Was watching scary movies on your list of things to do this October?

We welcomed fall last week and in my blog I wondered what fall activities you liked best. A lot of mamma's friends let her know that they like to watch scary movies, especially in October!

So this weekend, she found a great one for us to watch: I See You 

Have you heard of it or watched it? The ominous music creeped me out - it was so loud that it was very hard for me to nap while the movie played. Mamma said it was a tense movie, with a lot of plot twists - an entertaining psychological thriller - if you are looking for one to watch, check it out.

If you need more movie recommendations, here is a list of 31 Horror Movies to Watch in October.

Get a comfy blanket and your movie snacks ready! 😸

Today is October 04. We would be remiss to not mention that today is a special day for animals. We recognize today that St Francis, who founded the Catholic Church’s Franciscan order, died in Italy on October 4, 1226. He is remembered for his generosity to the poor and for his love for animals and nature. Because of this, he is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment. 

A lot of churches in the United States celebrate each year on October 04 the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. The feast commemorates his life, and it is a popular day for pets to be blessed at church. Mamma had taken me and Stray Cat multiple times to be blessed at the church. This year, we are unable to go - so we hope next year, Pasqua can experience it with me.   

Blessings to all of you on this beautiful Sunday.

Purr & Paw, 🐾

-Stivali.

October had tremendous possibility. The summer's oppressive heat was a distant memory, and the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures. They made me believe in miracles.
- Sarah Guillory.

Who is St Francis of Assisi?

A long long long time ago, in my mamma's homeland of Italia, a man named Giovanni was born. I am talking, way longer than the births of Nonno Tony and Nonna Toni - like hundreds of years earlier.  Giovanni was born in Assisi, which is like, 5 - maybe 5 and a half hours away from where my nonni were born. ANYHOW, I digress...

This man, Giovanni, was a charismatic leader of an evangelical movement, he really liked helping the poor, and he had an affinity for animals. It was actually well-known that he would preach to animals. Isn't that adorable? 

If I lived in Italia in the 1100's, I would have liked to hear his sermons for sure! 

I don't have enough time tonight to tell you all about Giovanni's adventures in Assisi, but what I will tell you is that this lovely man's name was changed to Francesco (the same name as my bisnonno (great grandfather's)), and was canonized a saint a mere two years after he died. 

Much later, he became the patron saint of Italia, as well as the patron saint of ecology and animals. His "feast" day is October 04 (mamma's is August 15, if anyone was curious!). It is on this day we celebrate his love for all creations (poor, rich, furry, or human)! 

Because St Francis of Assisi cared for all of the animals, my mamma's church has a beautiful ceremony for animals to honor his feast day. I have been to many of these blessing ceremonies, they are wonderful. This year, the church held the celebration on October 07, and this is the first year I went without my big brother. ☹

The weather was cloudy and kind of muggy.  There were lots of dogs there this year, and mamma kept me in my cage-house. I felt safe, but still a little leery. I was one of three cats - the best looking, mind you. There was an older female, blind, pretty tortoise shell, being held lovingly by her mother. There was a gorgeous tiger striped boy cat, big, inside a duffle bag carrier. We three quietly listened to Father Richard say many beautiful prayers over all of us animals. The dogs were mostly restless, they barked, smelled one another - essentially, dogs - a very noisy bunch. I looked back and forth to my feline companions and felt such pride in our excellent behavior.

It was a very nice celebration. I found solace at church. Father Richard was very sweet to all of us and sprinkled holy water on each of our heads before saying "Bye".  It was a good day. 

The gathering for the Blessing of Animals.

Me, being a good kitty.

Father Richard praying over us.

Don't forget to say a prayer for me and all of the animals (I promise I am praying for all of you!). Thank you!

Purr & Paw,
-Stivali.

Grieve not...

"Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as though I were still beside you. I loved you so... it was heaven here with you."

One month ago today, at 4:45pm EST, I went to heaven.

My ma cries all of the time - even a month in - she can't seem to get used to the idea - or doesn't want to. A "new normal" is what she is waiting for, however, we all know, life will never be the same for her again.

My sister, Stivali, says she'll eventually pick up writing this blog. In the mean-time, my sister still looks for me, and is very sad. Her and mamma are still in mourning.

Ma was crying so much the day she watched me pass away; she was so angry and sad that she couldn't make me stay on earth anymore.  I heard her tell someone that her heart is broken, and that it will be broken forever.  I am sad she feels this way. I loved her so - and I know she loved me, and did the best she could for me.

It is not easy to leave the ones you love behind. It is harder on them than it is for me. I was tired, and a cure was not available for me.  For the couple of weeks leading up to my death, I had not been acting like my normal, affectionate, and fun self. I had a lot of trouble breathing, a lot of difficulty getting comfortable, and it was exhausting.  I was not friendly anymore, I did not feel like cuddling or playing. It made ma and Stivali very sad to witness (ma was crying often!). So, I knew it was time. Time for me to allow God to put his arms around me and introduce me to St Francis of Assisi.  The animal lover and protector.

Mamma keeps rehashing the horrific last half hour of my life, but I need her to stop doing that. I want her to only think of me as healthy and happy, and totally in love with her and the life she gave me.  I can see from where I am, that she is trying.  To help her heal through this, she looks at old photos of me.  She is trying very hard to get to the point of celebrating my life rather than grieving over it. She is just not there yet...

Here are some of her favorite photographs.

Getting ready to move from Lakeland, Florida to Winter Haven, Florida: October 2009.

Me with Zoe Girl in June 2009, we are now reunited in Heaven. 💗

My sister and I really like looking out windows. New Jersey: September 2013.

Lounging in Lakeland: 2009. 

Winter Haven, some time in 2011.

Happy window watching in New Jersey: April 2012. 

Me and my older bro, Kismet, in Ocala, Florida: June 2008.  We are together again in Heaven. 💗

Ma would not want me sharing this photo, but she secretly loves it of me: February 2012. 

Impossible for her to continue her writing with the two of us on her screaming, "Pay attention to us!!": December 2016.

Helping mamma study: April 2016.

I am adorable here: January 2016.

In Winter Haven, Florida. Something surprised me!: October 2011.

Modeling ma's Taylor Swift Cat Keds: June 2015.

Most comfortable condo ever: September 2013.  Aren't I funny? 🐱 

Of course there are many more. After all, I was mamma's Prince Charming for 10 years, 09 months, and 02 days. You think she doesn't have more photos of me? She has a thousand times a thousand.

But I have the best pictures of us. They're in my heart, soul, & mind. They'll be with me forever.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

"Let us not despair. God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him." -  Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Patron Saint of Grief.