The Cat On My Head

A TUXIE BEAUTY’S SELFIE

Sunday Selfies: Week #449

Beautiful tuxie cat in a heart and flower framed portrait.

Can you believe that I haven’t had a selfie in two months? And then I had to share, as it was Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day. I guess now that there are nine of us Kitties Blue, it isn’t the worst record. And Mom caught me off guard. She’d just let me lick the remains of some margarine off her knife at breakfast, so I was distracted! Regardless, I think I did a pretty great job with my selfie. I really hope my angel boyfriend Charles sees and likes it. I miss him so much!

Hopping Time

You know how this works…I show you my selfie and you share yours with me and all your other friends, and I really hope that’s exactly what you do. But if you don’t post on Sundays or are too busy to join us today, the hop will be open through Thursday.

Thanks for coming to see us whether or not you shared a selfie. Now, have an easy Sunday! That’s what I am planning on doing.

Purrs & paw-pats, Lisbeth

March 26, 2023 by Janet Blue Sunday Selfies 7

TABBY CAT ART WITH SAWYER & AUDREY

Caturday Art

Tabby cats sitting atop a radiator in a Caturday Art photo with a frame containing orchids.

I may have gone a bit overboard on my art with the frame. It sort of overpowers the photo, but I liked how the leaves in the border complimented the curtains and granite the kitties are lying on. The frame, as usual, is from favpng. I used the Crackalado effect from Painnt on the photo.

I did create a puzzle as well.

120 Two Tabby Cats at a Window

Sawyer and Audrey, from their spot atop the radiator, will be participating in the Caturday Art blog hop hosted by Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty. You can do the same by clicking on Athena’s graphic.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Can you believe that tomorrow is the last Sunday of March? That means 2023 is almost one-quarter over! We cannot figure out how the weeks slip by so quickly. Of course, Sunday means it’s time for you and one of Kitties Blue to snap a selfie. I have no idea which of the Kitties Blue will be your host, but, of course, that’s not unusual. Whichever of the cats it is, they all hope you’ll join in the fun and add your selfie to the hop.

Kitties Blue and I appreciate everyone who joins the hop or just stops by to comment. So, hope to see you tomorrow.

Kitties Blue border with ginger tabby cat

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Feline Friday

Grey cat is hiding in plain sight by napping atop a grey pillow.

Kizmet is not only hiding in plain sight but also participating in the Feline Friday blog hop at messymimi’s meanderings. To participate click on the Feline Friday badge.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Time again to let you know a bit more about Kitties Blue and myself by completing the weekly fill-ins. Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs) host the Friendly Fill-Ins blog hop. On Thursday they each select two sentences to be filled in by hop participants, and you can find those on both blogs. Enter the hop by clicking on the graphic.

Kitties Blue let me complete all four fill-ins this week. I used teal italics to fill in.

1. My favorite character from a film, tv or book is Tilly from The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency books.

2. The one word I would use to describe myself is procrastinator.

3. If I had to give you my best piece of advice, I would tell you to be present in your life.

4. Current music will never compare with that from the 60s.

Thanks for visiting us today. We’ll see you again tomorrow with some Caturday Art.

March 24, 2023 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins 13

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Our friends, Teddy and Angel Sammy, over at Two Spoiled Cats, definitely selected a doozy of a photo for this week’s poetry challenge. I got a bit of assistance from Cooper Murphy and Raleigh in “catifying” it.

With a Little Help from My Friends: Black and white photo of woman from the 50s in a striped bathing suit and high heels, holding barbells and leaning on one knee. Two orange tabby cats are on a larger barbell above her head.

If you’d like to try writing some poetry, check out Two Spoiled Cats (by clicking on the poetry badge) for next week’s inspiration photo. Please read Angel Sammy’s poem when you visit. He sends it to Teddy each week from the Rainbow Bridge, and it’s always a winner.

Thankful Thursday

In addition to poetry, Thursday is when we like to share the things for which we are thankful.

Sawyer is thankful for nine days between his last two seizures, as are Dad Tom and I.

I am thankful I have returned to a monthly poetry workshop, after being absent for many years. This will give me the opportunity to write some serious poetry, as I did in the past. I have a lot of fun writing the poems for Thoroughly Poetic Thursday, but I’d like to return to exploring topics that don’t always involve Kitties Blue or a preexisting photo. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Winter and spring seemed to have flip-flopped for a few days. Nonetheless, I am thankful for the tulips starting to bloom.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for everyone who visits our blog, comments and supports us. We treasure your friendship.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. If you’d like to participate, post on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on his badge to go to his site and enter your link.

March 23, 2023 by Janet Blue Kitties Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 11

HOOLIGAN CAT SHENANIGANS

Wordless Wednesday

Hooligan cat shenanigans featuring an orange tabby cat, a grey Manx tabby cat, a brown tabby cat and a tuxedo cat surrounding a mess that includes pencils, pens, mail, placemats and a lantern on the kitchen floor.

Misty May, Audrey, Sawyer and Cooper Murphy are participating in the Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can join them by clicking on the WW badge.

March 22, 2023 by Janet Blue Kitties Blue Wordless Wednesday 16

THE PERPURRFECT COMPANION

Sparks

Please forgive this very late post. I have been having crazy technical issues with the photo editing apps I use!

Grey cat sandwiched between layers of a grey fleece blanket with the quote, "Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet." by Sidonie Gabrielle Colette.

What can I say about this Spark other than it is purrfect. And Kizmet is the perfect companion as she shows off all four feet as well as some pretty nice toe beans. You may think that Kizmet was lying on top of this blanket and we folded it over the top of her. That, however, is not the case. She wormed her way between the layers all by herself. We have never had another cat that enjoyed being covered up as much as Kizmet.

I thought I was unfamiliar with the author of today’s Spark until I looked up her bio. Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954) was known simply as Collette, which is how I am familiar with her. She was a French author, mime, actress and journalist. Collette is best known for her 1944 novella Gigi, on which the 1958 film and 1973 stage production of the same name were based. Her short story collection The Tendrils of the Vine is famous in France. I found her history to be quite interesting. I suggest you check out her bio on Wikipedia.

Sparks is the creation of Annie from McGuffy’s Reader. Sparks began as a blog hop, created by our friend. Annie stated when she began Sparks, “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 enjoyed this, I think you’ll enjoy the post, “Do You Need This?”

Awww Mondays

Kizmet will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to do the same, click on the Awww badge.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Tuesday is our favorite day of the week, as it’s when we get to see what those two fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be getting up to. You’ll be able to find out tomorrow over at Friends Furever, as it’s Periwinkle’s turn to plan their adventure. Adventures are more fun when you join in, so they’ll be waiting for you.

March 20, 2023 by Janet Blue Awww Mondays Sparks 12

A RARE TORTIE SIGHTING

Sunday Selfies: #448

I have my paws crossed that my mom remembers to post this, as you don’t get to see me that often. I cannot believe that she didn’t post Cooper Murphy and Audrey’s Caturday Art until a few minutes ago. She just totally forgot. I really hope after you add your selfie to our hop that you’ll visit yesterday’s post and leave us a comment.

Without further preamble, here’s my rare tortie sighting selfie.

Portrait of a tortoise shell cat surrounded by a brown scalloped-edge frame embossed with with light bronze flowers and leaves.

Do you like it? Did I do a good job? The last time I was on the blog was January 14. I have started spending a lot more time with mom, usually when she’s busy trying to work on the computer. I wonder if I’m the reason she forgot to publish. I know I was in her lap last night. You can see her hand on my head. I was getting scritches when I snapped this. If the late post was my fault, I am sorry; though, scritches are more important than posting!

Hopping Time

Now that I’ve shared my selfie, it’s your turn. I know all of you get more practice at this than I do, so I am expecting some pretty great selfies. And I really hope you’ll invite some of your friends to join the fun. We always welcome newbies and the opportunity to make new friends. Remember, all anipals are welcome regardless of species. And if you don’t post on Sundays, that’s not a problem. Our hop is open through Thursday.

Thanks so much for following and supporting us and for joining our hop.

Now go enjoy an easy Sunday.

Purrs & paw-pats, Astrid

March 19, 2023 by Janet Blue Kitty Written Blog Sunday Selfies 22

COLORFUL TABBIES

I just discovered that I did not post this last night.
Hope you will still check it out!

Caturday Art

Cooper Murphy and Audrey were sharing each other’s company on the bed when I was able to snap just one photo prior to Audrey getting up and leaving.

Large ginger tabby cat and small brown tabby kitten in rainbow colored art with a navy and aqua frame with an aqua bow in the upper right.

To create today’s art, I used the Miami Aliens effect from Painnt and added the Flux filter from piZap at 40 percent. The frame is from favpng.

Here’s puzzle for you as well.

110 Cats in Flux

Cooper and Audrey will be participating in the Caturday Art blog hop hosted by Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty. You can do the same by clicking on her badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

I am totally shocked, but I actually know who will be your host tomorrow. In fact she’s already taken her selfie. It’s Astrid, and she didn’t have much of a choice, as she was sitting on my chest at the time. She does look pretty great, so the two of us hope you’ll drop by to see her and hopefully you’ll hop with us as well.

Have a terrific Caturday.

March 18, 2023 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop 10

CELEBRATING ST. GERTRUDE WITH AUDREY

Celebrating St. Gertrude

Painting of St. Gertrude of Nivelles in a garden holding and orange tabby cat with a white cat and tuxedo cat at her feet.

March 17 is not only the feast day of St. Patrick but also the feast day of another important saint. St. Gertrude of Nivelles, who lived from 621 to 659, is the patron saint of gardeners, travelers, widows, recently deceased people, the sick, the poor and the mentally ill. People call upon St. Gertrude for protection from mice, rats, fever, insanity and mental illness. But first and foremost, St. Gertrude is the patron saint of cats and cat lovers. So while you’re imbibing in a green beer or two today, give a toast to St. Gertrude.

Feline Friday

Small brown tabby cat looking out the window.

Do you think Audrey was looking in the garden for St. Gertrude? Whatever she was watching—most likely a squirrel—she definitely was engrossed.

Audrey also will be participating in the Feline Friday blog hop hosted by messymimi’s meanderings. To participate click on the Feline Friday badge.

St. Patrick’s Day

Being one-half Irish, I didn’t want to ignore St. Patrick completely. So I have convinced Cooper Murphy to come by and dance a bit of a jig for you.

Ginger tabby cat dressed as a leprechaun.

Wishing all a Happy St. Gertrude’s &
St. Patrick’s Day

p.s. Sorry Kitties Blue and I didn’t do the Friendly Fill-Ins this week. Sometimes we just can’t find the right words.

March 17, 2023 by Janet Blue Feline Friday St. Gertrude's Day 12

SKY-HIGH INSANITY & THANKFULS

Thankful Thursday

I am starting off with thankfuls today, as my poem is truly lame.

∗ Stinky is thankful for everyone who shared Periwinkle’s and his adventure on Tuesday.

∗ I am thankful for sun. Even if it is cold and windy, as it has been for a few days, the sun always puts me in a better mood.

∗ I am particularly thankful for my friends. My friend of 39 years, Mary Jane, took me to lunch last week to celebrate my birthday. After we came home, she took a couple of selfies with Kitties Blue (Kizmet and Misty May). If you have been following us for a while, you may recall that Mary Jane was Mau’s human girlfriend.

College of selfies of a smiling lady with two cats...one a grey cat and one a tuxie.

∗ Kitties Blue and I are thankful for each of you who follow and support us.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. If you’d like to participate, post on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on his badge to go to his site and enter your link.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

I almost didn’t have a poem for this week’s challenge, which is hosted by Angel Sammy and Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats. Just looking at the inspiration photo made me dizzy and nauseous, and I definitely couldn’t see a way to believably add one of Kitties Blue to it.

A girl on a high dive aboard a huge cruise ship.

I am not a fan of heights or crowds, so one would never find me on a huge cruise ship like this or on a sky-high diving board.

Sky-High Insanity

This is completely insane.
Even if I don’t break my neck,
I’ll never do it again.
Accepting the dare was foolish.
I just didn’t want to appear mulish
By refusing to take the chance
To prove I’m a total bad ass.

Thanks for joining us today. We’ll be back tomorrow with some fill-ins.

March 16, 2023 by Janet Blue Kitties Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 13

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.