Ouch!

Wouldn't you know it. In all the holiday hustle and bustle, we had an accident.

Actually, I didn't, even though I was hanging by a prayer in our tree, dropping balls left and right.



Mom Julie hurt herself after slipping on our icy steps and hitting the flat of her back against the bricks. It's been so warm lately, didn't even think about rain becoming ice overnight in spots.

Oh, Tom! My left hand isn't working very well and there aren't too many words that I could just type with my right. I'm so glad my shopping was done.

Thought we would share some photos of Tom (without meaning to) scaring the nativity kitties and our poor tree.












Have a happy, safe and blessed Christmas everybody!

Love,
Tom, Mittens & mom Julie

***Went to the doctor. Nothing broken, thank God and Cod. Thank you all for kind words! Never gone on a dr's appt. during Christmas. At least my pain is festive, hehe! Now, all I have to worry about is Tom getting back into the tree and Mitty wanting to get into the refrigerator.

Wordless Wednesday: Ornament Smackdown

"Dancing With the Vet" - Mitty Auditions

I'm going where?





Suddenly I'm in a white room being clutched by my dance partner, Dr. Linda.

Right away, I know she'll be leading





She makes sure I'm light enough for a shoulder toss






Limber enough for a samba






And have the kind of paw coordination for the two-step





Whew! I'm tired!

So, what do you think? Am I ready?

--Mittens

A Special Reading Group

Julie says..

I wanted to add one more picture to the Delmarva album. This is Linda, a very good friend who has been battling cancer. The doctor tells her it's in remission now (they discovered it early, thank God) and she was all smiles when I saw her. I mentioned her doggie in the book and I plan to mention dogs or kitties in future books for a donation to a shelter. I just have to work out the details.

Come to find out yesterday, there's a whole book group that's been formed and its members are my best friend Jan, Linda, Carolyn, and Norma--with Vi to be added when she gets the book for Christmas. Nobody breathe a word!! No one wants to get ahead of the other, even though they tell me it's a page-turner, so they're hustling each other up to keep up! They might just decide to take it slow, though, for Vi's sake.

I appreciate your comments regarding the book here, in person and in emails. I have to get cracking to have the next book ready. Meanwhile, there's this blog which will keep everyone in the loop with what's going on.

Take care, efurrybody. Mittens and Tom'll be back next time.

Goodbye Delmarva

Boy, time goes by quickly when you're running around two states in one trip!

Oxford, as you've already seen, was beautiful. The hospitality at the Mystery Loves Company Bookstore was just as lovely.




They were ready for us, all decorated and cozy. Here are Kathy Harig and her husband Tom, owners of the shop. They like cats and were very willing to make sure I was in the picture with the sweets!




Coincidentally, their store was originally in Fells Point, Maryland, located just a couple of blocks away from Lancaster Street where part of the novel takes place. There are other locales readers will recognize as they make their way through a Temptation tale!

Here are Sherrie Connolly and her daughter Maddy, Julie and me. I liked them very much.




There were others whose names we'll always remember, too, and whose visits we'll cherish at this our first book signing trip. One couple came from Perry Hall just to see us, a more than two hour drive. Thank you so much, Nancy! I hope you enjoy the book. They received a special hug from Julie and me.

The next day, it was off to Delaware for Sunday's signing at Atlantic Books.


We loved our visit. The weather was perfect and, we were blessed with one of our favorite sights: Canada geese.




There've been other visits to this wonderful place since Julie hails from Maryland, but none as special as this one.

It's really made me happy to be a cat, and a special one at that.

--Tom

***We're doing our best to comment on other blogs, but we hope to really be able to catch up in the next few days. Thank you to all who give us their love and support.

Our Trip: The Beginning

We were scheduled to fly out at 7am. I was packed and cranky.

I have no idea why I was stuffed in with the boots. Do I look like Puss what's-his-name?







When we boarded the plane, I didn't even get a seat. I got a pocket instead, stuffed in with the sky catalog, airline magazine, a chewed up lollipop stick, and directions on how to survive a boo-boo at 31,000 feet. Good thing I can read if I had to save us.






After we landed, it was off to the hotel, or inn which was all nice and Christmasy with fireplace, decorated tree and me with some sort of flower






When anybody came by, I hid






By this time, I was ready to go up to our room. I headed for the bed and found myself tucked in.






While I slept, Julie puttered around, getting ready for our appearance in Oxford at Mystery Loves Company Books. Thankfully, for me my day was done. Besides, they didn't offer mice on the room service menu, so that eliminated any chance of a mid-afternoon snack before naptime.

Mercifully, things finally quieted down.

Zzzzzzz...

Zzzzzzz...

***I just wanted to remind everyone that my cardboard self will be hovering over Julie at her book signing in Milford, Massachusetts on Saturday. I look forward to seeing any and all CB furriends who might be in the area!!

--Tom

Wordy Wednesday: Book Signings on Delmarva

This is the beauty of early December on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, particularly Oxford here, a little town with charm, marinas, a great mystery bookshop, and.. margarita sunsets? I wonder what those are.






What could be more fitting for a cat priest than to be seen here between the devil and the deep blue sea (inlet), he he! Can you find me in this photo? It was just a beautiful day this past Saturday.





Kitties, it was a wonderful trip to Delmarva to sign books, talk about yours truly (meow) and a great opportunity to visit friends. We'll be getting together photos the next few days to share with you. Sorry to hear some of our furriends are ailing, but we're glad to be back in touch.

More later. :)

Hugs,
Tom & Julie