Thankful Thursday

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.

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.

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

March 16, 2023 by Janet Blue Kitties Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 13

KITTY CLOWN CAR & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Teddy and Angel Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats) provided another absolutely goofy photo as inspiration for this week’s poem. Of course, I added a few of the Kitties Blue (Misty May, Raleigh and Audrey) and then wrote an equally goofy poem.

Upside down red and white car with tires on top, man driving, dog in passengers seat and three cats on the hood.

Kitty Clown Car

This looks like a clown car or a car for a clown.
We can’t believe this fellow is driving it around town.
Those tires aren’t going to get much wear,
As they sit on top skimming through the air.
We decided to join this woofie to enjoy the ride
But have decided to sit on the hood and not inside.
We know we are going to look silly just like this car,
And we honestly don’t expect this auto will go far.
We have no idea what was on this human’s mind…
Maybe he just wanted to brag his car is one of a kind.
Whatever he was thinking, we don’t really care,
But if he gets on TV we want to join him there!

On closer examination, this appears to be a truck. We’ll just call my interpretation “poetic license.”

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 he always knocks it out of the park!

Thankful Thursday

Sharing our thankfuls with you is something we look forward to doing each week.

I am particularly thankful for more nice weather and the opportunity to get to work in the yard and enjoy the blooming trees and bulbs.

Yesterday was my birthday, and I am grateful for all the kind wishes sent to me on Dad Tom’s Facebook page. We also enjoyed a yummy dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. And Dad Tom took this nice photo of me. (Not too bad, I guess, for someone one year short of being 3/4’s of a century old!)

Portrait of blog author.

Stinky is thankful for his recent adventure with Periwinkle. They went to the The Cat Fanciers’ Association Foundation, Inc. Feline Historical Museum in Alliance, Ohio. If you didn’t join them, check it out at Friends Furever. There are lots of cool photos.

I am so thankful I found a new blog theme that I am relatively happy with and that is compatible with my host’s upgraded servers.

Our final thankful is to let you know how sincerely grateful Kitties Blue and I are for your support, following and friendship.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by our friend, Brian, and his fursibs over at Brian’s Home. We hope you have some things this week for which you are thankful and share them with your friends. You can do that by clicking on Brian’s badge.

March 9, 2023 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Kitties Blue Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 12

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!

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

March 2, 2023 by Janet Blue Dr. Seuss Birthday Kitties Blue Poetry Read Across America Day Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 15

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!

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.

February 23, 2023 by Janet Blue Kitties Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 10

BEST BEHAVED PARISHIONOR & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Oh boy, this is one of my favorite days of the week. It is always fun to see what Angel Sammy and Teddy (Two Spoiled Cats) have selected for an inspiration photo. I particularly enjoy the photos when I am able to add one of Kitties Blue. Today Lisbeth has joined in the fun.

A young boy giving his mom a side-eyed look as she purses her lips to keep from scolding him for brining his black and white cat to church.

My preferred type of poem is one that tells a story. Today’s does just that, but it’s a truly wacky one. I hope it gives you a giggle or two.

The Best Behaved Parishioner

Mom said not to bring my cat to church.
I snuck her in the car anyway.
Mom is trying not to scold me, but
I can see her biting her tongue.
I may be in for a spanking when
we get home. I don’t know why—Kitty’s
been well mannered. She didn’t sing
during the hymns or try to steal money
from the collection plate. She was much
better behaved than that crying baby
or the man behind me snoring. I
bet the minister compliments her when
we leave and invites her back again!

Thankful Thursday

Thursday also is the day we share our thankfuls. Some weeks are better than others. On a scale of one to ten, I’d give this one a solid eight.

Dad Tom and I are extremely grateful that Sawyer has not had a seizure since a week ago Saturday. He had been on an eight-day cycle and then a six-day cycle, so he is going in the right direction. We’ll be praying this is an extended hiatus for him.

I had injections in both my knees on Tuesday, which knocked my nearly constant pain down to zero. I am so grateful. That result hopefully will last for about three months.

I’m thankful we’ve had some lovely, unseasonably warm weather; even though, that silly groundhog saw his shadow last week.

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.

February 9, 2023 by Janet Blue Health Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 11

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.”

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

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

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.

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.

January 5, 2023 by Janet Blue Christmas Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Kittens Kitties Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 9

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.