Meowin’ Like a Pirate Day

THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CCII

Meow Like a Pirate Day

When Periwinkle comes tumbling from the teleportation tunnel with the usual whoosh, Stinky greets her with a huge paw hug and an, “Ahoy, matey.” Periwinkle begins to giggle and clap her paws together.

“Oh, Stinky, I was hoping we’d be celebrating Meow Like a Pirate Day. It is such a fun holiday.”

“How could we miss it? Do you think all our readers know that is how you and I got our names?”

“Some may not. You should tell them.”

“Yes, of course,” replies Stinky. “Well, our names were actually our alteregos’, Noelle and Sawyer’s, pirate names. I could not find the reference to Periwinkle, but Sawyer’s pirate name was Captain Stinky One-Eyed Biggs.”

Periwinkle giggles. “That really is a silly name, Stinky. I like that I have a pretty name.”

“You should. It matches your beauty and sweet personality.”

Periwinkle blushes and gives Stinky another big paw hug and a whisker kiss. She then asks him what he has planned for today.

Whydah Gally

Stinky tells her that they are going to West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, to learn about the only authenticated and positively identified pirate ship, the Whydah Gally, which sank off the coast of Wellfleet, MA, on April 26, 1717.

“Wow, Stinky, that sounds really cool. Let’s get going,” says Periwinkle, as she takes his paw and leads him into the teleportation tunnel.”

When they arrive at their destination, the Whydah Pirate Museum, Periwinkle squeals with delight when she sees two of the pirates outside the museum. “Stinky, they look so real. Let’s get our photo with them.”

 

Periwinkle Stinky Whydah Gally: Two cartoon tabby cats in pirate hats with two pirate statues.

 

When they enter the museum, Periwinkle begins looking around for the actual ship. When Stinky sees her quizzical expression, he tells  Periwinkle that the ship is still at the bottom of the ocean where it was discovered 30-feet below the surface in 1984 by the shipwreck salvager and underwater archaeological adventurer, Barry Clifford. It is currently buried under 10 to 50 feet of sand, in depths ranging from 16 to 30 feet deep. It’s spread for four miles, parallel to Cape Cod’s easternmost coast. 

“Well, phooey. I thought we were going to get to see and board the ship, Stinky.”

“I’m sorry Periwinkle, we will get to see a model and then a replica of the ship, which we can board.” 

“I guess that’s okay. Let’s go see that model, while you tell me about it.”

 

Model of the Whydah Gally

 

“The Whydah Gally was built in 1715 as a slave ship. It was on its maiden voyage when it was hijacked by the pirate, Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy, shortly after leaving Jamaica where it had traded and sold 500 slaves from Africa, gold, ivory and jewelry. The ship was carrying precious metals, sugar, indigo, rum, logwood, pimento, ginger and medicinal ingredients back to England when Bellamy hijacked it. Bellamy and his crew used the Whydah to pirate additional ships. The Whydah had the treasure of 53 other ships on board when it sunk.”

Bellamy is best known as the wealthiest pirate in recorded history, and one of the faces of the Golden Age of Piracy.

Sinking of the Whydah

“How did it sink, Stinky?” Periwinkle asks.

“The 100-foot, 300-ton, 28-gun Whydah encountered a Nor’easter with 70 mile per hour winds causing ocean swells of up to 30 feet. Though, the captain and crew were within sight of land, they were unable to navigate in the storm and slammed into a sandbar stern first. The ship broke apart and all but two of the 145 men and one child aboard died. The two survivors were Welsh carpenter, Thomas Davis, and the ship’s pilot, 16-year-old Miskito Indian, John Julian. Julian was sold as a slave to John Quincey, the great-grandfather of president John Quincy Adams after the ship sunk.”

“Even though they were pirates, Stinky, that’s still pretty sad that only two people lived,” exclaims Periwinkle.

“The ship was carrying four and a half tons of stolen treasure. According to cartographer and commander of the Bay Colony’s naval militia, Cyprian Southack, at least 200 men plundered the ship of its bounty, including 180 bags of gold and silver.”

“Holy cow, Stinky, that’s a lot of money. Can we check out some of the artifacts here at the museum?”

“Sure, let’s check out some of the loot found aboard by Clifford.”

Items from the Whydah

 

Periwinkle Stinky Whydah Gally: two cartoon tabby cats in pirate hats with a trunk of coins.

 

“Stinky, think of all the stinky goodness and treats and toys we could buy with that money,” exclaims Periwinkle.

“I’m surprised I didn’t think of that Periwinkle.”

“Hey, Stinky, let’s check out that anchor.”

 

Periwinkle Stinky Whydah Gally: two cartoon tabby cats in pirate hats with a large ship anchor.

 

“I did not intend for you to climb on it, Stinky. Please get down,” Periwinkle requests. Stinky grudgingly obliges, and the tabbies move to the next exhibit.

They check out the bell from the ship, discovered by Clifford in 1985. It is inscribed, “The Whydah Galley 1716.”

 

The recovered bell from the Whydah Gally.

 

“Periwinkle, let’s check out some of the cannons and the ship’s replica.”

“Are you going to climb on the cannons Stinky?” Periwinkle asks.

Stinky giggles and replies, “Probably.” Periwinkle rolls her eyes.

 

Periwinkle Stinky Whydah Gally: two cartoon tabby cats in pirate hats with a replica of The Whydah Gally.

 

“Stinky, you can be such a troublemaker. One of these days you are going to get us kicked out of wherever we are visiting.”

“Maybe so, but until I do, I am going to keep having fun,” Stinky replies.

Once again, Periwinkle rolls her eyes. Then she grabs Stinky’s paw and pulls him down. They spend some time exploring The Whydah’s replica.

Concretion

When they exit The Whydah replica, Periwinkle spies a large and very strange looking object. She asks Stinky if he knows what it is? Having no idea, Stinky takes Periwinkle’s paw and leads her to the object.

 

Periwinkle Stinky Whydah Gally: two cartoon tabby cats in pirate hats with a concretion from the wreck of the Whydah Gally.

 

“Periwinkle, the sign says, that this is part of a 3,500 pound concretion. Items encased in this mass of hardened sand and stone include human remains, plus what appear to be a pistol, cuff links, a belt and additional personal items. Taken from the wreck site several years ago, everything inside was protected over the centuries until conservationists started removing the material, and that is when they discovered the bones.”

“That’s cool and creepy at the same time,” says Periwinkle. She adds, “I don’t know about you, Stinky, but my paws are getting pretty tired, and my tummy is growling.”

“Aargh, Periwinkle, I think we should head back to my house and plunder ourselves some grub and grog!”

“Stinky, you are so silly, but I totally agree.”

Home Again

After a quick trip in the teleportation tunnel, the tabbies arrive at Stinky’s House. Stinky’s mom fixes them a snack, and they retire to the catio to enjoy the nice weather and visit with Stinky’s fursibs. Periwinkle tells them all how sorry she is about Misty May getting her angel wings. They all thank her for her consideration.

After their snack, it’s time for Periwinkle to return home. Before she leaves, Stinky tells her that they have shared just a small amount about The Whydah Gally and Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy. He explains that a Google search of either The Whydah or Bellamy will bring up oodles of websites with additional information that their readers might find interesting.

Finally, it is time for Periwinkle to return home. She tells Stinky how much she enjoyed this unique Meow Like a Pirate Day adventure. She and Stinky share lots of whisker kisses and paw hugs. Then Periwinkle enters the tunnel, and with the usual wave, blown kiss and whoosh, she is gone. Stinky retires to the bedroom to nap and dream of his love, Periwinkle.

The End

 

 

The two tabbies will be joining the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. To do the same, click on the badge below.

 

PIRATES CELEBRATE 3000TH POST!

3,000th Post

Arrrgh…how did that happen? I cannot wrap my head around that 3000 number. To those of you who have been with us since somewhere near the beginning as well as everyone who has ever visited, thank you! Without your following and support, I would not have reached this milestone nor would I still be writing this blog.

Sparks/Meow (Talk) Like a Pirate Day

Our three boys, Cooper Murphy (Decrepit Hugo Scarr), Sawyer (Cap’n Joe Leadhead) and Raleigh (Armless Bart Bellamy) are here to celebrate this fun holiday and present our Spark. Cap’n Joe is much too young for grog, pillaging or digging for buried treasure; though, he certainly is an energetic litter box excavator. I think we’ll consider him an apprentice pirate for this year.

 

Two tabby cats (one grey and one orange) and one orange tabby kitten dressed in pirate clothing.

 

I absolutely love this Spark from Disney. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes.

Sparks began as a blog hop, created by our friend, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). Annie is taking a “break” from blogging, so there is no hop. Many of us still continue to post a Spark on Monday, as we believe in Annie’s vision: “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!”

Comment-a-thon

In honor of Misty May and Angel Mau, Kitties Blue and I are having a comment-a-thon. I will donate $1 for every comment (one per person, please) made on their birthday post through midnight Thursday. One commenter, selected through Random.org, will have the opportunity to select the pet shelter, rescue or charity to receive the donation. So please feel free to invite all your friends to join the party and comment.

Awww Mondays

My three pirates are popping over to Comedy Plus for the Awww Mondays blog hop. If you’d like to join them, click on the Awww badge.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

This fun-loving, tabby duo will return tomorrow with the next installment in their adventure series. It is Periwinkle’s week to plan and post their adventure, so look for them at Friends Furever tomorrow. I know both Periwinkle and Stinky will be looking forward to seeing all of you.

 

PIRATE SELFIES

Sunday Selfies: Week #370

Cooper Murphy (Peg-Legged Sebastian Vargas) and Sawyer (Captain Stinky One-Eyed Biggs) will be Meowin’ Like Pirates today here and at the Tabby Cat Club. Cooper will also be at Cat Scouts doing the same thing. These two scalawags cannot get enough of playing pirates. But before jaunting off for fun, they agreed to sit for some pirate selfies.

 

pirate selfies

 

Whether you are participating in Meowin’ Like a Pirate Day or not, you are commanded to join these two buccaneers and post your selfie here. If you fail to do so, you could be walking the plank by the end of the day. Just kidding, of course. But all the Kitties Blue do hope you will join the blog hop by linking up below.

We always appreciate your participation, support and friendship.

 



PIRATE CATS MEOWIN’ “ARRRGH”

Sorry we were missing again yesterday. We don’t know why our mom is being such a slacker lately. She told us she was super tired, but that sounds totally lame to us. Anyhoo, we are going to try to make up today for yesterday.

Caturday Art: Meowin’ Like a Pirate Day

Peg-Legged Sebastian Vargas (Cooper Murphy) and Captain Stinky One-Eyed Biggs (Sawyer) discovered this pirate and his keg of rum and decided to join up with him (at least for the day).

 

Pirate Cats

 

 

The boys look a little innocent to be much good as pirates. But, on this day every year, even the most gentle cat gets the “guts” to swagger, guzzle grog, and speak funny while injecting the word “arrrgh,” into every other sentence.

This is our entry in the Caturday Art blog hop hosted by the lovely Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty. If you’d like to do the same or just view some art by your fellow bloggers, click on Athena’s badge.

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #226

With our mom slacking off yesterday, we didn’t get to post the fill-ins, so we have them today.

Sawyer helped complete the fill-ins this week. Both he and Mom used teal italics.

1. SAWYER: If you are looking for your toys, try under the refrigerator.

2. Each day Sawyer doesn’t have a seizure fills me with hope.

3. SAWYER: It’s only a matter of time before I have a seizure; though, I have my paws crossed it isn’t anytime soon.

4. Cats is are my favorite conversation topic.

Friendly Fill-Ins is a Friday blog hop hosted by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). They each select two sentences with blanks for participants to “fill in.” The intent is to give us the opportunity to learn a bit more about our fellow bloggers. If you’d like to join in, you can find the sentences to be completed on both blogs on Thursday. To participate, click on the badge below, which will take you to Four-Legged Furballs.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Mom promised on Misty May and Angel Mau’s birthday that she would post a poem on Friday. And then she didn’t even write a post for Friday. With apologies to Teddy and Angel Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats), we are foregoing the poem this week. The inspiration photo was totally adorable, and we regret missing this week.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

We can promise that one of us will be here tomorrow to host our Sunday Selfies blog hop. And, of course, all of us will be looking forward to seeing each of your selfies. We truly appreciate your participation and support, and if you’ve never given the selfie a try, go for it tomorrow. This is a great place to meet and make new friends.

Thanks for stopping in to see us today.

Purrs & paw-pats, Misty May, Giulietta, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer

 

A PIRATEY POEM BY KITTIES BLUE

Thoroughly Poetic Pirate Thursday

Arrgh! Today is the one day each year when we all get together to meow like pirates. It’s pretty silly but also fun.

Today also is poetry day, and Teddy and Angel Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats) gave us this appropriate photo as our inspiration.

 

 

Pirates for Just One Day

This pirate looks really scary,
Not to mention extremely hairy.
He doesn’t appear to be gregarious.
We suspect he’s up to things nefarious.
Pillaging and plundering are his agenda.
His pirate actions are totally horrendous.
Today we kitties have fun at playing pirates,
But this fellow here is totally serious.
We’re sailing our ship in a different direction,
So we won’t become his latest obsession.
Of course, if he is looking for treasure,
A search of our ship will be a futile venture.
We carry only Temptations aboard this vessel.
If he wants those, each of us he’ll need to wrestle.
But should he threaten us with his broadsword,
We suspect we will need to jump overboard.
That’s why we are sailing away as fast as we can,
Because getting our furs wet is not in our plan.
We may be pirates on the high seas for a day,
But we’re also kitties, so dry we plan to stay.

© Kitties Blue – 09/18/2019

We also wrote a pretty good pirate poem in February, 2018. If you’d like to read it, click here.

If you are not a participant in the Thursday Poetry challenge, you should give it a try. Each Thursday Angel Sammy and Teddy post an inspiration photo for the following week’s poem. So, to participant next week, visit their blog today. While there, please read the poem Angel Sammy will have transmitted to Teddy from the Rainbow Bridge. And don’t forget to check out the Comments section for links to poems by your fellow bloggers. Click on the badge at the left to go to Two Spoiled Cats now.

Before moving on to the Thankful Thursday blog hop, we’d like to ask you to check out the Tabby Cat Club today. Captain Stinky One-Eyed Biggs (aka Sawyer) and Captain Periwinkle Puffy Pants (aka Noelle from Friends Furever) are sharing a post and hosting a sail around Pirate Bay on the S.S. Tabby. They are super cute, and we know you’ll enjoy their post.

Thankful Thursday

Our thankful for the week comes from yesterday’s birthday celebrants, Misty May and Mauricio. They decided to wear their pirate garb to deliver their thankful.

 

 

We’d like to thank everyone who celebrated our birthday with us yesterday by attending our party and leaving so many well wishes in the comments. Life is better with friends, and we are blessed to have so many.

Purrs and paw-pats, Misty May and Mau

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

ARRGH!

MEOW LIKE A PIRATE DAY 2018

Not So Wordless Wednesday

 

 

The boys are participating in Meow Like a Pirate Day. The girls said they were not interested this year.

Says who? Whoever said that was lying. We girls think it is super cool to be pirates.

The boys are all dressed and ready to go. You girls seem to be sitting around in your furs.

We don’t need costumes to swill grog and rum and search for buried treasure.

Not dressing up sort of takes the fun out of it don’t you think?

Arrgh! I guess you’re right. So here I am in my costume.

 

Pirate cat Misty May

 

Do you have a pirate name?

Of course; though, I think whomever came up with it must have been blind. I am known as Calico Mary Kidd. It’s obvious I’m a tuxie not a calico.

Do any of the other girls wish to join you as a pirate?

I guess not…maybe that rumor about not participating wasn’t so far from the truth.

Should we check out the boys and see if they are dressed for the activities?

Yeah…why not.

Pirate cats: Cooper Murphy, Mau, Sawyer

 

Wow, they sure look like swashbucklers. I wonder what their pirate names are?

We are Captain Roger Kidd, Captain Sparrow the Funkmaster and Iron Davy Rackham.

Yo ho ho and a bottle of milk. Mau says I’m too young for rum or grog and that I cannot drink alcohol with my medication. Pffft! Oops, I mean Arrgh.

Do you scalawags have a ship?

As a matter of fact we do. Unfortunately it is in need of repairs, as you can see. We are disgruntled landlubbers for now.

 

 

Due to our inability to set sail and pillage some villages, we are setting off for some parties. Captain Roger Kidd and Iron Davy Rackham are heading over to the Tabby Cat Club, and later Captain Roger Kidd will join me at Cat Scouts.

What about Calico Mary Kidd? Are you taking her with you?

I guess she can tag along with us to Cat Scouts

Gee, thanks, Captain Jack Sparrow Funkmaster. So kind of you.

Have fun today! Don’t get yourselves into any trouble.

Arrgh! Arrgh! Arrgh! Arrgh!

Key to speakers: Mom/Sawyer/Cooper Murphy/Mau/Misty May

Though we have not been wordless today, we are joining the blog hops at Create with Joy and Comedy Plus.

Wordless Wednesday at Create With Joy

 

COOPER MURPHY’S FIRST PIRATE DAY

Meowin’ Like a Pirate

 

 

Kitties Blue, except Cooper Murphy, are old hands hooks at celebrating Meowin’ Like a Pirate Day. Cooper was excited when he heard he would get an official pirate’s name. And here it is: Nick “Captain Of Rats” Scar, “The Scurvy Dog of Nowhere Key!” He’s furry happy with that “Captain of Rats” moniker.

Of course, the remainder of us already have pirate names:

Lily Olivia: Sal “Tall Tide” Seamen, “The Bounty of Ape Bay!”

Astrid: Opal “Voodoo” Murphy, “The Fury of Rum Atoll!”

Mauricio: Dick “Shivers” Welch, “The Serpent of Locker Island!”

Misty May: Sadie “Toothy Grin” Jamieson, “The Captain of Seaweed Bay!”

Giulietta: Georgette “Parrot Charmer” Dunkin, “The Stranded Sailor of Seastar Reef!”

Lisbeth: Bella “Parrot Charmer” Trembles, “The Poison Claw of Rogue’s Bay!”

Calista Josette: Betty “Fair Wind” Dunkin, “The Demon of Mango Cove!”

We actually have a new galleon this year, The Blue Fancy. We’ve already been out on the open seas pillaging and plundering and have a chest full of doubloons. Unfortunately, Lisbeth lost a paw during our marauding and now has a hook. We’re all staying out of her way. We don’t think we can defend ourselves against that even if we sharpen our claws.

 

For Meowin' Like a Pirate Day, Kitties Blue have a new galleon: The Blue Fancy.

 

We are sailing across the ocean to Speedy’s place for his annual Pirate Party. It’s arrrgh-ubly the bestest party of the year. You don’t want to be walkin’ the plank or hangin’ from the yardarm for missing it. We better leave now if we are going to make it on time.

Ahoy, ye scurvy scalawags!

 

MEOWIN’ LIKE PIRATES 2016

Meowin' Like Pirates 2016

 

Yo-ho-ho! Well th’ wench, otherwise known as th’ petretary, didn’ git any new scurvy gentleman o’ fortune photos made fer us ’tis yearrr. She been too busy doin’ stuff fer Mau fer sea foul beast scouts. Sink me! Avast ye, we be ‘avin’ a retrospective wit’ photos from previous years. Woe ’em ‘o ye who weren’t followers ’til recently ‘eartly enjoy them. ‘N we pray our barnacle-covered buckos won’t make us walk th’ plank fer showin’ ’em agin. Meowin’ like pirates ’tis day ‘n searchin’ fer buried booty.

 

 Meowin' Like Pirates 2016

 

Nay quarter! Aye aye, scurvy dog Mauricio (aka Nick “Thieving Magpie” Drown) got a new photo as he needed one for sea foul beast scouts, ‘n thee wench couldn’t find his barnacle-covered one. Blimey!

 

Meowin' Like Pirates 2016

 

Ahoy to all our mateys, Daisy “Red Locks” Locke “The Ghost of Lion Bight!” (This pirate be  haunting a dead man’s chest from beyond the grave!), Nick “Thieving Magpie” Drown “The Murderer of Bloodsucker Caves!” (This pirate be  bloody-minded, stopping at nothing to get the treasure!), Clara “Scoundrel” Clegg “The Heart of Crescent Bight!” (This pirate be good of heart, strong of stomach, and sore of head!), Georgette “Parrot Charmer” Dunkin “The Stranded Sailor of Seastar Reef!” (This pirate be wandering the shore, looking for ships. Not lost. Just wants something to aim the cannon at!), Jilly “Soft Heart” Pepper “The Stranded Sailor of Ghost Beach!” (This pirate be joining her corsair sis in wandering the shore, looking for ships.), Lil “Black Eyepatch” Scar “The Lion of Rattlesnake Retreat!” (This pirate be a fierce and royal sort, made of honour and courage!), Vera “Dead Man” Perrow “The Madness of Seastar Cliffs!” (This pirate be madder than a sailor on sea water!) and Helen “Blue Mane” Shiver “The Knave of Summer Estuary!” (This pirate be a jolly japester prone to the yo-ho-ho-ing, especially after a bottle of rum!)

p.s. Shiver me timbers! Blimey, who knew our names would be longer than this writing.

p.p.s Thank you to Bear Cat for the cool badge.

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