Welcome to the Self-Rescue Princess, Cat. I know the holiday season is extremely busy for many people so I’m so happy you made time to chat with my readers.
- Please tell us a little bit about what is currently going on in your life?
My dad, whom, I’ve spoken to about three times in the past ten years, was sure someone was trying to kill him. My life as a horse trainer in Tennessee had become confusing, due to some unexpected personal relationships, so I jumped at the chance to “run away” and visit Dad at Canterbury Park, a horseracing track in Shakopee, Minnesota. Turns out my dad was right, but it took the help of my Tennessee friends and the (possibly) psychic mare, Sally Blue, to figure it out.
- What made you decide to take on such a risky endeavor?
Well, he’s my dad. Biological, at least. After my mom died when I was nine, Dad pretty much abandoned me to “the drink,” as he calls it. My feelings about him are complicated, and even though I absolutely want to stay mad at him for the rest of my life, I don’t want anything bad to happen to him.
- Did you ever imagine yourself being involved in fighting crime?
Not ever! But my ex-movie star neighbor was killed and I stumbled across her body. Then there was a murder at a horse show, and after that my best friend, country music star Melody Cross, was killed. What was I supposed to do? Just sit back and watch the police make a mess of things? No offense to my friend Deputy Martin Giles. He’s one of the good guys.
- Who would you say is the least pleased about your additional career choice of amateur sleuthing? Or is detective work your only career?
I train show horses full time. Or, at least, that’s what I am supposed to be doing. Definitely, my barn manager, Jon Gardner, is not pleased when I start to snoop. I understand his concern, as the horses need me and all my undone chores fall to him. Jon also has feelings for me that I am not sure I reciprocate, but he is a dear friend.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Well, I have this teensy problem with anger management. My Irish nature allows situations to build and then everything explodes out of me. I’m working on it, though. I’ve also been known to break and enter (make that snoop) uninvited through my neighbors’ homes. But it is all with the best of intentions––and with their best interests in mind. On the good side, I am very loyal and have a strong sense of right and wrong. And, horses and dogs like me.
- Describe what being a self-rescue princess (a strong, confident woman) means to you.
My grandmother raised me to be self-sufficient. As she used to say, “Never underestimate a Southern woman. She’ll rip your heart out, show it to you, and then bake it in a pie.” I guess two out of three isn’t bad. I never got the hang of cooking. But, my grandmother’s sentiments ring true all the same. It’s important to me to know that I can depend on myself in any situation. And yes, I’ve had to be rescued a time or two, but I’ve done more than my share of rescuing in return.
- What one advice/wisdom would you like to pass onto young women?
Be who you are, and be proud of you. Then make informed decisions that will increase your pride in yourself, not decrease it. And, when the scumbags come crawling into your life, swat them away. You deserve better.
- What was one lesson you learned during this challenging time in your life?
Not to sit too close to my potential step-mother’s dog. A second lesson was not to assume anything. At all. Facts are what count.
- Do you plan on dabbling in amateur sleuthing in the future, or have you hung up your detective hat?
I never intend to get involved, but it seems that people I know are always dying. Jon strongly prefers that I do no more sleuthing, but if a wrong has been done to a friend I feel compelled to help bring the perpetrator to justice. After all, that’s what friends do.
The Self-Rescue Princess 