March 2023

MISS KITTY VS. THE MAGIC GADGET

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Another week has sped by and it’s time again to write some poetry. Angel Sammy and Teddy (Two Spoiled Cats) found another vintage photo for us. In keeping with the black and white theme, Kizmet has joined the photo. She represents Miss Kitty in my poem.

 

B&W photo of a family in the 50s watching television with a grey cat lying atop the TV.

Miss Kitty vs. the Magic Gadget

Miss Kitty never lacked for attention
But when her humans were watching television.
The new fangled gadget
Attracted them like magic,
And they forgot she even existed.
In getting them to notice her, she was persistent—
She sat atop the TV and meowed.
When that didn’t work, she would yowl!
Her attempt to get some petting was sabotaged
When Junior swept her off to the garage.
She decided it was better than being ignored
And took a nap where old blankets were stored.
When Junior came to fetch her, she hid
To make him regret what he did.
But when supper time came around,
Miss Kitty was easily found
Waiting by her bowl for her feline food.
When finished she mewed her gratitude
Then followed Junior off to bed
Where she slept happily by his head.

 © Janet Buickerood Blue – 03/29/2023

If you’d like to try writing some poetry, check out Two Spoiled Cats (by clicking on the poetry badge) for next week’s inspiration photo. Please read Angel Sammy’s poem when you visit. He sends it to Teddy each week from the Rainbow Bridge, and he’s a masterful poet.

Thankful Thursday

In addition to poetry, Thursday is when we like to share the things for which we are thankful.

I am thankful I got to pet Raleigh. It was the middle of the night, and he was asleep on Dad Tom’s and my bed. He never saw me coming, and I petted him about 10 times. He has really nice fur.
I am thankful for getting some yard work done this past week.
Kitties Blue are thankful for a lot of catio time.
Dad Tom and I are thankful we got to see a performance of the musical, Jersey Boys, on the weekend.
Kitties Blue and I are thankful for all our friends, followers and supporters.

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

 

KIZMET & THE CHEEKY SQUIRREL

Wordless Wednesday

 

Two photos of a grey cat and a squirrel staring at each other through a window.

 

Kizmet will be participating in the Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the WW badge.

 

If you enjoyed these photos, I think you will like “Kizmet & Squirrel Art.”

Looking Back

Last week, I forgot, once again, to include a link to one of our early posts. I do have one for you today. It’s from October 15, 2012. It’s about Astrid and kitten, Calista Jo, and was written ten days after C.J. became one of the Kitties Blue. The post is entitled, “Rolling, Sliding and Somersaulting.” You can view it by clicking on the link. If you are a subscriber, the link should already be in your e-mail in-box. (It’s worth checking it out if just to see the photo.) Astrid, C.J. and I hope you will leave us a comment on the post if you enjoy it.

Thanks for visiting us. today. Kitties Blue and I will be back tomorrow with a poem and some thankfuls.

 

 

THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CLXXX

Periwinkle’s Arrival

Stinky is waiting by the teleportation tunnel for Periwinkle’s arrival and hopping from paw to paw. He is certain Periwinkle will enjoy today’s adventure. She is right on time, and Stinky is ready to catch her as the tunnel pitches her out with its usual whoosh. She’s giggling when he catches her, and they share several whisker kisses. Without giving Periwinkle the opportunity to ask what they’ll be doing, Stinky leads her back into the tunnel.

All American Circus

Minutes later they arrive at their destination, and Stinky leads Periwinkle inside the National Guard Armory in Greenfield, Indiana. When she sees what awaits her, her eyes grow big and she begins clapping and bouncing up and down. “Oh, Stinky, is this what I think it is?” She asks. “I have always wanted to go to a circus!”

“I knew you would like this,” exclaims Stinky. He then explains the reason for the visit today.

“We are at the All American Circus. They are one a few circuses in operation. However, today in 1881 the Greatest Show On Earth was formed by P. T. Barnum and James Anthony Bailey. The Barnum and Bailey circus closed in May 2017, so we are seeing another circus performance. However, I just learned this morning that the Greatest Show on Earth is returning after a six-year hiatus. They will begin touring, with an all human show, in September. I definitely will take us to see that as well. After all, who wouldn’t want to see the Greatest Show on Earth. We will have to wait a little while, as that circus will be in Florida in January of 2024 and in North Carolina the following month. It doesn’t have any dates for Virginia.”

“That sounds like a wonderful plan, Stinky. It will give us something to look forward to.”

Before taking their seats, the tabbies get a big tub of popcorn and some bottles of water. Stinky convinces Periwinkle not to get any cotton candy, as she would end up with her furs all stuck together. Just thinking about how that would look makes both tabbies giggle.

Meeting the Ring Mistress

Once they find their seats, the Ring Mistress comes over to meet them and give them the opportunity to take a photo with her.

 

abby catsCircus ring mistress dressed in red hat and shirt and black shorts with two cartoon tabby cats.

 

Periwinkle gushes, “Stinky, I think it is so cool that a female has the most important job of this circus. It’s usually a man leading the show.”

Stinky replies, “My mom is always reminding me how much things have changed since she was a girl and how many opportunities are now available for females.”

Rosales Family

As soon as the met and greet is completes, the Ring Mistress introduces the first act, The Rosales Family. They present a juggling performance and some cool feats of balance. Stinky is invited to join in one of the balancing acts.

 

Woman flying from a pole by a neck strap. Pole is held by man.

 

Man in gold and white costume standing on his head on a trapeze with a cartoon tabby cat sitting on the trapeze.

 

Periwinkle can hardly believe how brave Stinky is. Though, he is always climbing things, this is much more difficult. When he returns to his seat, Stinky cannot stop smiling. Periwinkle gives him a big hug and congratulates him on his bravery.

Corde Lisse Aerial Acrobatics

Next the tabbies enjoy some aerial acrobatics on the corde lisse (smooth rope in English). Periwinkle watches with her mouth open. “Wow, Stinky, I wish I could wear pretty costumes and do those tricks,” Periwinkle exclaims.

 

Woman performing aerial acrobatics with a corde lisse.

 

Stinky gives her a wide-eyed look and asks, “Do you think you’d like to join the circus?”

“Oh no, I wouldn’t enjoy all that traveling, but I do like to dress up in pretty things. I probably would hork, though, if I did all that twirling.” Periwinkle tells him. They both giggle as they imagine Periwinkle’s lunch landing on the audience.

Ladder Artist

Next up is the ladder artist who displays amazing feats of balance and dexterity.

 

Circus performer hanging from a later with a knife in his mouth and balancing filled wine and cocktail glasses on a tiny pole and plates.

 

He invites Stinky to join him on the ladder, but when Stinky sees the knife in the performer’s mouth, he declines. Periwinkle is relieved when Stinky uses his common sense.

Rola Bola

The next act up is the Rola Bola. It is another balancing act. This one is atop towering cylinders.

 

Colorfully dressed man in circus performing a balancing act while spinning hula hoops on his wrists.

 

The performer is really cute, and when he asks Periwinkle to join him, she is tempted. “Periwinkle, if you get injured, you know your mom will be really upset and probably blame me. I don’t think it’s a very good idea,” says Stinky.

“You’re right, Stinky, and it does look pretty scary!”

Globe Of Death

The final act of the show is the Globe of Death with two motorcycle riders speeding around inside a steel, globe-shaped cage. Both Periwinkle and Stinky decide they don’t want to watch an act that has the word death it.

So, while that is happening, they meet the Rosales Family and have a memory photo taken.

 

family of circus performers in white and purple costumes posing with two cartoon tabby cats.

 

After the photo and a visit with Carmen, Jorge and their children, it is time for Periwinkle and Stinky to head back to their tunnel. They hold paws and enter together. With the familiar whoosh, they are on their way back to Stinky’s house.

Snack Time

Though they did eat a lot of popcorn, the tabbies decide they still need a snack and enjoy it on the front porch.

 

Cartoon tabby cats sitting on a settee on a front porch enjoying cat treats.

 

After their snack and a quick visit with Stinky’s fursibs and mom and dad, it’s time for Periwinkle to head home. The tabbies spend several minutes paw hugging and whisker kissing. Then with blown kisses and waves, Periwinkle enters the teleportation tunnel and is gone in a whoosh.

Stinky retires to the catio to nap and dream of his sweet Periwinkle.

The End

Periwinkle and Stinky will be participating in the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the badge below.

 

SPRING SPARK & RALEIGH

Sparks

 

PHOTO OF PURPLE TULIPS WITH THE FOLLOWING QUOTE, "Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems," by Rainer Maria Rilke

 

When I discovered this quote, it made me happy, and I knew I had to share it. I have placed it on one of Dad Tom’s photos of tulips in our yard.

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

 

Ginger kitten lying on his back with a yellow bird on a string.

 

Raleigh and I apologize for his blurry photo. I took it from a video. I think he is darn awww-adorable, but I wish he wasn’t afraid of Dad Tom and I and would let us touch him. He will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to do the same, click on the Awww badge.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Those two fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be setting off on a new adventure tomorrow. You’ll be able to find them right here, as it is Stinky’s turn to plan their adventure. Adventures are more fun when you join in, so they’ll be waiting for you.

A TUXIE BEAUTY’S SELFIE

Sunday Selfies: Week #449

Beautiful tuxie cat in a heart and flower framed portrait.

 

Can you believe that I haven’t had a selfie in two months? And then I had to share, as it was Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day. I guess now that there are nine of us Kitties Blue, it isn’t the worst record. And Mom caught me off guard. She’d just let me lick the remains of some margarine off her knife at breakfast, so I was distracted! Regardless, I think I did a pretty great job with my selfie. I really hope my angel boyfriend Charles sees and likes it. I miss him so much!

Hopping Time

You know how this works…I show you my selfie and you share yours with me and all your other friends, and I really hope that’s exactly what you do. But if you don’t post on Sundays or are too busy to join us today, the hop will be open through Thursday.

Thanks for coming to see us whether or not you shared a selfie. Now, have an easy Sunday! That’s what I am planning on doing.

Purrs & paw-pats, Lisbeth

 



TABBY CAT ART WITH SAWYER & AUDREY

Caturday Art

 

Tabby cats sitting atop a radiator in a Caturday Art photo with a frame containing orchids.

I may have gone a bit overboard on my art with the frame. It sort of overpowers the photo, but I liked how the leaves in the border complimented the curtains and granite the kitties are lying on. The frame, as usual, is from favpng. I used the Crackalado effect from Painnt on the photo.

I did create a puzzle as well.

preview120pieceTwo Tabby Cats at a Window

Sawyer and Audrey, from their spot atop the radiator, will be participating in the Caturday Art blog hop hosted by Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty. You can do the same by clicking on Athena’s graphic.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Can you believe that tomorrow is the last Sunday of March? That means 2023 is almost one-quarter over! We cannot figure out how the weeks slip by so quickly. Of course, Sunday means it’s time for you and one of Kitties Blue to snap a selfie. I have no idea which of the Kitties Blue will be your host, but, of course, that’s not unusual. Whichever of the cats it is, they all hope you’ll join in the fun and add your selfie to the hop.

Kitties Blue and I appreciate everyone who joins the hop or just stops by to comment. So, hope to see you tomorrow.

 

Kitties Blue border with ginger tabby cat

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Feline Friday

 

Grey cat is hiding in plain sight by napping atop a grey pillow.

 

Kizmet is not only hiding in plain sight but also participating in the Feline Friday blog hop at messymimi’s meanderings. To participate click on the Feline Friday badge.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Time again to let you know a bit more about Kitties Blue and myself by completing the weekly fill-ins. Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs) host the Friendly Fill-Ins blog hop. On Thursday they each select two sentences to be filled in by hop participants, and you can find those on both blogs. Enter the hop by clicking on the graphic.

Kitties Blue let me complete all four fill-ins this week. I used teal italics to fill in.

1. My favorite character from a film, tv or book is Tilly from The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency books.

2. The one word I would use to describe myself is procrastinator.

3. If I had to give you my best piece of advice, I would tell you to be present in your life.

4. Current music will never compare with that from the 60s.

Thanks for visiting us today. We’ll see you again tomorrow with some Caturday Art.

 

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Our friends, Teddy and Angel Sammy, over at Two Spoiled Cats, definitely selected a doozy of a photo for this week’s poetry challenge. I got a bit of assistance from Cooper Murphy and Raleigh in “catifying” it.

 

 

With a Little Help from My Friends: Black and white photo of woman from the 50s in a striped bathing suit and high heels, holding barbells and leaning on one knee. Two orange tabby cats are on a larger barbell above her head.

With a Little Help from My Friends

I didn’t get this fit and strong
without working out hard and long
each day with persistence
and a bit of extra assistance.
The additional weight of my felines
may not conform to weightlifting guidelines,
but in gave me this enviable physique
and put me on a winning streak.
I am always front and center
of every competition I enter,
so it is never a surprise
when I am awarded first prize!

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 03/22/2023

If you’d like to try writing some poetry, check out Two Spoiled Cats (by clicking on the poetry badge) for next week’s inspiration photo. Please read Angel Sammy’s poem when you visit. He sends it to Teddy each week from the Rainbow Bridge, and it’s always a winner.

Thankful Thursday

In addition to poetry, Thursday is when we like to share the things for which we are thankful.

Sawyer is thankful for nine days between his last two seizures, as are Dad Tom and I.

I am thankful I have returned to a monthly poetry workshop, after being absent for many years. This will give me the opportunity to write some serious poetry, as I did in the past. I have a lot of fun writing the poems for Thoroughly Poetic Thursday, but I’d like to return to exploring topics that don’t always involve Kitties Blue or a preexisting photo. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Winter and spring seemed to have flip-flopped for a few days. Nonetheless, I am thankful for the tulips starting to bloom.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for everyone who visits our blog, comments and supports us. We treasure your friendship.

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 his badge to go to his site and enter your link.

 

THE PERPURRFECT COMPANION

Sparks

Please forgive this very late post. I have been having crazy technical issues with the photo editing apps I use!

 

Grey cat sandwiched between layers of a grey fleece blanket with the quote, "Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet." by Sidonie Gabrielle Colette.

 

What can I say about this Spark other than it is purrfect. And Kizmet is the perfect companion as she shows off all four feet as well as some pretty nice toe beans. You may think that Kizmet was lying on top of this blanket and we folded it over the top of her. That, however, is not the case. She wormed her way between the layers all by herself. We have never had another cat that enjoyed being covered up as much as Kizmet.

I thought I was unfamiliar with the author of today’s Spark until I looked up her bio. Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954) was known simply as Collette, which is how I am familiar with her. She was a French author, mime, actress and journalist. Collette is best known for her 1944 novella Gigion which the 1958 film and 1973 stage production of the same name were based. Her short story collection The Tendrils of the Vine is famous in France. I found her history to be quite interesting. I suggest you check out her bio on Wikipedia.

perfect (purrfect) companionSparks 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.”

If you enjoyed this, I think you’ll enjoy the post, “Do You Need This?”

Awww Mondays

Kizmet will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to do the same, click on the Awww badge.

perfect (purrfect) companion

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Tuesday is our favorite day of the week, as it’s when we get to see what those two fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be getting up to. You’ll be able to find out tomorrow over at Friends Furever, as it’s Periwinkle’s turn to plan their adventure. Adventures are more fun when you join in, so they’ll be waiting for you.