I do enjoy visitors, especially during the holiday season; tap on the door or a ring of a bell is welvome. Even a meow makes me smile as I welcome a guest. So it was as I came in from getting the mail on the day of Tom’s surgery. Tom was settled on the couch after a bite to eat, so I suited up against the cold and trudged to our roadside mailbox. Just as I arrived back at the door, I heard a meow, turned around, and there was Midnight, our friendly neighborhood feline.
We exchanged pleasantries for a moment before I opened the door to set the incoming mail down and to fetch a bowl of milk, which Midnight knows is always offered to him at our home on the Cutoff.
Seemingly sated, Midnight licked his chops, and appeared to wonder aloud where his buddy Tom was. On warm summer days, Midnight often stops by for a visit when Tom lunches on the deck.
Once inside, I shut the door and went up the four steps to the kitchen, where I decided to turn on the lights to a little tree we have sitting in front of the door to the deck. Just as the lights flickered on, what to my wondering eyes should appear but Midnight, meowing a hearty hello to his buddy, Tom, who could just make out the cat’s jet black form from where he was resting.
A very nice visit, indeed!
A very sweet visitor you had. Midnight is beautiful. We have had a stray cat around here. It may even be a feral cat, but we are catching glimpses of it and have seen its footprints in the snow on our deck. It is a very brave kitty to come that close to three big dogs. Not to mention our own Crispie Kitty who is queen of the house. I have gotten in the habit of banging on the hood of the car before I move it just in case the stray cat has found the warm spot. I know it is silly when I am parked in the garage, but I don’t want to take a chance.
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That is a brave kitty, Janet, not only with your dogs, but that invincible Crispie as well. We enjoy seeing and feeding Midnight and know that all the neighbors watch out for him and we know where he lives, though I do worry when I don’t see him for awhile that misfortune has found him. Good idea to ban on the car hood. So many cats have, well, you know.
I think your stray cat comes around because he knows that there is a “Mouse” in your house.
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Penny, I love what you say about welcoming guests, even one that comes with a meow. Cats are so attuned. How lovely that Midnight should come to talk to Tom – right on the winter solstice too, the darkest night and a black cat. How perfect.
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It was an ebony encounter for sure, Juliet. I think he, Midnight that is, knows he is welcome here. I like the idea you present of him coming around for the solstice.
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I wonder if Midnight sensed that Tom was “in the repair shop,” Penny. At least it’s clear he missed his pal! I was talking to a friend today who has very patiently tamed a feral cat, and we chatted about how these little creatures calm and quiet us. Such little gifts. I love your photos, too. I think you must really enjoy the view looking out on the deck. It’s very inviting…and not just to kitties. 🙂
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We do enjoy the view from the deck, Debra, though it is slowly changing with new neighbors soon to move in. Thank you. All the places for Midnight to stalk are gone, with just stumps. Still, he wanders about, and I think you are right in that he must have sensed Tom was being repaired. I do agree with you and your friend; these creatures do calm us, and just when we need to be the most, it seems.
Enjoy your Christmas Eve.
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I have a habit of taking in strays who aren’t strays. This summer a yellow lab came for a visit. I thought someone just dumped him off. I brought him inside, fed him and let him sleep on our bed for the night. The next day my husband suggested I take him for a walk to see if anyone owned him. My neighbor did 🙂
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Oh, that is so tenderly funny! You are a good soul to have given him a place for the night to stay, and I’m sure your neighbor was worried, but, relieved to know his lab was well cared for.
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The funny thing is that the owners weren’t all that surprised. The dog’s named is Elvis and he has a bit of a wandering eye and roving heart 🙂 Merry Christmas.
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I gasped out loud just now when I saw Midnight, one of my most favorite blog cats that I love from afar! What a surprise on this dreary day. It is plain that he cares for you and Tom as he came at just the right time to wish you Merry Christmas in his own way. You are most kind to give him a beverage!
Your tree is so cheerful. I have been thinking of you guys.
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I knew you would be pleased to know that Midnight was visiting, Marilyn. Uncanny how he knew just when his visit would be most appreciated here. Thank you for your thoughts from afar. We truly appreciate them. I hope you have a pleasant Christmas there, with weather, and a furnace, that cooperated.
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Cats make the best visitors, Penny. 🙂 Warmest Christmas greetings to you and Tom.
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Thank you, Perpetua. I’m late in my gratitude, but, no less sincere. I hope you had a peaceful Christmas filled with all that is good in this season.
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I love Midnight: especially that shot of him licking his lips. And I love that he was there to entertain Tom. Prayers continue here, Penny. I hope you are all having some really good moments, even if Chistmas is a little different for you and Tom this year. Lots and lots of love from this side of the Atlantic x
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Midnight was certainly gracious in showing his gratitude, Kate. Thank you for your continuing prayers. We did, indeed, have good moments in a quieter Christmas, but, one filled with joy. I’m off in a few moments to to catch up with some blogs, especially yours.
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It’s a bit spooky right now…but there’e some classic Big Al in the pipeline 🙂
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Everybody loves you and Tom! It is no surprise that Midnight wanted to check in on his good friends. I hope the recovery is commencing as it should and I wish you both a good New Year. (I’m still on a blog break, but had a few minutes today to catch up with some of my favorite bloggy friends!)
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You are so kind, Sallie. It is always such a nice surprise when Midnight comes by for a visit. Recovery is coming along well, with very little pain. A good thing, indeed. Thank you for asking, and for stopping by while on “blog break”. I’ve really been rather sluggish in writing this week, and it seems like others are as well. Nice to slow down a bit over the holidays, isn’t it?
Happy New Year to both of you as well. 45 degrees or so yesterday. Should plummet to close to zero this evening. Such is life on the Cutoff.
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Penny, my mother always said it was good luck when a cat came to visit! 🙂
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Janet, I’m going with your mom and taking the good luck.
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