Mamma's Day!

We are so excited to announce that our mamma's birthday was this week and she is healthy, happy, and one year older! 😺 We celebrate all month long - but now that August is done, we have to welcome September and say "Ciao" to the August birthday-month. 

She received the most amazing birthday card. The envelope was addressed to "Mamma". She instinctively knew that someone special made her a card from us!

A Happy Birthday wish from the cats!

And all the kiddies were represented. Me, and Kismet, and Stray Cat, and Pasqua Bunny:

And on the back, even our little feral Grigio was represented:  

Isn't this the most amazing and thoughtful card you have ever seen? 🐱 We give huge kudos, purrs, and pets to our beautiful Aunt Josie who is a talented artist and as you can plainly see - extremely creative. We love her! 😻 Thank you, Aunt Josie, for going to Hallmark for us and for making sure our mamma knew we did not forget her special day.

We hope all of you enjoy the start of your September with a celebration day of your own: a day off from your work, chores, and responsibilities. Tomorrow is Labor Day, a celebration created by the labor movement, dedicated to the achievements of American workers. May it remind all of us to have strength, to be prosperous, and respect the well-being of our country.

Thank you for all you do to make America great!

Purr & Paw,

-Stivali.

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is to celebrate. - Oprah Winfrey. 

Two Gingers in Heaven

Today marks nine years since this beauty, Kismet, went to heaven.  I never got to meet him.  Obviously, if you can do math, you know why, I am only 7.5 years old (I think).

Anyway, "King Kismet" was his nic-name, and that is why when Stray Cat came around, Stray Cat became a Prince.  Here they are eating next to one another in Ocala, Florida. ❤ 

Now, they are together in Heaven. 

The below picture is from their first day in Ocala, Florida - June 06, 2008.  They were exhausted.  Mamma tells the story of that road trip on occasion.  I don't think I would have liked it very much. 

Today, Mamma lit a candle in honor of two gingers in Heaven.  

She cried, and I let her hold me.  Hug your loved ones tightly.

Purr & Paw,

-Stivali. 

Six Month Mark

Today marks six months since my big brother, Stray Cat, wento visit Kismet and Zoe in Heaven with plans to never come back.

My ma and I have been extremely sad. And ma has been buying things to keep him close to her heart. See evidence below: 

I do believe she considers me a non-human person.

I never knew life without my brother.  I was born and he was already here.  I did not realize I would have to know life without him.  It kinda sucks learning and living in this new life.  No matter the time that passes, it doesn't really get better. I hate how we make notice of the calendar and of how many days, weeks, and months have passed.  Today is six months, and it is pretty awful. I wish we weren't paying attention to the days without him - but it is so hard not to. I miss my brother.  We used to nap together, a lot. Some times right up against each other, but more often like this:

Readers, do you see me? 

Even though ma and I saw this coming, it did not prepare us for the pain which would follow.  We are still sad. We talk about him like he is still here, and he is still here - in our hearts.

You may already realize, I am not much of a cuddler. Okay, fine, I am NOT a cuddler.  I know ma would love it if I would wake her like this  (see below photos), but it is just not my personality.  I am way more of an independent-want my space-type of cat. Maybe one day I would do this for her, but if we are really honest here,  since my paws would not be the same as Stray Cat's fuzzy paws, it won't ever be done. *Sorry, Mamma! 🙀

Ma would be so embarrassed if she knew I posted this pic.🐱

Well, Big Brother, if you have a web browser and internet access up there, I hope you are reading this and okay with me taking over your blog. Give St Francis a hug from me. We miss you a lot.  Life won't ever be the same without you here in it.  

Purr & Paw,
-I was a little sister once.

In memory of my older brother, Kismet.

 My older brother, Kismet, passed away eight years ago today.

I really looked up to him and liked him a lot.

I used to follow him around and want to be his friend. He wasn't interested.

My mamma wrote about him on her blog a lot, and wrote a tribute to him after he passed away.

Read about him here.

Eight years have passed, and I know my mamma still misses him a lot.  Sometimes I catch her calling me his name on accident, and I never mind.

Hold close your loved ones. Your time on earth is not guaranteed.

My ma had these great canvases made of us.  

Checking out Kismet's portrait.