November 9, 2023

THANKFULS & TIMES GONE BY

Thankful Thursday

Thursday is the day when we share the things for which we are thankful.

This week, I am thankful that after six years Sawyer is comfortable enough to be a lap cat both with Dad Tom and me. He’s always snuggled up close with us at night, but has never spent time in our laps except during or after a seizure when he didn’t know what was happening. (Maybe we can hope for the same from Raleigh in another five years.)

TIMES GONE BY: Grey Manx tabby cat napping in two different laps.

Sawyer apologizes for his unruly fur in the top photo. And I apologize for the difference in lighting between the two photos.

Dad Tom and I are thankful to have had the opportunity last Friday to spend time with his nephew, Chuck, and his family (who live in California) in Charlottesville where our great niece is attending UVA. We’ve seen them more in the last six months than we had in the last 15 years. Ainsley (far right) is only a freshman, so we are going to have these opportunities for many more years.

TIMES GONE BY: A family photo with two men and four women.

I finally got up early enough to be one of two first commenters on the Two Spoiled Cats Tuesday Teaser. It’s been a super long time since I did that. Here’s the badge I got.

And, of course, Kitties Blue and I are thankful for your support, comments and friendship!

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Angel Brian. If you would like to participate in the hop, post on your blog for what you are thankful and then click on the badge below to link up over at Brian’s Home.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Each week our dear friends, Teddy and Angel Sammy, (Two Spoiled Cats) share an inspiration photo with the hope that some of their followers will write a poem about it. Here is this week’s photo, which brings back so many memories for me.

TIMES GONE BY: Child reading under the covers with a flashlight and accompanied by a grey cat.

Times Gone By

Black Beauty, Treasure Island, Nancy Drew—
so many books to read, but homework
and chores each day after school leave no
time to pursue my passion for words.
Staying up to read is not allowed, but
after my parents are asleep, a flashlight
I stow beneath my bed illuminates
my under cover’s cave and the pages
I devour with my tired, sleepy eyes,
as Kitty Kat acts as my place holder.
When I finally drift off, I often dream
that one day I too will write books
children stay up late at night to read.

I suspect this doesn’t happen much anymore. I’m certain kids today are looking at their phones under the covers at night.

Each week Angel Sammy transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to Teddy for publication. He is a terrific poet, and his weekly creation is always worth reading. Pop on over to Two Spoiled Cats, by clicking on the poetry badge, to check out Sammy’s poem and get the photo for next week’s challenge.

Thanks for joining us today. The kitties and I will be back tomorrow with some Fill-ins.

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.