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.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Let's Play!

"Well, we've come to the final post on how we kitties are snoopervized when Mom Julie isn't here.

She's starting to ask Mitty to take some responsibility for us. Yeah, right!! Although, I must say, that's when we have the most fun (we know she can't be serious).

First thing he does is find somebody to wrassle with..




Uh-oh. Looks like it's the Big Puss and he was trying to sleep, hahaha!
Better look out Mitty, Tinker has little guys like you for lunch!

Oh, yeah, he comes after me, too, but I'm usually alert and ready.


Hello!


Yikes! That tickles!

The cutest thing Mitty does is show off by playing fetch.
Look at him with the mousie!





 The other thing he does is play house. I pretend I'm the big, bad wolf, watching from above.





So, you see, it's party time when Mitty's in charge and that's the way we like it.

I hope he never grows up!

--Tom

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Anastasia Rules

Hi, Anastasia here, but my furriends call me "Stasia" and you can, too.

When I'm put in charge of this band of furry outlaws, I oversee all activity from my windowsill.





That way, I'm high enough to see everything and give a shout should things get out of hand. The fact that it's just in one room in my favorite spot is irrelevant. Mom Julie said nothing about how I should handle this big responsibility, just that I do it . And, she knows I do things totally my own way, anyhow.




Should I not be on the windowsill and someone needs serious discipline, I do have a secret weapon. Well, once you see it, it's no secret anymore. But, that, too, is beside the point.

One day, I had to use it.  The boys froze in their tracks and then were good little troopers afterwards. Hah!






I shouldn't have gloated over my supreme powers.

They were soon to get back at me.

Look at them!





A three-pack of double-barreled lasers aimed right at me! Holy Mother of Cod and all the fish in the sea!

Back to my windowsill I went. The heck with them. I'll save my high beams for a squirrel or two..

Very truly purrs,
Stasia

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tom here and I need to be flogged with a wet noodle for forgetting to mention two weeks ago that Nerissa, the Garden Cottage Cats and Spud of the Random Felines all gave me the Illuminating Blogger Award. Look at it! It's beautiful and I so don't deserve such an honour, but I accept it with thanks and apologies:




I would like to bestow the award now on some furriends who have certainly illuminated my life--wait a minute, I was supposed to tell you something illuminating about me. Let's see--embarrassing might be more like it...mmmmmm, illuminating..oh, I know--I was a stray and found myself in a dress shop where I couldn't stay. It was sad. Not really. What would I do in a dress?? I waited in the shelter and then Mom Julie came along. Was I lucky!

It's so hard for me to nominate just five deserving furriends and I hope as this award gets bestowed around the CB that we don't miss anybody..anyway, here goes:

1. To sweetie Manx

2. To Sammy & Moosey and all their shelter friends

3. Shaggy & Scout at Little Cat Feet..ssshhh!

4. Nicki & Derry at Fuzzy Tales

5. Eric & Flynn, the ginger and white Devon kitties

Hugs to all,
Tom

Friday, June 15, 2012

Tom in Charge

My management style starts with sitting in the sun a certain way. It gives me a halo, a saintly glow and I look  wise, good, and spiritual. This works very well since I am a man of the cloth fur. What does that have to do with being in charge of other people, you ask?




Doing it my way, you don't have to strong-arm or micromanage or walk around like a cop on a beat like Tinker. I just remind everyone that goodness for goodness' sake is the best way to be.


"Hey, buzz off!"

Tinker didn't think I heard him, but I DID!!

I make my rounds only once and find things in purrfect order..

Anastasia..


Check.

Tinker...



Oh, brother..!

Check.

And, finally, here's Mitty...ssshhhh!!




Sleeping like an angel and everyone is doing just fine. See? My management style works!

Next week: Anastasia and her secret weapon!

--Tom





Friday, June 8, 2012

Who's In Charge Here?

 Hi, I've returned to my post with a post!

This is one about how we keep our home running smoothly.

Anytime Mom Julie leaves the house, she always says, "So-and-so's in charge while I'm gone."

I try not to yawn.






I thought this was a little silly when it all started, but soon realized she was serious. Upon her return, she would ask how we did.

Let me tell you--there's a lot she doesn't know that I want to share with you. Like what really goes on when she's not around and someone is put "in charge."

We'll start with one picked most often--Tinker.






The Big Puss obviously looks the part and takes his responsibility very seriously. I have all to do to keep from laughing when I see his face light up when she calls on him to supervise. He's usually picked for those day-long hauls and uses devious methods to keep an eye on us.

Like hiding..






Walking around, checking all the rooms..walking around, 'round and 'round..






Ease up, pal. No wonder you're getting gray hairs!






Of course, he throws in a few flirts with Anastasia. He hopes she's impressed when he's given boss status.






And, here he is, when Mom Julie returns, ready to report--nothing.






We've all been good, snoozing quietly while he walks around watching us sleep and eat and going about our usual business.

She's quite impressed with him, and I guess she should be. He always cleans his plate after a canned food meal, trills before approaching most laps and politely waits for Mom Julie to get up in the morning before demanding attention.

Not like the rest of us, especially Mitty.

Next week, it's my turn. I'll show you how I handle the troops!

--Tom

Mom Julie here--Friends, I'm so glad I had Tom's birthday today, Sunday, to distract me from a worsening toothache. I did make it to Mass this morning, but it hurt sooo badly and still does. It came about after a recent crown came off. It had fallen off once before, glued back on by the dentist, and now, it's off again leaving me in terrible pain. I've had it. My insurance has run out and won't renew until July 1. I'm hoping to find a dentist with a sliding fee scale and just get the darn thing pulled. (It's a lower right hand molar, never to be missed!) Wish me luck finding one tomorrow!
Tom celebrated his special day on FB, thanking those with birthday wishes, but we also promised a donation to The Maine POM Project in his honor. (oxygen masks for pets: ea. kit comes with three sizes, cats, dogs and little pets should they need to be resuscitated due to fire, etc.) For other parts of the country, you might try Wag'n Enterprises LLC. They also have a list of all the rescue departments around the country who already ordered from them.
That was our weekend! Hope yours was a good one. We'll be visiting soon.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Anastasia and the Big Puss Step Out

Hi-ho, everyone, Tinker here..

I am so excited to be having my first official date with Anastasia!

I'm taking her to Truffle's Debutante Ball and Party, a glittering extrafurrganza. I even had mom Julie purchase a single rose for me to present..







In no time, we were all gussied up, looking like a million bucks, me in my bright red bowtie--hey, don't I look sharp??







Actually, I'm trying to politely ignore my lovely partner--holy jumping jackrabbits! Just look at her go! I had no idea all this excitement would bring out her more talkative side.







Yack, yack, yack, then it was blah, blah, blah, blah, and then  "ha ha ha ha- I saw him blah, blah, blah"--wait a minute, was she talking about me? At this rate, do you think I'll ever be able to steal a kiss??

Tom didn't come. He decided to stay home and babysit Mitty. I promised we'd drink a bunch of holy water and stuff ourselves in his place. He surprised me with a very un-priestly gesture..

It's wonderful to see so many we know here and they all look fabulous!

A special Happy First Birthday, Truffle from both of us and our special thanks to mom Paula for hosting this lovely event!

((Hugs))

Your furriends,
Tinker & Anastasia
xx

Postscript: For their first time out on such a formal occasion, our lovebirds did very well. Anastasia settled down after a bit and just took in her surroundings, feeling more at ease. I think Tinker was able to steal a kiss, but neither of them would confirm or deny. I just suspected he did when I saw a twinkle in his eye :) They had a wonderful time, I do know that, the magic of the CB casting its spell over all..everyone able to attend and wish Truffle well!


--Mom Julie