Squirrels

KITTEN SQUIRREL HUNTERS

Wordless Wednesday

In a collage of three photos, two tabby kittens try to hunt a squirrel from the confines of a screened in catio, as the squirrel climbs on the outside.

Raleigh and Audrey really aren’t kittens anymore, as you can see from their size. Identifying them as the kittens, however, worked for the title. The two will be participating in the Wordless Wednesday blog hop hosted by Sandee at Comedy Plus. Click on the WW badge to join them there.

Looking Back

This week’s Looking Back post is from August 10, 2012. It’s entitled, “Home Again With My Kitty Kids.” You can access it by clicking the link. It includes another photo of precious Mau. It is a tad blurry for which I apologize. If you enjoy the post, I hope you’ll leave a comment there.

Thanks for joining us today.

DON’T GIVE IN!

Sparks

You are probably wondering why I chose this photo of a squirrel taken by Dad Tom for today’s Spark. To me it looks as if he is pleading with us to take the advice of David Goggins. I think it is a message all of us need to take to heart.

I was unfamiliar with David Goggins, so suspect you may be as well. He is a 48-year-old retired United States Navy SEAL who served in the Iraq War. He’s also an ultramarathoner, ultra-distance cyclist, triathlete, public speaker and author. His first memoir, Can’t Hurt Me, was released in 2018. A sequel, Never Finished, was published in 2022.

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

I think you’ll agree that our squirrel friend is awwwdorable and deserves to participate in the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. If you’d like to join him on the hop, click on the Awww badge below.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Those two fun-loving tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, skipped their adventure last week to be with Mom Sharon (Friends Furever) following the passing of Raz, Periwinkle’s real cat brofur. So, after a week’s hiatus, they’ll be adventuring tomorrow. Stinky has not shared what he has planned, so you’ll definitely need to return here tomorrow to see what they get up to and into. They always have more fun when you join them.

June 12, 2023 by Janet Blue Awww Mondays Dad Tom's Photography Sparks Squirrels 9

BREAKFAST IS LATE!

Sunday Selfies:Week #456

Today’s guest host is one of our resident squirrels. This is the look he gave Dad Tom when he was late filling the bird feeders.

Closeup selfie of a squirrel's face.

He’s sharing a second photo today showing off his acrobatic prowess once the feeders were full.

Squirrel being acrobatic while getting sunflower seeds from the bird feeder.

Mr. Squirrel had a demand prior to agreeing to share his photos. He ordered me to create a puzzle of him showing off his acrobatics. Hope you enjoy completing it.

128 Squirrel acrobat

Hopping Time

Kitties Blue are hopping with happiness, as they dodged, for the second week in a row, having to take any selfies. They hope those of you who visit will not be too disappointed that they are taking another week off. One of them will be here tomorrow for Awww Mondays.

Since today is Mother’s Day, we know many of you will be busy celebrating your moms by giving them extra love, cuddles and purrs. So, we’ll understand if you can’t get here today. The hop remains open through Thursday.

Thank you for being our followers and friends.

🌸 Happy Mother’s Day 🌸

May 14, 2023 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Happiness Tag Mother's Day Squirrels Sunday Selfies 22

KIZMET & THE CHEEKY SQUIRREL

Wordless Wednesday

Two photos of a grey cat and a squirrel staring at each other through a window.

Kizmet will be participating in the Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the WW badge.

If you enjoyed these photos, I think you will like “Kizmet & Squirrel Art.”

Looking Back

Last week, I forgot, once again, to include a link to one of our early posts. I do have one for you today. It’s from October 15, 2012. It’s about Astrid and kitten, Calista Jo, and was written ten days after C.J. became one of the Kitties Blue. The post is entitled, “Rolling, Sliding and Somersaulting.” You can view it by clicking on the link. If you are a subscriber, the link should already be in your e-mail in-box. (It’s worth checking it out if just to see the photo.) Astrid, C.J. and I hope you will leave us a comment on the post if you enjoy it.

Thanks for visiting us. today. Kitties Blue and I will be back tomorrow with a poem and some thankfuls.

March 29, 2023 by Janet Blue Backstory Looking Back Squirrels Wordless Wednesday 15

NOM, NOM, NOM SQUIRREL!

Wordless Wednesday

nom, nom, nom: Squirrel with sunflower seed in his paws getting ready to eat it.

Our squirrelly friend is hopping over to Comedy Plus for the Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

March 30, 2022 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Squirrels Wordless Wednesday 16

SQUIRREL APPRECIATION & ANSWER CAT’S QUESTIONS

Caturday Art

Yesterday was Squirrel Appreciation Day, and we missed it. We feel badly about that, as those little bushy-tailed, bird-seed thieves provide Kitties Blue with hours of entertainment daily. To make up for our incompetence, we are featuring one of our resident squirrels in our Caturday Art.

Caturday Art of squirrel in the snow

I “artified” our furry friend using the Snow Leopard effect from Painnt. The snowflake frame is from favpng. I thought both the effect and the frame appropriate, as the photo was taken a few days ago by Dad Tom when it was snowing.

This is my entry in Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. If you’d like to create some art and enter the hop, click on her badge.

I did make a puzzle for you today as well.

130 Squirrel in the Snow Art

National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day

This is the first time Kitties Blue have participated in Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day. I instructed them to put any questions in the regular suggestion box. When I opened it and looked through, I, as usual, mostly found complaints. I am not surprised. They are cats after all.

I did find two questions, one from Sawyer and one from Kizmet. I also am not surprised that it’s the youngsters who have the questions.

The first is from Sawyer: Why can’t I have all the treats I want?

Again, no surprise there. Of course, we all know the answer, as does Sawyer. If you eat all the treats you want, you won’t eat your regular meals, which contain your meds.

Kizmet’s question: As there are only seven of us now, will you and Dad Tom be adopting another cat?

Well, I definitely would like to, but we have no plans right now. Possibly when Misty May joins her brother, Mau, at the Bridge, we may consider finding a bonded pair of kitties (possibly seniors, as Dad Tom and I are septuagenarians) that are in need of a home.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Yep, it’s time again to remind you to get your selfie snapped so you can take part in our Sunday Selfies blog hop. We go live at midnight ET, and the hop remains open until Thursday. But it’s always good to get here on Sunday so your friends don’t miss the opportunity to see you. None of the Kitties Blue crew have stepped up and offered to be your host, but I know where to find the treats, so I am certain I can coerce one of them.

If you are in the deep freeze, as we are, stay inside and stay warm. If you’re not, lucky you!

January 22, 2022 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop Jigsaw Puzzle National Answer Your Cat's Questions Day Squirrels 15

GUARD CAT & FURRY INTERLOPER

Wordless Wednesday

Guard

Interloper

Cooper Murphy will be popping over to Comedy Plus to join the Wordless Wednesday blog hop. You can do the same, by clicking on the WW badge.

Please don’t forget to join us tomorrow for Remember Me Thursday® #SeeTheLight.

September 22, 2021 by Janet Blue Squirrels Wordless Wednesday 13

KIZMET & SQUIRREL ART

Caturday Art

The squirrels are pretty put out with us. Dad Tom took down the bird feeders and covered the bird baths due to this bird disease that is in several states, including Virginia (though not in our area).

They have taken to getting on the upper deck, which is partly open and coming down to the catio looking for food. Yesterday Astrid chased one up and down from upper deck to catio. Mr. Squirrel was on the handrail and Astrid on the stairs. He got away!

Our art today features one of our demanding interlopers. He’s on the pergola adjacent to the the catio. Kizmet is watching through the kitchen window. I think she looks super cute with her paw on the window.

Kizmet and squirrel

As per usual, I went back to Painnt to create today’s art. I used the Leather effect with original color composition and the Grunge frame. Easy and simple.

Kizmet will be popping over to Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s blog to join her hop. If you’d like to participate, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Tomorrow is our weekly blog hop, and all the Kitties Blue hope you’ll take a selfie and join us. We’d love to have our Sawyer as your host, but he’s still not home. It is heart wrenching to think we may not see him again, but we are not giving up. We continue to search and let more and more people know that he is missing. Dad Tom and I are thankful for each of you who continue to post about Sawyer and pray that our boy is found or finds his way home on his own.

Please, please join us tomorrow. We all love seeing your adorable faces!

July 10, 2021 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop Prayers Squirrels 22

SQUIRREL & CAT ANTICS

Feline/Friendship Fridays

squirrel & cat antics

Kizmet spotted a squirrel in the tree outside of the catio. It was chattering away about some perceived fault on the part of the cats or humans. If you cannot see said squirrel, it is the blob about a half inch down and to the right of the branch to the right of Kizmet’s outstretched paw.

Kizmet is participating in the Feline Friday blog hop at Comedy Plus and the Friendship Friday blog hop at Create With Joy. You can join her by clicking on the appropriate badge(s).

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #255

Time for those fill-ins hosted each week by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). Last week the Kitties Blue completed three of the four fill-ins and informed me they think they should be able to do them every week. Sometimes, however, the fill-ins do not lend themselves to completion by a cat. So Kitties Blue are warming the bench this week.

1. I wish I knew how to play Mahjong.

2. If offered a free trip to space, I would decline.

3. Dad Tom and I having had our COVID vaccines is the most exciting thing in my life right now.

4. I could give a long lecture on the topic of how to be a volleyball scorekeeper.

Friendly Fill-Ins is a blog hop. You can find the sentences to be filled in on both Ellen and Lorianne’s blogs on Thursdays. And you can join the hop by clicking on the badge below.

We’ll be back tomorrow with some Caturday Art.

April 16, 2021 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Friendship Friday Squirrels 14

SPRINGTIME SQUIRRELY ART

Caturday Art

With today being the first day of Spring, I wanted to do some art representative of the season. Today’s art features one of our resident squirrels and a crocus from our yard.

I used picMonkey to overlay the crocus photo on that of the squirrel. I added the border with piZap. That’s it…nothing fancy today, but I believe it accomplished what I wanted.

This is my submission in the Caturday Art blog hop hosted by Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty. If you’d like to participate or just check out some art by other bloggers, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Have you ever noticed how days drag by but weeks and months fly away quickly? Maybe you don’t feel that’s the case, but whether you do or not, it’s time for Sunday Selfies again! We feel like we just posted ours and enjoyed all your selfies. Anyhoo, it’s time to do the entire thing all over again. Tomorrow is our blog hop, and Kitties Blue are hoping you’ll join in the fun.

Enjoy the first day of Spring, and we will see you tomorrow.

March 20, 2021 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop Squirrels 16

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.