THE REAL THING

When mine Mommy and I first discussed the "month of July" and she told me it would all be like old stuff ~ flashbacks, looking back and all that, well I was okay with it.  I mean I had just had "my month of June", my month of me.  Me, myself and I.  A little rest seemed okay at the time ... but fur real ... I've kinda sorta missed being here.  I do like it when all of you tell me I'm kinda sort "cute", my furs get all puffed up and I feel good!  Meow.  So ...

Last night I noticed she'd fallen asleep, in my polka dot chair no less (the nerve of her), and I'd been sitting at the table, watching her get a post ready for Thankful Thursday.  

Me, sitting at the table. 

She had been working on a post for Thankful Thursday today ...

But then she went and sat for a minute ... in my polka dot chair!

And she fell asleep!  It was my chance ...

I moved to the other side of our table,

found this picture and my paw hit PUBLISH!

________________________________________

This is me!  The Real Thing!

I belong here.  After 10 days of being away, I'm back!

And I'm thankful!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

A WELCOMING WEDNESDAY

Looking back to October 2022,
when the newest little grandpup arrived in our Florida family.
XANDER ~ a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Happily and quickly accepted and loved by his big brother Chewy and

big sister Fiona, both Samoyeds who watched over him with gentle care,

played with him then, and now.  

Although he spent his first year, growing up with the "sammies",

today, he lives with his "mommy, while she

attends medical school" but still visits his sammy-siblings often.

I'm a big boy now.

"WORDY" WEDNESDAY

14 YEARS AGO TODAY ~ THE END OF AN ERA

On July 8, 2011, fourteen years ago today, at 11:26 a.m., the last launch of a space shuttle lifted off from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida.

That morning was hot and muggy and although we could hear the booms of lift off and feel earth tremors below our feet ~ the "trails" were but a small dot of light in an overcast sky from our distant spot along the Indian River.  

My husband and I had taken our little grandboy to see this historic launch, ATLANTIS STS-135, though his interest was minimal.  And for us, it was a bit of a disappointment, as we had been privileged for many years to see shuttle launches up close and personal ...

If you would like to read the original post about 
this launch in more detail, please just CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW.

ATLANTIS LAUNCH JULY 2011

Today, these many magnificent shuttles are housed in museums around

 the United States, telling their stories of the great achievements of man and machine 

and the historic significance and contributions of this era.

Shuttle ATLANTIS makes its home at the Kennedy Space Center, 

Merritt Island, Florida.

_____________________

A little extra, 

that disinterested (at the time) little grandboy, did become

more interested years later, built his own shuttle ... 

maybe "space" is in his future when he grows up?

 

REVISITING

 Revisiting previously posted images, around Maryland,
around my neighborhood, favorite places.

"Split-Rocker" by Jeff Koons, at Glenstone, Potomac, MD.
Created, and recreated annually with over 24,000 living flowers standing 37-ft tall.
(posted originally November 2024)

Blowing in the wind, fun, lost.

From a visit at Sherwood Gardens, a privately managed and supported park, 

open to the public, renowned for over 50,000 tulips each Spring.

(posted originally April 2023)

What's behind the red door?  

Just walking, in my neighborhood.

(originally posted October 2023)

Nipper.

The original.  Symbol and "mascot" for the RCA Company (1929) he sits atop the

Maryland Center for History and Culture a block from where I live.  

(originally posted July 2021)

Main entrance to the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Cathedral Street, Baltimore.

Founded in 1882, there are now 21 additional libraries

throughout the city thanks to the generosity and foresight of Enoch Pratt.

(originally posted June 2021)

IMAGE-IN-ING

AWWW MONDAY

DO YOU REMEMBER ?

Once I had this great Laurel Burch tote bag, really great!

  With colorful cats all over.  

But as often is when something is left where it should not be left ~

 it becomes ~ well, as in the case of this tote ~ 
it really did become "a cat bag".  Evidenced by all the furs on it ...

It was a multi purpose bag for June.

Originally posted in late 2021, this picture was titled ~

(remember those days?)

STILL MASKING

DOWN ON THE FARM ~ CRITTERS and ART

DOWN ON THE FARM

The montage of four farm animals (bottom picture), 
originally done for Caturday Art, dates back to 2017 and 2018.

At that time, I'd often join my then young grandboy visiting farms in
the Maryland suburbs, and of course, photograph the animals seen there.

The silhouetted cow and goat (top picture) is a new one, along with
the fencing and decorative text, just as an "add on" for todays post.

We just borrowed Mr. Moo and the Goat Guy (he got flipped) and
put them side by side ... hoping they'd get along okay!

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

CATURDAY ART

It seems adorable MINEY the pup over at Saturday's Critters has his 1st birthday today ...

and to make this day even more special, MARIE at Caturday Art is also having her birthday.

So, please be sure to visit both these blog hops!

INDEPENDENCE DAY ~ THROUGH THE YEARS

During this month of July 2025, our Zoolatry blog is featuring past images, 

revisiting old memories ~ of our pets and our friends.  
And for the "Fourth of July" holiday, we chose to look back at ten years of posts 
of our own pets and their celebrations ~ 2015 through 2024.  
Freely admitting each and every pet pictured here was actually "in hiding" on the real 4th of July!  
For, like many, those loud booms were frightening to them.  
And if your pets fear the sounds, the sights of this day, 
do all you can to provide a calm and quiet environment for them.

★

July 4, 2025 ~ we take a moment to look ahead to July 2026 

when the USA will celebrate 250 years as a nation.

This day is called "Independence Day".

Yet every thing that represents our independence as individuals, as citizens, 

as communities is being threatened on a daily basis by the current administration, 

the cabinet, the members of congress, 

and in most recent days by the supreme court.  

★

Do not be silent.  Speak out.  Reach out to your senators and representatives.  

Be involved (politically) in your local government, and vote in all elections.  

Stay informed, often the news can be depressing,

yet it is critical to read and listen and pay attention ~ to both sides,

all sides ~ to best form your own INDEPENDENT opinion, and to

voice your own voice.

☆