September 2017

ASTRID IS ARTFULLY RECLINING

Caturday Art

Astrid is the model for today’s art. She was snoozing on the ess scratcher, which was curiously on the dining room table. Of course, when I approached with the camera, she woke up. The look she gave me said, “How dare you bother me?”

To create today’s art, I used the Chalkboard art effect from LunaPic followed by the Deep Aqua filter as well as the heart border from piZap. The outer pink and teal borders were add with Picasa.

Below is the original photo and how it looked prior to the addition of the aqua filter.

This is Astrid’s entry in Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. To join her on the hop and/or find links to other arty posts, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies

Your host for tomorrow’s blog hop will be Lily Olivia. She asked to be here so she could help honor and remember our friend and member (along with Lily) of the Crotchety Cougar Club, Phoebe (15 And Meowing). We’d like you to join Lily on the hop, but should you not do so, please stop by and leave some kind words for Phoebe’s family.

See you tomorrow.

September 30, 2017 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop 17

WHO YOU CALLING SPOILED?

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week 73

As we do each Friday, Kitties Blue and I are participating in Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Annie’s (McGuffy’s Reader) Friday Friendly Fill-Ins and blog hop.

I am far too critical of myself.
To save money, I stay out of places like Wal-Mart, as I will always buy things I hadn’t planned to and don’t need. I also stay at home most of the time, so I only have to put gas in my car a couple times a year.
All lives matter.
Kitties Blue try to make~~(s)~~ me think they are deprived and mistreated when, in fact, they are totally spoiled. As proof of being spoiled, here’s Mauricio playing with the “red dot.” And who is controlling it and playing with him? Me, his mom, through the PetCube, while 2,700 miles away from home. (If you look in the background of the photo, you will see catnip spread on the kitchen counter.)

That’s it for today, as I am indeed 2,700 miles away from home. This is the weekend of the 50th high school reunion I have been working on as part of the Reunion Committee for more than a year. If you are wondering why the kitties haven’t been visiting much, it’s because I have the computer with me.

If you’d like the opportunity to find out a bit more about your fellow bloggers, click on the badge below. You’ll be magically whisked away to Annie’s blog, where you can find the links to other blogs.

We’ll be back tomorrow for Caturday Art. Sunday we will be remembering and honoring Phoebe (15 And Meowing) on our Sunday Selfies post. Monday we will be having a guest post with a terrific and informative infographic.

Until then…toodles from Carmel, California.

September 29, 2017 by Janet Blue Friendly Friday Fill-Ins 16

REMEMBER ME THURSDAY 2017

Remember Me Thursday

We are joining Remember Me Thursday® as an “Official Partner” and have lit a candle at RememberMeThursday.org for our Charlotte. The Remember Me Thursday® global awareness campaign encourages individuals to light a candle this day (literally or virtually) and to opt to adopt, reducing the millions of orphan pets euthanized each year.

Charlotte is the kitty we currently sponsor at PAWS of Connecticut. Charlotte is between three and four years old. She was a stray living on the streets with a litter of kittens. A kind lady started taking care of mom and kittens, but could not bring her into her home. Fearing Charlotte and the female kittens would become pregnant, she took them to PAWS.

Charlotte is said to be shy, but she’s also sweet and gentle. She loves to be petted and brushed and will make air biscuits when her tummy is rubbed. She is good with other cats but timid around small children.

Charlotte is spayed, current on her vaccinations, microchipped and negative for FIV and FeLV.

If you would be interested in adopting Charlotte, or know someone who might be, please click on the PAWS link above.

Candles lit on this day (the fourth Thursday of September annually), across the world, honor the pets who lose their lives without the opportunity to know the comforts of a loving home. These candles shine brightly on the millions of healthy pets who are still awaiting adoption—just like our calico friend, Charlotte.

This being Angel Sammy and Teddy’s (Two Spoiled Cats) Thoroughly Poetic Thursday, I am resharing the poem I wrote last year for this occasion. This week’s prompt letter is “P.” This poem, however, was written originally for an “O” prompt. I made two subtle changes to meet today’s challenge. (To see Sammy’s poem and find links to other poems, click on the link above.)

PLEASE OPT TO ADOPT ORPHAN CATS

Most of us were orphans at one time,
Whether roaming the streets or shelter confined.
But then one day our luck suddenly changed.
A human stopped in whose heart we would claim.
They took us home to keep us safe forever
With food, shelter and love as our caregiver.
So today, will you please a candle light
And pray for the orphans to not give up the fight,
As they wait and long for their special human
To find them and become their number one fan.

Remember Me Thursday

Please join me, other pet-lovers and advocates as well as animal welfare organizations around the world in lighting your own candle. Visit the link listed in the first paragraph to light a candle and learn more about Remember Me Thursday®. Or light your own candle at home. Just make certain it is either battery operated or in an area your pets cannot access.

While visiting the Remember Me Thursday ® site you can check for special events that may be taking place in your area as well as enter the #RememberTheRescue Challenge, a social media photo contest where rescue pet parents tweet and post pics of their beloved, adopted pets. Participants then nominate their favorite pet adoption organization or facility to win one of three awesome prizes!

This also is Thankful Thursday over at Brian’s Home blog. Kitties Blue and I are thankful everyday for the pet guardians, advocates, rescues, shelters and adopters worldwide. This is a blog hop. Click on Brian’s badge to participate.

WE DON’T NEED SPACESHIPS TO HAVE FUN

Wordless Wednesday

Notes from the Mom: Cooper Murphy and Astrid were supervised during play, as handles remained on bag. By the following afternoon, they had completely destroyed the bag.

If you don’t “get” our title today, click here to see last Wednesday’s post, Alien Invasion.

Please join us tomorrow for our special #RememberMeThursday post. To learn more about this very special day, click here.

September 27, 2017 by Janet Blue Remember Me Thursday Wordless Wednesday 19

COULD YOU USE $1500?

Well that’s a stupid question. Of course you could. Think of all the cat treats you could buy or the number of vet visits $1500 could cover. So now that we’ve established you could use the money, we have a second question for you: Are you crafty?

Now that we’ve got your attention, we must preface the remainder of this post by letting you know that Kitties Blue is not giving away $1500. But we know someone who is. We are talking about Tuft + Paw, manufacturers of modern cat furniture. They are giving away $1500 for the best cat bed design.

Contest Details

Here’s the info you’ll need to get busy and create a unique and original sustainable design for the cat bed.

1. It’s sustainable: As part of Tuft + Paw’s commitment to environmentally responsible products, it must be made of ethically sourced and produced materials that don’t harm our planet.

(If you are not quite sure of what sustainability is with regard to the environment, here’s the definition: The quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance from the extraction of raw materials until the final disposal. Some examples are cork, bamboo and recycled rubber.)

2. It’s affordable: When your piece goes into production, Tuft + Paw wants it to be inexpensive enough that any cat owner can have it in his or her home.

3. It’s beautiful: Don’t skimp on style—Tuft + Paw wants to see something that adds a “wow” factor to modern homes and looks more like it belongs to an interior designer than a Tabby cat.

4. It’s easy to ship: Tuft + Paw wants your design to be their customers’ go-to choice when they donate an item to a shelter. This means it has to be lightweight and easy to ship. Bonus points for collapsible flat-pack shapes.

5. It’s practical: Along with your physical prototype, include technical drawings that specify exact dimensions and instructions for how it will be produced.

Lisbeth has an additional request.

Deadline & Additional Details

Submission deadline is October 31, 2017, which means you better get busy now. The winner will be selected prior to November 30. Their design will be produced in the United States and promoted as one of Tuft + Paw’s new products. Additionally, the new bed will be donated to shelters across the country. If winning $1500 doesn’t motivate you, Kitties Blue certainly hope the promise to donate beds to shelters will.

Finally, please visit Tuft + Paw by clicking on their link in the first paragraph. It’s an excellent idea to see their products prior to beginning your design process. Kitties Blue are certain you will be impressed. Additionally, you just might find something your kitty cannot live without.

Disclaimer: We agreed to promote the Tuft + Paw design contest in exchange for one of the completed beds and because we like the fact that they will be donating beds to shelters.

September 25, 2017 by Janet Blue Contest 13

REMEMBERING ANGEL ZOE & SUNDAY SELFIES

Remembering Zoe

Before we get to our Sunday Selfies blog hop, we are honoring the beautiful, new angel panfur, Zoe from Animal Shelter Volunteer Life. Zoe went to the Rainbow Bridge unexpectedly on September 14, leaving her humans, Kevin (meowmeowmans) and Tacey, and sisfur Gracie heartbroken. You may not know Zoe. She, Gracie and Angel Moosey usually appeared on their blog on holidays only. They participated in Sunday Selfies very seldom. Dad Kevin uses their blog mostly to promote kitties available for adoption from PAWS Connecticut. He is a faithful supporter of our blog hop.

To read all about beautiful Zoe, visit Animal Shelter Volunteer Life’s September 15 post. If you have not left you condolences, please leave some comforting words for Kevin, Tracey and Gracie.

Sunday Selfies: Week #163

We have a very rare appearance today from Misty May. She actually showed up this afternoon and volunteered to take a selfie. And she was one and done. We must admit it came out great.

This is our Sunday Selfies blog hop, and we look forward to your participation. If you have been taking a break from submitting a selfie, we hope you’ll consider rejoining the fun. All anipals are welcome, so please invite your friends to join us. Here are some tips for joining. If you are regular participants, you can skip over this.

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.
You do not need to post on Sundays to join.
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.

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

September 24, 2017 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Kitty Written Blog Prayers Sunday Selfies 37

KALEIDOSCOPIC CATURDAY ART

We’d like to apologize for not posting yesterday. Mom has been “down in the dumps” for several reasons, and she just didn’t want to think or write anything for us yesterday. To make up for that, we have two art pieces today.

We also have the Friendly Fill-Ins, we missed yesterday, after our art presentation.

Caturday Art

Here is art piece number one. It was created using LunaPic, Picasa and piZap.

Do you see a cat in this? Do you think one is hidden somewhere in the kaleidoscope? We won’t keep you in suspense. Here is art piece number two.

This is the art which was used to create the kaleidoscope. So, yes there is a cat in the first piece. Giulietta (in a box) to be exact.

We are submitting the kaleidoscope to Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s blog hop. To find links to other art entries or add some of your own, click on Athena’s badge.

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #72

We let Mom complete these, as we usually do. Her completions are in teal italics.

1. I would never be friends with someone who is a bigot/racist or someone who is cruel to animals.

2. I will never refuse a hug, piece of pie or opportunity to spend time with my kitties or those of others.

3. I have never been to Asia, but I really would like to travel there, especially to the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, China. Dad Tom is fortunate to have visited several years ago.

4. When it comes to friends, I feel blessed to have a few very good ones.

Annie (McGuffy’s Reader) and Ellen (15 and Meowing) are the hosts for the Friendly Fill-Ins blog hop each Friday. Ellen selects the first two sentences to be completed and Annie selects the second two. You can find the the week’s sentences on either of their blogs on Thursdays.

This truly is an excellent way to learn a bit more about your fellow bloggers. To participate and join the blog hop, click on the badge to the left. The hop appears on Annie’s blog.

While here, we’d like to ask you to please send purrs, prayers and POTP too Phoebe, 15 And Meowing’s beautiful spokes cat. She has stage 4 CKD and has not been eating.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Tomorrow is our blog hop featuring all your precious faces. Participation has fallen off drastically the last few weeks, which makes us very sad. If you have grown bored with the hop, please let us know.

Tomorrow, though one of Kitties Blue will be your host, we will be remembering Zoe from Animal Shelter Volunteer Life. She passed away unexpectedly on September 14. Her dad, Kevin, is a faithful participant in the Sunday Selfies blog hop, featuring adoptable cats from PAWS Connecticut. Even if you don’t join the hop, we hope you will stop in and leave a few kind words for Kevin, Mom Tracey and Sister Gracie.

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

September 23, 2017 by Janet Blue Backstory Caturday Art Blog Hop Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Kitty Written Blog Prayers 18

ODD STILL LIFE WITH CATS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

After yesterday’s post, we didn’t think our mom could get any crazier, but we were wrong. It is evident now that she has more than one screw loose, and that they are rattling around in her head. We have no idea what to make of this ODD poem or the graphic she made to accompany it. But before we let you judge for yourselves, a bit of explanation is required.

This week’s Thoroughly Poetic Thursday, hosted by Angel Sammy and Teddy (Two Spoiled Cats), has “O” as its prompt letter. The prompt words selected for this week are 1) Open, 2) Octopus, 3) Olive and 4) Odd. As you can see, they really having nothing in common with each other. Nonetheless, Ms. Crazypants decided she’d include them all in one poem. For better or worse, here it is.

Cat Foods

Madison was crazy for green olive juice.
We know that is definitely odd.
But Cooper goes nutty for watermelon,
So to his strange taste, we also give a nod.

Thelma wanted water from steamed broccoli,
Yet another kitty with a crazy food festish.
Daphne stripped the flesh from artichoke leaves—
An additional unusual food for a cat to relish.

None of us have ever eaten octopus.
How could we with “puss” in its name?
But open a can of tuna; add some mayo,
And any leftovers are fair game.

Lily Olivia begs for and eats almost anything.
She never misses a meal and isn’t picky.
But some of us aren’t open to just any noms.
In fact, Giulietta is darn persnickety.

Calista will leave her food to pilfer from others,
But for some odd reason, she doesn’t like treats.
Like humans, every cat has its own food obsessions,
So you can never predict what they’ll like to eat.

So Mom was going to try to attribute this poem to us, but we said, “no way.” We told her that she wrote it, so she had to claim it. But if you thought the poem was ODD, check out this graphic. It is totally bizarre.

If you don’t recognize the two kitties, they are angels, Thelma and Madison. You can find out more about them on The Felines page.

To read Angel Sammy’s poem or find links to what we are certain will be much better poems than this one, click on the Thoroughly Poetic Thursday badge.

Thankful Thursday

We are participating in Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop as well. We feel a tad bit guilty being grateful for anything while so many others are suffering the ravages of hurricanes and an earthquake. All this devastation makes us very sad.

But we are grateful to have so many finds in the blogosphere, and want to thank three in particular: Pipo, Mr.Jack Freckles and Mom Ingrid from Meezer’s Mews & Freckles’ Woofs.

They sent Mauricio and Misty May this precious card for their birthday. Check out those cute mice!

To join Brian’s Blog Hop click on his badge.

Until we meet again, purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo and Cooper Murphy

September 21, 2017 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Birthday Kitty Written Blog Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 16

ALIEN INVASION

Wordless Wednesday: Tabby Terminator vs. Tortie Terror

September 20, 2017 by Janet Blue Kitty Written Blog Wordless Wednesday 15

COOPER MURPHY’S FIRST PIRATE DAY

Meowin’ Like a Pirate

Kitties Blue, except Cooper Murphy, are old ~~hands~~ hooks at celebrating Meowin’ Like a Pirate Day. Cooper was excited when he heard he would get an official pirate’s name. And here it is: Nick “Captain Of Rats” Scar, “The Scurvy Dog of Nowhere Key!” He’s furry happy with that “Captain of Rats” moniker.

Of course, the remainder of us already have pirate names:

Lily Olivia: Sal “Tall Tide” Seamen, “The Bounty of Ape Bay!”

Astrid: Opal “Voodoo” Murphy, “The Fury of Rum Atoll!”

Mauricio: Dick “Shivers” Welch, “The Serpent of Locker Island!”

Misty May: Sadie “Toothy Grin” Jamieson, “The Captain of Seaweed Bay!”

Giulietta: Georgette “Parrot Charmer” Dunkin, “The Stranded Sailor of Seastar Reef!”

Lisbeth: Bella “Parrot Charmer” Trembles, “The Poison Claw of Rogue’s Bay!”

Calista Josette: Betty “Fair Wind” Dunkin, “The Demon of Mango Cove!”

We actually have a new galleon this year, The Blue Fancy. We’ve already been out on the open seas pillaging and plundering and have a chest full of doubloons. Unfortunately, Lisbeth lost a paw during our marauding and now has a hook. We’re all staying out of her way. We don’t think we can defend ourselves against that even if we sharpen our claws.

We are sailing across the ocean to Speedy’s place for his annual Pirate Party. It’s arrrgh-ubly the bestest party of the year. You don’t want to be walkin’ the plank or hangin’ from the yardarm for missing it. We better leave now if we are going to make it on time.

Ahoy, ye scurvy scalawags!

September 19, 2017 by Janet Blue Kitty Written Blog Meowin' Like a Pirate Day 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.