January 14, 2016

SO MANY THANKS, Yesterdays and Today


When I began to blog in 2007, I never knew what worlds would open for me.  What wonderful people would come into my life, experiences never anticipated or even hoped for.  Once, through a simple comment on a blog, I soon thereafter met a very special person named Dee.  Along with Dee, came two kitties: TK and Pip.  By way of emails and phone calls, friendship grew and in the spring of 2013 we met.  A small gathering at my home in Florida at the time ~ artist extraordinaire Lou Belcher was there, Dee ... dear Sharon from Friends FurEver, and the lovely and loved Elinor, who not long after left us after a long and valiant battle against cancer.  It was a special day for me.  Sharing time with these women, all cat lovers of course ~ but all from different places, different walks of life, sharing different stories.  And each brought something special into my life as it was a sad time for me, having just said goodbye to my husband a few months earlier.  I thank them all.  To Elinor, rest in peace ~ give my Vic a hug please!  
Fast Forward: Three years now, I've been a hitchhiker with Dee, traveling to Florida for a month each winter to grab a bit of sunshine.  She accepted my toofy-girl Zoey into her home and heart when I could no longer have Zo with me.  So Zo now shares life with TK and Pip ... she's always preferred the "men" in her life I think, so having two bro-furs is just fine with her!  And she took quickly to her new cat-daddy Pierre.  Now Zo travels the country with Dee & Pierre, what a wonderful new world opened up for her.
Fast Forward Again: It is now January 2016 ... this third trip down to Florida brought a visit to Marg in South Carolina.  Did I ever think to meet her?  No ... this legend of the cat blogging world, who has given so much of herself ~ not just to her many cats, but to so many of us.  And continues to give from the heart.  Now we have shared the hug, the warmth.  Laughter.  Thank you.  
So, today I give many thanks for all my yesterdays, all these gifts I've received.  And I thank you, too.  You who stop by, you who look at my photos (good or bad) ... you who read my stumbling and bumbling words ... thank you.

26 comments:

  1. Oh Ann, we all owe you a huge thank you for all that you do for everyone with all your badges for the poor kitties and doggies that go over the bridge and need extra purrs. Also we thank you for all the wonderful headers that you do for everyone. They are the best.
    And it was a huge thrill for me to get to meet you since I don't get to meet many bloggers since it is so hard for me to leave all these cats. So I was very excited to meet you and to see Dee too. We had a really good time and the donkeys and the cats sure enjoyed all the attention. You have a great day Ann. Soak up that sunshine.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ann, I think all of us have so much to thank you for. Marg said it all very well. "Zoolatry" is a Blogville icon that I think every one of us here know and love. And you are a very big part of Zoolatry. So...thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. And we are thankful for you too. What a wonderful blog post. Yes, that time meeting at your house for lunch was such a special day. I'm so glad we met through the internet and continue to share. Hugs to you. Lou

    ReplyDelete
  4. We are very thankful for you too, all of you. Mom is dribbling happy tears from reading this, and seeing the super pictures above. It must be so exciting to travel in Horton along with Dee and all three kitties. Yes, wonderful friendships are made among cat-bloggers!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such a beautiful post. It's amazing what can come of seemingly innocuous cyber connections. The friendships you share and connections you've made are a true blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a wonderful post! Made me smile and go leaky eyed at the same time! It's so lovely to see those happy pictures, especially of dear Marg who is a friend to all! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your friendship has been a blessing to me and Zoolatry is iconic for sure!...Great photos, glad you guys are having a wonderful time and soaking up the sunshine; love seeing that precious Zozo in the box too!...Xo...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki, Mommy Cat, Daddy Cat

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a truly beautiful post, Ann. All of the people you've gotten to know and meet, and everyone who participates in this a amazing blogosphere, are all such wonderful people. And that includes you, Ann. As Marg mentioned, you so kindly make beautiful badges for our beloved furbabies who leave this world. You created one for my sweet Rosie back in May of 2015, and I will cherish it forever. Thank you for all that you do, Ann! And thank you to ALL of the wonderful people who make this animal-loving blogosphere the wonderful place that it is!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love seeing all three of you. You are each much loved by me. Yes, it's true.

    ReplyDelete
  10. it is a wonderful place where all the cat people can meet online. Thank YOU for all you do for all of us as well

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such great photos! If you ever hitchhike this way again I'm not too far from Marg.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is we who thank you. for sharing your talents so generously and your time and words. It's also an important sharing to know about a persons yesterday's and yours are certainly colorful! Thank you for sharing them!

    ReplyDelete
  13. many thanx too you Ann for everything you do FOR the blogsphere; from headers... to badges.... to remembrance photos... to auctions.... to emails... to reminders... and for allowing us to follow along on your road trips and "meet" those we may never have a chance too, and your photography....kicks ass....photo-shopped or real...it kicks ass !!! ♥♥♥ { thats a compliment ya know }

    ReplyDelete
  14. Those are lovely happy photos of all of you. We are thankful for Marg and you too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. We are just so happy that you and Dee are having such a wonderful trip together. Friends are what keeps us smiling.

    Woos - Ciara and Lightning

    ReplyDelete
  16. We're so thankful for the day we all had lunch at your house. Elinor really had a great time and I believe that was really her last "fun" day. She was so happy that day. I hope we can manage to get together again this year.

    The Florida Furkids

    ReplyDelete
  17. You know YOU are a bit of a legend yerself, Miss Ann...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, this is so beautiful! We certainly love, and are thankful for, all of you. And we hope and purr that we'll get to meet you all in person some fine day, too. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Many thanks for everything you do for the Cat Blogosphere, Ann. Purrs

    ReplyDelete
  20. Isn't it wonderful and amazing that we can meet so many of the special humans behind the blogs. I was thrilled the first time I was able to meet you in Florida a few years ago and to spend time again with you in Maryland on that snowy day. I'm very thankful for special friends like Marg, Dee, Sharon, and you.

    Love,
    Mom Paula

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lovely...all of you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The blogosphere is so blessed to have you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ann what a wonderful post you did for today. We can never thank you enough for all the blog headers you've done for us and all the badges for sick furrends. We loved all the photographs you have put on today's post and we are thankful for knowing you. Take care Ann.
    Love, Sue x

    ReplyDelete
  24. Very nice post. I am glad you have met so many bloggers and got to meet Marg. I hope to meet you both someday. I am glad you get to spend time with Zoey too.

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a lovely post! Happy Trails.
    xxoo
    Maggie, Mickey Mouser, and Rufus the Red

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a beautiful post. The friendships we have made through blogging have become very special. And we treasure your friendship and one of our best. Hoping to one day get to meet you in person.

    ReplyDelete