November 2017

HERE’S NOT LOOKING AT YOU

Sunday Selfies: Week #171

I agreed to do the selfie this week. I, however, did not agree to come out from under the counter or look at the camera. Regardless, I am pure tortie purrfection. Did y’all see that Menagerie Mom at Four-Legged Furballs is going to do a series, Ten Days of Torties? Astrid and I are majorly excited about this. I have my paws crossed that she’ll dedicate at least one day to dilute torties like me. Knowing his predilection for kitties of the tortie persuasion, we bet Bear (Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat) will be hanging out on their blog for the next ten days.

Now that I have showed you “mine,” it is time for you to show me your selfie. I did a bit of a festive thing for Thanksgiving, but that’s not essential. If you’re new to hopping, here are a few tips for joining our hop.

The link to add your selfie to the hop is below.
You also will find below the code to use if you’d like the hop to appear on your blog.
Posting on Sundays is not necessary to join.
You do not need to be a cat to enter. All anipals are welcome regardless of species.
The hop remains open for entries through Thursday midnight.
Please be so kind as to display our badge and/or link to The Cat on My Head.

With purrs and paw-pats, Calista Jo

MAURICIO BLUE IS BLUE

Caturday Art

Mauricio returns today without his turkey suit. In mid-October he was atop the pool cover one afternoon looking particularly cute. I snapped a few photos of him. The one I am using today for art is from that photo shoot.

This is the photo I used for the basis of my art. I selected this photo as I thought all the shadows and various textures would make the creation more interesting.

My first addition was the pen art effect from LunaPic. I almost stopped with just that, but if you know me, that’s just not my MO.

My next step was to add the Crystal Palace filter using piZap. That added some splashes of color around the edges. Then it was back to LunaPic to add the water effect and the “Splash” art. After adding “Splash” I cut back on that effect by about 50 percent to get some of the original pen look back. The border was from Picasa. That gave me the art you see at the top of this post.

This is Mau’s entry in Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. If you created some art today or want to find links to other creations, click on her badge.

Mau hopes his lovely wife Allie (Friends Furever) enjoys seeing him again for the second day. He’s sending her oodles of love and smoochies.

Sunday Selfies

Kitties Blue and I were excited to have so many of you join us last week on the blog hop. We even had some new participants, which always gets us super excited. Did some of you discover them and visit their blogs? Remember, that’s the purpose of blog “hops.” As we do every Saturday, we are giving you a reminder to put on your best smile and join us on the hop tomorrow.

Until tomorrow…toodles!

November 18, 2017 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop 20

THANKSGIVING-THEMED FILL-INS

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #80

1. I can’t wait to eat pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. I will be making it using my grandma’s recipe, so I know it will be just how I like it.

2. My favorite kind of pie is apricot. I’ve never made one. The best place for apricot pie is The Hickory Pit in California. I went twice when we were there in September and got a piece each time.

3. This year, I am particularly thankful for having the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with family. It will be the first time doing so since Tom and I were married.

Bud and Tom Blue – 2002

4. A funny holiday tradition in my/our house is not really funny but a “joke,” as well as a tradition, among Tom’s family. If any of the kids or grandkids wanted to remain in Tom’s dad’s will, they had to make and eat cranberry relish on Thanksgiving. We still make it every year as do two of Tom’s nephews; though, Tom’s dad passed away 10 years ago. We will be spending Thanksgiving with those nephews and their families. The tradition has moved on to the next generation, and the great grandkids will be collaborating on making the relish!

I am joining Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Annie’s Friendly Fill-Ins blog hop. My completions are in orange italics this week. To join the hop, click on the badge, which will take you to Annie’s blog, McGuffy’s Reader.

As this is a cat blog, Kitties Blue said it is a requirement that I post a feline photo, especially as I did not do so yesterday. They are quite insulted that yesterday’s post included a squirrel and a cardinal only.

In keeping with the theme of today’s fill-ins, our favorite turkey cat is making an encore appearance.

November 17, 2017 by Janet Blue Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Thanksgiving 18

WINTER IS COMING

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

We have almost reached the end of the alphabet again with the prompts for our weekly poetry. This week’s letter is “W.” The prompt words for this week are: 1) Window, 2) Wink, 3) Worry and 4) Wiggle. We elected, however, to write about winter. Though it is not here yet, we have had more than our share of cold weather. We know some of you have already had snow, and we ask that you keep it right where it is.

Here’s our entry for this week.

Winter is Coming

Are you a fan of wintertime?
Kitties Blue definitely are not.
But we also don’t like when it’s hot!

It’s been dreary, grey and cloudy
For what seems like forever.
We do not like this crummy weather.

Though we’re not fond of these cool temps,
We’re grateful it isn’t winter yet,
When snow turns into a grimy mess.

We avoid walking in it if we can,
As it’s cold and wet on our paws.
And they feel as if they’ll never thaw.

Even the catio is chilly and no fun,
In spite of squirrels on the feeder.
We think Santa should bring a heater.

If you live where you already have snow,
Kitties Blue send you our condolences
And hope the snow hasn’t come in bunches.

We are going to pray for a mild winter
With temperatures warmer than usual,
But we suspect we’re being delusional!

This yucky white stuff is not what we want to see this winter. Squirrels and birds, however, are welcome for our viewing pleasure.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday is hosted by our special friends, Teddy and angel Sammy. Master poet, Sammy, transmits a poem from the Rainbow Bridge each week for our enjoyment. And every poem is a gem. Even if you do not want to participate with a poem of your own, Sammy’s poem always is a must read. To fly on over to his and Teddy’s blog, click on the badge below. While there, check out the comments for links to other poems.

Thankful Thursday

We all, and especially Cooper Murphy, are thankful for a nice cozy home. Last January Cooper found himself homeless and wandering in the snow looking for shelter and food. He fortunately made his way to a friend’s front porch, and then our house by way of Dad and a SleepyPod. So no matter what type of winter we get, Cooper and all of the other Kitties Blue will be thankful to be safe and warm.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. To join the hop, click on his badge.

Wonky WordPress

If you were here yesterday, you may have noticed that our blog looked a bit strange. Some “ghost in the machine,” stole our entire sidebar, including our logo. Mom is busily rebuilding everything, but we expect it will be a couple of more days before she is finished. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

We’ll see y’all tomorrow with Friendly Fill-Ins.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo and Cooper Murphy

November 16, 2017 by Janet Blue Kitty Written Blog Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 20

NO KISSING ALLOWED

Wordless Wednesday

November 15, 2017 by Janet Blue Wordless Wednesday 21

SUNRISE: SPARKS OF HOPE

Sparks: Week 6

I am featuring another of Dad Tom’s photos. It was taken at sunrise on the Highland Scenic Highway, West Virginia.

Sir Bernard Arthur Owen Williams, FBA was born September 21, 1929 and died June 10, 2003 in Rome. He was an English moral philosopher. His publications include Problems of the Self (1973), Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy (1985), Shame and Necessity (1993) and Truth and Truthfulness (2002). He was knighted in 1999.

As Knightbridge Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge and Deutsch Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley, Williams became known for his efforts to reorient the study of moral philosophy to psychology, history, and in particular to the Greeks.

This is a blog hop established and hosted by our friend, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). In starting this hop, Annie said, “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!”

If you’d like to join the hop, click on the Sparks badge.

November 13, 2017 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Sparks 18

MISTY MAY SHOWS OFF WITH THREE SELFIES

Sunday Selfies: Week #170

I don’t join you very often for Sunday Selfies or on any other post for that matter. When it came time for selfies, however, I was the only one hanging out near Mom, so here I am! I took three selfies and none are very good.

Mom thinks I look cute in the center one with my mouth open. What do you think? I was telling her two selfies were enough. You can tell by my ears in number three that I did not want to take another. Wow, that’s a super grumpy expression on my face as well. I’d say, “That should teach her for pushing me for one more shot,” but she’ll never learn!

That’s it for me. You know I am a kitty of few words. What have you got to share with us today? Bet it’s better than what I did.

If you are new to hopping, here are a few tips to help you with entering our hop.

The link to add your selfie to the hop is below.
You also will find below the code to use if you’d like the hop to appear on your blog.
Posting on Sundays is not necessary to join.
You do not need to be a cat to enter. All anipals are welcome regardless of species.
The hop remains open for entries through Thursday midnight.
Please be so kind as to display our badge and/or link to The Cat on My Head.

With purrs and paw-pats, Misty May

November 12, 2017 by Janet Blue Kitty Written Blog Sunday Selfies 42

VETERANS DAY ART WITH LISBETH

Caturday Art

I am here to celebrate and honor all veterans of the armed services on behalf of Kitties Blue and our humans.

Mom took this photo for me to send to Charles, as I am lying on one of the purple blankies he sent me. I thought it would make a great starting point for today’s art, which we are entering in Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art Blog Hop.

My art was created using PicMonkey and Picasa. I love how my eye ended up framed by one of the stars on our American flag.

Veterans Day is an official United States public holiday, observed annually on November 11, honoring military veterans; persons (and animals) who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, celebrated in other countries. The United States previously observed Armistice Day. The U.S. holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

Daniel William Lipinski is the U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 3rd congressional district, serving since 2005. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

This is our entry in the Caturday Art blog hop. To enter or find links for other art, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Yep…it’s time again to put on your best smile and snap a photo for tomorrow’s blog hop. Entries were really off last week. If you’d like to invite your friends to join in the fun, that would be terrific.

Until then…

Purrs and paw-pats, Lisbeth

November 11, 2017 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop Holiday Kitty Written Blog Veterans Day 20

PASTICHE OF FILL-INS

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #79

Today we are joining the Friendly Fill-Ins blog hop, as we do each Friday. The hop is hosted by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). They each select two sentences for us to complete on Fridays and post them on their blogs on Thursdays. My completions are in teal italics.

The hop is conducted on Annie’s blog. You can go there and link up by clicking on the badge.

1. The best part of where I live is the home I share with Kitties Blue and Dad Tom.

2. The worst part of where I live is that it is a several-hour drive to the ocean, and then it is the Atlantic. I grew up less than an hour from the Pacific. In college I lived just a few blocks from it.

This is a photo that Dad Tom took on our recent trip to California. It is the Pacific Ocean at Big Sur with Highway 1 and the Bixby Bridge. If you are a follower of the Tuesday Teaser at Two Spoiled Cats, you will have seen this photo.

3. If I had the money and location, I would open a sanctuary for black cats in memory of our two panfurs, angels Thelma and Twinkle. Of course, no homeless cat would be turned away regardless of color or breed.

4. My favourite article of cold weather clothing is a hoodie, preferably one with a cat on the front.

November 10, 2017 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Dad Tom's Photography Friendly Friday Fill-Ins 13

A POEM: VISITING THE VETERINARIAN

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Today we were challenged by Teddy and Angel Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats) to write a poem using the prompt letter “V.” Though they provided us with four possible subjects, 1) Vicious, 2) Vanity, 3) Vigorous and 4) View, we selected one of our own: veterinarians. We kitties complain a lot about having to visit the vet, but we know they have our well-being at heart. With that in mind, we are dedicating our poem to our veterinarian—Dr. Kathy Neel, Vinton Veterinarian Hospital, Vinton, Virginia.

Visiting the Veterinarian

Veterinarians are a necessary evil,
But we despise the upheaval.
When we see the PTU, we run;
Going to the vet isn’t really fun.
But we don’t want to grouse,
As our vet comes to the house.
Unless we need special care,
Which thankfully is very rare.
Fiona had to go almost every week
To see if treatment should be tweaked.
She didn’t enjoy those countless trips,
But a complaint never passed her lips.
The rest of us tend to meyowl a lot.
Good travelers we definitely are not.
But we always behave for Dr. Neel;
Though, being at the vet isn’t ideal.
If you have to go, try your nerves to quell,
As our vets are there to keep us healthy and well.

Fiona gets weighed by Tech Tameka on a visit to Dr. Neel.

Veterinarian Dr. Neel visits the house for the kitties yearly check-up.

Dr Neel, Tameka and Mom weighing Astrid at home.

If you would like to read Sammy’s poem, which he sends each week from the Rainbow Bridge, click on his badge. You also will find links to other poems in the comments.

Thankful Thursday

We also join Brian’s blog hop each week and tell you for what we are thankful. That’s a no-brainer for us this week. We are grateful that none of us have needed to visit Dr. Neel. We know some of our friends have not been that lucky. We send purrs, prayers and POTP to all of them.

To visit Brian’s blog and join the hop, click on his badge.

Purrs and Paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo and Cooper Murphy

November 9, 2017 by Janet Blue Kitty Written Blog Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday Veterinarian 12

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.