Memorial Day

MEMORIAL DAY 2020 WITH KITTIES BLUE

Memorial Day Spark & Awww Mondays

 

 

Kitties Blue and I decided to remember those who served and lost their lives for our country with today’s Spark. I also thought Maya Angelou’s quote appropriate as recognition for all those serving our country on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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!”

Astrid, Mau and Sawyer are representing Kitties Blue today and are joining the Awww Mondays blog hop. If you’d like to join them, click on the badge below to be whisked away to Comedy-Plus, our host.

 

We know Memorial Day is a big day for bar-b-ques, picnics, beach visits and family gatherings. If you are planning on participating in any of these type of events, please be careful and follow the CDC guidelines on social distancing, mask wearing and not gathering in groups of more than 10. Each of you and your families are very important to us, and we don’t want any of you to get the virus.

The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky

Our favorite tabby duo will return here tomorrow for another adventure. Please join them. They always have a blast!

 

May 25, 2020 by Awww Mondays Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Holiday Sparks 12

MEMORIAL DAY SPARK

Sparks

As we celebrate Memorial Day and honor those service men, women and animals who have given their lives in the line of duty, I have selected what may seem to be an unusual Spark. It is not from an American president, politician or veteran. However, I found it appropriate. To me it speaks to why our troops defend our country and freedoms.

 

 

If you are unfamiliar with Begin, who was the sixth Prime Minister of Israel and shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Anwar Sadat in 1978, you can read more about him on Wikipedia.

Sparks began as a blog hop, created by our friend, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). Annie has been taking a “break” from blogging, so there is no hop. Unfortunately, during this break, Annie has been the victim of a hacker. This has continued to keep her off-line and caused her much distress. Please continue to send prayers to Annie and her family as they work to get their lives back to normal.

Many of us believe in Annie’s vision: “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

In a more traditional photo for a cat blog on Memorial Day, Cooper Murphy is here to join the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. Click on the badge below Cooper’s photo to join the hop.

 

Memorial Day

 

 

To all of those who have lost friends and loved ones serving in the military, I send condolences and prayers. As you celebrate the holiday with the traditional picnics and bar-b-ques, take a moment to remember and thank our veterans and those currently serving in the military. Memorial Day is meant to remember those who died in combat, but all those who have served and are serving have earned our thanks and respect.

 

May 27, 2019 by Awww Mondays Holiday Sparks 16

150TH MEMORIAL DAY SPARK

Sparks

As today is Memorial Day in the U.S., our Spark is not the usual inspirational quote. It celebrates America and the courage of those who have served in our armed forces and given their lives for our country.

 

Memorial Day Sparks

 

I selected a previously posted photo of Lily Olivia overlain by our American flag to represent this quote.

The author, Paul Tsongas, was an American politician. From 1975 to 1985, he represented Massachusetts in both houses of the United States Congress. He won seven states as a candidate in the 1992 Democratic presidential primaries, losing the nomination to Bill Clinton. Tsongas died in 1997, at age 55, of complications from pneumonia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

To all of those who have lost friends and loved ones serving in the military, I send condolences and prayers. As you celebrate the holiday with the traditional picnics and bar-b-ques, take a moment to remember and thank all our veterans and those currently serving in the military. Though Memorial Day is meant to remember those who died in combat, all those who have served and are serving have earned our thanks and respect.

Though our host, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader), of the Sparks Blog Hop is taking a much deserved break from blogging and our Sparks post is not part of a hop, I continue to ascribe to Annie’s vision when starting the Sparks hop: “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!”

I will continue to post a Spark on Mondays unless some other subject should take precedent.

Sparks badge

 

 

May 28, 2018 by Holiday Sparks 10

REMEMBERING THOSE WHO SERVED & DIED

Memorial Day: Remembering

Memorial Day is an American holiday. It is observed on the last Monday of May and honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War. It took more than 100 years for Memorial Day to become an official federal holiday. That didn’t occur until 1971.

 

Remembering those killed at Normandy in World War II.

Dad Tom and the petretary visited Normandy (France) American Cemetery & Memorial in 2013.

 

Though Memorial Day was established to honor those who have given their lives in service to our country, we asked Mom if we could honor her father as well as Dad Tom’s. They both served in Word War II and returned home at the conclusion of the war. Mom’s dad was in the U.S. Army. Dad’s father was in the U.S. Navy.

 

Remembering Mom's dad.

Harvey H. Buickerood – 1943

 

Remembering Dad's dad.

Harriet and E.M. Blue – Washington D.C. – 1945

 

Our prayers today are with all the families who have lost friends and loved ones in service to the USA. And we applaud all those who have served and are currently serving in our military.

 

p.s. We had planned to share photos of the all the goodies we received from Bionic Basil as well. But we decided not to dilute this post. We will share that with you tomorrow.

 

May 29, 2017 by Holiday 15

C.J. TAKES HER HOLIDAY SERIOUSLY

In 1996 No Greater Love, an humanitarian organization based in Washington, D.C., established the National Moment of Remembrance. After questioning school children about the meaning of Memorial Day and finding they were totally unaware of it’s purpose, No Greater Love hoped to raise public awareness of America’s heroes and their valor. The idea clicked with President Bill Clinton and Congress. Since 1997, it has become a standard American tradition. National Moment of Remembrance requires everybody to be silent for a minute, exactly at 3.00 pm (local time), and reflect on the glory of those who have died in service to our country.

Calista Jo, after spending her holiday watching birdie T.V. on the catio, decided to extend her minute of silence into an afternoon snooze in a sunpuddle. Her paw and the base of the catio’s cat condo/tree became her pillow.

 

C.J. Takes National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day holiday seriously.

 

How ever you spent your holiday yesterday, we pray that you took a moment to remember and honor those Americans who gave their lives to ensure our freedom.

We pray for and thank all of those currently serving our country.


May 31, 2016 by Doozy of a Snoozy Holiday 17

A POEM FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Today our country celebrates Memorial Day. This federal holiday originated as Decoration Day. It was established in the United States to remember those who have died while serving in the country’s armed forces. Decoration Day was established after the American Civil War in 1868. The Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois, set aside this day as a time for the nation to decorate graves of Union war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions (celebrated on different days) had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.

Memorial Day 2016

Lucy Gilmer Breckinridge Bassett

In honor of Memorial Day, I am sharing a poem I wrote in 1984 after reading, Lucy Breckinridge of Grove Hill: The Journal of a Virginia Girl, 1862-1864. 

Lucy Breckinridge was a nineteen-year-old girl who grew up very close to where I have lived since 1976. Three of her brothers and her first fiancé lost their lives in the Civil War. Lucy married Thomas Jefferson Bassett on January 28, 1865. She died just six-months later from typhoid fever.

 Paper Soldier

Driving past Fincastle sepia-
toned visions of Lucy Breckinridge,
like confederate soldiers, infiltrate
my thoughts. Her spirit forever
where Grove Hill once stood.
Civil War—idle days spent
writing letters, praying,
visiting the Bridge, Bonsack,
Buchanan, always waiting
for news of the wounded,
dead, battles lost and won.

A woman born to the wrong
Century, longing, yet
conditioned to reject
desire, to take up a pistol,
join with her brothers—
“Shoot some Yankees,”
or drench Virginia soil
with her blood—no more
precious than any man’s.
Silent yearnings secreted
100 years in her journal,
like a squirrel’s forgotton
winter nuts, now blaze
in my mind like cannon fire.

© Janet Buickerood Blue, 1984
Published originally in Wind Literary Journal
Volume 14 – Number 51

I suspect those who established this holiday had no idea how many American lives would be lost in subsequent wars and military conflicts. According to PBS News Hour that number is now in excess of 1.1 million. The enormity of that number truly saddens me. Today, all those who have lost their lives, as well as those who have lost loved ones and friends, are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

memorial day

May 30, 2016 by Holiday Poetry Prayers 18

MAN-CAT MONDAY WITH MAURICIO

Help! I'm stuck in the house and can't get out.

Help! I’m stuck in the house and can’t get out.

As it is a holiday, maybe some of you other kitties are home alone. But we are getting super tired of it. Even we kitties can nap only so much!

None-the-less, we wanted to say Happy Memorial Day and thanks to all our service men, women and animals, past and present, who work exceptionally hard to keep the world safe and at peace for all of us kitties and our humans.

Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette. 

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May 27, 2013 by Backstory Holiday Kitty Written Blog Man-Cat Monday 28

I am a feline fanatic. My license plate reads “PRRFCT.” I have lived with and cared for 22 cats over the past 40+ years. The Cat on My Head is a website dedicated to the mostly comical and often exasperating antics of eight cats and their four- teen angel predecessors.

 

© Copyright by Janet Blue (The Cat on My Head) 2012-2024  All rights reserved: Nothing from this site may be used in any form without written permission of the author.

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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.

© Janet Buickerood Blue 11/30/2016

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.

© Janet Buickerood Blue 06/01/2017

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.

© Janet Buickerood Blue 11/30/2017

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

© Giulietta Blue 11/01/17

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.

© Janet Buickerood Blue 01/03/2018

Kitty Couples

Angels
Allie & Mau
Married: July 23, 2016

Astrid & Sampson
Married: June 23, 2016

Lisbeth & Angel Charles

Noelle & Sawyer

Tyebe & Snap aka Cooper Murphy

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Home of the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop. Join us this Sunday for week #504.

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.

© Janet Buickerood Blue 11/30/2016

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.

© Janet Buickerood Blue 06/01/2017

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.

© Janet Buickerood Blue 11/30/2017

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

© Giulietta Blue 11/01/17

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.

© Janet Buickerood Blue 01/03/2018