Throwback Thursday

THANKFULS, ASTRID & A SWEET TREAT

Throwback Thursday

I have no new photos to share that match up with our thankfuls for the week. So, here is a gratuitous, cute photo of Astrid from 2017. You may all squee now!

 

Thankful Thursday

At the top of our thankful list this week, is Dad Tom’s and my thankful for appointments to get our third dose of the Pfizer vaccine on September 7. If you have not gotten your vaccines yet, I encourage you to do so. The latest news is that if more Americans don’t step up and get vaccinated, the virus will be around until spring of 2022.

Sawyer has been home for five weeks, and he had his first gran mal seizure yesterday. He’s been doing a much better job of eating, which means he is getting the proper amount of his medications. We pray seizures continue to remain far apart. The better job of eating also is helping him regain the weight he lost while on his adventure.

All the Kitties Blue and I are thankful fo your continued support and friendship.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. To participate, post on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on the Thankful Thursday badge to be transported over to Brian’s Home.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Each Thursday I try to enter the poetry challenge hosted my our pals at Two Spoiled Cats, Teddy and Angel Sammy. The inspiration photo they provided for this week has my mouth watering and tastebuds tingling. I sure wish we had someplace local to get real Italian gelato.

 

 

Sweet Treat

Italian gelato is a decadent treat.
Every flavor is a delight to eat.
I’d love to have a cone with each one
And time to sit and savor until I’m done.
This makes me wish I was in Italy.
They have yummy gelato in every city.
Siena is my very favorite; I’d go tomorrow,
But this virus makes travel for me a big “no.”
I guess I’ll need to eat more ice cream.
And visit Italy in my nightly dreams.

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 08/25/2021

Check out Two Spoiled Cats for next week’s inspiration photo by clicking on the poetry badge. While visiting, make certain you read Angel Sammy’s poem. He has impressive poetry skills. You can also find links to poems by other bloggers in the comments.

 

Thanks for visiting. Have a throughly terrific Thursday!

SIMPLER TIMES AND A SPECIAL APPEARANCE

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful I got all my plants repotted. If you do not follow “The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky,” you missed seeing some of them. Here’s a photo of the gomphrena, heliotrope, ageratum and lobelia with some peonies and a green ceramic cat in the background.

 

 

I am super thankful that after two years our our swim/spa is operational again. Now we need to have some warm weather. It was only in the 50s yesterday. For those of you who are newer to our blog, I thought you might enjoy seeing Mauricio swim in 2016. It was to earn his Cat Scout’s Swimming Merit Badge. He got his badge but was not a fan of the experience.

 

 

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by Brian. And we think we have something today for which he might be thankful. Brian is the winner of the book, Destiny’s Children, through a drawing using Random.org. If you would like to purchase this book, visit Books2Cherish. It is on sale through the end of the month for $10. Retail is $15.95. The first book in the trilogy, They Call Me Destiny, is on sale for $5. Shipping and handling for either book is $3. Prices include sales tax.

If you would like to partIcipate in the hop, post on your blog for what you are thankful, then click on Brian’s badge to join.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Thursday also is the day I write a poem for the poetry challenge presented by Angel Sammy and Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats. This week’s inspiration photo and my poem are below.

 

 

Simpler Times

Being a kid in the 50s,
Wind blowing in my hair
On a hay ride with friends,.
Without any kind of care

Making clover chains
For bracelets and tiaras.
Going to the drive-in movie
Dressed in our pajamas.

Learning to swim, roller skating,
skinned elbows and knees,
Catching fireflies in a jar—
All special childhood memories.

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 05/12/2021

If you’d like to try your hand at writing some poetry, you can find the inspiration photo for next week by clicking on the poetry badge below.

 

While visiting Two Spoiled Cats, please make certain you read Angel Sammy’s poem. He transmits it to Teddy from the Bridge each week, and it is always a masterpiece.

 

 

I HATE WAITING*

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Sometimes when photos “speak” to me, I find that I need very few words to express my feelings. That was the case with today’s inspiration photo.

 

Waiting for Autumn

 

Autumn is my favorite season. I just wish winter didn’t follow. My contribution to Angel Sammy and Teddy’s poetry day is another haiku.

A walk through the woods
On a cool, crisp autumn day
My heaven on earth

© Janet Buickerood Blue 09/12/2018

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday Each week Angel Sammy sends an always-worth-reading poem from the Rainbow Bridge to be posted at Two Spoiled Cats. Click on his badge to jump over there and read it. He’s the MASTER, and you won’t regret the time spent. You also will find links to other poems in the Comment section.

If you haven’t attempted a poem, give it a try. It doesn’t need to be long or elaborate. Here’s a web-site that can help you out if you have poetry phobia: Shadow Poetry.

Thankful Thursday

In addition to writing a poem each Thursday, we join Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. It is important to count our blessings everyday, and we appreciate Brian giving us the opportunity to do that and hop as well.

Our biggest thankful is that Hurricane Florence has made a turn and is heading in a more southernly direction. It was looking as we would take a direct hit, but now we just expect gobs and gobs of rain. (Does rain come in gobs?) The following photo may provide an answer.

This is the site for our addition after three inches of rain Tuesday night.

 

Waiting for construction

 

I will be praying for all those in the path of this 400-mile-wide storm.

Dad Tom and I are both grateful that since increasing Sawyer’s new medication he has not had a seizure. Of course, we cannot rule out the chance of him having one at anytime, but I am beginning to feel less anxious and worried.

It warms our hearts that LadyMum Sherri-Ellen was able to adopt of little, six-year-old, black panfur kitty. BellaDharma was adopted twice previously but returned to the shelter. We are thankful that she finally has a forever and loving home at the Purrfect Pad.

Finally, Kitties Blue are thankful that I remembered on Tuesday to visit Two Spoiled Cats, as we were one of five first commenters and received this colorful badge.

To participate in the Thankful Thursday blog hop, click on Brian’s badge.

Thankful Thursday

* Waiting for autumn, construction to begin, Hurricane Florence…

SPONSORED CAT ADOPTION NEWS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

I am joining Two Spoiled Cats, Angel Sammy and Teddy, for their Thursday poetry day, as I do each week. The photo Mom Pam picked for inspiration this week is colorful and interesting but had me wondering what I could write. If possible, I like to include a cat or two in my poems; though, that often isn’t easy. I was able to make that happen this week, but I’m not sure I would call this poem successful. Regardless, I hope it brings a smile to your face, no matter how brief.

 

Everything’s a Cat Toy

Who would have so many aprons?
Are they just extremely messy
Or do they have a caboodle of cats,
Who think the apron strings are toys?
Are cats lurking in the barn or tall grass,
Waiting for all the wash to be hung
So they can twirl and swing
On those tempting, dangling strings
Or try to snuggle into a pocket
For an afternoon snooze in the sun?
Just drowsily waiting to spring forth
As the wash is removed from the line
And then burrow down into the basket
Of warm, sun-soaked, fresh laundry.

© Janet Buickerood Blue 06/20/2018

Even if you don’t participate in Thoroughly Poetic Thursday, make sure to take the time to visit Two Spoiled Cats (by clicking on the badge below) to read the poem Angel Sammy will have written and transmitted from the Rainbow Bridge. He’s a masterful poet. And, if you are interested in reading other poems, you can find links to some in the comments section.

Thankful Thursday

We have some little “thankfuls” today, which we will save for another post, except for one. Calista Jo is grateful for the beautiful birthday card she received from Pipo, Dalton and Petcretary Ingrid. It is another work of art. Thank you dear friends for this remembrance.

 

 

Now for our big thankful!

Taylor, the super handsome kitty we have been sponsoring at Paws of Connecticut has been adopted. Kevin (meowmeowmans) and his wife, Tracey, are volunteers at PAWS, and Kevin sent these photos.

 

sponsored cat Taylor

 

Congratulations Taylor on getting your happily ever after.

It’s time to select another cat to sponsor. We are looking at this 10-year-old cutie, Boots. Boots was adopted from PAWS a few years ago but returned when his owner lost her job and her home. We’ll let you know if Boots becomes our next sponsored kitty and honorary member of Kitties Blue. We have our paws crossed.

 

PAWS cat Boots

 

We are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. To join in, tell for what you are thankful on your blog and then hop over to Brian’s. You can do that by clicking on his badge.

 

HOPPIN’ AROUND THE HOLIDAY BLOGS

 25 Days of Holiday Fun

We are pawticipating in this fun holiday blog hop. Each day from December 1 through December 25, a different blog is posting a special holiday post. Today is our designated day. You can find the other pawticipating blogs by going to Dory’s Backyard, clicking on the Hoppity Hops badge in the menu bar and scrolling down until you see the badge below.

 

holiday fun badge

 

We decided to share our version of a traditional Christmas song for this special post. It was written by Cat Scout Mau in 2013. It has been slightly reimagined for this post.

THE 12 DAYS OF CAT MEALS
(Featuring Broiled Birds)

 

On the first day of Cat Meals my true love gave to me, a partridge with some nip tea.

On the second day of Cat Meals my true love gave to me, two turtle stews and a partridge with some nip tea.

On the third day of Cat Meals, my true love gave to me, three fried hens, two turtle stews and a partridge with some nip tea.

On the fourth day of Cat Meals my true love gave to me four broiled birds, three fried hens, two turtle stews and a partridge with some nip tea.

On the fifth day of Cat Meals, my true love gave to me, five pheasant wings, four broiled birds, three fried hens, two turtle stews and a partridge with some nip tea.

On the sixth day of Cat Meals, my true love gave to me, six geese in gravy, five pheasant wings, four broiled birds, three fried hens, two turtle stews and a partridge with some nip tea.

On the seventh day of Cat Meals, my true love gave to me, seven swans-a-simmering, six geese in gravy, five pheasant wings, four broiled birds, three fried hens, two turtle stews and a partridge with some nip tea.

On the eighth day of Cat Meals, my true love gave to me, eight squirrel Schnitzels, seven swans-a-simmering, six geese in gravy, five pheasant wings, four broiled birds, three fried hens, two turtle stews and a partridge with some nip tea.

On the ninth day of Cat Meals my true love gave to me, nine lox for licking, eight squirrel Schnitzels, seven swans-a-simmering, six geese in gravy, five pheasant wings, four broiled birds, three fried hens, two turtle stews and a partridge with some nip tea.

On the tenth day of Cat Meals, my true love gave to me, ten bugs in butter, nine lox for licking, eight squirrel Schnitzels, seven swans-a-simmering, six geese in gravy, five pheasant wings, four broiled birds, three fried hens, two turtle stews and a partridge with some nip tea.

On the eleventh day of Cat Meals, my true love gave to me, eleven prawns with pasta, ten bugs in butter, nine lox for licking, eight squirrel Schnitzels, seven swans-a-simmering, six geese in gravy, five pheasant wings, four broiled birds, three fried hens, two turtle stews and a partridge with some nip tea.

On the twelfth day of Cat Meals, my true love gave to me, twelve rodents roasting, eleven prawns with pasta, ten bugs in butter, nine lox for licking, eight squirrel Schnitzels, seven swans-a-simmering, six geese in gravy, five pheasant wings, four broiled birds, three fried hens, two turtle stews and a partridge with some nip tea.

© Bobcat Mauricio Blue
December 2013

 

holiday fun with Lily Olivia

“Are those broiled birds hiding in here?”

 

screen-shot-2016-08-31-at-8-45-29-pmThis also is our entry in Angel Sammy’s Thoroughly Poetic Thursday event. The prompt letter for today’s poem is “B,” which is why we featured those broiled birds. Hope a song and birds meet the challenge.

brianshome-thankfulthursday-bloghopAnd finally, we are entering Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop. Today we are thankful for all our wonderfully supportive blog friends, who have shown such love and compassion as we continue to grieve the loss of our sweet sisfur, Fiona.

We are grateful as well for all the snail mail and e-mail holiday cards. Thank you, friends.

To visit either Sammy’s or Brian’s blog, click on the appropriate badge.

That a wrap for today. We’ll see you tomorrow for Friendly Fill-Ins.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

 

screen-shot-2016-11-28-at-11-50-11-pm

ASTRID THEN AND NOW

My dad received a photo on Facebook yesterday that Mom thought I should share with you. Neither she nor Dad had seen it before. It was a photo taken when I was just a wee whippersnapper. That’s it on the left in the collage. It was taken four years ago yesterday, September 9, 2011…the day I first met my foster kitty mom (Lisbeth’s biological mom), Tuxie. She began to take good care of me immediately with a nice bath. Before she adopted me I had a wonderful human, foster mom who bottle fed me.

 

now

 

The photo on the right was taken two months later after I came to live with Kitties Blue. Mom discovered it a few days ago in an old e-mail from Dad. She didn’t remember it. She thought it made a good accompaniment to the one with Mom Tuxie. (In both photos you can see my one buff-colored foot.)

The final photo (in the center) was taken recently when I was sitting in a kitchen drawer. Though I am the itty bitty kitty in our house, I sure have grown up a lot in four years. Don’t you think so? I think, however, I have remained just as cute. Mom agrees.

Tomorrow we will be sharing some additional photos of Lisbeth’s boyfriend, Cat Scout Charles, from when his flat cat was visiting us. We regret that his Cat Scout pal and Wolverine patrolmate, Mauricio, was not a very good host. The rest of us found Charles to be quite congenial and enjoyed having him here.

So until tomorrow, I am sending the love of my life, Sampy (Kitty Cat Chronicles), a bajillion kisses. I sure hope he likes my baby photos.

Purrs and paw-pats, Astrid

THROWBACK THURSDAY: DAPHNE DOES CHRISTMAS

This post originally appeared on December 21, 2012, and was entitled “Christmas: Day 7.” As I received exactly ZERO comments, I expect it’s a pretty good bet that none of you have ever seen it. It features kitten Daphne (1991-2010), the third cat to join our family.

Daphne feigns disinterest.

Daphne feigns disinterest.

Daphne was another kitty crazy for Christmas. In her early years, I hung apple ornaments from the garland wound around the bannister. She could spend hours batting at and removing the apples so she could play with them on the hardwood floors. For a few years I would continually replace the apples after she removed them. And each year I would buy new apples as they inevitably cracked and lost their paint when they hit the floor. Eventually I gave up and threw them away (or so I thought *) as the whole process became exceedingly tedious.

Daphne caught in the act.

Daphne caught in the act.

 

 

 

 

It has been at least two decades since I’ve hung apples from the garland, but every year as I am decorating the stairs, Tom asks me if I am going to attach the apples. I know he does this to tease me, but I also know he enjoyed the game between human and cat and would love to watch a whole new caboodle of cats doing just as Daphne once had.

Daphne also enjoyed waiting for her holiday fan mail. She would take up residence in our Christmas mailbox, created by Tom’s sister, Bonnie, and wait to be swamped by her greetings of love and adoration. Of course, she wasn’t opposed to the fact that her nest was atop a nice warm radiator.

Daphne waiting for her fan mail.

Daphne waiting for her fan mail.

Daphne begins unwrapping gifts early while Steamer watches.

Daphne begins unwrapping gifts early while Steamer watches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meowy Christmas!

 

* 2014 Addendum: Just last week I found a box of those apples in the backroom of the basement when I was looking for another long-lost decoration. I didn’t tell Tom as I don’t want to be pestered to hang them!

Link to<br /><br /><br />               CatStuff

THROWBACK THURSDAY: THANKSGIVING 2012

While Mauricio is busy with The Cat Scout Jamboree (for which I am his designated typist), I have decided to do something for the first time…share an old post. I went back to my first year of blogging: 2012. This was the only post that published on a Thursday in November. It just happened to be Thanksgiving.

As none of you were reading my blog then, I thought you might enjoy it. I had only two comments that day, which was one more than usual. Most of my posts back then only garnered one comment. That was always from Meredith (my friend’s daughter).

So here it is with an added photo of Calista Jo (also an oldie but from a post the following week).

ARE KITTIES EVER THANKFUL?

by JANETBLUE on NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Not only are my eight turkeys normally not thankful for anything on this earth—they are cats after all—but they also are pretty ticked off that I am not preparing the Martha Stewart turkey roasted with a white wine and butter soaked cheese cloth covering it and basted in super goopy, maple syrup. Heck, I’m disappointed in myself for not making this fowl of deliciousness!

But I put Tom on a plane yesterday for Argentina so he can teach an International Volleyball Referee Course, and the closest I plan to get to a turkey is Michael Angelo’s frozen Chicken Parmesan. I will miss the roasting turkey and baking pumpkin pie smells. I think I have a pumpkin aroma candle somewhere. That should do the trick!

While I am waiting for the current temperature of 32 degrees to get a little closer to the predicted 64 degrees so I can head outside for a day of gardening, I am watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. And what should be at the start of the parade? The Hello Kitty balloon. What an auspicious start!

Throwback Thursday Thanksgiving

Kitten Calista Jo

Calista did seem pretty happy sharing my blueberry yogurt this morning! To show her appreciation, she sat in my lap purring and kneading. How blessed I am to have such a sweet, little furball to snuggle up to me before taking off to play with one of her favorite toys: the torn-off edge of my granola bar wrapper.

And now for the news I promised you, the weight of today’s newspaper: 4.4 pounds. It fell short of the promised 5 pounds. However, the number of pages of ad inserts far surpassed the prediction. They number a whopping 700. If I planned to shop, I think Black Friday would be well past by the time I poured over all that newsprint. So…off I go to the recycling bin and then the garden.

Throwback Thursday Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving Day 2012 “Roanoke Times” Virginia newspaper.

So that was it. Hope you enjoyed this blast from Thanksgiving past.

I bet the 2014 BLACK FRIDAY newspaper won’t come close to that of 2012. The evening news tonight said that retailers are already advertising and offering BLACK FRIDAY sale prices. My response to BLACK FRIDAY is always, “Just say, ‘No.'” That was actually the post following this Thanksgiving one.

 

CATWORKS Giveaway

MEOW BABYFor an opportunity to win this adorable, original painting by Kevin Harwood, please visit the post, CATWORKS by Kevin Harwood with Giveaway, and leave a comment prior to 5 p.m. EST tomorrow. The painting is 9 1/2 x 12 inches and is valued at $20.00.

In addition to providing this painting for the giveaway, Kevin is offering a 10 percent discount in his Etsy Shop through December 31. Use the code CATZ10 at check-out.

If you see a CATWORKS piece you love but wish the cat resembled your own, Kevin can do a custom version inspired by the look and coloring of your cat. Send an e-mail to dallywaters1@mac.com with a photo of your cat. For an additional $5 [total of $25 prior to the 10 percent discount and Free Shipping] Kevin will be happy to create an original work.