Holiday

🦜SEE THE GOOD SIDE OF LIFE🦜

Sparks

I normally would share a Spark today relating in some manner to Labor Day. Instead, I am sharing one from one of Dad Tom’s and my favorite performers, Jimmy Buffett. Buffet passed away on September 1 from Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare form of skin cancer. He was 76.

One could not be unhappy listening to Buffett’s music.

 

A collage of four photos from a 2009 Jimmy Buffett concert with a quote from Buffett: "It takes no more time to see the good side of life than it takes to see the bad."

 

The photos above are from 2009, the third and last time we saw Buffett in concert. I had forgotten that Dad Tom and I ever looked so young!

The parrot was at the concert. If you don’t know, Buffett fans are referred to as Parrot Heads. I had forgotten the parrot was named Raleigh. That is sort of a cool coincidence!

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

Raleigh, the parrot, will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop hosted by Sandee at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to join him there, click on the badge below.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

It’s time again for our two fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, to set out on another adventure. It is Stinky’s turn to plan what they will be doing this week. He confided in me what he has in mind, but my lips are sealed. You’ll need to stop in right here tomorrow to join in the excitement. Adventures are always more fun with lots of friends coming along, which means they’ll be looking for you. Please don’t let them down.

 

 

 

 

 

FATHER’S DAY 2023 SELFIES

Sunday Selfies; Week #461

 

Selfies of nine cats and one man, their dad, on a Father's Day greeting.

 

I bet you didn’t expect to see all of us here today, but we couldn’t miss the opportunity to wish Dad Tom a Happy Father’s Day. He is really a terrific dad, and takes extra special good care of us. We all feel as if we hit the jackpot, except for maybe Raleigh, when we became one of the Kitties Blue. We know all our predecessors felt exactly the same. Of course, we also included a selfie of our dad.

Hopping Time

We certainly hope if you have a dad that you are celebrating and honoring him today. If that is the case, please share a selfie of him or maybe a photo of the two of you or even more if you have lots of fursibs.

If you are too busy today, we hope you will join the hop sometime before it closes at midnight Thursday.

Thanks for joining us today and all the other days you come by to visit. We appreciate your following and supporting us, commenting on our posts and being our friends.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL THE DADS

 

 



UNLIKELY EASTER TWO-FUR

Easter Sunday Selfies: Week #451

 

A tuxedo cat and a grey cat pose for an Easter Sunday Selfies blog hop in a Two-fur photo framed with a bunny head, decorated eggs, a flower and pink and blue border.

 

I have an unlikely duo here today sharing a two-fur for our Easter Sunday Selfies. They were lying in wait for Astrid. We don’t know if they blinked or decided to give Astrid a pass, but Dad Tom and I watched her slowly slink past. Neither Kizmet nor Misty May lifted a paw or made a sound. They must have been behaving in the hopes the Easter Bunny will bring them some extra treats today. I suppose they also thought agreeing to take this two-fur would up the chances of that. I did fancy up their selfie a bit with the frame from favpng.

Misty May, Kizmet and all the Kitties Blue hope you’ll share a selfie with us today. If you’d like to add a bit of Easter bling that would be great, but, obviously, not required. We know some of you and your humans will be celebrating the holiday and may not have the time to take or share a selfie. That’s okay. You can join the hop anytime through Thursday.

 

Thank You

Dad Tom and I thank everyone who left kind words on yesterday’s post with regard to the passing of family member, Violette. Your thoughtfulness and compassion are much appreciated.

And thank you for being our friends, followers and supporters!

 



THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CLXXIV

Valentine’s Day

Periwinkle has no idea why, but Stinky has asked her to arrive right at midnight on Valentine’s Day. She has no intention of disappointing him and comes tumbling out of the teleportation tunnel right on time. The moment she lands in his arms, he gives her a quick whisker kiss and leads her right back into the tunnel. Moments later they arrive at their destination. Periwinkle gasps when she sees what lies before them. She is unusually speechless as she takes in the scene. Finally finding her voice, she asks Stinky, “Did you do all this for me?”

Glamping at Alila Ventana

 

Glamping tent decorated with hearts and several bouquets of periwinkles and red roses.

 

Stinky blushes and replies, “Of course. You are so special and important to me, and I want you to know how much I love you. I hope you like it.”

Periwinkle throws her paws around Stinky’s neck and covers him with kisses. “Of course I like it, and I love you too. Now tell me where we are.”

 

Two cartoon tabby cats in a glamping tent decorated with hearts and several bouquets of periwinkles and red roses.

 

“We are back in Big Sur, California. I remember Mau talking about how much fun he and Allie had when they went glamping, so I thought we’d give it a try. This is part of the Alila Ventana resort. As it is only 9 p.m. on February 13 here, we have the night to get a good rest and then set out for some adventuring in the morning. I hope this is okay, as I know we visited Big Sur on our Carmel- by-the-Sea adventure.”

“Stinky it is purrfect,” replies Periwinkle as she moves around the platform smelling all the roses and the periwinkle flowers.

“I probably would have just filled the space with periwinkles, but after learning all about roses from you on our last adventure, I thought these red ones would be appropriate,” Stinky tells her.

Now it is time for Periwinkle to blush knowing that the red roses signify love.

Cocoa, Treats & Conversation

 

Two cartoon tabby cats in a glamping tent decorated with hearts and several bouquets of periwinkles and red roses.

 

“I had some hot cocoa and treats delivered, which we can enjoy by the fire before we go to sleep,” says Stinky. The two tabbies hop up into the adirondack chairs to enjoy their cocoa and treats. After discussing what they’d been doing since they were last together, Periwinkle and Stinky decide it is time to get some rest so they can explore in the morning. As they are heading to bed, Periwinkle notices an envelope near one of the bouquets of roses. When she asks Stinky about it, he tells her she can open it in the morning.

The two tabbies retire for the night.

 

Two cartoon tabby cats in bed in a glamping tent decorated with hearts and several bouquets of periwinkles and red roses.

 

Periwinkle wakes up and is delighted to see breakfast waiting for them. She sneaks out of bed and gets the envelope off the table. She’s tempted to open it but thinks she should wait for Stinky to wake up. Being really anxious to see what’s inside, Periwinkle starts nudging Stinky until he wakes up. When she asks if she can open the envelope, he groggily tells her, “yes.”

A Poem for Periwinkle

After ripping the envelope open, Periwinkle reads aloud,

Dear Periwinkle,

Roses are red, periwinkles are blue.
I pledge my love for you is true.
Having you in my life is a pleasure and a treat.
You are super beautiful and extra sweet.
You turn any cloudy days sunny,
And ones that are depressing funny.
You fill my heart with happiness everyday
And by my side I hope you will stay.
I will always be here whenever you need me
Because to my heart you hold the key.

Happy Valentine’s Day 💖
With all my love, paw hugs and whisker kisses, Stinky

When Periwinkle finishes reading, she has tears in her eyes and throws her paws around Stinky’s chest and gives him a big squeeze. “Stinky, I love this and you. You are so romantic. Thank you.”

Stinky blushes and tells Periwinkle, “I know I am not as good of a poet as my mom, but I am happy you like it. I love you too.  Would you like to have our breakfast and then head out for the day?”

“That sounds good. Where are we going today?”

Point Lobos State Reserve

“We are going back to the Point Lobos State Reserve, which we visited on our other adventure.”

“Oh, I remember how beautiful it was there. It is perfect for Valentine’s Day,” replies Periwinkle.

The tabbies enter their teleportation tunnel and exit in a field of wild flowers above the ocean.

 

Two cartoon tabby cats wearing hats and in a field of wild flowers in Big Sur, California.

 

“I love this place, Stinky. It is so beautiful.”

“Yes, it is. I read that the special purpose of a reserve is to protect forever a locale of unique natural beauty and ecological importance. It’s given a higher level of protection. As visitors, we are expected to protect this landmark for generations to come.”

The tabbies leave the field to look around more.

 

Two cartoon tabby cats wearing hats on cliffs in Point Lobos State Reserve in Big Sur, California.

 

“The view is spectacular, Periwinkle. I am really happy I decided we should revisit Big Sur. The hiking, however, has made me hungry. How about you?”

“I could eat,” replies Periwinkle.

“That’s good. I have another little surprise,” says Stinky as he takes Periwinkle’s paw and leads her closer to the ocean.

Picnic by the Water

 

Two cartoon tabby cats wearing hats having a picnic lunch in Point Lobos State Reserve in Big Sur, California.

 

“Yeah, a picnic. I love picnics. We’ve had so many wonderful ones. Thank you, Stinky.” Stinky and Periwinkle have a leisurely lunch while enjoying the view and the sound of the surf. When full, they are lulled by the sound of the waves and have a little nap. Upon waking, Stinky suggests they head down to the beach.

 

Two cartoon tabby cats wearing hats on the beach in Big Sur, California.

 

“Stinky this has been the best Valentine’s Day. You are such a thoughtful boyfriend.”

“I’m so happy you’ve had a good time. Unfortunately, I think it’s time for us to head home,” says Stinky as he leads Periwinkle back to their teleportation tunnel. They enter and moments later arrive at Stinky’s house.

As she always does, Periwinkle spends some time visiting with Stinky’s fursibs and parents and telling them a little about their adventure. All too soon it is time for her to head home. She and Stinky spend several minutes hugging and whisker kissing and wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day.

But the time finally arrives for Periwinkle to enter the tunnel. As she does, the tabbies wave good-bye, and in a whoosh she is gone. Stinky heads to the bedroom for a nap and dreams of his beloved Periwinkle.

The End

 

Periwinkle and Stinky are joining the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus.

 

LIFE RESTORING LOVE

Sparks

With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, I wanted a Spark about love. When I found this one from Lydia Marie Child, it “spoke” to me.

 

Photo of a bright red male cardinal with the following quote from Lydia Marie Child: The cure for all the ills and wrongs, the cares, the sorrows, and the crimes of humanity, all lie in the one word 'love'. It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life.

 

Dad Tom took the photo yesterday when we were having non-stop rain. We have several male and female cardinals that visit our yard and bird feeders daily.

Whether they symbolize love, loyalty or are embraced as spiritual messengers, cardinals are conspicuous in mythology and literature through the centuries. Many individuals believe cardinals appear as messengers from Heaven bringing love and comfort when loved ones have passed away. In Native American lore, cardinals represent devotion, loving relationships, courtship and monogamy. In Christianity cardinals and the blood of Jesus are used as the symbols of everlasting vitality. At Christmas their presence is seen to represent hope and joy. And seeing a bright red cardinal means that the individual is being blessed with good luck and fortune.

So I think this photo is the perfect backdrop for today’s Spark.

I found the author of today’s Spark, Lydia Maria Child, to be particularly interesting. She lived from 1802 to 1880 and was an American abolitionist, women’s rights activist, Native American rights activist, novelist and journalist. In spite of her long list of accomplishments, she may be best known for her poem “Over the River and Through the Wood.”

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

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

 

Those two fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be setting off on their next adventure tomorrow. As it will be Valentine’s Day, I suspect Stinky has something special planned for his lovely lady, Periwinkle. You can join them right here, and they certainly hope you will. They always have more fun when you tag along. So, please drop by and lend them a hand or paw in whatever they get up to! They’ll be waiting for you.

 

 

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS?

Sparks

Today, in the United States, we are celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. His birthday was yesterday. He would have turned 94 years old. King was assassinated in 1968. I felt it appropriate to make my Spark a quote from him.

 

An orange tabby kitten sleeping with his head resting on his brown tabby sister with the quote, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" from Martin Luther King Jr.

 

What you do for another person can be as simple as offering them a hug or your shoulder, as Audrey is doing for Raleigh. I have been saved from many bad days by a simple hug and kind word!

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

Kittens, Audrey and Raleigh, will be participating in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can join them there by clicking on the Awww badge.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

 

Those two fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be setting off on their next adventure tomorrow. You can join them right here, and they certainly hope you will. They always have more fun when you tag along. So, please drop by and lend them a hand or paw in whatever they get up to! They’ll be waiting for you.

 

THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CLXVIII

An Arrival Obstacle

Right on time, Periwinkle comes half tumbling and half stumbling out of the new teleportation tunnel that Stinky and his fursibs received for Christmas. Stinky is happy to see that Periwinkle received the correct coordinates for the new tunnel. But it certainly looks as if she’s had a rough trip.

 

Two cartoon tabby cats and a blue and black three-way cat tunnel.

 

When Stinky is finally able to get his paws on her, he can see she is visibly shaken, and he wraps her up in a giant paw hug. When she is calmer, he asks what happened?

Periwinkle replies, “It was a wonderfully comfortable trip until I arrived. There seems to be a huge obstacle inside your new tunnel.” Unaware of anything that would impede her arrival, Stinky sticks his head into the tunnel and immediately sees the problem. His not so little, little brother, Raleigh is camped out inside. He is fast asleep and doesn’t seem to realize he has caused a problem. Stinky gives him a poke. Raleigh wakes up, freaks and takes off out of the tunnel, as Misty May watches from the sidelines! That is the last Periwinkle and Stinky see of him until it is time for Periwinkle to head home.

 

Two cartoon tabby cats, one tuxedo real cat and one orange tabby kitten exiting a three-way blue and black cat tunnel.

 

Once Raleigh has been dislodged, Periwinkle asks Stinky what he has planned for the day. “I hope you don’t mind, but we are staying in again today,” replies Stinky.

“You know I am happy to be with you, Stinky, no matter what we do. I would be happy just to hold paws and chat,” Periwinkle tells him. “We are basically going to do that today,” says Stinky. Periwinkle gives him a quizzical look before he can can tell her his plan.

2023 New Year’s Resolutions

“I thought we could share some New Year’s Resolutions for 2023,” Stinky tells Periwinkle. “Wow, that could be hard. I think we are pretty purrfect just the way we are,” Periwinkle replies.

“Of course, we are, but I bet we could think of a few things. I will go first. I will try to always finish my noms so I get the full doses of my meds,” says Stinky.

“That is a good resolution, Stinky. I hope you can keep it! My first one is that I will try not to catch any Iizards, but just watch them instead. I know that will make my mom happy.”

I will never again try to sneak out for an unauthorized walkabout.”

“Stinky, that is one you better keep, not just for 2023 but forever,” Periwinkle tells him. “With the help of HuggieKitty, your Christmas present to me, I will try not to be afraid of loud noises like fireworks.”

“I am so happy you like you gift, Periwinkle. You know I too get frightened by unexpected noises that occur near me, so I will try not to let those things bother me.”

“Stinky, this is pretty difficult.” “It sure is! Kitties Blue have written resolutions in the past. Their last list was for 2020. Let’s look at it and see if it gives us any ideas,” Stinky tells Periwinkle.” “That’s a really good idea,” Stinky.

Kitties Blue 2020 Mew Year’s Resolutions

1. Get more scritches.
2. Get more belly rubs.
3. Get more treats and nip.
4. Always come when called unless napping, playing, eating, watching bird TV, day dreaming or participating in other cat-approved activities.
5. If in, demand to go out.
6. If out, demand to come in.
7. Don’t wash our butts in front of company unless it is an emergency.
9. Take up as much space in the humans’ bed as possible by sleeping east/west instead of north/south.
10. Clear the kitchen counters of all items whenever possible.
11. Pretend to be deaf whenever a human is speaking to us. (Misty May no longer has to pretend.)
12. Always help Mom with her posts.
13. Don’t be fooled into eating by Mom when she puts her head in my bowl and makes nom-nom sounds. I will only eat when I feel like it. (This is Sawyer’s personal resolution.)
14. When horking, always aim for a rug or shoe.
15. Make certain to always poop in my PTU when being taken to the vet. (Sawyer)

“Well, Stinky, those weren’t much help. Most are like reverse resolutions. You all resolved to be mostly naughty.”

“You’re right, Periwinkle. I guess these were meant to be more in fun; though, I know my fursibs do practice most of these almost everyday. Mom and Dad complain about number nine every morning. I guess we should just resolve to behave better than our fursibs.”

“I like that, Stinky. We’ll cover everything that way!”

Snack Time

“All this thinking has made me hungry. Let’s go get a snack.”

“Now you’re talking!”

“We are having some unseasonably warm weather after that horrible cold snap, so let’s have our snack on the front porch,” suggests Stinky.

 

Two cartoon tabby cats sitting on a bench with cat treats and a poinsettia on a table in front of them.

 

“Stinky, that is a beautiful poinsettia, but you know they are poisonous to cats.”

“Of course, Periwinkle. That is why it is on the porch. The one we have inside is fake! Mom never has live plants of any kind in the house. My sisfur, Lisbeth, is particularly fond of eating plants and flowers.”

“Maybe she should make a resolution not to do that,” replies Periwinkle. Stinky just giggles knowing that Lisbeth is a very stubborn kitty.

Soon it is time for Periwinkle to head home. Stinky tells her that before she goes, he has one final resolution to make. “I promise to do a better job planning our adventures and when it is my turn to plan in two weeks, we will definitely go some place fun.”

“Stinky, though you know I am happy just to spend time together, I do like that resolution,” Periwinkle tells him.

The two tabbies then share some whisker kisses and paw hugs. As they approach the teleportation tunnel, they notice that a certain kitten has returned.

 

Two cartoon tabby cats and a blue and black three-way cat tunnel with an orange tabby kitten's butt and tail sticking out.

 

After shooing him away, Stinky tells Periwinkle, “It’s a good thing Raleigh has not figured out how to use the tunnel. Heaven knows where he’d be right now.”

Periwinkle giggles, gives Stinky a final hug, enters the tunnel and with a wave and the familiar whoosh is gone.

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

The End

Periwinkle & Stinky will be joining Happy Tuesday at Comedy Plus.

 

Periwinkle & Stinky wish everyone

a happy new year!

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR SELFIE 2023

Sunday Selfies: Week #437

Ginger kitten Raleigh wishes everyone a happy new year 2023 from within his tunnel.

 

I have to say that I feel pretty lucky to get the first selfie of the new year. I am not sociable when it comes to the humans I live with, which makes getting a photo of me difficult. Two days before Christmas, I was curled up in our old tunnel when this was snapped. Napping and playing in the tunnels are some of my favorite things to do. It makes it difficult for those humans to touch or pet me. I do sleep on the bed at night with my sisfur, Audrey, and a whole lot of the other Kitties Blue, but those humans are sleeping and can’t bother me.

I hope you enjoy seeing me today, as another selfie anytime soon is unlikely.

Please Hop 

We know all of you are probably busy hanging out with family today, but all of Kitties Blue would be grateful if you’d snap a selfie and join us. We think being on the first selfie hop of the year is a pretty big deal, and we wouldn’t want you to miss out.

Of course, we understand if you cannot join us today. The hop always remains open through Thursday, so we’ll be watching for you before then.

Mom and all of us kitties would like to thank everyone who has ever joined us for Sunday Selfies. I cannot even imagine how long 437 weeks is, as I am only 6 months old. But I have been told that some of you have been here almost every single week. That is so pawsome. Thank you.

Purrs and paw-pats, Raleigh

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR, DEAR FRIENDS!

 



THREE SUNPUDDLE WORSHIPPERS & FILL-INS

Feline/Friendship Friday

The afternoon sunpuddle in the bedroom is available on a first come basis. Sawyer and Misty May are always quick to grab a spot. On the day, Kizmet joined them.

 

Grey tabby, Manx cat, tuxie cat and grey cat snoozing on bed in sunpuddle.

 

Our three sunpuddle worshippers will be joining the blog hops hosted by Comedy Plus (Feline Friday) and Create With Joy (Friendship Friday).

 

Friendly Fill-Ins

Friendly Fill-Ins is a blog hop hosted by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged- Furballs). If you’d like to participate, check out either of their blogs on Thursday for the sentences to be filled in. You can join the hop by clicking on their badge

I personally had some good fill-ins for this week’s sentences but the Kitties Blue boys decided to take over and complete them for me. I suspect they think that will put them in Santa’s good graces. Not that any of them really have anything to worry about. They’ve all been very good this year.

They all used teal italics for filling in.

1. Sawyer: I don’t like medicine in my stinky goodness noms.

2. Raleigh: My to-do list for December includes: climbing the tree, knocking ornaments off the tree and sleeping under the tree. (Mom: A couple of those may not keep Raleigh on Santa’s good boy list.)

3. Cooper Murphy: I still need to give Mom my holiday wish list before she finishes her shopping.

4. Sawyer: To me, getting lots of treats is the most important part of the holiday season.

We’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow with some Caturday Art.