Limerick

World Limerick Day is celebrated on May 12th, as it marks the birthday of Edward Lear, born on May 12, 1812. 

Lear is widely considered the father of the modern limerick, thanks to his enormously popular Book of Nonsense, published in 1846.

Tried to write my own limerick but failed miserably, so here are a few I found online:

~~~

My dear little tabby named Tippy,

Found a box that was just itty bitty,

She knew she could fit

And determined to sit,

Her success was exceedingly iffy.

By Catherine MacLeod

 By I iz cat

By Edward Lear

Am visiting my dear friend Erica in Courtenay, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Ocean views, mountains, scenic vistas at every turn, and a special little lady:

Sweet Pea!

The Hubby is taking excellent care of Da Boyz and Henry.

Thanksgiving Peoples' Curiosity?

Today, 9 October is:

Indigenous Peoples' Day or Columbus Day

Curious Events Day

Canadian Thanksgiving Day

Happy Thanksgiving!

cu·ri·ous/kyo͝orēəs/

adjective

1. eager to know or learn something.

"I began to be curious about the whereabouts of the bride and groom"

2. strange; unusual.

"a curious sensation overwhelmed her"

I'm curious about Sasquatch!

*rim shot*

😹😹😹

Smoky

Michigan, our fair state, has been a target for the Canadian wildfires smoke.

N95 Mask

App showing what to expect in air quality

Heeding warnings to stay inside, I've been enjoying some extra 'quality' time, with the cats.

Chili Bruce's tailio

Sweetie's bum

More Sweetie bum!

We are all very upset by the toll the fires are taking on the forests, wildlife, property, and humans.

Let's hope there is a solution soon.

Let's Hop!

Click on the badge above to visit Brian's Home!

Celebrating Eric

Today is Eric's Gotchaversary; he was adopted on 6 January, 2005.

His birthday is 6 June, 2002.

Eric is 20-1/2 years old.

Eric lives with my dear friend in British Columbia, Canada.

When on the phone together, Eric always makes his presence known (as does Sweetie on my end!), and I've had many delightful conversations with this darling oldster, like this:

Eric: "Meerow!"

Me: "Hiya, handsome!"

Eric: "Meerow!"

Me: "Aww, such a good boy."

Eric: "Meerow!"

Me: "I agree with you, Eric."

❤️Happy Gotchaversary, Eric❤️

The world is a better place, with our Doopy in it.

At The Park

It's Caturday!

The Hubby and I ventured out to the nearby park a few times recently.

I'm a Pisces, and being around water revives my energy.

Lake St. Clair Metropark is only 15 minutes from home.

There is the lake, wonderful walks through the woods and marshes, and we often can see downtown Detroit and the Canadian shore.

Click on the map above to visit the Lake St. Clair Metropark website.

Should any of you come to visit us, we'll make sure to visit this lovely park!

The image of the lily pads, now artified with Prisma, was taken as we rambled along.

I've been to several bird lectures at the park Nature Center, for owl and migrating bird knowledge, plus the native plants that are everywhere.

In addition, there are delightful displays of local turtle, snake, frog, and fish species, and every employee is friendly, helpful, and dedicated to teaching humans about the park's ecosystem.

Artified Lily Pond
Click on the image above to enjoy a jigsaw puzzle.

Let's Hop!

Click on the badge above to visit Athena Cat Goddess!

Postcard: Bastet

A postcard from my recent visit to the University of Chicago, Illinois.

Day 5: Bastet, Ancient Egypt Goddess

From the placard at The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois:

"This village shrine honors a kindly cat-goddess, called Bastet.

Much-loved for her nature - strong, fertile and agile as a cat - the goddess Bastet also represents the warm, life-giving sun.  

Religious processions (and wild celebrations) marked Bastest's feast days on the 29th day of the fifth month and the fourth and fifth days of the eighth month.  

Priests took her image from the shrine and carried it through the streets and down the river for all to see.  

In the New Kingdom Period, Ramesses IV decreed no lion hunting could take place on her days."

***

Today, let's celebrate Canada Day

A recognition of the early stages of Canadian unification.

Formerly called Dominion Day, the change to Canada Day occurred in 1982.

For me personally, Canada has been a very, very good friend.

From taking in stranded travelers on 9/11/01, to recently offering a hand of welcome to immigrants and women seeking medical assistance, Canadian sensibilities and caring ways are deeply appreciated.

Well, except for Canada Geese, which are the nastiest quackers...😹

Image from Meanwhile in Canada FB feed

Let's Honor Veterans

Click on the badge above to visit Zoolatry, who created it.

 Thank you, Veterans.

Click on the badge above to visit Brian's Home Blog.

Farewell, Cole

 Cole and Marmalade Website

Cole and Marmalade on Facebook

Cole and Marmalade on Instagram

Cole and Marmalade Youtube Channel

Image from Facebook
Cole in the arms of Cat Man Chris Poole

Cole

3/1/12 - 10/10/21

It is sad when a loved one leaves Earth, but even more so when that loved one is known the world over.

Chris Poole is a huge advocate of fostering and TNR, and practises what he preaches.

Condolences to the Poole family during this devastating time.

We'll all miss you, Angel Cole.

💔💔💔

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving to Canada, our neighbor's to the North!

🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

Farewell, Grandpa Mason

Grandpa Mason and His Kittens

Grandpa Mason’s Story

"In October 2016 we trapped an injured feral cat named Mason.  

A surprise diagnosis of advanced terminal kidney disease meant we couldn’t return this fierce warrior to his home in the wild due to daily medical and feeding regimens with a special diet.

Mason’s many scars told us how hard he had fought to survive this long.  So, instead of euthanasia, we felt Mason deserved a chance to experience comfort and freedom from pain in his sunset months.  We didn’t know if he could accept life in captivity, but we needed to try.  

Mason adjusted better than we were expecting, although he doesn’t want Humans to touch him.  That was the best we thought it could get for him, and he seemed quite content.  

What happened next shocked us.

He met some rescue kittens one day, and his life suddenly was complete.  He had a purpose again, and every day since he met his first litter, we have seen a carefree kittenhood emerge that he clearly never had a chance to experience growing up feral.  

He adores his kittens, and teaches them manners, lets them “comfort nurse”, and chases them around the house with great glee.  We’ve never seen anything like it, and we will try to keep him surrounded by kittens as much as possible.    

What he taught us in the last year has been shocking and remarkable. This “lost cause” “worthless” old feral cat has enriched our lives in ways we could never have imagined. Follow his adventures at Grandpa Mason and his kittens.

We don’t know how many days he has left, but we know each one will be filled with happiness, comfort, adventure, love -- on his terms -- and the dignity every living creature deserves after a life well lived."

Yesterday, Grandpa Mason was helped into his angel wings, surrounded by love and kittens.  A unique story; a unique cat.  Rest In Peace, Angel Mason...you were the embodiment of love.

Grandpa Mason and a kitten
Image from Grandpa Mason and his kittens FB site

Tiny Kittens Rescue is in British Columbia, Canada.

"The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland"

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland
Jim DeFede, Author
HarperCollins/Regan, publisher
ISBN 978-0-06-051360-3


When the US airspace was shut down, the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland (pop. near 10,000) welcomed thirty-eight jetliners, their passengers and crews, which totalled over 6,500.  The residents opened their homes, their pantries, and their hearts.  Schools were used for staging areas and for respite for the travelers.  The animals in the holds were cared for by veterinarians and staff. 

For an entire week.

9/11/01 was a horrific date for not only Americans but for the entire world, and the Gander population showed their true colors by being kind, giving solace, and befriending all.

I cannot recommend this book enough.  It's written in an easy, readable style, and as one relives that date in our memories, this story about Gander will ease your heart.  Gander wasn't the only location that aided stranded travelers during this unfortunate time, yet this book makes one glad to know that Canada has always been a friend to America.  Always.  And in a heartbeat.

***

We will never forget

 ***

Happy and Sad

Happy Canada Day!

The Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867

Happy 152nd Birthday, to our neighbours to the North!

***

Angel Binga from SparkleCat Featuring Summer left for The Rainbow Bridge late last week, and we are so sad.  Please stop by and offer your condolences.

That a beautiful kitty she was, and she had lots of tortitude!
Binga, from 2016
Image used with permission

💔😿💔

Thank You

From Goose's family:

"Thanks everyone for the kind words. 

Goose is missed terribly, but we are glad at least he is no longer in pain. 

We just can't believe he had so little time."

 

From Eastside Cats:

The Cat Blogosphere was amazing with words of sympathy and

empathy for this heart-broken family.

Thank YOU from the bottom of my heart for showing

how much you care.

Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians today

and

Healing and Hope for those who were hit by the storm

As Winter Continues

Before the hubby and I went out for a drive this morning, I got a few pics of Chuck and Angel, each enjoying their fur-covered sleeping spots.

Chucky

Angel

Then, when we were driving in Grosse Pointe, the sun peaked out of the gloom a little bit, and the amazing blue ice on Lake St. Clair looked almost lovely.  You cannot see Canada in these photos, but it's out there, beyond the horizon.