CATS ARE PREDICTABLY UNPREDICTABLE!
The Human
I grew up in California as a dog lover, in spite of the fact that we had 13 cats at onetime when I was a youngster. In fact, my husband, Tom, and I still had two small dogs, Smack and Poppy, when our first cat, Skooter, came into our lives more than a quarter century ago. Though I still dream of someday having a West Highland White Terrier, I am sure that will be a dream unfulfilled if the resident felines have any input.
I am not ashamed to admit that I am now a crazy cat lady. We have had a maximum of eight cats at one time, as we do now, having recently adopted a new kitten. For me the optimum number of kitty residents is seven: It’s a feng shui thing. But our latest addition, Calista Josette, stole my heart and so I was willing to chance setting our lives off balance. We also have found that it is best to acquire new residents in pairs (didn’t do that this time) and so sometimes the population dips to six and then five. During those times, I find myself feeling as if our 100-year-old, three-story house is completely empty.
I have been writing since I was in the third grade and have a B.A. in English from the University of California Santa Barbara. In the past I have written for both the local city magazine and our regional business journal and worked for a local college where I was responsible for the creation of all publications: newsletters, brochures, catalogs and print advertising. My poetry has been published in the following literary journals: Deros; Harvest from the Hills; The South Florida Poetry Review; Inlet; Wind; Up Against the Wall, Mother; Artemis; Artistic License; Kentucky Poetry Review; Vintage ’45 and Gryphon.
Lily Olivia and me – May 2016
I also designed, edited and contributed to the poetry textbook, “Sky Hooks and Grasshopper Traps” by Judy Light Ayyildiz and Rebekah Woodie and edited the textbook, “Finding The Spark,” by Mignon Chubb-Hale.
With the advent of the electronic age, the logical next step seems to be a blog combining my interests in writing and felines. Actually I have been doing just that in an annual Winter Holiday newsletter for more than 20 years. And though my original plan had been for a book entitled, “Twelve Blue Cats,” I have a very short attention span (just like all kitties) so believe this format will be ideal.
I am optimistic that, if you are in any way partial to felines, you will enjoy reading about the antics of my past, present and future cats.
And, as I begin this venture, I must acknowledge and thank Jim Ellison for his site creation and Steve Stinson for his whimsical logo. The patience and expertise they offered this novice was invaluable!
Janet Buickerood Blue
Roanoke, Virginia
December 10, 2012
Hi, just wanted to say, I liked this blog post. It was funny. Keep on posting!
I am a native Californian. Grew up on a cattle ranch in the high Sierras. We kept cats to help with the ground squirrels. My dad put together a long pan about 10 feet long by 12 inches wide by 2 inches deep, and dumped an entire bucketful of fresh milk from the Guernsey cow. All 25 cats surrounded the pan and had their fill of rich, creamy milk. The rest of their food they got on their own.
I only have one really special boy now. He is a lot of fun.
Margaret
Hi there Janet: Sherri-Ellen here!! Wow you & are have a few similarities..i want a scottish Terrier but Nylablue says no other 4 leggeds here with her!!!!
I also have written & published poetry (many years ago)…but I do love thw written word!!!!
i do cat rescue whenever my health allows; then return home to Nylablue!!!
Say if you write a book about “BLUE” cats can Nylablue be in it 😉
Just kidding…..
I have bookmarked your site & we will visit regularly…..Nylablue can’t imagine so many ‘kittehs’ getting along so well, lol…
Bye for now, Sherri-Ellen of the Purrfect Pad.
Love your blog thingy! If you don’t mind, I would like to add a link to it on my blog thingy!
As I am going to do the same for you on my blog, that would be great! Many thanks, Janet
Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would appreciate your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
This a great blog – so happy to find out about it!
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back from now on. I want to encourage one to continue your great writing, have a nice afternoon!
Hi Janet…….thanks so much for finding our blog and keeping in touch with us. It’s so very nice to meet you. Mom said she thinks you are the best since you take care of so many kitties. We agree!! Here’s hoping this is the start of a great friendship! Purrs and mews
Hi, I just came over from Brian’s Home. So furry nice to meet you! Great blog and look forward to many more visits. Paw pats, Savannah
Hi,
I came across your blog from zeezoey.com. You have got a very full house, but I know the feeling, you really cannot limit yourself to 1 kitty…you love one and you love ’em all! You remind me of me lol. I, too was (and still am) a dog lover. I grew up with dogs for the majority of my life however, I had no experience with cats, until I got to know one and now I, just like you love them so much that it motivated me to write about cats. For me, I just want to get the word out there that cats are amazing creatures.
—–
Cindy
Chief Editor
Universal Cats
Hi Janet, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette!!!! Wow you guys must have a full house! Thank you for becoming my friend, lovely to come and visit your blog and see you all! I’ve signed up to follow all your future adventures! =^.^= Bisous Bailey
Glad to have discovered your blog! I am a cat lover too. In the past I have easily integrated two Scotties, three cats, and a number of birds including cockatiels that occasionally flew around the house to the great excited admiration of dogs and cats…. My husband was also an animal lover. He died in 2003; then I had to move away form that home in 2010 and now I have only 3 cats. Tow of them like to sleep on my head too. Three Scottie died, one found another home where he was happier, and I am not too old to have another Scottie or to take care of birds. It takes energy to manage a peaceable kingdom ! cats are the easiest and most affectionate friends to have in the older years. I will follow your blog.
Janet, nice to meet you–I saw your photo in the WW blog list and a visit to you was on my list today…or tomorrow as today is going on and on. Thanks for the visit, I think we have much in common!
Hi Janet! Thanks for dropping by my blog. I love your site! You have a precious feline family. Hugs to all of you! 🙂 Looking forward to reading more posts from you. 🙂
Janet – just stopping by to say, “Hi!” Trying to make my way around to all of the kitty blogs! 😉 Love the page sharing all of your cats, past & present…very sweet! Hugs & belly rubs!
Hi! I wanted to come by to thank you for visiting “Onespoiledcat” today……we enjoyed visiting you and have signed up to keep track of you and your house full of cats! Sam, his Dad and I live in Virginia too – just up the road “a piece” in Warrenton from Roanoke. I’ve always wanted a house full of cats but Sammy sometimes SEEMS like a house full although at age 13 he’s beginning to slow down a bit (whew!).
Pam – Sam’s Mom
ONESPOILEDCAT
Hi Poophead,
Finally able to get on your e-mail list, with the cox.net address. Will look forward to many future blogs.
Hiya! Thanks for visiting my bloggie and for voting for me =^.^=
I’m glad that you did because that enabled me to find your blog and I think my human and I are going to like it!
Purrs
Hi Janet! Thanks, as always, for the Christmas letter update. Reading your blog reminded me that I have one….though I’ve not been very good about keeping it up to date. Maybe you will inspire me! Glad you and Tom are doing well. I joined the 100 miler club-starting small this year. Not sure I’ll get 1000 miles like you two, but I’m looking forward to keeping a log. Dan and I have biked some on the greenway, but have missed you on your tandem. We are warm weather bikers, so maybe we can meet up in the spring! Hope to reconnect better this year. 🙂
Hi Janet,
I was awake unable to sleep ( too much chocolate:) and got up tokeep my self busy (Now Iiwll take yrou name the word letter trick). For some reason your name popped into my mind and I googled to find you. So glad I did! You were one of my only friends in high school and have a warm place in my heart for you. By the way, you look exactly the same. Best of luck on your venture! I would love to hear from you! Janice
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