Good Morning! Looking for Susan? She’s coming! But I’m in charge now, so let’s hear one of MY favorite songs for a change, eh?
She’s busy today so she sent me to say Hello. All I’ve ever wanted was a chance.
Don’t you LOVE this song!? I know, I should be the music man around here. Oops, I forgot, I have strict instructions not to “talk too much.” (Listen to HER) I’m just supposed to tell you she’s busy writing a new WILLARD and that’s all. I think it’s a trick to keep me off her art table. I “mess things up.” Just because I throw the eraser on the floor so we can play ball with it? Is that messing things up? You be the judge. Humans are an enigma.
Leave me your questions. I have all the inside information. When she’s asleep I’ll come back on little cat feet and tell you how it really works around this place. Hint: I do the laundry! I do! Uh-oh, here she comes. Gotta go! ♥
Take that back!!! found it up above…sorry!!!!!
Oh good!
Hi Jack
Love your beautiful big eyes and wonderful whiskers. You remind me of my dear kitty that is in kitty heaven.
love Susan M
Oh! My mom says when she goes, she wants to go where I go, to Kitty heaven.
Betti writes that her mom says that if dogs and even kitties (that is for those who know her mom is afraid of kitties) don’t go to the same heaven as people, then it won’t be Heaven and she wants to be where they are, too!!! (and in heaven she won’t be afraid of kitties, that is what Fanny says…)
Pat, I have a 20# Mainecoon named Smokee who you could not help but love…he is the sweetest boy in this world and he just welcomes everyone who comes here and then wants to lay on you because he just thinks everyone adores him like I do….you would have no reason to be afraid of my kitties…I promise. Angela taught him how to hug and kiss and that is all he wants to do!!! I truly do not think he is a cat but don’t tell him that!!!!
Deborah, Thanks for the laugh! Having known Pat for most of her life, the visual of your cat sitting on her lap made me laugh so hard I had tears…
LOL!
Deborah, I’ve always said that I know what will cause my death. I’ll be in a nursing home in a wheelchair following a stroke, unable to talk or walk, and some well-meaning soul will plop the “resident kitty” in my lap and say, “Here, Mrs. Mofjeld, pet the nice kitty” and I will have a heart attack and drop dead!!! just saying… 🙂
Hi Sandy, I had no idea that Pat was fearful of cats…I would never have suggested that she let Smokee sit on her lap?? I truly love my cats; but, would never force anyone to “love” them, we put our cats up in their room whenever “company” comes over just out of respect to them….so Pat no pressure to be around scary kitties and sorry you have had so many negative experiences!!! I agree there are crazy cats that jump on you and screech/hiss, I just happen to be blessed with well behaved kitties (of course)…Sandy, so happy that I could give you some laughter I truly did not mean it to be at Pat’s expense though!
Dear Jack,
Before I go any further, you must understand that I am a dog…WAIT! Keep reading! I am Bella, a 3 year old Chocolate Lab who, like you, is sometimes misunderstood. Know that I am in touch with my feline-self and I have some inside knowledge to share with you. Remember, this is shared out of love from one animal to another, regardless of our outside appearance!
My Humans, Cowboy and Christine, are for the most part loving and caring. They never neglect my basic needs and for that I am thankful. But, they do have some strange expectations from me. Example: they throw a toy of mine. They look at me and say “blah blah blah” Like, what does that mean? I get annoyed, go pick it up and return it. Again, they throw it! More “blah blah blah” After a while I just ignore the rude behavior and they quiet down. Perhaps since you are having the opposite issue, You trying to engage with Them, this might work. Fetch them a mouse or lizard and I guarantee you’ll get some action! I brought a snake into the house once and boy! did that get them running. They were hollering all kinds of BLAH! BLAH! BLAH! That was a tail-wagging day. 🙂
What is your bed situation like on MV? Here in Colorado they expect me to share a bed with them! Really?! There are several empty beds in this abode and yet every night I heard ” Bella! Blah blah blah” and get nudged to the end of the bed. Jack… get this cleared up NOW! Hold your ground! Play dead! Sometimes that settles the Blah Blah Blahs – they huff and roll over to give me the space I need and deserve. Did I mention I’m 95 lbs.? (Please don’t snicker – I’m very sensitive to that!)
Most importantly Jack, you must be patient! Give them time. They are teachable creatures but they are slow to catch on. Persistence! Don’t give up.. once you give into their demands, thats it! Final! No going back. I use to pee in the house on any whim until one day I happened to take care of “business” outside and WHAMO! That was it… now they demand it all the time! Humans, lovable but so exasperating! I happened upon a letter written by Luke, the Humans dog previous to my coming. He lived a long, loving life with these humans for eleven years! I could feel the tension in the forming years but he persevered and before they even knew what happened, he molded them into the most serving, loyal creatures this side of the Rockies! Once in a blue moon (ask your Susan the story behind that!) I see them look at Luke’s picture and wipe away a tear. Our job, dog or feline, is to bring comfort to them! That’s when I soften up and bring them one of their fetch toys. It always cheer them up!
Its not an easy road ahead of you Jack – but, thousands of miles away, your FRIENDLY, not so obedient dog-friend Bella has faith in you! YOU will conquer! YOU will win them over to the Fur Side!
Slobbers and wags, Bella
(don’t take offense, but why do cats always wash themselves? So much time and energy – get your Humans to take you to the Spa once a month for a wash and nail trim – HEAVENLY!) xoxox
This sounds like good advice, the parts I understand. I don’t understand Spa. I don’t understand 95 pounds. I would be lucky if I could catch a fly. That’s all they have here. I have mouse for computer. I have no snakes. That’s all. You seem nice Bella. I like dogs.
Still laughing…too funny!
LOL, really funny, my two beagles would concur, pretty sure of that.
especially the Blah, blah, blah, etc, etc, etc.
The reason cats keep so called “cleaning themselves”,(misunderstood by most humans)it is the way we(cats) cool down,meaning tempature.
Hello Boy Kitty!!
You know what? I think you are a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e. Actually, many of your Mom’s girlfriends think you are adorable!!! I must thank you for your thoughtfulness, in sending us a note on your Mom’s blog! She seems to be very busy, doesn’t she? Oh, nevermind …. SHE IS VERY BUSY!!!
You’re a very lucky boy Jack kitty-kitty. I mean, livin’ the life with the happy-gene family (you picked) plus a sweet and regal sister girl kitty-kat is certainly special! I’m thinking that your house should have hearts painted all over it, just like one of your Mom’s favourite mugs from Emma Bridgewater! So fun, huh?
Well, I better get on with my day. Love and cuddles to you all.
Erica
X0
I’m looking at my mom right now. She is taping pieces of paper together. I heard her talking to Kellee, I think she said WILLARD. I’m going to take a nap now, she was fun before, we played ball. But not anymore.
Bella wrote to Jack, too. But thought because she was a dog, Jack wanted nothing to do with her and buried it 😉
She just found it!
Nobody talks about the blog troll who steals posts! Wait….I think I hear him giggle now. I don’t know if my comment will be posted or eaten, but I have to tell you Jack-the-Kitty you are adorable! And so is Blogdaddy Jack! And Susan! My dog Zoe has the same problem, she runs around with a toy, and then lays down all depressed if we don’t chase her constantly! Its a shame sometimes we humans have work and other responsibilities that take us away from play. *sigh* I wish it was different. Know you are a loved kitty, Jack.
A … you’re adorable
B … you’re so beautiful
C … you’re a cutie full of charm
Meow, frrrrt, purrrr …
Susan is that one of those new Jolly Jack Dryer Sheets I see?
D you’re a darlin’ — not a dryer sheet. Probably a hankie!
Oh, Jack! We here at the Phenix household were ever so happy to read your blog. Our Mom is having a great birthday, today and she just kept laughing and smiling while reading your message. Mom has always allowed us to have a voice in this home. As a matter of fact, she speaks in her high voice, when Dad tries to reprimand us for “bad” behavior. In that way, our thoughts are spoken so Dad gets the picture. He’s a law and order sort of guy (retired State Police) and gets upset sometimes when we are not behaving. Ha! Who says constantly asking to be let out on the porch and 5 min later, back in the house, is misbehaving?? I mean really! We are a dog and a cat. No one can domesticate the adventuresome spirit out of us. So keep on the job (art critic and laundry monitor) Jack, we are with you all the way. Sincerely, Wendy Sue (12 yr old Goldendoodle) and Charlie (8yr old Siamese) We were both rescued by our humans so were really do love them!!
Hey Wendy Sue … Hey Charlie! Nice to meet you!!
Oh Jack..thank you so much for ‘jumping’ on the computer..just long enough to let us know how your Mom is doing! We always worry about her…smile… I am sooooo glad to hear she is working on Willard… I know you are a big help to her…and i’m sure she will have something to say about you in it! ha..ha… Now you need to be careful jumping in the dryer..be sure you let Susan know when you do this!!
Blessings and please let Kitty know we wuv her too…
Gert
I will, and I will Try to tell Girl you wuv her, but she doesn’t listen to me very well. Mom just finished Willard! She’s very happy! We’re going to go PLAY!!!
To all of you Humans….if you haven’t you should….read: A Dog’s Journey and The Art of Racing in the Rain…..Then you would understand all of us perfectly, just like we really do understand you…we just act like we don’t sometimes…..
Sincerely,
Dexter and Casey
Jack tell Susan that we all loved your blog…xox
I will Dexter and Casey!
We too think some posts are missing…..xo
I’m so sorry, I really have NO idea what would cause this and wouldn’t even know where to look! There’s a “spam collector” (something like that) on this blog, maybe they go there . . . but its so stuffed full, right now 2,842 posts have gone to spam … and that’s only in the last month, I empty this all the time, so perhaps spam snags a comment here and there? That’s my best guess. Sorry!
Dexter and Casey wrote but it doesn’t appear to have posted….maybe the dog ate it…xo
Hi, Susan! So glad that you’re back home safe and sound from your travels! So beautiful!
This comment has nothing to do with your post, but may I make two requests?
1. Is there any way you could add a “search” feature to your blog? I had wanted to look for a post about birds and birdseed and I believe it was from last fall but there’s no way to search other than to scroll through pages and pages of postings from between now and then. Maybe you have this feature and I’m just not seeing it, but it would be so, so helpful if it could be added! There is so much helpful and inspirational information swimming about in this blog and there’s no way to search for any of it!
2. Along the same lines, is there a way to add the “notify me of follow-up comments” box after placing a comment? Each post can have hundreds of comments and to have to return multiple times and scroll through every single comment to find one’s original comment to see if there has been anything added either from you or another reader is so daunting.
I’m sure these are not small tasks, but they are so helpful when they’re included in a blog. Just wondering if it’s possible!
That’s what I’m afraid of, that these aren’t small tasks, but I sent this to my computer person to take a look. We’ll see what he says, if it’s $500 dollars to do this, I might be able to do it; if it’s $5000, then we are going to have to be on our own! I hope its a push of a button! Could be, the computer is so amazing!
Regarding a search feature, I think it may already exist. I was looking back at some older posts (before it became a blog) and clicked on a link that was no longer connected. An apology came up with a search box. I tried it with something unrelated (pineapple) and several posts about pineapple came up. Maybe it’s just a matter of added the search box to the list on the right? –Of course, I say “just”, when I have no idea how complicated it is to make that happen. I’m not trying to make more work for anyone. Just trying to help. 🙂
And Jack the kitty, you make me smile. But your eyes in that first photo make me a little bit dizzy. lol.
I do think there IS a search button here, but where it is, I’m not sure . . . I will ask Kellee if she knows.
Here is the link to the very beginning of your Website that is still on the Web: http://www.162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch//2010/11/21/ This is where that Search Box lives, but it doesn’t seem to know what it’s doing. For instance, I typed in “Jack” which is one of the tags on this post and it not find it. BUT, people can use that link to start at the beginning if they want to and do as I’ve done to move through the Blog and bookmark the pages they want to refer back to. They just need to click on the link at the top of each post to take them to the next post and so on.
Thank you Cathy, I went there today and found it! What would I do without my girlfriends!?
Jen, concerning your second request. An easy way to find your comment to see if someone has commented on it is to pick a word from your comment (I use “Maryland” from my name) in your Find feature to locate every comment with that word. You have to go to each new page of comments, though.
Concerning #1, I use “Blogger” for my Blog and it’s very easy to add this feature in Design. But Susan says she uses WordPress, I believe, and that could be totally different. Maybe someone out there who uses WordPress knows of a simple way to add this feature. I bit the bullet and scrolled all the way back to the beginning and have been rereading Susan’s posts and bookmarking the ones I might want to access again. It’s been delightful, so I really don’t mind now that there isn’t a search feature.
How helpful Cathy! Thank you!
Agree with Cathy-
the best way is to “Bookmark” or “Save”
the post/specific page & edit the title accordingly.
That makes it simple & easy to find
and refer back to favorites.
Actually, I think it’s fun, having to scroll through
a various post, it assures, you didn’t miss anything
and you’re bound to laugh at the same remarks,
all over again, which makes it totally worth it.
When I first went to Rachel’s “Mozart Girl”
blog, I made sure I found the time to go back & scroll through as many of her lovely posts, as possible.
It was so much fun-
when I got to the post where she had dyed her hair,
I laughed so much I almost wet my pants !
Everyone needs to go on that adventure-
it is so darn sweet, funny & relatable-
so worth the time to track it down.
Susan’s blog is suppose to be light & fun-
she doesn’t need an internet albatross around her neck, trying to archive every detail.
It’s time consuming on her part & expensive
to hire it out.
The Girlfriends need Susan to do exactly what
she’s meant to be doing-
writing, creating & sharing.
She’s a giver from the get-go-
let’s not burden her with other matters
that we can easily solve ourselves.
My little friend. Thank you. Everyone needs a little mommy sometimes xoxoxo
Back at cha’-
cha-cha-cha…shall we ? 🙂
I mentioned it because the majority of blogs I’ve read over time have these two features and they are very nice. I love you, Susan! I’m not trying to express that I’m not thankful for your blog. Quite the contrary! I do not bookmark every blog post I read that I find interesting, on any blog, because I’d have thousands then. I did find the post, called Just a Peep from Sep, 2011 doing a basic internet search, which I don’t know why I didn’t think to do that in the first place. I just came right to the blog and tried to find it that way. I do agree perusing archives is lovely, but it’s also a luxury that isn’t something I can do often. It was information I needed to access quickly, and I couldn’t find it here and thought I’d inquire about those features. I think your blog’s wonderful! Not sure what an “internet albatross” would be, but it doesn’t sound good!
Don’t worry Jen, my blog is still a bit new, and I really do appreciate any and all suggestions of how to make it better for everyone . . . I may not get to it right away, but it gets on my list, and that’s a start!
I agree wholeheartedly with Julie. Especially the last paragraph.
Much appreciative, Trish K. 🙂
I know
all the Girlfriends & Guyfriends
appreciate Susan’s creative efforts-
her generosity, talent & friendship are boundless.
THAT is exactly why she DESERVES
to win the CL Best Blue Ribbon Blog !
But knowing, how hard she works
& how accommodating she is,
sometimes we feel the need to swoop in
& save her from her infinite kindness.
“Wonder Woman” isn’t always available ! 🙂
The “Internet Albatross”
I spoke about is my term for an
unexpected, unnecessary weight put around one’s neck, on their shoulders or back,
temporarily stifling the matter at hand-
a cog in the wheel,
a speed bump on the highway
a hair in the soup,
a cow on the train track
or a bat in your belfry.
Some may refer to it as
“a monkey on my back”.
I designate it, as an “Internet Albatross”
because it makes me FOCUS
on the “Work-in-Progress”
& big-winged birds
STARTLE & SCARE me
back to reality.
I have dealt with tons of them myself-
one either chooses to circumvent around them,
follow through on the job
or allow it to disengage your thought process,
& particularly CREATIVE energy…
strictly, my opinion-
based on reality.
I relate most to the bat in the belfry. I have that ! 🙂 Yes, and I agree.
Confucious say,
“Better to have 20 Bats in your Belfry
than 2 in your Britches”! 🙂
TGIF….Have a Crazy Weekend !
Confucious very smart.
Hi Jack, I am so glad to see you again, I really missed you while Susan was over here in the UK. I love seeing photos and videos of you and hope that Susan will post another video really soon. Love to see you do the laundry you are such a good cat. I love your moustache, you are such a good looking chap and some time I would love to meet you in real life, it would be a big step in my life and I love that you can talk through the computer. I know that I sound like I am only 9 but actually I am 12. 🙂 and please tell Susan that when she is coming to the UK again we would love to meet her and Joe ( we live very near Rachel the wonderful brownie baker) and YOU JACK YOU COOL CAT 🙂 I see from the videos and pictures that you are funny and have lots of fun and between you and me I think you are the funniest cat I know LLLOOOVVVEEE, your number 1 fan Alexander Hamilton xxxxxxxxxxxxxx :):):):)
I love boys named Alexander! You are 12, I am only One. We could be friends! Say Hi to your Mom! Cat paws forever, Jack
Hi Jack,I think your typing is just great my mum says hi back to you. I think you are a really nice cat. If you want to get back to me soon, I think we could computer pals! 🙂 I hope to see a anothoer video of you soon. I am so pleased that my mum showed me your mom’s site. You have helped me throgh the some tough times recently. My mum sends you lots of pats and she sends your mom many thanks for letting you post on her blog. Love and pats from Alexander and i lllloooovvvveee you Jack :)xxxx 🙂
I wanted to send you a really cute Jacquie Lawson card about going for the gold in London and the cat in it is so cute! Can’t figure out how to send it to you in a regular email. You probably know about her lovely cards. Anyway, I thought you would love it so check it out! My oldest son has 2 gold medals in Volleyball from the 84 (LA) and 88 (Seoul) Olympics so I am sending it to him. Such memories.
Hope you can access it. Also, let us know when your 2013 calendars become available…I always give many for Christmas so don’t want to miss out. Gooooo USA!!! We’re doing great!
Cheers, Ritchie Saunders, Pacific Palisades, CA
I do know about the Jacquie Lawson cards, so cute, thank you for the thought, and you are so right, GO USA!!!
Hi Ritchie — just wanted to let you know the 2013 calendars are available now through Susan’s website. I just received mine a few days ago. Your lucky gift recipients will LOVE it, too!
Thank you Marianne!
I would still like to hear about Kitty Girl’s and Jack’s reaction when you first came home from your trip. And any stories that your house-cat sitter told about them while you were gone. Thanks.
The house sitter just wrote us that everything was fine, Jack was still playing ball, Girl was sleeping in all her favorite places and that neither of them had mentioned us to him. So we had to go with that. But when we came home, Girl was on the dining room table, she rolled over and cried while I pet her. It was so sweet. Made me cry too. As I remember, I think Jack just handed me a ball. Because he has a passion and it is the ball.
Skye and Boudica ( the mother-daughter Siberian Husky/Alaskan Malamute team) would like to tell you that you need to get a dog, so it can post occasionally too. They would be typing this themselves, but unfortunately have no thumbs, so have to rely on mom to do it. They think there are enough cats who get too much attention already (Fiona, Fluffy, Dandylion and Fletcher, to be specific) and they politely request that you give canines equal time. Also, if you have any spare bacon lying around, they would love that too.
By the way, five of us are shelter rescues, and one of us (Boudica) is homegrown. She doesn’t hold it against us, though. 🙂
Hello Jack!
I’m Annie in Washington State. I’m a calico kitty and adopted my mom and dad 13 years ago. They named me after “Little Orphan Annie,” since I didn’t have a family and was roaming outside. Now I have a wonderful “furrever” home! Like you, I LOVE sitting in the dryer amongst all the clean, warm laundry! When the buzzer goes off, I sit in front of the laundry room door and meow loudly until someone comes to open the dryer. My mom thinks I’m letting her know it’s time to take the laundry out for folding and tells me how smart I am, but it’s REALLY because I know the buzzer means there are some toasty towels or T-shirts to snuggle up in! And I look so cute doing it that mom and dad can’t bear to disturb me (and sometimes they take pictures too)! My mom is a HUGE Emma Bridgewater fan as well and bought me a polka-dot Emma Bridgewater kitty water dish. And she has 5 E.B. kitty mugs too. Our house is FULL of kitty things!! We’re both very lucky pusses, don’t you agree?
Love & Purrs,
Annie
Your house sounds good! Do they let you out?
Not for several years now. Once my mom spotted a coyote in our yard, I became an indoor kitty for life! And I don’t have any teeth now, so I couldn’t defend myself at all. I used to get in some scrapes when I would go out, and my mom always worried about where I was or what I was doing. She’s much happier now! I’m pretty used to being inside now. How could I not love it with all of the comforts I have? Mom and dad bought a living room chair several years ago that NO ONE has ever sat in but me! And I even let them sleep in bed with me (although they call it THEIR bed)! I’m pretty much loving my life here! I think I’ve ruled the roost from the first day I walked into the house! (Annie’s mom here – she is definitely the one in charge, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We love her to pieces! After she adopted us – she was our first kitty, and we had never even thought about one before – I came across a plaque with a black and white cat on it that said, “Sometimes happiness sneaks in through a door you didn’t even know you left open.” Had to buy it, because truer words were never spoken! She has really enriched our lives beyond measure.)
My first kitty came because I was being tortured by gophers in my yard, eating the roots of my rose bushes! So even though I didn’t really like cats, I got a kitty. And fell, like you, completely in love. She took care of the gophers too. She was orange and her name was Pooh. I’ve been a goner for kitties ever since. Once you know, that’s it.
I’m loving all the cat stories. This is mine. It was my first kitten in 1974. She was playing in my purse and I was running late for work. I hurriedly picked her up and set her down and left. When I came home that evening there at the top of the stairs in our split-level foyer was a neat pile of kleenex. Calico apparently had taken each kleenex from the pop-up box on top of the refrigerator and piled them one by one on top of each other. She’d made sure it was the first thing I saw when I walked in the front door. She’s also the one to teach my children not to leave their toys strewn about on the basement floor at night or else she’d “mark” it as her own, if you know what I mean. She lived to be 19-1/2.
Smart little kitty!
I KNOW that you either painted or tattooed Jack’s face – no way that perfect little mustache is an act of Mother Nature! On the other hand, who does PERFECTION better than Mother Nature? You my darling friend, are only 2nd to Mother Nature! xoxo S
You are too much Sarah! Love you!
Jack is wonderful!! I am glad he wrote to us! So delightful!!
Thanks so much,
Robin 🙂
Jack, I love your choice in music! I’d sort of forgotten about Patti Page but am so glad to hear her again! Thanks.
JACK!
You don’t know how EXCITED I was to see you again! Whenever you appear on my Mom’s computer, I run around it to get a closer look (and sniff) at you, but you disappear! I am TOTALLY electrified by your presence (that may be because we are both black-and-white!) and look for you every time my Mom turns on the computer. I try to keep you a secret from my twin brother, Winston, who is the ball-retrieving champion around here. He ALWAYS brings it back to my Mom. I, however, try to keep the ball all to myself. Keep up the good work. LOTS of love, BENTLEY! (I missed you so!)
BENTLY! You sound FUN!
Tut’s note showed up this morning; the blog just had not shown that the note was in moderation. This post has been so much fun Susan! All the Girlfriends’ and Jack’s comments have made me laugh a lot. I am amazed at how much you have accomplished while we all have been hanging out together, especially since Jack is helping you at every step of the way and the blog server has been giving you fits. Tut likes to help me quilt and cross stitch so I know what it’s like! I bet you are working on your next blog post too.
xoxo,
Kathy
And believe it or not, new calendar covers for 2014!
Oh my—I am so impressed!
JAAAAAACCCKKKK!!!!!!!!! how lovely to see you Monsieur Jack. Your looking as debonair as always, oui oui, no? Your yeux verts and your moustache bien toilettee must drive the girl kitties on MV purrrrrfectly delirious, no? oui oui. ;{> Jack, what I reeeeally want to know, how many shoes did Susan really buy in England????? did she have a thirteenth suitcase full of shoes? and did she buy any shoes for you? For that matter did she bring ANYthing back for you, an English plush mouse toy or maybe some English catnip?
Saaaaay, wait a min….u….te…… where’s Girl Kitty? and……Petey? Jaaaack? Really Jack? YOUr standing in for Susan? Where are they? Really?……………………………………………………
What did you do with them? I’m feeling just a wee bit suspicious now…. hmmmmmmmm….. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhHwnrlZRus
Jack, btw, I think the song ‘How much is the Doggy in the window’ is a decoy, a distraction from what is really going on here, don’t you think? I’m on to you buddy……
Hi Susan
You do have a search feature. I found it quite by accident. I chose “shopping” on the menu bar at the top of your blog. Then I chose “books” from the horizontal menu bar (not the vertical menu) from the shopping screen. It took me to this: NOT FOUND Apologies, but the page you requested could not be found. Perhaps searching will help. And indeed it did. I keyed in “chocolate sauce”, hit search and it brought up your blogs that had the word chocolate or sauce. Your blogs are shortened to just a couple of sentences with a “continue reading prompt”. It was very fast so I tried again and keyed, what else “Jack”. Worked like a charm. By the way, I was so surprised when I recently called your customer service number to enquire about shipping to Canada. After the second ring, I got a real person named Sherrie who explained how things work. She was so nice and very helpful – I was so impressed – no “hold for the next available representative”,no “your call will be monitored for quality control”, no “your call is important to us”. You proved my call was important to you by answering the phone! Thank you for all you do and for all you are to everyone. Happy hugs to you, Joe and the kitties, Elaine.
Hi Jack, just thought you might like to know that your long lost TWIN brother is safe here So Cal and lives a mighty good life across the street from us! He has 5 Humans, 1 gentle dog and three other kitty’s to live with!! He comes across the street to lay under our olive tree on days like today when it is 111 degrees out. He is very friendly and every time I see him…..I really do think of you!!
Hi Susan, in my reply to your reply… which is not there now…I meant to say LOL…’I get you’ as in… I know what you meant about not letting Jack know about going across the street. I hope there was not a misunderstanding there, sorry it came across different than I meant it to.
Not sure exactly what this is referring to, but don’t worry Debbie, I’m sure what ever it was, was fine . . .
Hello Jack,
How do you do all the laundry?
Maybe you can teach my cat Max to do the same. 🙂
Very cute post. LOL!!
Thank You!
Just wanted to let you “girlfriends” know – I was wanting to find the words to “Playmate come out and play with me…..” that Susan posted and SANG:) a while back. I went to my main page where i have google and a blank search bar and….typed in Susan Branch song Playmate come out and play AND it gave me a number of sites. I picked one and it brought me right to it – YEAH! Also, if I comment I keep a little pad of 2″ x 2″ post-its by my computer and I jot down the date and time of my comment (or if a reply the date/time of the poster). It is easy the next day or so to check back :))))
Dear Sweet Sue,
Ohhhhhh your Jack!!! He’s soooo distinguished and such a cutie pie at the same time!
…I Just want to pick him up and kiss his cute little furry head!
Oh yes! … and I know all about those innocent looks, and all the mischief those little paws can get into!…. Squiggles, ( Squiggs) has taught me well….. If there is anything loose on a flat surface, ( or on any surface) ..it must be batted on the floor…. then delicately, sometimes not so delicately, then with a paw of precision,….gently, … sometimes, not so gently edged under the refrigerator, the sofa or any other heavy large piece of furniture. I lose more pens that way! …. Amazing!… all the treasures I can recover on my hands and knees and a yardstick! ….That’s also where all 62 plus of her mice hide….trembling …
…And speaking of Squiggs…she definitely gets around!!!!
I do believe that she has now managed to sneek into your Store and squiggle herself right into your picture of your “Strike it Rich” golden charm bracelet that you have for sale.
Yes! ..your beautiful charm bracelet would definitely catch her eye and even with that sweet innocent expression… in an instant, as pretty as it is, it would definitely just have to be whapped to the floor!
…..As, this little baby in your picture looks just like her!!!!! So if it comes up missing you’ll know Squiggs was there!… and you should then go find a yardstick….
… we won’t even get into the laundry basket escapades!
Blessings to you, Jack and Girl,
XOXO
Love,
Victoria
We figure there must be 500 balls with bells in them somewhere, but we don’t know where. What does he do with them?
have you looked under the bed, the sofa and all the chairs??? they stash them to play with them again…after you find them all for them. so i make it a habit to regularly check under the furniture,the bed and behind doors and the entertainment center and clean up the toys so they have all their toys back to swat around the house and hide again. its a game with them and its their way of getting us to play with them. 🙂
I have crawled around this house, Yes, I think I know they are there, But really, I wish HE would go get them instead of me!
Do any kittycat balls come with GPS Tracking System ?
Oh-no,
that didn’t sound right
but you know what I mean…….:)
How ’bout trading the balls in
for a Boomerang ?
Lil’ Jack, the kitcat might not come back
but the Boomerang certainly will ! 🙂
Brilliant! Chip the balls. Only with a magnet, so you can run some sort of stick behind the furniture and they will all stick to it!
Such a good laundry helper you are, Jack! I’m sure you perform lots of other helpful deeds “on the sly.”:-)
Have a wonderful day!
xo Nellie
Picked up my eraser this morning and tried to take it with him! I could have been hunting for days if I didn’t catch him leaving with it!
Hey Jack! I see your cute little ears behind those clothes! I’ll just BET you are “helping”, you little rascal. Darling little rascal, though. Hey, Sweetie, I just missed getting in my reply to your sweet Mommy about her “Let’s Go Shoe Shopping” post, so would you wait for her to take a short break from her work on WILLARD, and show her this reply for me? If I could, I’d thank you by giving you a little catnip mouse to play with when you finish the ..uh … laundry. Thanks! Here’s the reply:
Shoes! Cute shoes! One of the best parts of being female!
Now this is going to sound strange at first when I tell you that your cute shoe post was perfect timing for me, because I’ve been experiencing a “having-to-give-up-cute-shoes-forever pity party” lately. I have diabetes, and have been fighting hard-to-heal problems off and on again for a long time now, as lots of diabetics have with our feet. I had finally been given “orders?” by the doctor to give in to the idea of submitting to the nightmarish world of the ugly diabetic shoe club. Made somewhat more difficult, as I am one of those females who can just go over the moon for the cutest shoes! Especially the little ballerina style in all types of beautiful designs, colors, and embellishments.
In working with the shoe specialist, I had finally talked myself into halfway thinking that SOME of the clunkers in his catalogue were passable and almost feminine… then I ordered a pair and had them fitted, had gotten my feet kind of used to the new shoes. And since I had always kind of liked the Mary Jane style of shoes anyway, (the smaller daintier ones, however) I was trying to tell myself that the “chunkier” version of the Mary Janes that I had to order were more in style now, anyway, and so I was just lucky that they HAD diabetic shoes in the“Mary Jane” style at all! I had even begun to feel guilty for minding so much in the first place, since I know I have many blessings, for which I am very thankful, and in the world of problems, having to wear ugly shoes should be low on the list. I was trying to be a good girl and not mind them so much any more, but I must confess, I would still catch my eyes drifting longingly over to the darling cute shoes which are available these days. ..sigh….
You, Susan, always cheer me up with every post, so I was happy to see another update had arrived in my inbox! Oh wonderful! On the first glance of your new post, I see London busses!..so, we’re back to England! Escape from the depressing shoe dilemma! Yay! …
…But what’s this? SHOES?! Lots and lots of shoes! .. and each one cuter than the last! Oh what darling little shoes! Our tastes are so similar in so many things, it’s not surprising that I just LOVED the ones you chose to show. After the first little pinprick to my heart, I really did enjoy the delightful post, but after the kid-in-the-candy-store high, all that emphasis on ‘cute’ and ‘little’ kind of ended with a slight deflation when reality returned…..until….
I clicked on the site you gave to show the pair of purple shoes you had bought… OH wow! …Alright!! You bought some MARY JANES, too! The style is almost exactly like my black Mary Janes, with some little variations, but in that picture, yours really DO look cute … darling, actually. You could choose any style you want, and you liked those Mary Janes enough to choose them! If anyone as cute as Susan Branch likes them, well, it just helps somehow. Hey! With fall coming up, we could wear them with tights! Mary Janes were just MADE for tights! They are so ….CUTE together! ;> You always make my day better! Thanks Susan.
Love, Brenda
Mary Janes and tights are made for each other! 🙂
Hi jack ! I’m an ole cow dog down here in the pastures of Texas! I chase cows by day and bark at whatever moves in the night! I know I make my girl and man happy cause even when it’s really late by the moon, they open the door quickly and talk really loud at me, guess they just want me to know how much they appreciate me! I love them!! Take care of your Susan girl cause my girl gets a real kick out of all she does! Blessings to you! X x Guttie
Reply to: Kathy from Heafed to the Fell, Brevard, NC
Re: Spiritual Awareness
Sounds like your Father had a wonderful life & loving family around,
to lead him to back to your Mom & their just rewards.
It’s difficult to lose the people one loves,
especially those who are still considerably young
but for some strange reason, I, myself, have never been afraid to die.
Its comforting to understand the whole “Silver Chord” theory.
Hospice nurses & doctors, especially, can attest to amazing events.
I appreciate their strength, on a daily basis because I know I am
incapable of ever wearing their trusty shoes.
It is heartbreaking, to see someone, so weak & ravished
beg for another shot of morphine to ease their pain.
I refuse to ever be in that position.
Doreen Virtue, the author of “Healing with the Fairies”
is a clairvoyant, as a small child, her parents shunned her visions.
She has written many books on Angels, etc.-
they are all wonderful, you can google her, go on her website or YOUTUBE
for some of her interviews & seminars.
I knew NOTHING of her, when I bought the book-
the only reason I bought it was because I was intrigued with the
delicate fairy, on the cover & the title.
Not to give it all away, but it begins with her almost being carjacked,
she’s at her wit’s end, in a bottomless second marriage; has 2 sons, 2 cats &
her amazing clairvoyant gift, that she has yet, to fully embrace.
Enter the fairies, gnomes in bushes & on seashores, leprechauns in airport,
mermaids, dolphins and all their magic.
Major events begin in her life, that even she couldn’t predict.
You have to pinch yourself to remember…..this is non-fiction,
You will not be able to put it down until you’ve finished it
& I promise, you will never allow anyone to mow down mushrooms or
fungi, in your yard ever again-
you’ll learn why very soon, as her story unfolds.
It is pure magic & inspiration, a love story to a planet
and realms, we completely miss, ignore or pass off as silly.
I had just finished it when my sister was diagnosed-
I sent her a copy immediately, knowing it would lift her spirits.
Unfortunately, with all that happened so fast, she never got to the book.
I know she would have loved it-
we probably would have tried to attend one of Doreen’s seminars.
Whenever we were together & she would see, what undoubtedly,
were two, older sisters walking together,
she would point them out & say,
“Look Julie, there we are when we’re 75 “…
When I see two sisters walking, together anywhere, it is so bittersweet.
She loved animals, birds, the shoreline, lighthouses, sunsets
and the distant sound of ferry bells on Cape Cod & the Vineyard.
I know they are all still within her view & reach,
one not only has to see it, to believe it-
one must believe it, to see it.
“Healing with the Fairies” IS a spiritual springboard !
Dear Julie and Kathy…having lost my younger brother and first grand-daughter newborn baby and most recently my first-born son I take your comments to heart…thank you all…especially Susan, for all that you do !!!…sincerely and with love…thanks for sharing…
Oh my goodness, you have had more than your share of heartbreak Mary. You have such fortitude, your comments show your love of life, when I read them, I always think your last name is perfect for you. I love your optimism. I’m so sorry for your loss!
Reply@Mary Spring
RE: Trying times & Loss
First, I have to agree with Susan-
your last name is wonderful, “Spring”….forever ETERNAL !
Paired with lovely name like “Mary”…it’s classic !
There are enough adorable “Madisons’ & McKenzies” running around-
but how ’bout getting back to the pure beauty of simply, “Mary” ?
Secondly, I have some thoughts to share
& hopefully, later I will find the time to do so…..hang in there, Kiddo !
For now, Mary Spring, I just want to say, that you are so right.
Through her blog & her gentle, genuine, giving nature,
Susan, Joe & their KitCats have gathered & inspired
so many wonderful Girls & Guyfriends,
all with wanderlust, incredibly open & sometimes aching hearts-
ALL remarkably, giving in their own ways.
It’s what I like to refer to the “BHK” Factor-
“Basic Human Kindness”….in the end, THAT’S all that truly matters.
Don’t you think-
we ALL…so need to throw a huge Susan Branch Pajama Party !
Wherever…on the Vineyard, on the Mississippi “Delta Queen”,
in Altoona, Peoria, at Pat Addison’s North Forty, where the
“Lawn Mower Brigade” is always on parade
or out of the trunk of Deborah Lynn Heater’s olde, spiffy Firebird-
hey there, Girlfriends…are your ears ringing ? 🙂
Pa-Jam-Ma…Ma-Ma-Mia PARTY…that’s right,
a party, in honor of Susan & all her crazy, blog anklebiters-
hey, lOOK, that’s ALL of US !
“Petey the Sailor Boy” & “Blogdaddy” can be Masters of Ceremony.
Seriously, I think we need Petey, G.K. & Lil’ Jack stickers
to slap all over this world & give it an infectious case of the SILLIES !
Whadda’ ya’ think, Mary…think we Girlfriends could pull it off ?
Wouldn’t it be fun……can you even imagine ?
Prepare to bring bail money,
just in case Judi & Linda spike the “Peah Sida” & lose control,
if ya’ know what I mean ? 🙂
Oh yeah, let’s order & overnite “Mozart Brownies”
from Rachel & fly her in to entertain us with her fabulous stories
about “Hair coloring” & “Art Class Modeling”. 🙂
NONE of the nude models, we had in Figure Drawing Class
ever looked like the beautiful “Ray”-
they were University students making 5 bucks an hour,
which was pur-rit-tee good wampun, back in the 70’s.
Needless to say, the guys in class referred to them,
as “Bolshevik Beatniks” but that’s a story for another time.
Right now, I’m just thinkin’-
Pa-Ja-Ma-Ma-Ma-Mia PARTY !
I think we’re ready, lotsa’ reasons to C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E…
especially, when Ms. Susan WINS that CL Best Blue Ribbon Blog award !
Are YOU ready, Mary Spring ?
Put on your dancin’ shoes & Pa-ja-ja-jamies-
let’s ALL plan a PARTY !
Back at cha later, Babe-
keep your chin UP & 1-2-3……cha-cha-CHA……YOU first ! 🙂
I’ve been in love with your little “Jack” since I first saw his face! He really is the main reason I read your blog!
Good Morning Girlfriends……
Now I am not savvy on computer lingo, but I know this for sure. At the end of each of Susan’s blogs : look to the left and there see”Older Post” (click on) and it well go back as far as there are older blogs. You just (keep clicking) and you can enjoy all of Susan’s blogs…….. Have heaps of fun…….just as I did. I laughed, I cried it was just wonderful !
Oh, wow !!..comment time for me again, please…. dear Susan, thank you for your heart-felt message to me !!!…and dear Julie !!..thank you for your response !!!…I laughed and cried….you all are truly the greatest…’just want you all to know just how healing and soooo important your work really is for all of us !!!…’love you forever……
XOXO Mary!
Ditto to Susan’s response, Mary Spring !
I can just see one of Susan’s little lambie-pies
named “Mary Spring”-
it just rolls off the tongue
& is so very befitting, don’t cha’ think, Mary Spring ?
Tickle,Tickle, Mary Spring,
we’re not done with you yet-
now, if only the magical “Poof” fairy, Angie
would give you a “twirl”.
I love it when she says, “Let’s Twirl”…don’t you ?
Nobody twirls like Angie-
she’s SOME twirly-girly……that’s for sure !
Makes me giddy & goofy, how ’bout you ?
Til later-
keep gigglin’, sweet Mary Spring !
Love all the extras about England. I started to say China was my favorite, but so was clothing the pubs, and the village! Thank you so much,
I can’t wait to show you the pubs, they are so cozy inside!
Jack,
You should take over and write more often, you’re too cute, and I love hearing about your kitty adventures. 🙂
I’m working on it.
You are truly blessed! HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY JOE! So happy you were surrounded by family and friends and tons of people that love you. I so enjoy your blog Susan, it perks me up when I’m not so up there! You remind me that life is definitely beautiful – thank you!
I am new to your blog. I am enjoying every minute of it and look forward to it daily. I feel like I’m right there with you!
Thanks,
Melissa
P.S. Tea = Life is my motto.
Good motto!!!
Hello Susan ~
Your blog has inspired me for so long. It has medicinal qualities for me, and I always come away refreshed. Oh ~ how I loved your party for your dear husband. Just last week as I scanned at my “Susan Branch” calendar, I noticed that it was Julia Child’s birthday…………so I decided it was time to have a party with my girlfriends. We attempted to make her Beef Bourguignon with Peach Crepes for dessert and it was a delightful time together. We invited our husbands and they had a marvelous time too. We read some of Julia’s famous quotations, and with our “large as life” hearts attached to our chests , we laughed like silly school girls. And, yes, we all wore our pearls. I loved seeing your little stove as part of your birthday party decorations. It made me wonder what my mother did with my little treasure. I just want to thank you for bringing simplicity to a world that scurries about missing so many treasured moments. You make us feel like neighbors talking over your picket fence. Again, thank you for daring us to dream and reminding us to love and treasure those “little” things in life. In closing, I would like to quote one of Julia’s famous quotations, “Remember, no one’s more important than people! In other words friendship is the most important thing ~ not career, housework, or one’s fatigue ~ and it needs to tended and nurtured.”
Blessings to you,
Carol Landeis
Oh Carol, that party sounds so wonderful! Thank you for telling us about it . . . and for your wonderful thoughts. xoxo
Love the painting on the mugs that you &Joe did! What great memories for you both! Would love to have an Emma Bridgewater!
Susan,
I would love to hear the story about how you and Joe met. You seem to have so many common interests that it made me think “Hmmm, where did she meet him? How did he learn to do the things he can do?” etc.
Anyway, just a suggestion for future blogs.
It’s the very first story in the new English Diary . . . ♥
Dear Jack,
I’m so glad to hear from you and to know that YOU have the answer to all the questions, because I have one and I wasn’t sure how to contact Susan.
I have been VERY busy this summer freezing peaches, blueberries, raspberries, and corn. But I have been having a terrible time finding FREEZER LABELS. I asked my cat, Merry (for “Merry Christmas” because that’s when she adopted us) but although we had quite a “conversation” it still didn’t seem to solve the problem. So here is my question: Do you suppose Susan might consider making some darling little freezer labels (not EVERYONE cans, you know!)? It might even be nice to have a whole roll of them (or 2 or…) in a little container so each one could be pulled out individually. You’ll get back to me? Thanks, I knew I could count on you. Love, Elaine—Meow, Merry
Jack foisted this one off on me! We do have sticky labels . . . would they work? Or does it need to be some sort of special glue? And Jack said to tell you Meow.
I have been using your sticky labels and they DO work; but I once had some that came right off when washed (although they had no trouble staying on in the freezer) and that worked best. The regular labels always come off grudgingly and leave the gluey residue to contend with. You are right, it does seem to take a “special” glue. Thanks for your consideration–and “meow” right back to Jack!