The Cat On My Head

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY KITTEN ART

Caturday Art

Okay, so I know what you’re thinking…those crazy people have adopted another kitten. That does sound like fun, especially with all the fascinating holiday decorations, but sadly we have not added any new felines to the Kitties Blue crew.

What I am sharing today are two different art renderings of kitten Fiona. Yesterday marks seven years since she flew away to the Rainbow Bridge. My mind cannot seem to process the fact that she has been gone that long. She was and will always remain one of my special heart kitties.

Here are two different versions of art, both created using the Sugar Plum Fairy effect from Painnt.

 

Sugar Plum Fairy kitten: Grey kitten in an art rendering in a gold frame with an aqua and gold snowflake.

 

Sugar Plum Fairy kitten: Art rendering of kitten in shades of green and purple in a multi-toned green frame.

 

I couldn’t decide which version I liked best, which is why I am sharing both. If you have a favorite, let me know in the comments.

I made a puzzle from each. The first is quite easy. The second is a tad more challenging.

preview100pieceKitten Artpreview120pieceSugar Plum Fairy Kitten

Sugar Plum Fairy Fiona 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 badge.

 

Another Angel

It was another blow when the day after Fiona left us (seven years ago today), our dear friend, Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats), followed her. It gave me some comfort to know they were together. I know that Mom Pam and Dad David miss Sammy just as much today as they did the day he got his angel wings.

At Blog Paws 2017, I made memorial flags for each of them. Sammy’s came out great. Fiona’s…not so much. You can see them both on the post, “Glimpses from Blog Paws 2017.” Those flags were meant to be displayed at each future Blog Paws Conference. Unfortunately, there was only one conference after that in 2018. Where those flags are today, I have no idea. I am sending love and warm hugs today to Pam and David.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

It is hard to believe that only five Sundays remain until 2024. New Year’s Eve actually falls on Sunday this year, so our last selfies of the year will be on the last day of the year. I’m not trying to get ahead of myself. I am just wondering how another year of our lives has slipped away so quickly.

Anyhoo, it’s time to get a selfie snapped for tomorrow’s hop. A couple of Kitties Blue have taken selfies this week, so it will be up to me to see who gets to be your host. Whoever it is, I know they’ll be looking forward to you joining them. Hope to see you there either tomorrow or anytime through Thursday.

Thanks for dropping by today. Have a meowvolous Caturday.

 

COLD MORNING…HEATED FLOOR & FILL-INS

Feline Friday

Heated floors are quite popular on cold mornings.

 

Five cats on a heated floor on a cold morning

 

Kizmet, Raleigh, Sawyer, Astrid and Audrey will be participating in the Feline Friday blog hop hosted by messymimi’s meanderings. If you’d like to do the same, click on the badge below.

Friendly Fill-Ins

The Friendly Fill-Ins blog hop is hosted each Friday by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). They publish the fill-in sentences on their blogs each Thursday. To join the hop, click on the badge at the left.

I am so relieved I received help again today from Sawyer for the fill-ins. He is the most helpful of Kitties Blue when it comes to filling in. We both used teal italics to fill-in. An explanatory comment is in parentheses.

  1. Sawyer: I feel like I never get enough treats!

2. By the end of the year, I want to create a list of things we need to be accomplished around the house in 2024.

3. December is the month that I go crazy decorating our house.

4. My house looks like a beacon during the holiday season. (The lights can be seen from several blocks away.)

Thanks for joining us today. We’ll be back tomorrow with some Caturday Art.

 

JUST SAY, “NO!” & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

This week’s poetry inspiration photo from Angel Sammy and Teddy (Two Spoiled Cats) frankly scared me. You would never find me in this situation, which my poem clearly states.

 

Just Say, “No!” TO A CROWD OF HOLIDAY SHOPPERS.

 

Just Say, “No!”

I hate crowds anytime of the year,
but at Christmas, they ruin my mood.
I become overwhelmed and angry, yet
I am not a grinch. Shopping for perfect
gifts for family and friends is fun,
but shoppers pushing and shoving—
stampeding like a herd of elephants—
annoy me. Not worth it…just to save
a few dollars. The holidays are a time
to celebrate with love, lights, gingerbread
cookies and maybe a little alcoholic
egg nog. Consternation and stress spell
disaster for me. So, I’ll stay home,
visit Amazon on-line and just say, ”No,”
to the crowds of crazies and confusion.

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 11/29/2023

Even before shopping on the web existed, I avoided the crowds at the mall by using catalogs for all my holiday shopping.

Each week Angel Sammy transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to Teddy for publication. He is one of Kitties Blue and my favorite poets, and his weekly creation is always worth reading. Pop on over to Two Spoiled Cats, by clicking on the poetry badge, to check out Sammy’s poem and get the photo for next week’s challenge.

 

Thankful Thursday

Thursday is not only poetry day, but also the day when we share our thankfuls for Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop.

Stinky and Periwinkle are first up today. They are both super appreciative of those who accompanied them on their adventure to the pyramids of Teotihuacan (“The City of the Gods”), Mexico. Dad Tom was the one who suggested this adventure, as he visited the site some years ago and found it fascinating.

Personally, I am thankful that all my inside garland and wreaths are up, two of three trees are in place and one partially decorated. It helped that Thanksgiving was a bit early this year. I still have a ton of work ahead, but I feel I am making good progress.

As always, KittiesBlue and I are thankful for each of you who visit and leave comments. Your support and friendship is what keeps us blogging.

To participate in the Thankful Thursday blog hop, click on the badge below.

Thanks for joining us today.

 

THE COMFIEST BUTT IN THE HOUSE

Wordless Wednesday

 

Torbie cat, Audrey, claims grey tabby, Manx cat, Sawyer has the comfiest butt.

 

Audrey and Sawyer are going to pop over to the Wordless Wednesday blog hop as soon as they wake up. If you’d like to join them at Comedy Plus for the hop, click on the WW badge.

Looking Back

This week’s Looking Back post is from August 17, 2012. It is entitled, “Nip Heads” and has some really cute photos of some of the Kitties Blue angels. To check it out, click on the link. Those of you who subscribe to our blog already have a link in your e-mail in box.

Thanks for joining us today. If you like our Looking Back post, Kitties Blue and I hope you’ll leave a comment there.

 

THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CCXII

Stinky is super excited to see Periwinkle and share their next adventure. It’s only going to be in the 30s today at his house, so he has planned a destination with warmer temperatures. It will even be a bit warmer than at Periwinkle’s home in Florida. While contemplating their adventure, Stinky hears the familiar whoosh from the teleportation tunnel. He rushes to catch Periwinkle in his paws, and they spend several minutes whisker kissing. Finally, Periwinkle asks the familiar question: “So, Stinky, what do you have planned for us today?”

“I had considered helping my mom with the Chirstmas decorations, but she hasn’t even put up the trees yet. So, I am taking us someplace warm, but you’ll have to wait until we get there to find out.” Stinky then takes Periwinkle’s paw and leads her back into the teleportation tunnel. Moments later they arrive in Teotihuacan (“The City of the Gods”), Mexico. It is the site of architecturally significant pyramids from the pre-Columbian Americas: the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.

Teotihuacan, Mexico

Stinky tells Periwinkle that in the first half of the first millennium (between 1 and 500 CE), Teotihuacan was the largest city in the Americas. It was considered the first advanced civilization as well as the cultural, political, economic and religious center of ancient Mesoamerica. At the time, the population was estimated to be 125,000 or more. That made it at least the sixth-largest city in the world. “Today we will see the city and the pyramids.

“That sounds like fun. Let’s get started,” replies Periwinkle.

“Periwinkle, you know that I like to tell our readers about the places we visit. There is just too much information, however, to share in a short post,” Stinky explains. “I am suggesting that our readers check out sites on the internet dedicated to information about the Teotihuacan civilization, the Sun and Moon pyramids and the Feathered Serpent pyramid. I will try to stick to some general information.”

Stinky tells Periwinkle that the ruined city is the first American city built on a grid plan. It contains 2,000 single-story apartment compounds as well as plazas, temples, a canalized river and the palaces of nobles and priests. The main buildings of the city are connected by a 130-foot-wide road. This is the Avenue of the Dead (“Calle de los Muertos”). It is 1.5 miles long and points directly at the sacred peak of Cerro Gordo (“fat hill” in Spanish).

Before exploring the city, the tabbies take a walk around the perimeter.

They first see the Feathered Serpent Pyramid.

 

 

Next is the Pyramid of the Sun.

 

 

Finally, they see the Pyramid of the Moon.

 

 

Periwinkle and Stinky then head to The Avenue of the Dead to visit the sites.

Temple of the Feathered Serpent

 

 

They begin at the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the third largest pyramid at 75-feet tall. Stinky tells Periwinkle that the structure is notable for some of the earliest known representations of the Mesoamerican “feathered serpent” deity, which covered its sides. It’s known as well for the discovery in 1980 of more than 100 possibly sacrificial victims, dating from 150 to 200 CE, buried beneath the structure. The feathered serpent is more often associated with the much-later Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, and the temple is also known as the Temple of Quetzalcoatl.

Pyramid of the Sun

 

After a hard climb up the Pyramid of the Sun, the tabbies stop to catch their breath. When rested, Periwinkle says to Stinky, “I know you must be enjoying this adventure with the opportunity to climb all over these pyramids.”

“I will admit, I am having a pretty swell time,” Stinky replies. He then tells Periwinkle a bit about the pyramid. “The Pyramid of the Sun is not only the largest building in Teotihuacan but also one of the largest in Mesoamerica and the third largest in the world. Built in two phases in about 200 to 250 CE, the completed pyramid is 738 feet across and 246 feet high. The second phase included the construction of an altar atop of the pyramid. It has not survived to the current day. And though, the thinking is that the pyramid venerated a deity of the Teotihuacan society, little evidence exists to support this due to the loss of the temple.

“The exterior of the finished pyramid consisted of lime plaster, which was painted with brightly-colored murals. Unfortunately the paint and plaster are no longer visible. Jaguar heads and paws, stars and the rattles of snakes are among the few images associated with the pyramids.

“It too is on the Avenue of the Dead and lies between the Pyramid of the Moon and the Ciudadela (ancient courtyard). The name of the pyramid comes from the Aztecs. The name used by the Teotihuacans is unknown.”

Pyramid of the Moon

Before visiting the Pyramid of the Moon, the tabbies get a good look at it from atop one of the smaller structures.

 

 

“Stinky, this is really an incredible view,” exclaims Periwinkle.

Stinky agrees and tells Periwinkle that the Pyramid of the Moon is the second largest structure in the city. It is 141-feet high and the base is 426 by 511 feet. This pyramid has seven different layers of buildings from at least six renovations. Each addition was larger and covered the previous structure to update the building’s religious power. The structure was used for public, ritual sacrifices. It consists of five burial complexes labeled two through six. They contained sacrificial victims, both human and animal (felines, birds of prey, rattlesnakes and canids, including domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals and other species), figurines and obsidian objects. A platform atop the pyramid was used to worship the Great Goddess of Teotihuacan, who served as a deity of water, fertility and creation. A tomb dedicated to the Great Goddess was discovered in 1998.

Stinky continues, “Mesoamerican cities, like Teotihuacan, used plazas as the core of social life. The public plaza of the Pyramid of the Moon also was used for astronomical observation activities related to the calendar. The complex contained small pyramidal structures, rooms, porticoes, patios, corridors and low platforms. Moon plaza served as a ceremonial, political and socioeconomic center.”

Surprise for Periwinkle

The tabbies were growing tired after so much walking and climbing, but before leaving for home, Stinky has planned a picnic with a great view of The Avenue of the Dead and the Pyramid of the Sun.

 

 

“Stinky, this is a terrific place to enjoy a view of the entire city. Thanks for planning this terrific adventure. I know I am going to read more about Teotihuacan when I get home. It is fascinating.”

“I totally agree, Periwinkle. And I certainly did enjoy the opportunity to do some climbing without you constantly telling me not to.”

Periwinkle giggles, squeezes Stinky’s paw and gives him a kiss on the cheek. “I guess you will just need to plan more adventures like this one where climbing is a requirement.”

Soon it is time for the tabbies to return to Stinky’s house. They enter the teleportation tunnel and are gone in a whoosh.

Back at Stinky’s House

When the tabbies arrive back at Stinky’s they notice that his mom has put up lots a garlands and wreaths around the house. Periwinkle claps her paws in delight as she sees all the twinkling lights. She tells Stinky’s mom, “I can’t wait to see how the decorations have progressed in two weeks. The house is already looking magical.” Stinky’s mom thanks Periwinkle for the compliment and gives her a big hug.

After a quick visit with Stinky’s fursibs, it’s time for Periwinkle to head home. She and Stinky share several paw hugs and whisker kisses. Then with the usual final wave and blown kiss, she enters the tunnel and is gone.

Stinky retires to the bedroom for a long nap and dreams of Periwinkle.

The End

The tabbies will be joining the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. Click on the badge to do the same.

 

A SPARK ABOUT FAMILY & A DOODLE AWWW

Sparks

After spending a few days celebrating Thanksgiving with family, I thought it would be appropriate to share a Spark about family. I found one from Virginia Satir, which I particularly like.

 

family spark: A family photo with the Blue, Schmitz, Davis and Sperling families.

 

The man seated on the left is Dad Tom’s nephew as is the man standing to my right in the photo. The third brother is the one with a daughter at UVA. If you are curious, you can see him on this post, “Thankfuls & Times Gone By.” I truly am thankful for Tom’s family and blessed to be part of it.

The author of today’s Spark, Virginia Satir, was an American author and psychotherapist, who passed away in 1988 at age 72. Her pioneering work in the field of family reconstruction therapy gained her the title “Mother of Family Therapy.”

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.”

Awww Mondays

Today’s Awww photo is of another woofie, Huckleberry, and our great nephew, Davis.

 

A teenager asleep with his head resting on a Goldendoodle.

Huck is also a Goldendoodle. I have shared him on the blog previously. Davis had all four of his wisdom teeth out on Tuesday, so spent most of the Thanksgiving holiday sleeping and drinking milkshakes.

There is no doubt this is an Awww photo, so Davis and Huck will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop. Click on the Awww badge  if you’d like to join.


The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

It is time again for Stinky to plan Periwinkle’s and his Tuesday adventure. I am not certain what he has planned. He mentioned they might be helping me with Christmas decorating, but I think that was just to throw me off track. I do know that whatever they get up to, they will be overjoyed if you come along with them. They’ll be looking for you tomorrow.

Thanks for joining us today.

 

GOLDENDOODLE GUEST HOST SELFIE

Sunday Selfies: Week #484

 

Goldendoodle resting her head on a pillow and framed in a cobalt and teal blue frame with a teal bow.

 

This is Lula. She is a Goldendoodle and is one of the dogs Dad Tom and I spent time with the past few days, She lives with one of Tom’s nephews and family in Georgia. She was on the blog last year on Thanksgiving Day. You can see that photo at “Thanksgiving Thankfuls, a Dog & a Poem.”

Kitties Blue do not seem too miffed with us for taking a few days away to enjoy family time. Chris said that they were purrfect while we were away; though, both beds to which they had access were totally disheveled. I am fairly certain Kizmet is the guilty party.

Hopping Time

I know all the kitties are pleased to have the week off from taking a selfie. They hope, however, that none of you will do the same. They have really missed visiting and seeing their friends the last several days. So, on behalf of Kitties Blue, I urge you to snap a selfie and join our hop. If you have any friends you think might enjoy hopping along, please invite them to participate as well. This also is a great place to make some new and long-lasting friends.

If you are unable to participate today, the hop will be here for you through Thursday.

Thanks for joining us whether it is today or later in the week. And many thanks for being our friends and supporters.

Have a terrific and easy Sunday.

 

 



SAWYER’S GOTCHA DAY ANNIVERSARY ART

Caturday Art

 

SAWYER'S GOTCHA DAY ANNIVERSARY ART: Art rendering of a grey Tabby Manx cat eating supper framed in gold and black.

 

Today, our sweet, little guy, Sawyer, is celebrating the sixth anniversary of his original Gotcha Day. You can find his very first post by clicking on this link, “Holy Cr@p…What’s This?“. You also can find out more about him on The Felines page. The link is in the menu.

As most of you know, we celebrate Gotcha Day anniversaries for Sawyer twice each year. We also celebrate the day I brought him home from his unauthorized, 2021 walkabout.

Our art today shows Sawyer actually eating his dinner. We’ll find out later today if he ate for Chris while we were away. He is so picky and unpredictable.

I created today’s art using the Scribbly effect from Painnt. The frame is from piZap.

Here’s a jigsaw for all our puzzle fans.

preview120pieceManx Tabby Art

Please join us for a small celebration for Sawyer. Cooper Murphy kindly created a cake, and we have some hot chocolate, lemonade or iced tea.

 

SAWYER'S GOTCHA DAY ANNIVERSARY ART: Face of a grey cat with ball of yarn as a cake..

 

Sawyer will be joining Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. If you’d like to do the same, click on her badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

I know none of the Kitties Blue will be willing to snap a selfie for tomorrow’s hop. I expect they will be ignoring us as punishment for leaving them and cavorting with dogs. So, tomorrow, we will have a guest selfie. I really think you should stop by and check it out, as our host is a real cutie pie.

While you are visiting, all of the gang hope you will share a selfie. They missed visiting their friends the past few days. As your humans may still be celebrating the holiday and unavailable to help you hop, you can join us anytime through Thursday.

Thank you for visiting today. Wishing everyone an easy Sunday.

 

KITTES BLUE WISH YOU HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thankful Thursday

Thursday is always the day we share our thankfuls with you for Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. So, it’s totally appropriate that Thanksgiving here in the U.S. always lands on Thursday.

Kitties Blue are thankful they have the entire bed to themselves.

 

Thanksgiving Kitties Blue: grey cat sleeping under the bed covers with only her head sticking out.

 

Kitties Blue also are thankful that the treat lady is tending to their needs while their humans convort with dogs.

Dad Tom and I are thankful to be spending Thanksgiving with family.

We all are thankful for our friends, followers and supporters.

Kitties Blue will be participating in the Thankful Thursday blog hop. If you’d like to do the same, click on the Thankful badge,

🦃 Wishing All a joyful and blessed Thanksgiving. 🦃

 

PTU PLAYTIME & THANKSGIVING SPARK

Awww Mondays 

The PTU is not such a scary place if the cat is not the one going to the vet. In fact, jostling for the opportunity to inhabit it can make for some fun playtime, as demonstrated by Raleigh and Kizmet.

 

A light-furred ginger tabby cat and a grey cat spend some playtime in a PTU (personal transportation unit), also known as a cat carrier.

Kizmet and Raleigh will be popping over to Comedy Plus to join the Awww Mondays blog hop. To participate, click on the Awww badge.

Sparks

With Thanksgiving in the United States just a few days away, I wanted a Spark representing gratitude. This quote from Joseph Auslander is not what I was looking for, but with the wars between Israel and Hamas and Ukraine and Russia, it seemed totally appropriate!

 

 

Joseph Auslander was an American poet, anthologist, novelist and translater of poetry. He graduated from Harvard University in 1917, and became an instructor in English at Harvard while studying for an advanced degree in 1919. From 1921 to 1922 he attended the Sorbonne in Paris on fellowship. Auslander was appointed the first Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress and served from 1937 to 1941. His best-known work is “The Unconquerables” (1943), a collection of poems addressed to the German-occupied countries of Europe. He received the Robert Frost Prize for Poetry.

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.”

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Tomorrow is that special day each week when Periwinkle and Stinky set out on a new adventure. Tomorrow they will be taking off from Periwinkle’s home over at Friends Furever. I know the kitties are looking forward to sharing their adventure with you, so please don’t let them down. Their adventures are always worth a few minutes of your time.

Thanks for joining us today.