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.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Tom's Trauma

All attempts to dress me up for Halloween did not go well.




Trying this thing on for size (in theory) just made things worse.




Then, I came up with an idea. Let's call it a Halloween flying saucer with ears!




Let me have at it! Nothing like bunny-kicking the pumpkins to Kingdom come. Mmmm...I smell eye of newt and m&ms!




As it turned out, it wasn't much of a toy, but perfect for another kitty's head!




Happy Halloween, everybody!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Thankful Thursday - *Paws Up!*

Let's see now. Where did we leave off?

Oh, the packing stuff from my books. Let me tell you, I looked everywhere for the nip. There was no nip, nip was nil, zip nip, nada nip.. I don't care how you say it, no nip was shipped and I was ripped!




Tom, I'm going to call you "No Nip Chip." Besides, this is what you look like when you've had too much.




Anyway, like I was saying (whose post is this, anyway?) I looked so long and hard that finally I just crashed among the scrunched up papers.




After I woke up, Julie put me on inspection detail. She had a press kit (looked more like a fancy present to me) that had my book in it and tied with a gold cord.




A nicely-flavored gold cord, I might add. It passed my taste test and everything smelled like it was in order and she left.




When she got back, I found it on the desk.

What happened?

Tom, the receptionist at the newspaper was on a personal call and I had to wait. The person the kit was addressed to had been transferred to another building. I felt like I was in a twilight zone. After she ended her call, the young girl said, "I'll take that and put it in (xyz's) mailbox." I decided against it and left.

Good going. And you did that without showing my cardboard head?

I forgot your cardboard head. Anyway, Tom, it's your book. I want to make sure it stays in good hands.

It's in lots of good hands now!

You bet. Again, thanks everyone for your good wishes and support. Tom, you want to tell them?

Everybody, I have an EMAIL ADDRESS set up just for your thoughts and comments, so feel free to write to me at JRMparishcat [at] gmail [dot] com. My own mail..yay! *paws up!*

--Tom

Friday, October 21, 2011

'Tocks at Three O'Clock

My 'tocks are in a tizzy!



We had an unexpected surprise just the other afternoon. After hearing a rumble outside, we went out to see and found a brown truck with a brown man, smiling as he pulled out brown boxes! By cod, it was our books! They weren't due for another week, but lo and bee-hold, they were here!



He put them all on the porch and we told him what they were. He was so nice. All the commotion had already drawn a crowd, hehehe!



Julie sat on the step with them at first. On the top was one small package, one book by its lonesome. She opened it up.



A gorgeous cover with the soft glow of a burning candle and best of all, my handsome mug is on the lower right-hand side. Weeeeeeee!

Tom, it was a very special day I will always remember. What makes it really special is that--

Tom?





Hey, where'd they pack the nip?

Friday, October 14, 2011

Fuss 'n Feathers

No, it can't be. My peepers are deceiving me!

A present left for me of two peacock feathers? How did they get here? They're bee-u-tee-ful!




Certainly the mighty peabird couldn't have shed two feathers in one place. Impossible.

Voluntarily surrendered them for my pouncing pleasure? Not hardly.




I think..and I think..mmmmm..




The only conclusion I can come to is they must have been a gift from the FSS.




The Feline Stealth Squad, an anonymous band of Robin Hood-like pranksters who steal from the unwary to give to the unlikely

And all in the name of fun.

Just to let you know, no peacocks were hurt--well, not until now




in the creation of this post. (Actually, the feathers came from the local animal shelter at a dollar apiece, but this made a much better story!)

--Tom

Friday, October 7, 2011

Sock-tober!

Socks come and they go. When they go, they never do it in pairs. Have you ever noticed that?

Here this poor sock has been abandoned by its partner in the laundry, destined to be either a poor match for another, or fall into the hands of a questionable character who will only wear one sock at a time.






But, hold the tears! The toe can be filled with nip, the sock tied in the middle, the sides cut to the knot..






and the sock becomes a great cat toy!






Of course, I'm the quality control tester for this purrototype and its efficiency as a nip holder, a stretchy thing good for pulls and...excuse me, just a minute






I'm back. As I was saying, if you're ever out of toys or the ones you have just won't do, get the cat priest special, the one size nips all, sock turned toy and see all the fun you can have!





--Tom

Sunday, October 2, 2011

LiveStrong - 2011


At the same time yellow reminds us of the devastating effects of cancer and how it has taken the lives of those who depend on us for miracles, it also reflects our hope.



For as many tomorrows as it takes, it is today we put together our trust. There will be a better day for those who look to us. It is time to work and pray. Time for hope in our sorrow and dedication to our cause.



Live strong, dear ones. As always, our inspiration comes from those who've gone before.



Hope, like the gleaming light of day
Adorns and cheers our way
And, still as darker grows the night,
Emits a brighter ray.
--Oliver Goldsmith