Today’s inspirational photo provided by Angel Sammy and Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats is too, too cute. I think the addition of Kizmet only made the photo more adorable. I hope you like the little poem I wrote to accompany it.
Kizmet’s Advice
Please don’t step on me little one
Or fall on me with your pink ruffled bum.
You look rather wobbly in those high heels.
You might do better with some training wheels.
I think I’ll move just a wee bit further away.
You definitely look like you’re starting to sway.
Have fun dressing up in your mommy’s shoes—
Just don’t fall and get a big boo-boo!
Writing poetry has always been one of my passions. If you check out “The Human” tab above, you can see some of the publications where my poems have appeared. I am delighted that Sammy and Teddy give us the opportunity each week to explore our creativity within this genre. If you are not already writing poetry, check out next week’s inspiration photo over at Two Spoiled Cats by clicking on Angel Sammy’s badge and give it a try.
While visiting, don’t forget to read Angel Sammy’s poem. He’s a terrific poet!
Thankful Thursday
Thursday is also the day we give thanks. Unfortunately, sometimes being thankful can be difficult. With the continued war in Ukraine, yet another senseless school shooting and our dear friend, Jean (Cooper’s girlfriend Tyebe’s mom) having a stroke, we all are feeling pretty down. Days of gloomy and grey skies and tons of rain have done nothing to elevate our moods.
So today, we will leave you with our thanks for being our supporters, followers and most of all friends. Friends are what keep us putting one foot in front of the other each day. We send love to all and prayers for better days ahead.
Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. To participate, post on your blog for what you are thankful. Then, insert the URL from the Thankful badge in your browser to go to Brian’s and join the hop.
Periwinkle is happy she didn’t have to awaken before first light for today’s adventure; though, she has no idea know why not. When she does get up, she has a little extra time to groom her furs to look extra nice for Stinky. At the appropriate time she enters her teleportation tunnel and moments later lands in Stinky’s waiting paws. The two share several whisker kisses and paw hugs before Periwinkle asks about today’s adventure. As usual, Stinky’s lips are sealed. He just takes her paw and leads her back into the tunnel.
When they arrive at their destination and emerge from the teleportation tunnel, Periwinkle’s eyes light up with amazement when she sees the structure looming in front of them. She immediately starts to panic as she fears Stinky is here to climb the behemoth. She gives him a worried look, and he immediately knows what she is thinking. Stinky hugs her and assures her he has no intention of doing any climbing. He doesn’t want to go swimming and does not think he would survive the more than 75-foot drop to the water below should he lose his balance.
So, where the heck are our two adventurers today? They are standing on the San Francisco side of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge
Periwinkle says, “Now I know why I got to sleep in today. It’s three hours earlier here than at home. But why have we come to this scary place?”
“In two days the Golden Gate Bridge will celebrate the 85th anniversary of the first people crossing the bridge. May 27, 1937, was Pedestrian Day and some 200,000 people walked across the bridge that day. Lots of people were striving at being the first to do something historic, like run or roller skate across the bridge. One person actually walked across on stilts.”
“Do you think any cats crossed the bridge that day?” asks Periwinkle.
“I don’t know, Periwinkle. Maybe someone carried one across in a basket. I don’t think any kitty would have taken the chance of being trampled by one of the pedestrians. That is sort of why we are here today. We are going to leisurely stroll the 1.7 miles across on the sidewalk before crowds show up two days from now. That will take us to Marin County. I set the coordinates for the teleportation tunnel to meet us there.”
“Wow Stinky, that is a really long walk. It’s almost double the distance you went on your walkabout. Do you think we are up for it?”
“I believe we can do it. I brought snacks, so we can stop often, rest and have a nibble. And I am certain if we get too tired, we can flag down a motorist to take us across.”
“Okay, let’s get started. We’re burning daylight,” says Periwinkle. The two join paws and begin their journey. “Are you going to tell me some facts about the bridge?” Periwinkle asks.
Stinky giggles. Periwinkle knows him so well. “You bet, Periwinkle. What would you like to know?” She tells Stinky to pick what he thinks is most interesting.
“Okay, how’s this? You know my dad and mom were both born and raised in California. As a young girl, along with her mom, dad and sister, she crossed the bridge often. You see an aunt and uncle and cousins lived on the Marin side of the bridge, and Mom lived on the San Francisco side. She told me she was always frightened when they were on the bridge. She was certain it would collapse, their car would plummet into the water and they’d all die.”
“Stinky, I feel so bad that she thought that. Could it actually happen?”
Some Facts
“I don’t think so. At the fiftieth anniversary celebration in 1987, 800,000 people showed up. With 300,000 people crammed onto the bridge it began to sway. The middle of the bridge actually flattened and sagged seven feet. It was closed to the remainder of the crowd.”
“Boy, Stinky, I bet your mom really would have been scared if she’d been here then!” exclaims Periwinkle. Stinky agrees.
“Why do you think they painted the bridge orange?” asks Periwinkle.
Stinky tells her that when they get home she can read all about that on this website: “6 Things You May Not Know About the Golden Gate Bridge.” He does tell her, however, suggestions for paint colors included yellow and black stripes or red and white stripes to improve visibility in the fog. Periwinkle giggles as she imagines the bridge as a huge candy cane.
About a third of the way across, Periwinkle asks Stinky if they can rest. He pulls the Temptations and a bottle of water from his backpack. They sit and eat their snack with their backs to the cars so they can watch the bay and the seagulls.
After their snack, they feel refreshed and begin walking again. Periwinkle asks Stinky the height of the towers that carry the suspension cables. Stinky replies, “The towers are 746 feet high, and the bridge is 90 feet wide.”
“I sure am happy you have no desire to climb one of the towers,” Periwinkle tells Stinky. Stinky explains that he has the desire but is using his willpower and common sense not to do so.
Hendrick Point
When the tabbies finally reach the Marin County side of the bridge, they head to Hendrick Point for another snack and rest. While enjoying their Temptations and Fancy Feast, a local kitty looking for a handout approaches the tabbies.
They happily share their noms with the friendly fellow and visit for a while before settling down for a nice nap. When they awake, they take time to admire the view.
“Wow, this is such an incredible view. You always find the best places for adventures,” Periwinkle tells Stinky while giving him a big paw hug and whisker kiss.
After hugging Periwinkle back, Stinky leads Periwinkle to the teleportation tunnel, which is waiting a few yards away. Before Periwinkle can ask where they are going, the tunnel whisks them away with a whoosh.
Treasure Island
Upon exiting the tunnel, Stinky tells Periwinkle they are on Treasure Island, which was a naval station from 1937 until its closure in 1997. Dad Tom and Mom Janet were married in the chapel there in 1973. The tabbies have come to view the sunset before heading back home.
They find a good place to wait, and Stinky gives Periwinkle a list of websites where she and their readers can find out lots more about the Golden Gate Bridge.
Finally the sun begins to set. Stinky puts his paw around Periwinkle’s shoulders, and she drops her head to his.
They watch the sunset together and “ooh and aah” over the beauty. When the sun is finally down, the kitties head for the teleportation tunnel for the quick trip back to Stinky’s house. The three hour time difference makes it very late when they arrive at Stinky’s house. Unbeknownst to Periwinkle, Mom Sharon has given permission for Periwinkle to spend the night. So after another quick snack with some meds for Sawyer, the tabbies retire for the night.
The End
Periwinkle and Stinky are participating in the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus.
Sparks Wowie, wow, wow! Can you believe it? I’m back again today. I have no idea why this is happening, but I certainly hope y’all don’t mind. I am doing the Spark as well as joining the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. Okay, I just read the Spark and figured out […]
Sunday Selfies: Week #405 I cannot believe I am back again this week for the Sunday Selfies post, especially as my two attempts to capture a selfie were total failures. But as all my fursibs hid when it was selfie time, that you get is me in our dad’s lap. I do apologize. […]
Caturday Art I didn’t have any recent art-worthy photos to use for today, so I took a deep dive into my photo archives. This photo of Cooper Murphy enjoying a Mission BBQ bag as Astrid waits her turn is from September 25, 2017. I used the Dark Art effect from Lunapic, followed by the XOXO […]
Thoroughly Poetic Thursday Last week I missed Teddy and Angel Sammy’s poetry challenge, which I don’t like to do. I am back today with another altered inspirational photo. This time, I had a little help from Astrid. The poem’s structure is a bit different. It consists of rhyming and off-rhyming couplets with the title, […]
Awww Mondays Calista Jo claims there’s nothing better than enjoying a warm and sunny day on the catio. The other Kitties Blue totally agree with her. I suspect all you other felines do as well. C.J. is participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. Click on the Awww badge to […]
Sunday Selfies: Week #404 Astrid and I snapped about ten selfies each, and this is one of two Mom thought was worthy of posting. The second photo is also of me, so you’ll see me again sometime soon. Astrid was sitting on Mom’s lap when she snapped her selfies. She couldn’t get a good angle […]
Caturday Art Kitties Blue spend a lot of time napping just like every other cat on the planet. So, you shouldn’t be too surprised that for the second day in a row, I am sharing a photo of a snoozing feline. This time it is Sawyer, and he’s the subject of today’s Caturday Art as […]
I am a feline fanatic. My
license plate reads “PRRFCT.”
I have lived with and cared
for 20 cats over the past 40+
years. The Cat on My Head
is a website dedicated to the
mostly comical and often
exasperating antics of seven
cats (Kitties Blue) and their
thirteen angel predecessors.
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 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.
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.