Friendly Fill-Ins for Friday

Friday!!  YAY!   Time to HOP with 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs.    Filling in blanks in sentences sure can tell a lot about us huh?    That’s why it’s fun – we travel around and read everyone else’s fill-ins and find out stuff that we might not have known about each other.  We thank our co-hosts for this super fun HOP!    Mom and I usually take turns doing the filling in OR sometimes share in one post.    I thought Mom and I might SHARE the filling in duties for this week.    If Mom is answering, it will be BLUE and if it’s ME it will be GREEN!

And away we go………………………..

1. My favorite outdoor activity is sitting in one of the rocking chairs on the front porch and watching the world go by.

2. One positive aspect of social isolation is nobody is ringing our doorbell!!!!.

3. It’s fortunate that my husband and I are homebodies – life hasn’t changed much for us these last weeks.

4. I have all my favorite napping spots memorized.

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Mom is right – our lives haven’t changed much since the “stay at home” has begun.    We love being at home – all of us.    My Dad still goes to the airport to fly his plane or just clean out the hangar, etc., and Mom DOES do grocery shopping once a week but everything else is status quo.    I get to go outside if I want to and pretty much WHEN I want to…………once in a while the phone rings (robo calls of course!) and we get “just checking in to see how you are” emails just as we send out our share of those.    We kinda did that ANYWAY.     Checking in with friends is what you tend to do when you’re a blogger.

We just continue being grateful that we are healthy, happy, have food and supplies, see the sun instead of rain occasionally (!), and carry on while being more careful than ever.    We pray everyone will continue to follow the guidelines and we can hope that as a reward, the virus will DIE OFF and leave everyone alone.    That won’t happen for a while yet though so PLEASE STAY SAFE.    We love you!

Don’t worry Mom – I’m keeping an eye on the front door for you!   

Hugs, Teddy

Thankful and Poetic Thursday

Happy Thursday……….well, I hope it’s a happy one anyway.  I know right now a lot of us are worried and wondering what will be next in this world that has changed significantly for us in the last few weeks but I believe like many people that there is a light at the end of this tunnel.    We just need to follow the guidance, stay safe, try to stay healthy, and hope for the best.    Hope.    Got it?   Good!     As for being THANKFUL, we are thankful at my house that right now we’re all healthy.    We’re following guidelines and Mom and Dad are only leaving the house for ESSENTIAL purposes.    I’m leaving the house just about whenever I want to because my Mom and Dad are taking me outside so ALL of us can get some fresh air from time to time!   Please everyone, follow the instructions we’re being given because if we do, we’ll get rid of this awful illness FASTER and hopefully FOREVER.

Now – what else am I thankful for?   I’m thankful that from his cloud at the Rainbow Bridge, Angel Sammy sent me his weekly poem…………and his invitation for you to join him in writing a poem every week based on the photos he gives you for inspiration.    Here’s this week’s email/poem:

♥♥♥

Poetry Time!

It’s Thursday again and time for us to share poetry.    You know the deal – I give you a photo one week and the next week you share with us the poem you wrote based on the photo.    Easy right?   Well, it really is easy because writing a poem is NOT hard to do.   Give it a try – you’ll see what I mean.     A lot of you have humans who are having to stay home because of the virus and work restrictions so tell them to consider writing a poem as something NEW to do.    

Here’s the photo from last week and my poem to go with it – if you wrote one, let us know in comments and give us your link – we’ll visit!!

“Best Buddies”

Poem by Angel Sammy Kimmell          ©March 25, 2020

 

Nothing’s as precious as having a best friend

The one you can trust until the bitter end

When everyone else lets one of us down

We can count on each other to stick around!

Down life’s road we’ll travel together

Sunshine, wind, or stormy weather

Brothers and pals we’ll always be

‘Til death do us part and our souls fly free………

 

We all need a best friend…………my best friends when I was alive were my Mom and Dad.    The odd stray cat would come in and out of our lives through the 17 years I was alive, and I always made friends with them, but I have to say I kind of wished that I’d had a playmate when I was growing up.   Mom would have happily adopted TWO kitties back when my parents got me from the shelter but Dad said “only one”.     I didn’t mind being the “only”…….but it might have been fun to have someone to chase, sleep with, get into trouble with (!), and get comfort from.   Don’t get me wrong – my Mom and Dad were the BEST and I loved them fiercely like they loved me……but a kitty buddy would have been different.    Anyway, when my Dad recently lost his twin brother it got me to thinking how wonderful it would have been to grow up with another cat in the house like my Dad and his brother grew up together and stayed each others’ best buddy for 75 years and that’s where I got the idea for my poem this week.

Would you like to see next week’s photo?

You have a whole week to come up with a poem to go with this photo.   Can you do it?   You certainly can!    We’ll share poems next week OK?    Meanwhile, please do your best to stay healthy and even though it’s tough times for some of you right now – do what’s best for you AND those around you.    Sometimes a smile is the very best medicine.

I am the Angel Poet in the green beret…..and I hope you join me for POETIC FUN each week!

Love, Angel Sammy

♥♥♥

Thank you Angel Sammy…………..know what?   I wish we’d had some time together too before you left for the Bridge…………..and I think Mom and Dad would have enjoyed the two of us playing together and having fun.    Sending you hugs Angel brother………………….

Hugs, Teddy

 

 

SPARK and Reminder on Monday

Monday is here again………………..and it’s time to SHARE A SPARK.  What exactly IS this Monday SPARK thing we do?   Well, most of you know that Annie of McGuffy’s Reader – who started SPARKS – was hacked and has been on an extended break from blogging although her idea to spread some inspiration on Monday of every week goes on.   Many of us who participated in her SPARKS Blog Hop and found value in sharing a thought on Monday continue doing that to hopefully give each other a “Monday boost” – perhaps something to think about to inspire us in the week ahead OR help us deal with something that’s on our mind.    Why not join us by sharing something that SPARKS you?   It might just start a spark in us too.

I must have looked through hundreds of “SPARK” possibilities for today but when I saw this one for the fourth or fifth time everywhere I looked, I realized it was meant for me to choose it to share on SPARK Monday.     The more I read it over and over the more I realized it was IMPORTANT.    So I’m sharing!!

These are strange times for everyone – isolating, changing life patterns even if temporarily, living with just a little bit of “niggling fear” that you might get sick……………but remembering that throughout time there have been good times followed by bad and bad times followed by good times which REALLY makes you realize life is a series of UPS and DOWNS……….LIGHTS and DARKS.     We will get our light back – I really do believe that!!

Hugs, Pam

As usual Teddy asked that I remind his Teaser class that they are expected to be in class no matter what tomorrow.   He said they will have desks a suitable and safe distance from each other and there will be ample supplies of hand and paw sanitizer available.  Class will begin at a SECRET time so watch your inbox!    

Sunday Selfie Hop

Hi Friends!    Happy Sunday.    Looks like it’s time for us to join in the Sunday fun by showing a photo of us at our best (or worst) in this Hop hosted by our buddies at The Cat On My Head.    If you click the badge above you can join in the fun.

I am doing a FLASHBACK Selfie today because Mom failed to capture any photos of me this week.   Not that I didn’t give her plenty of opportunity – just she was distracted with things like searching for toilet paper in the grocery stores around here and photographing ME – her only son – apparently didn’t rate the same attention as toilet paper did.  Oh well.   Sigh.

What I did though was go back in time to this same week to see what photo she MIGHT have taken of me either one or two years ago.    Let’s see what we can find shall we??

How about this little gem?    This was from March 16, 2017 which was just over a month after I was adopted.    I apparently was so exhausted from playing like a crazy kitten that I didn’t even make it into my cube before I passed out.   Well I’ve always been a good napper – this is proof that I was right from the start!    Even just seeing half of me I think I look like a skinny kitten compared to my generous proportions three years later.

Let’s see how this looks with a little ART effect added……………………..

Mom used Lunapic.com and discovered this effect at the bottom of the ART EFFECTS page – there were some styles of several famous artists available there including this one which is called the “FRIDA EFFECT” – if you aren’t familiar with Frida she is a brilliant artist.   Mom toned this down a little but the textures are very cool aren’t they?    Did we make a puzzle?  OF COURSE WE DID!!!!!!

 

Click the mini-me for the puzzle……..and GOOD LUCK!

Just in case you’re wondering – this photo is from the same day and Mom took it from the top hole looking down on me – looks like I finally made it INSIDE the cube after all!

Happy Sunday 

Hugs, Teddy

SPARK and Reminder

Monday is here again………………..and it’s time to SHARE A SPARK.  What exactly IS this Monday SPARK thing we do?   Well, most of you know that Annie of McGuffy’s Reader – who started SPARKS – was hacked and has been on an extended break from blogging although her idea to spread some inspiration on Monday of every week goes on.   Many of us who participated in her SPARKS Blog Hop and found value in sharing a thought on Monday continue doing that to hopefully give each other a “Monday boost” – perhaps something to think about to inspire us in the week ahead OR help us deal with something that’s on our mind.    Why not join us by sharing something that SPARKS you?   It might just start a spark in us too.

In these rather uncertain and crazy times with people stockpiling food and supplies thinking things are out of control – it’s important to remember to hang on to as much positivity as you can find around you.    It’s there if you look for it.   Neighbors helping neighbors or even strangers is one thing I’ve seen personally and it reminds me there is a lot of GOOD in our world.   It’s just a little worrisome for us right now……………..this SPARK was the one that I felt expressed how I personally feel.    I hope and pray that all of you stay healthy and that we all get through this together.

Maybe it seems a little too simple to be true but I do have faith………….things WILL get better.    I’m sure of it.

Hugs, Pam

Teaser Tuesday fans don’t forget tomorrow is THE DAY for class…..surprise time…..mystery photo for you to identify where it was taken……the usual crazy fun with Professor Angel Sammy and Professor Teddy.    Don’t forget!!

Sunday Selfie Hop

HAPPY SUNDAY!    Time to do a selfie for the Hop sponsored and hosted by our buddies at The Cat On My Head.    If you’d like to join in – click the badge above, find the LINKY FORM and fill it out.   Easy Peasy!

Today I actually have a NEW photo Mom took of me.   In fact she took it YESTERDAY after she so rudely awakened me from a wonderful nap on the guest room bed.   She didn’t INTEND to wake me up but tripping over the area rug MIGHT have caused me to hear her sneaking up on me with the flashy box…………….

Can you tell I’m a little UPSET?????

Well gosh – a guy ought to be able to have a peaceful nap on a Saturday afternoon am I right?   As soon as she left the room I went right back to sleep.  I hope she’s happy.  I was having a super good dream too!

Mom jazzed up the photo a bit and made a puzzle for you puzzlers…………………..

So this was another Lunapic creation but Mom did NOT use a particular “named” filter…….Under the “ART” tab at the top you will see down at the bottom of the list of filters something called “USE YOUR OWN STYLE” and she clicked on it and chose one of the example styles – no name – but didn’t it turn out cool????   Even I approve of this one.    Here’s the puzzle – just click the “mini-me” picture and GOOD LUCK!

Click ME!

That wraps up our Hop post for this week.   Thanks to The Cat On My Head for this selfie opportunity every week.   YOU ROCK!

 

She’s always waking me up from a nap for a photo!

 

Hugs, Teddy

Thankful and Poetic Thursday

Thursday already?   Well that just shows you that it’s true that TIME FLIES.    Seems like yesterday we were here being thankful and poetic together doesn’t it.    I guess I’m thankful today that we’re starting to see signs of Spring.   Buds on trees mostly and Mom says she sees some buds on the azaleas getting ready to pop.    The bradford pears along the driveway will soon flower and that means “white rain” – we have HUGE trees and when they flower all those white petals are like snow – they cover the driveway from top to bottom and we have a 500+ foot driveway!    The grass is starting to grow so when I’m outside “grazing” I finally have a bit of taller green stuff to munch.    So all in all – I’m a happy boy and THANKFUL for Spring.

We’re also thankful Angel Sammy’s poem arrived in time to share with you………………..here’s his EMAIL from the Rainbow Bridge.

♥ ♥ ♥

 

Hello Fellow Poets!   Time to “get poetic” !

Thursday’s back and so am I.    It’s time to share some poetry based on the photo I gave you last week to THINK about.    It’s a lot of fun to allow a photo to inspire us isn’t it?    It’s also nice that there are so many poetic forms you can use……….rhyming or non-rhyming…..short or long or in between.    It’s up to you to write what you FEEL when you see the photo.

Here’s the photo I gave you for today followed by my poetic effort …………….

“Adventure Awaits”

Poem by Angel Sammy Kimmell      ©March 11, 2020

Granny said I could go through the door

I was old enough now and I need wait no more

I wondered what treasures had been kept from me

I’d been held captive and was about to be free!

Closed garden doors I just knew held some magic

To be kept from exploring was – for me – quite tragic

So today was the day I was permitted this pleasure

Behind the old door was bound to be treasure

Granny unlocked the door with a huge golden key

It creaked open so slowly and quite noisily

“From now on my boy, all the choices you make

Will depend on the choice of which path you will take”

Before me were ancient trees as high as the sky

Several paths into the woods ahead did I spy

“You may choose an easy path to a future that is bright

Or a path blocked with walls that is dark as the night

Some paths have dead ends and you must start all over

One might lead you to a field full of lucky clover

The path will take you to your future so choose wisely my son

You’ll return to this door when your life’s adventure is done.”

The door shut, I took a breath, and I decided which path I’d choose

As long as I believed in myself – I knew I could NOT lose.

 

Wow – that was a  longer than usual poem but I needed it to be to get where I wanted to go with it.    I also wanted to tell you about a favorite painting my Mom used to do when she used to paint and draw some years ago.    The painting was just a little one – sometimes just a 5×7″ pen and ink with watercolor…….and she would paint one for a friend who was maybe going through a tough time, or worried about something, or unsure of the future – it was just a friendship gesture and each was slightly different but were JUST LIKE the artwork for the poem today – a door on a wall with vines around it.   Nothing more……..just a door.     With each door she painted and sent was this rhyme (which she still keeps as a memento of her poetry days):

“This door is just a symbol
Of what? Well you decide…
A door to the past or future
Or to a place to hide?
Or to a land unknown as yet
Adventure beyond the wall…
Or just a quiet place to sit
And forget about it all.
I’m giving you this door today
Because you are my friend
Remember life is full of doors
To explore until life’s end.”

The door painting we chose last week for inspiration for you was amazingly like the doors she used to paint for her friends………………….so much so that it was quite strange for her to see it.    Remember life is full of doors for all of us.    Our choice of doors can lead us ANYWHERE.    Life is an adventure.

Now here’s your photo for NEXT week!

I love this photo……………. I think a lot of people would like to be isolated on a sunny beach right about now……………………..to me it looks like one great big litterbox!    Also at the Rainbow Bridge it is sunny all the time!   Lucky us!

Have a good week poets – we’ll share next week OK?

I am the Angel Poet in the green beret…..and I hope you join me for POETIC FUN each week!

Love, Angel Sammy

♥ ♥ ♥ 

Thanks Angel Sammy………………….I’ll look forward to hearing from you again next week…………………….sending you hugs………………..

 

Happy Thursday……….Hugs, Teddy