Madison

PRESIDENT’S DAY SPARK OF FRIENDSHIP

Sparks

With this being President’s Day, I wanted to present a Spark from one of our U.S. Presidents. I selected this one from Thomas Jefferson, as my friends are so important to me. Some of you may be familiar with this quote, as I used it previously on an Independence Day post in 2017. And I just discovered I also used this quote again this past December. Guess I like it!

Sparks began as a blog hop, created by our friend, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). Annie is taking a “break” from blogging, so there is no hop. Many of us still continue to post a Spark on Monday, as we believe in Annie’s vision: “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!”

Awww Mondays

I went back in the archives again this week to find a photo for Awww Mondays, which I hadn’t shared previously. This one of Astrid with a photo of our angel, Madison, is from August 2015.

To join the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus, click the badge below.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Tomorrow, our favorite tabbies, Periwinkle & Stinky, will be off on another adventure. We will be posting the adventure tomorrow, and they have their paws crossed you will join them.

FILL-INS FEATURE ANGELS MADISON & MACKENZIE

Friendly Fill-Ins:Week #122

Friday is the day we join Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs) for fill-ins. It’s an opportunity for participants to share a bit about themselves as well as learn about their fellow bloggers. Ellen and Lorianne each select two sentences to be completed and post them on their blogs on Thursday.

This is a blog hop. To join, click on the fill-ins badge.

I have filled in the sentences using teal italics.

1. Being a cat parent is challenging but I’d never give it up.

2. If cat poop were worth money, then I would be rich.

3. I am proud of Mau and Cooper Murphy being Cat Scouts.

4. If I could time travel, I would visit the year 2001. That is the year Madison and MacKenzie came to live with us, and I really miss these boys and BFFs. You can read more about them on our “The Felines” page by clicking on the tab at the top of this page. (I hope you don’t mind that I have shared this photo previously.)

I also am joining the Feline Friday blog hop at Comedy Plus.

September 14, 2018 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Friendly Friday Fill-Ins 16

BLUE ANGELS IN ART

Caturday Art

I have gone back in time for the photo I used as the basis for today’s art. It features our Blue angels, Madison (front) and MacKenzie (back). The photo was taken on December 11, 2009. Both boys passed away in 2011. To read more about these kitties, click on “The Felines” tab at the top of the page.

I absolutely loved these man-cats, and they totally loved each other. Finding them snuggled together was not unusual.

Original Photo

Again this week, I used the Painnt app. I like it, as once you have decided on and applied an effect, it can be manipulated in dozens of ways by various percentages. I created my art with the Desigual effect and made changes to the color, color composition and detail. The plain blue border was added with Picasa and the flower accents with piZap.

The arty photo is my submission for Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. This is a great hop, giving you the opportunity to use your imagination and creativity. It’s also a great way to save a “bad” photo.

If you’d like to join the hop or just view the art, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Time to straighten your furs and get out your best smile. We’ll be hopping tomorrow with a special guest host. Kitties Blue are doing the happy dance as none of them will be called upon. Looking forward to seeing all our old friends and maybe some new ones as well.

January 27, 2018 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Caturday Art Blog Hop 22

ODD STILL LIFE WITH CATS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

After yesterday’s post, we didn’t think our mom could get any crazier, but we were wrong. It is evident now that she has more than one screw loose, and that they are rattling around in her head. We have no idea what to make of this ODD poem or the graphic she made to accompany it. But before we let you judge for yourselves, a bit of explanation is required.

This week’s Thoroughly Poetic Thursday, hosted by Angel Sammy and Teddy (Two Spoiled Cats), has “O” as its prompt letter. The prompt words selected for this week are 1) Open, 2) Octopus, 3) Olive and 4) Odd. As you can see, they really having nothing in common with each other. Nonetheless, Ms. Crazypants decided she’d include them all in one poem. For better or worse, here it is.

Cat Foods

Madison was crazy for green olive juice.
We know that is definitely odd.
But Cooper goes nutty for watermelon,
So to his strange taste, we also give a nod.

Thelma wanted water from steamed broccoli,
Yet another kitty with a crazy food festish.
Daphne stripped the flesh from artichoke leaves—
An additional unusual food for a cat to relish.

None of us have ever eaten octopus.
How could we with “puss” in its name?
But open a can of tuna; add some mayo,
And any leftovers are fair game.

Lily Olivia begs for and eats almost anything.
She never misses a meal and isn’t picky.
But some of us aren’t open to just any noms.
In fact, Giulietta is darn persnickety.

Calista will leave her food to pilfer from others,
But for some odd reason, she doesn’t like treats.
Like humans, every cat has its own food obsessions,
So you can never predict what they’ll like to eat.

So Mom was going to try to attribute this poem to us, but we said, “no way.” We told her that she wrote it, so she had to claim it. But if you thought the poem was ODD, check out this graphic. It is totally bizarre.

If you don’t recognize the two kitties, they are angels, Thelma and Madison. You can find out more about them on The Felines page.

To read Angel Sammy’s poem or find links to what we are certain will be much better poems than this one, click on the Thoroughly Poetic Thursday badge.

Thankful Thursday

We are participating in Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop as well. We feel a tad bit guilty being grateful for anything while so many others are suffering the ravages of hurricanes and an earthquake. All this devastation makes us very sad.

But we are grateful to have so many finds in the blogosphere, and want to thank three in particular: Pipo, Mr.Jack Freckles and Mom Ingrid from Meezer’s Mews & Freckles’ Woofs.

They sent Mauricio and Misty May this precious card for their birthday. Check out those cute mice!

To join Brian’s Blog Hop click on his badge.

Until we meet again, purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo and Cooper Murphy

September 21, 2017 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Birthday Kitty Written Blog Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 16

MY PRINCE CHARMING, MADISON

Thoroughly Poetic and Thankful Thursday

I am very late in posting today, for which I apologize. “Thanks” to this nasty bug I’ve been fighting, yesterday ended in an endless flurry of coughing that derailed all my plans.

I could not possibly think of missing Angel Sammy’s (Two Spoiled Cats) Thoroughly Poetic Thursday.

I have completed a poem about another of our truly beloved cats, Madison, for today’s prompt letter, “M.” I don’t feel this poem is exactly “right” yet”. I will be working on it more in the future.

My Prince Charming

Madison may have been a feline,
But he also was my Prince Charming.
He came to me as a stray, but
He was a knight in shining white furs.

His first two years were a mystery—
A damaged eye and fear of humans…
The only clues to a possible hard life.
How long that lasted he couldn’t say.

After six months living on our deck,
While I assuaged his trepidation,
Madison joined our furry family,
As if he’d been with us from the start.

His behavior was impeccable,
Showing us he’d once had a family.
But where and when we didn’t know.
It didn’t matter…he was ours now.

He adored all his kitty housemates.
They embraced and loved him in return.
He never lifted a paw in anger or
Allowed a hiss to pass his lips.

Madison left us too soon at age twelve.
Lymphoma stole his life and light,
But his spirit and heart didn’t die.
They remain within me to this day.

Madison has visited since his death.
I’ve seen him in the garden and on the deck.
He’ll always be our guardian angel…
My Prince Charming in shining white furs.

Though saddened that Madison was only in our lives for ten years, I could not be more thankful to have had him as a family member. He truly was an exceptionally loving and gentle cat. With that, I am participating in Brian’s Home Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

We all should be grateful everyday, but sometimes that is hard to do when we receive sad news. Yesterday we found that Boomer, one of those creative and silly Trout Talkin’ Tabbies left the blogging world. His mom, Laura’s, kindness and thoughtful words were a Godsend to me when Fiona flew away. It is with a heavy heart that I ask you to visit and show her and the rest of Boomer’s family the same kindness by sharing some loving words.

March 9, 2017 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Poetry Prayers Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 11

I BELIEVE IN ANGELS

Friendly Fill-Ins

We are back for another week of Friendly Fill-ins hosted by our friends, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader) and Ellen (15AndMeowing). Each week th select two statements each (Ellen #s 1 and 2 and Annie #s 3 and 4) for us to complete. This is a blog hop. If you decide to participate, enter the link to your post on Annie’s blog.

Here are this week’s statements. My completions are in teal italics.

1. My favorite store is Steinmart; though, I haven’t been there in at least a year. Iprefer to shop on-line and have items delivered to my door.

2. An unanswered prayer I am thankful for is _______________________. (I have nothing to complete this fill-in and so am skipping it. I am sure I have many unanswered pryers, but I cannot think of any that would work here.)

3. At Halloween, I get annoyed when teenagers show up and stand on the porch holding out a bag, not say anything and expecting me to give them candy.

4. I totally believe in the supernatural, because once I met an angel. His name was Michael. I had a flat tire and saw what appeared to be a homeless man walking toward me. He asked if he could help. I could have called AAA, but instead I said, “yes.” It was Tom’s car, and I wasn’t really sure what to do nor was he. I read the instructions to him from the Owner’s Manual while he changed the tire. When he finished, I offered him money (the $7 I had in my purse), but he refused. I then offered him a ride, and he refused that as well. As he started to walk away, I said to him, “You are an angel.” He replied over his shoulder, “Don’t tell anyone.” I turned my back to him and took two steps before deciding to turn back around. He had totally vanished. Whenever I tell this story I get goosebumps.

My sweet and handsome angel Madison also approached me one day when I was working in the garden.

Hurricane Matthew

Please keep Mau’s wife, Allie, and her family (Friends Furever) in your purrs and prayers. They have evacuated their home on Florida’s Barrier Island. They should be safe but their home may be devastated by storm surges. We know other bloggers and friends live in Florida as well. We are keeping them and all those living along the east coast in our thoughts and prayers.

October 7, 2016 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Halloween Prayers 21

POEM FOR ANGEL MADISON

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

We are joining Sammy (onespoiledcat) again this week by writing another poem. Our challenge this week was to write a poem using the prompt letter “M.” With two angel cats and two current cats with names beginning with the letter “M,” I had several kitties I could choose to write about. I selected angel Madison. I recently wrote about him for Friendly Fill-Ins. If you missed that post, you can read it here.

Instead of sharing another photo of Madison, I have selected to share this portrait painted by Lou Belcher (Before You Write).

For Madison
A Poem from the Heart

Madison wandered the neighborhood for many months.
He would stop here often to have some lunch,
But he was shy and did not want to be touched.

We’d taken in stray cats through the years,
And the ones we couldn’t keep left me in tears
As they were all enchanting little dears.

Madison came back to our house day after day
And began living on our porch, no longer really a stray,
But he continued to shun my approaches and keep me at bay.

I swore I would not invite him to join the clan;
Though, I found myself becoming quite a fan
Of this most handsome, white-furred, blue-eyed man.

After six months I broke down and asked him inside,
As he was just such a sweet and well-mannered guy.
I realized I’d be stupid to let this opportunity pass by.

He and MacKenzie became the very best of friends,
And Louise he was always quick to snuggle and defend.
He was loved and cherished by all until his very end.

Madison became an angel at less than 12 years old.
It broke my heart as his frail body became cold,
And I realized he’d no longer be here for me to hold.

Madison returned once to the garden for a visit,
And I wished that I could have given him a kiss
To let him know just how much he was missed.

I knew he was there to let me know he was okay
And that the two of us would meet again some day
To love each other forever, snuggle and even play.

Madison truly was a special cat, and it did break my heart when he died 13 days after being diagnosed with lymphoma. Madison was not quite 12 years old, and he had been with us for just ten years.

One of the things we enjoyed was sitting together on a bench in the garden. So, I was not surprised when he visited me while I was working in one of the flowerbeds. I caught him approaching out of the corner of my left eye. The visit only lasted a few seconds, but it brought me such peace. I think of that day and my special Kitty, Madison, often.

September 8, 2016 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 17

FRIENDLY FILL-INS EVOKE MEMORIES

Week #17

Once again, I am participating in Annie’s (McGuffy’s Reader) and Ellen’s (15 And Meowing) Friendly Fill-ins. This is a blog hop, and you can add your link on Annie’s blog. My fill-ins are in teal italics.

1. My favorite way to exercise is cycling or swimming.

2. Something I learned last week was about a cool web-site for lovers of all things cat: iheartcats.com. So what makes this site different from others, you ask? For every item purchased a certain number of daily meals are provided to shelters across the U.S. through a partnership with Rescue Bank®. As stated on the iheartcats website: “Rescue Bank® supports freight-paid deliveries to smaller, less visible non-profits that have limited access to resources. They operate on the national food bank model, accepting food donations from many manufacturers, distributors or retailers.”

But this is not just a shopping site. They also offer health and training advice, DIY projects and inspirational stories.

3. I am sentimental about the kitties I have loved and lost. I think about all of them often and remember their quirks and foibles. Thelma was the first cat on my head, and she would chew on my hair. The hair on the crown of my head ended up being about two inches long.

Thelma loved the water left over after I steamed broccoli.

Madison was a fanatic for the juice from green olives from the deli.

Chloe would always put a front paw on whatever plate or dish from which she was eating to keep it from escaping. And she was a member of the clean plate club!

Chloe

Madison and MacKenzie joined our household at just about the same time, and they were the best of friends. I loved watching them together. You can read an entire post about them here.

Mac (top), Madison (bottom)

These are just a few of the memories that always make me smile and miss these angels all the more.

4. Some people may find it surprising to know that I was a dog person until we adopted our first cat, Skooter, in the mid-eighties. I adopted a cock-a-poo puppy (Smack) when I was a sophomore in college, and Tom and I adopted what was supposed to be a cock-a-poo puppy (Poppy) shortly before we were married. They both lived into their late teens. (Sorry I have no photos on this computer to share with you. I will scan some and share in another post.)

We will see you right back here tomorrow for Caturday Art.

September 2, 2016 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Friendly Friday Fill-Ins 26

CELEBRATING OUR FREEDOM

As you celebrate today, please remember that this can be a scary and dangerous holiday and not just for us kitties. Please keep children and pets away from all fireworks. Every year, humans are injured and fires are started by improper handling of fireworks.

Our pawrents always watch our city’s fireworks from the safety of home. (The center photo of our collage was taken by our dad from the deck above our catio.) We remain safely in the house with all the doors and windows closed.

We have chosen our angel brofur, Madison, and Astrid to represent us today as their furs look stunning with the addition of the USA filter from Dreamscope.

As America celebrates the 240th anniversary of the signing of The Declaration of Independence, we are proud to be Americans and members of this great nation. Below is a copy of the document that made it all possible.

Wishing you a safe and sane holiday, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

July 4, 2016 by Janet Blue Holiday Kitty Written Blog 26

RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY WITH OUR ANGELS

RainbowBridge-Web

Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles have created a very special day, Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, to honor and remember “those cherished pets we have lost but not forgotten.”

Whether your beloved pet had fur or fins, scales or feathers, they had a special place in your heart of hearts.

Today we are honoring and remembering the nine angel kitties in our family as well as our honorary kitty angel, Nylablue.

Skooter

Steamer

Daphne

Thelma

Louise

Chloe

Twinkle

Madison

MacKenzie

Nylablue

To learn more about them, you can visit our The Felines page.

We’d also like to remember and honor the two woofies who came before any of us, Smack and Poppy.

Please consider taking part in this first annual event. The hope is it will be the first of many to come. You are encouraged to post on your blog, your Facebook page, or any other social media of your choice in memory of your angel anipals.

This event is hosted by Purr Prints of the Heart. Although this was a day originally created in honor of Zee and Zoey’s Mr. Jazz, it will now honor all those who have crossed their Rainbow Bridge.

Today, we are sending purrs and prayers to all the families and friends with angels who have crossed that Bridge.

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

August 28, 2015 by Janet Blue Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 27

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.