This is an interview in the continuing series “Talk to the Hand,” which is about the typist behind the anipal(s). When I first started tweeting, one lady cat stood out due to her thoughtfulness and consideration of others. I just knew the typist had to be a special person. I would love to introduce you to Magda (short for Magdalena), know to us as @MizzBassie. Magda lives in Miami, FL United States.

Your given name is unusual. Is it a family name?
It’s not an uncommon name in Poland, where I was born. My family left Poland when I was 11 years old to go to Ghana (my parents were doctors there). We came to the US when I was 13 years old. I still have a large family in Poland and I visit and am in touch with them regularly.

What is/are your passion/hobbies?
So many. Gardening, taking care of and learning about living things. Anything I can do with my hands. Origami, making jewelry. Also photography, cooking, natural history, languages. Lately I’ve been reading about behavioral economics, how we make everyday decisions.

What is your favorite word?
Today it’s “burbling,” since I was talking to someone about fountains.

What is your least favorite word?
Any word that’s part of politically correct “Newspeak,” like “chairperson.” In general, I love and respect language and words, even the bad ones. Each word has its unique history and I think that’s something to be cherished.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Learning new things. Helping people. Connecting with people.

What turns you off?
Intolerance, the refusal to at least try to understand another point of view. Pretension.

What sound or noise do you love?
Silence. Wind in trees, rain, flowing water.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Any sustained loud sound, like a noisy restaurant or very loud music. I suffer from migraines and am very sensitive to sustained noise.

What is your occupation/status in life?
Retired physician. I practiced Medical Genetics.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Veterinary Medicine.

What is your favorite color?
Red.

Who is your anipal?
@MizzBassie.

How did you decide to portray her personality? e.g., are they aspects of your personality, quirky things your pet does.
MizzBassie is a combination of my cat Bassie and my own personality. Bassie has a strong personality of her own. She is independent, not a clingy or cuddly cat, but she shows affection in her own way. I try to convey that. But her philosophy of life, the way she treats others, is my own, of course.

How many other pets do you have?
I currently have five cats. Rufus is the old man (and the only male) at about 13 years old. Bassie and Little Bit are six. Java and Frangi are 3-4 years old. I also feel responsible for Zabi, a sweet boy that my neighbors abandoned when they moved and whom I took to New York City to live with my mother. I’ve mostly had cats, but I’ve fostered a couple of dogs and kept a few parakeets. I’d love to have a dog again and I am hoping to get one once we move to our new house, which is larger than the current one and is close to a large park. Still, I think cats are my love. I love how independent they are, determined to live their lives on their own terms, and yet they love us in their own way.

Do you have an anipal shelter/rescue that is important to you?
I support all shelters but I am partial to Animal Aid in Boca Raton, where I got my calico, Java. Java was a foster that we adopted. I hope to foster for them again once we move to a bigger house (soon).

Any additional comments?
I have found the Twitter anipal community to be a wonderful place. Anipals are always ready to help one another. They are very positive. I haven’t seen the hatefulness and disagreements that you can experience elsewhere on the Internet and in real life. Even though I know we have all different political opinions and life philosophies here, it seems that people of all stripes just come together for the good of their animals and that’s such an encouraging thing to see. We laugh together, we cry together. It’s a refuge for me.

You can visit Magda’s website, www.silkenpaw.net, for more information about her cats.

Tagged as: @mizzbassie, cats, Florida, Miami