April 2021

ROUNDUP REPORT & DUCKS IN A ROW

Thankful Thursday

Kitties Blue, Dad Tom and I have a long list of thankfuls today. First up is the fact that we were able to have our annual Roundup last week. Kitties Blue are mostly thankful that it is over.

roundup

The Roundup was not the same for everybody. Kizmet only had a pawdicure and weigh in. Sawyer had his blood drawn (which is always very ouchy), a weigh in and a pawdicure. Everyone else got vaccines as well. Sawyer got the award for the most well behaved, and that is saying a lot!

Much good news came out of this year’s Roundup. Cooper Murphy maintained his weight at just a couple ounces over 19 pounds. Kizmet, whose intake form at the rescue said she was overweight, weighed in at 9.9 pounds, the day before her 10-month birthday. Most maintained but a few lost weight, including Giulietta, whose weight was down more than a pound. That’s terrific news. All-in-all, everybody got A+ on their exams.

Cooper Murphy is thankful for the badge he earned at Cat Scouts just yesterday.

Lisbeth and I are thankful for those who visited and left consoling comments on her memorial post for boyfriend Charles. Cooper Murphy and I are thankful for all the Cat Scouts who attended Charles memorial there and shared so many fabulous photos and stories of their dear friend.

I am thankful for being one of five first commenters on the Tuesday Teaser at Two Spoiled Cats. It’s been several week’s since I was able to do that.

Stinky and Periwinkle are thankful that some readers returned yesterday to read about their adventure after it was postponed from Tuesday. If you didn’t see it, you missed some of Dad Tom’s terrific photos of eagles and ospreys. You can find the link to the post at the bottom of this page.

We all remain thankful for our good health as well as that of our friends and family. As always, we are thankful for all of you who visit this blog and support us.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. if you’d like to participate, post on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on the badge below to go to Brian’s Home and link up.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

As I do almost every Thursday, I am joining the Two Spoiled Cats (Angel Sammy and Teddy) for their Thoroughly Poetic Thursday poetry challenge. This week’s inspiration photo and my poem are below.

My poem is a little goofy this week. It came out of me thinking of soldiers marching when I looked at this photo.

Ducks in a Row

One, two, three, four…
Waddling single file as we explore.
Five, six, seven, eight…
Enjoying nature is really great.
Nine, ten, eleven, twelve…
Into this park we delve.
Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen…
Time to take a break and preen.
Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty…
Now hunting for bugs with bellies empty.

If you’d like to participate in Thoroughly Poetic Thursday, click on the poetry badge and leave a link to your poem in the Comments on Teddy and Angel Sammy’s blog. You also will find next week’s inspiration photo there. And please don’t forget to read Angel Sammy’s poem. He is a marvelously talented poet.

We’ll be back tomorrow for Friday Fill-ins.

THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART LXXXI

Periwinkle’s Arrival

Periwinkle comes stumbling out of her teleportation tunnel rubbing sleep from her eyes. When she sees Stinky, she mumbles, “What the whiskers is going on? Why did I have to get up so early, and where the heck are we? And, for that matter, why are we a day late going on this week’s adventure?”

Stinky lets Periwinkle have her mini rant. After she finishes, he gives her hugs and whisker kisses. “We are going on a little trip on the James River, and the boat leaves super early. And I am sincerely sorry for having to reschedule our adventure for today. Mom wanted me to rest yesterday after I had a seizure on Monday night,” Stinky tells her.

“I hate those nasty seizures. My brother Raz has had a few, but that you have them so often sucks.” Periwinkle hugs Stinky tightly and asks, “Ooh, are we going fishing? I like fishies.”

“Not exactly, but fish are involved,” replies Stinky.

“This is all very mysterious.”

Stinky tells Periwinkle that it involves the subjects of the picture he colored for her that was part of the note he sent her. Periwinkle checks the note again “Are you talking about those gigantic birds? They are big enough to carry us away and eat us,” Periwinkle says with alarm in her voice.

He tells Periwinkle that they are going on an adventure called Discover the James’ Bald Eagle Tour with guide Mike Ostrander. Dad Tom has been on it twice and recommended it. He also tells her that they will be on a pontoon boat, which will take them on a six-mile stretch of the James River, known as Jefferson’s Reach. They will pass through an ecosystem filled with wildlife, history and beautiful scenery. He also tells her that the tour will encompass eight territories with resident bald eagles, which 233 pairs call home.

Eagles

Periwinkle claps her paws together and squeals, “This sounds incredible, let’s go.” She grabs Stinky’s paw and starts pulling him toward he boat. When they get to the water’s edge, Captain Ostrander helps them onboard, and they set out. Very quickly they see their first eagle.

Periwinkle points and says with a sputter, “Oh my cat, Stinky, look at the size of that guy!”

“What do you think he’s staring at?”

“Probably us, thinking what a nice snack we would make,” says Periwinkle. This time the captain assures Periwinkle that they are safe and tells the tabbies that the eagle’s name is Bandit.

“My goodness, Stinky, look at that one. Do you think he sees a fish?”

“I bet he does, and I bet he catches it!”

Though it is not allowed for the humans, the captain tells the tabbies they can get off the boat and explore a little.

They first spot two flying eagles, one with a fish in his talons.

When they spot two other eagles perched high in a tree, they decide to climb up and check them out.

Periwinkle exclaims, “Wowzers, these guys looked a lot smaller when we were on the ground! Stinky, they are bigger than we are. I sure hope they ate lots of fishies and aren’t hungry.” Stinky tells her that the eagles do not eat guests.

Ospreys aka Fish Hawks

After climbing down, the tabbies notice an osprey with a fish in his talons. Stinky remarks, “All these birds are certainly good fishermen.”

They sprint along the shore and notice the osprey goes to a nest. Stinky and Periwinkle climb up to check it out. Mr. Osprey greets them in a high-pitched, whistling voice. The tabbies giggle behind their paws.

As they are climbing down, they spot another osprey nest atop a channel marker. They cannot pass up the opportunity to check it out more closely.

“Periwinkle, this is a very energetic bird. Look at the size of this nest.” Periwinkle agrees it is quite spectacular. The tabbies climb down, and the captain helps them back on the boat.

Just as the tour is about to end, Stinky points out another osprey to Periwinkle.

“Hey Stinky, I think that osprey is giving us the stink eye.” Periwinkle realizes what she’s said and giggles again. She asks Stinky, “Do you think calling that look the stink eye was named after you?”

“No way; though, I am a master of it. I think cats have been giving humans the stink eye since the beginning of time. This guy probably is wishing we’d all go away so he can get a nap.”

“Or maybe he’s never seen a cat before,” says Periwinkle.

As Periwinkle and Stinky disembark, they thank Captain Ostrander for a terrific tour and head to their teleportation tunnels.

Saying Good-Bye

Periwinkle asks Stinky if he has brought any snacks? He shakes his head,”no,” and asks her if she has any? Periwinkle replies, “No, phooey. We should have cadged some fish from one of those birds.”

“That probably would have gotten us eaten,” Stinky replies.

“It is very unlike us to forget the treats. I think it’s due to having to get up so early. This means we have to head home, but I am not ready to leave you yet.”

“I don’t want to leave you either, Periwinkle. But we will only have to wait six days until our next adventure. That’s a good thing.”

“I guess. I wish we could go on an adventure everyday, so we could spend more time together.”

“That would be great for us, but I think our moms wouldn’t be happy about it. Too much work for them.”

Periwinkle pouts and says, “Yeah, I guess you’re right about that.”

Realizing they cannot stall their departures any longer, the tabbies begin sharing whisker kisses and paw hugs. Finally they say their last good-byes and enter their separate teleportation tunnels. With two big whooshes, the tabbies are on their way to their individual homes.

The End

April 28, 2021 by Janet Blue Health The Adventures of Stinky & Periwinkle 15

AN APOLOGY FROM STINKY

Dear Furriends,

I know you came by today to see what kind of adventure Periwinkle and I are having. Unfortunately, I had a bad @$$ seizure last night, and my mom said that we have to wait until tomorrow to go, as this adventure requires me to travel in my teleportation tunnel. I got really angry at her and was growling and hissing, but that made her even more determined to keep me home and make me rest today.

Please, please, please come back tomorrow. Instead of Wordless Wednesday, we’ll have The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky.

Purrs and paw-pats, Stinky

p.s. Please don’t tell my mom I used a bad word, or I will be in even more trouble!

apology

April 27, 2021 by Janet Blue Health The Adventures of Stinky & Periwinkle 17

DESTINY & COOPER MURPHY AT THE ROUNDUP

Sparks

destiny

I was unfamiliar with Mark Victor Hansen. He is a 73-year-old American inspirational and motivational speaker, trainer and author. Hansen is best known as the founder and co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series.

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

destiny

Cooper Murphy was all nonchalant before Dr. Neel and vet tech, Alexis, arrived for the annual roundup last Thursday. He turned less than cooperative when it came time for his pawticure.

I will give you the details of this year’s roundup on our Thankful Thursday post.

Cooper Murphy is participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to do the same, click on the badge below.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Your favorite, fun-loving tabbies will be sharing another of their adventures tomorrow, and they will be doing it right here. They have their paws crossed that lots of you will join in the fun again tomorrow.

April 26, 2021 by Janet Blue Art Review Awww Mondays Dad Tom's Photography I Can Sleep Anywhere Roundup Sparks 16

LISBETH REMEMBERS HER BELOVED ANGEL CHARLES

Sunday Selfies: Week #350

Today I am sharing two past selfies I created for the love of my life Charles. He received his angel wings this past Monday. My heart is breaking, as I know the hearts of his humans and many others are.

for my angel

I have so many wonderful memories of Charles, it is impossible to share all of them. I have made some collages with some of my favorite photos.

I truly hope you will join me on this very special Sunday Selfies hop.

With all my love for my sweet Angel Charles, Lisbeth

April 25, 2021 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Cat Scouts Kitty Written Blog Lisbeth and Charles Remembering Friends Sunday Selfies 31

KITTIES BLUE IN THE ROUND

Caturday Art

The Kitties Blue gang all seemed extra tired yesterday after the ordeal of the Roundup on Thursday. They spent a good portion of the day napping, and several did that on top of me.

Kitties Blue

In the photo (from left to right) are Calista Jo, Sawyer and Kizmet. I cut the photo into a circle using piZap to eliminate myself from the photo. I added the strangely named Cupheads effect from Painnt and then used piZap to cut it into another circle.

Dad Tom thought this would make a good jigsaw puzzle, so I made one for all you puzzlers.

120 Cats in a Circle

Calista Jo, Sawyer and Kizmet are participating in the Caturday Art blog hop hosted by Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty. If you’d like to do the same or simply view art created by other bloggers, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Tomorrow Lisbeth will be here as your host to present a post to honor and remember her beloved boyfriend Charles, who received his angel wings this past Monday. She hopes you will join her on the blog hop, but even if you don’t hop, please come by to see her post and leave a comment for Charles’ family.

Thanks for joining us today. We all look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.

April 24, 2021 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Caturday Art Blog Hop Jigsaw Puzzle Lisbeth and Charles Roundup 13

ASTRID JOINS FRIDAY BLOG HOPS AND FILL-INS

Feline/Friendship Friday

Yesterday was the annual roundup when Kitties Blue have their annual exams and vaccines. Though our wonderful vet, Dr. Neel, has officially retired, she is actually still working some. So she and vet tech, Whitney, came to the house to check out the Kitties Blue crew.

This is not our roundup report. I’ll do that another day. But I am sharing a photo of Astrid and Whitney for the blog hops at Comedy Plus and Create With Joy.

It took Dad Tom and I a very, very long time to corral Astrid and get her sequestered in the kitchen. She thought if she hid her head, she could block out the entire ordeal.

If you would like to participate in either blog hop, click on the appropriate badge(s).

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #256

Friday again, which means it is time for those fill-ins hosted by Ellen from 15 And Meowing and Lorianne from Four-Legged Furballs. Kitties Blue bailed this week claiming these were not cat-friendly fill-ins, and I do agree, so I was on my own to complete them. As I always do, I’ve used teal italics for my fill-ins.

1. “Angie’s Recipes” is a non-cat related blog I follow.

2. My favorite place to shop online for garden bulbs is White Flower Farm.

3. Working in the garden has been keeping me busy lately.

4. If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self to not be so shy and try harder to make friends.

Ellen and Lorianne both post the sentences to be filled in on their blogs on Thursdays. Friendly Fill-Ins is a blog hop. To participate, click on the above badge.

Thanks for coming to visit us today. We’ll be back tomorrow with Caturday Art.

April 23, 2021 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Friendship Friday Roundup 15

EARTH DAY 2021 WITH POETRY & THANKFULS

Thankful Thursday

Cooper Murphy has the main thankful this week. On Easter weekend Cat Scouts held a scavenger hunt/quiz and Cooper Murphy came in second place. As the result, he won a super cool prize. He’s now ready for Summer Camp or the next Jamboree or Quest at Scouts, provided the other members of the Kitties Blue crew let him use his prize.

As we are every day, Kitties Blue and I are thankful for each of you who follow, visit and support us. Without you, we would have given up on this blog years ago.

Brian hosts the Thankful Thursday blog hop. If you’d like to participate, post for what you are thankful and then click on Brian’s Badge to go to Brian’s Home and enter your link.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Our hosts for the Thoroughly Poetic Thursday poetry challenge, Angel Sammy and Teddy, have provided the purrfect inspiration photo for today’s poetry, as today is Earth Day. Here’s the photo followed by my poem.

Earth’s Bounty

Beans, peas, tomatoes and corn—
Fresh and tasty, picked just this morn.
No pesticides or growth hormone,
Just the goodness of being home grown.
Spring and summer are filled with tasty delights.
My mouth waters as I anticipate taking a bite.

If you’d like to try your paw at writing some poetry, check out Two Spoiled Cats each Thursday to find the inspiration photo for the following week. You can visit by clicking the badge below. And while there, please read Angel Sammy’s poem. He transmits it to Teddy from the Rainbow Bridge, and it is always first rate.

Earth Day 2021

Earth Day

World Earth Day is a worldwide awareness celebrated every year on April 22. The reason to celebrate this event is to make people aware of our earth and environment. Though celebrated only one day each year, we should consider every day Earth Day and take measures to protect it.

The first Earth Day sparked the passage in the U.S. of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

EARTHDAY.ORG’s theme for Earth Day 2021 is Restore Our Earth™, which focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems. In this way, the theme rejects the notion that mitigation or adaptation are the only ways to address climate change.

And climate change is real. It is impacting our planet and our lives and it is time for action. The urgency has never been greater, and stakes never higher. We face mass extinction of species, catastrophic pollution of oceans, destruction of communities and displacement of millions.

Our tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky had a terrific adventure of Tuesday. They provided a wealth of information about Earth Day. If you missed their post, click on their graphic to go to Friends Furever and read it.

Thanks for joining us today. Be nice to the earth!

April 22, 2021 by Janet Blue Cat Scouts Earth Day Poetry Thankful Thursday The Adventures of Stinky & Periwinkle Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 13

PEACEFUL EASY FEELIN’

Wordless Wednesday

Peaceful Easy Feelin'

Sawyer is joining the Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you would like to do the same, click on the badge.

Remembering Charles

On Monday afternoon, Lisbeth’s sweet, caring, considerate, loving and handsome boyfriend Charles received his angel wings. We will remember and honor him on our Sunday Selfies blog hop. All the Kitties Blue invite you to join us.

Rest in Peace, Charles. We love you.

April 21, 2021 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Cat Scouts Lisbeth and Charles Wordless Wednesday 17

TWO FUR TORTIE SELFIES

Sunday Selfies: Week #349

Yesterday was Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day, and I missed it. That kind of thing happens a lot around here. With two torties living with us, I feel super guilty for this boo-boo. To make up for it, I have two selfies today: dilute tortie, Calista Jo, and Astrid.

tortie

I was a bit surprised they were cooperative after finding out I had missed their special day. But as I always say, “Cats are predictably unpredictable.”

Hopping Time

You don’t need to be a tortie to join us. In fact, you don’t even need to be a cat. All anipals are welcome regardless of species. So get busy and take those selfies. You know all your friends and admirers will be here looking for you. And remember, you don’t need to post on Sundays to join us. The hop is available through Thursday.

Prayers Please

Lisbeth’s longtime boyfriend, Cat Scout Charles, has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, which has metastasized. Lisbeth and all of her fursibs, as well as Dad Tom and I, are devastated by this news. We deeply love this special kitty. We are asking all humans to send prayers, all kitties to send purrs, and all anipals to send POTP, as Charles spends his last days being loved and spoiled by his humans.

Thank you. We’ll be back tomorrow for Sparks and Awww Mondays.

April 18, 2021 by Janet Blue Cat Scouts Lisbeth and Charles Prayers Sunday Selfies Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day 28

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.