Kitties Blue

HEY YOU, GET OFF OUR PORCH!

Feline Friday

Audrey stares down a neighborhood cat on the front porch.

This is our neighborhood cat. We have no idea where it lives or if it has a family. But as you can see, it looks healthy and well fed. It’s been coming around for a couple of years and causes lots of consternation among Kitties Blue. It especially likes to come up the steps to the catio and stand outside the screen door, which gets Cooper Murphy’s tail in twist. Audrey discovered it at the front door recently, and they had a bit of a stare down. No meoyowling was heard, as it is when Cooper’s protecting his turf.

Audrey is joining 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. Friendly Fill-Ins is a blog hop hosted by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). 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.

I got lots of help with fill-ins again this week. In fact, I only had to complete one of the sentences myself. We all used teal italics for filling in. Explanatory information is in parentheses.

1. Misty May: I am going to sleep on Mom’s pillow again tonight like I do most nights and probably sneeze in her face.

2. Sawyer: The worst thing about my life is having seizures. (I’m thankful that I have no memory of them afterward.)

3. From my experience, living with cats is worth ~~its~~ their weight in gold.

4. Sawyer: Having to take yucky medicine does not work for me.

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

OOOPS: FOUR CATS & ONLY THREE PORTALS

Wordless Wednesday

Black and blue cat tunnel with three portals and four cats, two ginger tabbies, one grey tabby and one tuxie.

Misty May, Sawyer, Raleigh and Cooper Murphy will be participating in the World Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can join them by clicking on the WW badge.

Looking Back

This week’s Looking Back post is one I believe you will take delight in and find totally entertaining. It’s from November 4, 2012, and is about our angels Lily Olivia and Mauricio. It is entitled, “The Incredible Barking Cat & Her Dog-Like Housemate.” Those of you who are subscribers will have already received notification of this post in your e-mail inbox.

Kitties Blue and I really hope you’ll read this post and let us know in its comment section if you enjoyed it.

February 8, 2023 by Janet Blue Kitties Blue Looking Back Wordless Wednesday 15

LOOK INTO MY EYES

Wordless Wednesday

Sawyer is participating in the Cat Blogosphere’s February Challenge. He is sharing his photo today with one of my older sister Judy. She was approximately eight years old in that photo. It is in a double frame. Sawyer is sitting in front of the photo of me at about age one. My sister died at age 67 in 2009. I think remembering loved ones meets the challenge.

Sawyer also is joining the Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus.

Looking Back

This week’s Looking Back post is “Cat in a Box.” It is from August 26, 2012. I think you will really enjoy it. It’s got lots of fun photos and explains the relationships between some of our angels. If you like it, please leave us a comment on the post.

February 1, 2023 by Janet Blue Challenge Kitties Blue Looking Back Wordless Wednesday 14

A QUARTET OF TUXIE SELFIES

Sunday Selfies: Week #441

Today is one of three special days to celebrate tuxedo (tuxie) cats. I guess that speaks to how popular they are. This is Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day.

And if one tuxie cat is good, then four must be GREAT! So today I am sharing selfies of our four tuxies, two angels and two current Kitties Blue. On the left are Daphne and Mau, and on the right are Lisbeth and Misty May. Dad Tom calls Lisbeth a cow cat, as she is more white than black, but that’s just how he sees her.

A collage of four photos of four different tuxedo (black and white) cats.

Just in case you missed the opportunity to honor your tuxie(s) today, here are the dates for the other two celebrations: September 9 is Tuxie Appreciation Day and November 29 is known as National Tuxedo Cat Day!

Remembering Emmy

As we often do on our Sunday Selfies posts, we’d like to remember a special friend who recently received her angel wings—Emmy from 15AndMeowing. Being a tuxie girl herself, this day is meant to celebrate her as well.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Emmy’s human mom and dad, Ellen and David, click here to go to 15AndMeowing.

Hopping Time

Now it’s the time when you get to share your selfie with all of us as well as your other friends. You can link up below anytime now through Thursday. And thanks so much for joining us. Each of you are special, and we totally appreciate you being our friends and part of the hop.

January 29, 2023 by Janet Blue Kitties Blue Remembering Friends Sunday Selfies Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day 22

THE EXPLORER AND THE OBSERVER

Feline Friday

Two orange tabby cats on a catio - one on the table observing and one exploring empty boxes.

Raleigh is exploring boxes ready for recycling as Cooper Murphy observes. Just in case you’re thinking we deprived the gang from playing in the boxes, I can assure you that all the Kitties Blue did have the opportunity to play in many of them.

Today, Cooper Murphy and Raleigh are joining the Feline Friday blog hop. The hop has moved from our friend, Sandee’s, Comedy Plus blog to messymimi’s meanderings. To participate click on the Feline Friday badge.

Friendly Fill-Ins

I had to enlist the help of Sawyer to complete this week’s fill-ins. He’s my go-to guy when I cannot think of something to complete the sentence. We both used teal italics for our fill-ins.

1. I always forget to charge my cell phone.

2. Sawyer: I never forget to ask for treats.

3. Sawyer: Nothing makes me pout more than Mom or Dad forgetting it’s treat time.

4. It might sound outrageous, but I am very happy to be old.

Thanks for stopping by. Please join us tomorrow for some Caturday Art.

January 27, 2023 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Kittens Kitties Blue 13

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

It’s Thursday, so that means it is time to participate in Angel Sammy and Teddy’s (Two Spoiled Cats) poetry challenge.

My poem is total silliness, just like the inspiration photo. I did not include any of the Kitties Blue. I could picture them sitting among the stuffed animals but could not come up with an accompanying scenario to explain their presence.

Car covered in stuffed animals except for windows, wheels and tires.

Imagination or Obsession

All I can think of is: What would happen if it rains?
Would all the stuffies come unglued
And need to be a attached all over again?
Or would the owner throw the soggy mess away
And begin gluing new bears and bunnies the very next day?
I admire anyone with imagination but what about common sense?
Surely they would have considered the possibility of a mess.
Or maybe this person leaves their silly car at home,
Unless the day is bright, sunny and free from storms,
Tucked up in a nice garage safe and dry
Protecting the car they spent so much time to “beautify.”
I bet, if I was a kid, I’d think this auto was super cool
And want to share it for show ‘n tell at school.
But it doesn’t pay to spend all this time in speculation.
Everyone is entitled to their particular fascination…
Whether it be vintage clothes or a ceramic pig collection
Or a car covered in stuffed animals of every description!

Just like last week, I had no idea where this poem was going when I started it. Some poems like that are more successful than others. I’d say this is one of the “others.”

If you’d like to try writing some poetry, check out Two Spoiled Cats (by clicking on the poetry badge) for next week’s inspiration photo. And, as I always suggest, please read Angel Sammy’s poem when you visit. He sends it to Teddy each week from the Rainbow Bridge, and he is a wonderful and masterful poet.

Thankful Thursday

Thursday is the day for poetry and thankfuls. We have a short list this week.

I am thankful that a day of heavy rain was not one of snow.
I also am thankful that once again I was close by when Sawyer had a seizure. (He recently has been having a seizure every eighth day, so I had been anticipating one the entire day.)
Kitties Blue and I are thankful for those of you who have been reading the “Looking Back” posts and commenting.
And, as always, we are thankful for all our friends, followers and supporters.

Note from Misty May

The tub she was licking yesterday was empty. It had been filled with margarine that is made with yoghurt. It only had tiny remnants of margarine remaining. She’s spoiled rotten, but we do draw the line when it comes to giving the gang people food, except for a possible taste of something that won’t hurt them. Misty May normally is banished from the kitchen at mealtime, as she will not stay off the island while we are eating.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. To participate, post on your blog for what you are thankful and then click on his badge to join the hop.

January 26, 2023 by Janet Blue Health Kitties Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 12

WARMING THEIR TABBY TUMMIES

Feline Friday

Sawyer and Audrey were warming their tabby tummies atop the living room radiator yesterday morning.

Today they are joining the Feline Friday blog hop. The hop has moved from our friend, Sandee’s, Comedy Plus blog to messymimi’s meanderings. To participate click on the Feline Friday badge.

Friendly Fill-Ins

I had to enlist the help of Kitties Blue to complete this week’s fill-ins. We all used teal italics for our fill-ins. Additional information is in parentheses.

1. Everything (especially my body) makes me feel old.

2. Listening to 60’s music makes me feel young.

3. Kitties Blue: Recently, our heated floors in the kitchen and bathrooms came in very handy. (The furnace wasn’t working.)

4. I think that dwelling in the past is the most useless way to spend my time.

Thank you for visiting us today. We’ll be back tomorrow with some Caturday Art.

January 20, 2023 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Kitties Blue 16

CAT BURGLARS & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

The Two Spoiled Cats (Teddy and Angel Sammy) provided a funny inspiration photo for today’s poetry challenge. Of course, I had to go a step further and add two cats (Raleigh and Misty May). You’ll need to read the poem to find out why the two are wearing some jewelry.

Shepheard breed dog carrying mannequin leg in mouth following an orange tabby cat and a tuxedo cat wearing jewelry.

Cat Burglars

The two thieves thought they’d gotten away clean,
Until they saw what their accomplice decided to bring.
Why did he steal that lady’s artificial limb?
It must have been some silly canine whim.
They’d only planned to pilfer a little bling
And had no idea what to do with that thing.
If their doggie friend continued to carry it around,
They for certain would be easily found.
They must convince him to dig a big hole
And bury it quickly before the next police patrol,
Or they’d all find themselves locked up tight—
Their humans having to pay a huge fee to set things right.
The wily cat burglars instead decided to ditch their friend
And bring their poorly conceived plan to an end,
By running away as fast as they could,
And stashing their booty in the nearby woods.
Then they’ll lay low and behave for several days
Before retrieving the loot and paying for friends’ neuters and spays.
You see, the kitty robbers really aren’t naughty,
Just misguided in their attempts to raise needed money,
To contribute something to their local TNR projects
So every neighborhood cat can be safe even if homeless.

I had no idea where this poem was going when I started it, but I had lots of fun writing it. I hope you enjoy it.

Thankful Thursday

Thursday is the day for poetry and thankfuls. Kitties Blue and I are thankful for those of you who have been reading our “Looking Back” posts and commenting on them. To be honest, I believe many of my early posts were the best. I had many years of my life with cats to share. Now, I have only what happens in the present.

We are thankful our friend Raz (Friends Furever) is doing much better health wise.

Kitties Blue are particularly thankful that we are midway through January without having any snow. That means, even on cold days, the catio is not a bad place to be, if only for a few minutes.

Finally, as always, Kitties Blue and I are thankful for your following, support and friendship.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. To join, share on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on Brian’s badge to add your link to the hop.

January 19, 2023 by Janet Blue Kitties Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday TNR 11

CAT IN THE CHORUS LINE

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Each Thursday, dear friends, Angel Sammy & Teddy (Two Spoiled Cats), provide an inspiration photo for those of us who enjoy writing poetry. If you follow our blog regularly, you know I try to add at least one of the Kitties Blue to the photo. This week, that honor went to Raleigh. He and I hope you enjoy his performance and my poem.

Cat in the Chorus Line

They said my legs were too short…
And too furry
To ever join the chorus line!
But I practiced everyday
And came to an audition.
When they saw my high kick,
They burst out in applause.
Now I’m the token cat
With my very own red top hat!

If you haven’t been participating in Teddy and Angel Sammy’s poetry challenge, I recommend you give it a try. It’s the perfect opportunity to get creative. Check out Two Spoiled Cats, by clicking on the poetry badge, for next week’s inspiration photo. And please read Angel Sammy’s poem. He’s one of our very favorite poets.

Thankful Thursday

Thursday also is the day we share those things for which we are thankful.

The main and most important thankful for this week is the fact that I somehow managed to get our post notification e-mails working again. And the authors of the plug-in have finally acknowledged all the complaints on the WordPress.org forum.

Last week I was thankful and happy to report that Sawyer hadn’t had a seizure in a few weeks. Unfortunately his streak was broken this past Friday. I am thankful, however, that I was with him when it began. He was under the edge of the bed, and I was able to get him out and wrapped in a towel before he could hurt himself.

Calista Jo, Astrid and I are thankful for those of you who read this week’s Looking Back post and left comments there.

All the Kitties Blue and I are thankful for you sticking with us through all my whining about the site issues.

Your support, following and friendship are always on our list of thankfuls.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. To participate, post on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on his badge to join the hop.

January 12, 2023 by Janet Blue Health Kittens Kitties Blue Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 13

LISBETH’S PURRFECT POSE

Sunday Selfies: Week #438

Portrait of a white and black, green-eyed cat wearing a purple, polka dotted collar and framed in purple!

Our lovely Lisbeth is getting really great at taking selfies. Did you know she had the very first selfie all those years ago? Here’s the link to that post: “Sunday Selfies Blog Hop.” She actually doesn’t show up on the blog too often, and when she does it is usually for a selfie. Otherwise she stays mostly to herself at the top of the dining room cat tree or on the dining room or upstair’s bedroom radiator. She does show up on the kitchen island for breakfast and lunch most days hopping to snag a morsel from Dad Tom or me. We constantly scold her and tell her to get down. She listens about half the time, but then is right back up again. When the meal is over, she will sit on my placemat and touch my cheek with her paw over and over again until I start giving her stitches. She’s pretty stubborn.

Anyhoo, she is looking forward to you joining her with your very own selfie. It’s always more fun to hop when friends join in.

Thank You

It seems that those e-mail post notifications are working again. The Kitties Blue are keeping their paws crossed that you, if subscribed, will continue to get those notifications. As this plug-in is working again, I will add a place to subscribe to posts back to our sidebar.

Once again we want to thank those of you who have stuck with us all these years and through this recent problem. If all goes well, we will get back to our usual posting schedule.

Have an easy Sunday!

January 8, 2023 by Janet Blue Kitties Blue Sunday Selfies 24

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.