Big Cats

When mamma shows friends and family photos of us, they all proclaim what "big cats" we are. 

We are healthy, happy, and yes, maybe a little fluffy. However, it should be noted that we are not big cats. Let's save that term for big wild cats like lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars,

The only big kitty we heard about is this one: Giant 3D Cat Billboard Now that is a billboard we would like to see. Really neat!

We will share that with our family and friends to prove we are not really that big. 😸

Today is the perfect day to window watch.

Have a spectacular Sunday, Readers, and a wonderful week.

Purr & Paw, 
-Stivali. 🐾

There are two means of refuge from the misery of life — music and cats. - Albert Schweitzer. 

Happy Fourth of July, Americans!

Hello My Lovely Readers,

Today is a special day in America. And as you may remember, as a cat with anxiety, it is not a good day for me. Stray Cat Writes: Stress and Anxiety are my middle names - Stivali. 

My family is from Italy and is very proud of becoming American citizens and having the ability to live here. Because today is so filled with celebrations, I wondered about what that is all about, being an Italian kitten, I don't know history as much as I should, that is why I always share these articles, because maybe you are like me, and want to learn more. 

History of the Fourth of July - Brief History & Early Celebrations - HISTORY

We wish you a blessed and safe holiday weekend. May your hearts be filled with gratitude.

Purr & Paw,
-Stivali. 🐾

Sleepy Kitties

It is hot outside but cool inside. All we want to do is nap.

We are so happy to nap. 

I am sure you would agree, that we are pretty cute sleepy. 

Pasqua likes to nap on his back, mamma often wakes him up when her camera takes a snap. 

Grigio prefers to sleep on the deck, doesn't trust us enough to come inside just yet.

We hope your week was filled with joy and peace.

And that your week ahead will offer you plenty of sleep.

Purr & Paw,
-Stivali. 🐾

If you want happiness for an hour take a nap. If you want happiness for a day go fishing. If you want happiness for a year inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime help someone else. - Author Unknown.

Father's Day

Happy Sunday, Everyone, and Happy Father's Day to all the dads!

We cats don't know our cat dads but we have many dads who come visit us and love on us. My post today is in honor of all the fathers and any mothers reading who pull double duty! You are all appreciated.

I have mentioned our Nonno before, and here is a photo from the archives! This was taken when I was just a month old. How adorable am I? When Nonno visits now I typically hide or hiss at him. I will always remember though, how nice it was to cuddle with him when I was a tiny kitten. 

If you don't know about our human dad, here's another photo from the archives! This is our dad when they were picking out little Pasqua at the shelter. How tiny he was in 2018.

If you are interested in learning about how Father's Day came to be recognized, here's an interesting article: Father's Day - Date, Definition & History We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Whether you are a father or are present in a fatherly role in someone’s life, remember being loved is the ability to be seen as you are. You have the ability to be the provider and foundation of hope.

Purr & Paw,
-Stivali. 🐾

My father gave me my dreams. Thanks to him, I could see a future. - Liza Minnelli

Flag Day in the United States of America

Happy Sunday, Readers, we hope you are having the best weekend. 

In the United States of America, we celebrate Flag Day tomorrow. Americans honor and commemorate the adoption of the American flag which occurred on June 14, 1777, as one year earlier independence from Great Britain was declared on July 4, 1776.

Us cats like watching our flag fly in the wind. Looking out the window is one of our most enjoyable pass times. There is so much to see outside - deer, squirrels, birds, dogs on leashes leading humans, and of course, our feral, Grigio. 

This week, we encourage all our readers to reflect on the values of our beautiful country. Think of the brave men and women who have defended it. Our flag is a symbol of freedom, courage, hope, and of course, UNITY. 

Celebrate the purpose and the message - and let's unite with gratitude. 

Have a wonderful week.

Purr & Paw, 🐾

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

June is "Be Happy Month"!

Hello Readers,

We decided to refer to June as "Be Happy Month". Will you join us in this blessing? Please say YES.

Our mamma was watching a speech the other day and the speaker was talking about how people have become offended so easily lately. There are people we may have even stopped speaking to just because they offended us. The woman told of a story about advice she was given a long time ago. It was something about if someone offends you that you have a choice. To think of the offense like a physical fence. You can take that fence and then carry it around. That forces you to take on that burden. The other choice is to leave that fence there, and just walk away.

How many times do you carry that fence? Or do you just walk away from it?

This story really had us thinking... and brought us to decide that June will be a happy month.

To get us started on the right foot, let's think about the blessings of our relationships.

We all know that relationships take effort and dedication to remain strong. To make our relationships life long ones, we recognize the following elements are key:

Continuous and Candid Communication
Honesty and Trust

No-Judgment Zone Acceptance

Understanding

Laughter

Time

If relationships have these elements, then, there is no way we would carry a fence if one was given. 

We hope we inspire you to nurture your relationships in this way, and that your June is a happy month.

Purr & Paw,
-Stivali. 🐾

Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose. - Tennessee Williams. 

Thank you.

In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in memory of those who passed away while serving in the United States Military.

Today we remember and thank all the men and women who died while serving to protect our freedom and honor of our nation. It is a reminder to us, that each day we should express gratitude towards those who gave their life to give us the freedom to live and enjoy our life.

Traditionally, towns host parades, people decorate graves and visit memorials, you may also notice people wearing a red poppy. 

The poppy is symbolic of  the bright red blooms on broken ground, which inspired Lieutenant Colonel McCrae to write the poem, In Flanders Fields, in which he wrote of the fallen soldiers buried under poppies. His poem was first published in 1915, and would subsequently be used at memorial ceremonies.

Many blessings to all of you, and today, we leave you with John McCrae's poem:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Purr & Paw,

-Stivali. 🐾

God Bless America!