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, October 16, 2010

Temptation Friends


Here you have the Spanky and our Gang of the Temptation Parish neighborhood. They all managed to get together for this photo, a real ragtag bunch if you ever saw one!

Let me introduce them from left to right: Beau(regard) who is black and white, Snifter, the cat showing just eyes and ears, Gloria, Max and Iggy. They are my friends and, unlike Vinny whom you've met already, these guys are more low-key. They're kept indoors and the most you might see them is when they get together for a Blessing of the Pets which was last year. Everybody brings their furry loved ones over and Jack and Will say prayers. The first time, Will had that thingamajiggie that flung water everywhere and the cats didn't care for that too much. Half of them went crazy and wound up in the shrubbery. The priests then wrapped it up and the dogs, of course, thought it was the best entertainment ever.

I don't want to forget to mention that Gloria, who lost her right eye, also has a mysterious past like me. I can't remember where I came from and neither can she.

Missing from the picture is Tinker, also part Maine Coon. He's an accomplished musician. He can play the cello as you can see..(hehehe)

Don't forget the late Shel Silverstein's birthday on Monday, the 18th. He wrote Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree. I didn't know this, but he also wrote A Boy Named Sue for Johnny Cash.

I'm glad I have a nice, mancat name like Tom!

11 comments:

SeaThreePeeO said...

What a great looking bunch. we're impressed by Tinkers Cello playing skills!

Marg said...

What a great picture of that group of kitties. We love the little kitten. That must have been quite a feat to get them to all site in a group like that. Take care and have a grand day.

Mariodacat said...

ha ha- Tinker playing the cello is too funny. He's really good at it too. So nice meeting all of you. What a gorgeous group of friends you have.

The Daily Pip said...

Wow, I am impressed you were able to get everyone to sit still for that picture! Looks like you have a nice family there! Do they all live with you at the Church?

We love Shel Silverstein in our house. My little (human) sister's favorite book is the Giving Tree.

Your pal, Pip

Fr. Tom Fish said...

Having a feral background, they've gotten very close. I appreciate the compliments on getting them all together, but I believe the fur-togra-fur took some liberties, for the sake of a group shot. The three in the foreground live together but Beau and Snifter don't.

Brian's Home Blog said...

They really are a great looking bunch!!! I'm with you, not named Sue. I did not know that about Shel Silverstein, that's pretty cool. Y'all have a great weekend!!!

Admiral Hestorb said...

That is super about Shel Silverstein my mama said. her boys all loved his books. Every one that they could get to read. Mama even bought one of the boys in his early 20's "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and he was thrilled. It is proudly in his bookcase.

The purrtrait looks wonderful. Mama wishes she could just go and plop right in the middle of them all and be walked on and slept on. And get to pet al of the beautiful kitties too.

OKcats said...

Plays the cello - mol!!! Our mom thinks her mom must have abused her as a child, as she never even heard of Shel Silverstein until a few years ago! Her mom read to her every night, and reading was always a huge part of her life - so how did he get missed?? Abuse!

Say, you brought up an interesting point at our blog... There is indeed a song "you're the reason God made Oklahoma".... do you supposed He made Oklahoma for cats?? That'd be sweet!

We love your kitty friends and think it's super cool that people get their pets blessed!

Your friends, Fuzzy and Zoe

The Island Cats said...

What a good looking group of furiends you have there, Tom!!

Hannah and Lucy said...

Great group photograph Tom - thank goodness Tinker wasn't front row centre - he would have lowered the tone of things somewhat we fear!!

Cathy Keisha said...

What a fine looking gang, er, group of cats. Love the cello shot. Pop says I have "the flag raised" when I pose like that. Surprised a church cat would mention Shel Silverstein since he wrote for Penthouse and wrote some raunchy songs. xoxo