Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Before we start our usual programming, we're going to announce the three winners of our Halloween giveaway. And the winners are...Eastside Cats, Linda S., and Cindy! We'll be contacting you winners today, so be on the lookout for an email from us.

***

Now, shall we start with the Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge like we always do? Yes, let's do that.

Each week, our hosts, Angel Sammy and Teddy, offer us a photo prompt to help guide or poetic adventures. This week's image is this nostalgic one here:

I've mentioned the past couple of weeks how I've created an extra challenge for myself. For the month of October, I am making all of my poems relate to Halloween in some way. Sometimes that requires a lot of strange twists and turns within my poem. This week is no exception in that realm of things, as the poem I have to share today is this weird and wacky one here:

Eye Scream Sundae

It was October the 31st,

The opening day of Deliciously Cursed,

The ice cream shop on the corner of Full Moon and Bloodthirst.

Needless to say, everyone wanted to be first.

In the line out front stood a boy named Jeff,

Whose dream was to some day become a chef.

Jeff researched food of every sort,

From soups and sushi to cookies and torte.

Jeff knew that the best way to learn the tricks of his trade

Was to test and taste foods from all over the place.

His endeavors now led him to Deliciously Cursed,

So that in the subject of ice cream he could be immersed.

The line outside Deliciously Cursed spanned three blocks and more,

And Jeff finally found himself inside when the clock struck four.

It was a quaint little shop with an eclectic feel,

Right down to the shop owner's pointed hat, robe, and heels.

Wait, is she dressed like a witch? Jeff asked himself.

Well, it was All Hallow's Eve and she could just as well be an elf.

On the witchy shop owner's shoulder sat an orange tabby of a kitten,

Which looked much like the carved pumpkin that on the floor was sitting.

The menu was very much like the rest of the shop,
As in, quite likely to give you a bit of a shock.

Jeff's gaze scanned every item on that menu.

He had certainly never seen such offerings at any other venue.

At the top of the menu was the Pumpkin Head Pie Cone,

And not far beneath that the Milkshake Tombstone.

Jeff read every single item, right down to the deal of the day,

Which, if you were wondering, was the Eye Scream Sundae.

Suddenly, beside him stood the witch.
Of course, she was surely just a woman with a costume and a sales pitch.
Yes, that's all she was, right?
Certainly her costume was just for the sight.

"What can I get for you, dear?"
Was what the witch asked when she drew near.
"I'd recommend the Eye Scream Sundae, if you were me.
If you try it out, the reason you will see."
The witch laughed and laughed and laughed.
"And now puns are part of my witchcraft!"

Jeff had not said a word, not even one.
Not that he'd had a chance to, with the witch and her puns.
It was now again the witch who spoke.
"Cat got your tongue, dear? Or maybe the goat?
Wait, I don't have a goat. Not even a camel!
Never mind that. How would you like some samples?"

The witch walked away as she chuckled.
Jeff felt thoroughly befuddled.
That feeling only heightened when the witch returned,
For in her hands she held ice cream creations quite absurd.

"Here's your Eye Scream Sundae," to him she did call,
As she handed him chocolate-covered ice cream topped with an eyeball.
Jeff spluttered and stuttered, "Is that real?"
"Oh, the eye? Goodness no, that's just for the appeal.
Real eyeballs taste worse than veal."

When Jeff merely stared at the eyeball-topped dessert,
The witch said, "Go on now, a taste wouldn't hurt."
Reluctant and hesitant and really quite concerned,
Jeff knew he must taste it so that the chef's trade could be learned.

Cringing and expecting a taste thoroughly disgusting,
Jeff found that with deliciousness the Eye Scream Sundae was busting.
Indeed, even the eyeball added much to the dish,
For it was sweeter than he could ever have wished.

"And don't forget your Pumpkin Head Pie Cone,"
Was what the witch said as the next sample she bestowed.
It was much like an ice cream cone that we all have seen,
Except the scoop on top was in the shape of a carved pumpkin quite pristine.

Yet again, Jeff was taken aback.
He asked the witch how she created ice cream that tasted like that?
She replied, "Food is a most complex form of magic.
It can be delicious, or it can be tragic."

"I'm not sure I believe in that magic," Jeff admitted,
Yet added, "But your culinary skills make you quite gifted."
The witch curtsied and said, "Why thank you, dear.
I could teach you the tricks of the trade in less than a year.
Then the magic of it all would be to you quite clear."

And that was how Jeff began working magic.
That was how he learned culinary tricks he could never have imagined.
Soon enough, he was making Eye Scream Sundaes all on his own.
In you case you were wondering, they taste better than even a scone.

***

Now, we didn't forget what comes next over here on Thursdays. It is now, of course, time for Thimble!

Thimble is also here to participate in Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop. Today, in particular, she is grateful for her big eyes, her pretty nose, and that sunshine on her face.

As we say and mean every week, we are also so very thankful for every single one of you. Thank you all for being our fantastic friends!

***

And now we have for you the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. _________ is an awful _________.

2. I always read _________ sections of the newspaper.

3. Black cats _________.

4. _________ is my favorite treat.

We'll see you tomorrow!

***

Our Tip of the Day:

We've been giving all sorts of tips related to pet safety during trick-or-treating and other Halloween festivities. And, today, we have yet another tip related to that. Then again, it is almost Halloween, so perhaps it's permitted.

Today's tip is to help your kitty or pup get rid of some extra energy by engaging them in some form of activity before any Halloween festivities begin. This way, your furbaby would have less pent up energy and therefore less anxiety or frustration while they are tucked away somewhere safe while you hand out candy or celebrate this spooky holiday in another way. Helping your kitty or pup use up that extra energy of theirs could involve playing a game such as fetch with them, or directing their attention to interactive toys. If your fubaby is one who needs or likes walks, then you can also drain and prevent pent up energy by taking them for a walk prior to trick-or-treat hours. This would again enable them to release some of their energy before being secured in their safe room while you hand out candy. All in all, pent up energy can lead to issues such as anxiety or frustration in a cat or dog. This is why it might be a good idea to take your kitty or pup for a stroll, or to play with them in the house, prior to locking them up somewhere safe and away from the door on Halloween night.