No Wuss Puss

Allow me to introduce Tinker, but he's better known as Tink "the Tank" Soprawnov. I forgot the "v" last week, he was quick to remind me, hailing from a long line of robust Russian Cossack cats.

At 21 pounds of sheer muscle and borscht, he is a distant relative of the Romanovs. You might remember them as the royal family who hid bling in their clothes causing bullets to ricochet. Death-defying is his middle name, too, and he serves his purpose to purrfection.






He is my unofficial bodyguard and one of my best furriends. Should I become famous or threatened because I know too much (I hear a lot in the confessional), he'll have my back. Some people say we look enough alike that he could be my double.







As you can see, he can be cute which I knew, but he also has a soft side to him only to be discovered the other day. There he was, asleep with a couple of teddy bears. Even though he flexed muscle and narrowed his eyes at me, it didn't work. He's a softie caught in the act of snoozing on a comfy bed with snuggies only making him more manly, setting off his majesty and fizzeek.






Ah, life with my growing rectory family. Here we are all together: Tinker, Mitty (see how he's grown!) and me. In the lower right hand corner is the dog's head. He's heading toward us, but not before this rare picture of the three of us was taken.





On the count of three, boys--run!

Have a good weekend!

--Tom

***Just wanted to mention the dog making a back-of-the-head appearance in this blog post. He's Trapper, a golden retriever, a great dog but he doesn't take part in what goes on in the rectory. This is solely or soul-ly, hehe, a cat's pad and that isn't going to change anytime soon. Meee-owver and out.

Mysterious Plumber

In honor of Unsolved Mystery Day, we wanted to tell you about one that has been looming over the rectory for quite some time. Actually, haunting the bathroom. To everyone's astonishment, the stop in the sink has been repeatedly pulled out.






All have witnessed this strange phenomenon and no one seems to know how. To try to solve this, I called on a heavy hitter I know, Tink "the tank" Soprawno, a very wise, smart as a handspring, humongous cat.






He investigated as I looked on. He was stealthy and silent. A big, hulky, brooding, take-no-prisoners feline quiet as death. I respectfully waited.





He left no scent unturned, making contact with a neighboring sink to see what clues awaited there. That stop stayed firmly intact. We shook our heads.

About to give up, we spotted a far too nonchalant kitty obviously enjoying all the fuss.






Mitty??






***Happy Birthday to mom Julie. Sorry, no cake. Too soon since the last one. Besides, all the candles would sink it!! Just kidding! **smoochies**

--Tom

~~~~~~~Thank you all so much for all the birthday wishes!! I had a wonderful afternoon with my daughter after a visit to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles to renew my license. Met a very nice lady there named Sue, born the same year I was. We agreed the world has changed soo much these many years! I love when an errand becomes a visit and an enjoyable one at that. Speaking of visiting, I'll be catching up with comments tomorrow. This is the only time I'm going to say anything about my wrist and back. I'm still hurting and I write only for an hour stretch at a time, then have to stop. I hurt more now than when it happened, it seems. Being a military brat, I'm used to not making a big deal about such things, growing up under the towering gaze of a stiff upper lip. Thanks again for all of your comments, making this day pretty special. {{Hugs}}~Julie

Me, Vegetarian?

I love my kitchen. I even open cabinets if I can. They're like dark caves with cool smells.





I also like to find stray morsels of food where they're dropped and nobody notices but me. Humans always forget what lands on the floor. I notice big time and check it out. I have to do it quickly, though, the housekeeper keeps a spotless kitchen and that includes the floor.





Now, the reason I'm questioning whether I could have a little vegetarian in me is that this is a food toy that I like, one that somehow escaped her eagle eye. A small piece of sliced celery landed on the floor and I had the best time with it. Can you imagine?





I heard that celery is the neglected vegetable. It has a lot of heart benefits and is put into salads. Maybe it's good for me, too, crunching on it and all. I was told by the vet that I have a slight heart murmur. I didn't know hearts could talk.

So, furriends, cats cannot live by nip, stinky goodness or treats alone, so check out your own kitchen for hidden floor goodies!

Failing that, try this!!! Look at this beautiful cake that'll be at a book presentation today at the Portland Public Library! Is that a good likeness of me or what? I'm so excited! Oh, mom Julie? She'll be there, too, hehe! (but I totally intend to steal the show, just don't let her know. Shhhh!)




--Tom

***Not sleet, nor rain, nor gloom of day could keep Tom's fans from coming to see him and hear his story. It was a smaller group, but all things considered, the talk went well and we met some very nice folks. The cake was yummy. It was one of those one-layer desserts that made you feel only half as guilty :)

Mitty or 'Mitt'?

Oh, my Cod, what's happening?

Mitty heard about Mitt Romney and now wants to be called "Mitt" instead of Mitty. He thinks it makes him sound more mature and red, white and blue cool. I told him it doesn't make any difference and just keep his shirt on about growing up. What's the rush?





Mitt(y) says he's become quite capable. He can take responsibility for pests (not real mouse)






and organization, two qualities needed in any political campaign.






Now, me, I was fascinated with Mr. Santorum only because I felt like splashing on holy water every time I heard his name. It sounds like "saecula saeculorum" which means "forever and ever." Sounds like politics to me!






Anyway, you'll always be Mitty to me. Cute as can be and twice as intelligent as any Mitt out there. I say, Mitty, if you want to get into politics, start your own pawty. Call it the Surprise Party and we'll vote for you, hehe!







--Tom

***We've received an interesting range of responses to whether or not Mitty should be Mitt. Mom Julie and I are in complete agreement with efurrybody else that Mitty should keep his name and would be a great candidate for the Surprise Pawty. In no way did we want to infur that we were putting our kibble behind a certain candidate. The poor little tacker's getting caught up in all the hoopla and is just being silly. (look at dose toofers!!)

Tom's New Year's Rezlooooshuns

One of the things I've resolved to do is behave myself and act more priestly.

Maybe even take up yoga.




Number two on the rezlooshuns list is to behave in my personal rectory rest room. I'm told I have no regard for where I fling the gravel, digging as if to inner Earth. They said the Sea of Galilee goes on top, gets covered over and I'm done. What are they talking about?




Number Three of the zlooshuns is to no longer imbibe in holy water--the kind served in the rectory den. No more candy, either unless it's a toy like this. That means the housekeeper will discover it come Easter (when she does her spring cleaning) Actually, I don't eat candy. I just didn't have a pic of me imbibing is all.




Number Four of the sloossssssshherons is I have to set a good example for Mitty. What, and ruin him?




Number ah, er, ah (what number am I on??) Oh, nevermind, I'm a cat who enjoys his nip on this merry old holiday and wishes all of his friends, fans and Julie the best New Year ever, full of blessings, goodies, and good times.

Hey, my little friend, I've made some strong clawfee for you. When the ball drops, I want you to see just one, not three.

And, thank you everybody for another great year. Let's make the new one happy, healthy and hopeful. Most of all we're so grateful for your friendship. We couldn't do it without you.




The best to all in 2012!

Love,

Tom, Mittens and Mom Julie

Friday Funnies with Awards

Hi, everybody on this Friday, just two days before the start of a brand new year.

Around here, there's enough sprucing up to put spring cleaning to shame. The housekeeper doesn't like to start a new year "with a mess."

Me, I like to keep things light. I haven't told a joke in awhile. Here's the best of 2011:

A big Texas fat cat (must have been a coon) and a Boston tortie met on a plane headed for Miami. Of course, the big cat wanted to brag about his state. "Texas is in my heart and soul," he boomed. "Our heroes are the bravest men in the world. Did your Boston ever have anyone as brave as Sam Houston?" The tortie thought for a moment and said, "Well, there was Paul Revere." The Texas kitty snorted, "Paul Revere? Isn't he the one who ran for help?"

So, let's see. What happened the last couple of days really blew me away. I received two awards back-to-back! One is the Kreativ Blogger award from my woofie pal in Portland, Oregon. She writes the Sage Chronicles blog which I truly enjoy.



Then, hark! I barely recovered from my surprise at that award when I received another one. The Liebster Award came our way from Andrea and the Celestial Kitties in Ohio. ::blushes:: y'all shouldn't have!




Mercy me! I know the rules are to designate five other bloggers to give the award to which in this case would amount to ten, but honestly, everybody, I've lost track of who's received one and who hasn't. If you feel you want the award to put on your blog, please help yourself, with my blessing.

Hope everyone has a dandy Friday. Our last post for the year will be tomorrow, then we say goodbye to 2011. I wonder what's in store for us in the new year??

--Tom

Merry Christmas!

Hello, everybody! We want to wish all of our friends the happiest holiday filled with blessings and good cheer.

You can see how filled with good cheer I am.




Anyway, hugs and nosekisses to everyone and to everyone a good Sunday afternoon nap!


--Tom

I hope we haven't missed anyone with our individual Christmas wishes and visits. This day's been a blur, but a happy one. Hope you've enjoyed the same.
--Julie