Asrid & Sampson

HEALING SPARK FROM ANGELS

Sparks

As I continue to struggle to heal both emotionally and physically, I wanted a Spark about healing. As I searched, I found several I liked, so I will posting others in the weeks to come. The one here is my favorite.

A circular rainbow with rainbow hearts and semi-transparent cats with the quote, "The words of kindness are more healing to a drooping heart than balm or honey," from Sarah Fielding

The colorful background reminded me of a rainbow, so I decided to add semi-transparent images of angels, Astrid and Sampy, to it. I also added the circle of hearts for them.

I usually like to include a bit about the author of the Spark I have selected, but several Sarah Fieldings exist (past and present), and I was unable to discover which of them said this. If you know, please tell me in the comments.

Sparks is the creation of Annie from McGuffy’s Reader. It 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

Angels Astrid and Sampy will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop hosted by Sandee at Comedy Plus. If you would like to join them there, click on the Awww badge.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky Reminder

Oh goodie, it’s time for another adventure with Periwinkle and Stinky. Periwinkle is in charge of planning what they get up to this week. That means you will need to join them tomorrow at Friends Furever. I know these two fun-loving tabbies will be looking for you, so please don’t forget to drop by and share in the fun.

Thanks for joining us today.

A PURRFECT & BEAUTIFUL TORTIE ANGEL

Saying Good-Bye

Last Caturday Astrid and I asked for prayers as she made the transition to her next life.

A purrfect and beautiful tortie cat with an angel's halo. Today, Angel Astrid and I want to say, “thank you.” Thursday morning at 9:34 a.m., Astrid left this earth to join her husband, Angel Sampy, in a place where the sun is always shining and no one ever feels any pain or suffering. It doesn’t matter if you call it heaven, the Rainbow Bridge or something else. It is beautiful and peaceful. Picturing the two of them holding paws and scampering beneath a bright blue sky has given me much comfort.

Astrid and I spent her last couple of days together as many hours as possible. She was only on her own when I had to leave the house for doctor appointments or was doing my in-home physical therapy. She was snuggled in my lap, on my chest or next to me in bed.

When I began this blog, Astrid and Lisbeth were the two junior members of the Kitties Blue crew. Calista Jo joined just a few months later. Now, Lisbeth is the only remaining member of the blog’s original cast of kitties.

Astrid was the first and only one of two cats I selected prior to meeting them. I found her photo on PetFinder, and it was love at first sight. I immediately filled out an adoption application and prayed she had not already been spoken for. Thankfully, she was available. When we met her, we also met Lisbeth and decided to adopt them together.

Astrid was 14 years and one month old when she left us. Fourteen years is a fairly average lifespan for a cat, but I wish she had been able to surpass that by many more years. She was beautiful and sweet but with plenty of tortitude.

Astrid in Art

I am sharing two portraits of Astrid for today’s art. Neither were created by me. The first was drawn by Alana Grelyak from Cat in the Fridge as part of a Secret Paws gift. I originally shared it on December 17, 2014, on the post, “The Naughtiness Continues.”

A purrfect and beautiful tortie cat with an angel's halo.

The second was created by Emily Hall, Sampy’s mom, from Kitty Cat Go and Kitty Cat Chronicles. I shared it on July 19, 2023, on the post, “Astrid’s Portrait & Candid Camera Prank.”

Portrait of a purrfect and beautiful tortie cat.

These are both so special, and I am grateful to have them.

In the midst of writing this post, I took time out to look at hundreds of photos of Astrid dating back to 2012. In the majority she was lying on my chest, in my lap or parked between me and the laptop or iPad screen. I am already missing that warm little body.

Caturday Art Blog Hop

Our newest angel will be taking part in Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. You can do the same by clicking on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

We will be back tomorrow with our regular selfies hop. The selfies, however, will be flashbacks. The 17th was Mau and Misty May’s 21st birthday. Though, they are both angels; I absolutely cannot miss remembering them. I will be selecting a favorite selfie of each to share.

Regardless of our selfies not being new, Kitties Blue and I really hope you will snap a selfie and join us on the hop. It’s always open through Thursday, so if you are unavailable tomorrow, that is not a problem. But we do look forward to seeing you whenever you can stop by.

Thanks for joining us today and helping us say, “good-bye,” to Astrid.

September 20, 2025 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Asrid & Sampson Caturday Art Blog Hop 54

THE DEFINITION OF TORTITUDE

Caturday Art

This is definitely not the type of art I would normally post for Athena’s Caturday Art blog hop.

Tortoise shell cat in a black frame surrounded by puce blossoms and the words, "Astrid Please Pray for Me!"

And, this is definitely not the post I expected to be writing today.

If you joined us on Thursday, you know that Astrid had a vet appointment that morning at 8 a.m. We knew she had not been eating as well as usual for a couple of days, and she had been slowing down some, but I did not expect that the outcome of her exam and blood work would be so dire.

This is the silly cat that was clowning around on the catio on her birthday a little more than three weeks ago.

Tortoise shell cat showing off silly side as well as toe beans.

One week ago today, Astrid was my nurse post surgery.

Tortoise shell cat displays her tortitude while acting as nurse after her human's surgery.

This is our tiny 4.8 pound sweetheart at the vet with Dr. McBane on Thursday.

Female vet with a tortoise shell cat in a purple AirPod.

Diagnosis

Astrid has a Stage 3 heart murmur, advanced kidney disease and anemia. Her phosphorous level should be around 4, and it is 32. That tortitude has given her the ability and desire to hide all of this from us.

It is instinctual for cats to hide illness to protect themselves from predators. Inherited from their wild ancestors, the behavior is a survival mechanism. Our beloved, furry house cats (usually) to not need the ability to mask disease. But they cannot help themselves. Whether instinct or tortitude, Astrid managed to propel herself to the top of the bedroom cat tree last evening.

We are choosing palliative care. Astrid will be getting an appetite stimulant, at home sub-Q fluids, a phosphate-binder food additive and k/d-specific food. (If she is anything like Fiona, she is not going to touch that stuff!)

Astrid, Dad Tom and I are asking for your prayers not with the hope of a cure, but for the hope her transition to her next life where she will be reunited with her precious husband Sampy will be with continued tortitude and little discomfort. She is beloved, and if any way existed to give her more years with us, I would take it.

A Puzzle

Astrid had to have a puzzle, as we do not know how many more she’ll have the opportunity to share.

120 Tortoise Shell Cat Tortitude

Astrid will be joining Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty on her Caturday Art blog hop. To do the same, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Our Selfies hop will continue tomorrow as usual. I have no candidates when it comes to your host. I can only cross my fingers that one of the gang will come forward and volunteer.

Thank you so much for joining us today and for any prayers you can spare. We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.

September 13, 2025 by Janet Blue Asrid & Sampson Caturday Art Blog Hop Health Jigsaw Puzzle Prayers 21

🎂 KIZMET TURNS FIVE ! 🎂

Awww Mondays

Celebrating Kizmet’s birthday seems purrfect for an Awww Monday. She is five years old today. Some of you may remember and some of you found out yesterday that Kizmet joined the Kitties Blue family during the COVID pandemic. She was Dad Tom’s and my Christmas gift to ourselves. I saw her photo on PetFinder and fell in love. Her name was Janet, which seemed like kismet and led to her name being changed to Kizmet.

Kizmet is the friendliest cat we have ever had as part of our family. (Mau comes in a super close second!) She absolutely loves everybody she meets and is not afraid of anything. A few weeks ago, we entertained a friend of a friend, whom Dad Tom and I had never met. Kizmet inspected her and then curled up in her lap for a long nap. She has hopped into the handbags of friends and would have gladly traveled home with them. She is a master at giving kisses and making biscuits on her dad and I until we cry, “uncle!”

Kizmet is a bit sneaky, however, and has escaped on several occasions. She has never left the yard and always comes back inside. A locator is on her collar … just in case she ever gets out and decides to wander. She would probably go home with anyone who invited her to do so. That would be a tragic loss for us.

And, of course, Kizmet is our renowned super meowdel.

Let’s Celebrate

First we have a card.

A 5th birthday card for a grey cat named Kizmet on Awww Mondays.

Our expert baker, Cooper Murphy, managed to make a cake for her. Unfortunately his paws were raw by the time he had a satisfactory one, which came from Wixel. He will explain his difficulties in a separate post.

Grey cat with green eyes atop a aqua and lavender birthday cake.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a party without some kind of noms and beverages. Kizmet specifically requested that we have the yummy nip ice cream again.

A collage of champagne, berry iced tea, ice cream and grilled shrimp.

I definitely will be giving Kizmet some toys from Cat Lady Box that I have secreted away before she could grab and claim them. Probably some fresh nip will be handed out to all the kitties.

Once Kizmet is finished partying with you all, she will be heading over to Comedy Plus to participate in the Awww Mondays blog hop. If you would like to do the same, click on the Awww badge.

Sparks

I wanted a Spark for today that held some relationship to birthdays. I get most of my Sparks from BrainyQuote, so I searched there under the topic of birthday. The Spark I found and liked was under that heading. Though, it doesn’t directly relate to birthdays; I decided it was a good one for today.

Several colors of leaves on an ombre background with the quote, "You take away all the other luxuries in life, and if you can make someone smile and laugh, you have given the most special gift: happiness," by Brad Garrett.

Kizmet brings use so much happiness. What could me more appropriate?

Astrid & Angel Sampy

I could not let this day go by without mentioning that it would also have been Astrid and Angel Sampy’s Ninth Wedding Anniversary. That Sampy has gone to the Rainbow Bridge is truly heartbreaking. They deserved many more years together.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Tomorrow is the special day when Periwinkle and Stinky set out on a new adventure. Stinky has shared with me what he has planned, and I think you will want to join them for this particular adventure. I know Periwinkle and Stinky will be looking for you. Please don’t let our sweet tabbies down.

Thanks for joining us today.

New E-Mail: KittiesBlue@thecatonmyhead.com

June 23, 2025 by Janet Blue Anniversary Asrid & Sampson Awww Mondays Birthday Sparks 21

🌈 REMEMBERING SAMPY 🐈‍⬛

Awww Mondays

Tuxedo cat with a halo on a alcohol ink background of blue sky, clouds and a rainbow with the words, "Sampson "Sampy" Hall 03/22/2012 - 08/04/2024 And I believe that love is stronger than death. Robert Fulghum"

When we asked for purrs, prayers and POTP for Sampy Hall yesterday, we knew his trip to the Rainbow Bridge was imminent, but we did not know it would be so soon. Mom Emily and Dad Bobby could see he was suffering and so made arrangements for him to be helped to the RB yesterday.

Sampy had been ill since September with IBD and possible lymphoma, but was doing well on medication until just a few weeks ago.

Being Astrid’s husband, he was part of our family, and I am devastated that he received his wings and flew off to the Bridge. I spent a good portion of yesterday afternoon endlessly blubbering. Sampy will always hold a place in the hearts of all those who knew this handsome tuxie. As his mom told me when I added his bio to our The Felines page, “Sampson is a trouble maker, a food stealer and a heart winner. He is a jack of all trades—a singer, an acrobat, a suckler (the neck is his favorite suckle spot). He is also a master conversationalist. Underneath it all though, he is one big lover boy, happy to spend his days cuddled up with his mom.

We’ll be linking up with the Awww Mondays blog hop hosted by Sandee at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the badge below.

Sparks

Our Spark today is from Robert Fulghum. He is an 87-year-old, American author and Unitarian Universalist minister. He is best known for his book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Tomorrow is the special day when Periwinkle and Stinky set out on a new adventure. Stinky’s been wringing his paws as he tries to come up with an exciting adventure for tomorrow. No matter what Stinky figures out, your favorite tabby adventurers will be looking for you tomorrow. Please don’t forget to check in to find out what they get up to and into!

Thanks for joining us today.

Photo taken by Sampy’s human, Emily Hall, and used with permission. Graphic on which selfie has been placed created by the author, Janet Blue, using piZap AI generator, for which I have a lifetime subscription.

August 5, 2024 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Asrid & Sampson Awww Mondays Remembering Friends Sparks 21

TEN YEARS OF SELFIES

Sunday Selfies: Week #520

Dear Friends,

Mom is letting me write our post today. My sis, Lisbeth, got to share her selfie for week #1 of our blog hop. So, Mom thought it would be appropriate for me to host today.

I also asked her if it would be okay for an entirely different reason. But before I get into that, here is my selfie.

Tortoise shell cat selfie in a red frame with hearts and roses.

The real reason I am here today is also why I am looking somewhat grumpy. My sweet and gentle husband of eight years, Sampson (Sampy) Hall, is not well. He needs everyone’s purrs, prayers and POTP as do his mom and dad, Emily and Bobby.

Here is the handsome love of my life. He has the most beautiful green eyes.

Tuxedo cat in a green and white bed.

As you know, I am a cat of a few words, so I am going to sign off and let Mom finish this post. I want to stare at Sampy’s photo for a little while. Then after we get our bedtime treat snack, I will head to bed to dream of him.

Purrs & paw-pats, Astrid (with all my love and a bajillion kisses for Sampy)

Hopping Time

If you had told me when the Kitties Blue and I started this hop that it would still be going on ten years later, I would have laughed. I would never have expected that those of you who join us each week would still be interested. To be honest, ten years ago I could never have predicted I would still be blogging today. So, it’s a double surprise.

As this is such a monumental anniversary, we are really hoping that not only will you join us today but also invite all your friends to do the same. And, please, let them know they have through Thursday to hop along.

Have an incredibly delightful and easy Sunday. And ask for some extra treats. You deserve them.

August 4, 2024 by Janet Blue Asrid & Sampson Prayers Sunday Selfies 28

ASTRID & SAMPY’S 8TH ANNIVERSARY

Sunday Selfies: Week #514

Today, Astrid has a super special selfie. She took it for her husband of eight years, Sampy (Sampson) Hall (Kitty Cat Chronicles). Today is their anniversary. They were married at Blog Paws in Phoenix. If you weren’t with us back then, here’s the post about it, “Introducing the Newlyweds.”

💖 For Sampy from Astrid with love and eleventy bajillion kisses. 💋

Cooper Murphy tried to make another cake using A.I. It seems piZap A.I. doesn’t really understand what a tortoise shell cat is. After about six attempts, he decided to select the one he thought was the cutest. He’s hoping Astrid doesn’t mind the bride looks more like our angel, Lily Olivia. It’s the thought that counts. Right?

Astrid anniversary selfie: Cake with bride and groom cats.

We hope you’ll join us for a piece of cake and some champagne.

Hopping Time

After you have enjoyed your cake and champagne, Astrid and all the other Kitties Blue invite you to join the hop. If you are unable to get here today, that’s okay. The hop remains open through Thursday, which gives you several days to snap a selfie and share it with us and all your other friends.

For today, we wish you an easy Sunday and thank you for stopping in to see us.

June 23, 2024 by Janet Blue Anniversary Asrid & Sampson Sunday Selfies 23

VALENTINE’S DAY GREETINGS

Wordless Wednesday

Kitties Blue are joining the Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus.

February 14, 2024 by Janet Blue Asrid & Sampson Kitties Blue Sawyer & Noelle Valentine's Day Wordless Wednesday 17

ASTRID’S PORTRAIT & CANDID CAMERA PRANK

Thankful Thursday

Astrid and I have the first thankful. Sampy sent her the most incredible anniversary present, which his mom, Emily, created. Here’s a photo of it.

Framed drawing of a tortoise shell cat.

We knew Emily is very talented, but never knew she could draw. So this was a huge surprise. It looks exactly like Astrid and is purrfect!

I am thankful for another double win on the Tuesday Teaser at Two Spoiled Cats. I was one of two First Commenters and the First Right Guesser of the Teaser. These are the badges I received.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for those of you who visited our Monday post when we remembered our angel Mau.

We are, of course, thankful for each of you who visit us, comment and join our blog hop.

Brian hosts the Thankful Thursday blog hop. To participate, post are you blog for what you are thankful, then click on Brian’s badge to link up.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

This week’s inspiration photo provided by Teddy and Angel Sammy from Two Spoiled Cats is truly bizarre. I did consider adding a few of the Kitties Blue to it, but that would have been overdoing it just a tad. Seventeen bald babies all dressed in the same blue romper is nightmare enough!

Photo of 17 bald babies all wearing the same blue romper with three crawling atop a woman lying on the floor.

You’re on Candid Camera

There are so many babies
I don’t know what to do.
I feel like I’m trapped in a human zoo.

With all these mouths to feed
And diapers to change,
I think I may be going insane.

When I was hired to care for multiple infants,
I didn’t ask for the exact number
Or if they took the opportunity to slumber.

I definitely need some assistance.
They all look exactly the same,
And I have no idea of their names.

I think this must have been a prank—
Like that TV show Candid Camera.
If so, release me before I lose my stamina.

Only a so-so poem this week for which I apologize. I think this is a photo that stands along and didn’t really need me to try and interpret it.

If you’d like to join in the fun of writing poetry, click on Angel Sammy’s poetry badge. That will take you over to Two Spoiled Cats where you can find next week’s inspiration photo. You’ll also be able to check out Angel Sammy’s poem for this week. He transmits it to Teddy each week from the Rainbow Bridge, and in our opinion, it’s always a winner.

Thanks for joining us today. Kitties Blue and I hope you will join us again tomorrow when we celebrate our 11th blogoversary and the second anniversary of Sawyer’s second Gotcha Day.

July 20, 2023 by Janet Blue Anniversary Asrid & Sampson Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 11

TWINKLY-EYED TORTIE

Sunday Selfies: Week #465

Tortoise shell cat with a twinkle in her eye and framed with a red, pink and white checked ribbon with a big bow and pink flower.

Are you surprised to see me? I haven’t been on the blog since June 23, when Sampy and I celebrated our anniversary. Did you know that June 23 is also Kizmet’s birthday, and we did not celebrate it? Mom just realized that yesterday. We have so many things to celebrate in June and July, she says it is hard to keep up, especially with her aging brain being in charge of remembering.

Tomorrow we have the anniversary of Mau getting his angel wings. Then we have Sawyer’s second anniversary of his second Gotcha Day and our blogoversary, followed by Mau and Allie’s anniversary. And just a few days later it will be Raleigh and Audrey’s Gotcha Day. Whew…that is a lot. I sure cannot blame Mom for not being able to keep up. But, she better not forget Lisbeth’s and my birthday in August.

Speaking of Sampy’s and my anniversary, I received my gift in the mail on Saturday; though, I really think it is more for my mom. Sampy’s mom, Emily, created it. It is quite beautiful, and we will share it on Thankful Thursday.

So that’s about all I have to say for today, except, please join us for our blog hop. It’s easy and fun and the purrfect way to show off how cute you are. It’s also a great way to make some new friends.

Have an easy Sunday.

Purrs and paw-pats, Astrid (with all my love and a bajillion kisses to Sampy)

July 16, 2023 by Janet Blue Anniversary Asrid & Sampson Sunday Selfies 19

Asrid & Sampson

Sparks

Awww Mondays

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky Reminder

Saying Good-Bye

Astrid in Art

Caturday Art Blog Hop

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Caturday Art

Diagnosis

A Puzzle

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Awww Mondays

Let’s Celebrate

Sparks

Astrid & Angel Sampy

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

New E-Mail: KittiesBlue@thecatonmyhead.com

Awww Mondays

Sparks

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Photo taken by Sampy’s human, Emily Hall, and used with permission. Graphic on which selfie has been placed created by the author, Janet Blue, using piZap AI generator, for which I have a lifetime subscription.

Sunday Selfies: Week #520

Hopping Time

Sunday Selfies: Week #514

💖 For Sampy from Astrid with love and eleventy bajillion kisses. 💋

Hopping Time

Wordless Wednesday

Thankful Thursday

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

You’re on Candid Camera

Sunday Selfies: Week #465

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Kitty Couples

Angels Allie & Mau Married: July 23, 2016

Angels Astrid & Sampson “Sampy” Married: June 23, 2016

Lisbeth & Angel Charles

Noelle & Angel Sawyer

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Allie & Mau
Married: July 23, 2016

Angels Astrid & Sampson “Sampy”
Married: June 23, 2016