Showing posts with label strays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strays. Show all posts

Thursday, April 13, 2017

#Felines Celebrating the Arrival of Easter--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith



Since the time changed in March, it seems that our feline family began making preparations for the arrival of warmer weather and Easter. The cats, as well as all of us, welcome the arrival of green grass and flowers blooming in the garden. They like the cover.  Bonnie, one of our outside feline siblings, immediately napped in  a spot under the new wicker rocker as soon as it was moved from winter storage onto the patio.

Clyde, Bonnie's sibling, had started sitting under the bare branches of the dwarf American Redbud tree even before it burst into blossom this week.  Eventually the shrub will add foliage which will provide shade and shelter from the hot summer sun. Last year it was one of Bonnie and Clyde's favorite afternoon spots.


Bonnie can often be spotted in a corner garden off of the patio as the daffodils and hyacinths bloom. She likes a spot under the re-blooming lilacs as soon as their leaves provide shade and shelter.


Also this week, the creeping phlox and the cat mint joined in the celebration of spring's impending arrival with mounds of pink and white color and fresh herbal scents. When glancing out the window, I spotted Clyde enjoying both. He has adopted this spot as a special little "nest" for his afternoon naps.

Inside, Miss Paddington and her mom, Halo, are really enjoying the spring throw on the bed.  The butterflies in bright pastel colors add that touch of spring to their inside world. Just watching them sleeping together on the throw lifts my spirits and provides impetus to pull out my spring wardrobe.



I try to take time to enjoy the changes that spring brings, whether as simple as a beautiful blooming pansy in a cat planter by the front door or as enormous as the whole landscape turning from barren brown branches to trees and shrubbery in lush green foliage.


Happy Easter!

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FOREVER IN HER EYES
Search For Love series, Book 9





The Search for Love romance series includes:



SEARCH FOR LOVE series website 



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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 97th novel will be released in 2017.
Karen and Paddy

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 



©2017 Karen Rose Smith












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Thursday, April 6, 2017

Spring, #Felines And A Special Neighbor--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith


 
 

My husband mowed the grass this week--one of the first rituals of spring. The hum of the mower set off nostalgic memories of rescued felines and a very special neighbor.

Miss Agnes lived across the street from us for twenty-five years. She lived alone all of her life and her gardens were her pride and joy. She was in her gardens from morning until evening and often observed the neighborhood wildlife from groundhogs to deer passing through her yard and into ours. I spoke to Agnes on the phone every couple of days and she would always fill me in on her latest sightings. Often our conversations would turn to the cats she had seen frolicking in her yard (or just passing through).

When I told her about the stray cat who walked across our patio one day and right up to my husband who was filling an outside feeder, she knew exactly which cat I was talking about. Lancelot, as we named him, had obviously been in many a fight and wore the battle scars to prove it. Agnes related how she had had a similar encounter with Lance after one of his scuffles. She said he was badly injured but she stood and talked with him. Lance became a constant buddy with my husband and followed him around whenever he was outside. Eventually, we were able to cage him, but his visit to the emergency veterinary hospital was not a good one. He tested FIV positive and eventually developed urinary problems that he couldn't overcome. In his short time with us, he touched our lives deeply and Agnes understood how attached we were and shared our sadness when Lance crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Agnes was also a part of our Sunnybud saga. Sunny was another stray who had been visiting the patio feeders while we were dealing with Lance. I always tried to feed him apart from Lance.  After Lance was gone, Sunnybud and I developed a special relationship. He came daily to be fed and eventually he let me pet him and massage him. But he always left again, unwilling to give up his freedom to become part of our feline household. Agnes always filled me in when she saw Sunny in her yard and in which direction he was heading. Together we were trying to solve the mystery of where he went after the daily feeding and petting sessions. Sunnybud started limping and his foot became infected. Again, another trip to the emergency veterinarian ended in an FIV diagnosis and a severe infection that because of the FIV wouldn't heal. The decision to let Sunnybud go was heart wrenching and again Agnes understood.

Even as Agnes's health began to decline and her time outside was limited, she would report what she
saw out her kitchen window. One day after a fall kept her from moving around the house, she told my husband that the aide who was helping her had seen a little brown kitten in our driveway. Little did we know that that sighting would be the beginning of of relationship with Bonnie and Clyde. Eventually Agnes couldn't spend a lot of time at her kitchen window to report her sightings, but we kept her informed by taking snapshots of the duo and sharing them with her. Our last Christmas present for Agnes was a calendar featuring our feline family which she kept on her kitchen desk and hopefully brought her a smile at times when she was dealing with her declining health.

Agnes is no longer with us, and I sadly miss our phone conversations and her concern for the felines that she knew were special to us. The hum of the mower reminded me of a conversation my husband had with Agnes shortly after we moved into the neighborhood. He was feeling guilty about the number of dandelions that were popping up on our lawn and was worried that they would spread to the neighbors' yard.  Agnes looked across the street to our yard and answered, "Yes, but aren't they beautiful?" He has never looked at dandelions the same way again. Sometimes a simple little bit of wisdom can make a huge impact. Agnes didn't see the scarred face of Lance, but instead appreciated the kind heart that was beating inside of him. She never chased Sunnybud from her yard, but always allowed him the freedom to roam that he so cherished. She told us about Bonnie in our driveway because she knew that we would watch over her. She saw the beauty in the world around her--in her flowers (and weeds) and in the wildlife that complemented her gardens. She taught us in her simple conversations how to do the same.  We miss you Agnes.  

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NOW AVAILABLE
Wendy Newcomb, director of the Kismet women's shelter Sunrise Tomorrow, is thrilled when the shelter receives a legacy.  She hires Caprice to decorate the mansion to serve women who need more than an overnight port in a storm. But in her drive against domestic violence, Wendy has made enemies and is murdered. Caprice finds herself in danger once more as she asks questions and even calls on St. Anthony for inspiration to solve this murder mystery.
(Sunnybud is the resident cat in the mystery.)


SHADES OF WRATH on Barnes and Noble


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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 97th novel will be released in 2017.
Karen and Paddy

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 




©2017 Karen Rose Smith









   
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Thursday, October 13, 2016

#Felines in #Fall: Sunshine and Straw--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith



The seasons are now in full transition from summer to fall and the dynamics and daily routines of our furry family are changing to adapt to mother nature's new temperament. Arrival times of our outside duo, Bonnie and Clyde, has also changed with the shorter daylight hours. Morning feeding times are now slightly later since sunrise is later and after their suppertime feeding, they disperse to their nighttime lodging rather than lazing around on the cool evening grass as they did all summer. A lazy summer afternoon nap in the shade of the silver maple has turned into a respite in the afternoon sun for Clyde. 


For the past several weeks, we have been preparing shelters for our outside feline visitors. Earlier this month, we placed straw bails around the shelters for insulation to provide extra warmth during the cold winter nights and plugged in the heat pads in the shelters closest to the house. This week we lined the patio with additional straw bales to help buffer the wind and drifting snow. Of course, Bonnie and Clyde had to examine the new arrangements and seem to have given their approval. Hopefully we have provided enough alternatives for them to find warmth and feel safe if and when the weather turns harsh.









Even though they are inside, Zoie Joy, Miss Paddington and Halo have also adapted to the changing weather. They are seeking warmer spots to settle for their naps. Zoie enjoys her condo at the kitchen window which receives direct sun late morning through early afternoon. Halo and Paddy search out the sunny spots on the bed and seem to bask in the warmth. I have also started to use my microwaveable heat bags to add extra warmth under the covers for them to snuggle against.


Putting warmer comforters on the bed and fluffing the fleece throws prepare us for the colder weather that is coming our way. Our pets seem to have that same instinct to prepare for colder temperatures. In our family, we just give a little extra help to make their winter season safe and warm.   


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NOW AVAILABLE!






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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 97th novel will be released in 2017.
Karen and Paddy

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

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Thursday, October 6, 2016

#Feline Patterns--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith




Patterns surround us everywhere we look in our daily lives--in our homes, our clothing, the shapes discernible in the buildings that form our cityscapes. Patterns that surround us are as innumerable as the objects, colors and lines that form them. Household patterns also bring out the colors and patterns in our kitties! As I was snapping photos of the Smith felines this week, I noticed all the patterns that formed the backdrops of the pictures, as well as the patterns in their fur--stripes, circles and patches. 

Geometric Patterns







Stripes




Animal Patterns




We often become so accustomed to our felines that we don't appreciate the beauty in their coats. Each fur baby is unique! Take a second look at yours today and notice the colors, textures and beauty that make them truly one of a kind. 



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NOW AVAILABLE!






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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 97th novel will be released in 2017.
Karen and Paddy

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

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Thursday, September 29, 2016

Up Close and #Feline Personal--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose smith



Words are part of our daily life and words are part of my profession. We use words to express our emotions--anger, joy, affection, happiness, sadness--and to communicate with everyone with whom we come in contact in the course of a day. For me, some days thousands of words spill onto paper in the form of my novels or blogs or other promotion. But sometimes words aren't enough and this week I captured some photos of the Smith felines that were up close and personal. Since words seem inadequate, I will let the photos speak for themselves




  
 


Just looking into these fur babies' eyes... They convey emotion without making a sound. And when I gaze back at them, they know what's in my heart.

 There is comfort when we speak kindly or reassuringly. There is satisfaction when we consider the words we use each day in our daily routines.  There is satisfaction in knowing our words were used wisely and compassionately. But in special moments...especially with our pets, words just aren't necessary. 


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NOW AVAILABLE!

FOREVER IN HER EYES
Search For Love series, Book 9



The Search for Love romance series includes:



***************

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 97th novel will be released in 2017.
Karen and Paddy

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 
Posted by at No comments:
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