BlogPaws Conference

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY KITTEN ART

Caturday Art

Okay, so I know what you’re thinking…those crazy people have adopted another kitten. That does sound like fun, especially with all the fascinating holiday decorations, but sadly we have not added any new felines to the Kitties Blue crew.

What I am sharing today are two different art renderings of kitten Fiona. Yesterday marks seven years since she flew away to the Rainbow Bridge. My mind cannot seem to process the fact that she has been gone that long. She was and will always remain one of my special heart kitties.

Here are two different versions of art, both created using the Sugar Plum Fairy effect from Painnt.

Sugar Plum Fairy kitten: Grey kitten in an art rendering in a gold frame with an aqua and gold snowflake.

Sugar Plum Fairy kitten: Art rendering of kitten in shades of green and purple in a multi-toned green frame.

I couldn’t decide which version I liked best, which is why I am sharing both. If you have a favorite, let me know in the comments.

I made a puzzle from each. The first is quite easy. The second is a tad more challenging.

100 Kitten Art120 Sugar Plum Fairy Kitten

Sugar Plum Fairy Fiona 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.

Another Angel

It was another blow when the day after Fiona left us (seven years ago today), our dear friend, Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats), followed her. It gave me some comfort to know they were together. I know that Mom Pam and Dad David miss Sammy just as much today as they did the day he got his angel wings.

At Blog Paws 2017, I made memorial flags for each of them. Sammy’s came out great. Fiona’s…not so much. You can see them both on the post, “Glimpses from Blog Paws 2017.” Those flags were meant to be displayed at each future Blog Paws Conference. Unfortunately, there was only one conference after that in 2018. Where those flags are today, I have no idea. I am sending love and warm hugs today to Pam and David.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

It is hard to believe that only five Sundays remain until 2024. New Year’s Eve actually falls on Sunday this year, so our last selfies of the year will be on the last day of the year. I’m not trying to get ahead of myself. I am just wondering how another year of our lives has slipped away so quickly.

Anyhoo, it’s time to get a selfie snapped for tomorrow’s hop. A couple of Kitties Blue have taken selfies this week, so it will be up to me to see who gets to be your host. Whoever it is, I know they’ll be looking forward to you joining them. Hope to see you there either tomorrow or anytime through Thursday.

Thanks for dropping by today. Have a meowvolous Caturday.

POETRY FEATURING KIZMET & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Kizmet has snuck in today’s inspiration photo for Teddy and Angel Sammy’s poetry challenge. My poem this week is a haiku.

Kizmet poetry: Man and woman looking away from each other with grey cat looking over their shoulders.

Do you hear a noise?
Yes, sounds like rumbling thunder.
Did you feed the cat?

If you’d like to try writing some poetry, click on Angel Sammy’s badge. You’ll be able to visit Two Spoiled Cats, read Sammy’s poem for this week and get next week’s inspiration photo.

Thankful Thursday

The big thankful for this Thursday’s blog hop is that our e-mail post notifications are working, as most of you should know. I am definitely thankful for the absence of frustration and stress I was experiencing when it wasn’t working.

I also am thankful that I completed my 2000th Peloton ride last week.

Cooper Murphy is thankful for finding out he won the Easter Egg Hunt at Cat Scouts. He collected 50+ eggs and won an Amazon gift card and nip carrot. Both arrived in the mail today.

Finally, I was thankful to have had the opportunity to get to know Paula Gregg personally while in attendance at four Blog Paws conferences. In 2017 the two of us stayed up talking in her suite until after 1 a.m. I like to talk, but I couldn’t match Paula. She was an interesting and talented individual who contributed much to our community. She will be missed and remembered by all who knew her.

Paula Gregg and Blog Paws conferences with kitten and at awards ceremony.

Check out that infectious smile!

To participate in the Thankful Thursday blog hop, which is hosted by Brian, post on your blog for what you are thankful. Then enter the URL listed on his badge in your browser to pop over to Brian’s Home and join the hop.

Thanks for joining us again today.

May 5, 2022 by Janet Blue BlogPaws Conference Cat Scouts Remembering Friends Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 11

MULTIPLE CHOICE

Wordless Wednesday

Multiple Choice

Reading the News
On Guard
Official Greeter

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

September 30, 2020 by Janet Blue BlogPaws Conference Wordless Wednesday 14

EIGHTH BLOGOVERSARY

Our First Eight Years

This is our 2,310th post and our eighth blogoversary.

When Kitties Blue and I started this adventure, I knew nothing about blogging, had no idea how many cat-centric blogs existed and did not know by striking out on this endeavor I would meet so many like-minded people or make so many wonderful friends.

I am not going to run through a litany of milestones from the past eight years, but I do want to share a few.

Three new kitties joined our household.

Three beloved cats gained their wings.

We began our Sunday Selfies blog hop on August 17, 2014, and have posted it for 310 consecutive weeks. Lisbeth was our first host.

Astrid married Sampson “Sampy” (Kitty Cat Chronicles) at Blog Paws on May 23, 2016.

Mauricio married Allie (Friends Furever) on July 23, 2016 at Cat Scouts.

Along with Friends Furever we began the series, “The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky,” on October 8, 2019, alternating posts each Tuesday between the two blogs. In fact, Periwinkle & Stinky are off on another adventure today over at Friends Furever. These two little tabbies are always getting into some kind of mischief, and they truly enjoy sharing the fun times with our readers. Pop over and read today’s adventure by clicking the above link to Friends Furever.

These are merely a few of the highlights from the past eight years. We hope you have enjoyed this mini-retrospective and continue to visit us as we go forward.

Angel Lily Olivia, Angel Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy, Sawyer and I appreciate each and everyone who has ever visited or commented. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be here. Thank you, friends! You have made all our lives better and more interesting.

Finally, Kitties Blue are joining the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the badge below.

July 21, 2020 by Janet Blue Allie and Mauricio Angel Cat Asrid & Sampson Backstory Blogoversary BlogPaws Conference Cat Scouts Happy Tuesday Stinky & Periwinkle Sunday Selfies The Adventures of Stinky & Periwinkle 28

ASTRID & COOPER MURPHY HELP WITH FILL-INS

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #106

With the help of Cooper Murphy and Astrid, I have completed the Friendly Fill-Ins. This is a blog hop currently being hosted by 15 And Meowing And Four-Legged Furballs (while Annie at McGuffy’s Reader is taking a blogging break.

They have a new badge to represent the current collab-oration. If you click on it, you will be transported to Four-Legged Furballs, where you can enter the link to your fill-ins post.

1. Cooper Murphy: It is nice to have a catio where we can spend our days watching birds and squirrels and napping.

2. Astrid: The best part of last week was finally venturing into the new cat bed from Dharma Dog/Karma Cat® that Mom won from the Cat Style Lounge at the BlogPaws Conference. It only took a month, but both Mau and I finally tried it out. I don’t know what we were waiting for.

3. Every summer, I complain about the heat. With the hot weather we’ve been having already this spring, I suspect I will bitch about it again this year.

4. Once upon a time, I lived in California. In fact both Dad Tom and I were born and grew up there. This is the house I lived in from age six trough age 18. (My dad built that light post back in the mid 50s.)

I am also entering the Feline Friday blog hop at Comedy Plus.

May 25, 2018 by Janet Blue Cat Style Lounge Friendly Friday Fill-Ins 19

A PAWFUL OF THANKFULS

Thankful Thursday

Wowzers, we sure do have a lot of thankfuls this week.

We were one of four first commenters on The Tuesday Teaser at Two Spoiled Cats. And we guessed the Teaser correctly; though, we were not first. Missed that by two minutes. We won these two cool badges.

Our humans came home a day earlier than planned from their trip to KCMO for BlogPaws Conference.
We saw and smelled swag bags full of goodies being taken into the living room when they arrived home.
Last night, Mom brought out the items she and Dad won from the Cat Style Lounge at BP.

Here are Astrid, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer checking out the goodies. The first is the karma cat® 100% pure wool pet bed. This is the Bouquet Cave design. Astrid is our cave cat, so we suspect she’ll be the first one to claim it as her own.

The second item is the Kritter Community portable and collapsible Lodge Cat House. It is purrfect for outside and has stakes for securing it to the ground. Mom is hoping to take some of us out to the yard this summer while she is gardening. And the large (22″ H x 20″ W x 30″) size is great for travel. Mom’ would like to take Cooper Murphy to BlogPaws in Florida in 2019. He’s very sociable and always up in everyones’ business, so she thinks he might do well there.

Cat Style Lounge

The Cat Style Lounge at the BlogPaws Conference always displays the newest and best cat products on the market. And all items are given away to participants at the conclusion of the conference. The lovely Kate Benjamin (Hauspanther), who selects her favorite items for display in the lounge, usually oversees the lounge as well. Unfortunately she was not with us this year, as she is undergoing treatment for cancer. Kitties Blue as well as our mom and dad send prayers for a speedy recovery and thanks for making certain the 2018 Cat Style Lounge had terrific products and a great volunteer staff.

Next week we’ll be sharing photos of all the swag the humans brought home from the conference. And we’ll be announcing some giveaways. Keep checking in everyday so you don’t miss the opportunity to win some great products.

We are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. To join, click on his badge.

A Special Sunday Selfies Announcement

This upcoming Sunday is Mau’s wife Allie‘s birthday. In celebration, we’d like to suggest that you make your selfie in the form of a card for Allie. Of course, this is not a requirement to join the hop, but we know it would make Allie very happy to see all the greetings. We will be having a comment-a-thon in her honor as well. The charity Allie selects to receive the donation will be announced as soon as she lets us know.

Apology to Angel Sammy and Teddy

Once again we did not compose a poem for Thoroughly Poetic Thursday. We really like the photo Mom Pam selected as inspiration for this week, and we are going to try to convince Mom to write a poem about it to include on our Friendly Fill-Ins post.

Until tomorrow…

Purrs and paw-pats, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer

April 26, 2018 by Janet Blue Allie and Mauricio Birthday BlogPaws Conference Cat Style Lounge 13

NON-CAT CAT HOSTS SUNDAY SELFIES

Sunday Selfies: Week #193

Who the heck is this with our mom? We knew there was something wrong when we found out a guest “cat” would be hosting today. But we, at least, expected a real cat. With all the cute cats attending the BlogPaws Conference: Kylo Ren, Dori, Candy, Summer, Coco, Chanel, Samson, Cupcake, etc., why would she pick this dorky guy to join her in a selfie? Wait…we know; a real cat would be way cuter than she is.

That’s not the reason. Really? Okay, what’s the scoop?

This guy promotes Meowijuana®. Your kidding…right? We love that stuff. Okay then, if we have to have this big ole fake, nip joint-smoking cat on our blog, there better be some Meowijuana® in our swag. If there is, you can bet we aren’t letting any of that find it’s way into a giveaway; though, we might be persuaded to share some with Chris’ kitty, Tinsley. After all, she always brings us nip and treats.

Blog Hop

We kitties are hoping y’all did a better job on your selfies than our mom did on this one. We heard some others of you are going to have a guest selfie as well. Seems as if we are going to be in for an interesting hop this week.

If you are new to hopping or just need a refresher course to enter our hop, here are some pointers.

The link to add your selfie to the hop is below.
You also will find below the code to use if you’d like the hop to appear on your blog.
Posting on Sundays is not necessary to join.
You do not need to be a cat to enter. All anipals are welcome regardless of species.
The hop remains open for entries through Thursday midnight.
Please be so kind as to display our badge and/or link to The Cat on My Head.

Thank you for joining us.

Purrs & paw-pats, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer

April 22, 2018 by Janet Blue BlogPaws Conference Sunday Selfies 36

SUNDAY SELFIES REMINDER

This is a short and quick note to let all our friends know we will be here for our Sunday Selfies blog hop tomorrow. To be completely honest, Mom and some “strange” cat will be here. In fact, under all the ginger fur, we are not even certain it is a cat.

The humans are on the road returning from BlogPaws and will be home tomorrow.

We’ve been having lots of fun with Chris and generally running amok ever since the PetCube quit working two days ago. We figure if Mom and Dad cannot see us, we can do whatever we want! Of course, we don’t want to get into too much trouble when they get home. After all, we want to be able to keep some of that swag they get. Mom says she’ll be giving most of it away, so we’ll have to be fast to snag the swag we want. MOUSES!

Sawyer: “Wait…they’re actually bringing mousies home with them?”

The remaining Kitties Blue in unison: “Sorry, Sawyer, we should have been more specific. Toys that look like mouseies.”

Sawyer: “Phooey!”

Cooper Murphy: “Don’t worry, little buddy. I heard they have a special toy just for you. It is called Poopsie.”

Anyhoo…we’ll see you all tomorrow. Hope you are having a super Saturday.

Purrs & paw-pats, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer

April 21, 2018 by Janet Blue BlogPaws Conference Kitty Written Blog Sunday Selfies 9

10TH ANNIVERSARY BLOGPAWS CONFERENCE

Day #2

Another busy and fun day at the BlogPaws Conference started with breakfast hosted by ComfortZone®. Kitty Cat Chronicles‘ Kylo Ren found something on the wall more interesting than breakfast or the speaker. We’ll be telling you more about ComfortZone® in a future post.

It was a full day of learning sessions both before and after lunch. I attended a great session on how to start a podcast and one on getting and building relationships with brands.

Lunch was provided by Seresto®, and I couldn’t resist having my photo taken with the giant Seresto® dog, especially as I was wearing my The Cat on My Head t-shirt and a velvet cat hat, complete with ears.

The evening included a trip to the park across the street from the hotel where Kylo Ren had a photo session with none other than our resident photographer, Dad Tom. Check out KittyCatChronicles on Instagram to see the model with his sleepypod® Air.

The humongous baseball shirt gifted to me, as an Official Partner of Remember Me Thursday ® (#RememberTheRescue), by the organization reps, made a cozy nightshirt as I snuggled in bed to write this post. Kitties Blue are great fans of Remember the Rescue. This year’s Remember Me Thursday® will be September 27. Watch for more information here later in the year. Or check out our 2017 post, Remember Me Thursday 2017.

Today will be our final day, with more learning sessions, another Keynote Address, the Nose-to-Nose Awards and the banquet. Lots of our friends are finalists for awards. You’ll be able to watch the awards ceremony live on the BlogPaws Facebook page beginning at 6 p.m. CDT.

Watch for my final report from BlogPaws next week. And don’t forget to check out all the tweets from BlogPaws on Twitter at #BlogPaws.

April 20, 2018 by Janet Blue BlogPaws Conference Remember Me Thursday 19

10TH ANNIVERSARY BLOGPAWS CONFERENCE

Day #1:

Spent time with lots of our blogging friends and met with some of the brand sponsors.
Enjoyed seeing lots of kitties and woofies.
Met some cute six-week-old kittens from Kansas City’s Wayside Waifs no-kill shelter.

This is Kelly and Dad Tom. She’s already learned to pose for the paparazzi. Litter mates, Ken, Kevin and Karen were all there as well. Karen is the grey tabby.

I made an honor flag for Lily Olivia. Last year I made one for Fiona and one for Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats). To see those flags, click here to go to our blog post, “Glimpses from Blog Paws 2017.”

We each received a huge bag of swag, which included this special item for our little PTU Pooper, Sawyer. If you missed that post, you can see it at “Sawyer’s Sleepy Selfie.”

Frontline® hosted a happy hour, opening remarks and dinner.

Learning sessions begin tomorrow and more opportunities will be available to meet with the product sponsors.

If you aren’t doing so, you can follow me on Twitter at @KittiesBlue, #BlogPaws.

Thankful Thursday

Each week we enter Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. This week I am thankful for the opportunity to attend the 10th Anniversary BlogPaws Conference. To participate, just tell for what you are thankful on your blog, click on Brian’s badge and link to the hop.

Tomorrow I will report on day two of the conference.

April 19, 2018 by Janet Blue BlogPaws Conference Wordless Wednesday 23

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.