Notes from a parish cat and his author Julie Mackenzie

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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.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

A Star in Stripes

Hi, evvvvverrrybody!!

As of yesterday, the summer season officially began. It's interesting how the season kicks off on what are a full range of emotions that are colored red, white and blue. It's Memorial Day with a weekend of vacationers and celebration and a Monday of quiet reflection.

I've always been a patriotic dude with interchangeable little medallions in case my friends lose...
(the other side of the "B" for Bernie has a peace sign on it) Remember him?



To dressing the part so both colors are represented - just to be fair, mind you.



I usually stay out of politics because we can't vote anyway (we're working on it, though), but I do get caught up in the fever of what's going on beyond my windowsill and the parish grounds.

In spite of all the celebrations for this first official weekend of the summer, we can't help but remember those who don't get to celebrate any more because they gave all they had just so we could keep those hot dogs on the grill.




For that, I'm grateful. I'm thankful, too, to everyone in the parish who served including the priests - Will who was a combat journalist with, I'm sure, a bullet fragment still lodged in his common sense, and of course, Father Jack who decided to trade his Vietnam olive drab for religiously fashionable black.

To all, thank you. You've made the red, white and blue as bright and strong as ever.

With paw ever over my heart,
Tom

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

The Red Menace

Hi, furriends..here I am again, a day late and way too short.

Aren't I purrrty, tho??




The reason I'm here on a Tuesday? My post was displaced by a lawnmower. That's right. The whole place was in an uproar because the one the parish had crapped out, died, went to lawnmower heaven and we forgot and the grass got higher than my ears. After much mumbling about looks, we bought one from a very nice man who made it parish-worthy, complete with sanctified oil and a full gas tank.

After puffs of smoke and a few choice words, Father Jack had it running. Proud of what he'd  done, he held the bar down until our new handyman could take over. Our dear old priest barely got out of the way as the red beast roared into the grass and dandelions with a vengeance. Out everything spat and even I had to run for my life!

So, spring has officially sprung and then some!

That's it for now. I'll leave you with this thought: beware of metallic things that roar!

Covered in dandelion and weed confetti..

Faithfully yours,
Tom






Monday, May 14, 2018

A Good Weekend Carries Over

Hi, friends!

Yesterday was Mother's Day and there were a couple of people I wanted to thank. One, the housekeeper who (s)mothers me..Wait, that was mean. She's good to me, really. And, the other, is my real mother. On my Facebook Page I mentioned her and how I wouldn't be the mancat I am today had it not been for her.




I didn't mention why there, but I will here:

1. She gave me her looks. I think I had a very pretty mother.

2. I inherited her sense of humor.



3. And her kindness..



Anyway, the list goes on and on. Mothers are pretty special people, but I know not everyone is so lucky. So, we find those who are mother-like. Take my housekeeper, for instance. I'll give her points for being kind. There isn't a meal that goes by that I don't get a sampling in my dish. She worries about me, takes me to the vet way too often to suit me - meaning that dreaded one visit more than NEVER, and she sees to the men in black who think not that I should sit at God's right hand, but curled up on His lap.

I hope you all had a good Mother's Day. I'm glad we had a special day to honor those who take care of us with love, regardless of who they are.

And, remember:

Roses are red
Violets are blue
If there were no moms
There would be no you!

And we CAN'T have that!

Tom

PS - Here's my Facebook Page link in case you want to visit:

       http://www.facebook.com/FrTomFish

        See you around!















Monday, May 7, 2018

Hint! Hint!

Hullloooo!! Mancat Monday has rolled around once again!
Hope you've all been well.

I was informed over the weekend (in other words, overheard, hehe) that the housekeeper is writing an article on Maine Coon cats! That's me breed, me mateys!! I'm lapsing into my seafaring self since my ancestry came across the seas to settle in the New World like so many others seeking adventure. No, we didn't swim. That would be a mite tiring. We went on board ship and when we landed, were only too happy to get acquainted, if you know what I mean, with the ladycats. Now, I do want to dispel a rumor. We did not have a ladycat in every port!

Just so the housekeeper is fully aware of my attributes as a Maine Coon and will include them in her article, I have listed them here.

1. We are patriotic.


OOOPS!! WRONG ONE!

Now this is patriotic!





2. We like good conversation.






3. We go undercover with ease.






4. We are talkative. (I'm told I laugh at my own jokes, tho. I'll have to quit that)




There's so much more! My attributes are endless!

I hope she takes my suggestions to heart. I'll let you know how it goes!

By the way, I ran into Hairy Harry and he only had five out of the twenty he owes me. He had some excuse. Something about coins and no pockets.

I get my roman flea collar next week.

All for now,

Tom