Happy Tuesday

Meeting Up With Periwinkle

Stinky is up early to get ready for his adventure with his fiancée Periwinkle. As their adventure is going to be roughly about halfway between their homes in Virginia and Florida, he has sent her coordinates for her teleportation tunnel. That way, they can meet at their destination and have more time to explore. He wants to make certain he is already there to greet Periwinkle when she arrives, so sets out early.

He is waiting outside a huge hanger when he hears the familiar whooshing sound from her tunnel and she pops out right into his waiting paws. They share a huge hug and some whisker kisses before Periwinkle begins to look around. “So, where are we?” she asks. “You never tell me where the coordinates you send will take me,” she adds.

Delta Flight Museum

“We are in Atlanta and more specifically at the Delta Flight Museum,” Stinky replies. 

“Well, that does explain why I see a huge jet plane across the way. Why did you choose this for today.”

Stinky tells Periwinkle, ”This year marks the 100th anniversary of Delta Airlines; though, the company did not begin flying passengers until 1929. In March of 1925, the world’s first aerial crop-dusting company and largest privately-owned aircraft fleet in the United States became Huff Daland Dusters, Inc. and began carrying mail. That company later became Delta Airlines. My mom and dad visited here several years ago, and Mom suggested it for us to commemorate the anniversary.”

“Okey, dokey. Sounds like as good a plan as any,” replies Periwinkle.

With her in agreement, Stinky takes Periwinkle’s paw and leads her into the huge hanger. Immediately upon entering the tabbies feel dwarfed and a bit intimidated by even the smallest of the aircraft in the building. Never afraid, however, to try something new, they set out to explore. It doesn’t take long for Periwinkle to become suspicious of Stinky’s reason for selecting their adventure for today. 

Note: To learn more about each of the individual aircraft in this post, click on the Headings featuring the names. There is a link to the Delta Flight Museum in the third paragraph beneath the photo below.

(Travel Air S-6000-B)

Before Periwinkle can even blink, Stinky is climbing on the wheel of the first plane they encounter. She cannot believe how naive she was in thinking he might behave himself. The hanger full of airplanes is too big of a temptation. 

As Stinky stands on the tire of a single-engine plane with an enclosed cabin (Travel Air S-6000-B), he explains to Periwinkle that it represents the Air Travel airplane that flew Delta’s first passenger flight. It carried one pilot and five passengers. The price new was $13,500.

Everything you could want to know about Delta Airlines, including every brand and model of plane that has ever been a member of the Delta fleet, visit Delta Flight Museum.

Periwinkle is admiring a plane overhead when she notices Stinky is missing. She does a double take when she sees him sitting on the propeller and then atop it.

Stinson Reliant SR aircraft (SR-1 to SR-10)

Periwinkle shouts at Stinky, “Come down from there right now. How the heck did you even get up there? If you fall and break your neck, your parents will never forgive me.”

“I am not going to fall, and even if I did I would land upright on my paws. And besides that, I am certain I have at least five lives left after this one.” Periwinkle cannot argue with his logic, but she remains aggravated by his behavior.

Douglas DC-3

Though, Stinky knows Periwinkle is miffed at him; he scampers right up onto the wing of the next plane. She keeps an eye on him from below the cockpit.

The DC-3 aircraft (Ship 41) was one of five brand-new DC-3s ordered by Delta from Douglas Aircraft Co. It was delivered on January 4, 1941, and went into service on January 19. In 1990 a group of retirees set out to find the original five DC-3s. Discovered in service as a cargo plane in Puerto Rico, Delta acquired it in 1995. It was restored in Atlanta by Delta employees and volunteers. The restored aircraft was flown for the first time on November 17, 1999.

When Stinky doesn’t come, Periwinkle decides not to say anything more about his antics. In fact, she decides to adopt the, “if you can’t beat them, join them” attitude. She figures she can keep a better watch on Stinky if she just accompanies him. So, she too climbs up to the wing of the DC-3.

The Spirit of Delta Flight Deck

The tabbies decide to check out the flight deck of the Boeing 767-232. “Stinky, this is mind boggling. Can you even imagine trying to fly this?”

“No … I think my parents’ iPhones and laptops are complicated. This is just nuts!”

The Queen of the Skies Boeing 747

The tabbies decide to visit the 747-400 aircraft on display outside.

“Stinky, this thing is humongous. Pretty please, do not run off anywhere. I would never find you.”

Stinky agrees that they should stay together while exploring. He then proceeds to tell Periwinkle just how big the jumbo jet is. “The 747-400 is 231 feet 10 inches long, with a wing span of 211 feet five inches and it has a height of 63 feet eight inches. At take-off it has a maximum weight of 875,000 pounds. Its maximum speed is almost 572 miles per hour.”

After exploring the entire aircraft, the tabbies check out the flight deck.

“I don’t know about you Stinky, but my paws are really starting to ache. I think I am ready to take a rest and maybe get a snack. What about you?”

“Definitely tired and in need of food, but we have to do one more thing first.”

Periwinkle groans but takes Stinky’s paw and lets him lead her back outside.

“Wow, Stinky, I know we are little cats, but …”

Stinky giggles, “I know, this thing is ginormous!”

”Okay, so, I am hungry. Is there a snack bar or did you bring a picnic lunch?”

”Unfortunately, neither. We are going to have to go back to my house. And, it is raining there, so we will have to eat inside.”

”Suits me, let’s go. The tabbies head back to their tunnels. Stinky folds up Periwinkle’s tunnel and puts it inside his. Then he and Periwinkle hop in.

Moments later, they arrive at Stinky’s house.

Snack Time

Stinky & Periwinkle immediately rush to the kitchen where Mom Janet fixes them a snack. Of course, when some of the Kitties Blue hear the word, “snack,” they hop on the counter to join them.

When Periwinkle and Stinky have licked their bowls clean, it is time for Periwinkle to head home. She thanks Stinky’s mom for the noms and then heads toward her teleportation tunnel, which Stinky has unfolded and set up. The two spend several minutes whispering “I love you,” to each other, whisker kissing and paw hugging. Then with a final wave and blown kiss, Periwinkle enters her tunnel and is gone in a whoosh.

Stinky heads to the bedroom for a nap and dreams of Periwinkle.

The End

Stinky and Periwinkle will be participating in the Happy Tuesday blog hop hosted by Sandee at Comedy Plus. To do the same click on the Happy badge.

Waiting for Periwinkle

Though Stinky is always anxious when it is his turn to plan Periwinkle’s and his adventure, he is feeling confident that she will enjoy this one, as it is reminiscent of their very first adventure. They have had 287 adventures already, and Stinky wonders if Periwinkle will remember the first one. As Stinky is pondering this question, he sees the teleportation tunnel begin to vibrate. He quickly runs to the exit to catch Periwinkle as she comes tumbling out with a whoosh. 

The two tabbies spend their usual several minutes catching up on the past week, whisker kissing and paw hugging. Before Periwinkle can inquire about Stinky’s plan for the day, he says, “I have a surprise today. We are going to revisit a past adventure.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound like all that much fun. I like doing new things,” says Periwinkle with a hint of exasperation in her voice.

Leapin’ Lizards Redux

“Stinky giggles and says, “I think you will change your mind when I tell you. Do you remember our very first adventure?” he asks Periwinkle.

“Of course, silly. You came to my house on October 15, 2019, and we went lizard hunting. You called our adventure ‘Leapin’ Lizards’, and we won our very first Certificate of Excellence from the Cat Writers’ Association for it,” replies Periwinkle.

Stinky claps his paws together and says, “Very good. You have an excellent memory.”

“A cat never forgets her very first adventure. But do you even get lizards here, or are we going back to my house?”

“Nope we are staying right here in my yard. Mom and Dad never saw any lizards when they first moved here. But the spring and summer temperatures in our area are much warmer now than they were in the 70s, and they have been seeing them in our yard for the last few years,” explains Stinky.

“Cool! Do you have our lizard hunting equipment?”

“Yep, it’s on the catio. Let’s grab it and head to the yard.”

When they get to the catio, the tabbies find Kizmet, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer there, so Periwinkle needs to stay a few minutes and visit with them.

When the tabbies finally arrive in the yard, Stinky explains to Periwinkle that they mostly get juvenile and adult skinks in the yard, which are native to Virginia. But sometimes his parents will see another native species, the Eastern Fence lizard.

“I like the baby and subadult skinks best as they have a bright blue stripe down their backs and blue tails,” Stinky tells Periwinkle.

“I hope we find one of those, Stinky. Our friend Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats is always saying how he likes to chase skinks,” responds Periwinkle.

“I know, he even talked about it on his blog on Mother’s Day.”

Chipmunk & Groundhog Spotting

While Periwinkle & Stinky are scouting for skinks, they come across some of the resident chipmunks.

“Oh, Stinky, look at the adorable little chipmunks. I wish I could take one of them home to play with.”

“They are pretty cute. Those and the bunnies are my mom’s favorites of the wildlife that come into our yard.”

Moving on to the side yard, they see a juvenile ground hog and run up to get a closer look.

“Mom is not too happy with these critters, as she is pretty certain they are the ones that dug up half the coleus she planted in her porch pots on Caturday. They didn’t eat the plants but made a huge mess that mom is going to have to clean up. Then she’ll have to repot everything.”

“Stinky, that’s a shame. I know your mom works hard to make the yard look nice.”

“She’s feeling really defeated! Not only have the coleus been messed with, but also one of the animals that hang out around here ate the heliotrope and lobelia she planted in her pots in the back yard. They’d never done that before this year. Dad is going to buy a huge container of Cayenne pepper to sprinkle around everything in the hope that will prevent future munching.”

“That sounds like a good plan, Stinky. I hope it works.”

“Me too, I don’t like it when Mom is unhappy and feeling down. Come on, let’s see if we can find one of those skinks or an Eastern Fence lizard.”

“Right behind you,” responds Periwinkle.

Broad-headed Skink

The tabbies start searching the yard but especially the driveway and stone walls as they know lizards like sunpuddles just as much as kitties do. After what seems like forever, Stinky hears Periwinkle let out a big whoop. “Come quick, Stinky. I found one and am about to swoop in and scoop him up in my net!”

Stinky runs as fast as he can to where Periwinkle is standing on the wall. He arrives just in time to see the skink before it scampers away. “Dang it Stinky, they are just too darn fast to catch. I should have tried to snag it with my claws,” laments Periwinkle. “Were you able to see what kind it was?”

“Yep, it was a Broad-headed Skink or a Plestiodon laticeps, to be exact. And it must have been an adult as it didn’t have any blue on its tail; though, it looked as if the end of its tail might have been missing. They grow to from 6.5 to 12.75 inches.” replies Stinky.

“Maybe some other cat or animal already tried to catch it and bit off the end of its tail,” exclaims Periwinkle.

“That is definitely a possibility. Oh, and I think it was a male, as their cheeks turn orangish during spring breeding season.”

“Well, I guess I am happy we at least saw one, so hunting wasn’t a total loss, and we did get to see those chipmunks and the groundhog. So what do you want to do now?”

“I was thinking we could head back to the periwinkle patch for a picnic lunch,” Stinky tells Periwinkle.

Periwinkle claps her paws together and replies, “Yippee, one of my favorite things to do.”

Stinky tells Periwinkle that he is going to take their supplies back to the catio and let his mom know they are ready for her to bring out their picnic stuff.

Picnic with Periwinkle Among the Periwinkles

“Stinky, it is so peaceful and beautiful here. It makes me smile when I see all the periwinkle blooms.”

“You need to let my mom know, as she spent several hours weeding just a few days ago.”

“I will definitely tell her before heading home.”

After finishing their picnic, the tabbies take a long nap in a sunpuddle. When they wake up, Periwinkle thanks Stinky’s mom for weeding the periwinkles and setting up their picnic. She also wishes her a belated happy Mother’s Day. She then says, “good-bye,” to all Stinky’s fur sibs and Dad Tom. When Periwinkle is finished, she and Stinky share whisker kisses and paw hugs as well as tell each other, “I love you.” Periwinkle finally enters the teleportation tunnel and with a wave and blown kiss is gone in a whoosh.

Stinky returns to the catio for a nap and dreams of Periwinkle.

The End

Periwinkle and Stinky will be participating in the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. To join them, click on the badge below.

Note: The information provided about lizards in Virginia comes from the Virginia Herpetological Society. To learn more, click on the “Broad-headed Skink” heading above.