Samhain Publishing Ltd Weblog

Quirky and Thankful

This past week was Thanksgiving in Canada. I don’t know how other people do it, but we always tell some of our favourite stories around the table. The only requirement is that the stories are quirky and things for which we are thankful. I had two. One story was about how I met my friend, the other about how my cat found me.

A few years ago, I moved to a new city. I am notoriously shy in new surroundings. A colleague from my school suggested I accompany her to the local women’s group, the Kinettes, just to meet a few people and get out of the house. I went, resolute to sit quietly in a corner and observe the others; I didn’t want to participate. I was a guest. To this day, I still don’t know how I ended up working two charity events that weekend and standing for two hours in the local liquor store by the Salvation Army donation pot during Christmas rush, other than to tell you I was volun-told. But that is my friend. Motherly, overbearing, funny, she is the Cola goddess and she is wise. We are still friends and she makes me laugh just about every day.

I love to tell the story of how my cat adopted me. The shelter I got her from allows people to meet with a few chosen cats, just to see if the personalities will gel. As I wandered through the cages full of beautiful felines, my eye caught the most gorgeous black cat I’d ever seen. I was on my way over to admire her more closely when I realized my jacket was caught on something. I looked down to see a little multi-coloured paw firmly attached to my buttons. The kitty my jacket had attached itself to was very playful. I decided I would like to meet with both. The black goddess deemed me unworthy of notice so her staff returned her to her kennel. The staff then propped open the door outside to let some fresh air for her highness and went to get my second choice. The tortoiseshell cat leapt out of the arms of the woman carrying her, and instead of making a break for freedom ran right into the room where I was waiting, scurried up my leg, settled on my chest and proceeded to rattle my teeth with her purr. We’ve been together ever since.

If you were to sit at my table this past Thanksgiving, what story would you have told? Remember the two requirements, quirky and thankful. Please share, if not here then at my website http//.www.tarynblackthorne.com and have a wonderful holiday when it comes your turn, my American neighbours!