Wordless Wednesday: My Nose Was Cold

 

When I'm 34 #MewsicMovesMe

The theme of this week's Mewsic Moves Me blog hop is "build a playlist of songs from your 34th birthday". I turned 34 in 2011, and not being a fan of today's country music I didn't have my hopes up that I would find many songs I would be excited to share. After checking out the music charts from 2011 I was surprised by how many I remember really loving from that year!

Have to start with this one because Conway & Loretta are mentioned!!! 

Conway is shown on the big screen in the background a couple times!

Love, love, love this song...

This one makes me cry every single time I hear it...

I adore Toby - have been so fortunate to see him in concert 4 times - and was heartbroken to hear he's had to cancel his 2022 tour while undergoing treatment for stomach cancer.

A couple more goodies...

We hope you enjoyed our choices this week!

Let us know if you have a favorite...

Glaring #SundaySelfie

Uh oh...some tortie woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning!!!

We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

My Furry Work of Art #CaturdayArt

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

Mommy's answers:

1. The grossest food I ever ate was blood sausage.

2. The best tasting food I ever had was Lindt truffles. My faves!

Mudpie's answers:

3. I should probably do something besides sunbathe today, but I won't.

4. If I could have an unlimited supply of one item, I would pick squeezies. Surprise!

Forgetful Mommy #PetPhotoFails

Meows from Mudpie!

Thank you for joining us for this month's edition of the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop!

This time around I have a great big Mommy FAIL for you...

Last month Ann from the Zoolatry blog, and graphic designer for The Cat Blogosphere, emailed us to ask permission to use my image in a special graphic for National Selfie Day on June 21. We were super excited and honored and couldn't say yes fast enough.

June 21st was Tuesday. Did we post an extra selfie that day? Nope. Did we post the graphic? Nope again.

Mommy's scrambled brain forgot all about it until she saw my precious little face on many of our friends' blogs on Tuesday.

Today is also Cat World Domination Day, a day for us kitties to celebrate our world domination! Sometimes I feel like I'm falling short at dominating my little corner of the world though when I can't even keep my lone staff member in line no matter how much I pay her. (No money changes paws - I pay her in kisses and cuddles.)

That's Mommy's fail for this month...let's see yours!

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Unboxing June's CatLadyBox

 The theme of June's CatLadyBox was Kitty Purradise...here's what was inside!

Featured Cat Lady Artist: Natsa

Island Cats Tank Top: I typically wear tank tops over a longer sleeve shirt. I'm crazy about the dreamy design on this one! 

Neon Meow Sign: I've been SO excited about this since the sneak peek was posted on FB last month. I'm looking for the purrfect spot to hang it in my bedroom. Plus it's PINK!!! 

Silicone Paw Ice Cube Tray: I've become obsessed with lemonade this summer and now paw-shaped ice cubes will be going in every glass.

Ice Cream Cone & Timmy the Turtle Catnip Toy: The cute designs of a cat toy are much more important to cat moms than cats. All they care about is that a toy is fun! Timmy is just too adorable for words, and the ice cream cone is extra special to our little family because Mudpie's grandpa drove an ice cream truck for most of his life.

Not a subscriber yet? Visit CatLadyBox today!

Interested in purchasing individual items from past boxes? You can do that too!

Disclosure: I receive a discount on my CatLadyBox subscription as a thank you for my monthly review. Regardless of compensation received, we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers.

2 AM #SundaySelfie

Meows from Mudpie! 

Wishing a Happy Father's Day to all the pawsome cat dads out there...especially my grandpa!

Today's selfie was taken last night at 2AM. Mommy couldn't sleep and was decompressing with loads of Mudpie and Conway therapy after a really rough week. I was tired but stayed awake to lend moral support.

It's a tough job but some tortie's gotta do it... 

We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Caturday Art

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

Mudpie's answers:

1. A product I would endorse is squeezies. Did you think I would answer anything else???

2. If I had a boat, I would name it Tortilicious.

Mommy's answers:

3. Choosing and adopting my first cat all by myself was one of the first times I truly felt like a responsible adult.

4. I struggle with change most especially when it relates to work. I hate change in general though, and the past two years have been nothing but change in my life (completely unrelated to COVID).

How Is That Comfy, Mudpie? #FelineFriday

 

Feline Friday is simple to join. All you have to do is:

Post a picture, drawing, cartoon or video of a cat (They may be silly or cute).

The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady by Debbie De Louise - Blog Tour with Guest Post and Giveaway

Cathy Carter and her brother Douglas own a pet cemetery and animal rescue center in the small, upstate New York town of Buttercup Bend.

After the local “Cat Crazy Lady,” Maggie Broom, is found dead in her home, Cathy is stunned to learn that Rainbow Gardens and Rainbow Rescues is the recipient of most of Maggie’s estate.

Maggie’s estranged brother and sister come to town and are upset with the terms of their sister's will. Sheriff Leroy Miller is convinced one of them killed Maggie.

When another person turns up dead, Cathy sets out to solve the murders with her reporter friend, Nancy Meyers. But who really wanted to kill the "Cat Crazy Lady," and why?

About the Author:

Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, the Long Island Authors Group, and the Cat Writers’ Association. Her novels include the five books and four stories of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series, a comedy novella, When Jack Trumps Ace, a paranormal romance, Cloudy Rainbow, and the standalone mysteries; Reason to Die, Sea Scope, and Memory Makers. Debbie has also written a time-travel novel, Time’s Relative, and a non-fiction cat book, Pet Posts: The Cat Chats, written from the points of view of four of her cats and has also published articles in online and print pet magazines including Catster.com. Her latest book, Meows and Purrs, is a poetry collection of cat poems that includes photos and notes about her cats.

Debbie’s stories and poetry appear in the Red Penguin Collections, What Lies Beyond, ‘Tis the Season, Stand Out, Volumes I and II, Until Dawn, Treat or Trick, and Pets on the Prowl. Her poems are also featured in the Nassau County Voices In Verse 2020 anthology and the 2020 and 2021 Bards Annual. She lives on Long Island with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

Author Links:

Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2bIHdaQ

All Author: https://allauthor.com/author/debbiedelouise/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbie_writer/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiedelouise/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debbie-de-louise

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/debbiedelouise

Debbie’s Character’s Chat Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469/

Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog: https://Sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com

The Pets in The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady

In the first book of my Buttercup Bend mysteries, Cathy Carter and her brother Doug own a pet cemetery and rescue center. There are several pets who play big roles in the story. Cathy’s Siamese, Oliver, has the most parts. He is based on my cat, Oliver, who passed away from kidney disease during the writing of the book. Many of the fictional Oliver’s characteristics are based on my Oliver. For instance, he loved splashing in his water fountain and sleeping on my bed.

 

As Oliver ate noisily, slurping up the food and then dipping his paws in his fountain and splashing some of it over the floor, Florence came into the house. She was already dressed. She jumped at the sight of Cathy sitting at the kitchen table. “Oh, you gave me a scare, dear. I was checking on the pets at Rainbow Rescues. It’s important that Becky gets her sleep now, and it’s hard to get a volunteer over there so early.”

“Oliver woke me. He was looking for his breakfast.” “Sorry. I would’ve fed him, but he was still in your room when I left.”

 

Another cat featured in the book is Hobo, an orange tabby, who Cathy’s friend, Nancy adopts from Rainbow Rescues after he shows signs of depression from not having a home. Nancy had lost a previous cat that had been buried in Rainbow Gardens and was reluctant to take another. But when she adopts Hobo, the two of them bond immediately.

 

Even though most of the pets that were brought to the Rainbow Rescues were nameless, the staff gave them temporary names. Hobo was one of their oldest residents in the cat section of the center. Cathy found him five years ago when Rainbow Rescues first opened. He came crying to her grand‐ mother’s door, a starving orange kitten with matted fur and big green eyes. She named him Hobo because he was dirty and seemed to have traveled from a distance. They went through the normal procedures to find his owner, placing his photo in the Buttercup Bugle and on telephone poles around town asking if anyone had lost him and including the phone number of the rescue center. When he wasn’t claimed, they made him an official resident of Rainbow Rescues.

 The three other cats who were present when he arrived were all adopted within a few weeks after he came. Cathy tried to convince Florence to take Hobo, but her cat Floppy was receiving twice daily insulin injections for diabetes. Florence felt adding another cat to their household would be too much work. Cathy still regretted not taking Hobo after Floppy passed away, but she’d promised Oliver’s owner on her deathbed that her old cat would have a home with her and Florence. Then several other cats were admitted to Rainbow Rescues, and Cathy believed Hobo was adapting well. He became a favorite among Becky and the volunteers who cleaned the cages and changed the litter pans and food.

 

Deputy sheriff, Brian, is another big pet lover. Not only does he care for Maggie’s cats after she’s murdered, but he has several pets of his own. One of them, a female named Boots, dies, and Cathy and her grandmother plan a memorial for her. The poem that Brian recites at the service is one that I wrote about Oliver when he died. I just substituted Boots’ Name.

 

There’s a spot next to my pillow that's bare.

Boots always used to sleep there.

She loved me to stroke her chest. Of all my cats, she was one of the best.

She was a pretty tuxedo cat. There was no doubt about that.

Although I only had her four years, I can’t help shedding so many tears.

But she is out of pain now on Rainbow Bridge waiting for me with my other special cats who one day I’ll see.

 

There aren’t only cats in the book. Max and Mille are German shepherds who belong to Cathy’s brother, Doug, and his wife Becky. There’s a scene where Cathy encounters Becky walking them and is amazed that her small, very pregnant sister-in-law can handle the big dogs.

 

As she turned down her block, Cathy ran into Becky walking her German shepherds, Max and Millie. The dogs were brother and sister rescues that Becky and Doug adopted as puppies five years ago when Rainbow Rescues opened. Cathy found it amazing how petite and very pregnant Becky could handle the pair, but Doug had trained the dogs well. They walked on either side of her without pulling their leashes.

“Hi, Becky. Would you like me to give you a hand with the dogs?” Cathy offered. Max and Millie weighed about eighty pounds each and, although gentle, they were still a handful for a pregnant woman.

Becky shook her head. “No, thank you, Cathy. I’m ne. It’s a lovely day, and I can use the exercise. It’s good for the baby.” She patted her stomach, gave the dogs’ leashes another tug, and smiled at her as she continued down the path.

Most of my other books include pets, especially cats because I’m so fond of them. However, because of the cemetery and rescue center, the Buttercup Bend mysteries will feature more than their share of animals. In fact, the next in the series, The Case of the Parrot-Loving Professor, that I’m currently working on, will feature a Charlie, the parrot.

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She's the Boss #SundaySelfie

Yes, Mommy. I know I'm looking especially beautiful this morning. 

I'd like to be left alone now to enjoy my sunny door. Please and thank you. 

We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Vintage Purple #CaturdayArt

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers (all answered by Mommy this week) for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

1. If my life could have a rewind or pause button, I would choose rewind, without question. I would never want to press pause and be stuck with how things are right now (except for Mudpie), but would give anything to go back to a simpler, less stressful time.

2. I think a reality show about therapy cats would be interesting.

3. If my life had a soundtrack, it would include Life Turned Her That Way. It's a country song that my mom has always said was "her song" and I've come to understand exactly what she means.

4. My personal style could best be described as very casual.

Feline Friday Flashback: Truffles' Makeshift Bed

Mommy here!

Whenever we go searching through the archives for a flashback post, I'm amazed (and saddened) by how many precious moments I've completely forgotten about.

 

After just posting on Wednesday about Mudpie's beloved brown crinkle paper, I stumbled on this picture of Angel Truffles. What I love the most about it is the way she had tipped the box over and made a bed out of the packing paper inside, perfectly shaped to fit her size. 

She was such a sweet, special girl.

Feline Friday is simple to join. All you have to do is:

Post a picture, drawing, cartoon or video of a cat (They may be silly or cute).

Another New 'Puter

Meows from Mudpie!

Last week the FedEx man delivered a ginormous 30 pound box to our door. I know what you're thinking...that it was probably filled with Conway collectibles.

If only! Nope, it was packed with Mommy's new computer equipment for work. While she was busy putting everything together I snoopervised from the safety and comfort of the pawsome brown crinkle paper the box was stuffed with. It was exhausting work!

Has anyone ever noticed how short my tail is???

Mommy told me it's looking very likely the entire contents of the box will be getting returned sooner rather than later, but they're not getting my crinkle paper back!

June Retro Country Rewind #MewsicMovesMe

It's been a few years since we premiered our mewsic feature "Retro Country Rewind," a look back at favorite songs that hit #1 during that month from 30, 35, 40 plus years ago. In this new year we'll be delving into #1 hits from 1972, 1977, 1982, and so on. Let's take a look at June for this freebie week in the Mewsic Moves Me blog hop...

40 Years Ago - 1982, Slow Hand, Conway Twitty

40 Years Ago - 1982, Finally, T.G. Sheppard

40 Years Ago - 1982, For All the Wrong Reasons, The Bellamy Brothers

35 Years Ago - 1987, I Will Be There, Dan Seals

50 Years Ago - 1967, The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA, Donna Fargo

We hope you enjoyed our choices this week!

Let us know if you have a favorite.

Waiting For Someone To Play With Me #SundaySelfie

I'm a sad Mudpie.

Mommy is super busy with work and I'm feeling very neglected.

Maybe she's right and I need a friend.

Anyone wanna come over and play with me?

 We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Mudpie On A Scroll #CaturdayArt

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers (all answered by Mommy this week) for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

1. Did you know tomorrow is the 29th anniversary of Conway's passing? It doesn't even seem possible it's been that long. I still remember that day as clearly as though it were yesterday.

2. My plans for June include surviving stressful changes at work and that is all. It's not going well and I'm starting to think I would be better off moving on, although I'm pretty much stuck right now.

3. When I need to cheer myself up, I cuddle with Mudpie. Other options include listening to music and online shopping.

4. I could teach an entire course on multitasking. I'm never doing only one thing at a time.

Feline Friday Flashback: Not Even a Taste

Meows from Mudpie!

Now that Mommy hardly ever leaves the house (MOL) she likely won't be getting her free donut this year at Dunkin' Donuts for National Donut Day.

Mommy's favorite memory of this day came eight years ago when Angel Truffles was quite perturbed to sneak a peek inside the bag to find that not even a taste of custard had been left for her from the Boston cream donut.

Her look of disgust said it all...Shame on you, Mommy.

Now that I think about it...I've never been offered a taste of custard (or donut) either! I might not like it, but how will I know for sure if I'm never asked? Does it come in squeezie flavor???

Feline Friday is simple to join. All you have to do is:

Post a picture, drawing, cartoon or video of a cat (They may be silly or cute).

Mudpie Takes Action

Meows from Mudpie!

It may be obvious from the photos we post this time of year that my favorite place to hang out during the summer is in the back hallway where the sun pours in on me. About the only time I leave my "apartment" is to eat, drink, and potty. 

Yep...much to Mommy's chagrin, I am a sun goddess.

Of course the sun pouring in also cranks up the heat in the house so Mommy attempts to keep the door pushed together as much as possible.

Do I let that stop me? Nope! I am a woman of action and when I want the door open wider I do something about it!

Mommy was so excited to get this video on Monday morning. Last summer she once saw me pawing at the bottom of the door to pull it open wider, then hopping up as you see here. She often had her camera at the ready when she was in the kitchen, hoping I would do it again, which is how she ended up catching this...