Sparks

SPARKS: ARE YOU A DREAMER?

Sparks

 

Sparks

 

I think this Spark says everything and needs no elaboration or explanation.

Once again I have selected one of dad Tom’s photographs for today’s Spark. It was taken July 27, 2018, the night of the recent supermoon. The moon came up over Mill Mountain and it’s famous neon star. (For more information about the world’s largest man-made star, see our post, Sharkie and Blue Visit the Star.) The photo was taken from our upper deck.

I’m fairly certain all of you know who Harriet Tubman was, but just in case you don’t: Born Araminta Ross (c. 1822), Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist. To read about her on Wikipedia, click here.

Sparks began as a blog hop, created by our friend, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). Annie currently is taking a well-deserved “break” from blogging (We sure miss her!), so there is no hop. However, many of us are continuing to post a Spark on Monday, as we totally agree with 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!”

 

 

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A SPARK OF SUNSHINE & LOVE

Sparks

Sparks

 

Dad Tom took some photos yesterday of the day lilies in our front flower bed. I have selected one for today’s Spark.

I was unfamiliar with Max Müller and suspect you may be as well. Friedrich Max Müller was born in 1823 and died in 1900. Generally known as Max Müller, he was a German-born philologist (Philology is the study of language in oral and written historical sources; it is a combination of literary criticism, history, and linguistics.) and Orientalist. He lived and studied in Britain for most of his life. Müller was one of the founders of the western academic field of Indian studies and the discipline of comparative religion. He wrote scholarly as well as popular works on the subject of Indology. The Sacred Books of the East, a 50-volume set of English translations, was prepared under his direction.

Sparks began as a blog hop, created by our friend, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). Annie currently is taking a “break” from blogging, so there is no hop. However, many of us are continuing to post a Spark on Monday, as we totally agree with 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!”

Our Sock Winner

The latest winner in our giveaway of pink or blue customizable cat socks from OurSock.com is The Menagerie Mom, Lorianne, from Four-Legged Furballs. Now the question remains, which of her precious pusses will get the honor of appearing on her socks. With new kitten, Tonks, joining the family, we think the rest of the gang will be shut out.

To learn more about our giveaway, checkout last Tuesday’s post, Toesy Tuesday Giveaway. If you’ve been admiring Mom’s socks on previous posts, you still have an opportunity to win a pair for yourself. We had ten pairs of cat socks to give away and have now awarded six of those. We normally do not post on Tuesdays, so the giveaway will resume on Wednesday and conclude next Saturday.

We’ll see you back here for Wordless Wednesday.

 

A SPARK OF LAUGHTER

Sparks: Week #28

 

Sparks #28

 

This crazy ginger cat makes me laugh everyday. I am grateful for that, as it is difficult to find much funny in today’s world. If not for the antics of Kitties Blue, Dad Tom’s inspired one-liners and the zaniness of The Big Bang Theory, I probably wouldn’t even crack a smile.

William Ray “Bill” Engvall Jr. is the author of today’s Spark. He’s an American comedian and actor best known for his work as a stand-up comic.

I am joining Annie at McGufffy’s Reader for her Sparks blog hop. In establishing the hop, Annie wrote, “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!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.

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

 

COOPER MURPHY SPARKS A SMILE

Sparks: Week #27

 

Smile

 

Cooper Murphy may not have a huge grin on his face, but whenever I see him, I cannot help but smile. He’s sweet, loving and handsome with a wonderfully expressive face. I hope he makes you smile today.

The author of today’s quote, Anthony (Tony) J. D’Angelo, is founder of Collegiate EmPowerment. He has dedicated his life to helping young adults to create a life worth living. D’Angelo set out on his vision to transform American Higher Education in 1995 at the age of 23. According to D’Angelo “Most students go to school and get a degree but not an education.”

I am joining Annie at McGufffy’s Reader for her Sparks blog hop. 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!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.

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

 

DREAMS, HOPE AND REALITY

Sparks: Week #26

 

Sparks

 

Today’s Spark is from Reverend Robert H. Schuller. He was an American, Christian minister, televangelist and author of many “positive thinking” books. Schuller was the host of the television program, Hour of Power, from 1970 until 2010 when he retired. He also was the founder of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. (from Wikipedia)

The photograph is by Dad Tom. This is part of the camellia bush in our backyard. It does not bloom this time of year but in November. Regardless, the photo made me think of spring, which is why I used to for today’s Spark.

I am joining Annie at McGufffy’s Reader for her Sparks blog hop. 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!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.

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

Sparks badge

 

 

GIULIETTA DELIVERS OUR SPARK

Sparks: Week #25

When I was creating art for the Caturday Art blog hop, I produced this design. I did like the final product but decided not to use it. However, it seemed appropriate to use as the basis for today’s Sparks blog hop.

 

Giulietta delivers week #25 of Sparks.

 

This is not a traditional Spark. It doesn’t offer an inspirational or uplifting quote. Regardless, it spoke to me. As most of you reading this have animals in your lives that you dearly love, I thought it would resonate with you as well.

The author of this quote, Ingrid Newark, is an English-born British-American animal rights activist. She is the founder (with Alex Pacheco) and president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA is the world’s largest animal rights organization. Newkirk has worked in the animal-protection movement since 1972. In the 1970s, under her leadership, as the District of Columbia’s first female poundmaster, legislation was passed to create the first spay/neuter clinic in Washington, D.C., as well as an adoption program and the public funding of veterinary services. (Information from Wikipedia.)

I am joining Annie at McGufffy’s Reader for her Sparks blog hop. In establishing the hop, she wrote, “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!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.

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

Sparks badge

 

A SPARK OF HOPE

Sparks: Week #24

 

Sparks of Hope

 

Samuel Smiles (23 December 1812 – 16 April 1904), was a Scottish author and government reformer. His masterpiece, Self-Help (1859), promoted thrift and claimed that poverty was caused largely by irresponsible habits, while also attacking materialism and laissez-faire government. It has been called “the bible of mid-Victorian liberalism,” and it raised Smiles to celebrity status almost overnight. (Wikipedia)

Angel Fiona and I are joining Annie at McGufffy’s Reader for her Sparks blog hop. In establishing the hop, she wrote, “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!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.

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

Sparks badge

 

Thank you from Giulietta

Giulietta and I are grateful to everyone who joined the Sunday Selfies blog hop yesterday and left birthday wishes for her and our precious angel, Fiona. As Fiona is unable to say, “thank you,” personally, it seemed appropriate for her to deliver today’s Spark. Fiona was already ill when this photo was taken, as you most likely can see from how thin she is. In spite of that, she still was able to enjoy a sunpuddle and the warmth of the sun on her face.

 

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

Sparks: Week #23

 

Sparks #23 from Astrid

 

Astrid is always true to herself; though, she’s not much for engaging with others.

Eleanor (Ella) Laura Davan Mills (née Woodward) is an English food writer and entrepreneur under the brand Deliciously Ella. She has a blog at deliciouslyella.com.

Astrid and I are joining Annie at McGufffy’s Reader for her Sparks blog hop. 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!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.

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

Sparks badge

SPARKS OF FRIENDSHIP

Sparks #22

 

Sparks Week #22

 

Of course, we cats are always ourselves! Let’s all strive to be somebody’s best friend.

According to Wikipedia, “Renee Olstead is an American actress and singer. Active since childhood as an actress, she is best known for her roles on the CBS sitcom Still Standing and on the drama The Secret Life of the American Teenager as Madison Cooperstein. In addition, she has recorded four studio albums, primarily of jazz music.”

Mauricio, Astrid and I are joining Annie (McGuffy’s Reader) for her Sparks blog hop. 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!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.

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

 

A FELINE SPARK

Sparks: Week #21

 

sparks #21

 

Being a blog dedicated to kitties, it seemed appropriate to finally do a Spark post featuring a quote about cats. The photo above features Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy, Misty May, Mauricio and Giulietta during one of Chris’s biweekly nip fests.

I was unfamiliar with the author of this quote, so I suspect most of you will be as well. The following information is from Wikipedia:

“Henry Charles Bukowski (born Heinrich Karl Bukowski; August 16, 1920 – March 9, 1994) was a German-American poet, novelist, and short story writer. His writing was influenced by the social, cultural, and economic ambience of his home city of Los Angeles. His work addresses the ordinary lives of poor Americans, the act of writing, alcohol, relationships with women, and the drudgery of work. Bukowski wrote thousands of poems, hundreds of short stories and six novels, eventually publishing over 60 books. The FBI kept a file on him as a result of his column, Notes of a Dirty Old Man, in the LA underground newspaper Open City.”

I am joining Annie (McGuffy’s Reader) for her Sparks blog hop. 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!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.

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