Meet the residents of the Cativerse
Kelli aka “Katt” as she prefers to be called, is the author of this site and designer and builder of pretty much everything on it. Katt is a retired radio engineer, IT grunt and software dev.
Katt’s brain is always on the go and often there are many more ideas in development than there is room on the desk and in the shop. Everything from Arduino-powered bicycle turn signals with a built-in dashcam, to cat toys and cookie cutters, to replacement and upgrade parts for vacuum cleaners. Many projects have been born from requests or needs of friends.
Katt came to the realization that her health both mental and physical was in major decline and that she could no longer in good conscience ignore that the radio company she worked for, like most in the U.S., openly gave a voice to fascist, xenophobic idealogy while also seemingly suppressing progressive voices. She left the corporate workforce behind in 2023.
Since then, Katt has been in the process of rebuilding her life both mentally and physically while working toward becoming self-sufficient again. Working in an 8×8′ shop, many months and hours have been spent becoming more proficient in producing designs in FreeCAD and fine-tuning, repairing and learning how to make better 3D prints and other small manufactured items in a very small space.
None of this would be possible without the help of much-beloved friends who gave us space to live and to set up my little shop. Treasure your true friends and remember that mutual aid is always > ‘rugged individualism’.
Pixel is 14 years old and was a feral rescue as a kitten from a literal historic insane asylum. He will unalive you for a treat without a second thought. His favorite pastime is basking in the sun after eating every last morsel in his bowl and an obsession with chewing on the ribbon cable connecting the camera to my 3D printer. He also has an affinity for “guitar pets”. Contrary to popular belief, he cannot walk through walls. He can however, break into a very secure grow tent and eat the entirety of two 3 month old cannabis plants.
Percival “Purry” Murray was airdropped into our lives through unfortunate circumstances via the Cat Distribution System.
Murray does not like any part of him touched by hands except for the top of his head, but if you sneak up behind him and snuggle him gently, he will fall asleep purring and lay with you for hours.
In his spare time, Purry Murray enjoys annoying the other cats and blending in with the flooring so we trip on him.
Purry Murray is loosely named after Delores Herbig‘s cat Murray from the TV show Dead Like Me.
Samson aka Gordon Scramsey was a neighborhood feral who stopped by daily for food and eventually pets. My daughter adopted him after he made it very clear he was done being an outdoor cat and kept making moves to come inside on his own. Like Pixel and Murray, he now has all his shots, chip and has been neutered.
Samson is known for running around the house at high speed and crashing into walls while trilling loudly for maximum attention. While seemingly very smart, he still has not figured out that you can’t catch a laser dot.