The Purrtiest Flower #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. Back in the day, we didn't have the Internet. How did we live?!?!?!

2. A meerkat is an unconventional pet I would like to have.

3. Though owning my own pet sitting business is my dream job, I'd also settle for working as a pet sitter for someone else.

4. I'd like to get ???'s autograph. I honestly can't think of any modern-day celebrity that I care enough about to want an autograph. And everyone I admire from the past is already dead.

WW: National Chocolate Chip Day

 

Monday Mischief: The Tortie Tirade

Meows from Mudpie!

It's no secret that I demand to be an only child because I loathe other cats. After all, even at the shelter I had to be sequestered in an office because I didn't get along with the other residents! 

The other day Mommy was holding the door open for me to get some smells, when up the driveway comes one of our neighbor kitties. (Not Mo, I actually don't mind him, which gives Mommy some hope.) Anyways, I've told this neighbor kitty exactly what I think of him before, so Mommy was prepared for what was to come. While holding the door tight (just in case) she whipped out her phone and started recording.

(If you have any kittens around, you may want to cover their sensitive ears. I don't want to be blamed for being a bad influence on the next generation.)

Yep, all of that hissing and foul language is coming from yours truly. The neighbor kitty didn't make a peep! He just stared at me like I had a problem. I did...him on my property! 

Mommy went into the kitchen to play back the video, and the sound startled even me! Laughing, she informed me that it was me on the video. I just don't know where I learned such language! I appear to be the sweetest, most innocent tortie in the world...fooled ya!

MOL...Mommy wishes I would tell off the people who come to our door the same way! 

Mother's Day #CaturdayArt #SundaySelfie

Meows from Mudpie!

Since I'd like to have a little extra quality time with Mommy for Mother's Day, I asked her if we could do just one blog post this weekend, combining our Caturday Art project with my Mother's Day message/Sunday Selfie. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the pawsome cat moms out there!!!

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

1. Life is too short to tolerate others trying to dictate how you live.

2. People who dedicate their lives to rescuing animals give me hope.

3. I've been feeling overwhelmed because LIFE.

4. I'm well aware that my year round Christmas blog header is a bit odd. I have a general header, as well as a Halloween header, but a few years ago when Blogger made some changes I heard people saying they were having trouble getting their headers to show up as the proper size, so I've been scared to change it.

An Escape Goat by Janna Rollins - Blog Tour with Character Guest Post and Giveaway

After finding long-lost family through a DNA test, Callie heads to Bobwhite Hollow, New Hampshire, to meet a great-uncle she never knew existed. Charmed by the village and more than half in love with her new family, she decides to stay and open a goat yoga studio and retreat space.

When retreat guest Angilene Claudson turns up dead with a wine glass shattered at her side and Callie’s favorite goat lapping up the spill, the death is written off as an accidental overdose. But when the goat gets sick, Callie’s gut tells her it wasn’t an accident at all. With her new business on the line and a possible murderer staying in the guesthouse, Callie sets to work to uncover the truth and keep her family safe.

Purchase Link

Character Guest Post by Bugsy the Goat:

Hello Melissa and Mudpie! Thanks so much for having me here today. My name is Bugsy and I live on Haybeck Farm a few miles outside of Bobwhite Hollow, New Hampshire. While I’m a goat, there are a few orange marmalade cats who live here on the farm. I love it when one of the barn cats curls up next to me while I’m taking a nap. That rumbling they make is super peaceful.

My favorite human is Callie Haybeck. She came to the farm where I was born to buy some does and kids for her goat yoga business, The Zen Goat, but fell in love with me, (how could she not!), and brought me home with her. I’m so grateful because I’d heard the farmer talking and it sounded like my days were numbered. Callie rescued me from turning into goat roast!

Most days now, I don’t have to worry about anything. I spend a lot of time munching on clover in the field with my friends, but when Callie comes to get the kids for yoga, I can’t help but be a little jealous. They get to play with all those people, running and jumping on their backs and being held in their laps. Callie says I’m too big. That I would hurt people, but I really want to try so sometimes I yell really loud while she’s teaching yoga so she’ll remember I’m here and maybe come and get me to play. So far, it hasn’t worked.

Callie calls me her escape goat, because if I want to be somewhere other than in the field, I just go. I haven’t met a fence yet that I can’t jump over. Callie shouldn’t worry so much. I never go far. Usually, I’m just trying to find her. It’s a good thing, because recently I sensed she was in danger and went to help her out. When I found that blonde lady sleeping behind the haystack, I stopped to take a drink of the sour grape juice left in her glass. How was I supposed to know it would make me so sleepy? Callie was super upset, but I’m kind of glad it happened. Without me falling into that deep sleep, who knows when she would have met that nice veterinarian?

Even after I woke up, things were really tense for awhile. Hopefully next time, Callie will think twice before she invites a murderer to stay in the guest cottage here at Haybeck Farm.

Well, I’d better run. I don’t want to take up too much of your time, and I’ve got some grazing to do. There’s a whole lot more to the story about the lady behind the haystack, and, not to brag, but I played a very important part in bringing the killer down. You can read all about it in An Escape Goat by Janna Rollins.

About the Author: 

When Janna Rollins isn’t writing, she likes to thumb through New England-based magazines and drool over the pictures. She has a love for red barns, goats, and genealogy. Janna can be found showing her socially awkward side on Facebook or sharing pictures of her tiny one-acre farm on Instagram. She is a member of Sister In Crime, and also writes the Hometown Hardware Mystery series as Paula Charles. Janna lives in Southwestern Washington with her husband and a whole menagerie of furry and feathered critters.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.paulacharles.com

FB: Rainy Day Mysteries – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556817479811

IG: rainy_day_mysteries – https://www.instagram.com/rainy_day_mysteries

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209244230-an-escape-goat

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Unboxing April's CatLadyBox

The theme of April's CatLadyBox was the Orange Cats Box...here's what was inside!

Featured Cat Lady Artist:

Elizabeth Anderson

Big Stretch Shirt:

You know you say it every time you see it!

Orange Cat Bandages:

Too cute to use!!! Ok, maybe a few...

Orange Cat Tumbler:

I love this tumbler!!! It's super eye-catching, sturdy, insulated, and comes with its own metal straw.

Silly Goose & Crazy Traffic Cone Catnip Toys:

The adorable goose is purrfect for Mudpie, who loves anything with feathers, and I can't help but crack up when I think of a family using the traffic cone to mark kitty messes that need to be cleaned up!

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.

Waiting For My Midnight Snack #SundaySelfie

 

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

Run for the Roses #CaturdayArt

Meows from Mudpie, and Happy Derby Day!

Do you plan to watch the Kentucky Derby today? We will be even though Mommy watches horse races with one eye closed. She says NASCAR is her sport of choice because when the drivers crash they aren't destroyed like the poor horses are when they fall. She loves the Triple Crown races though - they're really all she watches - and she's so thankful she's now gotten to see two Triple Crowns in her lifetime. We hope it happens again, but more than anything we just pray for a safe race each year. The horses' lives are more important than any trophy.

For my Caturday Art project this week I decided to wrap myself in a garland of roses just like the winning horse will receive. 

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. I love watching the Triple Crown races but not horse racing in general. Last weekend I watched a documentary called Broken Horses (on FX and Hulu) about the sky high number of horses that died last year at Churchill Downs and beyond. Sadly, the Sport of Kings is all about money and the true stars - the horses - are paying the price.

2. Just because I adore animals doesn't mean I'm a vegetarian. Although I very easily could be. As it is I eat very little meat.

3. Am I the only one who uses Google Maps to drive somewhere unfamiliar before getting in the car? For example, Dad's rehab facility is in a part of my city I've never been to before, so I test drove the route on Google Maps before attempting to by car. 

4. I used to buy a lot of canned soup, but then I learned how to make my own.

Feline Friday: Feisty Mudpie

Meows from Mudpie!

Mommy told this story on her personal Facebook page, but I wanted to brag about it here too :) 

On Tuesday night around 11:30 Mommy had to run out to the garage to get me some fresh kitty litter. When she came back in I was waiting for her at the door, so she held it open for me for a few minutes so I could check things out and get some fresh air. All of a sudden I stood straight up and started hissing. Mommy looked out to see what was going on and there was a raccoon coming up the driveway, but when he heard from me he backed up and left! Mommy told me I'm too brave for my own good.

Then on Thursday morning Mommy was sitting on the couch eating her breakfast when she heard an awful ruckus coming from the back door (again) where I was sunbathing. She came running out to see what was going on, and found a neighbor kitty who's been visiting lately on the back step. I was sniffing at the bottom of the door, hissing and growling at him!

Mommy thought maybe I had mellowed with age when it came to other animals, but she was wrong! She asked me if I'm PMSing this week! MOL 

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).

Keeping Grandpa's Blankie Warm

Meows from Mudpie!

Grandpa will be discharged from the hospital on Thursday and needs to go to rehab for awhile. This is the blankie he covers up with in the living room, and I've volunteered to keep it warm for him while he's gone. I'm a helper kitty.

Spying on the Neighbors Again #SundaySelfie

Meows from Mudpie!

On Friday morning our neighbor had fiber internet installed, and I watched the whole thing! I don't think the guys knew they had a feline snoopervisor, but I needed to make sure they did a good job. 

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

Caturday Art

Meows from Mudpie! 

Today is National Devil Dog Day, so we thought it might be fun to ask AI to show us a tortie eating a Devil Dog. We wondered if AI would know that a Devil Dog is a yummy pastry, or would it depict a kitty eating a devilish-looking dog? With AI, ya never know! 

This is what we got. It looks more like the cat is eating a chili dog, but it sure is cute!

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. I find foul language offensive.

2. Paid Viewpoint is a good way to make some extra cash. I've never joined any survey sites because usually you have to jump through hoops to get paid, but I signed up with this one because they pay you for your time even if you don't end up qualifying for a particular survey. It's kind of fun, takes very little time, and in just 2 weeks I've made $40! It paid for a stock up of Mudpie's squeezies and Mo's Fancy Feast!  

3. Not much makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. It's all I can do to get done what absolutely needs to get done.

4. I could see myself naming a cat or dog Conway.

More Purrs Needed #PetPhotoFails

Meows from Mudpie!

Thank you for joining us for this month's edition of the Pet Photo Fails blog hop! We have some bad news to report at our house once again - my Grandpa took another tumble on Wednesday afternoon, fractured his hip, and yesterday had a partial hip replacement. The surgery went well, now comes the recovery...

In my blooper this month I'm giving our current situation a big ol' blurry raspberry...

That's my photo fail...let's see yours!

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Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Cat Moms from Etsy

Meows from Mudpie!

Can you believe Mother's Day is less than 3 weeks away??? Now that my Grandma is gone it's no longer a holiday Mommy looks forward to, so she tries to put it out of her mind. I still want to treat her to something special though.

While browing Etsy for the purrfect gift for Mommy, I found several things that any cat mom would love to receive on her special day...

Personalized Suncatcher

Mother's Day Metal Art Sign

Metal Cat Garden Stake

Recycled Glass Nightlight

Cats Books and Coffee Mug

Set of 3 Small Wood Cat Planters

Cat Candle Holder

Hair Clips

Which is your favorite? I think everything here would be a hit with Mommy, but she would probably love the "cats books and coffee" mug the most (although one of the hair clips is a tortie!) I'll need to figure out how many squeezies I would have to go without in order to pay for it.

I hope you enjoy my picks, and don't forget, if you find something here you like and make a purchase using our affiliate links, I get a little money for my piggy bank! I might even spend it on Mommy's gift!

Yes, I Do Wake Up Looking This Beautiful #SundaySelfie

 

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

National Record Store Day #CaturdayArt

Meows from Mudpie!

Mommy might have a new addiction. On Thursday the new Meta AI rolled out on Facebook. She hasn't had much luck with the various AI programs she's tried, but she didn't have any trouble with this one. She started giving it all kinds of cat-related prompts and has been having so much fun with the results!

Since today is National Record Store Day she asked it for a tortoiseshell cat in a record store, and this is what we got. We love it! (And while much of the world is talking about Taylor Swift's new record, Mommy is super excited about the first full-length album by Twitty & Lynn (Conway's grandson and Loretta's granddaughter), available today!)

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. A remake of All in the Family would be fun, although in today's politically correct environment it wouldn't be easy to pull off.

2. My favorite cartoon character is Garfield. I can't wait for the new movie coming out next month! 

3. I wish I had better sewing skills so that I could make cat toys. I think that would be such a fun side hustle!

4. I'm proud of the progress I've made with making soup. I don't know why I always found it so intimidating. Now I'm making a new one every week! This week I made a Broccoli-Cheddar Soup from Gooseberry Patch (my favorite line of cookbooks) and it's amazing! 

Mudpie Needs To Vent

Meows from Mudpie!

Some of you might remember Mo as we've featured him here before. Mommy has actually known Mo longer than she's known me - she figures she's been feeding him for around 10 years now!

We always referred to Mo as our "neighbor kitty" because he would only visit in the evening for his snack, like maybe his owners let him out after they got home from work. But over the past couple years we've come to the realization he probably never had a home, as he's spending the majority of his time seeking shelter in our backyard.

Here's the thing about Mo - in all the years Mommy has been feeding him, he's never once allowed her to touch him. He waits at the back step for his meals, then runs when she opens the door to put the food out. Mommy always thought he was just really timid, but it's become all too clear that he's likely feral.

A couple weeks ago Mo stopped eating. Nothing Mommy gave him met with his approval. He would just sniff it and walk away. She tried new flavors and textures to no avail. She started getting really stressed out thinking maybe he was sick, and how would she ever be able to get him to the vet?

In desperation, she picked up a few cans of Fancy Feast and even boiled a chicken breast for him.

Turns out Mister Mo must've just gotten sick of his usual Friskies. Mo loves Fancy Feast. Mo loves boiled (and rotisserie) chicken.

I don't even get Fancy Feast and boiled chicken***, yet a wayward soul who can't see how awesome Mommy is gets served such luxuries?!?!?!

So now Fancy Feast has been added to our weekly grocery list, and I have a feeling it will be eating into my squeezie budget.

*** Note from Mommy - Mudpie should have a Pinocchio nose with such lies! She has been offered FF in the past and stuck her nose up at it, just as she does all wet food. And every time we have meat for dinner, she's offered some. Only now that she sees Mo getting it has she decided it's worth checking out!

I love Mo to pieces, and it breaks my heart that he lives his life outside, even though it's where he feels the safest. If he ever chooses to, he'll always have a home with us. Until then, he has shelter in the backyard and a full tummy.

And Mudpie's squeezie budget is perfectly safe.

The Book of 5 Mews by M.G. Rorai - Blog Tour & Book Review

 

A heartwarming story about cats, cheese, Catness, cat-tastrophies, and why cats are basically running your life. Did I mention cats?

 

Title: The Book of 5 Meows

Author: M.G. Rorai

Publication Date: February 8, 2024

Pages: 134

Genre: Cats/Pets 

Shhhh – don’t tell the humans. This is a cat’s guide to world domination; learn how to win hearts and get cheese with your kitty charm.

Meet Marble, a cat on a mission to rule the world with cuteness and get cheese. Marble is not your ordinary cat. She is a philosopher, a strategist, and a master of Catness. She knows the secrets to manipulate humans and get what she wants. Thus, Catness wisdom and insights are littered throughout this hilarious and insightful book, written mostly from a feline point of view (as the way it should be).

But Marble’s plan is not without challenges. She must win over a dog-loving human and keep up an endless supply of Colby-Jack cheese.

The Book of 5 Mews is a book for cat lovers, dog lovers, and anyone who enjoys a good laugh mixed in with a heartwarming story. It is a book that celebrates the bond between humans and animals, and the power of love and healing. It is a book that will make you rethink your relationship with your cat, and maybe even inspire you to join a quest for world domination. Not that you’d be welcome, unless you’re a feline.

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | BooksAMillion | Apple | Smashwords | Everand

Book Excerpt:

Introduction

I have spent many lives training in the Way of Catness; Humans might liken the Way to strategy. It is a gifted set of guidelines most felines stumble across during at least one of their nine lives—and, subsequently, become obsessed with mastering. Catness is water to the soul, yoga for the mind, and grooming for the world. 

Yet there will always be trials mixed with reward. Peaks and valleys merge to create the landscape—Catness is the pathway for past friends becoming feral; love becoming loss; treat bowls becoming empty. The Way of Catness is like a Cat’s mew: it can be the loveliest sound or the sharpest shriek, when needed.

There are different thoughts on Catness, but I live to no particular paw path; my prints are my own, defined by my experiences. True, I have taken some from other paths, as have most cats, though at the core each cat’s walk, their Catness, is defined by self, circumstances, and survival. But it can be shredded down to Five Mews: Paw, Slink, Roar, Tail, and Clarity. 

I will explain Catness in writing for the first time. 

Harper’s Commentary: Day 0

It’s hard starting over. New job, new town, new perspectives. So hard. Isolating. My plants are only so much company, and at the urging of text messages from family I decided to seek out volunteer work. 

My new career in technology blessed me with all the people drain I needed, so I went with the animal persuasion. I’m a dog person at heart. Grew up with mostly dogs and some cats but had more connection with the canines. Plus, the last feline I had contact with was my cousin’s girlfriend’s cat who pissed in the same corner all the time, despite having three litter boxes. 

So yeah, dogs were better. Cats okay. 

Wispy Paws seemed like a good fit…

If you're looking for some insight into what makes your cat tick, this is the book for you!

Following a personal tragedy, Harper is starting a new life in a new town. With only her plants for company she decides to volunteer at the animal shelter. She considers herself a dog person, but on her very first day she ends up bringing home a foster cat she names Marble. As Marble beings wrapping her new human around her paw, she teaches readers about Catness - the methods cats use in their quest for world domination, or at least domination over their own little world.

Cat slaves are sure to recognize all the tricks Marble has in her arsenal, and have likely even witnessed them firsthand! This book is adorable, funny, and heartwarming. I can't think of a more purrfect Mother's Day gift for the cat mom in your life! 

About the Author

M.G. Rorai enjoys hanging with her cats and annoying her husband.

Author Links  Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

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