MSI Press Blog

  I used to think housecleaning was about control. Then, I got a cat. Now I know. It’s about adaptation, humility, and the ability to clean the same spot five times without losing your mind. Here’s what my cat taught me: Clean around the cat. If he’s sleeping on the couch, the couch is off-limits. If he’s sprawled across the laundry, you wait. Cleaning becomes a dance of detours. Fur is eternal. You can vacuum, lint-roll, and sweep, but the fur will return. Accept it. Embrace it. Learn to measure cleanliness in layers, not absolutes. Mystery crumbs are part of life. Cats knock things over. Cats drag things in. Cats leave things behind. You will clean up substances you cannot identify. You will not win. Timing is everything. Never mop before zoomies. Never dust before a nap. Never assume the litter box will stay clean for more than 10 minutes. Clutter is strategic. That pile of papers? A launchpad. That laundry basket? A throne. That box you meant to recycle? A fortress. C...

  Grandmothering is an art — part patience, part presence, part knowing when to step in and when to let life unfold. I thought I learned that from experience. Turns out, my cat had been tutoring me for years. Cats are natural grandmas: they move at their own pace, they supervise everything, and they believe deeply in the power of a well‑timed snack. Living with one taught me more about grandmothering than any parenting book ever did. Here are the lessons that stuck: Rituals matter. Cats thrive on the sacredness of routine — the morning greeting, the evening check‑in, the predictable place at the table. Grandchildren do too. Rituals become memory anchors. Patience is a form of love. A cat will sit beside you quietly for as long as it takes. No rush, no pressure. Children feel that same safety when you match their tempo instead of hurrying them along. Gentleness doesn’t mean fragility. Cats are soft, but they are not weak. Grandmas are the same. Strength wrapped in warmth is its...

  From US Review of Books: Feig’s conversational style is witty and disarming. His self-deprecating humor lends charm and vulnerability to his ideas and opinions on becoming a better individual. Rooted firmly in a young, often single man’s outlook, he nevertheless manages to address aspects of life relevant to people of all ages. If you enjoy humor and love cats—the former being a prerequisite for the latter—chances are you’ll also be attracted to this fun-filled homage to felines. Read the rest of the review by Joe Kilgore  HERE . About the book: Jeremy Feig was at rock bottom - broke, alone, and living in a shoebox-sized apartment. At the same time, his cat was perfectly content. What was her secret? She couldn't say it out loud, but it was clear she had all the answers to living a good life. How My Cat Made Me a Better Man is a hilarious self-help book for guys that gals like, too, based on the lessons of an edgy cat named Shelly. It's packed with useful advice on topics li...

  I’ve taught students of all ages. But none prepared me for the complexity of teaching a cat. He didn’t follow instructions. He didn’t care about rubrics. He didn’t respond to praise. And yet — he taught me everything I needed to know about good teaching. Here’s what I learned: Differentiated instruction is non-negotiable. Some cats respond to treats. Some to tone. Some to silence. Students are the same. One method never fits all. Behavior is communication. A sudden “mwout,” a tail flick, a refusal to engage — these are messages. I learned to decode behavior instead of punishing it. Positive reinforcement works. Cats don’t respond to scolding. But a well-timed treat? A gentle stroke? That’s motivation. Students thrive on encouragement, not fear. Timing matters. Try to teach a cat when they’re sleepy, distracted, or zooming? You’ll fail. Students have windows of readiness. Catch them, and magic happens. Environment shapes behavior. A cluttered space makes a cat anxious. ...