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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

.. Blackbird.. what a catch .. just what I needed .. the sheer ambience .. the ‘catching .. ‘raw capture & all that ‘breathing ambience fingers frets

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

That song resonates with so many of us. Reminiscent of an entire era. Thanks Timber.

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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

.. nicely wrote.. & well observed .. love a fine - cat tale’ .. the ‘more rude or indifferent the cat - the more I admire it ! 🦎🏴‍☠️🍁

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Happy Thanksgiving, to you!

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Linda Brown's avatar

Precious tale twice-told! And right-on-point, as we're babysitting our daughter's new dog at our place this week of Thanksgiving, doing the same getting-to-know-you routines you describe. But sweet happy dogs are tons easier than cranky cats, I suspect - our week is going well! :)

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

How timely! Good luck with that visiting canine and happy holiday to you.

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Kenneth Mills's avatar

Happy Thanksgiving Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

And to you my friend. I hope you are with your lovely boys.

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Darin's avatar

Pork chops are always a good idea for a cat, provided you cook them correctly, otherwise...

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yes, that's the problem. Sometimes even our best efforts are met with disdain. Happy holiday to you , Darin, and thanks for stopping by over here at Leaves today.

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

A mouse on a stick. Bet Ozzie kept you warm on your lap sitting in rocking chair. Found a way to please. Doubt he played cat and mouse and taught you his finicky ways. Never heard of offering a cat three choices. When hungry they will eat. Turkey and giblets would have been a treat. Happy Thanksgiving.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Cats and dogs are full family members... and we still miss that grouchy old man. I wish you a happy holiday, Richard, and I appreciate so much your continuing to hang out over here at Leaves.

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

When you can write like this with feeling, poignancy, and a bit of nostalgia, my perception is that your life has not degenerated at all.

In fact, tidbits like this are beautiful because they realize that we are all bound in Thanksgiving and gratitude in different ways.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Aww. Thank you Jill. I wish you a happy holiday and hope you are able to spend it with family. Thanks so much for coming back to read at Leaves every week. I appreciate it so much.

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

I hope are able to spend some gratitude time with family, be they four-pawed or two-footed, I'm certainly thankful you are in my substack!!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

PS. I like the new icon photo. Cute!

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James Ron's avatar

Good to hear from old Ozzie! Liked the voiceover, Sharron. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Over and above the call of friendship, Ron, to read this little story again.! Thank you. I did enhance it a bit with voice-over and a song. I hope you have a lovely holiday tomorrow!

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Kate Henry's avatar

He prefered to be on top. Wise cat. Tail can get scrunched if being bottom layer.. on any kind of chair. But especially rocking thereof. The older the cat, the more dinner options laid out. One big dispenser of crunchies, three litle bowls of assorted crunchies (as treats) one dish of JUSt the gravy from the little can. That goes first, then the egg yolks from my breakfast. Others nibbled as the day goes on. Good thing Dan has a dog to appreciate the chewys left over. Can't live without cats. Down to one almost antique.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

It saddens me that you are down to only one feline at your rural home now. He must be a little lonely. You have always had such a lovely, well-cared-for colony of them. I wish you and dear Danny boy a lovely holiday, my friend. Save the giblets for the mouser.

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Janice Walton's avatar

This is one of my favorites. Happy Thanksgiving, Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oh, thank you, Janice, for having a second look at Ozzie's story. I wish you a very happy holiday with your sweet family. Save some turkey and gravy for your two furry friends. Mmmm gravy....

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Jim Cummings's avatar

I enjoyed hearing about Ozzie again. I'm sure he is missed in the family. Happy Thanksgiving from Molly and Quinn!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

And right back at you - a man I am thankful for having met - Woof!

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

Love that song. And didn't Paul write that piece for her? Or was it another Black singer that he favored? I like her voice too, kind of plaintive and yet with a deep strength that surprises at those peak moments.

Ozzie's a hoot. Old cats have a wonderful, imperious way of letting you know that ... maybe ... you deserve to live. Your story brought lots of chuckles. And a Happy Thanksgiving to you, Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

You definitely know cats. Hope you have family around you tomorrow. The new toast is “Gobble until you wobble”. I do not recommend that.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

😂 We Cauhape's are already wobbling. May you have the same love and companionship that makes this day special.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Eight people in my Thanksgiving family: Seven absolutely delightful adults aged 40 to 81. One beautiful boy age 13. Lots of Italian wine and laughs. Potluck dinner. I am in charge of oven-roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

Mmmmm, yum. Hope it all turned out well and you had a great day. We celebrated the first birthday of our second grandchild, Maddie, today. It's fun watching little kids smearing birthday cake all over themselves.

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Justin Deming's avatar

It was wonderful to read about Ozzie again and listen to the voice over. And what a captivating rendition of Blackbird! Happy Thanksgiving, Sharron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks! And to you, as well!

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

Each time I read it, I love this story about our Ozzie. Now I read it with a tear in my eye, as we miss him so much. You were such a great Cat-Auntie! The song is a sweet Thanksgiving day addition. We are thankful for you, Sharron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

And I for you two, my sweethearts!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Happy thanksgiving, Sharron. It's not something we directly celebrate down here, but it makes me happy to think there are thanks being given.

Ahh, I smiled through this, you capture the fussiness of cats and their peculiarities. We are away this Christmas and having house sitters in to look after our ageing cat Clementine (who still likes to think she's a kitten). I think she'd entirely freak out if we took her someplace else. She's so wary of anything outside her comfort zone.

My favourite passage: "He decided we could both sit in the chair together if we stacked up. He preferred to be on top." 😆

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Sharron, this is so beautiful! Funny, poignant - and very, very you. Loved it.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

🌿🩷👍🏻

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