Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

THE KING OF CATS & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

On Thursday, I try to write a poem based on an inspiration photo provided by Angel Sammy and Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats. Lately this has not come easily, which is the cause of my late posting today.

The King of Cats: A lion staring at a hunter sitting and reading in a pup tent in the middle of a field.

I chose to ignore the gun in the photo. I wanted instead to believe this person is on a photo shoot.

The King of Cats

Are you going to take my photo or
sit on your duff reading that book?
I’ve been waiting in the bush to pose
for my portrait for hours now. Do you
think you are here on holiday? I
know that fancy magazine is
paying you for pictures you snap
of me. I am The King of the Jungle
and do not appreciate your
disrespect. So let’s get this over
with. It is almost lunch time. I need
to stake out my favorite watering
hole, wait for some unsuspecting prey
and fill my tummy. Then it’s nap time.
I may be King, but above all I’m a cat!

While doing some research for my poem, I discovered that male lions eat the equivalent of 70 cans of cat food per day! If given half a chance, I bet either Audrey or Cooper Murphy would like to take on that challenge!

If you have never written poetry, why not give it a whirl. Hop on over to Two Spoiled Cats by clicking on the poetry badge. There, you will find next week’s inspiration photo. While visiting, please read Angel Sammy’s poem. He transmits it from the Rainbow Bridge to Teddy for publication. He is a terrific poet, and his weekly creation is always worth reading.

Thankful Thursday

Thursday is not only poetry day but also thankful day. With reference to the former, I am thankful that I finally eked out a poem to share.

I’m also thankful for the improvement of Misty May’s eye and for the purrs and prayers sent to her by our readers.

Finally, I am thankful for several days of needed rain.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. If you’d like to participate, click on his badge.

Thanks for joining us today. Your following, support and comments mean the world to us.

WEDDING DAY BLUES SANS FELINES

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

If it is Thursday, I am going to be writing poetry based on an inspiration photo provided by Angel Sammy and Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats. Here’s this week’s photo.

Wedding Day Blues Felines: Bride looking under the hood of a vintage car while groom sits on sidelines.

I really wanted to load up this car with some of Kitties Blue staring out the windows! Unfortunately coming up with a poem to match that scenario proved exceedingly difficult. So here’s my poem sans felines.

Wedding Day Blues

The ceremony was magical.
The reception beautiful and perfect.
Now we are left in this predicament−
stranded on the side of the road.
Renting this fancy, vintage auto
was my groom’s lame-brained idea.
He knows nothing about cars and sits
miserably moping and mumbling, no help
at all. My high school auto mechanics class
helped me identify the problem, but I have
no tools to make the repair. Cell phone
service is non-existent. Our only hope
is another car passing along this
deserted stretch of road. I’m not holding
my breath. So much for the honeymoon.

If you’d like to join in the fun of writing poetry, click on Angel Sammy’s poetry badge. That will take you over to Two Spoiled Cats where you can find next week’s inspiration photo. You’ll also be able to check out Angel Sammy’s poem for this week. He always writes a great one!

Thankful Thursday

Kitties Blue and I like to share our thankfuls each week and participate in Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. Here’s our thankfuls for this week.

To me it appears that after eight days of treatment, the cyst in Misty May’s eye has shrunk some. Dad Tom and I are very thankful for this. I will be calling the vet tomorrow to see if we can get another week’s worth of serum to treat it in the hopes it will shrink even more.

We are always thankful that we live in an area that is rarely effected by devastating storms and other natural disasters. We are praying for everyone in Lahaina, where fires are burning again, and all those who were and continue to be in the path of hurricane Idalia.

Kitties Blue and I are always thankful to everyone who follows, visits and comments on our posts. We are grateful for your friendship and support.

If you’d like to participate in Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop, post on your blog the things for which you are thankful, then click on the badge below to go to Brian’s Home and link up.

August 31, 2023 by Janet Blue Health Kitties Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 10

THE ART SHOW WITH KITTIES BLUE & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

And art show at Montmartre with the addition of four cats (Kitties Blue) and cat art.

Here we go again—another Thursday means another poem based on an inspiration photo provided by Angel Sammy and Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats. As I tend to do when possible, I have added four of the Kitties Blue crew to the photo. They are fairly small, so you may have to hunt for them. If you enlarge the photo a bit, you may also see some of the current and past Kitties Blue in the art.

Now here’s my poem along with an apology. I do not consider this poem finished. I think it needs another stanza, but I just cannot come up with one at this time. Back in the 80s, I participated in a two-week-long poetry workshop at Redford University. The instructor was a well-known southern poet, Jeff Daniel Marion*. Something he said in that workshop has stuck with me all these years. He said that most poems are never completed but just abandoned. That’s how I feel about this one.

As you read the poem, imagine Calista Jo, Sawyer, Astrid and Lisbeth having a conversation.

The Art Show With Kitties Blue

What a wonderful place for a stroll,
as long as we watch our toes!
When humans are distracted looking at art,
they may trip on us, and that would smart.

I like all the colors and patterns in the art,
but mostly I like that some cats are included as part
of the exhibition and sale—and not just any felines.
Some Kitties Blue are included in the designs.

I see some of our angels as well.
Mau and Madison and Daphne prevail.
But I also observe Cooper Murphy and Calista Jo
displayed in this sale and colorful show.

What an honor is this inclusion of Kitties Blue.
I wish we had money so we could purchase a few
to take home as gifts for Mom and Dad.
They might feel sad at seeing their angels but also glad.

∗ Numerous web-sites about Marion and his poetry exist. To find out more about him or read his works, search him by name on Google.

Thankful Thursday

Kitties Blue and I like to share our thankfuls each week and participate in Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. Here’s what we are thankful for this week.

♥ Misty May is thankful for the prayers and POTP, as we treat her for the corneal ulcer on her left eye.
♥ All of us are thankful that Dad Tom found a new hummingbird feeder that ants cannot infiltrate.
♥ Dad Tom and I are thankful we did not contract COVID at the funeral we attended, as some others did.
♥ Periwinkle & Stinky are thankful that so many of you joined their sunflower adventure at Beaver Dam Farm. If you missed it, here’s the link: “THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CXCVIII.”
♥ Kitties Blue and I are thankful for all of you who visit, read our posts and comment. And we thank you for joining us today.

If you’d like to participate in Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop, post on your blog the things for which you are thankful, then click on the badge below to go to Brian’s Home and link up.

August 24, 2023 by Janet Blue Kitties Blue Paris Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 11

HUNG OUT TO DRY & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

It’s Thursday, so that means it is time to share some poetry with you. I could have filled today’s inspiration photo, provided by Angel Sammy and Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats, with many of the Kitties Blue. Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure out a way to work them into the poem I had in mind.

Hung out to dry: Small boy hanging horizontally from a clothesline held in place my his clothing and clothespins.

So, here is my poem sans cats.

Hung Out to Dry

Mom hung be on the line to dry.
I splashed about in a mud puddle…
Tracked up her clean kitchen floor.
She said I’m in time-out, but this
is even more fun than the puddle.
I’m like a bird flying through the air.
I cannot stop giggling.
I’ll look for more puddles
tomorrow!

Thankful Thursday

Kitties Blue and I like to share our thankfuls each week and participate in Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop.

I am particularly thankful, that in spite of the fact we have had a lot of storms, I have been able to get out and work in the garden at least a couple of days each week.

I am thankful that Lisbeth has been brave enough to venture into the bedroom more often. She made it as far as the toy bin on Wednesday, which is on the same wall as the entry door. So, that’s only a few feet, but it’s progress.

Tuxie cat checking out a toy bin while hiding behind a cat tree.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for all of you who follow our blog, join our Sunday Selfies hop and comment on our posts. We also are thankful for all the friends we have made through blogging over the past 11 years.

To participate in the hop, post on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on the badge below to be whisked away to Brian’s Home where you can enter your link.

Thank you for dropping in today. Hope to see you again tomorrow for Feline Friday and Friendly Fill-Ins.

August 17, 2023 by Janet Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 12

TRAPPED & A THANKFUL AUDREY

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

The part of my brain that has an aptitude for writing poetry has been on hiatus for the past several weeks. Regardless, I have come up with a poem for this week’s inspiration photo provided by Angel Sammy and Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats. I find the photo almost frightening, as individuality and diversity is so important in the creation of a vibrant and creative society. I think my poem says this in a very basic way.

Suburban neighborhood with street after street of identical white houses.

Trapped in the Suburbs

These identical houses are absurd,
But that’s what you get in the suburbs.
I love my 100-plus year old house in the city.
It’s unique and large enough for all the kitties.
You couldn’t pay me to live in this neighborhood.
I would be depressed and never feel good
About driving in circles trying to find my house.
It would feel like a maze, and I was the mouse.

Thankful Thursday

Kitties Blue and I like to share our thankfuls each week and participate in Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop.

Periwinkle and Stinky are thankful to those of you who visited with them on International Cat Day. If you didn’t join them on their adventure, I do recommend you check it out. Twenty-one of their feline friends who live outside the United States participated in the adventure. Here’s the link: “THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CXCVI.”

Audrey is thankful for one of the toys (especially the feathered part) from the most recent Cat Lady Box.
TABBY CAT PLAYS WITH FEATHERS ON A CATNIP TOY SHAPED LIKE A PHONE HANDSET. Kitties Blue and I are thankful for all of you who visit, read our posts and comment. And we thank you for joining us today.

If you’d like to participate in Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop, post on your blog the things for which you are thankful, then click on the badge below to go to Brian’s Home and link up.

August 10, 2023 by Janet Blue Cat Lady Box Poetry Thankful Thursday The Adventures of Stinky & Periwinkle Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 12

FRIGHTENED FIDO 🐶 & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Cooper Murphy asked if he could join this week’s poetry inspiration photo provided by Teddy and Angel Sammy from Two Spoiled Cats. How could I refuse? He blended in purrfectly. And he has just enough cattitude to pen the cheeky poem below.

Frightened Fido 🐶: A golden furred puppy is afraid of a golden colored dog toy while a ginger cat looks on.

Frightened Fido 🐶

That puppy sure is silly—
Afraid of his doggy toy.
It made one little squeak,
And that canine totally freaked.
If he’d stand aside, I would
Show him how it’s done.
I’d bunny kick that thing
‘Til it cried, “uncle.” and was
Covered with my kitty spit.
Then it would be all mine!
Frightened fido would need to find a
New toy that wouldn’t terrify him.
I’d call him a scaredy cat,
But that would probably be derisive!

Thankful Thursday

Kitties Blue and I have several thankfuls to share with you this week.

I am thankful that the hummingbirds have finally returned. In the more rural areas in the around here, they appear in April. In our section of the city, they never show up until July. We’ve only had one male and one female Ruby Throated hummer. I hope more will appear before fall.

All the Kitties Blue what to thank everyone who joined us for the celebrations we had this week.

Our 11th Blogoversary
Angels Mau and Allie’s 7th Anniversary
Sawyer’s 2nd Anniversary of His 2nd Gotcha Day
Raleigh and Audrey’s 1st Gotcha Day

Sawyer is thankful for his CWA Certificate of Excellence. He received his in the same category as Audrey and Raleigh, Photography (Series). His win was for “Post-Seizure Selfies.”

That means they will be competing against each other for the Muse Medallion.

All the Kitties Blue and I are especially thankful for our last COE. The Cat on My Head was one of only two blogs recognized in the Blog/Website: Entertainment category.

As always, we are thankful for each of you who visit, support and comment on our posts.

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

Thanks for joining us today.

July 27, 2023 by Janet Blue Cat Writers Association Certificate of Excellence Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 10

ASTRID’S PORTRAIT & CANDID CAMERA PRANK

Thankful Thursday

Astrid and I have the first thankful. Sampy sent her the most incredible anniversary present, which his mom, Emily, created. Here’s a photo of it.

Framed drawing of a tortoise shell cat.

We knew Emily is very talented, but never knew she could draw. So this was a huge surprise. It looks exactly like Astrid and is purrfect!

I am thankful for another double win on the Tuesday Teaser at Two Spoiled Cats. I was one of two First Commenters and the First Right Guesser of the Teaser. These are the badges I received.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for those of you who visited our Monday post when we remembered our angel Mau.

We are, of course, thankful for each of you who visit us, comment and join our blog hop.

Brian hosts the Thankful Thursday blog hop. To participate, post are you blog for what you are thankful, then click on Brian’s badge to link up.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

This week’s inspiration photo provided by Teddy and Angel Sammy from Two Spoiled Cats is truly bizarre. I did consider adding a few of the Kitties Blue to it, but that would have been overdoing it just a tad. Seventeen bald babies all dressed in the same blue romper is nightmare enough!

Photo of 17 bald babies all wearing the same blue romper with three crawling atop a woman lying on the floor.

You’re on Candid Camera

There are so many babies
I don’t know what to do.
I feel like I’m trapped in a human zoo.

With all these mouths to feed
And diapers to change,
I think I may be going insane.

When I was hired to care for multiple infants,
I didn’t ask for the exact number
Or if they took the opportunity to slumber.

I definitely need some assistance.
They all look exactly the same,
And I have no idea of their names.

I think this must have been a prank—
Like that TV show Candid Camera.
If so, release me before I lose my stamina.

Only a so-so poem this week for which I apologize. I think this is a photo that stands along and didn’t really need me to try and interpret it.

Thanks for joining us today. Kitties Blue and I hope you will join us again tomorrow when we celebrate our 11th blogoversary and the second anniversary of Sawyer’s second Gotcha Day.

July 20, 2023 by Janet Blue Anniversary Asrid & Sampson Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 11

PET YOGA WITH RALEIGH & FILL-INS

Did You Miss Us?

Kitties Blue and I apologize for not posting yesterday. We normally don’t miss two days in one week and had not planned to do so. Right after dinner Wednesday evening, Sawyer had a seizure. It was his second in five days. While he snuggled in a towel in my lap recovering, our power went out. The power company reported it wouldn’t be back on until 5 a.m. Luckily, however, is was back on prior to bedtime. By that time, I did not feel like finishing my poem for Thoroughly Poetic Thursday or posting. So, today I have the poem and Friendly Fill-Ins.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday on Friday

This week’s inspiration photo (with the addition of Raleigh) provided by Angel Sammy and Teddy (Two Spoiled Cats) is below along with my poem.

Man, black dog and ginger cat doing pet yoga.

Pet Yoga

A canine doing downward dog is pretty funny,
But I sure wouldn’t give him any money
For doing something that comes naturally.

The cat stretch is a pose named for felines.
Our supple bodies it beautifully defines
And demonstrates our gracefulness & fluidity.

Humans try to imitate us with these poses,
But their clumsiness and rigidity it just exposes.
Becoming proficient at this is an improbability.

If you’d like to join in the fun of writing poetry, click on the poetry badge. That will take you over to Two Spoiled Cats where you can find next week’s inspiration photo. You’ll also be able to check out Angel Sammy’s poem for this week. He transmits it to Teddy each week from the Rainbow Bridge, and we can attest that it is terrific, as we are a day late posting and have already read it.

Friendly Fill-Ins

I am pleased when I can get help completing the fill-ins selected by our blog hop hosts, Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). This week I am delighted that I didn’t have to complete even one fill-in. My regular helper, Sawyer, completed three, and Audrey did one. Thank you kitties. They both used teal italics for their completions. Any explanatory information is in parentheses.

1. Audrey: I have a spare tire ‘cause I love to eat. (That’s why my nickname is Hoover.)

2. Sawyer: July 21, 2021, is the day I returned from my walkabout. (That date is one week from today, and we will be celebrating the second anniversary of my second Gotcha Day. It also will be the 11th anniversary of our first blog post. So, as we did last year, we’ll be having a double celebration.)

3. Sawyer: I need to invent an automatic treat dispenser so that I can have treats whenever I want and don’t have to rely on Mom or Dad.

4. Sawyer: Spending three-and-a half weeks wandering and not getting regular meals really made me rethink how much fun it is to escape and go on a walkabout.

Those are our fill-ins for this week. Check out either Ellen’s on Lorianne’s blog on Thursday for the Fill-In sentences if you’d like to participate. To join the hop click on the Fill-Ins badge.

Thanks for joining us today. We’ll be back tomorrow with some art.

July 14, 2023 by Janet Blue Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Poetry Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 8

EVEN KITTIES NEED A VACATION

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

It is time again to share some poetry based on an inspiration photo provided by our friends, Teddy and Angel Sammy, from Two Spoiled Cats. I have been struggling lately with writing poetry, which is unusual for me. I loved this week’s photo and thought some verse might come easily. It didn’t. Regardless, here’s the photo followed by my poem.

Photo of a woman glamping with a small trailer with all the luxuries of home and five cats.

Even Kitties Need a Vacation

We love to go glamping with our mom.
She makes everything homey and warm.
Only serves the best noms to herself and us,
When we want more she doesn’t make a fuss.
We get to climb trees and nap in the sun,
Chase bugs and butterflies and run,
Chitter at all the birdies and dig in the dirt!
Mom makes certain we never get hurt.
We sleep snuggly next to her at night
Without a worry of bears or another fright.
Even kitties need a vacation now and again.
We too get bored lying around in the den.

Five of the Kitties Blue crew made it into the photo. See if you can spot them.

Thankful Thursday

Thursday is also the day when we like to share with you the things for which we are thankful. We have one huge thankful this week as well as a of couple smaller ones.

I received word yesterday that Kitties Blue, Periwinkle & Stinky and I have received a total of five Certificates of Excellence in this year’s Cat Writers’ Association contest. Of course, we don’t have the actual certificates yet, so I will wait until those arrive to share additional information.

Dad Tom and I are thankful the retaining wall we were unable to have finished when we put the addition on the house is now complete. I am particularly happy I was able to find and save some of my bulbs and irises after my garden was unexpectedly dug into.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for those of you who have befriended us as well as follow and comment on our posts.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. If you would like to participate, post for what you are thankful on your blog. Then click on Brian’s badge to be transported to his blog where you can enter your link.

July 6, 2023 by Janet Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 11

RIDICULOUS MISCHIEVOUSNESS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Angel Sammy and Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats have provided a wonderful inspiration photo to use for poetry this week.

Woman standing on a street corner with a toddler on a leash and a standard-sized, white poodle in her backpack.

Unfortunately, I did not do the photo justice with my poem. I probably should have tried putting one of Kitties Blue in the photo, as I might have been able to come up with something better.

Ridiculous Mischievousness

I always thought putting a leash on a kid was a crime,
But a dog in a backpack…well, that’s just fine.
This standard-sized poodle, however, looks totally ridiculous.
We think his owner is up to some mischievousness.
But maybe her fancy, white poodle is entered in a dog show
And getting its paws dirty would be a giant no-no.
Perhaps she’s looking for likes on Instagram.
Whatever she’s doing will surely create a traffic jam.
We suspect we’ll never know what this trio is up to,
But we sure had a good laugh and enjoyed the view.

Thankful Thursday

Thursday is also the day when we like to share with you the things for which we are thankful.

Dad Tom and I are thankful that when Kizmet escaped twice yesterday, she asked to come in the first time and came in when asked the second time. She is one of the sneakiest cats, which is why she wears a tracking device. She, however, has never left our property and always returns to the house.

I am thankful I got up early enough to be one of four first commenters on the Tuesday Teaser at Two Spoiled Cats.

After a very soggy week last week, with four inches of rain, I am thankful to be able to work on some outside projects again this week. Unfortunately, summer is finally heating up, and we are having poor air quality due to the smoke blowing down from Canada.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for each of you who follow, support, comment and kindly give us 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 and then click on the badge below to join the hop.

As always, we are grateful for your joining us today.

June 29, 2023 by Janet 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.