April 2023

TORTOISESHELL CAT APPRECIATION DAY & A SPARK

Awww Mondays – Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day

Astrid and Calista Jo are here today to celebrate this special day for torties and to join the Awww Mondays blog hop.

 

tortoiseshell cat encircled with label reading, April 17 Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day"

Dilute Tortoiseshell Cat in a frame reading, Tortoiseshell Cat Appreciation Day"

 

Our two gorgeous torties will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the Awww badge below.

Awww Mondays badge.

Sparks

 

 

I wanted to use this photo Dad Tom took of some of our azaleas for my Spark, which is the opposite of how I usually do them. Normally, I would select the Spark first. When I found the quote by Wayne Dyer, I knew it was purrfect. For me, our gardens are my happy place and give me the opportunity to think a lot about my life.

The author of today’s Spark, Wayne Dyer, (1940 to 2015) was an American self-help author and a motivational speaker. His first book, Your Erroneous Zones (1976), is one of the best-selling books of all time. An estimated 100 million copies have been sold. He also wrote 20 more best-selling books and produced a number of popular specials for PBS. He was a frequent guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

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

 

Your favorite, fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be setting off on a new adventure tomorrow. You’ll be able to find them on Periwinkle’s blog, Friends Furever. I know whatever Periwinkle has planned will be loads of fun, and you’ll definitely want to join them. Adventures are always more fun when you come along, so they’ll be waiting for you.

 

MISTY MAY & HER GINGER PILLOW

Sunday Selfies: Week #452

 

Small tuxedo cat using the back of a large ginger tabby cat as a pillow with dogwood flower border.

 

This definitely is not a traditional selfie, but a pretty darn cute one, I think you’ll admit. Misty May seems to have found the ideal spot for an afternoon snooze and a casual selfie. I guess this is actually a two-fur…just not a conventional one!

Now that you’ve seen Misty May and Cooper Murphy, they are hoping you’ll share a Sunday Selfie with them, all the other Kitties Blue as well as your friends. They also want to remind you that the hop remains open through Thursday.

Thanks for joining us today as well as following, commenting and supporting us. And have a terrific, easy Sunday. We really are hoping spring as finally arrived wherever you live.

 

 



CATIO CAT TREE SUNPUDDLE WITH RALEIGH

Feline Friday

 

Pale ginger, tabby kitten napping non a cat tree in a sunpuddle on the catio.

 

Raleigh is the fan of the top of the cat tree, whether in the bedroom or on the catio. (Lisbeth has dibs on the top perch of the dining room cat tree.) It’s even better when the tree is in a sunpuddle.

Raleigh will be 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.

Not only did Sawyer help me with the fill-ins this week, but he is also the subject of one.

We both used teal italics for our fill-ins. Any explanatory information is in parenthesis.

1. Getting Cooper Murphy to stay out of the kittens’ food is like nailing jello to a wall.

2. Sawyer: I could use a break from having seizures. (I actually had one while Mom was writing this. Pffft! At least I made it a bit longer this time…10 days since my last one.)

3. I’d like to thank my friend, Etna, for going on a walk today with me and Kizmet in the stroller.

4. Just in case Sawyer decides to take another unauthorized walkabout, I had Dad Tom put a tracking device on his collar. (It has actually come in handy when we cannot find him in the house.)

Thanks for joining us today. We’ll be back tomorrow with some Caturday Art.

 

FROZEN TOESIES & TEASER WINNER

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Angel Sammy and Teddy (Two Spoiled Cats) provided us with a “cool” inspiration photo for this week’s poetry challenge. It is from an ice hotel in Sweden.

I added Lisbeth to the photo and cropped it down a bit.

 

Tuxedo cat lying on a bed in an ice hotel.

 

Frozen Toesies

Though, this looks warm and inviting;
I am chilled to the bone.
I definately would never want this to be my home.
I’m not certain I’ll even stay the night
If I can get an earlier flight
Back home where it’s warm and cozy,
And I don’t have to worry about freezing my toesies.

©  Janet Buickerood Blue – 04/12/2023

 
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 is one of our very favorite poets.

 

Thankful Thursday

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

Dad Tom and I are thankful for all the blog comments and condolences with reference to the loss of our nephew’s wife. We appreciate everyones’ kindness.

I am thankful I was the First Right Guesser on Two Spoiled Cats’ Tuesday Teaser. I hadn’t accomplished that feat in ages and ages. As a result, I won this terrific badge.

 

I also am thankful for some really nice weather with low humidity that has allowed me to get lots of work done in the yard.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for all our friends and followers, especially those of you who check out our Looking Back posts.

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 UNDERCOVER AGAIN

Wordless Wednesday

 

A grey cat is lying under a teal afghan with just her face showing.

 

If you missed Kizmet’s last undercover offering, you can find it at, “The PerPurrfect Companion.”

Kizmet is joining the Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the WW badge.

Looking Back

This week’s Looking Back post is from October 17, 2012. It is a Wordless Wednesday post, so you won’t even have to read anything when you check it out. And, you really want to check it out, as it shows Mau as an adorable kitten. Here’s the link, “Kitten Plays Computer Solitaire.” Kitties Blue and I hope you will leave us a comment on the post if you enjoy the photo!

Thanks for stopping in today.

 

THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CLXXXII

A Lame Plan

Periwinkle arrives slightly early for this week’s adventure taking Stinky by surprise. He doesn’t have any time to even worry about whether or not Periwinkle will enjoy what he’s planned. Unfortunately he’s not near the tunnel when she comes tumbling out. But when he hears the whoosh, he quickly hurries to help her up.

After several whisker kisses and paw hugs, Stinky asks, “Periwinkle, did you know that today is National Pet Day?”

“No, I didn’t. Are we going to spend the day petting each other and your fursibs?”

“No, and celebrating it isn’t what I originally planned, but my mom said what I wanted to do is lame.”

“What was that Stinky?” asks Periwinkle.

“I had colored some Easter eggs and asked one of our resident bunnies to hide them for us to find,” explains Stinky.

 

Cartoon tabby cat with a real bunny and an Easter basket with decorated eggs.

 

“I think that would have been fun Stinky, but if we aren’t going to do that, what is the plan?”

National Pet Day

National Pet Month/Day badge.

 

“National Pet Day is an annual event celebrating all of our friends with fur, fins and feathers. I thought we could give our friends some ideas of how to spend it. We’ll concentrate on cat activities, as you and I are felines,” Stinky explains.

“Oh, I think that is an excellent idea! Can I go first?”

“Of course,” replies Stinky.

Treat Time

“This is especially for you and my brofur, Raz. Pet parents can give their cat a few extras of his favorite treat, but they shouldn’t let him help himself. He might hork. I know both you and Raz have helped yourselves on more than one occasion.”

“Periwinkle, I am certain I have never done that,” exclaims Stinky.

“Then what is this?” asks Periwinkle showing him the evidence.

 

Cartoon tabby cat with jars of cat trees, which have been knocked onto the floor.

 

“I’m certain those fell off the counter all on their own,” argues Stinky. Periwinkle just rolls her eyes.

“Periwinkle, how about getting your cat some fresh or dried catnip?”

“That’s a good one, Stinky. Let’s see if Astrid will share some of her’s with us!”

 

Two cartoon tabby cats with a real tortoise shell cat and a sprig of catnip.

 

“I think we’re going to have to sneak some while she’s looking away, Periwinkle.”

Play Time

“Spending additional time today playing with your cat is another good idea,” suggests Stinky. Your human can throw your favorite mousie or other toy for you to retrieve. Mau liked doing that,” Stinky tells Periwinkle. The red dot (laser) toy and wand toy are fun as well. One of our favorite toys at my house is a bird that hangs from an elastic cord in the doorway. Raleigh particularly likes to play with it.”

 

Ginger tabby cat playing with a hanging yellow bird toy and being watched by two cartoon tabby cats.

 

“Hey, Raleigh, give us a turn,” Periwinkle shouts. Raleigh totally ignores them.

TV Watching

“That really does look like fun, Stinky. You know, lots of cats like to watch TV. I know there are lots of shows on about animals that any cat would enjoy. Here’s a few: The Zoo from Inside, My Pack Life, The Aquarium and Too Cute Cats. All are on Discovery+. World’s Funniest Animals is on The CW, and Animal Clips is on National Geographic. There are dozens of others.”

“They also should check out Animal Planet as well as YouTube and Instagram,” says Stinky. “Also, my sisfur, Kizmet, enjoys sports shows with lots of movement and balls, like volleyball, basketball and soccer. She even enjoys Paralympic tennis.”

 

Grey cat sitting with paws outstretched and resting on the television while it watches Paralympic tennis.

 

“Stinky, I can see that Kizmet actually has her eyes right on the ball. That is so cool! I bet lots of other cats would enjoy sports as well.”

Going Outside

“Some cats like to go for a walk on a leash or a ride in a stroller. That would be fun for our readers who live in places where spring has actually arrived. And both Misty May and Kizmet have gone for bike rides with our dad,” adds Stinky.

“Stinky, Kizmet just invited me to go with her for a stroller ride.”

“That’s cool. Can I come too?”

“Nope, this is just for girls,” Periwinkle replies.

 

Grey cat with a cartoon tabby cat in a purple stroller.

 

“Wow, Stinky, that was really fun. You need to try it sometime. I’m sorry we left you out today.”

Video Games

“I guess it’s okay, Periwinkle. I did come up with another idea while you were gone. There are fun video games for cats, like Mouse for Cats, Cat Fishing 2 and Cat Fishing Simulator.”

“I saw your mom’s post, ‘Can Cat’s Cooperate,’ from yesterday with Cooper Murphy, Astrid and Audrey playing Mouse for Cats. It really looked like fun. Hey, Stinky, it looks like Cooper is playing now. Maybe he’ll let me join him.”

 

Cartoon tabby cat and a sleeping orange tabby cat with a nearby iPad displaying the Mouse for Cats game.

 

“Cooper Murphy appears to have fallen asleep. Come play with me, Stinky.”

“I think we should finish our list first and then we can do whatever you want,” Stinky replies.

“You’re right,” Periwinkle tells him.

“I have a sort of silly idea, Periwinkle. Some animals really love snuggling down into warm laundry, like my sisfur, Calista Jo. Humans could do a load of laundry today so their kitty could curl up when it comes out of the dryer nice and warm.”

 

Cartoon tabby cat looking on as a dilute tortoise shell cat sleeps on a pile of socks.

 

“She sure does look warm and snuggly. But, you know, Stinky, the very best thing pet parents can do today is spend time snuggling and cuddling their cat if s/he enjoys that. And look, Misty May is in your dad’s lap right now. I think you should join her.”

Cuddle Time

“Good idea,” Stinky tells Periwinkle before joining Misty May.

 

Man cradling a tuxedo cat in his arms with a cartoon tabby cat sitting on his other arm.

 

“Stinky, I think we came up with some really great ideas, but I know humans can come up with lots more.”

“I agree, Periwinkle, and they can even help animals that don’t have homes by donating money, food litter or toys to their local shelter.”

“Stinky, I think that’s the best suggestion of all.”

“And after pet parents do some nice things for their animals, they can treat themselves. It’s Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s.”

Periwinkle giggles and gives Stinky a big paw hug before the two head to the kitchen for some of those extra treats.

Finally it is time for Periwinkle to head home. The two tabbies spend several minutes cuddling and whisker kissing. Then Periwinkle enters the teleportation tunnel and with a wave and whoosh is gone. As he always does, Stinky heads for a cozy spot to nap and dream of his beautiful girlfriend.

The End

Periwinkle and Stinky will be heading over to Comedy Plus to join in the Happy Tuesday blog hop.

CAN CATS COOPERATE?

Sparks

For some reason, yesterday I was thinking about compromise versus cooperation when it comes to relationships. To me, cooperation makes a lot more sense. Later in the day, I found Astrid, Cooper Murphy and Audrey cooperating when it came to playing Mouse for Cats. Cats don’t compromise!

 

Three cats, a tortie, ginger tabby and torbie (tortoise shell tabby) lying on a bed and coopering while playing the game, Mouse for Cats. Photo also has the quote: "We must work together to unlearn the biases that make our foundation weak, and rebuild a foundation of collective care, love, and cooperation," by Jamaal Bowman

 

Though these three are cooperating, Audrey was by far the champion of the game. She revealed mice I had never seen before with more than 600 “hits!”

The author of today’s Spark, Jamaal Bowman, is a 47-year-old, American politician and educator serving as the U.S. representative for New York’s 16th congressional district since 2021.

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

Astrid, Audrey and Cooper Murphy will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the Awww badge below.

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. I have no idea what Stinky has planned, but I know he and Periwinkle will want you to join them. Adventures are always more fun when you come along, so they’ll be waiting for you.

UNLIKELY EASTER TWO-FUR

Easter Sunday Selfies: Week #451

 

A tuxedo cat and a grey cat pose for an Easter Sunday Selfies blog hop in a Two-fur photo framed with a bunny head, decorated eggs, a flower and pink and blue border.

 

I have an unlikely duo here today sharing a two-fur for our Easter Sunday Selfies. They were lying in wait for Astrid. We don’t know if they blinked or decided to give Astrid a pass, but Dad Tom and I watched her slowly slink past. Neither Kizmet nor Misty May lifted a paw or made a sound. They must have been behaving in the hopes the Easter Bunny will bring them some extra treats today. I suppose they also thought agreeing to take this two-fur would up the chances of that. I did fancy up their selfie a bit with the frame from favpng.

Misty May, Kizmet and all the Kitties Blue hope you’ll share a selfie with us today. If you’d like to add a bit of Easter bling that would be great, but, obviously, not required. We know some of you and your humans will be celebrating the holiday and may not have the time to take or share a selfie. That’s okay. You can join the hop anytime through Thursday.

 

Thank You

Dad Tom and I thank everyone who left kind words on yesterday’s post with regard to the passing of family member, Violette. Your thoughtfulness and compassion are much appreciated.

And thank you for being our friends, followers and supporters!

 



KONA AMONG THE DOGWOODS

Caturday Art – In Memory of Violette Grant Blue

Though it is Caturday, my art today is of woofie, Kona. Kona is a white Golden Retriever. I am sharing Kona as a way of remembering our nephew Brent’s wife Violette.

 

White Golden Retriever with an overlay of pink dogwoods and a border of pink dogwoods.

 

Violette posted on her Facebook page, along with this photo, the following, “Who needs anything else in life when your puppy stares into your eyes like this?”

Violette lost her life yesterday at age 48 after suffering a cardiac arrest last week.

I enhanced Kona’s photo by overlaying a photo taken by Dad Tom. It’s of pink dogwood blossoms from our yard. The border of dogwood blossoms is from favpng.

I did make a puzzle.

preview108pieceKonadogwoods

If you can offer some prayers for Brent and his and Violette’s children, Gavin (10) and Ella (8), Dad Tom and I would be so grateful.

Kona 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 badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Tomorrow is a special Sunday—Easter. I haven’t a clue which of the Kitties Blue will be here as your host, but I am fairly certain they’ll ask for a fancy, Easter-themed frame for their selfie. Feel free to add some bling to your selfie if you desire. And we’d love it if you would invite some friends to participate as well. We enjoy  meeting new anipals and making new friends.

Have a great Caturday. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

 

 

KITTIES BLUE HIJINKS

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

The hijinks participants, Raleigh and Kizmet, and the onlookers, Sawyer, Astrid and Audrey, apologize for the poor quality of the photos. They were action shots, so it was tough to improve them.

The Kitties Blue will be joining the Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the WW badge.

Looking Back

Last week my Looking Back post was about Astrid and kitten, Calista Jo, and was written ten days after C.J. became one of the Kitties Blue. Continuing with that theme, Astrid and C.J. are back today in “The Great Pussy Purr-Off” from October 20, 2012. It’s a short post that you’ll be able to read quickly, so Astrid and Calista Jo hope you’ll check it out and leave them a comment if you enjoy it.

Thanks for joining us today.