Friday, June 30, 2017

Deep Thoughts Interrupted

KATIE:  Another beautiful day in paradise. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and I've got this whole window to myself. Just me and my deep cat thoughts. 

So peaceful. Serene. Not an orange cat to be–


WAFFLES:  Hey Boss, that's a nice spot you've got in the window. What are you looking at? Can I look too? Are you looking at the birds? Our chipmunk? Hey Boss, can't you hear me? Boss??

BOSS???


KATIE:  And in as much time as it takes Waffles to meow, "Hey Boss," my deep cat thoughts turn to deep cat plots. Plotting ways to lock a certain orange cat in the bathroom, that is.


About Today's Photos
Gloman has been home in Colorado visiting this week. And where Gloman travels, so too does his photography gear. Early one morning he caught Katie deep in thought, enjoying the sights and sounds of the mountains.  Of course, Waffles is never far away. If Gloman is paying attention to Katie, especially with the camera, Waffles wants in on the action.

We're all looking forward to a relaxing weekend with a few scheduled and unscheduled catnaps.

We hope your weekend plans include a nap or two!




Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Cuppa Waffles

Today's post is from our #WafflesWednesday Greatest Hits Collection. While Glogirly and Gloman are busy galavanting around Rocky Mountain National Park, and Katie and Waffles are watching the clock in anticipation of meal time, we're sharing some of our past fan favorites. 

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss! It's Wednesday morning. Have you had your cuppa George yet?

KATIE:  George??? Don't you mean Joe?

WAFFLES:  Joe? Who's Joe?



KATIE:  Cuppa Joe? You know, coffee?

WAFFLES:  Cats don't drink coffee, Boss. Even YOU know that.

KATIE:  Of course I know that. You're the one that brought up Cuppa George. Which, by the way, makes no sense at all. I'm just trying to explain that it's Cuppa Joe, not George.



WAFFLES:  Boss?



KATIE:  Waffles.




WAFFLES:  Maybe you should just switch to decaf.

KATIE:  Maybe should switch to decaf???



...15 minutes later



About Today's Photos 
(...or rather, that last photo)
Sometimes the camera freezes an expression you just can't see with the naked eye. The beginning of a yawn or meow can turn a seemingly ordinary cat into ... well, into what you see in that last photo.

Of course in the case of Waffles, this kind of expression is far more common than you might think. He's definitely a cat that can go from lazy to maniac in less than 60 seconds.


Cuppa Waffles
In case you're wondering what that cool 'cup' is that Waffles is lounging in, it's his sporty Sleepypod convertible. (a.k.a. his Sleepypod with the top down.)

Monday, June 26, 2017

Monday, Monday - So Good to Be Waffles

Ear Worm Alert: Waffles and Katie are channeling The Mamas & The Papas today. We are not responsible for any uncontrollable humming or singing that may occur as a result of reading our post.  
WAFFLES:  Hey Boss! Don't you just love Mondays?

KATIE:  Do I really have to answer that?

WAFFLES:  The sun is shining, the leaves are twirling on the patio ...

KATIE:  Great. You're going to sing, aren't you? How about we just skip to Tuesday?


WAFFLES:  MONDAY, MONDAY!  ♫ la-la, la-la-la-la♩♫♩ Soooo good to be me! 

KATIE:  Waffles, the song goes  "...so good to ME."  Not ..so good to BE me.  "BE me"  is a little... well, self-absorbed. 

WAFFLES:  That's what I said! SO good to be me!!!  ♫♩



KATIE:  Monday, Monday. What have you done to me?  ♫♩



About Today's Post
Today's post is a fan favorite from Waffles' 2016 Greatest Hits. While we're entertaining house guests during Gloman's visit to Colorado we thought you might enjoy one of Waffles' ear worms.

We haven't had a chance to download our latest photos yet what with Glogirly prepping for guests, cooking dinners and baking pies. Yes, pies. Plural. Cherry and strawberry rhubarb to be exact.




Friday, June 23, 2017

The Glow Behind GLOGIRLY

Gloman is arriving in Colorado this weekend for 10 days and we're all beyond excited. In honor of his visit, we're sharing one of our favorite posts about how our blog came to be and dedicating it to Gloman, the best cat daddy a kitty could ever hope for...and the reason we're all here.

Glogirly & Katie, 2013
Not long ago on Facebook, we were asked about how the name of our blog came to be. Some of our blogging friends name their blogs after a cat, a dog, a place or a funny phrase. The stories behind the names are fascinating. It was such a fun discussion we wanted to share our story with you. Now some of you who've known us for awhile have probably heard this story, so we made sure to throw in some VERY handsome photos of Waffles and Gloman for you. And of course, some classic Katie too.


Once upon a time...
It all started with a girl. Well, actually a boy. The girl fell in love with a boy named Gloman. Ok, so here's a big super secret... the boy's real name is Tim. But for as long as anyone can remember, long before the girl fell in love with him, he was known as Gloman, a nickname inspired by his last name - Glovatsky. 

So it only made sense that when the boy asked the girl to marry him, she would become Glogirl by default.

Fast forward seven years when Glogirl found herself in the midst of a daunting career change. Never having blogged before, in fact never having followed a blog, she decided the next chapter in her career might involve social media so just maybe it would be smart to start a blog. She thought it would be a nice digital playground to become a better writer, photographer and designer.


Glogirly & Katie Kitten, 2005
So the girl went domain shopping. But to her shock, glogirl.com was taken. What??? How could there possibly be another Glogirl? Suddenly she had to reconsider her whole identity.

Since her BFF calls her Girly, she added a Y onto her nickname. She purchased glogirly.com and GLOGIRLY, as you know her, was born. Truth be told, she really likes Glogirly much more...it definitely suits her personality and combines her love for Gloman with her love of being a girl. Even when she's 80 years old, she says she'll still be a girl. Blind optimism or stubborn denial...we'll let you decide.


That Defining Moment
So the girl had a name for the blog, but she had no idea where to begin or what to write about. While she sat staring at a blank screen, Gloman chimed in with a suggestion that in a single moment changed the course of our lives. He said, "Why don't you have Katie introduce the blog?" 

And so she did. 

And so it stuck.


Falling in Love
The girl fell in love with writing in Katie's voice. She found so much inspiration and humor channeling what she was certain Katie would say if she could. It strengthened their bond, connecting them in a way Glogirly would have never thought possible. But that was only the start.



The Orange Invasion
When the orange fur storm known as Waffles blew into the Townhouse a few years later, a whole new voice was born. A silly, innocent and full-of-life counterpoint to Katie's no-nonsense style of articulate sarcasm. 

The truth is, there's a little bit of Glogirly in each of them. And nothing brings her greater joy than when friends and readers become so entwined in Katie & Waffles' personalities and antics that they forget there's actually a person behind them.


Gloman & Waffles, 2015
Somewhere along the way, Glogirly added a tagline to our blog name. 'Tails of Two Funny Cats & Their Girl.' Mostly as something to help first time visitors know what we're all about. Experts have suggested we add 'Cats' to our URL. And one of these days when you come visit, you may see that little change in our web address. But not until we catch up on all our catnaps and playtime. Priorities, you know. 


Gloman & Waffles, 2015

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Digging Up Some Dirt #WafflesWednesday

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss, why is Glogirly playing in her litterbox? 


KATIE:  Waffles, that's not a litter box. She's working on landscaping the front of the house. 


WAFFLES:  I don't know, Boss. That's a LOT of dirt. And she's digging around in it like she has to go or something. 

KATIE: Seriously, Waffles. I sincerely doubt Glogirly is going to use her new flower bed as a, well... you know.


WAFFLES:  She's squatting, Boss! She's squatting! 

KATIE:  Pretty sure she's planting, Waffles. 

WAFFLES:  Now she's covering up something!


WAFFLES:  This landscaping stuff looks pretty suspicious if you ask me.


KATIE:  Well, it's a good thing I didn't ask you.


Digging Up Some Dirt
Now that the summer weather has moved in, Glogirly has apparently caught a landscaping bug. When we moved into our new mountain house, the front was a little lacking in terms of curb appeal. Ok, so there are no curbs out here. But there was plenty of room for improvement. Glogirly drew up some ideas then consulted a local expert in native plants and high elevation gardening. Enter her new friend, Tom, from Native Nursery in Golden, CO. Tom stepped in to help Glogirly select beautiful and colorful plantings that will thrive at 8,300'. He even made a trip up the canyon road to deliver everything and help position the plants. All 85 of them. (!)

And he loves cats. So we love Tom.

Glogirly is putting the finishing touches on everything and will share photos soon! She's pretty excited because this is her first-ever project like this. She's lived in condos and townhomes for as many years as she can remember, so her landscaping adventures didn't stray far from a potted geranium.

Now she's got cool sounding plants with names like Little Trudy Catmint, First Love Dianthus and Little Devil Ninebark. Don't worry, it doesn't really bark.



Monday, June 19, 2017

Cat Daddy Time

WAFFLES:  Us men have to stick together. 

You know, to do man stuff like online shopping for, well... man stuff.



KATIE:  Yeah well don't blow your allowance all one website, Waffles.



WAFFLES:  Allowance? You get an allowance, Boss?



KATIE:  What do you think, Gloman? Should I tell him I get an allowance or not?



WAFFLES:  Gloman? Does the Boss really get an allowance?  Because I could really use an allowance too. I could– Wait. What's an allowance?



KATIE:  What's that? The less he knows the better? 



WAFFLES:  What about my nose?



Happy Cat Daddy's Day
Today's photos are from Father's Day last year because our Gloman was 900 miles away in Minneapolis yesterday. But come Friday, our favorite Cat Daddy will be jetting to Colorado for a 4th of July visit. We'll all be doing our happy dance.

Waffles will be curling up on his lap every time he sits down for more than 60 seconds and Katie will be tipping over on her side for a tummy scratch a dozen times a day.

For all of you lucky cats with Cat Daddies in your life, we hope you enjoyed a wonderful Father's Day. And to all those Cat Daddies out there - thank you so much for sharing your hearts and homes with your furry family members.


Friday, June 16, 2017

My Visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Exactly one year ago, Glogirly was given an opportunity of a lifetime. She and a small group of other writers and bloggers were invited to visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in a magical place called Angel Canyon in Kanab, Utah. We're thrilled to share her story again with new friends and readers, as well as those that followed her travels last year. This is the first of a three-part series originally published in June, 2016. We hope it touches your heart as much as it has left a forever footprint on hers.

Kindness.

Kindness for all living things. It's what brought a group of 31 idealistic people with a dream together a little over three decades ago. It's what created the world's largest no-kill animal rescue organization in the world. It's 3,700 majestic acres of the Utah landscape Best Friends has appropriately named Angel Canyon. It's what connects a family of over 1,500 Best Friends Network Partner organizations across the country. And it's about a common goal. Save Them All.

There are just so many words to describe my experience visiting the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah for the first time. So many, I find myself almost speechless. How do you describe something so beautiful, so inspiring, so moving, you physically feel it in your heart? How do you describe something that for reasons you can't explain, brings you to tears yet fills you with joy?

If I had to choose just one word, it would be Kindness.



The Best Friends Experience: Part One
Welcome to the first of three chapters of my Best Friends experience. Katie and Waffles are taking the day off and turning the blog reins over to me (Glogirly) for the first time in the eight year history of our little cat blog. Don't worry, they'll be back to their usual antics in no time, that is once they forgive me for taking almost a thousand photos of something or someone other than them. I hope you enjoy this as much as I've enjoyed sharing. And I hope Best Friends touches you as they've touched me.





It Gets Inside You
I can't believe it was only a week ago that I was returning home from my visit to Best Friends. As much as I love to travel, often the best part of a trip is coming home. Please don't tell Katie & Waffles, but this trip was very different. I didn't want it to end. One of the new friends I made, Barb, who has what many would call a dream job working for Best Friends and living just steps away from Angel Canyon told me that the coral sand gets in your veins. Those that visit Best Friends find it nudges it's way inside of you. It stays with you and draws you back. I believe her. And I know I'll be back.


Horses and Rabbits and Cats, Oh My!
The sanctuary is home to all kinds of animals. Horses, pigs, goats and birds. Cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. They've been abandoned, abused or surrendered. Some just cast away. Even wild animals in need of rehabilitaion. If we knew every detail of each animal's history our hearts would be forever broken.

Best Friends appreciates and celebrates the individuality and potential of every single animal. Their ultimate goal is to prepare each animal to be successfully adopted into a loving home. And to stay in that loving home, forever.

Learning How to Be
Some animals need to learn how to just 'be'... and Best Friends totally gets that. A dog that has been abused, or known nothing but fear, may not even know how to be a dog. An orphan foal without a mother to show him the way, needs a mentor horse to teach him how to be a horse. Allowing each animal to learn, at their own pace, that humans are not to be feared but rather are safe, fun and loving is at the core of their mission.

This is one of the things that inspired and impressed me the most. It's not just about saving a life, it's about preparing an animal for a lifetime of happiness and love in a real home. It's about doing what's right for that animal.

Named for a Prince
Just minutes after we arrived at Best Friends we were witness to something truly remarkable. This little orphan foal was taking his first steps outside in the sunshine. He was surrendered to Best Friends after his mother had rejected him. He needed to be bottle fed and had not been in the presence of another horse. The only humans he'd seen were his care givers. Born on the day the world lost Prince the musician, it was clear what this miracle foal's name would be.

What a sight to see. He was introduced to Feather, an adult mini horse, so he could begin to learn how to be a horse. Feather flipped onto her back and rolled around in the dirt. Moments later, Prince copied her and did the same thing. As he gained more and more control of his gangly legs he began to run around the corral. It was pure joy and a rare moment I'm grateful to have been a part of.


A Potbelly Paradise 
Just down the path from Horse Haven sits Marshall's Piggy Paradise and a sweet spot for some handsome and inquisitive goats.

The potbelly pigs were hilarious and full of personality. They purred like cats when we rubbed their tummies and Roxy, the big flirt above, had a LOT to say. Sadly, many people unknowingly adopt these cute pigs from dishonest breeders that mislead them into thinking they'll never get to be much larger than a small dog. 400, 500, even 700 pounds later, they're abandoned or surrendered. Best Friends works incredibly hard to find new forever homes for these delightful creatures and despite the challenges, they do indeed get adopted. Meanwhile, they live a very happy pig life of mud baths, healthy food, exercise and lots of love.

While most of the goats were more interested in soaking up the sunshine, there was the cutest of 'kids'  that thought he'd make a great tour guide and followed our every step. The beautiful and natural environments the animals live in provide them the highest quality of life possible. Clean, spacious with plenty of enrichment and loving care that lets them be the animals nature intended them to be.


The Loudest Bird in the World
Best Friends' Parrot Garden is home to some of the most exotic and vocal  birds in the world. I had no idea the Cockatoo was the loudest bird in the world! Based on my meeting with this spirited guy in the photo, I would have to agree! I've never been up close and personal with these incredibly intelligent birds before and it was fascinating. I met a parrot with a vocabulary of 370 words who could laugh like a human. I met bonded pairs that love and rely on each other so much they can never be separated. They are smart, full of personality and absolutely beautiful.

But they are also in peril. Many can live up to 100 years of age! That means many of them have been through a number of homes over the course of their lives. They need a lot of attention and mental stimulation. Many come to Best Friends with special needs and Parrot Garden provides a beautiful light-filled tropical environment with plenty of social stimulation, healthy food and veterinary care to help them rest, heal and thrive.


Welcome to Puppy Preschool 
It's impossible to have a litter of puppies crawling all over you and not giggle yourself silly. One of the most fun three hours of the trip was Puppy School. This adorable litter of puppies had never experienced any people outside of their care givers before. We were their first! Our job was to simply have fun, socialize with them, let them explore our cameras and us... all in order to teach them than humans (and humans with big cameras) are safe and fun.

It's all a part of Best Friends goal of preparing each puppy for the most successful, happy and healthy life possible with their new forever family.

And if all that wasn't enough fun already... we took the whole litter on their very first walk outside. This was the first time they'd even had a collar on. It was puppy-chaos at 100mph! And so much fun my cheeks are still sore from smiling and laughing.


Care Giving & Compassion
From Horse Haven to Dog Town, Parrot Garden to Bunny House, the love and compassion the care givers show the animals is unending. They know each one by name. They know what makes then tick. They speak their language. Nowhere was this more clear than with the bunnies. The sweet young woman caring for them understood their unique needs and was passionate about their predicament. Some were abandoned to fend for themselves, which is impossible for domesticated rabbits. Others were victims of excessive breeding or hoarding. They're so adorable, many people think they're a perfect pet for a child, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

Did you know that a bunny can get pregnant at only two weeks of age? And when they give birth, it's often to as many as 15 bunnies at a time. Repeat, repeat, repeat. It's an overpopulation epidemic.

Bunny House was peaceful, calm and quiet. For the most part the bunnies make no noise at all. They're some of the most gentlest creatures on earth and the same could be said for their care givers.


Next Up... 
Part 2 -  CAT WORLD
Please join us for an inside look at the beautiful cats of Best Friends and what it's like for them as they prepare and wait for forever homes:  CATS of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Part 3 - Where Angels Rest
Easily the most moving part of my experience was a visit to Angels Rest, the final resting place for those Best Friends who now fly with the angels: Where Angels Rest



See the Entire Gallery of Photos
There's SO much more to see! I'd like to invite you to view my entire gallery of Best Friends photos.
Here's how:
  1. Visit Glogirly on SmugMug
  2. Select Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
  3. Enter password: SaveThemAll
The best way to view them is to click on Slideshow. Enjoy!


A Destination Vacation With Purpose
Many people and families visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary as a vacation. I had the pleasure of meeting a number of people volunteering while I was there that did just that. It's an inspiring and meaningful way to experience the sanctuary, help the animals and enjoy the gorgeous landscape. For more information on how to turn your bucket list wish into reality, visit HERE.





Special thanks to Melissa, Hannah, Barb and the entire Best Friends family for hosting my trip to the sanctuary. You've each touched my heart and have inspired me by the kindness you show each other and the animals in your care.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Serving Up Handsome #WafflesWednesday

WAFFLES:  It's about time we have a true #WafflesWednesday around here. The ladies need a full serving of handsome. 


WAFFLES: And the Boss says I'm full of handsome. 

Or...full of something.  

Pretty sure it's handsome though.

Definitely handsome.


About Today's Photos
Glogirly is a sucker for Waffles and his endless expressions. He's a cat who loves life with every whisker, every nose freckle, every furry inch of his being. And when she's able to capture that in a photo, she can't stop smiling.

Waffles, we love you.


And though she seldom admits it, Katie has fond-ish feelings for you too.

When you're not hovering over her shoulder, eyeing her dinner or sleeping in her pod.


Monday, June 12, 2017

In the Kitchen With Waffles & Katie

WAFFLES:  Mmmmm, chicken.


KATIE:  With a cilantro and lime marinade, Waffles. Pretty sure you take your chicken sans marinade.


WAFFLES:  Mary who? What's she got to do with my chicken? I never said she could have any–


KATIE:  Marinade, Waffles. Glogirly's trying a new recipe she found online for her dinner tonight. The marinade is what she's soaking the chicken in. 


WAFFLES:  Well I hope it doesn't drown. I don't think chicken can swim you know. 

KATIE: And I think you better get off the kitchen counter pronto, Waffles. Before Glogirly turns around and sees you hiding behind her computer.

WAFFLES:  So what else is in the recipe? Gravy??? I like gravy.


KATIE:  A strawberry tomato salsa, Waffles. With jalapenos, lime and cilantro.


WAFFLES:  Aaaack! What's with all the lime and cilantro stuff??? I liked it better when Glogirly got her chicken from the colonel.


About Today's Photos
Glogirly's been trying to learn a couple of new recipes each week. There are winners and losers, but so far she's been faring pretty well. Only about 1 loser for every 4 good recipes. We're not sure though if that includes the recipe where she opens a pint of Ben & Jerry's and combines it with a spoon. 

Tonight's dinner really had Waffles' attention. As soon as she opened the chicken, he was right there on his kitchen stool. But after the chicken had a chance to marinade for a half hour, he wasn't so sure about it anymore. 

The recipe is called Cilantro Lime Chicken with Strawberry Salsa. Since Glogirly loves anything with strawberries, she decided to give it a whirl. The marinade is very simple - just a little lime, lime zest, olive oil, honey and cilantro. 

The salsa was equally easy with chopped strawberries, campari tomatos, jalapeno, lime and cilantro. 

The Verdict?
Glogirly thought the chicken was tasty. Kind of citrusy. Needed some salt and fresh cracked pepper. The strawberry salsa was VERY yummy. It was even good on tortilla chips. The combination of the chicken and salsa needed a little something-something though, so she tossed some feta cheese crumbles on top and that was the ticket. Well, that was her ticket.

Katie and Waffles were just happy they didn't have to wait for Glogirly's recipe experimentation to conclude before they got their dinner. 


P.S. About That Kitchen Towel
As a matter of fact, yes...that is Katie's likeness on the kitchen towel in the salsa photo! A dear friend made it for Glogirly as a gift using one of Katie's pictures. There's one with Waffles on it too.

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