J.C. Lillis

a pretty tortie cat looks at the camera with her head tilted and a complex look in her yellow-green eyes

warm weather has arrived in Baltimore and Lulu cautions us to be wary of premature spring celebrations, as Maryland weather is a fickle mistress with many moods. (but seriously: enjoy the sun! ☀️) #cats

Charlie and Jack, two tabby cats, cuddling up with each other with their eyes closed

just bros being bros. #cats

a curving athletic track with a bright blue sky above it

beautiful day for a cold morning walk. feels good to be back on track.

I hope you have a hobby like that too, because it’s made even the darkest days feel a little lighter. ♥️

in the midst of everything awful, I have found such joy in learning an instrument and writing my own songs again. “songwriter” has not been a huge part of my identity the way “novelist” has, so I feel much more free to experiment, fail, and try totally ridiculous stuff just to make myself laugh.

cats are so funny because they hold ancient wisdom and the secrets of the universe behind their eyes but also they will totally eat a rubber band. #cats

nice!! glad for you. 🙌

wow that’s stunning!

Lulu wishes you a happy Friday Eve, reminds you to drink water and take a good book out of the library this weekend, and hopes you have someplace warm to cuddle up. #cats

15 degrees, feels like negative 5, windy af = perfect songwriting weather

more voices are rising up. we are not alone. the horrors may persist, but they can’t last forever, and in the meantime there are still small things to love.

Jack, a grey and white tabby cat, sits on my lap and faces the camera with his pretty green eyes

well, it’s been another horror of a week. Jack hopes you found some glimmers of joy and relief: a new song or album to love, a book that held your attention, a cat on your lap, or even just a good grilled cheese sandwich.

Lorelai Gilmore, in a red Christmas sweater, says “My brain is a wild jungle full of scary gibberish”

has anyone else been falling down random rabbit holes lately to distract from the doom, because I swear every night it’s like “what’s Shawn Colvin been up to?” and “let’s reread eight poems from Spoon River Anthology” and “ooh, a whole Reddit thread on an Argentine horror film I’ve never seen!”

♥️♥️♥️

a cute tortie cat reclines on a radiator cover and looks at the camera with her pretty green eyes.

if you’ve been doomscrolling and you need to gaze for a moment upon a face that doesn’t fill you with rage, Lulu is here to help. #cats

the only thing keeping me going right now is a shred of hope that the jaws of justice will *someday* clamp down on these lawless, empty-hearted goons. may their sentences be rendered with all the mercy and restraint they’ve shown to their fellow human beings.

♥️♥️♥️

Lulu is living the life. cozy and carefree.

❄️ and 🧊? never heard of ‘em.

feels calming to have 12 pounds of warm, snoozy innocence on your lap.

The cereal box says “I’m Mini. You’re you. And we’re about to seize the day!”

I do not share the conviction of the cereal box, but I’m willing to give Saturday a try.

To do this in the ongoing aftermath of the HUGE positive response to #HeatedRivalry says a lot about how out of touch publishing gatekeepers are.

A tortie cat on my lap with her head turned toward me and her eyes partially closed

everything is awful but it’s still pretty great when you have a cat on your lap and she turns around and slow-blinks you while you’re petting her. ♥️ #cats

A grey and white tabby cat sleeps on a grey ottoman with a Christmas tree glowing in the background

good morning from Jack, who snoozes blissfully unaware of world events. #cats

bye, 2025. you were great for art but awful at everything else. here are my favorite listens and reads of the past year. HAPPY 2026! ♥️

she’s got her lil fur-trimmed cloak on and a fancy gold lamé sash! just doing her best and spreading general good cheer. 😁

(a funny thing about our tree is that the angel on top lost her wings somehow, so now it’s basically just a fancy lady in a big fur hat hanging out up there)

a tall and full Christmas tree with many multicolored lights and eclectic ornaments, against a wall painted aqua

she’s staying up till February, idgaf

goal is hit, thank you! any further sales from this will go toward helping other people have a good holiday season

a large tabby cat with green eyes sitting on a table

Charles wishes you a relaxing and joyful Caturday. #cats

Back view of two cats in a windowsill and one cat next to them, perched high on a cat tree.

happy giving-thanks day from Charlie, Jack, and Lulu. wishing you all a peaceful day. ♥️ #cats

Reminder that if you're buying one of my books as a holiday gift (highly recommend, btw - I make great gift), I will very happily send a signed bookplate for it along with some swag if I've got it! Just email me at authordahliaadler@gmail.com with the name and address! (int'l OK!)