You know that age old phrase: “ Talk is cheap”  Well recently I find myself coming to the conclusion that talking actually costs a lot. It can cost you your time, money, and I guess in some very fucked up situations your life… In the past I can chalk up a shit ton of failed relationships that were actually due to a lack of communication. I didn’t want to cause any conflict by voicing my opinion but as I get older I am not sure if my filter has been damaged in transit or something but lately I don't really give much fucks. If something is bothering me, and I don't like it or you pissed me off I am going to look you dead in the eye- or in many cases my phone after I have disgustedly chucked it across the room- I’ll tell you straight up. You can call me the Queen of transparency if you would like. Please enlighten me, my mentality in life has always been very simple: be nice to others, respect animals, and don’t piss me the fuck off. Keep the peace- lately I have been talking much more about my thoughts on life, what I want from life, what music I have been listening to lately, and naturally the most common phrase that has left my mouth: “ Do you want to see a picture of my cat, his name is Banner.” 

     I talk a shit ton. I talk at work, at home, on the phone, I send postcards in the mail, hell on a slow day yea I may just pick up a scam call or two. But do people talk to communicate? To share their thoughts and ideas? Or do we just need to get this stuff out there into the air. I fully believe the greater good in people. I would like to believe that people like to talk, to communicate, to authentically share stories. It does not necessarily have to be relevant to the conversation I just don't know- I can't stand dead space, or static air between one another during a conversation. Like talk to yourself if you have to. I don't care, just keep it going.  On the topic of communicating and talking to get across thoughts and ideas, I am pretty fucking weird, and I problely swear too much ( my parents were never around growing up so sue me) but I can even find common ground with most people. When in doubt talk about, the 3 P’s Puppies, Plants, and Parents- someone can usually relate to if not all 3 at least one of those topics. 

     Talking to Strangers: I must have missed this day in school where the concept of "Stranger Danger” seemed to escape me. I literally have such a fascination with people that I end up talking to almost everyone. I have been told in the past I am pretty annoying to go out to eat with because I end up talking to everyone, the table next to me, the hostess, hell I'll become BFFs with entire establishments if I have the time! If anything, I STRONGLY believe that talking to strangers is a good thing. It helps us expand our network and build relationships with other people. ... This is why many of us feel uneasy about talking to someone we do not know. The thought of approaching a stranger and initiating conversation makes us nervous. How else are you supposed to get to know anyone? I like to do things that challenge me, because if you didn’t step out of your comfort zone every once in a while, are you even living? 

Until next time stay tacky 
     
I went on a really cool adventure this past weekend but I am gonna save it for next week’s Ash Weds!

-Ash Catcher 

Written By Ash Catcher 

     ​I feel like this is a second grade essay, “ What I learned in boating school is….” What I have learned about people just from owning a cat for almost a year is the following: It is okay to give people space - cats too need space, including my own, but I know he will always come back. I find that people who like to exit stage left tend to like to also show up out of left field as well, some time later. People and pets just sometimes need space. A time to collect, to be alone, to regroup, but will  always be back. Some odd characteristics that my cat has shown me was this odd act where he would head butt me, I read up on it further and it is actually called “Bunting” Pheromones are released from their little cat noggins that show ownership of you, they’re marking you- you are their territory, people are no different. People will show that they value you over others and that they’re proud that you are theirs. 
     Another odd thing cats do, and actually Banner my cat has not done this yet ( we don't have a mouse problem) but the act of bringing "random gifts” is something people do quite often, most often when I see someone I bring a small gift or present. That was just how I was raised, I also read that random gift giving in a relationship is also the number one sign of infidelity and cheating. I can proudly say I would never do this, I am just a very generous person, so generous in fact I am very often taken advantage of by my kindness, until poof * I am over it, very cat-like. 
     Kneading: or as I call it “Making Muffins, or Bread” any kind it doesn’t matter, reminds me alot of how humans love to touch one another, I am very big on touch recently, I don’t normally go for hugs, and my good friends know better then to touch me unless instructed to. If I trust you, you're good in my book- I have been known to give a mean hug or two. That pressure seems to counteract stress, and I know my cat personally will seek out spots in my home that help to compress his little cat body. Poor thing needs a squeeze box in his old age. 
     The life long cat concept that has been in practice since the dawn of well uh I guess the internet/ “If I Fits, I sit.” Could not ring more true when applied to the human race. Very rarely do people seem comfortable sitting in places for extended periods of time. So why do cats think they can sit in these bizarre places such as boxes, small baskets, my kitchen sink, and now the inside of my couch, yes the inside, Banner poked a damn hole underneath my couch and has taken to hiding his toys up there. A black hole of catnip infused toys- all gone in one swoop! Please people just sit on a chair or something! 
     Finally the most prevalent: Cat Eyes: eye contact is its own form of language for humans, I don't know about you but I feel like I get “eye fucked” a lot- girls, guys it doesn’t matter. Human eyes say so much without having to say anything at all. You can convey thoughts, feelings, intuition, all of it. My cat and I always like to have a string contest, he always wins but I know he is just trying to get in my head, and my heart. I let him win every time. A cat's eyes, like a humans can say a variety of things: Feed me, play with me, pet my head, all that jazz. I have really seemed to have learned a great deal from owning a pet. It's humbling. 

See ya next Wednesday!

-Ash Catcher 

Plantdemic

Written By: Ash Catcher 

Some things I have acquired, some things I have found. 
Over the course of just one year and some all housebound. 
Plants have suddenly overrun my life.
Always temperamental, over watering, over sharing like a work wife. 

There is no cause for alarm, it's just the amazon in my bedroom. 
I am terrified of what the future will bring, still mourning the death of my heirlooms. 
They didn’t work out this year. I guess that is okay.
Feeling confused all the time for an ashtray. 

Always there but still pending. 
Always weary of tricks and lending. 
Trials and errors, plants and pants on fire. 
Something cryptic insert here, looking for the “all clear” 

I feel like with plants they can always out grow. 
The pots that hold them, they’re cheaper at Lowes. 
All the things that I have learned about keeping these green babies 
Makes me long for the 80’s. 

A decade I was never a part of but should have been. 
But instead I had to deal with drinking too much gin. 
Plant based basket case. 
Putting on a brave poker face. 

Too many plants we now have a problem. 
Somewhere way past appreciation and way too much pollen. 
Living things, plants, and me. 
Everything good comes in threes. 

Plantdemic planned or purchased?
Will something hidden ever surface? 
Green with envy, what is another thing. 
Anything to get me past winter, autumn, spring. 

Written By: Ash Catcher
This past weekend I spent some much needed time in the woods, well more like a gorge. I traveled to Watkin Glenns, NY to see what all the fuss was all about. It was fussable for sure, I loved this place instantly. I am so glad I went early in the morning because by the time I had finished the 3 mile run trip through the gorge I was making friends and seeing tons of repeater hikers in my view. I did however miss my cat terribly, he did not go hiking although I am very open to taking him hiking in one of those space cowboy contraptions. 

Would I go back, hell yes! ! It was one of the best times in New York ( my home state) in a long ass time. I am so happy I got to get out in nature and combine some much needed water time. In my element literally water always makes me feel like I can be my most authentic self. It offers this clean, cool, cleansing, natural substance that really sets me back to baseline. After all I am mostly water, so that makes a little sense right? I really wanted to swim in these little tide pools I kept seeing, but jeez was it crowded! I went on a Friday too, you would think it was a holiday weekend. I did find my usual couple from Philly in NY which I always love finding! I always get a kick when I find out someone from my neck of the woods winds up in my current city. We are after all apparently the 6th borough. ​

I really have this odd thing for water falls. Like I just don't love them, I am really drawn to them. I crave adventure and water, i want to see so much of the world, well atleast the US. There are so many more places I have on my list. I am so happy I got to knock some off my bucket list this past weekend! i'll see you next week! 

- ASH

photos by: Dominic Giacalone

I think I need some guidance on this one. 
This place is big enough yet we still have our weekly run-ins. 
I thought it would be louder living with a musician. 
But your room is awfully quiet, guess you must be solving fission. 

You all used to be my Maine squeeze, but now you don’t mean anything to me. 
In fact at this point I find more pleasure, and comfort housing Brie. 
I am sure there was a time where you were higher on my list. 
Everyone eventually wants a little bit more of me, and that is just the gist. 
​

Crushed underneath your expectations. 
But nobody teaches you about foundations. 
Things will crumble, and then you will fall. 
I think they call that one dropping the ball. 

It is all about boundaries, and how far you want to go. 
If you want to make some waves, you’ll need some stones to throw. 
Splash onto the canvas, after all it is all a show. 
This setting for “this” I  had no idea was called Roxborough. 

 Maine squeeze saddled up right next to me. 
Parasitic, not at all that optimistic, so we agree to disagree. 
The cracks in your personality- 
Showed up early on, all the blow ups, no neutrality. 

Red flags waving in my face,
But I chose to see the good in you. 
And you chose to lie about your family, and birthplace. 
Had to connect the dotted lines, and half ass  construe. 

Your whole story, well now I just insist.  
Doesn’t matter anyhow, you're just another on the black list. 
All about connivence, license, and compliance please. 
Tired of your negative bullshit, and how you freaked out over bees. 

Written By: Ash Catcher

You played on stage, and I got a raise. 
Life is kinda sorta weird these days, all I want to do is sleep in and blaze. 
I guess you could say we are killing it at “this thing”. 
Been a minute since I thought the date was still 2019. 

Take a day off because it’s been about 2 weeks. 
I couldn’t tell you the last time I got a decent night's sleep. 
Just another hour to sleep in,  hug you and the cat. 
The best time spent on myself, just now involves a top coat that is matte. 

Things are progressing. The year is almost through. 
Been avoiding my car lately, stagnant, forever parked coup. 
Something that I once loved, doesn’t hit like it used to. 
Driving reminds me of you, but it's really worth it when I do. 

Whenever I get a free day this summer. 
I hope to get out of here, a few distant zip code numbers. 
But it's okay, I am fine, working my ass off all the time. 
It's a long way to the top, but even longer from the bottom, so climb. 

This has been quite the year. 
Many leave, and disappear.
But that's fine, I am still around. 
Because I have nowhere else to be found. 

I am here for a bit, but not forever. 
 My new motto of 2021: whatever, whenever, wherever.
Be a little uncomfortable, don't always be you. 
I always splurge now, but never on cashews. 

It's too expensive, and I can't justify 
Spending 7 dollars. It seems like a lie. 
It's only nuts, what's the big idea! 
Trader Joes for every meal. 

What a time to try, and thrive. 
Heart made out like a hard drive. 
Cohabiting in this audacity. 
I am about to hit full level mental capacity.

- Ash 

"Diners"
​written by Ash Catcher.

When it comes to you, nothing could come second. 
When I open you up I think I have died and gone to “Heaven”. 
Bottomless mimosas? No, I'll choose black coffee. 
It is the only stuff that works these days, everyone now acts like pandemic zombies. 

Fluorescent lighting is never flattering- especially after 2 A.M. 
But my mug is starting to look effervescent, how many did I just slam? 
Caffeine overload in the making, too much hot bean water, makes me shaking. 
Never was the best for me, always been shit at decision making. 

“No you decide, you pick….” I can barely croak back. 
Oh shit what sign? I mean what is your zodiac? 
I am not too sure we are compatible, I am sorry I think I need to go. 
Not going to set you off, or give you anymore ammo. 

Empty those emotionless bullets all in one. 
My life feels like a series of universal signs and reruns. 
Cause everything that happens to me, happens in diners. 
If you want to make up for anything, I could use some new tires. 

Over-easy makes me queasy. I just can't eat eggs. 
Halloween is coming up soon, and I really don’t want to be Greg. 
I could use some carbs, maybe a sandwich or two. 
We all lost our minds because of another flu. 

Why are condiments ( always left out?) 
Why is my phone listening to all these ad bombardments? 
How is it that when breakfast comes to mind,
Breakfast meats in PA can't seem to get aligned. 

Side dish, side piece, it is all the same. 
Fuck off from the city eventually, and live in the woods in an A- Frame. 
My time is limited here. 
Nothing is forever, some things just disappear. 

Written By: Ash Catcher 

Hey, it has been a minute! A lot of changes have happened in the past two weeks, I gained a lot of good things, all good things. I also gained an extra year of life so that has been nice as well. So coming off all the birthday hullabaloo I was so thankful I had the opportunity to check a few things off of my bucket list! I went to Cherry Springs for my birthday, it is the darkest spot in all of PA- about a little over 4 hrs outside of Philadelphia where I am currently residing, there is this astronomy field where you can see everything well. I saw stars like real fucking stars for the first time in my life. It was a sobering experience. Sometimes you just need to look up and realize how small you really are. I saw the Milky Way- in its raw entirety despite the clouds which kept rolling in made it all the more spooky.  There is so much more out there than you, your drama, and your bullshit.

I stayed at a beautiful AirBnB over a cafe and art gallery, about a 20 minute trip from Cherry Springs National Park, I traveled deep within the Tioga State Forest, I really needed to just get out and stick my feet on something other than concrete. On the way I made it to the Kinzua Sky Bridge- it has been something I wanted to see for years now all of these things that I wanted are finally coming to. 

This Sky Bridge was something else; it survived a tornado almost 20 years ago. So if a man made structure can withstand an environmental disaster, any problem I face in my life should be a piece of cake… uh birthday cake. I was happy to get out a bit and take some time off from work. I couldn’t tell you the last time I had 3 days off in a row. I am so thankful for this opportunity and will be consciously traveling more this summer. Slowly getting back to Ash.

I also got to see the “ PA Grand Canyon” I have never seen the real one out West but best be sure I plan to do that too. It looks like a glorified gorge, but it was only 10 minutes out of my way on my way back to Philly. So why not? It was decent, lots of people, and a pretty extensive gift shop. I really want to go back and hike in Tioga and Susquehanna State First Parks more. I just need some trees. I love that feeling of feeling small in nature. It is such a grounding experience. ​

Anyone who wants to take a hike hit me up! See you next week!

-Ash Catcher