This feral cat that we named Shadow showed up in our garage in the fall of 2018. I figured she was about four months old at the time. I planned to schedule her to be spayed in the spring, but I wasn’t quick enough. In May 2019, she gave birth to two kittens but neither survived.
We attempted to catch her to take her to be spayed, but we were unsuccessful.
In August 2019, she had a litter of five kittens, and all survived. My kids were able to tame the kittens. My son claimed one for himself. We found a home for another one. A third one got hit by a car and died. The others were integrated into our household.
After the winter passed, we tried again to trap Shadow so we could have her spayed. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t cooperate. In May 2020, she gave birth to a third litter. Those kittens had a rough start, but three of the four survived. We found homes for them.
In August 2020, we picked up a livetrap from the animal shelter and set it up outside our garage. We caught her this time and brought her into the house. I scheduled her for surgery.
We didn’t realized that she’d just given birth to another litter until we heard kittens crying in the garage. We found two. Although they were separated from her for 5 days, they survived. However, we couldn’t take Shadow in for surgery until the kittens were weaned.
We kept them in the house for a few weeks so we wouldn’t have to try again to trap her. She was given free run of the house, but she didn’t like the other cats, or us. She preferred to stay in one of the bedrooms under the bed. However, the two kittens became tame and thrived. We found a home for one of them.
In mid-November, we scheduled surgery for Shadow. On our way to the spay/neuter clinic, our car broke down and we had to go back home. By now my frustration level with the situation was at an all-time high. I’d tried to do the best thing for Shadow so many times, and had been unsuccessful.
We got the car fixed, and rescheduled the surgery. On November 30, we managed to finally get her to the clinic. After her surgery, we brought her home and contained her in the house for a few days to make sure she was healing. A family member decided to adopt Shadow and her remaining kitten. That was a huge blessing to us, the ending of a year of cat drama.
Shadow was a real trooper. She gave birth to 10 kittens who have found good homes (with the exception of the one that was hit by a car).
Maybe it hasn’t been the best quality of life for her, but the new owners of her kittens are very happy to have them. Now she can live out her days in good health, with her kitten for a companion.
We wish her and all of her kittens a long and healthy life.
The official countdown to Christmas is on. Usually at this time we’re busy with office parties, church pageants and family gatherings. For many of us, those things aren’t on our calendar this year. Maybe you have more down time as you go into this Christmas season. Or maybe you always set aside time for some holiday reading.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been featuring seasonal novellas from Anaiah Press, the company that published Angelica’s Christmas Wish. However, there aren’t enough Fridays left in December to feature all of them.
Today I’ve decided to post a link to the Anaiah website where you can browse through the selections:
These novellas will take you to a variety of settings across U.S. and Canada. You’ll meet some interesting and lovable characters as you enjoy some clean holiday romance.
Make your purchase, relax with a hot cup of coffee or tea, and nibble on a cookie as you take a Christmas tour.
The Movers Will Thank You: Ebooks vs Paperbacks by Ann Brodeur
Our first home was a small two bedroom apartment. Both of us had been on our own for quite a while and trying to merge two households together was a challenge. There was a lot of purging – getting rid of the lesser quality items and keeping the newer ones. It was relatively easy to do since my husband loves to cook and his kitchen tools reflected that and I was more picky with bedding.
Our favourite past time was, and still is, reading. This presented a problem when our little family grew from two to four in a matter of a few months. There wasn’t enough space for the four of us and all of our books (or the equipment required for two littles). It was time to move into a bigger place.
Since our twins were infants, we decided to hire movers to make the transition easier.
Moving day came and the movers kept going in and out, in and out. After about twelve trips into the apartment, one mover was visibly frustrated. The boxes were heavy – but not full. They held our most prized possessions – our books. The young guy placed another box into the back of the truck and glared at my husband.
“Haven’t you heard of a tv?”
I suppose if the same mover were to help us now, he’d be a little more grateful for my collection of e-books.
I’m an old-school kind of reader. There’s nothing better than holding a paperback in my hands and losing myself in the pages. I love the smell of a new book freshly purchased from the store or receiving the first copy our local library ordered of a book I’ve been waiting to read. When we go camping, it’s a challenge to pick just one or two paperbacks to throw in my bag. I know I’ll have time to read by the lake or read under the shade while the kids are playing in the park. I also appreciate the fact I can read a book for hours without straining my eyes. It fits in my purse and it can sit in the console of my car.
I confess I do have an e-reader though. I own a KOBO and I love it too. The e-ink screen is similar to reading a paperback. The downside – I just don’t get that new book smell. However, this little device can store boxes and boxes of books. A new book comes out and I can instantly have it in my hands. If I want to read at night in our trailer while the littles are fast asleep, I can turn on the back light and read without disturbing anyone else. The battery life is incredible. I charge it before we go camping and I don’t have to charge it until a month has gone by. And I read A LOT when we’re camping.
The upside to e-books is the cost. However, I’ve been known to own both an e-copy and purchase the paperback because the book was just that good. The downside – you need to charge it. Heaven help you if you’re right at the climax of the book and your battery dies…
How about you – which do you prefer, ebook or paperback or hardcover?
Confirmed bachelor, Nathan Rutledge shut his heart to romance when he was forced to break the heart of the only woman he ever truly loved. Now, with his father’s retirement from the family conglomerate, the torch has been passed to him. But there are two problems—first, he needs a wife in order to take over the family business. Second, someone has been embezzling company funds. With the pressure mounting, and time expiring to find both a wife he can trust and the thief, Nate needs a Christmas miracle.
Forensic Accountant, Meredith Mitchell’s life is in a shambles. Her mother needs a lifesaving transplant, Mom’s medical bills have bankrupted Meredith’s meager savings, and she’s sold everything of value, but it’s still not enough. To make matters worse, she’s now tasked with discovering accounting errors for a new client—none other than Nathan Rutledge—the same man who gave her a broken heart for Christmas eight years ago.
Meredith wants to run. Nate wants the chance to right his wrongs. So, naturally, when he proposes a modern-day marriage of convenience, she balks at the idea. But he desperately needs a wife, and she really needs the money he offers. Is this the answer to her prayers? Or will this mutually beneficial arrangement re-open old wounds that can’t be healed?
Excerpt:
Meredith closed the door with a soft click and propped herself against the wall. Tilting her head up, she released a huge sigh. She hated lying to her mother. Weariness settled deep in her bones. Her to-do list for the wedding grew with each passing hour. She had a lot to accomplish between now and Friday morning.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Meredith’s eyes popped open. “Nate! You scared me!” Facing off with her fiancé, she straightened her spine. “What’re you doing here?”
His back against the wall, he crossed his ankles. Even after working all day, Nate still appeared fresh. When she glanced at her gray dress pants, the red sauce stain from her rushed dinner glared at her. She was wrinkly… and frumpy.
Nate frowned, his gaze roving over her.
Meredith moved her purse from her shoulder and held it in front of the stain. “I’m sorry. That was unkind.”
“I didn’t mean to intrude.”
She pulled herself up to her full height. “You didn’t. It’s… I didn’t expect to see you.”
At least, not until their wedding day, giving her a couple of days to steel her emotions against his all-American boy-next-door charm. Why did he have to ruin her well-thought out plan? His nearness sent her pulse into overdrive.
Nate turned toward her and rested one hand on the wall above her head. He was so close she saw the golden flecks ringing his pupils. “Can’t a guy see his fiancée before the wedding?” The low timbre of Nate’s voice raised goose bumps on her arms, and her heart rate kicked up another notch.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and she licked her dry lips before her gaze settled on his mouth. “Yeah, sure.”
Nate’s free hand came up and traced a line down her cheek. Meredith closed her eyes. She had to stop this flood of emotion. Why was he doing this to her? His spicy cologne wafted between them. Comforted her. Shoot. Nate smelled good.
“Nate… please… someone will see us.” Meredith swallowed hard, and her breaths came in short gasps.
“So?”
“This is supposed to be a business relationship. No funny business. You promised.” Meredith scooted out from under his arm and hurried down the tiled hallway, her steps echoing in the empty space. She needed air. And personal space. “Is there a reason you stopped by?”
Nate fell in step beside Meredith. She scampered down the hall to the elevator bank. Nate touched her arm, and they stood facing each other in front of the elevator. “Have a cup of coffee with me?” His blue eyes held a glimmer of amusement.
Shock or maybe desire rooted Meredith’s feet to the floor.
The elevator door opened, and two nurses in scrubs emerged. Meredith entered and jabbed the first-floor button. When she looked up into the polished steel doors, she met Nate’s steady gaze. Turning to face him, she crossed her arms. “Why, Nate? What are you trying to do to me? We have an agreement.”
Nate matched her stance, a smirk on his face. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
Meredith snorted, and her lips stretched into a sneer. “Oh, come on. You cannot seriously be this clueless.”
He stepped closer, his hands in his pockets, causing her to back up a couple of steps. “This attraction—you’re not immune to it, either, are you?”
Shaking her head, Meredith braced her back against the elevator car. “No, you’re wrong. This isn’t the type of relationship you’re thinking about.” She bit her lower lip.
Nate’s warm breath whispered against her ear, and chill bumps raced up and down her arms. “But it could be. Think of how much fun we’d have.”
His nearness muddled her mind. But she was older now. Wiser. Fool me once and all that. She’d be doggoned if he’d fool her again with his sweet talk. Before she answered, the elevator doors opened with a whoosh. Saved by the bell.
Meredith darted into the parking deck. “I don’t think so,” she said over her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow at 4:00 to finalize the details.”
About the author:
Ever since she was a little girl, living in her small town in New York State, Jennifer has been a voracious reader. During the summer months, she would ride her bike to their library and return with a basketful of books. Her dad’s job moved them to Charlotte, NC in her teen years, but the memories of growing up in a small community have stayed with her. A Yankee transplant, she has grown to love the grace and charm of the South. In fact, she even married a native Charlottean.
Inspirational Author 