Driving from New York City to northern Virginia the day after Christmas is something we probably will never do again! We were stuck in crawling traffic in the rain and wintry mix of precipitation most of the way and were so relieved to finally reach our destination! We enjoyed a lovely evening out at a new restaurant and at the home of Tim’s brother and sister-in-law we found a very lovely white pine Christmas tree, decorated in red and gold.
This is my friend, Zoë, (below) taking her morning sun bath as we were getting ready to depart the next morning. My sister-in-law has a very kind heart and has opened her home to a feral cat and three of her kittens. (They have all been spayed now.) The mother won’t come inside, but the younger ones have learned about the comforts to be found in human dwellings. But Zoë, perhaps taking cues from her mother, is not friendly and had some insulting names given to her, which I won’t mention here.
For some reason, when we were visiting in November for Thanksgiving, Zoë decided she liked me and let me pet her and then started to purr! She seemed to like the name Zoë so I renamed her. My sister-in-law was astonished because even though she treated this one kindly she had never warmed up to her like the other two eventually did. When I returned on this trip a month later Zoë remembered me and let me pet her again. I felt very honored! I invited her to sit on my lap and she considered it, but decided she wasn’t ready for that much contact yet. Who knows what might happen when we meet again?
The longest leg of the trip was next, northern Virginia to southern Georgia!
You have a very nice friend! 🙂 And nice to see different Christmas decorations. Happy New Year!
Thank you, Bente! It’s wonderful how every house and every Christmas tree seems to have its own spirit or personality.
Like Zoe, we are all drawn to the warmth and acceptance of a kind and gentle heart! I’m glad this little family found your sister-in-law. And that Zoe found you. She has beautiful colors! It sounds like a lovely time, seeing so many special people over the holidays. We had an unexpectedly quiet Christmas this year after our travel plans were disrupted. Skype turned out to be a big blessing. Happy First Friday of the New Year to both of you!
I cannot stop thinking about lovely Zoë because even though my sister-in-law is kind to her Zoë doesn’t seek out her company. The idea of adopting Zoë has crossed my mind several times but…
That’s too bad your travel plans were disrupted! But I’m glad you had Skype to help save the day. 🙂 We never traveled out-of-state for Christmas before, and wondered how people who fly or drive long distances cope when their plans are aborted by the weather…
Hi,
Love the Santa collection, and the Christmas tree is very nice. Seems like Zoe may have found a lifetime friend, how wonderful that she warmed to you, that is great.
It is wonderful to have Zoë for a friend. I’m also very fond of my sister’s cat, Bernie, but he is so old and blind now that he hardly recognizes me any more, poor thing. Tim & I are still talking about adopting a pair of kittens…
A cat’s respect – especially from one as splendid as Zoe – is an honor indeed. Every new year should be heralded by a new friend – you’ve started this one beautifully!
You are so right, Aubrey! I hope lovely Zoë will remember and honor me when our paths cross again – it is well known that cats choose their friends so very carefully…
Oh my goodness, Zoë is absolutely beautiful. I love her green eyes!
I love her pretty green eyes, too, Laurie!
Hi. It’s nice to see the collection of Santas and that they include some home-made varieties. The story about Zoe is great. Our cat is also named Zoe and she is not generally friendly, but has days when she turns inside out to be petted, especially by kindred spirits! Jane
It’s hard to see in the picture, but there are home-made ornaments on the tree, too, some even from my sister-in-law’s own childhood days. I would love to be considered a kindred spirit by my Zoë… I love your expression “turns inside out to be petted!” Does your Zoë ever sit on your lap?
Hi. When I am on the phone, Zoe sits on my lap… she may like the rocking motion of the rocker I have there. However, usually she doesn’t like to be held. Jane
Our last cat, Mary, didn’t like to sit on laps or be held, although she would snuggle up next to us and let us pet her for hours on end. She also wanted someone to stay in the room with her when she was eating. 🙂
I think I know why Zoe is rather temperamental, as she reminds me of my Phoebe, in both looks and temperament. Phoebe is a Persian x Tortoiseshell cat and we were told when she was a kitten that tortoiseshell cats can be “as firey as a red-headed woman”! (Not my words, but quoted from the male vet who said it!!) Zoe is very similar in colour to Phoebe, with the mixture of grey and ginger fur and is very choosy about who she is friendly with also. Even when she has decidied she likes you, she has to choose the times when she will sit on your knee and allow you to stroke her (incredibly soft) fur! When she has decided she likes you, she dribbles with happiness! and you would believe her to be the most affectionate cat on earth!
Phoebe will turn 14 soon so has had plenty of time to train us, and we are all just to her liking now! I adore Phoebe. It’s just a matter of learning how she likes to be treated. I’m sure, with a bit of patience, Zoe’s family will get to know her and love her as well, just as you have already. 🙂
Oh, Joanne, it’s so nice to know that your darling Phoebe is similar in temperament and coloring to Zoë! If we do adopt Zoë I will keep in mind that all exchanges of affection will be on her terms and timing. 🙂 I think that Zoë is only a couple of years old and is already spayed so Tim & I are now seriously talking about adopting her and one of her sisters. We did want a pair of cats. I’ve never had a Persian or Tortoiseshell cat before so this will be a new experience. Most of my cats have been gray tabby cats, but we did have a black one once, who was half Siamese. She was shaped like a Siamese and sounded like one, too, but she was all black and very intelligent. Will keep you posted on the progress of our adoption talks! Please send my greetings to Phoebe. 🙂