Feline Friday

NOT SORRY!

Feline Friday

Grey cat sitting among a pile of chewed up tissue paper.

Do I look apologetic? That wasn’t my intent, as I have no guilt and am not sorry about shredding this paper. My dad left it in plain sight for me to find. I only did what, as a cat, I am instinctually meant to do. And boy did I have fun. Mom told Dad he had to clean up my mess, and he did. It’s great being a furry family member. If I was a kid, Mom would have made me clean it up. Win for me!

I am going to pop over to messymimi’s meanderings. To join me on the blog hop, click on the Feline Friday badge.

Purrs and paw-pats, Kizmet

Friendly Fill-Ins

I am pleased when I can get help completing the fill-ins selected by our blog hop hosts, Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). This week Stinky stepped up and filled in #3. And both Sawyer and I completed #4. We all used teal italics for our completions. Any additional information is in parentheses.

1. When I don’t want to eat, it means that I am sick (or depressed).

2. I really enjoy fireworks. (But I am just as happy now watching them on television as in person. Our upper deck, however, provides a very good spot for watching our city fireworks. I’m not a fan, however, of neighbors setting them off for several days before and after the 4th.)

3. Stinky: I have a newfound appreciation for my mom and Mom Sharon and their ability to find new adventures for Periwinkle and me; even though, we have already shared 190.

4. I think everyone should adopt cats and/or dogs if financially able to care for them so that none ever need to be euthanized.
Sawyer: I think everyone should give their cats as many treats as they want so that their kitties will always feel loved and appreciated.

Those are our fill-ins for this week. Check out either Ellen’s on Lorianne’s blog on Thursday for the Fill-In sentences if you’d like to participate. To join the hop click on the Fill-Ins badge.

Thanks for joining us today.

Please come back tomorrow and help us celebrate Sawyer’s sixth birthday!

SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY FOR ASTRID & SAMPY

Feline Friday

Seven years ago today at the BlogPaws Conference, two absolutely adorable kitties were married in absentia.

Cartoon-type portrait of a tortoise shell cat and a tuxedo cat dressed as a bride and groom.

Our Astrid and Sampson (aka Sampy) of Kitty Cat Chronicles and now, Kitty Cat Go, became husband and wife. If you were unaware of this or have never read the post, here’s the link, “Introducing the Newlyweds.”

These two have had many fun times through the years as well as anniversary celebrations. You can check any of those out by entering Astrid Sampy in the search feature near the bottom of the sidebar. Also, you can find out more about Sampy by clicking on The Felines tab on our menu bar.

The adorable drawing above was created by the talented Lorianne of Friendly Fill-Ins fame and the blog, Four-Legged Furballs.

Astrid made Sampy a card.

Anniversary card with a photo of a tortoise shell cat and a tuxedo cat surrounded by a rainbow colored heart.

The two sweethearts will be jumping over to celebrate at messymimi’s meanderings. To join them on the blog hop, click on the Feline Friday badge.

Friendly Fill-Ins

I was happy to have help again this week to complete the fill-ins selected by our blog hop hosts, Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). I sort of thought Astrid might help me, but she passed. All nine of the Kitties Blue, however, put their heads together to fill in #1. We all used teal italics for our completions. Any additional information is in parentheses.

1. All Kitties Blue: Never underestimate the power of a well-timed stink eye.

2. Days of constant rain and no sun makes me depressed and useless.

3. I need to continue to follow the Noom program so that I can lose ten more pounds. (I am down 16 pounds since March 31.)

4. I didn’t realize how expensive it would be to adopt Raleigh and Audrey until I had taken them for their first vet visit. (When we adopted Kizmet, she had already had her vaccines and spay surgery, and we only had to pay an adoption fee.)

So that’s it for today. Thanks for joining us. I apologize for not posting yesterday. See #2 above for the explanation.

We will be back tomorrow for some Caturday Art and a puzzle. We’ll hope to see you again then.

June 23, 2023 by Janet Blue Anniversary Asrid & Sampson Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Kitties Blue 12

NAPPING OR SECRETLY PLOTTING & FILL-INS

Feline Friday

Three cats lying with their heads together while napping.

Kizmet, Audrey and Calista Jo have their heads together, making me wonder if they are just pretending to nap. Purrhaps they are secretly plotting to raid the treat cupboard. If anyone likes treats as much as Sawyer, it is Audrey. Check our her fill-in below.

The girls are joining the Feline Friday blog hop at messymimi’s meanderings. To do the same, click on the Feline Friday badge.

Friendly Fill-Ins

I was happy to have help again this week to complete the fill-ins selected by our blog hop hosts, Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). Sawyer is one of my regular helpers and is back again this week with one of his favorite topics. Audrey joins him, filling in with the object of both their obsessions.

1. Sawyer: I would do anything for treats.
2. The last movie I attended was before COVID.
3. I can’t relax until all the Kitties Blue are in the house for the night. (I know they are safe on the catio, but I want them in. This is an increasing problem with Raleigh, who refuses to come in.)
4. Audrey: I knew I needed treats when I discovered Sawyer liked them. (Now I try to steal his and everyone’s.)

If you’d like to be a Fill-Ins participant, check out either Ellen’s or Lorianne’s blog on Thursdays for the incomplete sentences. Click on the Fill-Ins badge to join the hop.

Thanks for stopping in to see us. We will be back tomorrow with some Caturday Art.

June 9, 2023 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Kitties Blue 13

KIZMET & SAWYER HELP WITH FILL-INS

Friendly Fill-Ins

1. Kizmet: I am looking forward to celebrating my birthday this month.
2. Sawyer: I am in need of more treats.
3. Peloton is my go-to for exercise.
4. When the weather is nice, but not too hot, I like to work in the garden.

If you’d like to participate in Friendly Fill-Ins, the sentences to be completed can be found on Thursday on both Ellen and Lorianne’s blogs. To link to the hop, click on the Fill-Ins badge.

Feline Friday

Large, ginger, tabby cat lying atop a green kitty tent.

Cooper Murphy insists on lying atop the kitty tent in the bedroom instead of inside it. Of course, if he was inside he’d be unable to sharpen his claws on the roof. As you can see, he has created a big large hole behind him. He’s also made a huge slit underneath himself. If he keeps this up, eventually he’ll crash through the top when he lies down there for a nap.

I have absolutely no idea what this furry bunch is going to get up to from one day to the next.

Cooper Murphy will be participating in the Feline Friday blog hop at messymimi’s meanderings. To do the same, click on the Feline Friday badge.

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

June 2, 2023 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins 9

NAUGHTY CAT & FILL-INS

Feline Friday

An orange tabby cat in a crouched position staring at the camera with a sad look on his face after being naughty.

This was supposed to be my Sunday Selfie, but my mom said I had to post it today. She also said I had to confess to being a naughty cat. I refused to come in from the catio for dinner two nights in a row. Last night I managed to hide so that Mom couldn’t find me. I wedged myself into the very back of the bottom cubby of the cat tree on the upper deck. My fur color just happens to match the covering on that tree. Until Mom got down on her belly and shown the flashlight into the back of the cubby, she couldn’t see me. Of course, I wouldn’t come out. She had to drag me out and haul me into the house. Did I mention that it was 10 p.m. by then.

I think you know by now that I am not a social cat, and I do hide often. Even so, Mom said that she does not appreciate me scaring her yet again.

When I came in the house, I started romping around and acting goofy, as if nothing unusual had happened. She thought that was pretty insensitive of me. But I am a cat, and I make no apologies for my behavior. I also will let you decide if you think I was naughty or just stubborn.

Purrs and hisses, Raleigh

Raleigh will be participating in the Feline Friday blog hop at messymimi’s meanderings. To do the same, 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. You can find those on both blogs. Enter the hop by clicking on the graphic.

My usual helper, Sawyer, took over for me today on fill-in #4, and his cartoon alter-ego, Stinky, completed #2. Thanks, boys!

We all used teal italics to complete the sentences.

1. This weekend, I plan to finish washing the front porch.

2. Stinky: Spending time with Periwinkle never disappoints.

3. I once saw our cat, MacKenzie, standing at the backdoor alongside a possum as if to ask, “Can I keep him?”. (I will find the photo and share it sometime in the future.

4. Sawyer: You’ll never hear me say, “I don’t want any treats.”

So, that’s another week of filling in. We will be back tomorrow with some Caturday Art. Hope you’ll join us again then.

May 26, 2023 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Kittens Kitty Written Blog 10

FELIZ CINCO DE MEOW 2023

Feline Friday

Through the years, Kitties Blue have starred in some cute photos for Cinco de Meow. I am sharing a few of those today for Feline and Flashback Fridays.

This was Sawyer’s first Cinco de Meow in 2018. He was just a kitten but still joined Mau and Cooper Murphy in their mariachi band.

A ginger tabby cat, a grey tabby kitten and a tuxedo cat are dressed as mariachi band members with guitars.

In 2017 Cooper Murphy celebrated the holidays with a few meowgaritas. Bet you didn’t know he could speak Spanish.

An orange tabby cat wearing a sombrero and flash mustache is asking for a meowgarita in Spanish.

Mau celebrated with his sisfurs in 2014.

Eight cats are dressed in sombreros and serapes wishing everyone Feliz Cinco de Meow.

L to R Front: Misty May and Fiona; L to R Center: Astrid and Lisbeth; L to R Back: Giulietta, Calista Jo, Mau and Lily Olivia

This is one of my favorite Cinco de Meow photos. It’s from 2016, when once again, Mau was the only male among a household of female felines. Sadly, Mau and three of his sisfurs are now angels.

A male tuxedo cat is dressed as a gaucho with seven female cats dressed as chili peppers wishing everyone Feliz Cinco de Meow.

L-R: Lily Olivia, Giulietta, Lisbeth, Mau, Astrid, Calista Jo, Fiona, Misty May.

Kitties Blue will be celebrating this year’s Cinco de Meow with our annual round-up. Dr. Neel comes to the house tomorrow at 2 p.m. for check-ups, vaccines, blood work for Misty May and Sawyer, claw trims and weigh-ins. I think a few of the Kitties Blue should be worried about what the scale reveals, especially Audrey (aka The Hoover).

Hoping everyone has plans that will be more fun than a vet visit and include some meowgaritas and catnip cocktails.

The entire gang will be participating in the Feline Friday blog hop at messymimi’s meanderings. To do the same, click on the Feline Friday badge.

Friendly Fill-Ins

I was left to my own devices to complete the fill-ins today, and I used teal italics for them.

1. Having a gardener would make my life easier.

2. My May to-do list includes yard work and going on a short vacation with Dad Tom to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.

3. If my morning starts with a Diet Coke, I can wake up and start my day.

4. Ending my day with a completed post makes me feel relieved.

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

"Kitties Blue" border with orange cartoon tabby cat wearing a sombrero for Cinco de Meow.

May 5, 2023 by Janet Blue Cinco de Mayo Feline Friday Flashback Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Kitties Blue 10

CAT TREE COMPETITION!

Feline Friday

Raleigh is shocked and disgruntled to find Cooper Murphy is already ensconced in the cat tree.

Ginger tabby kitten finds competition from ginger tabby cat occupying the top perch of the cat tree.

Cooper Murphy and Raleigh will be participating in the Feline Friday blog hop at messymimi’s meanderings. To do the same, click on the Feline Friday badge.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Whenever I am having trouble completing the fill-ins, I can always rely on Sawyer to help me. That’s exactly what happened again this week. He let me do the first three fill-ins, and he completed number four. Thanks, pal!

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

1. I wish my town (city) had a cat cafe.

2. So far, this year has been speeding by too quickly.

3. Air travel is a little too scary and expensive now for my liking.

4. Sawyer: Even if I don’t like my meds, I really appreciate that my mom and dad take such good care of me. (I am now getting stinky goodness kitten food and am eating better. Talk about a lucky cat!)

That’s it for today. Sorry we didn’t post yesterday. I am trying to gather together the posts I want to enter in this year’s CWA (Cat Writers’ Association) Contest, and it is a daunting task. Thankfully, I only have two more months of posts to go through.

We will be back tomorrow with some Caturday Art.

April 28, 2023 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Kitties Blue 11

FOUR’S A CROWD!

Feline Friday

Dad Tom and I rarely have enough room for the two of us in our king-sized bed once several of the Kitties Blue pile on! The four pictured below were not the only ones with us on that particular night. Calista Jo and Kizmet were also present!

Four of the Kitties Blue, a grey, Manx tabby, light ginger tabby, torbie and a tuxedo cat take over humans' bed and try to crowd them out.

Sawyer, Audrey, Raleigh and Misty May will be participating in the Feline Friday blog hop at messymimi’s meanderings. To do the same, click on the Feline Friday badge.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Whenever I am having trouble completing the fill-ins, I can always rely on Sawyer to step up. That’s exactly what happened this week. He completed numbers 1 through 3, and Stinky helped him out by completing number 4. Thanks boys!

They both used teal italics for their fill-ins. Any explanatory information is in parenthesis.

1. I was pleased to hear that Audrey and Raleigh are the last kitties our humans plan to adopt. (As you can see from the photo above, they are always invading my space.)

2. There should be a Manx Cat Appreciation Day. (Maybe I can get my mom to start one.)

3. I have a lot of confidence in my ability to get treats.

4. Planning fun adventures for Periwinkle and me is easier said than done.

Contest

Kitties Blue are having a little contest. One Wednesday, I posted a photo of six cats napping in the bedroom. The first person to identify the three cats missing from the photo on the post, “Six Bums on a Breezy Day,” will win a surprise prize. You have until tomorrow at noon EDT to leave your guess on that post. Good Luck!

Thanks for joining us today. We will return tomorrow with some special Earth Day Caturday Art.

April 21, 2023 by Janet Blue Contest Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Kitties Blue 12

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.

April 14, 2023 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Health Kittens 14

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Feline Friday

Grey cat is hiding in plain sight by napping atop a grey pillow.

Kizmet is not only hiding in plain sight but also 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.

Kitties Blue let me complete all four fill-ins this week. I used teal italics to fill in.

1. My favorite character from a film, tv or book is Tilly from The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency books.

2. The one word I would use to describe myself is procrastinator.

3. If I had to give you my best piece of advice, I would tell you to be present in your life.

4. Current music will never compare with that from the 60s.

Thanks for visiting us today. We’ll see you again tomorrow with some Caturday Art.

March 24, 2023 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins 14

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.