Caturday Cat Art

Mom's phone made this collage of our photos.  We think it's fun, but we wish Noelle were in it more.  She's hidden in one photo. Can you guess which one?

 We're joining Athena's Caturday Art Blog Hop

See more Caturday Cat Art HERE.

Friendly Fill-ins and Pet Photo Fails

 We're pawticipating in Friendly Fill-ins sponsored by Four Legged Furballs and 15 and Meowing.

We took turns.  Mom, all of us, Periwinkle and Reesie.

1. _Facebook____ is my biggest time waste.

2. I am allergic to _nothing (fortunately!)_____.

3. Planning Adventures with Stinky___ heavily influences my thoughts__.

4. I like to DIY _my fabulous floof!___.

We're also participating in Pet Photo Fails hosted by Mudpie from Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries and Meows!

 

This would have been cute if it weren't so fuzzy and if the girlz had been facing the camera.  We think Noelle looks a little purrturbed!

Poetic Thankful Thursday

 Today is Poetic Thursday hosted by our pals Teddy and Angel Sammy at Two Spoiled Cats

Today's photo prompt is

Hello Again

I look in the mirror, and what do I see

Someone who used to be me.

A quiet smile and soft hello

A face I remember from long ago.

Today is also Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
                                   

We are THANKFUL Snow-mageddon is GONE for our pals.  Periwinkle and Stinky are THANKFUL for all who visited and commented on their Adventure this week.

Wordy Wednesday - Answers

1. Why can’t we explore the Outside Zone? We’ve done the research, and it looks VERY sniffable and has in-purrson BirdTV  You do NOT want to go outside.  There are too many bad things that can happen to you plus, you will get lost and never be able to enjoy your nice house, toys and CHURUS!

2. Why can’t we redecorate the Couch with our Claw Art? It adds texture and emotional depth  Well, you already tried which is why I had to buy vertical scratchers to put on the sides.

3. What’s the deal with the Forbidden Counter? It has HEIGHT and therefore belongs to cats. Um, you DO go on the counters (yes, I know you do when I'm not looking)

4. Why don’t you adore the fine gifts we deliver? Lizard+ carpet fluff = masterpiece. ICK

5. Excuse us — is it Feeding Time now? Or five minutes from now? Or BOTH? MOL you KNOW breakfast is at 8:30 am and dinner varies.

6. How do humans operate with zero naps? That's not natural! I agree with you on this one.

7. Must you capture our every move with the Flash Machine? We’d never photograph YOU on the porcelain litterbox! (But we’ve considered it.) Because you are adorable and I am NOT.

8. What do you think the chances of us getting answers are?  See, I answered!!!

The Adventures of Periwinkle and Stinky

 

Sitting in front of the Teleportation Tunnel, Periwinkle waited excitedly for her fiancé, Stinky, to arrive.  She hoped he would arrive on time, and no sooner did she think that when she saw the Tunnel begin to shake and, with the familiar WOOOSH, he tumbled out, almost knocking her over.  They giggled, fixed their furs, and whisker kissed for a while.  Slowly, the tabbies moved apart, and Stinky looked up.  "I know what we're doing today!" he says proudly.  Periwinkle smiles and asks him what he thinks the plan is. He says, "We're going to DeSoto Park to see the Manatees!  That's why we're dressed like Manatees, right?"  Periwinkle tells him he's only partially right.  The Manatees have not returned to the area where they usually see them.  She thinks it's because there is a drought and the water is too shallow.  But, she adds, they are going to see Manatees.  Taking his paw, she guides him to the Teleportation Tunnel to begin their Adventure.  

They quickly arrive at their destination.  No sooner do they leave the Teleportation Tunnel when Stinky climbs up on a sign.  Periwinkle sighs and, not wanting to upset her, he climbs right down.

It didn't take long for them to find the Manatees! Periwinkle says, " Blue Spring State Park is a winter hangout for West Indian manatees. When the ocean gets chilly, the gentle sea potatoes migrate to the warm spring water (a balmy 72F). Humans find this adorable. We cats find it suspiciously fishy. Look Stinky! A whole herd. Or is it a pod? Or, she giggles, a loaf?" Stinky replies,"It is absolutely a loaf. A gargantuan floating loaf." Periwinkle explains that they are sometimes referred to as a loaf because they are gentle and slow-moving so they look like big loaves!

Of course, Periwinkle did research about the park and its visitors. She told Stinky, "Manatees are herbivores, which means they eat plants—like seagrass, lettuce, and aquatic vegetation. They need a lot of food because they’re very big—adult manatees can weigh 800–1,200 pounds! That is at least 73 Stinkys."  Stinky did not look pleased so she quickly went on to say, "Manatees can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes when they’re resting, but usually come up for air every 3–5 minutes. Manatees are protected by law because there aren’t very many of them. Humans have to watch from a distance and never touch, feed, or ride them. It’s also illegal to bother them, chase them, or splash near them. Their survival depends on keeping them calm and safe. There have been over 800 manatees recorded here so far this year."

"Hey, Periwinkle, I think that manatee just slow-blinked us!  Let's go over and see if he will talk to us."  He took Periwinkle by the paw, and off they went.  They asked what his name was and he said he was Floofy the Floater.  He was thrilled to meet the famous Periwinkle and Stinky and asked if they would like to interview him and some of his pals.  Of course, they said yes!  The interviews went like this...

Interview #1 — Floofy the Floater

Periwinkle: Hello! How long have you been here?
Floofy: glub I come every winter. The water is warm, and no one bothers me.
Stinky: Do you float professionally?

Floofy: Yes. It’s an art.

Interview #2 — Sir Lettuce Chompington
Periwinkle: What do manatees eat?
Chompington: Seagrass and aquatic plants. Sometimes, humans at the rehabilitation centers give us snacks.
Stinky: So you eat salad all day?
Chompington: Correct.
Stinky: Respectfully, how are you so round?
Chompington: Genetics.

 
Interview #3 — Professor Puffins
Periwinkle: Why do humans protect you?
Professor: We are a threatened species. Boats, cold water, and habitat loss are dangerous to us.
Stinky: Boats are rude.
Professor: Quite.

 
Interview #4 — Tiny Flapflap (a fish)
Stinky: Why do you swim around manatees?
Flapflap: We clean algae off them. Also, they are chill and never eat us.
Stinky: That is a solid business relationship.

After their interviews, the tabbies headed over to the boardwalk to see more.  Of course, Stinky had to climb up on the rail to take a photo with the mosaic manatee.

They both let out a loud SQUEE when they saw the Mom and calf...

Walking paw in paw, they saw lots of other manatees and stopped to take in an aerial view, which amazed them!

Periwinkle said, "I made a list of park Tips (For Humans)"

Best Time to Visit:
✔ December–February
✔ Early morning during cold weather

Viewing Access:
✔ Elevated boardwalk along spring run
✔ Viewing platforms
✔ No swimming during manatee season

Accessibility Notes:
✔ Boardwalk wheelchair-friendly
✔ Shaded areas for breaks

Important Rules:
✘ Do not touch, chase, ride, feed, or harass manatees
✘ No drones during manatee season
✘ Keep voices low near water

✘ Do not use flash photography  

Pro Visitor Tips:
✓ Arrive early — parking fills up
✓ Bring binoculars if you have them
✓ Dress in layers (mornings can be cool)
✓ Pack your own snacks (no vendors inside)

Stinky agreed that that was great advice.  It was getting late so they re-entered the Teleportation Tunnel to go back to Periwinkle's house.  They took a nap in a sun puddle, had a snack and Stinky visited with Periwinkle's Mom and fursibs.  After whisker kissing and paw patting and lots of "I love yous." Stinky hopped into the Teleportation, blew one last whisker kiss and, with a WOOSH, was on his way home.  Periwinkle decided to find her fursibs and tell them all about her day with Stinky

You can watch live Manatee cams too!  Here's an Underwater cam...

And an Above Water cam...

Monday Sparks

 Even though McGuffy's reader is taking a break, we are continuing our Monday Sparks posts!  From the original Sparks posts:

Welcome to Sparks. Many years ago, it was my intent to post an inspirational thought each Monday. It would be my weekly meditation, and perhaps feed other people's spirit as well. Life got busy, and this fell by the wayside. Now, I feel a strong need to bring this feature back. 
The negative energy in the world has become thick and oppressive. Social media has become a part of this dark, negative storm. There is an obvious universal need for more positive energy and peace. And, we can all be part of this affirmative change. 
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!
I hope you will join us. Please link up a positive quote, thought, poem, or verse. The badge and code can be found in my sidebar. Add the badge to your post to invite others. The more, the merrier. I welcome your thoughts. Peace.

Sunday Selfies

 OMC, I photobombed MYSELF!!

We're pawticipating in The Cat on My Head's Sunday Selfies today.

Caturday Cat Art

Another creation by Mom's phone.  We're not even sure what the original photo was!!  MOL

 We're joining Athena's Caturday Art Blog Hop

See more Caturday Cat Art HERE.

Friendly Fill-ins and Flashback Friday

 We're pawticipating in Friendly Fill-ins sponsored by Four Legged Furballs and 15 and Meowing.

We took turns.  Noelle, Mom, Periwinkle and Reesie

1. I feel like __my heart will break__ whenever I think about _Angel Sawyer_.

2. January is a good month to _de-clutter__.

3. Spending Tuesday with Stinky__ is nonnegotiable in my life.

4. I could give up __treats_ as long as _MOL who am I kidding??????__.

Today is also Flashback Friday hosted by  Fivesibes

Angel Allie knew how to chillax!

Answer your Cat's Questions and Poetic Thankful Thursday

1. Why can’t we explore the Outside Zone? We’ve done the research, and it looks VERY sniffable and has in-purrson BirdTV

2. Why can’t we redecorate the Couch with our Claw Art? It adds texture and emotional depth

3. What’s the deal with the Forbidden Counter? It has HEIGHT and therefore belongs to cats.

4. Why don’t you adore the fine gifts we deliver? Lizard+ carpet fluff = masterpiece.

5. Excuse us — is it Feeding Time now? Or five minutes from now? Or BOTH?

6. How do humans operate with zero naps? That's not natural!

7. Must you capture our every move with the Flash Machine? We’d never photograph YOU on the porcelain litterbox! (But we’ve considered it.)

8. What do you think the chances of us getting answers are?

 Today is also Poetic Thursday, hosted by our pals Teddy and Angel Sammy at Two Spoiled Cats

Today's photo prompt is

The Dancers

Two dancers bounce with carefree cheer,

Swinging sweetly, they have no fear

A tiny spark of vintage fun,

Two happy hearts moving as one.

Today is also Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
                                   

We're THANKFUL that, even though it gets cold here, we stay cozy and warm by snuggling together.