Poetry

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Our friends, Teddy and Angel Sammy, over at Two Spoiled Cats, definitely selected a doozy of a photo for this week’s poetry challenge. I got a bit of assistance from Cooper Murphy and Raleigh in “catifying” it.

 

 

With a Little Help from My Friends: Black and white photo of woman from the 50s in a striped bathing suit and high heels, holding barbells and leaning on one knee. Two orange tabby cats are on a larger barbell above her head.

With a Little Help from My Friends

I didn’t get this fit and strong
without working out hard and long
each day with persistence
and a bit of extra assistance.
The additional weight of my felines
may not conform to weightlifting guidelines,
but in gave me this enviable physique
and put me on a winning streak.
I am always front and center
of every competition I enter,
so it is never a surprise
when I am awarded first prize!

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 03/22/2023

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. Please read Angel Sammy’s poem when you visit. He sends it to Teddy each week from the Rainbow Bridge, and it’s always a winner.

Thankful Thursday

In addition to poetry, Thursday is when we like to share the things for which we are thankful.

Sawyer is thankful for nine days between his last two seizures, as are Dad Tom and I.

I am thankful I have returned to a monthly poetry workshop, after being absent for many years. This will give me the opportunity to write some serious poetry, as I did in the past. I have a lot of fun writing the poems for Thoroughly Poetic Thursday, but I’d like to return to exploring topics that don’t always involve Kitties Blue or a preexisting photo. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Winter and spring seemed to have flip-flopped for a few days. Nonetheless, I am thankful for the tulips starting to bloom.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for everyone who visits our blog, comments and supports us. We treasure your friendship.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. If you’d like to participate, post on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on his badge to go to his site and enter your link.

 

SKY-HIGH INSANITY & THANKFULS

Thankful Thursday

I am starting off with thankfuls today, as my poem is truly lame.

Stinky is thankful for everyone who shared Periwinkle’s and his adventure on Tuesday.

 I am thankful for sun. Even if it is cold and windy, as it has been for a few days, the sun always puts me in a better mood.

I am particularly thankful for my friends. My friend of 39 years, Mary Jane, took me to lunch last week to celebrate my birthday. After we came home, she took a couple of selfies with Kitties Blue (Kizmet and Misty May). If you have been following us for a while, you may recall that Mary Jane was Mau’s human girlfriend.

College of selfies of a smiling lady with two cats...one a grey cat and one a tuxie.

 

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for each of you who follow and support us.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. If you’d like to participate, post on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on his badge to go to his site and enter your link.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

I almost didn’t have a poem for this week’s challenge, which is hosted by Angel Sammy and Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats. Just looking at the inspiration photo made me dizzy and nauseous, and I definitely couldn’t see a way to believably add one of Kitties Blue to it.

 

A girl on a high dive aboard a huge cruise ship.

 

I am not a fan of heights or crowds, so one would never find me on a huge cruise ship like this or on a sky-high diving board.

Sky-High Insanity

This is completely insane.
Even if I don’t break my neck,
I’ll never do it again.
Accepting the dare was foolish.
I just didn’t want to appear mulish
By refusing to take the chance
To prove I’m a total bad ass.

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 03/15/2023

 

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. Please read Angel Sammy’s poem when you visit. He sends it to Teddy each week from the Rainbow Bridge, and I can guarantee you that it won’t be lame.

Thanks for joining us today. We’ll be back tomorrow with some fill-ins.

 

 

 

 

READ ACROSS AMERICA WITH THANKS & POETRY

Read Across America Day

Today is one we always like to celebrate.  It’s Read Across America Day, aka Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

 

Thankful Thursday

As kittens, Maxwell and Macy from Brian’s Home, are hosting today’s Thankful Thursday blog hop in conjunction with Seuss’s birthday, Kitties Blue and I are starting with our thankfuls today.

  • I am thankful that reading is one of my favorite pastimes.
  • All of us here are thankful for our wonderful weather. Most days have been warm, and we still haven’t had any snow.
  • Of course, Kitties Blue and I are thankful for having such wonderful friends and followers.
  • Stinky & Periwinkle are thankful they had the opportunity to celebrate Dr.Seuss’s birthday twice. Last year, they visited the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 2020 they enjoyed some time at Seuss Landing at Universal Orlando. If you missed those adventures, you can check them out by clicking on the links.

We hope you have some things you are thankful for this week and share them with your friends. You can do that by clicking on Brian’s badge.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Thursdays are also for writing poetry and participating in Teddy and Angel Sammy’s (Two Spoiled Cats) poetry challenge. This week’s inspiration photo actually is of an adorable cat, and so it wasn’t necessary for me to add one of the Kitties Blue.

 

A tabby/calico cat sitting in a high chair.

 

I did decide to combine the photo with our celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday for my poem. It’s pretty silly, which seems appropriate.

A Cat’s Seussical Meal

My humans said they are serving green eggs and ham.
I said to skip the eggs and bring me the ham and some lamb,
Or if they don’t have lamb, they could bring me a red fish and a blue fish.
I believe they would make for a very tasty dish.
I am fortunate to have this prime seat for meals,
As my humans can easily hear my squeals.
When I demand seconds and sometimes even thirds,
I know I will always be served
Some tasty noms with a side of treats.
That’s why at mealtime, I’m always first in my seat!

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 03/01/2023

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 please read Angel Sammy’s poem when you visit. He sends it to Teddy each week from the Rainbow Bridge, and it’s always terrific.

Our final thankful is to thank all of you for stopping by and reading our blog. Kitties Blue and I are sincerely grateful.

 

OOPS!: A POEM FROM SAWYER

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Teddy and Angel Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats) have provided another fun photo for today’s poetry challenge. In keeping with the black and white photo, Sawyer is this week’s feline addition. Granted he is a bit hard to see. That’s him right in the center. The poem is from his point of view.

 

 

Oops

From a distance this looked like fun,
So I made a run and jumped aboard,
Everyone was laughing and dancing
As we twirled round and round.
When suddenly my stomach turned upside down,
And I horked up my breakfast on the ground.
My barf didn’t land on any of my fellow riders, but
The kids were grossed out and made me dismount.
I think I’ll head to the swings and maybe
Someone will give me a push.
My tummy is empty, so I should be okay
To fly high and even try to touch the sky!

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 02/22/2023

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 masterful poet.

Thankful Thursday

Thursday also is the day we share our thankfuls.

All of us remain thankful for our unseasonably warm weather. I have managed to get some yard work done, and Kitties Blue are loving the catio time. The forecast for today is for a temp of 80 degrees F. This does make me a bit concerned for what this summer will bring in the way of hot temperatures. It’s still a month until spring, but daffodils and crocus are blooming in our yard and all over town.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for those of you who are reading and commenting on the “Looking Back” posts. I am enjoying “refreshing” them and presenting them to you, especially to those who weren’t with us when we started out 10+ years ago.

Dad Tom and I are thankful for everyone who left birthday wishes for him on Monday’s post.

Kitties Blue and I remain thankful to everyone who follows, reads and comments on our posts. We truly appreciate your friendship and support.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by our friend, Brian. If you’d like to participate, post on your blog for what you are thankful and then click on Brian’s badge to join the hop.

 

 

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!

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 01/25/2023

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.

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.

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 1/18/2023

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.

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 it is always terrific.

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.

 

A DREAM COME TRUE & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

What with the holidays, COVID and my site issues, I have not participated in Two Spoiled Cats’ (Teddy and Angel Sammy) poetry challenge for a few weeks. I am back with a poem today and had some fun adding Audrey and Raleigh to the inspiration photo.

 

A black tabby kitten and an orange tabby kitten on a kitchen counter covered in dirty dishes.

A Dream Come True

Let’s see what tasty morsels these humans left behind.
If we each want something yummy, we must form a line.
One too many cats upon this countertop,
And all these dishes will hit the floor with a pop.
Shards of glass don’t mix well with noms,
So we must be careful where we place our paws.
The humans must not guess our plan,
Or we won’t get any of that pot roast or flan.
This sight is something from every cats’ dreams.
Now we must execute an attack without making a scene.

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 1/05/2023

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 is the day we share the things for which we are thankful. Then we join Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop.

Kitties Blue are thankful for all the Christmas cards they received from their many friends. They received significantly more than Dad Tom and I did, but they are much more social than either of us. At some point they’ll share their cards here.

Sawyer, Dad Tom and I are thankful he’s not had a seizure in a few weeks. This is the first time I have ever lost track of exactly how long it has been. Another fault of combining COVID and the holidays. To Sawyer’s credit, he has been doing a much better job of eating, which means he is getting more of his meds.

Though, I haven’t shared any in a couple of weeks; I am thankful I have been able to continue work on updating older posts that were missing critical SEO data. I will begin sharing links under the heading, “Looking Back,” again next Wednesday.

Lastly Kitties Blue and I are extremely grateful to those of you who have continued to visit while our e-mail notifications have not been working. I continue to try to come up with a solution to this problem. If any of you using WordPress.org for your site are using a subscriber plug-in that works well for you, could you please share that information with us in the comments. (There is a very slim chance you may get a notification tomorrow if you are a subscriber, but I wouldn’t put any money on it.)

Thanks for being followers, friends and supporters.

If you’d like to join Brian’s blog hop, click on his badge.

 

LETTER TO SANTA CLAWS & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

With apologies to Teddy and Angel Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats), I am using Thoroughly Poetic Thursday to repost Kitties Blue letter to Santa Claws from 2018. Regardless, I recommend you visit their blog (by clicking on the poetry badge) to read Angel Sammy’s poem. I know it will be another winner, as the inspiration photo is adorable!

A Cat’s Letter to Santa Claws

Christmas cat graphic with flashing lights and stars.

Dear Santa,

Oh dearest Santa, I promise I’ve been good.
Always used my litter box and eaten all my food.
That broken lamp was a minor transgression.
I don’t think it required that time-out session.
And it wasn’t I who shred the arm of that chair.
Besides, isn’t that why they come as a pair?
The hairball on the human’s pillow didn’t come from me.
I don’t have floofy furs, as you can plainly see.
And all that litter spread throughout the house hither to yon…
It sprang right out of the box long after I had gone.
And you know that sandwich the human left on the table…
I swear it was stolen by a stray mouse named Mabel.
And the Christmas tree that suddenly toppled over…
Was not pushed by me but a marauding gopher.
I have no idea how these critters invaded my space.
I never leave the cat door open or out of place.
Oh. dearest Santa, I’ve truly never ever been naughty.
So please bring me some toys from Jackson Galaxy.
And a big bag of nip to last a whole year…
Please, oh please, oh please Santa dear.
And some nommy treats would be totally pawsome.
I’d eat every one and not leave a crumb.
For I, the cat, have been as good as a cat can be.
So please don’t pass me by this Christmas Eve.
If you’ll stop by my house once again this year,
I promise to leave cookies and a bit of good cheer beer.
And as to next year, I raise my right paw
And promise to be a good cat, oh dear Santa Claws.

Yours truly, The Cat

Thankful Thursday

Each Thursday we like to share with you the things for which we are thankful.

  • I am particularly thankful this week to have my bout with COVID coming to an end. That Dad Tom did not get it truly is a blessing. He has been exposed at least six times, but has continued to remain uninfected!
  • I am thankful that all 13 packages with Christmas gifts that needed to be mailed made it to the post office yesterday thanks to Dad Tom. With priority mail, most should make it to their destinations by Christmas.
  • Kitties Blue and I are grateful for all the holiday cards we have received from our blogging friends. We will share them here after the holidays. We also will share Kitties Blue card on Christmas Day, for those of you who did not receive one via snail mail.
  • Cooper Murphy is thankful to have the opportunity to earn twelve new merit badges at Scouts prior to Christmas. He has earned eight so far by learning about the animals represented on the badges and passing the accompanying quizzes. The ninth badge is for completing the December craft project.

Nine Cat Scout Merit badges featuring sloths, axolotls, reindeer, platypus, smart dogs, raccoons, cane toads, polar bears and Christmas craft project

Here’s a photo of his Christmas craft project.

Christmas tree made from folded magazine pages with star and round gem embellishments.

  • And, finally, Kitties Blue and I are most thankful for your support, following, comments and friendship.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. To participate, post on your blog for what you are thankful. Then click on Brian’s badge to go to his blog and enter the link to your post.

Thanks for joining us today!

 

 

CAT DOOR ENCROACHMENT & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

I had fun today with Two Spoiled Cats’ (Teddy and Angel Sammy) photo for their weekly poetry challenge. We had a similar inspiration photo some months ago. You can see it and our poem at, “Three’s a Crowd With Calista Jo”. Instead of Calista Jo, Raleigh joined today’s inspiration photo.

 

Cat Door Encroachment: Dog with head stuck in cat door to outside with small ginger cat standing atop the door.

 

Cat Door Encroachment

Hey, get your big nose out of my door.
You know I’ve warned you about this before.
This passage is strictly for felines,
Not gigantic-nosed, slobbery canines.
If you don’t back off, I’ll give you a whap,
And it won’t feel like a friendly love-tap.
Honestly, I didn’t think you were so dumb
Or is this just a case of sheer boredom?
Whatever your problem, I say, “scram!”
I’ve got claws and I’m not afraid to use ‘em.
Now, please remove your colossal schnozz
Or get a scratch from my mighty paws!

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 12/07/2022

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 is also the day we share the things for which we are thankful. Then we join Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop.

It’s been ugly and rainy here where we live, but its still been a pretty good week. Several of the kitties and I have thankfuls to share.

  • Audrey is thankful to have her spay surgery behind her. She had it yesterday and came through like a champ.
  • Talk about champs…Sawyer has been eating like one and hasn’t had a seizure, that we know of, in 11 days.
  • Cooper Murphy is thankful for earning another merit badge at Cat Scouts for learning about Wild Cats. Here’s a fact, that unless you are a Cat Scout, we bet you don’t know: The Rusty-Spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) is the world’s smallest wild cat weighing only 1.8 to 3.5 pounds. It is 14 to 19 inches in length minus its tail, which is approximately half the length of its body. (Just as a side note: Cooper Murphy weighs 19 pounds!)

 

  • I am super thankful I have almost finished decorating and addressing the Kitties Blue Christmas cards, and I have finished all my shopping. Please don’t tell, but the gang are getting some pretty great gifts this year!

If you’d like to participate in Brian’s hop, post on your blog for what you are thankful. Then click on his badge to link up.

Thanks for visiting us today. We’ll be back tomorrow with some fill-ins.

 

MISSING FIONA, THANKFULS & A POEM

Ooopsie…I just discovered I didn’t post this at midnight!

Thankful Thursday

Kitties Blue and I are joining the Thankful Thursday blog hop hosted by Brian. If you’d like to participate, post on your blog for what you are grateful, and then click on Brian’s badge to visit his blog and linkup.

  • Today is the sixth anniversary of our precious kitty, Fiona, receiving her wings. We definitely are not thankful that she is no longer with us, but eternally grateful to have had her in our lives. I think of her everyday. If you haven’t read the poems her sister Giulietta and I wrote for her, they are on the sidebar. This is the link to her obituary post, “Farewell Fiona.” She’ll be loved always.

Grey cat on couch

  • I am thankful I have completed a good portion of the Christmas decorating and have started addressing Kitties Blue holiday cards. These projects are eating up hours each day, so I must add to the thankful my apologies for Kitties Blue and my lack of visiting and commenting.
  • Cooper Murphy is thankful for earning another merit badge at Cat Scouts by learning about turkeys and passing his quiz.

  • Dad Tom and I are thankful Sawyer has been eating well lately; though, he did have a seizure prior to our returning home this past Saturday after celebrating Thanksgiving with family.
  • As always, Kitties Blue and I are especially thankful to all of you who follow, support and comment on our current posts and those we are sharing in our Looking Back links. But, more than anything, we are blessed to have your friendship.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

It was definitely a difficult task this week to figure out how to add Kitties Blue to Teddy and Angel Sammy’s inspiration photo for their poetry challenge. Requiring even more effort was coming up with a suitable poem. The poem is a bit lackluster, but the gang and I hope you’ll enjoy it nonetheless.

 

An African woman carrying five clay pots on her head and four in her hands with cats and five cats around her feet.

 

Potted Cats

This nice lady is bringing us nine pots,
So we each will have our own cozy bed.
Four of us are trying them out,
But none of us are on her head.
Lisbeth actually enjoys being up high,
But if she fell, there might be blood shed!
She’s waiting ’til her bed’s on the ground
Where she’ll add a nice warm bedspread
And curl up for a good long nap
Until it’s time for Kitties Blue to be fed.
We thank this lady for her generosity,
Because we Kitties Blue are all well-bred!

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 11/30/2022

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 use your imagination and creativity. 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 is a terrific and masterful poet.

So that’s it for today. We look forward to seeing you all again tomorrow.