Friendship Friday

Ms. P: This is a wonderful story about the loving relationship between Tarra (an elephant) and Bella (who is a dog). We discovered this on http://possumlady.blogspot.com/.

Enjoy! And if afterwards you're overcome with the urge to hug someone, go for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFz-FMj-9Ps

Oh, before I forget, Blogger was PMSing yesterday yet again. Not only did it prevent us from visiting other blogs, but it also wouldn't allow us to access our own blog!!! No amount of hissing, growling or whapping helped.

We also lost some of yesterday's comments. We're seriously considering moving our blog, but we don't know what's out there besides Blogger and our secretary isn't what you'd call a techno genius. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

10 truths about us

Thank you to The Devil Dog for this award. We should have posted this ages ago, but it's the same old story about trying to find good help.

The "rules" for this award and meme are as follows: "When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim. Link back to said person so everyone knows who he or she is. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or, improvise by including ones who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends. Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Weblog.” Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten honest things about yourself. After, pass it on!"

Ms. P: Ten honest things about us? No problem.

Cinza: Too bad we can't list 10 honest things about our humans because I've been keeping lots of notes!

Ms. P: (With a big sigh) Okay, back to the subject at hand, here's our list:

1) Cinza likes her greens -- plants (dead or alive) and romaine lettuce (she doesn't like iceberg or the red leafy stuff); so far she won't eat broccoli.

2) Ms. P enjoys her morning coffee straight out of the man's cup and can't understand why he isn't willing to share.

3) Cinza loves to dig in the litter box and manages to come up with a different design each time (even after the box has been freshly cleaned); she also scatters litter all over the floor.

4) Ms. P doesn't like to dig in the box and leaves her business for her staff to take care of (Cinza will run into the bathroom and cover up for Ms. P before the humans get a chance to clean).

5) Cinza won't respond to her name, but will respond to the smell of lettuce.

6) Ms. P will respond to her actual name (Patches).

7) While the humans are watching a DVD, Cinza will run into the room like her tail is on fire, open a drawer and then run out again.

8) Ms. P, on the other hand, likes to say hello to both humans before curling up on her special pillow and settling in for a nap beside them.

9) Cinza will continuously sleep for hours and hours during the morning and early afternoon.

10) Ms. P takes short naps and when she wakes up she'll say hello to the humans, inspect the castle and then find a new place to snooze.

We would like to give this award to everyone who comments on today's post, but only if you would like to participate.

A tail and three tomatoes

The Divine Ms. P: The woman placed these tomatoes on the table so that they could become more ripe.

A few days later they were oven-dried and most of them were used for lentil pate. (Apparently, it's surprisingly edible; even the woman likes it and she's not a big lentils fan. I never sampled any so I wouldn't know.)

She likes to experiment, so the rest of the dried tomatoes (along with some pesto) were added the next time she made crackers.

She gave me one of the crackers and I enjoyed batting it around on the floor. The little mooch ate hers.

Twelve Step Tuesday -- Step Seven

And then we came to Step Seven: "Humbly asked the black cat goddess to remove our shortcomings."

Since a) I don't do humble and b) I have no shortcomings, there was nothing for me to do, so I sat on top of the condo where I made eye contact with my female servant and hypnotized her into brushing me.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: we've been having difficulties leaving comments on blogs with word verification because the word isn't showing up.

Music Monday

Cinza: While Roxy from The Devil Dog isn't a kitty, we're still sisters in all the ways that count.

I dedicate this song to my kindred spirit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YhTKiFEMAg&feature=related

By the way, I received this wonderful award from Fin at Housecat Confidential for Best Musical Screenplay -- The Interview (posted Friday, February 20th). What a lovely way to start the week. Thank you, Fin.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

The interview

Fade in

INT. APARTMENT -- MORNING

Our beautiful grey heroine CINZA is lying on the floor in front of the balcony in a sunspot staring off into space. The warmth of the sun is making her sleepy and before long she gives in and closes her eyes.

The image fades.

DREAM SEQUENCE

INT. TV STUDIO -- AFTERNOON

OPRAH is seated on stage wearing a pink T-shirt with the face of a grey kitty and the words: "Cinza's number one fan!!!"

OPRAH (to the cameras and audience)
I'm very excited to introduce our guest -- the world renowned, no, make that the universally loved Cinza who comes all the way from Toronto, Canada.

OPRAH (to Cinza)
Cinza, I'm very honoured to have you here on my show.

We now see CINZA lying on a Boogie Mat on top of a red velvet cushion on a beautiful antique throne.

On the table next to her there's a bowl of filtered water, a second bowl filled with her favourite kitty treats, a pot of lush green cat grass, a salad dish filled with chopped romaine lettuce and a collection of colourful toys.

CINZA
Thank you Oprah. I'm delighted to be here.

OPRAH
We've been trying for a long time to get you to appear on my show. I want to pinch myself to make sure this isn't just a dream. Then again, if it is a dream, I never want to wake up. I want this moment to last forever.

CINZA
It's so hard to find time for everything. It seems the more famous I become, the busier I get.

Cinza licks one of her dainty silver paws.

OPRAH
So, Cinza, please tell us about your latest CD. Every time I hear it, it takes my breath away. You emote like no other. I can't believe how your CDs get better and better. How is that possible? How do you do it?

Cinza smiles modestly.

CINZA
I'm inspired by life, by the little moments we all take for granted and of course I thank the great black Cat Goddess for all that I am and all that I accomplish.

OPRAH
What was your inspiration for your new hit?

CINZA
Well, you see what happened was the man had placed a bowl of Bean and Pasta Soup on the table for the woman. I immediately jumped up on the table and marched over to the soup to make sure it was safe.

After a quick inspection I decided it was safe for human consumption, but not worthy of my more refined palate because it contained no meat or lettuce.

A few days later whilst napping, the music and lyrics came to me and I got the woman to write it all down. My new CD Cinza sings about life and love with my hit song "I sniffed the soup but it wasn't worth eating" is now available for the world's purchasing pleasure.

OPRAH
I noticed this album is different from all the others. Then again, each album is always different.

CINZA
It's my first time singing country and western; it's almost as much fun as singing the blues. Of course I still love doing disco, opera and rap, but I need to challenge myself to keep things fresh.

My next CD will be all about drumming and will include a remix of my first big hit "Whap it, whap it good!!"

OPRAH
You're so versatile, so creative. I'm awed by your talent; your CDs have always been one of my favourite things.

CINZA once again smiles modestly.

CINZA
I owe it all to the great Black Cat Goddess.

OPRAH
After we return from a commercial break we're in for a big treat. Cinza will sing her next big hit "So what if I like to build castles in my litter box." This song is also on her new CD and it's the world's first opportunity to hear it.

The image fades.

INT. APARTMENT -- MORNING

CINZA is lying in the same sunspot as before. She stretches and rolls over to her other side.

Fade out

~ inspired by Fin from Housecat Confidential -- a truly creative feline

Singing

The Divine Ms. P: Oh no, the woman is singing.

Please stop, I have sensitive ears.

Babies are crying and milk is curdling three countries away. This is the most supreme act of cruelty to your two diva kitties and to the entire universe.

That's it you're grounded! No more youtube for the rest of this week!! If you really want R-E-S-P-E-C-T, you must stop singing and never, ever sing again.

Yeesh, sometimes she scares me.

Word Wednesday -- Guilt

Cinza: After sharing the findings of my fourth step inventory, it was brought to my attention that the word "guilt" doesn't exist in my vocabulary.

Who needs guilt when you've got a winning combination of charm, determination and chutzpah?

Twelve Step Tuesday -- Step Six

Were entirely ready to have the divine black cat goddess remove all defects of character -- if any could be found.

Music Monday

The Divine Ms. P: It's Family Day where we live -- a much needed long weekend in February.

Hope you enjoy this 70s flashback.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFM9dqNASq4

Oh oh -- dying grass

Cinza: The woman forgot to water our grass.

Never mind that we pretty much ignore it because that's irrelevant. The point is if we were plants, we'd be dead.

By the way, here's an amazing story about Max told by his person: http://kathompson.blogspot.com/. If you haven't already met him, he's quite the character and has his own blog http://psychokitty.blogspot.com/.

Thankful Thursday

Ms. P and Cinza: We received our first award. A big thank you to Tristan and Crikey, Cliff & Olivia and Jasper McKitten-Cat for presenting us with this.

Here's the explanation:

"This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY -- nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

We're not great at following rules (okay, so we're rebellious and allergic to numbers), but in the spirit of friendship we pass this award to the following (and yes, in all likelihood some of you probably already received this):

The Devil Dog
ZOOLATRY
Meezer Tails
Faz the Cat
Perfectly Parker
Everycat
Furkidsmom
Missy, KC, Bear
Siberian Cats, Mishka and Milakoshka - ( A Tail of Two Kitties + 1 )
Dughallmor Beagles
Aoise's world
the Cat Street Boyz
Artsy Catsy

Whapping Wednesday

The Princess Cinza: Whilst being brushed (one of my most fave pastimes ever!), I got this sudden urge to jump on the table and whap this timer to the floor.

When the woman went over to inspect the timer she was surprised to discover that it was dead. (Duh! Of course it's dead because I KILLED it and it only took one mighty whap with my dainty little paw!)

It always made a nasty loud noise so I did us all a humongous favour and she should have thanked me, but she didn't. Oh well, all that matters is that I had fun.

At any rate, one down and three more timers to go, including the really, really nasty one implanted in the stove which goes on forever when the humans don't get their butts in gear fast enough to turn it off (which is all too often).

Twelve Step Tuesday -- Step Five

Admitted to the black cat goddess, to our various selves and to another diva feline the exact nature of our miscalculations.

Manic Birthday Monday

The Divine Ms. P: In honour of the woman's b'day I thought I'd indulge in a little fun. (Amazing how over night she turned a whole year older and she's moved onto a new decade, but being a lady I'm not going to make a big deal out of of this and embarrass her.)

Since the woman appreciates the reverently irreverent, I chose this just for her: Barbie Girl by Acqua:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=lHZA3G3TRfw

She came across this whilst working on seriously amused and it's been playing in her head ever since. Now it will be forever implanted on her human brain. I like to call it the gift that keeps on giving...

Friends in need Friday

The Divine Ms. P: We haven't been blogging for long and yet we're amazed at all the wonderful bloggers we have met.

Today, instead of writing about us, we would like to direct you to kitties and their people in need of our purrs.
Poor Jake has cancer. He is a very sick kitty who could use our support -- same with his loved ones.

Please send lots of healing purrs to Rocky’s Mommie. She was in the hospital and is now recovering at home.

Moki and his family could also use more of our support. When your animal companion is ill (especially if it's long term), it can be financially, emotionally and physically draining. Only someone who has experienced this would have any clue because for people who aren't involved, it all too easily becomes old news as they move on with their lives. Moki's Mom Crystal has never taken the easy way out; she keeps on looking for answers so she can help her little sweetie. In our eyes, both Moki and Crystal are heroes.

And don't forget about the humans and their animal companions who have been effected by the recession or all the lost, homeless, sickly and abused animals we've not heard about who could do with some loving purrs sent their way.

Have a safe and happy weekend!

I'm not brazen

The Princess Cinza: I'm underfed.

Just look at me! I'm wasting away!!

Hey, could the woman have chosen a more unflattering photo???

I'm not fat; I'm cute and cuddly with a big appetite for life.

Now will someone chase me so I can have a little fun?

Word Wednesday

The Divine Ms. P: Brazen -- a word that aptly describes the little grey furball.
The woman caught Cinza in the midst of inhaling my special kidney diet food on the kitchen counter. (We're NOT allowed on the counter -- EVER.)

When the woman walked into the kitchen, Cinza casually looked up and then resumed her inhaling, even while the woman was scolding her and telling her to get down!

After the little imp was removed from the scene of the crime, the woman covered my dish with a plate and left the room.

Seconds later the woman's meditation session was interrupted by the sound of a loud crash. Sure enough Ms. Short and Sassy had pushed the plate and my dish off the counter.

Did Cinza then run and hide??? Of course not. She returned to the kitchen and began to inspect the floor area surrounding the dish and what was left of the plate for something to eat.

Twelve Step Tuesday -- Step Four

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves -- all of our different personalities and the lives lived so far (or as many as we could remember).

Monday smile -- Simon's Cat 'TV Dinner'

The Divine Ms. P: I have to say, this one I didn't relate to at all. When my people finally settle down to relax and watch a movie or two (as they did on Saturday), I like to get comfy on my favourite pillow next to them and keep them company as I snooze.

Enjoy your day and your week!

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=s13dLaTIHSg&feature=channel

PS Thank you for everyone's support last week. It was a difficult time and your kind words helped a lot.