As with any year, 2024 saw its share of highs and lows, joys and heartaches. We also saw a time in our nation more polarized than we’ve been accustomed to in recent years. The presidential election brought out the best and worst in many of us, with the results, for some, so unbearable the thought of moving forward in any positive fashion seems unfathomable.

I, for one, was deeply saddened, disappointed, and discouraged by the outcome. But I also believe we must make the most of circumstances and not drown in negativity, anger, or denial. Pick up our bootstraps and adjust our sails, so to speak. Business consultant Susan Graham sums it up nicely:

“Win with humility, lose with grace, and do both with dignity.”

I am still me, and all of you are still you. Despite how it might sometimes seem, this is a wonderful world, and we are blessed to be a part of it. I’m grateful for my cats, family, friends, colleagues, and the birds and squirrels who brighten my world daily. I’m also thankful for my job and my writing and graphic design opportunities. The list goes on, so for 2025, I remain committed to living a life of gratefulness, kindness, compassion, empathy, and tolerance. Nobody can ever take that away from me. Look for common ground in circumstances that don’t always make sense or might not be your opinion or choice. If my mortal enemy cats, Jazmine and Shadow, can find common ground to get along, I think the rest of the world can, too!

It’s been over 5 years, and Jazmine (Left) and Shadow (Right) still don’t get along. Food, however, is their common ground, and for those brief moments at feeding time, all is well with the world.

Happy New Year Everyone! Best Wishes from all of us at Zee & Zoey’s for peace, love, good health, and happiness.

AI generated artwork based on the creative prompts of author and artist, Deborah Barnes.

Our very own peach -Miss Jazmine!

The Pantone Color Institute named its 2024 color of the year, PANTONE 13-1023, “Peach Fuzz,” declaring our need for compassion and human connection in the year ahead. This velvety and soothing tone represents “our desire to nurture ourselves and others” and “whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul.” The sentiment is greatly needed and one we should embrace every year and every day. I thought it was fitting to end the year with peach, too, hence featuring my lovely ginger Jazmine in this year’s holiday card I designed.

From all of us at Zee and Zoey’s, we wish you a joyous holiday and best wishes for a peaceful and loving New Year.

I don’t expect anyone in the colder temperatures to get a violin out for me, but it’s been chilly here in South Florida lately. Being accustomed to 80-degree-plus temperatures lately, we’ve seen days in the 50s, and it’s been sweatshirt weather! I’m not the only one who noticed a dip in the heat. Zoey, who is typically snuggled with at least one of her “kittens” (usually Mia), got the rare treat of all three of her kin – Mia, Peanut, and Rolz – snuggled into her for some love and warmth!

I hope everyone has a wonderful, cozy Caturday!

Zoey is in the center. Peanut to her left, Mia to the right, and Rolz in front.

There’s just something about the holidays that causes me to wax nostalgic. I thought it would be nice to share a picture that shares the sentiment for Sunday. This is Rolz. The photo was taken a few days ago, but with some fun editing effects, the image looks perfectly vintage. Add a Santa hat, and there you go!

Have a lovely day, all!

Vintage Rolz

It’s a Blog Hop!

Top: Shadow and Jazmine; Middle: Zoey, Mia, and Peanut; Bottom: Rolz and Kizmet

All of us at Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles wish you and yours a safe, peaceful, loving, and wonderful Thanksgiving. This year, we are blessed to have family coming from Boston and local family and friends we’ll be sharing the day with.

Take care, and, as always, we share these tips to keep our kitties safe and sound with all the treats that abound!