Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

We're always ready to rhyme on Thursday. After all, it is the day of the Thourghly Poetic Thursday challenge!

Our hosts, Angel Sammy and Teddy, give us a photo prompt each week, to help guide our poetic endeavors. The photo for this week's poetry is this stunning image here:

Being a major homebody who has never really gained any knowledge on the topic of traveling, I had to do some research for this one. Squinting my eyes at that there image told me that that incredibly impressive boat's name is Queen of the West. My research taught me that it will take passengers on an overnight cruise of the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the United States.

I myself have never been on a cruise, neither a short nor a long one. What's more, I'm fairly certain I will never go on one. That's just not my thing. I'd rather be home with my kitties and pup, to be completely honest. But you know what? That thought got me thinking, and I kind of, sort of, used that concept for my poem below.

The Cruise

Jenny did not wish to embark on a cruise.

She wished to stay home and read or snooze.

Home, that's where Jenny's heart was at.

Home, that's where lived Marty, her beloved cat.

Yet, Jenny's so-called friends would not give it up.

They asked her to go on a cruise while one night they did sup.

Those so-called friends thought it would be fun,

To sail on a boat surrounded by just water and sun.

Jenny did not want to go on a cruise.

The mere thought of it gave her the bluest of blues.

But her so-called friends were driving her straight up the wall,

Until she cried, "Fine! Fine! I'll go on a cruise with you all."

Packing for the cruise was nothing but a chore.

Filling a suitcase was, to Jenny, a downright bore.

She would rather have been reading a thriller,

Or playing with Marty the cardboard box killer.

Curious what terrors the cruise might have in store,

Jenny researched the travels it would make after sailing offshore.
It appeared they would indeed be sailing waters after waters,
Floating about like a big bunch of otters.

But then something in Jenny's research stood out.
There was a most wonderful surprise on the cruise ship's route.
Jenny clapped her hands and let out a, "Yippee!"
She skipped around the room with boundless glee.

Jenny rushed through the rest of that pesky packing.
She wanted to make sure there was nothing she was lacking.
When it came time for goodbyes and departing,
She stealthily tucked into her bag none other than Marty.

Armed with her suitcase and cat,
Jenny was finally ready to scat.
Not long ago she had been dreading this cruise,
But now there was no other plan she would choose.

When Jenny met her friends on the cruise ship's dock,
She could not help but look at a nearby clock.
Departure was already declared as delayed,
A fact that left Jenny's mood quite frayed.

Finally, though, they boarded the ship.
Jenny was now beyond ecstatic to set out on this trip.
In her bag, Marty let out his own excited little mew,
And at him a "ssshhh!" Jenny quickly threw.

No cats were allowed on the ship, after all,
And so out of Marty could not be heard a single squall.
Two hours late, much to Jenny's dismay,
The cruise ship finally set out on its way.

Jenny was quickly reminded that she was not a seafaring gal.
She felt sicker than sick before they hit even the first canal.
She wondered how green her face must have looked.
She couldn't stand to look at the food the chef cooked.

Jenny tried not to let these woes make her cry.
After all, the prize surely must have been very nearby.
And so Jenny waited, and waited, and waited some more,
Watching for the appearance of a distant shore.

Finally, beneath the stars one night,
A distant shore came into Jenny's sight.
Surely, that must be what she thought it must be.
Surely, she was nearly finished traveling this sea.

Jenny waited just long enough to read the sign,
Which glowed on the little island in the moon's shine.
CAT ISLAND, that's what the glorious sign did read.
At that, Jenny moved at a hastened speed.

Jenny grabbed a life vest for Marty and her,
And the cat let out a right happy purr.
Jenny's friends were quite confused as could be.
They told her, "You can't go off and jump in the sea!"

Jenny laughed and giggled at that.
She said, "I will for that there yonder isle of cats!"
Preparing herself for a little swim in the sea,
Jenny said, "Cat Island is really the only place for me."

And so Jenny and Marty paddled through waves.
For their destination, they were willing to be brave.
The swim seemed to take hours upon hours and more,
But they didn't mind once they reached their shore.

There they stood on the very Cat Island.
At first everything seemed so very silent.
Then, though, they hear the first meow.
Soon after, Jenny cried, "Oh my goodness! Wow!"

From behind palm trees suddenly appeared dozens and dozens of cats.
Have you ever seen such a wonderful sight as that?
Jenny and Marty immediately felt right at home.
From this place, they knew they would never roam.

***

It's time for the Thimble part of this Thursday!

The other day, the temperatures around here finally dipped below 90°F. That meant we could open the front door for some sunlight without immediately melting to the ground. Thimble was thrilled with the sun puddles that ensued.

Just look at that glow! Thimble was so very thankful for her sunshine, and is of course participating in Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop. 

All of us here are grateful for the beauty of summer, and also for air conditioning in which to spend these hot days. We also, as always, want to express or sincere gratitude for all of you. Without friends like you, we would be so very lost.

***

Last but not least, we're here to help you prepare for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins. The fill-ins for this week are below. The first two came from the mind of Ellen of 15andmeowing, and I came up with the second two.

1. I tried _________ and I liked it.

2. Am I the only one who _________?

3. _________ is my hero/heroine.

4. If I could eat only one food for the rest of my life, it would be _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Our Tip of the Day:

Today's pet parenting tip relates to the dreaded vacuum cleaner, but at the same time, it doesn't. Especially if you have a furbaby who is fearful of the vacuum, you can do them a favor by using other methods to clean carpets and rugs, when possible. For example, did you know that a squeegee can be used to remove pet hair from carpets and rugs? That's right, it can! That being said, there are also actual rug brushes on the market, which can similarly be used to remove hair from carpets and rugs. So, especially if you have a furbaby who is fearful when you vacuum, you can use these alternative, far quieter such methods when possible. Though the vacuum cleaner may not always be avoidable, when it is, such methods as the aforementioned ones can help remove hair from carpets and rugs while causing far less fearful reactions from your kitties or pups.