A heated panel discussion

Every evening in prime time, four provocative panelists discuss the hottest issues of the day -- or the hotness of the day.

Messing with Texas

I made this jumbo dog bed for my dad a few years ago; it's now for sale on Etsy. My cats turned it into a Texas geography lesson.

Above, Homer stares out from the Panhandle at Liesl lounging in New Mexico.

Daisy dips into the Gulf of Mexico (above) while Homer slips past El Paso.

Homer does Dallas with his tail wrapped around Big Bend. Liesl heads for the Colorado Rockies.

A freshly gilded throne

This curvy wingback chair is irresistibly comfortable for me and the kitties. So I made it a new slipcover from a 1960s bedspread.

The slipcover attaches with a long zipper down the back. That's Homer yawning and gazing.

Below, Hooch naps while Suzy lurks beneath.

Fisticuffs on the front stoop

Former sparring partners Alvin and Homer occasionally consider a rematch.

Siamese-mix Alvin is nearly 5 years old, but still a lean welterweight under all that hair. Grey tabby Homer, age 3, is a heavyweight with a slow, some might say sleepy, stance.

They face off, threaten each other, then forgetaboutit.

Cameo cats

These kitties now have updated profiles: Pincurl Homer, Disco Amy, Redhead Hooch, and Dreadhead Puppy.

Dirty is as dirty does

Cats are obsessed with rolling in dirt. Seen in the late afternoon sun are (clockwise from top left) Homer, Betty, Amy, Buzz, Betty, Olga.

This ritual is followed by going inside and shedding the accumulated dirt onto clean bedding and upholstery.

Got milk?

My kitties are dairy queens -- they get lactose-free milk as a regular treat. Instead of a milk mustache, they get a milk chin. Seen sporting tiny milk goatees are Amy (hanging out) and Homer (gazing up).

All-star benchwarmers

My homemade benches are like Lego blocks for backyard kitty lounging. Below are Daisy's tail end (left) and a sleepy-eyed Homer.Below is Sailor when he still had his chocolate back stripe.Be not deceived by Betty's alluring smile; the jaws of a beast lurk within (la Bete = the beast).Below is Gus, my eldest feral, the most charming boy I cannot touch.

Extreme sleep

A year ago Homer offered guidance on how to sleep. Since then he's done a lot more sleeping, and he now offers an advanced course in "somnambulastics."

A fine romance, my good fellow

The hot buddy love between Siamese teen guy Sailor and tabby he-man Homer has cooled off -- to quote Cole Porter -- like yesterday's mashed potatoes.Sailor's confidence and popularity have soared as he's matured, leaving him little time for Homer. Not that Homer seems to mind. As long as Homer gets to beat the stuffin's out of Sailor now and then, Homer thinks this is a fine romance.

Stackable cats

Us cats are literally stacked on top of each other in front of the air conditioning vents. Those are Homer's feet atop Wally's head.

Sailor laps it up

Siamese kitten Sailor is now officially a former feral. He has finally let me rub him and he likes it, a lot. Especially head scratchies and belly rubs. He and grey tabby Homer are still best buddies.

Sailor's playlist: love songs for Homer

Close to You (The Carpenters):Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me (Rocky Horror Picture Show):Two of a Kind (Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer):Mean to Me (Billie Holiday):Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Show Boat):

Homer's little stalker

Siamese kitten Sailor is so excited! He has a new BFF! It's Homer!It started with naps together. Then Sailor began following Homer around. Now it's late-night wrestling bouts. I only wish Homer didn't seem so bored with all this adoration.

Son-mama pajama party

Long-time couple Olga and son Jesse (in back) are joined by Homer and his newly tame mom Suzy.Suzy was spayed while Homer was still a kitten, but she has remained feral until recently, when she suddenly wanted me to pet her. Now she's a total cuddler. She's actually more my buddy than Homer's.Below are Homer and Suzy a year ago, when they were both feral and living in a closet.

Swivel-action ears

Homer's ears remind me of turn signals. Antennae. Origami. A donkey.

Homer the horse

He's all lanky legs, galloping loudly through the house. When I pick him up, he's stiff and gangly as a colt. His fur feels coarse and wiry.He runs roughshod over the kittens when playing with them. Outside he lurches at every passing insect, and actually tries to chase ... grass. Let's face it: Homer is a total hayseed. If he was a Damon Runyon character, he'd be Homer the Horse.But Homer adores me, and that makes me feel like a million bucks. I'm just a doll what is stuck on a grey-tabby guy.

Frylock

Even with the new kittens, Homer is still my heart-throb. In addition to his other nicknames -- Oklahomer, HomeFries, SuperFry -- Homer has joined the Aqua Teen Hunger Force as the feline Frylock.Homer appreciates the Shakespearean reference to Shylock. So literary and yet so greasy.