Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

CHANGING TACTICS & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

It’s Thursday, so that means it is time for a little poetry. We will be joining Teddy and Angel Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats) by writing a poem using an inspiration photo provided by them as the subject of our poem.

Here’s the photo followed by my poem.

Male child holding on to his dad's leg and screaming.

Changing Tactics

Daddy, please don’t go.
The babysitter is super mean.
She never lets me have any snacks
or go outside to play with my friends.
She’s always on her phone, so
she says I can’t watch the TV.
And she totally refuses to play with me!

Daddy please don’t go.
I’m always lonely when you’re away.
The babysitter said you set all the rules,
but I know that couldn’t be true.
You always give me snacks,
let me go outside and watch TV.
And if I ask, you play with me!

Daddy, please don’t go.
I love you!

I didn’t notice that the adult in the photo had another child in his arms until after I’d written my poem. I might have written something a bit different had I noticed that.

Angel Sammy is the official poet at Two Spoiled Cats. Each Thursday, he transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to brother Teddy. Angel Sammy is one of our favorite poets, and I know you will want to read his poem for this week. You can find it by clicking on the poetry badge. While visiting, check out the inspiration photo for next week and join us in writing some poetry.

Thankful Thursday

Thursday also is our day to share thankfuls and then join Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop.

The kitties and I appreciate all of you who visit and comment on our posts and especially those who participate in our Sunday Selfies hop.

Periwinkle and Stinky thank those of you who shared their latest adventure at Madurodam in the Netherlands and thank Benji and Dalton‘s mom, Ingrid, for the suggestion to visit there.

I am grateful for earning three Certificates of Excellence from the Cat Writers’ Association in their most recent contest. I have not received them yet, and will share more information when they arrive.

We’ll be linking up with the blog hop, and you can do the same by clicking on the Thankful badge.

We hope to see you again tomorrow for Feline Friday and Friendly Fill-Ins.

LARGEST & SMALLEST KITTIES BLUE

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for the Kitties Blue; though, they often can get up to a lot of mischief. Here are the largest and smallest enjoying the beds Dad Tom got for them. Amazingly they are in the appropriate sizes for their proportions.

Two cats, one large and one small, in appropriate-sized cat beds.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful for those who visit and comment on our posts. We are especially thankful to those of you who participate in our Sunday Selfies blog hop.

Cooper Murphy and Tali will be heading over to Brians Home for the Thankful Thursday blog hop. To join them there, click on the Thankful badge.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

On Thursdays, I also try to write some poetry based on an inspiration photo provided by our friends from Two Spoiled Cats, Teddy and Angel Sammy.

Here’s the photo for this week.

Two meerkats. One looks as if it is trying to strangle the other, which is shrieking with its mouth open.

I only managed a haiku to accompany today’s adorable photo, but then it was all I needed to convey what came to me when I saw the photo.

I asked for a hug
Not this surprise stranglehold
I have peed myself

Angel Sammy is the official poet at Two Spoiled Cats. Each Thursday, he transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to brother Teddy. Angel Sammy is a first-rate poet, and I know you will want to read his poem for this week. You can find it by clicking on the poetry badge. While visiting, check out the inspiration photo for next week and join us in writing some poetry.

Thank you so much for visiting today. Kitties Blue and I appreciate it.

August 13, 2026 by Janet Blue Haiku Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 11

BIRDS, BEETLES & POETRY

Thankful Thursday

On Thursday we share thankfuls and some poetry. Today we are beginning with our thankfuls.

Yesterday, I shared a photo of a male goldfinch. These are birds we rarely see in our yard. Then yesterday afternoon, three goldfinches showed up on the sunflowers (two males and one female). I am delighted and thankful to see these birds and also for the return of at least one hummingbird. Below are the two male goldfinches.

Collage a goldfinches on sunflowers.

I am majorly thankful that Kitties Blue (especially Tali and Gibbs) have slowed their pace of catching beetles and bringing them in the house to Dad Tom and me. Two days ago, they brought 19 into the house … some dead and some not. When one attached itself to my pajamas and then flew at my head, I totally freaked out.

Periwinkle & Stinky are thankful to those of you who joined them on this week’s adventure and learned all about Clouded Leopards.

Kitties Blue and I appreciate each of you for visiting and commenting, especially those of you who hop with us for Sunday Selfies.

We will be participating in the Thankful Tuesday blog hop at Brian’s Home. Click on the Thankful badge to do the same.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

I have a very short poem today to accompany the inspiration photo provided by Teddy and Angel Sammy from Two Spoiled Cats. Here’s that photo.

Walking/Biking path with a tree growing in the middle.

Ride Disrupted

My bike ride today was disrupted
when I found the path obstructed.
Had that tree sprung up overnight
or were path markings an oversight?
I’m lucky I wasn’t distracted
or with the tree I might have impacted.

Angel Sammy is the official poet at Two Spoiled Cats. Each Thursday, he transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to brother Teddy. Angel Sammy is one of our absolutely favorite poets, and I know you will want to read his poem this week. You can find that poem by clicking on the poetry badge. While visiting, check out the inspiration photo for next week and join us in writing some poetry.

Thank you so much for visiting today. Kitties Blue and I appreciate it.

August 6, 2026 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Kitties Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 14

THE BLIND DATE & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Time to share some poetry based on an inspiration photo from those Two Spoiled Cats, Teddy and Angel Sammy. Here is that photo followed by my poem.

A man and a woman sitting next to each other on a couch during a blind date.

The Blind Date

Usually blind dates put me in a funk,
but this guy is a real live hunk.
Sometimes that’s good but more often not—
His ego may be inflated or personality overrated.

This gal sure looks amazing.
I wouldn’t think she’d have trouble dating.
My buddy said she’s lots of fun.
This could possibly be a home run.

This is better than an on-line hook-up.
My friend assures me he’s not a schmuck.
But he hasn’t uttered even one word.
Perhaps he is one of those shy nerds.

I guess I should say something soon,
or this girl will think I’m a goon.
I just don’t know where to start.
What if she thinks I’m not too smart?

Okay, I’m jumping in.
This awkward silence is wearing thin.
I’ll just stick out my hand & say my name—
Maybe he will decide to do the same.

Oh wow, she looks as if she’s going to speak.
I dare not look surprised or act like a geek.
Or maybe I should just go first—
Introduce myself in one quick burst.

“Hi, I’m Maggie.”
“Oh, hi, I’m Josh.”

Maggie & Josh each emit an uneasy chuckle.
Could this be the start of life as a couple?

Angel Sammy is the official poet at Two Spoiled Cats. Each Thursday, he transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to brother Teddy. Angel Sammy is a great poet, and I know you will want to read his offering for this week. You can find that poem by clicking on the poetry badge. While visiting, check out the inspiration photo for next week and join us in writing some poetry.

Thankful Thursday

Audrey and Raleigh thank those who left them good wishes for their fourth Gotcha Day.

I am thankful I completed my judging assignments for the Cat Writers’ Association annual contest ahead of the deadline.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful to each of you who visit and comment on our posts and especially to those who participate in the Sunday Selfies blog hop.

We will be hopping over to Angel Brian’s Home to participate in the Thankful Thursday blog hop. To join us there, click on the Thankful badge.

July 30, 2026 by Janet Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 13

A POEM OF PEACE & THANKFULS

Thankful Thursday

We are starting with thankfuls today for Angel Brian’s blog hop.

💐 Ten years ago today, Angel “Mau”ricio and Angel Allie (Friends Furever) were married at Cat Scouts. (Of course, they were not angels at the time.) Scoutmaster officiated and all their friends and fursibs attended.

Wedding Party: Groomsman Charles, Best Man Sammy, Mau, Allie, Maid of Honor Gracie, Bridesmaid Anya, Bridesmaid Sundae

Allie and Mau on the dance floor at the Reception.

⛈️ We have been having significant rainfall almost every day. Unfortunately, we remain in an “emergency-level” drought. Rain is approximately 7.8 inches below normal throughout the Commonwealth. This represents the second driest year on record. The driest was 2002. Our region has only received 57 percent of the rain that is normal for this time of year. Nonetheless, we are thankful for what we have been getting and pray it continues.

🥳 Periwinkle & Stinky are thankful for each of you who joined their adventure on Tuesday. They celebrated the anniversary of Angel Sawyer’s Gotcha Day and our blog’s 14th blogoversary.

😸 Kitties Blue and I are thankful for each of you who visit and comment on our posts, and especially for those who join our Sunday Selfies blog hop.

We will be hopping over to Angel Brian’s Home to participate in the Thankful Thursday blog hop. To join us there, click on the Thankful badge.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Thursday is also poetry day. The Two Spoiled Cats, Teddy and Angel Sammy, presented us with a bucolic inspiration photo this week. I have added Gibbs to my photo. He is that tiny white and black speck on the deck. In the poem, his name is Charlie.

A cabin in the peaceful setting in the woods with a cat on the deck.

A Place of Peace

Our cabin in the woods
may look rundown and shabby,
but it brings peace to my soul.

No phone, internet, TV
or noisy, nosey neighbors … just
burbling creek sounds and Charlie.

While I daydream, read or nap,
Charlie chitters at the squirrels
then joins me for a snack.

We watch birds and butterflies,
fireflies, like magical fairies,
when the sun dips behind the trees.

The hours and days pass peacefully.
We enjoy each other and our refuge
until we reluctantly return to city living.

Angel Sammy is the official poet at Two Spoiled Cats. Each Thursday, he transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to brother Teddy. Angel Sammy is a wonderfully talented poet, and I know whatever he wrote this week will be gold-star worthy. We never miss reading his poems and suggest you do the same. You can find this week’s poem by clicking on the poetry badge. While visiting, check out the inspiration photo for next week and join us in writing some poetry. If you need some help, check our this website: Shadow Poetry.

Giveaway

In remembrance of our precious Angel Sawyer and celebration of our 14th Blogoversary, Kitties Blue and I are giving away two copies of Purrseverance. You can read Angel Sawyer’s story in the book as well as those of several of your other kitty friends.

To have an opportunity to win one of the books, leave a comment on Periwinkle & Stinky’s Tuesday post before midnight ET Friday.

Thank you for visiting today. We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.

July 23, 2026 by Janet Blue Allie and Mauricio Angel Cat Anniversary Giveaway Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 9

A RIDICULOUS POEM & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Once again I have taken on the task of writing a poem for Teddy and Angel Sammy’s (Two Spoiled Cats) weekly poetry challenge.

Much like the inspiration photo they provided, my poem is completely ridiculous. The only reason I can think someone would attempt this is as the result of a dare.

Here’s the photo followed by my poem.

Go Ahead & Laugh

Whose idea was this?
I feel totally ridiculous—
like a clown in the circus.

Riding this way is treacherous.
Thinking I could was arrogance,
as I failed in my preparedness.

It may not look so on the surface,
but I actually had a purpose—
to prove my prowess and endurance.

No matter if the task is frivolous,
I will complete it with exuberance.
Then you can laugh at my foolishness!

Yep … that is pretty bad, but not every poem is a winner.

Angel Sammy is the official poet at Two Spoiled Cats. Each Thursday, he transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to brother Teddy. Angel Sammy is a wonderfully talented poet, and I know whatever he wrote this week will be 100 percent better than what I managed. We never miss reading his poems and suggest you do the same. You can find this week’s poem by clicking on the poetry badge. While visiting, check out the inspiration photo for next week and join us in writing some poetry. Most of the time it is fun!

Thankful Thursday

It has been a pretty quiet week around here with little to report. But, as always, Kitties Blue and I are thankful for those of you who visit and comment on our posts. And we appreciate those of you who participate in our Sunday Selfies blog hop.

We will be participating in Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. To do the same, click on the Thankful badge.

July 16, 2026 by Janet Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 11

DOG DAYS & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Here we are again with some poetry for Two Spoiled Cats, Angel Sammy and Teddy’s, weekly poetry challenge. Last week they gave us a napping pooch as the inspiration photo, and this week they gave us two!

Here’s the photo followed by my poem.

Two dogs napping on pool floats on a hot day.

Dog Days

The dog days of summer have arrived.
It’s hot and humid—we feel barely alive.
We’ve found some relief floating in the pool,
as the water is refreshing and cool.

When the little humans arrive and begin splashing,
we will need to abandon our floats and napping.
But for now, we will relish our relaxing retreat
from this summer’s oppressive heat.

Angel Sammy is the official poet at Two Spoiled Cats. Each Thursday, he transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to brother Teddy. Angel Sammy is a wonderfully talented poet. We never miss reading his poems and suggest you do the same. You can find this week’s poem by clicking on the poetry badge. While visiting, check out the inspiration photo for next week and join us in writing some poetry.

Thankful Thursday

Thursday also is our day to share some thankfuls from the past week.

We have had 4 1/2 inches of rain in the past two days, which we desperately needed.

Periwinkle and Stinky thank those who joined them as they celebrated Tanabata on Tuesday.

Kitties Blue and I are always thankful for those of you who visit and comment on our posts and especially for those who participate in our Sunday Selfies hop.

And thanks, as well, for visiting today.

We will be joining the Thankful Thursday blog hop at Brian’s Home. If you would like to do the same, post on your blog for what you are thankful, and then click on the badge below.

July 9, 2026 by Janet Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 14

TO SMOOCH OR NOT TO SMOOCH? & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Time again to write a bit of poetry to accompany an inspiration photo provided by Angel Sammy and Teddy (Two Spoiled Cats).

I have not added one of the Kitties Blue to the photo in quite a long time, so I have added Audrey today. It is a rather silly little poem, but I hope you enjoy it.

Dog on a red sofa asleep on its back with its tongue out with a torbie cat lying next to it.

To Smooch or Not to Smooch?

What a super cute pooch.
I wonder if I should give him a smooch?
That, however, is a super huge tongue.
If he kisses me back it could be my last one—
too much dog spit and I could drown
or at the very least slide right down
to the floor where I might be mangled
by those paws as big as anvils.
I think I best not make any advances.
I am uncertain of my chances—
of surviving!

Thankful Thursday

Thursday also is our day to share some thankfuls from the past week.

Angel Sawyer and Stinky thank those who attended their birthday party here yesterday and the one celebrated on Tuesday at Friends Furever.

It reached 101 degrees F. yesterday and is supposed to be the same for the next couple of days. I am not a fan of the heat, but I’m super thankful that our swim/spa is now up and running, and we will be able to start enjoying it beginning tomorrow.

Kitties Blue and I appreciate each of you who visit the blog and comment, especially those who participate in the Sunday Selfies hop.

We’ll be joining Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. To do the same, click on the badge below.

Thanks for stopping in to visit today.

July 2, 2026 by Janet Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 10

LISBETH, FILL-INS & A POEM

Feline Friday

Lisbeth, unlike Kizmet, is not a social butterfly. Yesterday, we had HVAC technicians in the house servicing our mini-splits. That made Lisbeth very nervous. First she hid in the Peloton room with me. When I finished riding, I closed the door so she could stay inside and feel safe. When the workers left, she was still unsure of what to expect. She found her way to the Cattasaurus in the bedroom, which is an exceptionally good hiding place. She had never been in it previously. I expect we will find her there more often in the future.

White and black cat hiding in a Cattasaurus for Feline Friday.

Lisbeth will be participating in the Feline Friday blog hop hosted by messymimi’s meanderings. To join, click on the badge below.

Friendly Fill-Ins

The Friendly Fill-Ins blog hop is hosted each Friday by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). They publish the fill-in sentences on their blogs each Thursday. To participate in the hop, click on the badge at the left. I was fortunate to have some help from Stinky this week. We both used teal italics for filling in. Any explanatory information is in parentheses.

1. My summer bucket list includes time in the swim/spa and more yard work, as it never ends.

2. The summer of 1965 when I spent time studying in Paris and touring Europe was one of the best summers that I ever had. (Also, it was one of the worst, as my mother died while I was away.)

3. Stinky: I’m getting ready for my next adventure with Periwinkle by researching fun locations.

4. The heat and humidity immediately makes me grumpy!

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday on Friday

I skipped writing a poem yesterday, so we could belatedly celebrate Kizmet’s birthday. So, I am sharing it today. The weekly poetry challenge is hosted by Teddy and Angel Sammy at Two Spoiled Cats. Here’s the inspiration photo they provided for this week followed by my poem.

A huge man squished into a too small airline seat with a small man sleeping in front of him.

Frustrations of Flying

Flying used to be fun!
Now, it’s a pain in the bum
and the knees and shins as well.
I swear I am in airplane hell!

With tiny seats packed in so tight,
it makes for a totally miserable flight.
Even if the guy in front of me wasn’t a jerk,
this cramped space would still hurt.

I have found it does no good to complain.
So, next time I travel I am taking the train.
It may take longer to get to my destination,
but anything is better than this frustration.

Angel Sammy is the official poet at Two Spoiled Cats. We know he transmitted his poem for this week to Teddy yesterday. So, you may have already read it. If not, click on the poetry badge to do so now. While visiting, check out the inspiration photo for next week and join us in writing some poetry. It can be loads of fun.

Thanks for visiting today. We hope you enjoyed our post and will join us again tomorrow. for some Caturday Art.

June 26, 2026 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Poetry Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 15

TWINS & A HUMMER

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

It’s poetry day for us, as we join Teddy and Angel Sammy (Two Spoiled Cats) for their weekly poetry challenge. They provided an adorable inspiration photo, and I thought it would be easy to write a poem about it. Not so. I wrote two poems, neither of which were very good. Finally with some combining, reorganizing and rewriting, I came up with something passable.

Here’s the inspiration photo followed by my poem.

Twin infants - one crying and one laughing.

Just a Phase?

Twins in looks but not in actions:
Laughter from one, cries from the other.
Never knowing what to expect is a bother;
I’m not always careful with my reaction.

When Mathew giggles, Jeremy cries—
a strange pattern has been created,
and I have found no way to deflate it—
not even with kisses, hugs or a surprise!

Perhaps this unusual phase will pass,
and they’ll both find their moods aligning—
less unsolicited laughter and no more crying.
That’s all this tired mom can ask!

Angel Sammy is the official poet at Two Spoiled Cats. Each Thursday, he transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to brother Teddy. Angel Sammy always writes a first-rate poem. We never miss reading it and suggest you do the same. You can find his poem by clicking on the poetry badge. While visiting, check out the inspiration photo for next week and join us in writing some poetry. It can be loads of fun.

Thankful Thursday

Thursday also is our day to share some thankfuls from the past week.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to take several photos of Raleigh. He certainly has been making himself more available lately, which totally surprises me. I’ll be sharing one of those for Feline Friday tomorrow.

We had our first hummer visitor of 2026 yesterday evening. Though, they show up in the area in April; they never make it to our neighborhood before the end of June or early July. You are probably wondering how we know it was the first of the year for us: Our hummingbird feeder has a camera.

A hummingbird (hummer) at a feeder.

Kitties Blue and I are always thankful for those of you who visit and comment one our posts. And we are particularly appreciative of those who join our Sunday Selfies blog hop.

The kitties and I will be participating in Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. If you would like to join, click on the Thankful badge.

June 18, 2026 by Janet Blue Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 13

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Changing Tactics

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Thankful Thursday

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Ride Disrupted

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

The Blind Date

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

A Place of Peace

Giveaway

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Go Ahead & Laugh

Thankful Thursday

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Dog Days

Thankful Thursday

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

To Smooch or Not to Smooch?

Thankful Thursday

Feline Friday

Friendly Fill-Ins

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday on Friday

Frustrations of Flying

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Just a Phase?

Thankful Thursday

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