Guilty Party Selfie

Hi, Friends!!

Hope your Christmas was fun, filling (with super duper food) and fabulous! We had none of those...just kidding! Because of the pandemic, there was a cloud over things, but we can look forward to the New Year to change all that.

Last Christmas, we received an ottoman as a gift, just because. (Nothing received of note this year, mostly sardines, catnip and toys..ho-hum) Anyway, right after we got it, the housekeeper saw claw marks on it and went berserk. Now, my esteemed cat friend who-I have-no-choice-but-to-live-with-who-gives-me-unnecessary-baths was caught red-pawed, digging her claws in. Okay, it's not leather, but still, like a kind of vinyl that looks like leather. Well, apparently it passed the leather test with Bridget and she wanted to leave her mark(s).

So,  now we can't see the ottoman at all because it's covered in a blanket. And, the guilty party has set herself right on top of it as if nothing happened. 

 She is vile and disgusting. She claims all innocence but WE know better!!!

Leaving our happy home and turning now to the New Year ahead, we all wish you the very best in the coming months, good health and much happiness and...no clawmarks!!

Purrs,

Tom, Bridget & Penny xoxoxo

Humbug Day (Who Knew?)

 Hi, friends!

Okay, so somebody decided it would be Humbug Day today. I guess we need a day where we can be Grinchy, Crabby Appletons, and all around no-so-happy with the world, kinda like A Christmas Carol's Bah Humbug, right?

Not to worry..even my bah-humbugs are funny sometimes! 

"And, you were saying...??"

Anyway, it's the Christmas season, so we wanted to share not only our wishes for holiday blessings for all of you, our friends, but also to look back at some of the Christmas highlights of celebrations past.

                                                                  

And, finally, a poem about Christmas Eve

Penny spending her first Christmas with us!

                               

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY CHANUKAH AND ALL THE REST OF THE CELEBRATIONS THAT LIFT OUR HEARTS THIS TIME OF YEAR!

💝💝💝

All our love,

TOM, BRIDGET, PENNY & HOUSEKEEPER MOM JULIE MACKENZIE

                                                                

Advent Calendar Blues

Hi, friends!

Question of the day: How do I make my gorgeousness fit into a tiny little doorway?

This is how, my friends. It's a tight squeeze, but here I am!!

Penny and Bridget are behind their own doors, not revealed just yet. That's all right with me. I have some peace and quiet on my very own Advent calendar. 

Hope you're enjoying your own calendar with a surprise every day!!

(Hmmm...I wonder which door they're behind..nah, I'm not going to look ahead!)

TOM

No Power

 Hi, friends!

I hope you who are spending winter with the rest of us are doing okay. What started out as 1-3 inches turned into a storm watch, then a storm warning..then, the storm! Snow, giant flakes of it, then turning to sleet after dark with high winds! I thought we'd blow away! Weather humans!! Mr. Doppler sure changed his tune in a matter of hours! Went from gentle classical to RAP..rap, get it??

After being without power which meant without heat since everything around here is electric, we're taking in some well-deserved sunshine this morning. But, we can't forget 49 degrees in the living room compared with 45 in the fridge! Anyway we found our way to all the cozy sleeping places and stayed warm and stayed lazy.

The sun is coming in nicely where Penny is sitting. She allowed me visiting privileges earlier, but I didn't stay long.

Hope there's some sunshine in your Monday to help you start the week along with our purrs.

Take care, all!

Tom, Bridget & Penny

Sssshhhh!! Don't Wake Her Up!

Hi, friends!

Why...it's Monday all over again! 

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We had rain and fog, but then the sun came out yesterday. Boy, it was downright balmy for almost December up here in the piney woods!

Penny knows just how to keep warm. There's no place she likes better than to be in housekeeper Mom Julie's bed, snuggled up right between the pillows, a duvet, wool blankie and warm flannel to keep her warm!

You can hardly see her, but that's where she likes to be.

Here's another cute pic of little Penny. I just leave her be.

I know..such cuteness!!

*yawn* Excuse me while I take a little nap myself!

Have a good week!

Tom, Bridget and Penny xoxoxo 

What's That Up Ahead?

Hi, friends!

This is a Monday if there ever was one. It's raining, dreary and there's really not much to see..

The housekeeper loves the different expressions I have when I look out the window. Here's the one I've chosen for today:

I don't know what I was looking at at the time, but it must have been a doozy!

One thing to think about that's good at least, is coming up! TURKEY DAY!! I LOVE turkey! I try not to think about all the goodness of gravy and tender meat when I see the bird itself because then I get sad. I have to remember it's all part of a tradition we've had since, well, since we came over on a big ship and all we had to eat was salt pork!

So, my friends, whatever Monday brings, we'll take it in stride, knowing there are good things waiting for us at the end, and we get a chance to give thanks for what we have.

Blessings, friends!!

Tom, Bridget & Penny

From Sweet Nothings to Slobber

Hi, furriends!

Last week, Bridget was whispering in my ear. I think it was sweet nothings or just plain nothings, because I couldn't understand a word she said. She talked the whole time through ear fluff and I pretended to listen, having her think I was taking it all in.

I have to tell you, lately she's been in my face, cuddled up close so I can hardly breathe, or up my behind. It isn't just that, either. She launches into her licking, cleaning mode and I bear the brunt of it with my furs all messed up. This goes on for about 15 solid minutes. Ugh!

Then, there's after the bath when she turns around and sits on me!! Her fluffy, fat a$$, heavy as a tank crushes me to death!

And, if that isn't bad enough, she doesn't sit still. It's then she decides to give herself the scrubbing treatment, jiggling and wiggling and jerking around, jabbing me in the back with every movement.

Puleeze!! Help!! Get me away from this slobbering, scrub-fetish obsessed blimp so I can get my rest!!

That's all I have to say!

Scrubbed clean and mean, 

TOM

💤😺

 

Sweet Nothings

 Happy Monday!!

Here we are, back again and how crazy the past week has been...holy moley!! Best described as one of those cement mixers that goes round and round...hehe!!

Enough of that.

I don't know where the expression "sweet nothings" came from, but it's appropriate for what Bridget does constantly. She'll sit next to me and begin whispering in my ear, half of it I don't even understand since it's spoken through ear floof. See what I mean?

Anyway, what I do is move away since her heavy breathing tickles my ears and I have better things to do, like NAP!!

Sssshhhh! I'm dreaming!! Can't tell you what it's about 'til I wake up...

Purrs and best wishes from the Dream Team - Me, Bridget & Penny xoxoxo!

Tomorrow...!

 Hi, furriends!

I'm not going to get into politics other than to say a big day for humans in the US is going on tomorrow..

The housekeeper says it reminds her of Shakespeare's Macbeth.."Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day.." 

The creeping part is like Bridget when she stealths..sneaking up on the sound of a mouse. The only difference between her and the housekeeper and other humans is the political creeping that has been going on forever, filled with commercials everywhere, and the eventual catching of the mouse (voting) happening tomorrow, to end everything in chaos of a different kind.

Phew! I'm glad I'm a cat.

Bridget is glad she's a cat.

Penny's glad she couldn't care less.

Don't forget to vote tomorrow, my friends who are human..it's importante!! 

WHAT HAVE WE HERE??

Hello furriends!

Here we are, back again with a new post, a new week and new side shots!

I never realized until we were photographed together from the side that we have cheek stripes!

 

Look at Bridget!! Hahahaha!!! Looks like war paint!! No wonder she's so cantankerous!!

I know, I'm being cheeky..get it? Now, as for me, my side stripes are more subtle, delicately defined, accenting my profile in just the right manner in all kinds of light. The lines accent my features perfectly, my whiskers, too. Just call me...gee, I don't know...handsome?

You can call Bridget Sacajazilla, Indian for "Speaks with forked tongue."

Okay, I'll be nice. But...why? 

Getting the evil eye, so I better sign off.  Besides, I think I heard the bell for chow.

Til next time, check out your own good-lookin' profiles!

~TOM~

A Little of This 'n That

Hi, friends!

First, let me tell you that the editor was thrilled with all the photos (ahh...yeah, we picked the best ones we had showing our Maine Coon deliciousness!) I have to tell you, though, acceptance is one thing. Publication is another. The photos are scheduled for November, I think we already told you, to go with a story entitled "A Maine Coon Morning." It's about finding a bunch of old geezers guys sitting around in a general store talking about the one man's cat that died. It has a little twist at the end which the editor really liked. One of our other stories had to be rescheduled for publication, but it's been accepted. Yay! Just don't know yet when it'll be in print so we can share it with you.

Nothing else new, really. We've been watching the leaves being blown around, catching autumn whiffies at the window and cuddling up to stay warm on those crisp, chilly mornings that are coming fast and furious. Well, maybe not furious, but wooly caterpillars I've talked to say to make sure there are plenty of blankets.

Taking a second look at this photo of Bridget, I think she's losing some weight. Maybe it's just the camera angle. Don't tell her I said so! She likes to think of herself as having a willowy fizzeek.

Speaking of camera angles, look at the housekeeper's elephant leg!! She went to her doctor vet the other day and when she came home said she'd forgotten she wore her cat sox. But, he didn't say anything. Must not be a cat man. 

I'm afraid I've come to the end without any more to say. After all, we can't let life get too exciting and out of control, can we?? Hahaha!

Hugs & purrs,

Tom, Bridget & Penny xoxoxo

 

Maine Coon Me!

Hi, friends -

I consider myself Everycat. No special breed, although the housekeeper thinks I have a lot of Maine Coon in me. Since I talk a lot, she might be right. 

She's working on a story about Maine Coons - or at least, about somebody who has one - and the editor wants photos. Welll.....guess who's going to be up for that!!!

Here are a few to be submitted:

Some of you have seen the classic one professionally done of the original Tom Fishworthy which will be submitted in his memory:

Of course, Bridget got wind of all this and insists she has Maine Coon in her, too. Who am I to argue? So, some photos of her will also be considered since the man in the story lost his original Maine Coon and replaced it with a ladycat. Bridget is perfect.

Poor Penny. She'll just have to sit this one out, being Siamese and all.

We'll let you know how it goes. If accepted, the piece will go in the November issue of Maine Seniors.

Have a great week, everybody!!!

Purrs,

Tom, Bridget & Penny xoxoxo

She Still Has My Heart

Hi, friends,

I don't know how to put this, but I think Bridget is feeling like a cast off old shoe.

And, all because of Penny.

I don't blame her since Penny does create quite a stir. I'm intrigued with this unusual kitty with boundless energy, but that's where it ends. Bridget will always be my main squeeze, and I'm just lucky to have two bee-you-tee-ful ladycats now in my life. 

Our closeness has never been an issue. Here, we look like one cat with multiple legs, ears and crazy fur. All that with just one tail!!

Yes, we've been very close and will always be so. I almost wish Penny had brought a kitty with her so she wouldn't feel so left out. 

Anyway, Bridget gets playful and affectionate with all the cuteness she can muster.

Then, finally settles down and becomes all serious. 

My dear Bridget, seeing us together in all these photos, do you think you have to worry? Nope. Maybe you and I can find her a boyfriend, somebody who can keep up with her. We're the senior kitties here, now, remember, so together we'll deal. Purrsies, sweetie!

For all the mice I can fit in my heart, I love you.

TOM

Bracing Myself for October

 Hi, everybody!

                                               Hey, I'm NOT that fat! Quit fooling around!

                                                                        That's better!

Now I forgot what I was going to write about.

Oh yeah - September is coming to an end and I'm getting anxious about v-e-t appointments that I spotted on the calendar for October. One to the regular vet for a checkup since my ear is bugging me and the one at the end of the month is with the cardiac guy. Yes, I have a heart! You don't need to check it! I get so cranky and it starts as soon as I get stuffed into my carrier and put into the car. Then the engine gets turned on, vroom! and I go ballistic. I make my displeasure known, for all the good it does.

Meanwhile, with that on the horizon, I sleep with one eye open, stay alert and as soon as I hear that wire door screech, I head for my hiding place. Now, the housekeeper thought she'd be real smart when she unfastened it by coughing to cover the noise. Nice try. I heard it anyway!

So, that's what's coming up for me. Penny is still hissy and growls. The housekeeper said it might be because she had been abused. I never thought about that.  How awful! She also said she saw a Jackson Galaxy episode that had him saying when a cat wraps its tail around itself, it's a way to feel more secure. Could very well be. Maybe it's good the original owners weren't found after all, and she came here.

When I see her like this, though, my heart melts. She's so tiny! I know she doesn't mean to be mean and will be a good furriend for Bridget and me. It'll just take time. All right - clock's ticking!

Hope you don't have any October appointments you're dreading!

Have a happy Monday!

TOM, BRIDGET AND PENNY

 

Dark Shadows

Hi, furry folks and peoples!

Where's the heat? Even toy mice are looking to get warm!

It is so COOOOOLD!!!

I hope you're all warm where you are. Bridget, Penny and I are feeling Mother Nature's cold temps lately, with shortened time in our sun puddles and finding we lose light so quick! Here I'll be thinking it's later in the day, but no, it's really suppertime. I don't like the chillyness and early darkness descending with all my windows lowered, then closed. Notice I said MY windows!

With all this going on, Bridget is finding other things to amuse her. She likes shadows and swears this shadow is acting on its own! I tell her it's her imagination at first. Shadows are just that - shadows of ourselves and what we're doing.

She's not so sure. I have to admit, this shadow is looking a bit odd.

Anyway, all's well here except she can't seem to leave Penny alone. That's another thing. I guess these two will just have to get used to each other.

~~~

For me, I'll just be looking for a warm spot to snuggle up in. Maybe even a lap!

Have a good week!

TOM, BRIDGET & PENNY ^..^

Two VIPs - The Mailman and the Goodies Man!

Hello from my windowseat!!

Actually, I don't SIT in my seat, I lie here, eyes half-closed, taking in the sun...

UNTIL....

You guessed it! The mailman stops by!  I can always tell it's him because his little putt-putt has an engine with a unique sound and it always looks like it's carrying something really important. 

For us, it could be anything, but for me, sometimes I get mail, but most of the time I might get a nod from the mailman as he pops our delivery into the box and turns around and gets back into his truck. He must get plenty of exercise. Not everyone's mailbox is down close to the street like ours is.

When I get really excited is when a much bigger truck arrives with MY stuff. Of course, it would take a bigger truck. He comes a little closer and, for all the banging and heaving of goodies, I don't really react the same way as I do with the mailman. Don't know why. I guess there's just no mystery to litter, food and cat toys that come once in a blue moon a month.

~~~~~~~~~

In PENNY news..

She now has the run of the house and we pretty much all go our separate ways. Yesterday, Bridget took her afternoon nap in the living room, Penny curled up on the bed upstairs, and I was up in the attic. Yeah, I think we all like our space!

Anyway, we're getting used to each other more and more each day and we know we're all loved the same. I was worried Penny would get all the attention, but I think there's enough to go around!

All for now and thanks for the Gotcha Day well wishes. It was great!

TOM 💛😺

 

Hey, Hey! It's My Gotcha Day!

Hi effurrybody!

I'm soooo excited! I'm now 12. 12 big ones. A happy dozen. Ten plus two!!

I am so excited that I picked the wrong photo to celebrate with, at first. Too excited to read it right, I thought it said Gotcha Day, but I was wrong!!!!! Dummy me!! Hahahaha!

Instead, I meant to put this on:

This is the housemom's doing. She gets all kissy face on days like this.

All I care about is groovin' all day and into the night and plenty of nip to share!! We might even form a conga line if Bridget and Penny can keep up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAQSZhazYk8

So, effurrybody, gather 'round and help us celebrate!

TOM, BRIDGET AND PENNY

What's In a Name?

 Hi, furry friends!

I have a problem. Me and the rest of us - Bridget and Penny - think we should refer to the woman who's at our beck and call by something shorter and maybe sounding a little better than housekeeper. It's a meowthful and I'm tired of having to say it.

I was given the responsibility of finding something new to call her. Everything lands on my shoulders, but what's a cat-in-charge supposed to do?

Okay, so I looked in the house thesaurus (the only dinosaur surviving, get it?) and words for housekeeper - discovered between housecoat and house of prostitution, whatever that is - has words like charwoman, domestic artist, dayworker, *yawn*. . Finally, I told Bridget to try looking up slave..

Nevermind..had to do it myself. 

It says a slave is...dependent, subordinate (I like that one), fawning, groveling, prostrate...Hey this is fun!! Hahahahaha!

We still didn't solve the problem of what to call our housekeeper besides, "Hey, you!!" 

Wait...we could call her Miss M. Isn't there a movie called The Divine Miss M with Bette Midler? What a brainstorm! Glad we solved that problem and, best of all, it should guarantee some treats!! 

Royalty-at-Large,

Tom, Bridget and Penny xxx

Bridget's Ultimatum

Hi, furry folks!

Even though I'm a parish cat and an honorary priest doesn't mean I know a whole lot of Latin. I do know what ultimatum means and I will address it here.

Bridget claims she has not been on my blog for a whole month and will expose some unsavory aspects of my past if I don't do a post on her. Of course, I'd like to do a job on her, but that's out of the question. I don't like threats. Especially tortie threats.

Anyhow, given no choice, I'm going to post some photos of her just to keep peace in the valley and around here, too.

 This was back in the day when she played fetch and had a more sleek physique. Even early on, she had that evil adorable look in her eyes.

~~~

Here she was hoping to get the message across that she would make as good a priest as I. Since we're Episcopal, there's a good chance, as long as she stays out of trouble my face.

~~~~

And, finally, here is her most convincing pose that she can be sweet and cute when she wants to be (fluffy, too). So, I guess we'll bury the hatchet in one of our many litter boxes and give our friendship a kick in the teeth fresh start.

Having too much fun for a Monday!

TOM

Penny Update and Our First Meeting!

Hi, fellow kitties on this Mancat Monday!

As promised, we have quite the update for you all, including photos..we'll do those first:

She loves Bouncy Mouse...

And then, there's her scratcher (handed down from Bridget and me) with a yummy dusting of nip!

As I mentioned in the last post, Penny was a stray who decided to stay, part Siamese with a beautiful coat that you can see in these photos. She's only 6.2 pounds, very tiny and cute as a button! The housekeeper calls me Grandpa Tom just to make Penny feel safe, hehe, but no worries. I did meet her face-to-face already..

And, it happened by mistake!

We had a problem with our fridge over the weekend and there was a lot of scurrying going on, food taken out, the unit unplugged to thaw and ice put in afterwards. With all the back and forth and the ice being in the sunroom, the door was left open and in I went!!

Penny and I were about a foot apart and she was so sweet, no hissing, just a shy smile.

We received big congrats from the housekeeper, at first worried, but happy everything went well.

Oh, and the fridge has recovered for now, back to the same grunts and noises we've heard all along.

Have a good week, friends!

TOM