I did notice as I got closer to age 30, my back would be a bit tender after doing these flips.
Then there was the big one. The most Jackass thing I ever did — decades before Jackass. In the summer of 1989, at age 25, on a canoe trip, I jumped off a 100 foot bridge into the Delaware River (New Jersey). It was the most exhilarating thing. It was a greater high than jumping off the diving board because it took forever to hit the water. Then once I hit the water I went so deep I thought I wasn’t going to come up. Then when I did come up, I had to swim against a current. I swam and swam and swam and didn’t get anywhere. Next thing I knew, a guy was swimming towards me, to rescue me.
Many people cheered. I was the first girl who ever jumped off that bridge, at that time. (The next year another girl did it).
Then when I thought it was all over, a cop was waiting for me and the two other guys who also jumped. There were signs everywhere that said “No jumping.” I honesty didn’t see them because I took out my contacts lens to do the jump (I didn’t want to lose them).
The cops didn’t arrest me (or the two guys). He gave one of them a ticket for all three of us. And that was that.
Later we all got to talking. I was so lucky. There were vessels under the water. I didn’t hit one. I was also lucky I didn’t crack my tailbone. I was also told, down the line, I’d “pay” for what I did. Aches and pains would show up later in life.
But that didn’t stop me. The next summer I was swinging from a rope on a tree over a river. And let’s not forget skateboarding and jumping on rollerblades.
Little by little, I slowed down, but never turned down a good opportunity to do my flips. In later years, it was no longer into water, but on hotel beds and couches. Children loved me at parties. I’d be the adult playing with them and pushing my limits. I was also big into yoga, getting myself into admirable positions. In my 40s, and even 50s, I felt immortal.
I am now 58 and feeling a bit…defeated. Last week I felt a small lump on the back of my neck and had it checked out. I got x-rays and I have arthritis in my neck. The chriopractor said it was from sports. I guess you could consider all my Jackass stunts “sports.” I never saw myself as an athletic person. Nor did I ever think any of this stuff I did was a big deal. I thought doing it showed I was healthy and flexible. I never in my wildest dreams thought it would catch up to me. Most of this stuff I hadn’t thought about in years. But when the chiropractor said my issues were due to what I did in the past, I thought long and hard. I also remembered I was in two car accidents and never got x-rays. I’m not beating myself up. Many young people believe they are immortal. This is normal. We don’t think we’ll get old.
But time marches on. Everything catches up to everyone. I now feel aches in my neck. Luckily I don’t struggle with back pain. But maybe someday I will. God only knows. The chiropractor wanted me to get a full spine x-ray. I did yesterday and await the results. The good news, he said, was that I have great posture and am in good shape. Most of his patients are overweight.
I recently read about a man who struggled with arthritis and due to becoming vegan his pain went away. I’m a fairly new vegan, and I believe my pain will be managed as well. I think my neck hurts because of the stress — discovering the lump (thinking maybe it’s cancer), going from primary care doctor to a dermatologist to x-rays to acupuncture to a chiropractor to more x-rays all in the course of a week. It was exhausting.
I’m told to stretch, stretch, stretch. I always thought I was a stretcher. I do yoga every day. But I guess it’s not enough. The older you get, the more you have to put into your body. I thought I was doing so much, but now I need to do more. I was also told that being a professional writer for over 25 years, it has it’s wear and tear on the neck as well. The chiropractor sees this in many professions – like hairstyling and accounting. Anything that needs intense focusing. While writing my books, I’d work hours straight without getting up for a drink or to go to the bathroom. So, it all makes sense.
Do I regret becoming a writer? No way. Do I regret my Jackass stunts? No. It was all good for my spirit. The lesson here is not regrets, but to live with what I have to work with. And moving forward, I will. But I really do wish there was a Jackass Anonymous, so I can talk to others who have done kinda crazy things in their youth and realize I am not alone.
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats
I married a very talented musician. And everyone knows it. Whenever we run into people from his past, he’s known for the mark he made on the world, as a musician. Back in the 1980s he had one album, a video on MTV, dozens of articles in noted magazines, and a great following. His creative success came early in life and everyone remembers.
Me, on the other hand…
I was a late bloomer when it came to my creative career. It was always inside me to become a writer, but I was shy about it. I had grand plans of starting a fanzine as a teenager, but when it came time to call management to score interviews with rock stars, I chickened out. Nevertheless I was determined. I took a day job and took writing classes via snail mail. This was in the 1980s, before online colleges. I submitted maybe one article to a magazine and received one rejection slip. I finally got the nerve to perform poetry in front of a live audience. I was great. My poetry was okay, but I had a strong deliverance. The applause and positive feedback inspired me to do it again. And again. I had built my own small following, performing in coffee shops throughout New Jersey and New York City–Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. During this time I began getting articles published in magazines, newspapers, and finally online. I even became an award-winning journalist. I was able to make a career in publishing for decades. I wrote five books. I received royalty checks. I got an advance for one of the books I wrote. And two of them were sold in Barnes & Noble. It doesn’t get much better than that. I did it and I can die happy.
But, to be honest. That is not what I’ll be remembered for. Unlike my husband, when I run into old acquaintances, I’m remembered for who I dated. Is it because I’m a woman? Is it because people pay more attention to musicians than writers? Or is it because some of the guys I dated were cool and that’s how people connect me?
When I write about my writing career, or public speaking career, on Facebook–or back in the day, Live Journal–people barely bat an eye. But put up a photo and all of a sudden it’s major attention. I think the bottom line is, sensory processing. It’s easier to look at a photo than to read an article. It’s also easier to look at art or listen to music. Words are harder to come by. The majority of people don’t read. They don’t even read this blog. They press “like” so I could go check out their pages. (But trust me, if I “like” your page, I read it. I’m an honest person, I wouldn’t want my “like” to support something I disagree with.)
That said, perhaps the art of like, love, infatuation, dating, is more intriguing than writing–to the average Joe. People want to know how I met my husband, or if I ever hear from a certain person I dated anymore, or why a certain relationship ended, blah.blah.blah. It’s so dull compared to legendary articles I’ve written. My all-time favorite article was for New York’s Westsider magazine back in the 1990s. It was a review for the play, “Mercury: A Rock God.” My lead was about how coincidental that Freddie Mercury died of AIDS in his 40s, and he also wrote the song “The Great King Rat” about a man who died in his 40s of another sexual degenerative disease. No one ever talks about that. Or about the legends I interviewed like Tommy James, Henry Winkler, Marianne Williamson, David Avocado Wolfe, Carol Alt, and Oleda Baker, to name a few.
No. They want to get to the dirt. Or keep a woman down.
Not long before the pandemic, I had a book signing event at a library. Afterwards I stopped at Whole Foods to pick up some groceries. A woman who was friends with one of my exes was working in the cheese section. She ran after me. I thought it was to say “hello” but she just wanted to talk about my ex. I quickly changed the subject and said, excitedly, “I just got back from one of my book signings!” She didn’t want to hear that. She RAN away from me! A 50+ year old woman was so intimidated by the fact that I was making a living as a writer, she felt the need to get away from me asap, as if I was a leper!
Are we still in the 18th or 19th centuries? Is writing — or anything in the limelight — unsuitable for women? Why are we still being identified by who we are dating and who are husbands are? I’m a rare gem who makes a fellow gal feel comfortable. When I meet a male friend’s wife, I want to know about HER. Not her relationship with HIM. Why can’t others follow suit?
I say this to not only men, but to other women….
If a woman is a writer, it’s because she needs to be heard. Somewhere along the line, she wasn’t. Perhaps she was shy as a youngster. Perhaps she was a late bloomer. Perhaps she was told as a child, “Children should be seen and not heard.” Perhaps she once or twice had a domineering, possessive boyfriend who wouldn’t let her say much. Perhaps she has a circle so tight, not many are invited in, yet she wants to share honest thoughts that some can relate to, even if they live halfway around the world.
Don’t ever belittle a writer. She may be hurting just as you are. Don’t ever belittle a writer. She also is much stronger than she lets on to be. Don’t ever belittle a writer. She did make a career as a writer. You can turn your head to her accomplishments, but deep down you will always know, they happened. Yes, they did. It’s part of her story.
She is much more than just a lover. She is who she is, not who she has been with. And, like it or not, you can’t deny it.
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats
After having a great vegan meal, including a vegan pumpkin donut, I saw this cute photo op outside of the restaurant. “Grateful” is a beautiful word I like to use every single day. Each morning I get up and write a list in my diary, between 3 to 10 things I am grateful for. Some days I go all the way to 11 or 12!
But what I am most grateful for, is the person who took this photo of me. The person who rarely wants to be in the photos. The person who is confident enough to let me shine. That person is my husband, Dennis.
Each morning I am so grateful for him, because he’s the kind of guy that gets up with a smile on his face. Every. Single. Morning.
We share a great love for music and animals, especially cats. That is our biggest connection. We’re always listening to music in our home. We start our days with music and a cup of coffee–and the cats. The cats who always want to be part of the family, because they are. Three little individual souls who have their unique purr-sonalities. They make us laugh. They snuggle with us. They appreciate us. They are so grateful. Yes, cats are grateful.
Musicians are grateful too. When you ask for a photo or an autograph, that makes their life worth living. Musicians thrive on fans buying tickets to their shows, and purchasing their music. They need us. So don’t ever feel ashamed of being a fan. I am proud to be one!
I am grateful for food. Food that nourishes me and keeps me healthy.
I am grateful to live in a nice house, in a safe neighborhood.
I am grateful for clothes. I love new, upscale clothing. But I also love thrift shopping. Both have their positives. New clothes = new energy! They illustrate who you are today, right now. And old clothes are healthier for you (because they dye doesn’t get into your skin) and the environment.
I am grateful for creativity. I am lucky to be able to make a living as a writer. And in my spare time I take art classes. I am not great at it, so I don’t make money off my art. Nevertheless, it’s fun.
What are you grateful for?
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is available for blogging, editing, and writing. She is also available for book signings and speaking engagements. She is now coaching aspiring writers via ZOOM.
Maryanne is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats
Sugar, cane sugar, and brown sugar are not vegan. They are processed via a bone char filter, just like many alcoholic beverages. I share this because many so-called vegans shame others who eat meat, yet continue to drink alcoholic beverages without doing their homework. This is why veganism is a lifestyle, not a diet. You have to research, research, research. Oreos are said to be vegan. They are not because they have sugar. Always question vegan bakeries and vegan food. I used to not want to be “that person” but in my spiritual growth, I will be “that person” for the animals.
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is available for blogging, editing, and writing. She is also available for book signings and speaking engagements. She is now coaching aspiring writers via ZOOM.
Maryanne is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats
Since we were young, we were taught it’s what’s on the inside that counts. How quickly that grows old once we get in school and the pettiness and cattiness begins. That can make anyone grow ugly right before our eyes.
In school I was bullied. The bullies, both male and female, never looked good to me. The ugliness that was on the inside found its way to the outside. Why were these kids so ugly? Perhaps their parents didn’t drill it into their head, the most important thing in life is being kind to others.
When we get older and get into the work force, it doesn’t end. Even if you’re self-employed it doesn’t end either. There’s always an ugly person out there trying to make someone else’s life miserable because they are miserable.
The thing is, if we are bullied, we have to realize it’s not us, it’s them. People bully for three reasons: 1. They are jealous of you. 2. They want to be like you. 3. They don’t like themselves.
It makes total sense. Why would a happy, secure person want to hurt someone? They wouldn’t. Only angry people with issues do. And it’s THEIR responsibility to make right with themselves, not yours. You can never make someone like this happy, so don’t exhaust yourself trying to get them to like you. It’s not in their heart. They are broken.
Three years ago I made the following video, “How do you want to be remembered when you die?” I share my reaction to hearing about an adult bully dying. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbSuOdgsNm0
It seems so morbid, but it’s honest. I’ve spoken to others who have had the same reaction when they heard nasty people passed. Perhaps it’s a relief, especially in this day and age when people spread rumors quickly on the internet.
While we shouldn’t be worried about what people think of us, it’s important how we treat others, whether they like us or not. It’s perfectly okay to put a person in his/her place if they make cruel comments to you. And it’s perfectly okay to vent to a friend about someone who is not so nice. But don’t let someone’s bad attitude steal your own inner beauty. Those of us who are caring and empathic can easily fall into a sad spiral if we’re the target of someone else’s negative attitude. Try to brush it off, and not think about it. Know that it’s not your fault. There are just some very unhappy people in this world. Don’t let that stop you from being your kind-hearted, awesome self.
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is available for blogging, editing, and writing. She is also available for book signings and speaking engagements. She is now coaching aspiring writers via ZOOM.
Maryanne is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats
While searching for vegan blogs, I came across a few who that put down the vegan lifestyle because of all the promotion towards fake meats and sugary treats. That was my issue prior to becoming vegan. I saw so many unhealthy products out there I felt I’d quickly fall into that trap myself.
With the help of a hired vegan health coach, I got myself on a regimen of eating 100 percent vegan goodness all week long. Then I allow myself vegan “junk food” on the weekend–or special occasions.
For example, a typical week day meal menu would look like this:
Breakfast: Vegan protein/omega 3 shake with fresh pineapple and arugula greens; oatmeal with walnuts, carrots, blueberries. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Lunch: Kale salad with black beans, fresh beets, tomatoes, nori, cucumber, sesame seeds, Miyoko’s vegan cheese, and dressing of apple cider vinegar (with the mother), first pressed olive oil, coconut aminos, and maple syrup. And fresh herbs: basil, sea salt, pepper.
Dinner: Brown rice with mushrooms, broccolini, stir fried with avocado oil and a smaller side salad.
Throughout the day I’ll drink herbal teas and/or kombucha and/or cold-pressed juice and water. If for any reason I’m hungrier, I’ll have a slice or two of a vegan bread or a piece of fruit, but usually this menu does the trick.
On the weekends–or for special events, like a midweek concert or a birthday–I do indulge myself. Whether it’s vegan ice cream or a cupcake or a boxed Daiya pizza or faux fish, I enjoy guilt free.
Why? First, I’m not on a diet. Since I became vegan, I actually lost weight. Second, socializing and celebrating is healthy. Third, it’s easier to stay vegan if you allow yourself treats, in my opinion. And finally, a treat is usually a meal out at a vegan restaurant, faux fish with a salad, or a vegan cupcake. It’s not like I’m pigging out on boxes of Oreos or eating pasta piled sky-high on my plate.
If you take any health-minded person, vegan or not, gym rat, or yoga chick, they will admit to having something “bad” every now and then. Most non-vegans reading probably have pizza or ice cream or wings on occasion. So why are our treats so evil in your eyes? Yes, some vegans abuse the bad stuff, just like meat eaters who go to McDonalds a little too often. It goes both ways.
Of course you’ll have the diehard vegans who avoid sugar or processed foods at all cost. More power to them. I was one of those people 16 years ago, when I was a raw foodist. So it is possible. But at this stage in my life, balance works for me. Most of the treats I go for are “lesser of the evil” type delights anyway. Though I’ve been vegan a short time, I was health conscious most of my adult life. I’d rather have a vegan mousse made with avocados and cocoa powder than a sugary sweet vegan cake with a ton of icing and sprinkles. But if I did try it, it would be a small forkful. If my husband has vegan whole wheat dumplings at a restaurant, I’ll taste half of one and enjoy my quinoa salad.
Whenever you view what you don’t understand, train yourself to think more in a gray manner. Not everything is black and white. Vegans are excited about the faux meat because it helps people transition to veganism. It’s not a way of life for all of us. There are many like me who prefer an organic home cooked meal over dining in a restaurant, but hey, I love to support vegan restaurants, vegan products, and vegan bakeries too.
Maybe meat eaters can try a vegan treat sometime. You won’t even know it’s vegan. The cows will love you for it!
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is available for blogging, editing, and writing. She is also available for book signings and speaking engagements. She is now coaching aspiring writers via ZOOM.
Maryanne is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta 