Its evening and the stillness surrounds my very soul..in the darkness two green eyes appear and stare intently…
Absolute fear becomes my reality..I do the only thing I can. I hurl the tuna sandwich at it….”O’Malley!
Weds 8/17/2011
Morning has finally arrived and yet another creature lurks in the grass. Each step more cautious than the first. “Slowly~Stop”~Ease thru the tall grass.Wait for it.” Now pounce!” Ohh gone! butterflies are so fast…
Friday 8/19/2011
One eye opens,the beast passes close by. Barely breathing until just the right moment.”NOW”the claws sink deeply into his hind leg….”DOG”
Sat 8/20/2011
“Twitter me This~Twitter me That”, said the big black Cat…”O’Malley~”Get off the computer!”
Sunday 8/21/2011
Foraging through the jungle…one must be ready to pounce and kill for his next meal. “Wait, was that a can opener?? *Bye*
Monday 8/22/2011
I hate photo shoots…O’Malley is sooo fussy. “Wardrobe! He wants the sunglasses with the rhinestones.”
Wednesday 8/24/2011
The dog spins in circles, barking wildly at the door…O’Malley lays inside watching out the glass door~and smiles*
Thursday 8/25/2011
There is no love greater than that of one who loves you when they do not need to~See that excludes cats, they can’t use the can opener…O’Malley purrs and pads my face in gratitude!
Friday 8/26/2011
Pots and pans crash to the floor as the sleek black beast launches himself upward~”O’Malley its only a fly!”
Sunday 8/28/2011
“Can a cat whistle?” No but I sure can snore!” O’Malley rolls around on the floor laughing at himself~ God Bless everyone on this beautiful Sunday!
Monday 8/29/2011
Why would a cat play with a stuffed mouse when he has a perfectly good dog to chase?
September 2, 2011
The dog turns and rushes towards the lethal cat. The cat retreats. “But the cat came back with a smile on his face.” Mommy’s home~
September 3, 2011
What a day~its nap time. Back to my basket* Thanks Sweet Gwen for my bed.
September 4, 2011
O’malley bolts for the door meowing at the top of his lungs and begins scratching madly at the door trying to get away from danger. ”O’Malley that’s just rain!” (Something very rare around here this summer.)
September 15, 2011
Packing for my outing~” Claw sharpner, mouse trap, bird call, fishing lure, bed with comforter, and 6 cans of fancy feast.” That should last 24 hours.”
September 16, 2011
The wiley feline fakes a yawn as he saunters past the sleeping dog making his way to the prize. Thats it slowly..At last..bacon on the floor…Yum!
September 17, 2011
O’Malley spins in circles with delight as they carry in his new Cat Home Entertainment Center* “O’Malley, its an aquarium!”
September 18, 2011
The paw slowly slips over the edge…”Now!” splash and its gone. “O’Malley get out of the Aquarium!”
September 25, 2011
O’Malley stares intently, watching his prey amongst the bubbles boiling. “O’Malley, thats a cricket in the hot tub not a crock pot!”
September 30, 2011
“What has 4 paws and dances?” “Cat Dancing” O’Malley rolls on the floor with laughter..He is such a clown..
October 1, 2011
“Why don’t cats swim?” “Because they can buy fish at the market.” “O’Malley! Get away from the computer!”
October 7, 2011
O’Malley stares at the mirrow making scarey faces. “Hmmm, now which one.” Halloween not just for humans.
October8, 2011
“How many cats does it take to screw in a light bulb?” None we can see in the dark! ”Hahhhhhhhhhhhhh”
Ocober 20, 2011
O’Malley is working on a short story..”Tail of a Cat”..get it…Tail…O’Malley rolls around on the floor laughing hysterically~
November1,2011
“Why don’t Cats do handstands? They don’t have hands..” ”O’Malley off the computer!”
November 2, 2011
“Birds, I like Birds..” Thanksgiving is soon..”A very Big Bird!”
November 3,2011
Purrr,Purr,Pa Purr..Stop…Pappa Purrrrr,Purrrrr,Purrr..Stop…Purrrr
“CAT RAP!” You gotta love it…
November 8,2011
“Can we put antlers on the dog for Christmas this year?”
November 22,2011
Laughing so hard I can’t stand…rolls on back,kicking my feet in the air..”.Mommy bought antlers for that stupid dog!”
When I sit alone in the dark and feel the silence surround me, I know, I have a friend. His warm eyes meet mine and seem to say, hey! “Who loves you baby?” Those mornings when you wake up and just don’t want to get out of bed; who lands with a thud on your chest and seems to smile at you?
On stormy nights when the lightning flashes and the thunder roars, who curls up in your lap and stays close as skin? When those inevitable tears begin to fall for no reason at all, who pads your face with a paw and tries to wipe them away?
Who will spend a sunny afternoon in the garden chasing butterflies with you or simply watch you pull a weed or two? When you’re reading your favorite book; who wants to mark the page for you by lying in the middle of it?
Who will entertain you by trying to crawl in a box only half his size and pretend to hide? Who will curl up on your favorite sweater and keep it warm for you on a cold winter’s day?
When that hideous mouse scurries across the kitchen floor; who will chase it down and kill it for you? He will even bring it like a gift and lay it at your feet for approval.
When you lay close to my heart I know you feel that special bond that only we two share and always will.
The day I first met a tiny kitten stays fresh in my mind as I stare at a now full grown cat. The memories we have shared over the years have made my life full and rich.
You ask “Why did you write A Christmas Secret?” The answer lies curled up at my feet. This incredible creature brought love and hope to my life. My mother saved O’Malley’s life and then shared that love with me. It is my hope that children will see that the magic of Christmas is love.
An official date has not been set but the anticipation is most certainly growing as O’Malley and I await the hour. Will publish dates as soon at I get them!
“Ok” October 3…The Tour begins* Will have exact time and place by tomorrow.”
October 4, 2011 Book reviewed at 4 the Love of Books
“Your child will fall in love with the lost kitten, O’Malley that the reindeer find and see what it takes to live at the North Pole and see if O’Malley will make the cut.”
October 5, 2011 Book reviewed at Spashes of Joy
The story is so well written to make it fun and enjoyable to read. I really just can’t say enough about this small book. The snowy Christmas cover is inviting and captures the interest of young readers.
October 6, 2011 Book reviewed at Martha’s Bookshelf
This is a really sweet story with charming drawings. This is an easy read for middle school children to read or for grandmothers, like me, to read to their little ones. My only disappointment was that the cute illustrations are in black and white instead of color. That doesn’t lessen the charm of the story but is was a surprise. The story will “warm the cockles of your heart” and bring a smile to adults and children alike.
October 7, 2011 Book reviewed at Inspired by Savannah
I loved the concept of the book, and how it showed another side of Christmas and the powerful bonds of animals and humans have when welcoming a stray animal during the holiday season. This book has made it on our family’s annual read list, as the power of love is seen in each page of this heartfelt story.
October 11, 2011 Book reviewed at The Childrens and Teens Book Connection
This is an unbelieveably adorable story. While I wish the interior illustrations were in color, they are still cute. The small size of the book makes it easy for little hands to hold. Your children will be enchanted by “A Christmas Secret” by Candace Hall.
Otober 13, 2011 Book reviewed at Cafe of Dreams
Have you ever read a book whose story instantly wrapped itself around your very heart and soul? ” A Christmas Secret “did that for me. As I read the final page, I felt my heart soar and a hugh smile on my face. Yes, this is a children’s story, but honestly I feel that it is a story perfect for everyone of every age.
October 17, 2011 Book reviewed at So many Books..So Little Time
A sweet Christmas story about the magic of Christmas, extending much beyond the residents of the North Pole are used to. Simple pen drawings and a small book for young ones to hold on to. Great size for stocking stuffing and giving to young children. I typically don’t read stories about Santa as we try to keep the meaning of Christmas to be about Jesus. I do like how the magic of Christmas in this story was love, and that is what Christmas is about!
Early Saturday morning O’Malley became ill and could not stand on his own. After watching him a few moments it was plain to see he was not breathing well. Gathering him in my arms we rushed off to O’Malley’s favorite veterinarian, Doctor J.
The office was not open upon our arrival. Desperate to find help I immediately ran to the back of the building where I knew the kennel crew would be hard at work. The staff hurried to the front door to to let O’Malley and myself in. O’Malley lay still in my arms like a resting baby.
Dr. Oden just happened to be there getting ready to leave on an out of town trip. He took O’Malley from me and began to exam him. He explained that O’Malley was now stable and that Dr. J. would be in soon to do a full work up on him. Leaving O’Malley at the clinic was difficult but I knew he was in very good hands.
Within an hour I was called to return to the clinic to speak with Dr. J. Smiling Dr. J explained O’Malley’s blood work was fine and that he had not suffered any major problem. The cause of his problem was coughing up the dreaded hairball. O’Malley had coughed so hard it choked the breath out of him. All in all O’Malley was healthy and ready to return home. Dr. J held O”Malley for one last hug and placed him gently back in my arms. Each day is taken for granted but with O’Malley I take each day as a gift.
