snow

FROSTY CATURDAY ART WITH COOPER MURPHY

Caturday Art

A couple of weeks ago, we let Cooper Murphy out on the upper deck. Though under roof, it had a thin layer of snow on it. Cooper had not been in the snow since his rescue as a stray last January 7. We let him out into the snow on that day so he could earn his Let it Snow Cat Scout merit badge.

To achieve the art’s frosty look I selected an effect in the Painnt app entitled, Iced. I think it is a good complement to the snowy-themed photo. I took the brightness down by 40 percent and increased the saturation. Then I added the light aqua border in Picasa followed by the white frost border in piZap and finally another light aqua border from Picasa.

Here’s the original photo.

The arty creation is our entry in Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. To enter some art of your own or find links to art created by your fellow bloggers, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

We know tomorrow is often a busy day for most humans with the Super Bowl, Puppy Bowl and Kitten Bowl all being contested. Bet you can guess which one we’ll be watching. Don’t forget to snap your selfie and join the hop before the festivities and snacking begin. One of the Kitties Blue will be here at midnight to greet you.

We are expecting snow tomorrow so it will be a good day to sit in front of the tube and veg out. Whatever your plans are, stay safe and warm and don’t forget to hop!

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #82

We are back again with more holiday-themed fill-ins. Kitties Blue asked me to complete all four this week. As I always do, I’ve used teal italics for my completions.

1. Snow is beautiful when it is falling, but I want it all to melt before it turns grimy and ugly.

2. I enjoy decorating everything with white lights at Christmas. They glow makes me happy.

3. One holiday memory that I cherish is the year my grandparents gave me a pogo stick for Christmas. My grandpa got on and “pogoed” himself right into the juniper bushes.

4. I always thought that Santa gifts were the best. That’s where all the fun stuff could be found…crayons, silly putty, pick-up sticks, jacks and slinkies!

Neither Dad Tom nor I have taken any photos as yet of this year’s decorations. And we didn’t decorate last year, as my heart was not in it after Fiona’s passing. Because of that, I am sharing some past Christmas photos that you may or may not have seen. They are from 1950, 1966, 2012 and 2015.

Friendly Fill-Ins is a weekly blog hop hosted by friends, Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). If you’d like to participate, you can find the fill-in sentences on their blogs each Thursday. After you complete your post, you can enter the hop on Annie’s blog. Click on the badge below to go to McGuffy’s Reader.

A SNOWY SPARK

Sparks: Week #10

We had our first snow of the season on Saturday. The first snow is always magical and somehow cleansing. Watching it fall can be mesmerizing, calming and restorative. I don’t know that these cattle feel the same way, but they made a good background for today’s “Spark.” The photo of these longhorns was taken by Dad Tom on Saturday. He was on Route 11 in Virginia near Steele’s Tavern.

He’s photographed these bovines previously, and one starred as our Sunday Selfie guest host on post #111, “Inappropriate Tongue Use in Selfie.”

The author of today’s quote, Susan Orlean, is an American journalist and author. She has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1992. She also has contributed articles to many magazines, including Vogue, Rolling Stone, Esquire, and Outside. Orlean is best known as the author of the 1998 book The Orchid Thief. It was adapted into the film Adaptation (2002), starring Meryl Streep.

Sparks is a weekly blog hop established and hosted by Annie at McGuffy’s Reader. In establishing the hop, she wrote this, “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!”

If you’d like to join the hop, click on the Sparks badge.

December 11, 2017 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Sparks 17

MAURICIO’S SNOW-DAY SELFIE

Sunday Selfies; Week #174

We had our first snow of the season yesterday. Though it snowed most of the day, we only got about three inches. It was very pretty to watch coming down and looked great sprinkled on the trees and bushes like powdered sugar. In keeping with that theme, Mom has added a snow effect to our site and framed Mau’s selfie in a snow-themed frame.

Mau was thinking of his lovely wife Allie (Friends Furever) when he snapped this selfie. He has his paws crossed that she likes it.

A Shocking Discovery

Before we get down to the business of hopping, Mom asked us to share with you a surprising encounter she had yesterday. She went out to the front porch to retrieve a package and came face to face with a kitten, slightly larger than Sawyer. The kitten was solid grey and a Manx like Sawyer. It had on a frayed-looking pink color. The kitten bolted as soon as it saw Mom. It appears that Sawyer has a sibling. Where it is living and who put the collar on it is a mystery. Should Mom or Dad spot it again or if we find out any information about this kitty, we’ll share it.

Blog Hop

Alrighty then…it is time to hop. We know everyone is busy with holiday preparations, but we are hoping you can take just a few moments to snap a selfie and join the hop. If you are new to hopping, here are a few tips.

The link to add your selfie to the hop is below.
You also will find below the code to use if you’d like the hop to appear on your blog.
Posting on Sundays is not necessary to join.
You do not need to be a cat to enter. All anipals are welcome regardless of species.
The hop remains open for entries through Thursday midnight.
Please be so kind as to display our badge and/or link to The Cat on My Head.

Thanks for hopping.

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

December 10, 2017 by Janet Blue Kitty Written Blog Sunday Selfies 41

SNOW DAY SQUIRREL ART

It started snowing at about dawn yesterday morning and snowed all day. We were covered by 11.5 inches at bedtime last night. It’s supposed to continue until midnight tonight.

Our dad’s current project for one of the photo clubs to which he belongs is snow photos. He usually takes lots of photos when it snows, but this time he really concentrated on quality and not quantity. After all his hard work, we cannot believe that Mom is messing with the photos for our Caturday Art submission to Athena and Marie’s Blog Hop. But mess she did using PicMonkey.

Mom started with a squirrel in the snow photo as she was upset we missed Squirrel Appreciation Day on the 21st. Atop that is an overlay of two snowflakes. The frame was added using PicMonkey as well.

Here are the two original photos.

To enter the blog hop and/or view the other submissions, click on Athena and Marie’s badge.

We don’t really like the snow, so you won’t see any white stuff around whoever hosts our Sunday Selfies Blog Hop tomorrow. None of us have stepped forward to volunteer so, as always, you’ll have to stop by to view our representative. We are going to try to visit more of last week’s participants tomorrow as we know our typist won’t be leaving the house.

If you are in the area of our country being pummeled by snow, as we are, please stay safe and warm inside. Grab a good book, a cup of hot chocolate, a cat or two, an afghan, put you feet up and relax.

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

January 23, 2016 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop Kitty Written Blog Squirrels 26

SNOW DAY FOR SHARKIE AND BLUE

A few days ago we had an unexpected brief snow fall. Though it came down quite heavily and it was very cold outside, it didn’t stick around for very long.

When Sharkie and Blue saw the snow falling, they begged to go outside and check it out for themselves. Mom refused to leave the porch, but as the wind was blowing the snow around, they were able to feel it on their plushy fins without venturing into the yard.

Sharkie and Blue are getting pretty anxious to return home to Bailey on Nocturne in Rome. Mom says that they will be starting their trip home this week. We know our brofur will be so excited to have them back onboard.

Thanks for sharing their adventures with us. We will do one last post with them before they leave us.

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

p.s. We are sending our heartfelt thanks to all of you who join and support our Sunday Selfies Blog Hop. If you were too busy taking your “easy” today and didn’t get an opportunity to enter, it will stay open for a couple more days.

January 12, 2015 by Janet Blue Honorary Kitty Blue Kitty Written Blog 28

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: S”NO”W MORE

February 19, 2014 by Janet Blue Roanoke Virginia Wordless Wednesday 32

CATURDAY ART: POLAR VORTEX

Our yard in Roanoke, VA, on February 13, 2014, after a 20-inch snowfall.

Click badge to join blog hop or view other entries. The above photo was edited using the “Polar” filter in Fotor. Background added with PiZap.

Please join us tomorrow for our Queen of Hearts Dance review post and prize winner.

February 15, 2014 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop Roanoke Virginia 26

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

This is neither a Thankful Thursday post nor an April Fool’s joke. This is what is happening right now in SW Virginia. If we weren’t amused last time, you can imagine how we feel this time. The forecast for today was sleet turning to rain. Instead it turned out to be snow turning to sleet turning back to snow, and it just keeps getting heavier and coming down faster. We are now under a Winter Weather Advisory. When is Spring coming?

I’ve never tried adding video to a post, so I apologize that this probably doesn’t work in a way to which you’re accustomed. Click on Snow Day 1 for the first short video. When it concludes, use your browser’s back button to return to this page. You can then click on Snow Day 2 for the second video.

Enjoy or not. As much as I hate the phrase, “It is what it is.”

Snow Day 1

Snow Day 2

April 4, 2013 by Janet Blue Backstory 18

WE DIDN’T ORDER THIS!

Mom had no intention of posting today so we have taken things into our own paws. With thirty-two of them, we think we can get the job done. We did, however, enlist Dad’s help to get the photos.

Snowy Daffodils

So, here’s a sampling of what has been happening in our backyard. Our normal high/low temperatures for this time of year are 60/39 degrees. Saturday’s high was 58 degrees. Sunday’s high was less than the average low. Though not the first time this month for that phenomenon, the previous cold temps were not accompanied by frigid, wet, yucky, white stuff. This is ridiculous. We live in Southwest Virginia for cat’s sake!

It continued to snow well after these photos were taken. And the forecast is for more to come. We can’t imagine who we’ve angered or what we may have done to deserve such punishment. But we are not amused!

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

Fountain on the upper deck.

Butterfly Bush

Bird Bath (foreground) and our neighbors making a snowman.

Our old bird feeder.

Bird bath (foreground) and our neighbors building a snowman.

March 25, 2013 by Janet Blue Backstory Kitty Written Blog 23

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.