Year's End

Ahhh..the end of 2012.

I had all kinds of resolutions at the beginning of the year, but I can't begin to remember them now.

 Did I resolve to watch my weight? I did that--can't miss my furry bulges! That's as far as it went, though. Do they have a Curves for cats?

 

I'm not making any resolutions for 2013. I'm too tired. All I know is I'm going to be more vigilant like everybody else in this world, and probably do a heckuva lot more praying, just because.

I might start a garden.

To plant catnip and catmint and money tree seeds.

What a great garden it would be, especially at harvest time!

Ahhhh...

Happy New Year to you, my furriends!

'Twas A Kit-tery, Glittery Night

And we're all hunkered down
Ready for Christmas with nary a frown

"Let's not push it."

We have all our lights in place as you see
A hush from the grouping found under the tree

It's our Bethlehem nativity all whiskers and fur
For those of you new to robed kitties and myrrh

We're all happy to celebrate, no grudges to find
Anxious to show we are generous and kind

Shhhh...he's sleeping, let's not wake him yet

He'll be quite taken with us kitties, I'll sure wanna bet
We've brought catnip and feathers and carols to sing
And a cute little birdie, quite the glittery thing.

Anastasia and Mitty, Tinker, me Tom and the mom
Wishing you and yours the best ever from here and now on..

(OMC..we just noticed the poor sheep on the stairs..oopsie..)

MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH LOVE

We're Almost There!

My goodness, how fast the days have gone by!

There's only about a week left as we slide right into Christmas. Methinks we still might have some leftover turkey..no, just kidding..


We even started decorating early, putting sparkly and woodsy things around like a pine cone basket under the tree

Carousel horsies that just won't hang on. I can't understand why..hehe

Other ornaments, festive and feline

including a big, old nip sack! The kind Santa Cat would carry on his back, hehe! Furriends, if we got our paws on that, we would be pawtyin' well into the New Year!

And there's me..

ME??

Mom Julie said something about stringing a little garland on my whiskers..she's so silly.









My favorite Christmas decoration?

It's these two together...

You might recognize the infant Jesus from our cat nativity set. We never put him away last year, just kept him sleeping right on the shelf, sweet as can be. The Father Christmas with him is one of our favorite versions of the more traditional St. Nicholas.

We can't wait to see some of your holiday decorations!

--Tom

Purrs Everlasting

Listen up, my kitty loved ones:

This post today is all about how much humans really need us.

I know we're pretty much just bundles of love anyway, good at eating, snoozing, wide-eyed innocence, and some of us are amazingly good at having things just the way we like 'em

and we have so much to teach humans about how to have fun.

We say what we want with a simple meow and most of all, we are really sensitive to sadness and tears, helping just by being there.

That's why humans love us so much. There's a joy we share underneath our whiskers and a concern we show when hearts are broken.

What's more--

There's something we have that humans don't, and they need it desperately. It works its magic and comforts the soul, something Tinker and I were talking about just the other day.

**purring**

Humans can't purr.

Nope.

They can't.

I couldn't believe the Big Puss didn't know that, the big dummy.

But, we can.

And that is the real gift we give those we love.

We share the world together
We share our souls apart
There's always caring
Always sharing
Whispers heart to heart

Purrs and love,
Tom, Mom Julie, Tinker, Mitty and Anastasia

Jingle Bells Keep Falling on My Head

OMC!

I'm staying right where I am.

We're one week into the Christmas season and already the house is turned upside down.

I try to be helpful, but it's just too much for me.

We actually put the tree up Thanksgiving evening and it's so pretty even if I can't climb it anymore. When did the branches start growing so close together?

I love the lights and how pretty everything looks. I can't imagine not having this time of year. What if we never had holidays?

We're thinking of you as you prepare for a time of joy and treasured friends, not to mention food and treats. Since we'll be moving next spring, we're tossing a lot of things like..would you believe..twenty-year-old wrapping paper? I was wondering who those stick men with spears were..hehe. We even came across our blue Hannukah paper which is so pretty. You've heard of Hannumas, haven't you? (Seinfeld, they tell me~whoever that is)

Now, I'm off to find some mewsletoe for Tinker and Anastasia..

--Tom

* * * *

We're sorry we never knew Ms. Judi-bug very well, but the CB has lost one of its dearest folks this week. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family as Heaven welcomes its newest angel. Purrs..

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

On this special day, we are thankful for all of the things we have. This is a day we count our blessings and are very grateful for the people who have come into our lives.

To our friends, we hope this day begins a season of gladness and treasuring the memories of those who gave us smiles in times we shared.

Speaking of happy happies, lookee here! ( ::very puffed up and proud:: )

We see Mitty!! Isn't this something?  Gracie, you did Mittens and the rest of the tabby crew proud! We know how hard it is to get everyone together, keep us all still in such close quarters, but you did it! hehe

Although Julie can be very forgetful at times, we didn't want the weeks to get away from us before we thanked Katie Isabella (Seven Things About Me) for our award. I would share stuff, but there really is nothing new to add regarding me or any of my kitty family members since we just did a Gotcha post a short while ago.

Oh, wait a minute--as a parish priest in my other life, I want to make sure you all know that I now have a confessional schedule (see sidebar). There's nothing I haven't heard. Remember, I am a former street cat.

Have a wonderful THANKSGIVING! To all of you and our furriends in Canada, UK and other countries, we thank you for your friendship, good will and supportive purrs and woofs in our times of need.

We're heading straight for lights and angel season which we love!

Hugs,

Tom, Julie, Mitty, Tinker and Anastasia

Is Beauty Only Floof Deep?

First we want to thank everyone bunches for coming to our Gotcha Day Party last weekend! We're still recuperating, but we had a great time, even if Anastasia ate all the hot dogs..hehe


We like to pick on her and I'm not really sure why. She's just sort of regal, stuffy fluffy and elegant, and not a little intimidating. I get all tongue-tied when I'm around her, so if I do make a wisecrack, I wisely do it from a distance.

Hey, guys, look at this pose, willya?

"The Taj Majal is my second home, thank you very much."

Besides her beauty, what I find amazing about her is her furs..she has Tinker beat and he has some pretty awesome floofs, too.

"Whaasmmmsffmmmmmmmsfmmmrr?"

 Kinda like beach surf in a way, and we are definitely at high tide!

And, me? Well, I don't have as much floof, I guess, but that's okay. Mitty doesn't have any at all and he's fine without it.

Mitty says: "I may not have floof, but I have hand-painted furs!"

Handsome and no floof needed.

To all you kitties with or without floof, have a great weekend!

--Tom

A Happy Gotcha Day Party Weekend!

HAPPY GOTCHA DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN
WE CELEBRATE WITH NIP AND 'HEN
LOTS OF LOVE AND HUGS COME OUR WAY WHEN
HAPPY GOTCHA DAYS ARE HEEEEERRRRRRE!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, effurrybody and welcome to our surprise Gotcha Day Pawty!

Three of us are celebrating Gotcha Days this weekend--me, Anastasia and Mitty!

Just look at this spread!

Come on in, help yourself to some nommies and yummies and a drink or two..
while we tell you our story..

First, let me get something to wet my whiskers and my whistle..
By the way, the purrbon is mighty fine. You might try one of the niptinis, meowgaritas, singapaw slings or other fancy drinks we have on hand..

Now to the gotcha stories, starting with me..

Mom Julie found me at the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, Maine. Originally, my name was Jerry. She wanted me sooo bad after seeing me online and how cute I was. Well, fate made me play "hard to get."

Let me explain.

Setting clocks back and adopting me came hand in paw.

It was a comedy of errors. Mom Julie set all the clocks back in the house and forgot to set her watch. So, she arrived at the shelter an hour early, really put out and fussed up that it wasn't open. Then, somebody (after calling the nut house) leaned out the door and asked who she was looking for. "Jerry," she said. The lady checked and found out I was at Petsmart. Mom Julie then high-tailed it (hehe) down to the store and guess what--she didn't see me and the adoption place was locked up, not to open until a volunteer from the shelter came.

Well.
Mom Julie flipped her lid.
Decided to go shopping.
Came back.
It was open!

She saw me and fell in love with the funny way that I walk, all the toes on my paws, my face, and my overall drop-dead cuteness!

That was two years ago.

Last year, she went back to the same shelter after seeing Anastasia online.

There go the hot dogs!!

When Mom Julie arrived, someone else was at her cage! Oh, no! There they were--a volunteer and some other lady. How could this happen?! Anyway, back out in the lobby there were kittens.

That's when she found Mitty whose given name was Bolt. (what a perfect name for him that was!)

Then, by Cod, it turned out the other lady didn't want Anastasia after all.

The Mom was in love with two kitties at the same time! There was no way she was going to leave Anastasia behind. So, she adopted them both on the same day.

So, cheers! Happy Gotcha Day to all of us--me, November 9, 2010; Anastasia & Mitty (November 12, 2011, so we just say November 9th.

Look how grown up Mitty looks now (compared with his kitten photo in the sidebar)

Thank you so much for stopping by and helping us celebrate!

Hugs,
Tom, Mitty, Anastasia, Tinker and Mom Julie

Angels (Already?)

We're in the Christmas spirit and we can't help it.

It all started with an angel. Well, actually, make it two..three...?

About a week ago, we were told we were winners in a contest held by our friends at Ask Fisher. We entered because the book they were giving away had to do with angels and we have a thing for them around here. Mom Julie's convinced they exist. As a cat priest, I see them now and again, but not often.

Here it is when we first received it in the mail.

Oopsie, sorry, I'm in the way. Did you know bar codes have a smell? (hehe)

Anyway, here it is.

Hey, my whiskers look like heavenly rays!

 I'll just step aside now.

The book, as you can see, is CHRISTMAS ANGELS by Elaine Marlier.

We loved it. In fact, we read it in two sittings, and yes, it was easy to get into the Christmas spirit! It's the story of a homeless man who finds himself facing the holidays without friends or family. He catches sight of an angel in a storefront window and that begins a series of events that includes having his very own Angel, a dog who never leaves his side.

We're so happy we won! Thanks, Fisher and Jobi!

We don't want to forget others who have sent good things our way. Sage, our woofie friend from Portland, Oregon threw us a cupcake. Then, an award came to us from Sherlock, Ash and Traveler. Yay!!

Angels are everywhere.

Purrs...

--Tom

Wordy Wednesday: Happy Halloween!

 One of my favorite poets from childhood was Ogden Nash. He wrote funny lines about anything and everything. 

Like this one:

FLEAS

Adam
Had 'em.

On this Halloween, Tom has allowed me to share a poem I wrote when we had no power. I had just finished a task that no high winds, disaster, or anything else would ever interrupt and that is cleaning out the cat box. 

CLEANING CAT BOXES BY FLASHLIGHT

Oh, desert-like mounds
  in shadow and light
Hiding your treasures
  best as you might.

We sift through the grains
  to find leavings in store
Scooping the pooping
  by flashlight is more
Exciting than winning the lottery?
When we're cleaning and tilling the "pottery?"

Then all is darkness
  as the light is no more
Once again that scritch-scratching
  a sound we deplore

When our power returns
  and things are as they were
You'll find us scooping the pooping
  for our royalty in fur.

Well, you have to make light of our lot in life, my friends, no pun intended..

Hope you enjoyed our treat!

Happy Halloween!

--Mom Julie, Tom, Mitty, Tinker and Anastasia

(Nose) Kissin' Cousins

We love to visit our cousins since they're only a half-hour away. Recently, when I returned home, a certain member of our party stayed behind.

Mitty's been having the time of his life. Oh, he'll be getting back here one of these days, for sure, but meanwhile, he's visiting, particularly one little kitty who's right around his age.

Here's Minnie. She's just a few weeks older than Mitty, who's about a year old now. (We'll celebrate his Gotcha Day in November)

 Look at the cute spot on her nose! She was rescued from the streets as a tiny kitten by my mom's daughter and her fiance.

They're ignoring each other here, but, trust me, they play a lot.

Who?  Where?

 Originally (this summer), the intent was to give Minnie a playmate and find Mitty a place to go while Mom Julie was getting the house ready to sell. People in and out, it was not the best environment for little Mr. Curious since none of us are outside kitties.

Our other cousin is GubInATub, called Gubby for short and the inspiration for Mrs. Gubbers in my Father Tom novels. That came about since he reminded our mom of when she visited Brooklyn and saw elderly women leaning on windowsills, seated next to their flowerpots, talking to people out in the street. He sits on his elbows in the hole of his cube the same way.

Older at seven and more laid back, he's not interested in tussling about.

And, last but not least is the debonair Chewseph (Joseph). Another kitty rescued, very bothered by Minnie when she first arrived, now is willing to play when not composing. It's brought out the kitten in him again, he being a couple of years younger than Gubby.

He says, "You'll enjoy my rendition of 'As Time Goes By.' "

White paws together, like white gloves, he's ready to play the piano and will tickle the ivories for head scratches and some treats in the nip tip jar.

So, that's been Mitty's home away from home, getting a lot of attention, play time and my human doesn't have to worry about him.

Oh, he'll be coming back. I miss the heck out of him, but I'm going over this weekend to get my nails done my meownicure and visit.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

--Tom