Wordless Wednesday
December 2020
SPARK OF UNITY WITH THE YOUNGSTERS
Sparks
Sawyer and Kismet are playing the Mouse for Cats game on the iPad.
Some of you may not have ever heard of Mattie Stepanek. Mattie described himself as “a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played.” He died at age 13 of a rare disorder, dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. During his short life, Mattie published seven best-selling books of poetry and peace essays. He was known as a peace advocate and motivational speaker.
As I’ve been reminding you for months, 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
Our two youngsters, Sawyer and Kizmet, are participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the hop badge.
The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky
Your two favorite tabbies will be off on another adventure tomorrow. I cannot wait to see what they get up to or into. I’ll be checking them out over at Friends Furever. I know they’ll be hoping to see you there as well.
WHAPPY PAW SELFIE
Sunday Selfies: Week #333
Kitties Blue received some nippy goodness toys for Christmas from Teddy and Mom Pam (Two Spoiled Cats). Kizmet spent most of Christmas morning enjoying the “slice of pizza” toy.
She hopes you don’t mind seeing her again. The remainder of the gang is more than willing to let her pose for any and all photos.
If you are ready to hop, the link is below. Kizmet and all her fursibs are anxious to see your selfie. This is the last selfie hop of 2020, and you know you don’t want to miss out on that milestone!
BOXING DAY ART 2020
I apologize for this very late posting. I was unable to connect to the server last night.
Caturday Art
Today is Boxing Day, a very favorite day for cats. Everybody knows cats enjoy a good box or any box for that matter. Our foyer has had several of various sizes in it for many days now. Appropriately, Kizmet and Cooper Murphy enjoyed a box on Christmas as well and kindly volunteered to be the subjects for Caturday Art.
To create our Boxing Day Art, I used the ShinyXmas effect from Painnt, changed from the original color and then added the piZap border. I think it purrfectly represents the white Christmas we enjoyed yesterday.
I created a puzzle for you as well.
Kizmet and Cooper Murphy are hopping over to join Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty on her Caturday Art blog hop. You can do the same by clicking on her badge.
Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #239
As promised, here are my completions for yesterday’s Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). I have used teal italics for my fill-ins.
1. The best gift I have ever given is Kizmet to Dad Tom and myself.
2. Last night, I was exhausted. When I repeatedly could not connect to the server, I gave up on posting and went to bed.
3. The sun shining brings me joy today. (Currently it is 19 degrees with a “feels like” temperature of 8 degrees.)
4. My favorite holiday memory is every Christmas Eve when I was growing up. My paternal grandfather was born on Christmas Eve, and we had a birthday party for him every year.
If you’d like to join this weekly blog hop, which occurs on Fridays, click on the badge below.
Sunday Selfies Reminder
Barring any computer, network or server issue, one of the Kitties Blue will be right here at midnight tomorrow to host our weekly Sunday Selfies blog hop. They may not look forward to taking selfies, but they always look forward to seeing the smiling faces of their friends. Hope you’ll join us!
HOLIDAY GREETING FROM THE BLUES
Feline & Friendship Friday
All of us here at the House of Blues wish everyone a happy and blessed holiday season.
I was so proud of myself for how well I was doing in preparing for Christmas this year. Unfortunately, I fell short when it came to addressing and mailing the kitties’ holiday cards. Some of you may have already received your card. The remainder should be in the mail on Monday. With snail mail moving slower than any snail I’ve ever seen, I suspect they should arrive by Valentine’s Day. Something for you to look forward to during the dead of winter.
Please take a copy of this card if you like.
The entire gang will be participating in the Feline Friday and Friendship Friday blog hops. You can do the same by clicking on the appropriate badge below.
A Poem About Santa
Yesterday was Thoroughly Poetic Thursday hosted by the Two Spoiled Cats, Angel Sammy and Teddy. We saved our poem based on the Christmas-themed, inspiration photo for today.
A Lost Opportunity
We stayed awake as long as we could,
Waiting to sneak a peak at Santa.
But, alas, he came and went while we slept.
He ate our cookies and left us gifts,
And Mom snapped a photo to show us.
He does look jolly as the story says.
We so wish we could have seen him.
© Janet Buickerood Blue – 12/24/2020
If you’d like to try writing poetry, check out the inspiration photo for next week by clicking on the badge below. Make certain you read Angel Sammy’s poem when you visit. He transmits it to Teddy from the Rainbow Bridge, and he’s a terrific poet.
I will post my Friendly Fill-Ins tomorrow along with Caturday Art.
White Christmas
As I finish writing this late on Christmas Eve, it is snowing! With any luck I will have photos to share on Caturday’s post; though, the prediction is for only one inch.
KIZMET IS THANKFUL FOR NEW HOME
Thankful Thursday
Kizmet is here today to tell you her thankful and a little more about herself.
I suspect most of you will have already guessed my thankful: I have a real furever home and no longer live in a cage. It is an amazing home, filled with playmates, cat trees, toys, lots and lots of windows and the best humans. I heard there is a cool thing called a catio, but I haven’t seen it yet. So that will be something for which I can be thankful in the future after I get to explore it.
Mom promised I would tell you a bit more about myself today. Here’s what I know. The six-month anniversary of my birth was yesterday. I was born on June 23 and had two litter mates, Jackie and Chris. Chris found a home prior to me, and Mom says Jackie is no longer on PetFinder, so that means we all three now have forever homes! What a great Christmas gift for all of us.
My fursibs and I were transferred from the regional animal control center to the no-kill shelter, Angels of Assisi, in November. My intake form said I was overweight. I already weighed seven pounds in November. That’s what happens when one is stuck in a cage and cannot exercise. My new Mom and Dad think I’ll drop that extra weight easily, as I have been charging around and playing like crazy since I got here on Saturday. My favorite toy is a mouse that hangs from the door frame on an elastic cord. There are two here, and I have been giving them both some major whaps several times each day. It is really great exercise!
As you can see, I have gorgeous gray fur. I also have a white spot about the size of a nickel on my neck. (You can’t see it in this photo.) My eyes are still in transition, so we do not know what their final color will be. I do have a small freckle on the inner edge of the pupil of my right eye.
Mom says I am the most socialized of any kitten she and Dad have ever had. I walked right in as if I had always lived here. Mom and Dad sequestered me for only 24 hours. In fact I have been sleeping on the big bed with Mom and Dad and three or four of my new fursibs every night except the very fist one. For the most part, they seem to be okay with it and me.
I am delighted with my new home, my new humans and my new housemates, and I show it by purring often and loudly. And I look forward to getting to know all of you who visit and support Kitties Blue.
Purrs and paw-pats, Kizmet
Kizmet is joining the Thankful Thursday blog hop at Brian’s Home. If you’d like to do the same, post on your blog for what you are thankful, and then click on the badge below.
Thoroughly Poetic Thursday
Usually I would share a poem with you today as part of the poetry challenge hosted by Teddy and Angel Sammy from Two Spoiled Cats. However, I promised this post to Kizmet. And the inspiration photo will make for a perfect Christmas-themed poem for tomorrow. See you all again then.
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2020
Wordless Wednesday with Some Words
If you missed Periwinkle & Stinky’s Adventure yesterday, they virtually visited The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center for the annual Fashions for Evergreens. They shared photos of some elaborately decorated tress. Periwinkle kindly said she liked our trees best. So, I am sharing them today. I actually posted photos of the trees on December 3. At the time I had not completed decorating either of them.
This is a 7 1/2 foot tree, and it is in our dining room. It is decorated with non-breakable ornaments, and Kitties Blue have full access to it. They have been totally disinterested. Not one paw has touched the tree or any of its ornaments.
This is a 9 foot tree. It is in our sun porch, to which Kitties Blue do not have regular access. It is covered in glass ornaments, especially Pooh and Muffy VanderBear.
I have been collecting ornaments since Dad Tom and I married in 1973. Many are from our trips to other countries and many have been gifts from friends.
I hope you enjoyed seeing these photos.
Kitties Blue and I will be participating in the Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus.
THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART LXIII
Fashions for Evergreens
Stinky, as usual, paces back and forth by the teleportation tunnel waiting for Periwinkle’s arrival. With Christmas so close, he’s worried the teleportation system may be backed up with lots of travelers. But right on time, Periwinkle comes tumbling out of the tunnel straight into his waiting paws. The snuggling and whispering begins immediately followed by hugs and whisker kisses. Stinky could happily make this the entire adventure.
Stinky, however, has been planning this adventure for months never expecting it would turn into a virtual adventure. He never expected the pandemic would mess up so many of Periwinkle’s and his adventures.
“I wanted to share this adventure other than virtually,” says Stinky, and adds, “but that is all that is available this year. We would have been going to The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center’s Fashions for Evergreens.
Stinky explains the annual tree-decorating competition is being held virtually, in adherence with COVID-19 safety precautions. They will be looking at the trees on-line.
Periwinkle gives Stinky a wink and reminds him that time with him is all she wants.
He thanks her for being so flexible but explains not only is the visit going to be on the computer, but only a fraction of the normal number of trees were entered. With his paws crossed behind his back, Stinky promises Periwinkle they will attend the event in person in 2021. Stinky, however, is not hopeful that the virus will have gone away by then.
Together Stinky and Periwinkle read about the event before looking at the trees. Abby Hamilton, President & CEO of United Way of Roanoke Valley, writes that during the past decade Fashions for Evergreens has raised more than $62,000 for United Way of Roanoke Valley and its nonprofit partners.
He continues by writing that this timeless holiday tradition is especially relevant this year as families and the community work to stay connected and help each other through tough times. Visitors make donations to vote for their favorite tree, which helps the United Way extend a hand to many families throughout the Roanoke Valley who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on their tables.
The Trees
Once they read all the information, the tabbies begin viewing the trees.
“They were all really nice Stinky, but I think your mom’s trees are prettier,” Periwinkle tells Stinky. Stinky asks her to tell his mom that before she goes home.
“Do you have a favorite one of those we saw on-line?” Stinky asks.
“Oh yes,” Periwinkle replies and continues, “I like the Sweet Baby Blue Boutique tree. Do you have a favorite?”
“I think I like the tree decorated by the American Legion/Woodmen Life tree, but they are all great” says Stinky. Periwinkle agrees.
Meeting Kizmet
With their viewing finished, the tabbies go looking for Stinky’s new little sisfur, Kizmet, so Periwinkle can meet her.
They find her in the kitchen with Stinky’s mom.
Periwinkle gives Kizmet a head bonk and says, “Wow, Stinky, she sure is cute.”
“She’s okay, I guess,” he replies as he crinkles up his nose.
Periwinkle giggles and assures Stinky that he and Kizmet will be best pals by the time she visits again in two weeks. Stinky just shrugs. If he had pockets, he would put his paws in them.
By then it is time for a quick snack before Periwinkle must return to her house. They have the usual Fancy Feast and Temptations and share a wee bit of the bounty with Stinky’s brofur and all his sisfurs. The two then head to the teleportation tunnel and through tears, hugs and whisker kisses, they wish each other a Merry Christmas and say their good-byes.
Periwinkle & Stinky wish you all a Merry Christmas!
The tabbies also are joining the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus.
KINDNESS WITH A HUGE “AWWW”
Sparks
Most individuals will go out of their way to be kind during the holidays, but I think it is important to show kindness everyday.
As I’ve been reminding you for months, 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
If you joined us yesterday, you know we have some new “awwwdorableness” in our household. And I could not resist showing her off again today.
Kizmet spent the day out and about exploring the first floor of the house. She discovered one of the cat trees in the bedroom and spent lots of time there napping, which didn’t surprise us. She played and played and played yesterday after gaining her freedom from life in a cage.
Kizmet is participating in her first Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to pop over and join her, click on the Awww Mondays badge.
The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky
Those two adorable and fun-loving tabbies will be right here tomorrow enjoying their final adventure before Christmas. I have heard Stinky has something festive planned for them. They get very excited for their adventures, especially when you join them. Please come by tomorrow and check out what they’re doing.
MY FIRST SELFIE
Sunday Selfies: Week #332
This really is my very first selfie. Who knew I would be so good at this?
Not only is this my very fist selfie, but it also is going to be my very first Christmas. If those two things aren’t exciting enough, yesterday was my Gotcha Day!
My name is Kizmet, and I am the newest member of the Kitties Blue family. I do not recognize my name yet, as I just received it yesterday. My original name was Janet. It seems that is also my new mom’s name. When she saw me on PetFinder, she said it was kismet; thus, my new name but with an unusual spelling.
There’s lots more to know about me, but I will save that for Thankful Thursday. My mom said I can tell you all about myself then.
These are two photos my new dad took just prior to my release.
Time to Hop
Mom says I am the host of this blog hop. I am not certain what a blog hop is. I am certain she’ll eventually explain it to me. Whatever it is, she told me to tell you that you don’t have to post today, and you can join us anytime through Thursday. Sounds good to me.
I am looking forward to getting to know all of you.
Purrs and paw-pats, Kizmet (formerly known as Janet)
