Anger and frustration have driven a lot of what I have written lately — spawned by a feeling of helplessness in trying to save our brain-damaged kitten, Loki.

Emotion can be an asset for a writer but emotion that turns to anger defeats logic and cohesive expression.

The anger manifested itself most often on Capitol Hill Blue, my political news web site, where I write a column called The Rant. Recent rants contained more vitriol than normal as I went out of my way to attack anything and everything.

Such an approach is counter-productive and, after a review by some other writers, editors and journalism profs I respect, I removed several columns from the database at Blue.

Obviously, I’m still having problems dealing with grief over the loss of Loki. I’m taking a break from writing about politics until I come to grip with his death.