When I was a young mom, our family moved to a little farm that had a modest house, a barn full of chickens, a few cattle, a big garden and lots of grass to mow!  The most bizarre thing happened every morning at 8:30 and every evening at 5:30 when cats from every corner of the yard, from the surrounding trees, creek and field would gather on our lawn in front of the house ... and on the barn steps ... and even on the front bench!  On the 3rd day of this gathering of felines on our front lawn, (that morning I counted 36 wild cats!) I phoned the lady who we purchased the property from and explained this strange behaviour.  She chuckled and told me how she made omelets for the cats every morning and every evening.  Remember the barn full of chickens?  Well, all eggs that were cracked or spotted (or shell-less) and not sell-able, were made into giant omelets for all the cats!  Needless to say, once we came across a litter of kittens, we had our own cats to cuddle with, and let the feral cats continue mousing (non omelets)!

Lisa Erixon, a writer and retired teacher from Lyleton, MB has written her first book, 'No Ordinary Cats', a passionate story of life on the farm and the cats that loved and protected their family and farm through the years.  Erixon says the cats own her!

"The story is about the cats that have owned me over the last thirty years," she shares. "Written from their perspective and with the cats as the speaking characters, the story details their adventures as they explore with their litter mates, face challenges with new arrivals, and learn about the dangers that lurk beyond "the property."

"Together, they discover the importance of family, friendship, acceptance, and trust," adds Erixon.

Needless to say, I could relate to the many predicaments her feline friends got into throughout the book, but also the tragedies that can happen on a farm when it comes to the animals we love.

"The story in itself was inspired by the life and unfortunate passing of Chairman Meow, and after he had passed, I realized that to make sense of what had happened to him I found I wanted to write about his life and explore other aspects of things that I knew had happened to him, and of other [experiences] I could imagine he had," she says.  "And then when I finished writing about Chairman, I realized that all the other cats that had owned me had fascinating and interesting lives, and all of them deserved a voice too."

Erixon says her book appeals to animal lovers on all levels.  "I wasn't trying to set out to target cat people per se, although it takes one to know one! But I think anyone who has loved an animal, has had that animal be an important part of their lives, and is decimated at their loss, can relate to my story."

'No Ordinary Cats' is available online and at select bookstores.  Also, check out Lisa Erixon Writes Facebook page!

Please listen to more of the interview with Erixon and CJRB's Betty Sawatzky below: