In this video, Kathie opens up about the profound impact her beloved Maine Coon, Sarabi, had on her life, serving as a healer and a source of calm during challenging times. After Sarabi's passing, Kathie's journey led her deeper into the world of cat rescue, where she has saved and cared for numerous cats, including a frail Maine Coon in desperate need of surgeries. Her story highlights the incredible role women play in animal rescue and how love can transform both our lives and the lives of the animals we care for. This video is a beautiful reminder of the power of love and devotion, not only in our relationships with our pets but in our service to all living beings.

Mary Kathleen McKenna, aka Kathie Bishop, PhD and Flower of Life Press publisher Astara J. Ashley discuss the symbolism of light in Kathie's new book, "Sarabi's Story: A Maine Coon Cat's Perspective on Life, Love, and Family," highlighting how it represents healing, comfort, and love. Kathie shares how her cat Sarabi found comfort under the warmth and light of a Christmas tree during the long holiday of lights. Kathie is a supporter of animal rescue and encourages others to consider rescuing pets as a way to bring more light into their lives. "Sarabi's Story" emphasizes the unconditional love and light that animals bring to our lives, even in the face of loss.

Mary Kathleen McKenna (aka Kathie Bishop) discusses book 1 in her Pets with Wisdom Series called, "Sarab's Story: A Maine Coon's Perspective on Life, Love, and Family."

Kathie speaks about the significance of nature and animals in women's lives, emphasizing empathy, rescue, and stillness. She shares her experience of rescuing animals from shelters and how it has helped her, as well as her personal experience of rescuing a cat named Sarabi and connecting with her through intuition.

Kathie's writing highlights the value of connecting with nature and protecting sentient beings, emphasizing the need for compassion and empathy towards all living creatures.

In this short, 9-minute video, author Kathie Bishop and publisher Astara Jane Ashley discuss the importance of intergenerational female relationships and the support they offer, as detailed in Kathie’s book, “Whistling Up the Southwind.”

Kathie addresses themes of transformation and elder wisdom in women's lives. She shares her character Anna Marie's desire for transformation and her mentorship of a young runaway teenager while also emphasizing the importance of honoring elder wisdom and building communities that support and value older individuals.

Kathie Bishop and publisher Astara Jane Ashley continue with Part 2—discussing the symbolism of numbers embedded in ancient women's history and objects passed down from female ancestors, as detailed in Kathie’s book, “Whistling Up the Southwind.”

In this short, 10-minute video, Kathie Bishop and publisher Astara Jane Ashley discuss the symbolism embedded in ancient women's history and objects passed down from female ancestors, as detailed in Kathie’s book, “Whistling Up the Southwind.”

As I sit behind the mic solo this week, I can't help but feel inspired by our guest, Kathy Bishop, also known as Mary Kathleen McKenna, who brings her unique tapestry of life experiences to the RV Life Podcast. With Kathy's stories, the essence of self-discovery blooms like wildflowers along an open road, painting a vivid picture of how her adoption before birth became a defining part of her narrative, both in life and her literary works.

I am an older woman traveling alone and in France for research on my third book in the “Women with Wisdom Series,” available on Amazon.com and other bookstores. I am also a Gerontologist with expertise in aging with developmental disabilities, specifically in dementia capable care, one of maybe 100 in the world with this expertise.

This blog is dedicated to my friends who have recently lost a loved one!

I began writing Whistling up the Southwind, Book 1 of the Women with Wisdom Series at a time when I experienced the death of 7 people who were very important to my life and well-being. The losses, none of them connected, were devastating, each occurring a few weeks or months apart.

Following the Cycles of the Moon (Book 2 in the “Women with Wisdom” Series) follows Anna Marie as she learns more about Granny Rose’s local history and meets new friends along the way. She decides to travel to Louisiana, where Granny Rose’s mysterious past lives on.

Christa, the pregnant runaway teenager from book 1, Whistling Up the Southwind, is now a single mom with an eight-year-old daughter, living with her parents in Portland, Oregon. While working on her degree in Special Education, Christa assists Anna Marie in the search for lost women’s history.

 I wrote the series because I want women to remember their strengths and history of accomplishments, especially older women. I also believe it is important for women to understand the importance of communities and our relationships with each other regardless of age, race, or ethnicity. My characters represent all women as they struggle with living everyday lives but also attempt to understand the past and their connections.

Last week, a friend accidentally called me while driving one of our mutual friends to the doctor. Synchronisticly, this friend who I haven’t seen in at least 12 years, is a cat whisperer and the woman who was integral in my rescuing my beloved cat Sarabi who passed away about 6 weeks ago. When I told her that Sarabi had died, she offered to help me fill the void by finding another Maine Coon cat.

I welcome each of you to my new website. I am an author and gerontologist with a specialty in aging with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD); a women’s rights activist, and passionate about restoring ancient women’s history.