Sunday, December 31, 2023

Welcome 2024: Caturday Art, a Sunday Selfie/Ussie for the Mew Year - and a Sad Goodbye

Greetings, Effurryone!

As today is actually Mew Year's Eve, Caspurr has graciously agreed to postpone till next week his turn to lead the J-Cats on the Weekend Blog Hops - the Caturday Art Blog Hop, hosted by the Wise and Beautiful Athena and her HuMum, Marie, and the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, hosted by those Delightful and Predictably Unpredictable Kitties Blue and their HuMom, Janet. Instead, all three of Us are here to say goodbye to 2023, which has been a purrfectly horrible year and to greet 2024, which We HOPE and PURRAY will be furry much better:













Before We show you the mewtiful artification We made of this Ussie, We have, sadly, to bid farewell to one of Mummy's oldest blogging friends - Carolyn (Caro) Retallick, who, together with her kitty, Austin, used to write the CATachresis blog. Carolyn suffered from serious health problems, and hadn't blogged for several years now, but she and Mummy were still in touch on Fursbook. Still, Mummy had no inkling as to just how badly Caro's health had declined and it was a terrible shock to her to learn that Her Friend had been summoned to her own Rainbow Bridge on Chrissymouse Day of all days. Our sincere and deepest condolences to her brother, Simon, her niece Hannah and to all the rest of her family, including Austin.


As We said - 2023 has been a horrible year all round.

In the earnest hope that 2024 will bring a change for the better, We have artified Our Ussie with the help of LunaPic. We used the Smoke effect at 50%, wishing 2023 may dissipate in Smoke - with an overlay of Nouveau (for the New Year, get it?) at 40%.

















And here are the blog hop badges:


       


Last - but by no means least - Mew Year's Eve wouldn't be complete without one of Our Pawties, would it? So, at 11pm tonight Israel time, We will all meet in the Pavilion up in the Enchanted Forest. Just before midnight, We will start the Countdown to 2024 and then We will pawty the night away to the mewsic of the Coat-hanger Quartet, the Von Katz Furrmily Singers and many other talents from Our Extended Family, Furry and Non-Furry. You are all welcome. The co-ordinates have already been sent to your Transportation Devices.


See you all later then - and remember. Be well. Be safe. We love you all.


HAPPY MEW YEAR





20 comments:

ZOOLATRY said...

Dear ones ~ sympathy on the loss of your friend, Carolyn, we do remember her, her blog from once upon a time. May her journey be one of peace, and condolwences to her family.
To you and yours, we continue to hold you close in our prayers and yes ~ with hopes that the year to come will bring renewal, calm, and all that is good into the lives of your neighbors, your nation. It must be.
As always, in friendship, Ann and June

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

I was very sad to hear of Caro's passing too. I am rarely on FB (I leave the to hubby!) so didn't know how ill she was either. I am glad she was able to call in for a visit before the pandemic on her way back from visiting relatives in Cornwall.
2023 has been an evil year and I can only hope 2024 will be an improvement and wish for a Happy New Year.
Your art is lovely

LOULOU said...

Oh, mince, we are so sad for your mommy and for her friend and the family. You kitties can come spread out on mama's bed anytime you wish, Love from us.

Brian's Home Blog said...

That's a beautiful Ussie and such pretty art. We're very sad to hear about Caro, we were always big fans of their blog. Yes, 2023 pretty much sucked and we hope you all stay safe over there. Love and hugs from all of us and Happy New Year from all of us!!!

Lynn and Precious said...

Losing friends and fur babies is so difficult on us humans. I am sure so many will be missed that flew away in 2023. We love your comfy picture of all 3 of you together. You must keep your mum uplifted and a pawty tonight will be purrfect. I will try to get through the cat teleport if at all possible, but if I miss the opening, please know we are always daily thinking on your whole little family there. Happy New Year and may it be remarkably better and safe. Precious and Lynn

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest J–cats,
Thanks for the mention of Carolyn's passing and for including the link—very courteous!
LOVE the lounging photo of the three kitties, a happy family.
Wishing you a Peaceful New Year's Eve and a Happy New Year!
Hugs,
Mariette

pilch92 said...

Very nice ussie. And beautiful art. That is sad news about Carol. I hope next year is better for all. XO

Linda said...

I’m sorry to hear about your mummy’s blogging friend. I certainly hope 2024 is a better year.

The Lunapic picture looks great!

da tabbies o trout towne said...

Prayers to the family Carolyn leaves behind; 2023 was a horrible year ~~~

we wish you all a happy, healthy 2024 and may each day bring
something good your way ♥♥♥

Kea said...

My deepest condolences to all who knew Carolyn, this just caps off a wretched year.

But you Ussie and art are fabulous, and I do wish you all a happier, more peaceful 2024. Sending Light and Blessings to you all. ❤️

M Dawson said...

We loved Austin’s blog and through it his Mum. We were not close so did not know she was ill so this was a sad end to the year.

May peace and good sense prevail.

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

OMC...I didn't know about this heartbreaking loss :( 2023 has certainly been a nightmare. Sending purrs for a better year ahead for us all. Love the photo and art!

meowmeowmans said...

We, too, are so sad about Carolyn's passing. Sending you purrs and love as your remember her.

We love your ussie, and the art turned out great. Bye bye, 2023. We, too, hope that 2024 is filled with love, peace, and a whole lot more positivity. Happy New Year! XO

The Island Cats said...

That is a great ussie! And I was sad to hear about Miss Carolyn. Austin was one of our favorite blogging buddies. Happy New Year to you all! ~Ernie

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Taz, and Binq) said...

Yeah, some years are better than others. We miss Ayla and Laz.

But, HAPPY NEW YEAR! We have our new calendars up. Not that we care about calendars all that much, but TBT is writing all our Birfdays and Gotcha Days on the cat one by the computer so he doesn't forget any!

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

Great ussie!

Wishing you a happy and peacefull New Year xx

Katie Isabella said...

I knew about her diagnosis but of course, I would never write of it. My family and I prayed and prayed so hard and much. She passed unexpectedly on Christmas day. unexpected, however.
I was there in the Enchanted Forest and loved the celebration and party. Happy New Year to all four of you. With love, respect and prayer.
Katie's mommy and Kate

messymimi said...

I had to go back to work on New Year's Day, so I'm trying to catch up on blogs.

My condolences for the loss of your blogging friend.

Your art is lovely.

I pray you have a blessed and beautiful 2024.

Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs said...

I am so sorry you lost such a good friend.

We sure hope 2024 will be filled with many good things, and be much better than the year we left behind.
We will hope and pray, for this. For all the world.

And before I forget:
Happy New Year!

We pups didn't go to you party...doggies?? Well, petcretary worked till just before the clock struck for the new year and we woofed along with the toots she did on her tiny horn...BOL! And gave pawppy a kiss....how mushy!

Seville at Nerissa's Life said...

Bringin' in the New Year at a party in an Enchanted Forest sounds AMAZIN'. I bet you all had a really good time.

Happy New Year, my friends. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! May 2024 be a vast improvement over the last few years 'cause they totally sucked. purrs