January 2019

DID YOU MISS US?

Have you missed us? We sure hope so! You can read about why we’ve been missing in the Thankful Thursday portion of his post. But before we get to that, here’s…

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Yummy

Strawberries, chocolate, bananas, ice cream,
A sundae to match a dessert junkie’s dream.

The taste would be something to savor,
With a delicious mix of fabulous flavors.

But being lactose intolerant could be a problem,
Making this yummy concoction not so awesome.

Maybe I’d be better to stick with a big piece of pie.
Either way the calories will go straight to my thighs.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday was created by our dear friend, Angel Sammy. Each week he gives us a photo to inspire us to write a poem and then transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to his brother Teddy. Sammy is a masterful poet, and we think you should never miss reading his poem. To do that and to find links in the Comments to poems by other bloggers, click on his badge.

Thankful Thursday

This has been a crazy week with more bad than good, but we still have a long list of thankfuls.

Though Mom fell down the stairs and is pretty banged up, with bruises and pain, she managed to complete her 500th ride on the Peloton. Her goal had been to achieve that on her 70th birthday in March, but she beat that goal by nearly six weeks. Woot, woot, Mom!
Sawyer had a seizure. It was one of his drooly, eye, ear and head twitchy ones, which are not nearly so severe and do subside on their own. And should he have another severe one, we now have valium here at home in suppository form should he need it. That gives Mom and Dad lots of peace of mind.
We are having issues with WordPress and are unable to post photos, which is one of the reasons we haven’t posted in three days. However, with this being Thoroughly Poetic Thursday, Mom was able to copy and paste this week’s inspiration photo into our post, giving her another day to try to get this problem corrected.
Cat Scouts Mau and Cooper Murphy presented a report, entitled “Beware the Strangler Fig,” at Cat Scouts University and both passed their Botany Exam—Mau with a 97% and Cooper Murphy with an 87%. Way to go, boys!

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by our friend, Brian. We like to join it each week as it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the good things in our lives and be grateful. To join in, post on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on the badge below to join the hop.

ASTRID’S RADIATOR WORSHIPPING SELFIE

Sunday Selfies: Week #233

Astrid is here today as your host for Sunday Selfies.

She has shared a similar photo of herself in the past. This is one of her favorite positions during cold weather…kneeling on the cat tree and “worshipping” at the radiator while watching out the dining room window. She thought it would be the purrfect spot for her selfie today. She’s really hoping her husband Sampy (Kitty Cat Chronicles) enjoys seeing her today.

Remembering a Friend

Before hopping today, Kitties Blue are remembering and honoring a dear member of the 15 And Meowing family, Tallulah.

Mom Ellen and David David helped her get her wings and fly off to the Rainbow Bridge three days ago. Her health had been failing since before Christmas.

Tallulah’s last day was all about her. She watched cat videos on Mom Ellen’s laptop, chased the red dot and enjoyed treats and whipped cream.

If you have not had the opportunity to leave your condolences for Ellen, David and the entire 15 And Meowing family, please click here.

Bog Hop

Now it’s time for you to snap your selfie. And here are some tips to help you join the 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.
Take the opportunity to visit some of the other hop-alongs and make some new friends or reconnect with some old ones.

Thanks for hopping over to see us.

January 27, 2019 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Remembering Friends Sunday Selfies 40

GIULIETTA’S LOST IN THE MILKY WAY

Caturday Art

Giulietta was enjoying one of those kitchen sunpuddles today when I snapped the photo that led to today’s art. Here’s the original. As you can see, Giulietta has regrown all her floof after getting a lion cut near the end of summer.

I know I did this backwards this week showing the original photo first. Hope you stuck around to see the art version.

To create this art, I used the Leona effect from the Picas.tech app. Then I added the Milky Way effect from piZap at about 80 percent. I lightened the photo in Picasa before using it to add the borders.

I haven’t offered you a puzzle in a while, so I have made one from today’s art. Click on the thumbnail to go to Jigsaw Planet to work the puzzle.

143

Giulietta is joining the Caturday Art blog hop hosted by the lovely Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty. If you’d like to join in with some art of your own or see the talents of your fellow bloggers, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Tomorrow is our weekly blog hop. We are delighted by how many of you continue to join us each week, and especially to see some newcomers. This is your early warning to start sprucing up your furs in anticipation of showing yourself off tomorrow. Your host is till a mystery, so you’ll need to drop in to see which one of us shows up to greet you.

Until then, stay warm and cozy!

January 26, 2019 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop Jigsaw Puzzle 15

MORE HELP FROM SAWYER WITH FILL-INS

Friendly Fill-Ins

Friendly Fill-Ins is a weekly blog hop hosted by Ellen* (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). You can find the sentences to be completed each Thursday on their blogs. On Friday, after completing the sentences, we join the blog hop at Four-Legged Furballs. You can do the same by clicking on the badge at the left.

I had to ask for help this week to complete the Fill-Ins. And so Sawyer is back again today. We both used teal italics for our portion of the sentences.

1. Sawyer: I get to have treats every ~~week~~ day at 11 a.m. in my CatAmazing treat box. And I always let Mom and Dad know when it is 11 a.m.

I want my treats NOW!

2. Sawyer: So far, 2019 is off to a rocky start for me.

3. I will never tire of living with and loving cats.

4. Can you believe that this is our 1,819th post?

* Ellen is not participating in the blog hop this week, She and Cat Dad David had to help one of their kitties, Tallulah, get her wings, so she is a taking a little break. Please click on the 15AndMeowing link in the first paragraph to leave your condolences. We will honor and remember Tallulah on our Sunday Selfies blog hop.

Feline Friday

Sawyer also is joining the Feline Friday blog hop at Comedy Plus. Click on the badge below to hop there.

January 25, 2019 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins 14

HAIKU WITH THANKFULS & SUNPUDDLES

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Each week we like to join our friends at Two Spoiled Cats, Teddy and Angel Sammy, and write a poem based on an inspirational photo provided by them. This week’s photo certainly is an unusual one, don’t you think? Unfortunately it did not spark any creative ideas for us or Mom. So today for you, we have a haiku.

Tears falling on cheeks.
What a sad little fellow.
Where’s the tooth fairy?

We know Sammy will have written a thoughtful and fantastic poem and transmitted from the Bridge, so make certain to click on the poetry badge to visit Two Spoiled Cats and read it. You’ll also find links to the poetry of other bloggers in the comments section.

Thankful Thursday

We also join this blog hop at Brian’s Home each week. We all have much for which to be thankful everyday, most especially a forever home with parents who take great care of us, and a vet, Dr. Neel, who works hard to ensure our well being. Without all of them, as well as a great emergency vet hospital, this little guy would not be enjoying the heated kitchen floor combined with a seldom-seen, winter sunpuddle.

After Sawyer’s seizure last week, his Keppra dosage has been increased. The dosage of his other two meds remain the same. The biggest thankful for Sawyer is that Mom and Dad will now be able to keep valium on hand that they can administer to Sawyer at home if necessary. Of course, all of us have our paws crossed they will never need to use it.

All of us, as well as Mom and Dad, also are thankful for your continued support, purrs, prayer and POTP. This is an amazing community, and we are grateful to be members.

To join in the Thankful Thursday blog hop, post on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on Brian’s badge to be transported to his blog.

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

January 24, 2019 by Janet Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday Veterinarian 13

HEAT-SEEKING TUXIES

Wordless Wednesday on the Heated Kitchen Floor

January 23, 2019 by Janet Blue Wordless Wednesday 15

SPARKS: SERIOUS & SQUIRRELLY

Sparks

Cooper Murphy is presenting two Sparks today; though, the second one is just for fun and not really inspirational.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Squirrel Appreciation Day

As you know, we have a gang of crazy squirrels at our house that Kitties Blue take delight in watching and trying to attack from inside the kitchen window.

Cooper Murphy is in total agreement with this statement by Terry William Rozier, III, who is an American professional basketball player (point guard) for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. He played two years of college basketball for Louisville before being selected by the Celtics with the 16th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft.

Sparks began as a blog hop, created by our friend, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). Annie has been taking a “break” from blogging, so there is no hop. Unfortunately, during this break, Annie has been the victim of a hacker. This has continued to keep her off-line and caused her much distress. Kitties Blue and I ask for your continued prayers for Annie and her family as they try to reconcile this mess and get their lives back to normal.

Many of us still continue to post a Spark on Monday, as we believe in Annie’s vision: “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

Cooper Murphy also is joining the blog hop over at Comedy Plus. Click on their badge to go there.

January 21, 2019 by Janet Blue Awww Mondays Holiday Sparks Squirrels 16

MISTY MAY’S WHISKERY SUNDAY SELFIE

Sunday Selfies: Week #232

Not much happening around here. Everyone is taking Sawyer’s lead and doing lots of napping. He is still trying to recover from his ordeal and sleeping is the best way. Right now, Mau is giving him a good washing as he sleeps. We all are trying to take good care of him.

Shall we all hop now? Yes? Good!

Here are those hopping tips Mom likes us to post.

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.
Take the opportunity to visit some of the other hop-alongs and make some new friends or reconnect with some old ones.

Thanks for hopping over to see us.

Purrs and paw-pats, Misty May (with some kisses for a certain floofy man-cat)

January 20, 2019 by Janet Blue Kitty Written Blog Sunday Selfies 32

SAWYER’S THANK YOU & ART

Thank You

Dear Friends,

I asked Mom if I could write our post today, and she agreed. She featured me in our Caturday Art as well. I wanted to write to let you know how much my parents and I appreciate all the prayers, purrs and POTP. Most of yesterday I spent my time quietly napping or sleeping deeply, as I recovered from my latest seizure and the drugs I received at the Emergency Vet. Mom told you yesterday that I am a bit wobbly, which will subside in a day or two.

Mom and Dr. Neel communicated this morning. They will discuss my meds on Monday and decide what changes can be made. Dr. Neel wants to make certain the drugs I received to stop my seizure are totally out of my system before making any changes. She’s never had an expectation of totally stopping my seizures. Having one per month is an acceptable outcome, but that one cannot be like these massive, uncontrollable seizures. Mom, Dad and I all agree!

Mom will keep you posted on how I am doing and any changes in my meds or treatment. Again, I am grateful for all the support you have offered.

Caturday Art

Now, here I am in our Caturday Art photo.

I think I look as if I am the center of a giant flower. What do you think?

Mom is stuck in a rut with her creations. She went back to Painnt, using the Quicksilver effect. She changed the color of the effect and added the hard light filter. The swirling light effect was added with AdornPic.

I am entering the arty photo in Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. To see her art and those of other bloggers, click on her badge.

Now here’s the original photo of me nesting in some packing paper.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

My fursibs and I are looking forward to seeing your Sunday Selfies tomorrow, so don’t forget to join us and invite your friends to do the same. I have no idea who your host will be, but I am certain Mom will coerce one of us into taking on that duty. Until then…

Purrs and paw-pats, Sawyer

January 19, 2019 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop Health Kitty Written Blog 23

MORE PURRS AND PRAYERS PLEASE

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #140

Friendly Fill-Ins is a weekly blog hop hosted each Friday by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). The sentences to be completed can be found on their blogs each Thursday. Enter the hop by clicking on the badge at the left.

My cold has taken over my head and my brain is not working very well, so Kitties Blue were recruited to complete this week’s Friendly Fill-ins. Their completions are in teal italics.

Cooper Murphy: 1. Ginger cats and cute go ~~hand~~ paw in ~~hand~~ paw.

Mauricio: 2. My sweet and beautiful wife Allie makes my heart happy.

Sawyer: 3. Don’t be afraid to whine and stomp your paws until you get treats.

Giulietta: 4. If napping was a sport, I would win ~~hands~~ paws down. Actually, the competition would be pretty stiff among my fursibs and every kitty on the planet.

Feline Friday

Sawyer is here to join Giulietta at the Feline Friday blog hop at Comedy Plus. But mostly he is here once again to ask for your purrs, prayers and POTP. At 5 a.m. yesterday morning he had another uncontrollable, massive seizure. His temperature again reached 106 degrees, despite my efforts to keep him cool. He has just returned home after 16 hours at the Emergency Vet. This is an improvement after his two-night stay four weeks ago.

We prayed his triple-med combo would keep his seizures at bay, but it seems we will be revisiting the combo and the dosage.

Enjoying a sunpuddle the day after Christmas.

To join the blog hop at Comedy Plus, click on the badge below.

January 18, 2019 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Health 31

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.