Notes from a parish cat and his author Julie Mackenzie

My photo
I am Father Tom Fish, esteemed member of the religious team at Temptation of Christ Parish in the novels by author Julie Mackenzie. As to my background, I was invited into the rectory as a stray, laid on the charm, and was invited to stay, even honorarily ordained and no less spiritual than my sidekick Father Will. He dotes on me to high heaven and forgives all of my street cat proclivities, whatever the hell that means.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

A Special Message

There's been so much going on, it's making my head spin.

Through all of this, I have come to the conclusion that the colors yellow and red hold a special significance. They remind us of candle flames now flickering on both sides of the Atlantic, in celebration and remembrance. There's also the red and gold of the British Queen's guards. (Can you imagine getting caught in all of those legs?)



In honour of the Royal Wedding, I am not only sporting my distinguished roman collar, but also adorned in cat-sized vestments. Another rich display of red and gold, colours that go well with any shade of fur.



I admit, I do look a little mussed, though. That's from all the attention I've enjoyed!
(Many thanks to Ann at Zoolatry for my distinguished look.)

--Tom

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Easter Cravings



I am living a life without chocolate. Easter bunnies come in dark, regular and white chocolate. I always get a basket with a bunny in it, but nothing I could sinfully crave.

Mary Lou will give me whipped cream, ice cream, cream cheese, Baileys Irish Cream (hehe, just kidding) and just plain light cream. I eat cheese sprinkled, crumbled, chopped, petrified yet still good and on very rare occasions, attached to traps and dead mice. I wonder if the little guys have a Rainbow Bridge..?

Anyway, so what do I crave? Something you can't put in a wrapper, shape like a bunny or kiss, or melt with marshmallows. It's the sun, especially this time of year. It turns my purrs into a melody each and every time. I will go out of my way to find a sunspot, wallow in the puddle of it and snooze, enjoying wonderful dreams.

Of eating chocolate.



Happy Easter everyone! May there be sunshine whenever you crave it.

--Tom

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Thinking Outside the Cube

I guess you could say I'm creative.



I have a blog where I get to play around with stuff, part imagination and part fact, tell jokes and give my commentary. This week, something came up that was a complete surprise.

Here is a typical cat cube in a nice, fishy shade of blue, complete with dangling thingie inside. I really have no use for something like this. For an eavesdropping parish cat like me, I would miss way too much!



What I could use is a couch. Everybody else has one, but not me. I decided with a little effort (like jumping up and down on it), I could morph the cube into something useful.



It was time to give my creation a try and, lo and behold, it was very comfy, even if I'm hanging off a bit.



I love it, especially since Mary Lou put a cute penguin nip pillow on it and Father Will added the doily.



Home, sweet home!

--Tom

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Back In The Kitchen Again

There's one place in the rectory I've found to be the best for exploring, and that's in the kitchen.

A few weeks ago, we celebrated Pecan Day with the housekeeper sending me on a mission in the cabinets to look for those celebrated nuts.



Once I got inside, I made my way around molasses, popcorn and croutons. I felt like I was on safari, sniffing the wild smells of gelatin and vanilla extract.



I knocked over food coloring. What? What color was it in the first place? Is there something I should know? Never mind. Let me see, ooh, the confectioner's sugar was like a pillow, the smell of cornstarch gave me goose pimples, and I found a hidden canister of quick grits. Anyhow, when all was said and done, there were no pecans.



What I did discover was a box mix of pecan cluster bars. Mary Lou was happy and my quest had ended. It was exhausting!



By the way they made a delicious dessert with whipped cream on top. Before I forget--the pecan never made it big in the rest of the world. It's strictly a born-in-America nut like me!

--Tom

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Winter: Enough Already

After brushing the cat litter from my fountain pen, I sat down and wrote the following:

Dear Winter,

I've had it up to my whisker-tips. Another snowfall. This is not Broadway. There are no encores. It's time to say goodbye!




I know it's a bummer being monochromatic (burrp! I just ate which gives me the amazing ability to use big words), but please don't make spring wait, with its pretty flowers and everything turning green. We're antsy. The first day of spring has arrived. Didn't you know? You may as well accept the fact there are no more footlights. It's time to take the hat and go.

By all that is holy, we in the north country can't wait for: FLOWERS!



Here's a picture of me looking out at the ivy last fall:
(I know a parishioner named Ivy. What a sweet name!)




And look at these--beautiful green leaves with a stem of hearts running through them:



Winter, say goodbye so we can open windows to let in the fresh air, the birdsong (oh, yeah) and the smell of things growing. It's time to rest yourself and dream your own dreams.

Most sincerely,
Tom the Church Cat