October 2022

KITTIES BLUE CELEBRATE A BELATED TOCK-TOBER

Tock-Tober

We are appalled, outraged and downright ashamed of our ditzy and forgetful mom. So, what’s with all this consternation, you ask? Yesterday was Tock-Tober. Did she remember? NO! We think she needs a brain transplant. If anyone knows where she can get one, please let us know.

She did share an early Tock-Tober shot of Cooper Murphy. If you missed Cooper’s enormous tocks, you can view them at “Tock-Tober Comes Early & Fill-Ins.” We don’t think that is good enough to give her a pass, so here are a few other tocks.

 

 

Purrs & paw-pats, Misty May, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy, Sawyer, Kizmet, Audrey & Raleigh

Now that Kitties Blue have thoroughly chastised me, it’s time for fill-ins as well as the Feline and Friendship Friday blog hops.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Friendly Fill-ins is a blog hop hosted by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged- Furballs). If you’d like to participate, check out either of their blogs on Thursday for the sentences to be filled in. You can join the hop by clicking on their badge.

I can always depend on Sawyer when I need help with the fill-ins, and he did his part this week with #4. We both used teal italics for our fill-ins. Explanatory information is in parentheses.

1. Every October, I try to get photos of at least some of Kitties Blue tocks, even if I don’t get them posted on the correct day.

2. If I were going to a costume party, I would go as a cat (duh). (If you’d like to vote on the costumes Stinky and Periwinkle will wear on their next adventure, you can do so by leaving a comment on their post: “The Adventures of Stinky & Periwinkle: Part CLVI.”)

3. “Little Red Riding Hood” is my favorite scary story. (I am obviously a wimp when it comes to being frightened.)

4. Sawyer: I would find a vault somewhere and lock myself in, making certain I had several wheelbarrows full of treats, if there were a zombie apocalypse.

Feline/Friendship Friday

Our participants in Tock-Tober, Audrey, Raleigh and Sawyer, also will be joining the Feline and Friendship Friday blog hops hosted by Comedy Plus and Create With Joy respectively.

Giveaway

This is your final reminder about our giveaway for the book, How Snowball Stole Christmas, by Kristin McKanagh. If you’d like the opportunity to win it, visit the post, “Christmas Comes Early.” Leave a comment there before 5 p.m. ET today. The winner will be announced on Sunday.

Thanks for coming to visit us. We’ll have some Caturday Art for you tomorrow.

 

RALEIGH & SAWYER SHARE THANKFULS

We have no poetry this week, as Teddy’s mom and dad are on vacation, and Teddy is at the spa.

Thankful Thursday

Besides poetry, we share our thankfuls on Thursdays and join the blog hop hosted by Brian. Raleigh has the first one this week:

I had my neuter surgery on Wednesday. And I got my microchip. I sailed through my procedures, and was able to go home three hours after Mom delivered me to the vet. I did caterwaul all the way there. It was my first visit without my sister, Audrey, at my side, and I was feeling vulnerable. The vet said I was purrfect while I was there. And I didn’t make a peep on the way home.

 

RALEIGH THANKFULS: ginger and white tabby kitten winking

Sawyer is up next:

I made it 17 hours past my one-week span between seizures. I know it isn’t much, but I’ll take every extra minute and hour I can get.

 

SAWYER THANKFULS: grey tabby, Manx (tailless) cat napping

 

Kitties Blue and Me:

We are thankful for your support, following and friendship. I know we mention this every week, but it is the most important of all our thankfuls.

If you’d like to be a part of Brian’s blog hop, post on your blog for what you are thankful, and then click on his badge.

Giveaway

In my book review post on Monday, “Christmas Comes Early,” I announced that I am giving away one copy of the book, How Snowball Stole Christmas, by Kristin McKanagh. If you’d like the opportunity to win the book, click on the link and leave a comment on the review post. You have until Friday at 5 p.m. ET to do so. The winner will be announced on Sunday.

 

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY

How Snowball Stole Christmas

Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader’s edition of
How Snowball Stole Christmas by Kristin McKanagh free of
charge to me in exchange for my fair and honest review
of the book. The opinions shared are mine alone.

Cover of the book, How Snowball Stole Christmas, featuring a white cat in a Santa hat with a gold gift box.If you are a fan of cats, especially mischievous ones, Christmas, love stories and Hallmark movies, you will love this book. How Snowball Stole Christmas is the third book in the series about Snowball, who is a matchmaker at heart.

When Snowball sets out to match Peter, a veteran with a chip on his shoulder, and Lara, a new neighbor and first-time toy store owner, chaos ensues. The theft of a Santa hat and impromptu Santa assignment at Lara’s shop for Peter, a glitter “bomb,” wet paint and a super glue fiasco involving Peter and Snowball, are maneuvers by Snowball aimed at bringing Lara and Peter together.

Despite Snowball’s shenanigans, Peter’s resentfulness of Lara outbidding him for the shop’s space and his sharing his opinions on the town’s on-line forum under the pseudonym, Right Rudolph, a love match seems improbable.

But, as the story progresses, the two begin a friendship, especially after Lara’s brother and sister-in-law foist their six-year-old son on Lara just as her shop is in the midst of it’s first holiday shopping season. Peter and the boy are drawn to each other, and Peter helps care for and entertain the boy. This in turn brings Peter and Lara closer together.

When Lara discovers that Peter is Right Rudolph, just prior to him confessing to her, it would seem that any opportunity for their newly evolving romantic relationship is dead. But is it?

You’ll just have to read this charming book to find out, which I highly recommend. It’s a heart-warming story purrfect for the holidays. And if you’re searching for a gift for your cat-loving friends, you cannot go wrong with How Snowball Stole Christmas.

You can find it at all major bookstores, Target, Walmart and Amazon.com

Giveaway

I am giving away my copy of How Snowball Stole Christmas to one lucky reader of our blog. To have the opportunity to win, leave a comment on this post anytime through Friday, October 21, at 5 p.m. ET.

 

NATIONAL FERAL CAT DAY SELFIE

Sunday Selfies: Week #426

National Feral Cat Day badge with portraits of four cats.

As promised in yesterday’s post, Sawyer is here to host our hop on National Feral Cat Day. And I didn’t even have to bribe him to take this selfie! I will reward him, however, for being so cooperative.

 

National Feral Cat Day: Portrait of a grey tabby cat with a small cat and broom for Halloween in the lower right corner.

 

Sawyer thought, with Halloween just around the corner, I should add something representative of the season to his selfie. Of course, I was happy to oblige him.

Now, Sawyer and I hope you will oblige us by posting a selfie and joining our blog hop. It’s such a good way to stay in touch with your current friends as well as make some new friends. As a reminder, you don’t have to post today to join, and the hop remains open through Thursday.

I know we mention it every week, but we wouldn’t be here without your support, following, comments and friendship. Thank you! Kitties Blue and I love being part of the pet blogging community.

 

Birthday Wishes

Today is the birthday of a very special person and amazing friend, Mom Sharon, from Friends Furever. Please join us in wishing her a happy birthday and sending best wishes for a purrfect day. We are certain her kitties, Raz, Noelle (aka Periwinkle) and Reesie, will be spoiling her with lots of love and cuddles.

 

birthday card with ginger kitten jumping out of a gift box holding a cake with lots of candles.

 

Kitties Blue and I will be back tomorrow with a review of a great, holiday novel, How Snowball Stole Christmas. I will be giving away my copy of the book. So, please join us then and leave a comment for the opportunity to win the book.

Have a terrific easy Sunday.

 

 



TUXIE CAT AMONG BUTTERFLIES

Caturday Art

 

An art version of Tuxedo (tuxie) Cat, Misty May, in a frame surrounded by butterflies.

 

To create today’s art I used the Lepidoptera effect from Painnt and tinkered with the transparency. The frame is from the favpng app. The effect should give you a clue as to why I selected this particular frame.

Of course, I have a puzzle for you.

preview120pieceTuxedo Cat & Butterflies

Caturday Art is hosted by the lovely Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty. To join the hop and/or just enjoy art created by other bloggers, click on her badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Tomorrow is not only our Sunday Selfies blog hop but also National Feral Cat Day. As most of you know, almost all of our cats have been strays or the offspring of stray cats. The one truly feral cat is Sawyer, so he will be your host tomorrow; though, I may have to bribe him with lots of treats.

The badge below shows this year’s Feral Cat Day representatives. They are all good friends of ours, and we are delighted that they have wonderful and loving homes!

Kitties Blue and I hope you will share your selfie with all your friends tomorrow and join our hop. The hop remains open through Thursday.

Thanks for visiting!

 

TOCK-TOBER COMES EARLY & FILL-INS

Feline/Friendship Friday

Cooper Murphy is here with an early Tock-Tober tocks shot. And, wow, those are some mighty big tocks!

 

tock-tober comes early: photo of a very large ginger tabby cat's buttocks!

Cooper Murphy will be participating in the Feline Friday and Friendship Friday blog hops at Comedy Plus and Create With Joy, respectively.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Two of the Kitties Blue and I are joining the Friendly Fill-ins blog hop hosted by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged- Furballs). To do the same, check out either of their blogs on Thursday for the sentences to be filled in. You can join the hop by clicking on their badge.

When I began filling in this week, I knew Raleigh and Audrey had a great fill-in for #4, so I asked for their assistance. They were happy to have the opportunity to help. And I thank them. We all used teal italics for our fill-ins. Explanatory information is in parentheses.

1.  Seven cats and two kittens keeps me on my toes.

2. I know it’s going to be a bad day when I step in cat puke in my bare feet first thing in the morning.

3. To me, fire is one of the scariest things in the world. (It is actually the thing I fear most.)

4. Raleigh and Audrey: Believe it or not, the vacuum doesn’t scare me us.

We’ll see you all tomorrow for some Caturday Art.

 

 

 

KITTY PARADISE

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Five of the Kitties Blue are enjoying some fun in kitty paradise among the boxes, bags and papers in this inspiration photo provided by Two Spoiled Cats for today’s poetry challenge. 

 

Kitty Paradise, five cats are playing in a shoe store among the boxes bags and papers.

 

Kitty Paradise

Papers, bags and boxes—
We may be acting obnoxious!
Among all these tempting toys,
Our kitty hearts are filled with joy.
This is our idea of paradise—
Second only to catching field mice.
We’re official greeters of this store
With a nighttime security chore
To scare away any robbers
And save the shop from losing dollars.
In exchange we get to romp and play
During the entire, busy workday.

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 10/12/2022

Check out Two Spoiled Cats for next week’s inspiration photo by clicking on the poetry badge. When you visit, please take time to read Angel Sammy’s poem. He transmits it to Teddy from the Bridge, and he is a terrific poet.

Thankful Thursday

Kitties Blue and I always look forward to participating in Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop.

Stinky gets first crack at the Thankfuls this week. He and Periwinkle had more visitors to their adventure on Tuesday than usual, which warmed their little hearts. They asked commenters to vote on their Halloween costumes. If you didn’t read this week’s “The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky”, click on the link so you can vote. They’d both really appreciate it, and I think you’ll enjoy seeing how cute they look.

Sawyer is Thankful that all of you have his back and send him prayers, as he only went one week between seizures again.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for your comments, support, following and friendship.

To join Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop, click on his badge.

THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CLVl

An At-Home Adventure

Stinky is pacing in front of the teleportation tunnel. Once again, he is worried Periwinkle will be disappointed in their adventure when she finds out they are staying at his house. Before he has time to work himself into a frenzy, however, the teleportation tunnel starts rumbling and ejects Periwinkle with the familiar whoosh. Stinky grabs her before she tumbles head first into the kitten enclosure.

She’s giggling as he wraps her in a huge paw hug. “What’s so funny, Periwinkle?” he asks.

“Oh, the teleportation tunnel was a bit wonky today and it kept tickling me,” she replies with another giggle.

“Well, I am happy you are in such a good mood, as I am afraid we aren’t going any place fun for today’s adventure,” Stinky tells her.

Periwinkle takes Stinky’s paw and replies, “How many times do I have to tell you, I don’t care what we do as long as we are together.”

“I know, but I like to take you to interesting places,” bemoans Stinky.

“I bet you have figured out something fabulous even if we are staying put.”

Miscellaneous October 11 Holidays

“You know I often try to plan something significant for the date of our adventure, but that didn’t work out this week. But I do have a couple of fun things to do before we get to my actual plans, as there are a few ‘miscellaneous’ holidays today.”

Periwinkle claps her paws and bounces up and down. “Oh goody, I love holidays. Will there be presents?”

“Not really that kind of holidays.”

“Phooey,” replies Periwinkle. “Whatever it is, let’s get on with it!”

Pet Peeve Week

“Okay. The first is Pet Peeve Week. Do you have any pet peeves?”

“I sure do, and it actually happens to be a pet. Reesie! Raz and I were doing just fine without her,” replies Periwinkle.

“Well, at least you don’t have eight furblings! What a pain in the tush. It peeves me when they try to take my place on the bed or steal my treats. And Astrid and Misty May really set me off when they go after my food. They are not supposed to have my medicine. But my biggest peeve is when Mom and Dad forget about 11 a.m. treat time. The really gets my dander up!”

“Wow, Stinky, that’s a lot of things to be peeved about.”

“I know, but like I said, try living with eight other cats!

International Face Your Fears Day

So, today is International Face Your Fears Day. What are your fears?”

”I don’t like loud noises or strangers. I usually hide from both of those things. How about you, Stinky, what are your fears?”

“I also don’t like loud noises. I don’t hide, but I always jump.”

“Aren’t you afraid of having seizures?”

“Not really. When they are over, I don’t remember anything about them. However, that is the reason Mom asked me to stay home today. I had another one at 2 a.m. Monday morning. I only made it one week again, which really sucks.”

Periwinkle wraps Stinky in a huge paw hug. “I am so sorry. It really stinks that you have those nasty things. I wish I had a magic potion that would take them away. But then, if you’d eat your noms, I know you’d have fewer of them.”

Take Your Medicine Americans Week

“Nice segue, Periwinkle. This week is Take Your Medicine Americans Week, which definitely pertains to me. And I promise to try to do better with my eating.”

“Thank you, replies Periwinkle.

Veterinary Technicians Week

“Finally, it is Veterinary Technicians Week. Now, I personally don’t care for anybody at the veterinarian’s office, but I know my mom and dad are partial to Tomika. And she does treat all of us very well.”

“Is that it? Are we going to have our at-home adventure now?” Periwinkle asks with a look of exasperation on her face.

Playing Dress-Up for Halloween

“Yep, and it does involve something you like,” Stinky tells her.

“Oh, goody. What is it?”

“Dress-up. We are going to try on several Halloween costumes and let our readers pick which one they like best for each of us. Then when we visit Walter and the black cats in two weeks to get their Halloween Trick or Treat wish list, we can wear what our readers selected.”

“Sounds like it might be fun,” says Periwinkle and gives Stinky a wink. “You do know what I like.” Periwinkle and Stinky get busy trying on several different costumes.

Recycled Mardi Gras Costumes

 
Cartoon tabby cats, Periwinkle and Stinky in a Halloween setting dressed in Mardi Gras costumes.

 

Lion and Flower

 
Cartoon tabby cats, Periwinkle and Stinky in a Halloween setting dressed as a lion and a pink flower.

 

Baby Yoda and Raggedy Ann

 
Cartoon tabby cats, Periwinkle and Stinky in a Halloween setting dressed as Baby Yoda and Raggedy Ann.

 

Bee and Mouse

 
Cartoon tabby cats, Periwinkle and Stinky in a Halloween setting dressed as a bee and a mouse.

 

Pumpkin and Unicorn Princess 

 
Cartoon tabby cats, Periwinkle and Stinky in a Halloween setting dressed as a pumpkin and princess unicorn.

 

“Of course, you might like to wear the ballerina outfit you wore last Thursday for our ‘Modern Dance Misadventure.’ I know you liked that one. I’ve given our readers a link to that post, so they can check you out and vote for that costume if they’d like.”

“Good idea, Stinky. I do like that outfit. I wore it for Halloween one other year, but I bet no one remembers. Stinky, do you have a favorite of the costumes you tried on today?”

“I do, but I am not going to say. I don’t want to influence the voting.”

“Good thinking. I won’t tell my favorite either. Is it time for a snack and a visit with Raleigh and Audrey?”

“You bet. The sun’s out, so let’s have our snack on the catio.”

Cartoon tabby cats, Periwinkle and Stinky sitting on a cat tree with tabby kittens, one buff colored and one grey.The tabbies take their snack out to the catio where they share with all of Stinky’s furblings. When they finish, Periwinkle plays with Raleigh and Audrey for a little while, but soon it is time for her to head home. After many whisker kisses, paw hugs and whispered, “I love yous,” Periwinkle enters the teleportation tunnel and with a whoosh is on her way home.

Stinky heads to his dad’s chair for a nice, long nap.

The End

The tabbies will be hopping over to Comedy Plus for Happy Tuesday. You can join them by clicking on the badge.

 

Please leave a comment and let Stinky and Periwinkle know which costume you like best for each of them. Thank you.