September 2021

A DOUBLE WIN & A SKILLFUL WAITER

Thankful Thursday

Cooper Murphy has a big thankful this week (that actually happened last week). On Remember Me Thursday®, Helen Woodward Animal Center sent out an e-mail reminding people of the special day. They featured Coop’s photo. It was from our Instagram post, so many of you may not have seen it.

The other thankfuls are Mom’s. Not only was she one of three first commenters on the Tuesday Teaser at Two Spoiled Cats, but she also was the first right guesser. That’s a pretty big deal. The last time she had a double win was August 3. She got this badge.

double win

Her other thankful involves our dad as well. They went for a nice tandem bike ride yesterday and while they were out, they were able to get their Pfizer vaccine booster shot.

Not a bad week in the way of thankfuls.

We are participating in Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. If you’d like to do the same, post on your blog for what you are thankful and then click on Brian’s badge.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Like she does most Thursdays, our mom also wrote a poem for the poetry challenge hosted by Teddy and Angel Sammy from Two Spoiled Cats. here’s the inspiration photo they selected for this week.

And here’s Mom’s poem.

The Skillful Waiter

“Order up,” said the cook
And then gave me a devious look,
As he began to lay out plate after plate
Probably expecting me to faint
When I saw all the meals I had to deliver.
I’ll admit it gave me a bit of a shiver
But I just filled up my arms and a tray
And went on my merry way.
I hope the customers give me a nice big tip
For delivering all their meals with just one trip.

If you’d like to join Thoroughly Poetic Thursday, check out Two Spoiled Cats today for next week’s photo. You can do that by clicking on Angel Sammy’s poetry badge. While visiting, please make certain you read his poem. It’s always a winner!

Thanks for popping in to see us. We appreciate your support.

We’ll see you again tomorrow with our fill-ins.

Purrs and paw-pats, Kitties Blue

CATIO CATS

Wordless Wednesday

L to R: Sawyer, Kizmet, Cooper Murphy

My catio cats are joining the Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to do the same, click on the WW badge.

September 29, 2021 by Janet Blue Wordless Wednesday 16

THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CII

Waiting for Stinky

Periwinkle paces in front of her teleportation tunnel wondering why Stinky is coming to her house. It is his week to plan their adventure, so she would expect to go to his house or meet him somewhere. As she ponders this conundrum, she hears the familiar whoosh and Stinky comes tumbling out. Periwinkle runs to him and helps him up. She does not give him the opportunity to catch his breath before asking, “How come you’re here, Stinky? Was I supposed to plan our adventure?”

Stinky replies, “No, Sweetie. I have it planned. But I thought it would be better to go together from here. We are staying in Florida, but not near your house.”

“Oh, that makes sense. Where are new going?”

PSA for World Rabies Day

Stinky tells Periwinkle that before he lets her know their destination, they have to make a public service announcement for their followers. Periwinkle gives him a quizzical look, but Stinky just continues, “Today is World Rabies Day, an observance started in 2007 to raise awareness about rabies. Rabies is still present in many parts of the United States where it is often found in wildlife. The best way to protect pets and humans is to keep cats and dogs up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.”

“Stinky, that is a great reminder for our followers. I know our parents are really good about keeping us up-to-date on our vaccinations. It was so important that you had your vaccine when you decided to take your unauthorized walkabout. But now I’m ready for our adventure.”

Sanibel Island

“Me too, Periwinkle. Let’s go.” Stinky grabs her paw and leads her back into the tunnel. Moments later they arrive at their destination: Periwinkle Park & Campground. When Periwinkle sees the sign, her mouth falls open in surprise.

periwinkle & stinky

Periwinkle begins babbling,”Oh, Stinky, did they name this place for me? How did you find it? What are we going to do? Are we going to be camping?”

When Periwinkle runs out of steam, Stinky tells her that they won’t be camping, as their mom’s will want them home by the time it gets dark. They will, however, be meeting some cool birds, going to the beach and a museum.

“Wow, Stinky, that’s a full day’s worth of activities, we better get started,” Periwinkle tells him. “Where to first?”

“Birds! I don’t think our friends, the tabbies over at Trout Towne, are going to like this part much.”

“Maybe they can just close their eyes,” says Periwinkle.

“This place is considered a paradise for bird lovers. They feature many species of exotic and native birds, including toucans, parrots and macaws. And all the birds were obtained through rescue efforts,” Stinky tells Periwinkle.

periwinkle & stinky

“Stinky, I have never seen so many birds. I can’t believe this lady even has one on her head. I sure hope he doesn’t poop on her.” Stinky just giggles as he imagines that happening.

After visiting and checking out the various birds, the tabbies head to their next locale.

The Beach

“I thought we could enjoy some beach time, Periwinkle. I hope that’s okay. I know that isn’t something new.”

periwinkle & stinky

“This is a really nice beach, Stinky. Quiet. I have an idea for something fun we can do if it is okay with you.”

“Whatever you want, Sweetie.”

“Oh good, start gathering some sand,” Periwinkle tells Stinky.

Stinky follows Periwinkle’s instructions and with a lot of work and effort they create a really cool palm tree sculpture.

periwinkle & stinky

The tabbies are really proud of their accomplishment and admire it for a while before taking a little nap on the beach. When they wake up, Stinky takes Periwinkle’s paw, and they head to their final destination.

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

“This looks really interesting, Stinky. Shells are fun and pretty,” says Periwinkle on their arrival.

“There are more shells here than we can look at today, but I have some very special ones I want to show you,” Stinky tells her. He then finds an employee of the museum and asks directions to the shells he wants to show his beautiful girlfriend. The employee guides the way and then leaves them.

periwinkle

“Stinky, these are so pretty. What kind of shells are they?” asks Periwinkle.

“Periwinkle, these are Periwinkles. They are very pretty but not as pretty as you.”

Periwinkle blushes as Stinky tells her about the Periwinkle shells. From top to bottom, they are the Cloudy Periwinkle, the Mangrove Periwinkle and the Placid Periwinkle.

Finally it is time for the tabbies to return to their tunnel and Periwinkle’s house. When they arrive they visit with Periwinkle’s new sisfur, Reesie, and Raz and Mom Sharon. Then they enjoy some treats and a snack on the patio.

When it is time for Stinky to head home, the tabbies share oodles of whisker kisses and paw hugs knowing these will have to last them for an entire week. With final waves, Stinky enters his tunnel and is gone.

The End

Periwinkle and Stinky are participating in the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to do the same, click the badge below.

September 28, 2021 by Janet Blue Happy Tuesday The Adventures of Stinky & Periwinkle 17

AWWW MONDAY & CHOOSE A POSITIVE MINDSET

Awww Mondays

positive attitude

Misty May enjoyed an Easy Sunday on the front porch, which is where she spends most days if the weather is nice. I have no intention of waking her up to tell her, but she is participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop Comedy Plus. If you’d like to join her, click on the badge below.

Sparks

positive attitude

Today’s Spark is from Ismail ibn Musa Menkalso (also known as Mufti Menk), a 46-year-old Zimbabwean Islamic Scholar and motivational speaker. I think it represents an attitude to which we all should aspire and is a good reminder for when negativity becomes commonplace.

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 our favorite day of the week, as it’s when Periwinkle and Stinky, share an adventure. They’ll be taking off from here tomorrow for this week’s adventure, which promises to be oodles of fun. These two fun-loving tabbies really, really hope you will join tham.

September 27, 2021 by Janet Blue Awww Mondays Sparks 13

KIZMET’S BEJEWELED SUNDAY SELFIE

Sunday Selfies: Week #371

Bejeweled Selfie I sure hope y’all aren’t tired of seeing me. I am the only member of the Kitties Blue who enjoys posing. And, if I do say so myself, I am one adorable cat! And I love how Mom fancied me up with this bejeweled frame.

We do have another photo to share with you today, however.

Easy Like Sunday Morning

This is four of us enjoying some time on the catio. I am on the perch on the left, Cooper Murphy on the railing, Astrid is on the table, and Sawyer on the deck.

Hopping Time

I want everyone to get to their easy Sunday as quickly as possible, so I am not going to mess around with a lot of jibber jabber. You can link up below, and you all know the drill. You don’t have to post today, and the hop remains open through Thursday. So please join me. You don’t want me to be lonely…right? Oops, Mom just reminded me to say, “thank you,” for hopping, but if you aren’t hopping and just visiting, “thank you as well!” All of us are super appreciative.

Purrs and paw-pats, Kizmet

p.s. I asked Mom to make you another puzzle. Hope you enjoy it.

90 Kizmet’s Bejeweled Sunday Selfie

September 26, 2021 by Janet Blue Easy Like Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle Kitties Blue Sunday Selfies 23

GINGER CAT ART & A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY

Caturday Art

For today’s art, I used an uncropped version of Cooper Murphy’s photo from Wordless Wednesday for some ginger cat art. If you missed “Guard Cat & the Furry Interloper” and would like to see the original photo, click here.

ginger cat art

Once again, I used the Painnt app. The effect is LanaG2. The frame is from favpng.

The arty Cooper Murphy is participating in Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. If you’d like to create some art and join the hop, click on Athena’s badge.

I made a puzzle for you from today’s art. The link is at the bottom of the post.

Happy Birthday

Today the Kitties Blue, Dad Tom and I send best wishes for a happy birthday filled with love and joy to a special friend: Teddy’s mom, Pam!

Cooper Murphy baked her a cake.

Please stop by Two Spoiled Cats to leave a birthday message for Pam.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

We’ve already reached the end of September. It’s officially fall, and Christmas is only three months from today. It’s hard to believe 2021 will soon be in the past. The weeks and months just keep flying by. Tomorrow will mark the 371st Sunday Selfies blog hop! Wow…that’s a lot of Sundays. For those of you who have been with us from the beginning and for all who have ever joined in, thank you so much. Kitties Blue and I look forward to seeing your smiling faces each week and look forward to your joining us again tomorrow. Until then…find a sunpuddle or whatever else makes you happy and have a terrific Caturday.

130 Cooper Murphy Guard Cat

September 25, 2021 by Janet Blue Birthday Caturday Art Blog Hop Jigsaw Puzzle 20

PEEKING CAT KIZMET & BLOG HOPS

Feline/Friendship Friday

CAT KIZMET PEEKING FROM SPERE

Kizmet is not only a total character but also a show-off! That makes for some giggles as well as excellent photo opportunities, like this one where she’s peeking out of the top of sphere.

Kizmet is participating in both the Feline Friday and Friendship Friday blog hops at Comedy Plus and Create With Joy, respectively. You can do the same by clicking on the appropriate badge(s).

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #278

Once again, I am joining the Friendly Fill-Ins blog hop hosted by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). This week I completed the fill-ins with no help from Kitties Blue. And, as I always do, I used teal italics.

To participate, look for the sentences to be filled in on both blogs on Thursdays. To link up, click on the Fill-Ins badge.

1. Every fall I am happy for the cooler outside temperatures and lower humidity.

2. It is never too early to begin Christmas shopping.

3. I would describe my lifestyle as quiet.

4. Watching and waiting for Sawyer to finish his noms and living with Misty May requires a lot of patience.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday on Friday

With our special post for #RememberMeThursday yesterday, I postponed posting our poem until today. Here’s the inspiration photo provided by Teddy and Angel Sammy at Two Spoiled Cats.

This looks like a scene from a gangster movie, so that’s the direction I took my poem.

The Question

Waiting for his boss—
Cars cleaned and polished—
Aspiring to bigger things
No concern for legality.
He just wants respect,
Prestige being boss affords
Does he have the guts
To challange for the top spot?
That’s the question he ponders.

If you’d like to try writing some poetry, check out next week’s inspiration photo, by clicking on Angel Sammy’s poetry badge. And please read Sammy’s poem while you’re there. He is truly a terrific poet. Check out the comments as well for links to poems by other bloggers.

Tomorrow

Kitties Blue and I hope you will join us tomorrow, as we will be celebrating a special birthday. And, of course, we will have some Caturday Art to share.

September 24, 2021 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Friendship Friday Poetry Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 14

KITTIES BLUE: REMEMBERING TO #SEETHELIGHT

Remember Me Thursday® with Kitties Blue

Kitties Blue are participating in Remember Me Thursday®, the creation of Mike Arms, President and CEO of Helen Woodward Animal Center. “Over a million beautiful, adoptable pets will lose their lives in 2021,” according to Arms. He adds, “I believe lighting a candle for the orphan pets will be a way for people to let the world know how much they love them. The awareness can help in increasing adoptions and decreasing euthanasia.”

The goal of the campaign is to unite individuals and pet adoption organizations around the world to be a voice for orphan pets in need of forever homes. In years past over 190 countries have supported the movement. Seven hundred separate animal welfare organizations around the world have held candle-lighting ceremonies. Hundreds of thousands of individuals have done the same, including Kitties Blue. And we will light our candles again today.

According to Arms, “We all come from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, but together, we can raise our voices and share one life-saving message and literally save millions of pets on this one day.”

I asked our latest adoptee, Kizmet, to help me share that message today.

Kitties Blue, Remember Me Thursday

She wasn’t as cooperative as usual; she hid the Remember Me Thursday logos on her bandana and my shirt.

Our Adoption Stories

Dad Tom and I believe in saving homeless animals. As proof, Kitties Blue share a tiny bit of their adoption stories today.

We adopted several of our 20 furkids from individuals who kindly took in stray, pregnant cats. Those kitties are Skooter, Steamer, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta and Fiona. With TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) gaining in popularity and use fewer neighborhood cats find themselves in this situation. We adopted MacKenzie from a veterinarian. I no longer remember the story of how he ended up there.

A number of Kitties Blue adopted us by showing up at our door or being left with their littermates by a neighborhood stray. Those cats are Daphne, Thelma, Louise, Twinkle, Madison and Chloe. We always found homes for the littermates with friends, co-workers, neighbors or friends of friends. We never delivered any cat to a shelter, and none were ever euthanized! Several others tried to adopt us when we already had a full house. We found loving homes for each one.

We rescued Lily Olivia and her littermates from the street. Friends adopted her three brothers, Parker, Winston and Sebastian. As you know, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer appeared in the neighborhood. Cooper was obviously dumped during a snowstorm. We have no idea how Sawyer ended up at the abandoned house next door as such a tiny kitten. But all were welcomed with loving hearts and open arms.

We formally adopted the remainder of the Kitties Blue from rescue agencies. Astrid (found on a roof with her brother, Bobby) and Calista Jo came from Barn Cat Buddies and Lisbeth and Kizmet from Angels of Assisi.

Be Part of Remember Me Thursday Awareness

Today is our opportunity and yours to share the story of pet adoption and let others know how wonderful it is to share your home with an animal and save a life. You can spread awareness by sharing your pet’s story on social media with the hashtags, #RememberMeThursday and #SeeTheLight. Also visit the Remember Me Thursday website and light a virtual candle. Changing just one mind can save a life.

You also can participate in the blog hop hosted by Dawn at Lola the Rescued Cat. Click on the badge on our sidebar to go there and enter the link to your post.

Thankful Thursday

Dad Tom and I are thankful for each of the Kitties Blue who have been and are currently part of our lives. Though some have brought us much consternation, each has brought joy into our lives.

All the Kitties Blue and I are joining the Thankful Thursday blog hop at Brian’s Home. You can do the same by clicking on his badge.

September 23, 2021 by Janet Blue Adoption Kitties Blue Remember Me Thursday Thankful Thursday 14

GUARD CAT & FURRY INTERLOPER

Wordless Wednesday

Guard

Interloper

Cooper Murphy will be popping over to Comedy Plus to join the Wordless Wednesday blog hop. You can do the same, by clicking on the WW badge.

Please don’t forget to join us tomorrow for Remember Me Thursday® #SeeTheLight.

September 22, 2021 by Janet Blue Squirrels Wordless Wednesday 13

HAPPY TO #SEETHELIGHT

Happy Tuesday

I’m a happy cat because I was adopted, just like all by fursibs who were either directly rescued or adopted. And I am here today to remind you to join us for Helen Woodward Animal Center’s annual Remember Me Thursday®. This year’s campaign is #SeeTheLight. You can participate by entering your rescue pet’s story to win pet food and money for your favorite shelter or rescue. You also can light a candle and share a photo and some sentiments about your rescued pet to shine a virtual light on orphan pets who never found families. We lit a candle for Sawyer, who we consider twice rescued. To go to the #RememberMeThursday website, click on the badge on our sidebar (opposite Kizmet’s photo).

All the Kitties Blue are thankful to be participating again this year in Remember Me Thursday® and #SeeTheLight. On Thursday, we will remind you of some of our rescue and adoption stories.

I also am going to pop over to Comedy Plus to join the Happy Tuesday blog hop. You can do the same by clicking on the badge below.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Today you can find our adorable grey tabbies over at Friends Furever enjoying another one of their fun adventures. If you haven’t checked it out yet, click on their graphic to pop on over and say, “hi.”

Purrs & paw-pats, Kizmet

September 21, 2021 by Janet Blue Adoption Happy Tuesday Kitty Written Blog Remember Me Thursday Respect Your Cat 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.