Friday, November 28, 2025

After Thanksgiving: Food Safety and Cat Care

After Thanksgiving: Food Safety and Cat Care








Thanksgiving leftovers are one of the best parts of the holiday — but they also come with important safety steps for both families and pets. The day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year for emergency rooms and emergency veterinarians. This guide keeps your home safe, your food safe, and your cats safe through the Thanksgiving weekend.

Food Safety After Thanksgiving

Refrigerating Leftovers

Once the Thanksgiving meal is over, leftovers must be refrigerated within 2 hours. After that point, bacteria multiply rapidly.

Store leftovers safely by:

  • Using shallow containers so food cools evenly
  • Setting your refrigerator to 40°F or below
  • Keeping turkey and meat stored separately from produce
  • Placing heavy foods on lower shelves to avoid spills

How long leftovers last:

  • Most Thanksgiving leftovers: 3–4 days
  • Freeze for longer storage
  • Reheat all leftovers to 165°F before eating

If anything smells off or looks questionable: When in doubt, throw it out.

Safe Handling of Turkey & Other Foods

Avoid Cross-Contamination

Food safety experts warn that cross-contamination often happens during cleanup. Raw turkey juices or utensils used during prep may still be around the kitchen.

To avoid spreading bacteria:

  • Keep raw meat and juices away from fresh foods
  • Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds
  • Use separate cutting boards for meats and produce
  • Wash cutting boards, knives, and counters with hot, soapy water

Safe Reheating

Reheat all food to 165°F, including:

  • Turkey
  • Stuffing
  • Casseroles
  • Soups and gravies (bring to a rolling boil)

Kitchen Safety the Day After Thanksgiving

Even after the meal, cooking continues — breakfasts, turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, reheating casseroles. Fires are still a risk.

To stay safe:

  • Never leave food unattended on the stovetop
  • Don’t leave dish towels near burners
  • Keep pot handles turned inward
  • Make sure smoke alarms are still working

Thanksgiving week has extremely high cooking fire statistics, so caution remains important even the next day.

Cat Care After Thanksgiving

The day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year for emergency vets, often because pets get into leftovers, trash, or unsafe holiday foods.

Foods Cats Can Safely Enjoy (Small Amounts Only)

  • Plain cooked turkey meat (no skin, no bones, no seasoning)
  • Plain cooked sweet potato or white potato
  • Plain steamed green beans
  • Plain pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie)
  • Plain boiled corn off the cob
  • A small taste of whipped cream only if your cat tolerates dairy

Treats should be under 10% of their daily diet.

Foods Cats MUST Avoid

These can cause toxicity, digestive trouble, or choking emergencies:

  • Turkey skin, drippings, and all bones
  • Raw turkey or chicken
  • Stuffing (contains onions, garlic, broth, butter, etc.)
  • Any onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, scallions
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Nutmeg
  • Chocolate
  • Butter or high-fat scraps
  • Xylitol (found in many sugar-free desserts)
  • Alcohol, sauces, or foods cooked with alcohol
  • Mushrooms sautéed in butter or oils

Preventing Cat Emergencies

To keep your cats safe through the weekend:

  • Remove trash immediately — cats dig bones out of bags
  • Tie trash bags tightly before putting them outside
  • Keep counters clear of cooling food
  • Store leftovers in sealed containers
  • Provide a quiet space if guests stress your cats
  • Keep hot pans and stovetops blocked off
  • Keep candles out of reach

A little prevention goes a long way — and keeps your vet bills down.

References

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Black Friday Safety Tips: Protect Yourself, Your Family & Your Cats

Black Friday Safety Tips: Protect Yourself, Your Family & Your Cats





Black Friday brings deep discounts, big crowds, and a whole lot of chaos. It’s an exciting day, but also one of the most stressful—and sometimes dangerous—shopping events of the year. From parking-lot theft to online scams to unsafe pet products, staying safe requires extra attention for both people and pets.

This guide brings together the most important Black Friday safety tips from trusted sources and adds essential cat-safety reminders to help keep your entire household protected.

1. Stay Safe in Parking Lots

Crowded lots are a top location for theft and accidents. Stay alert the moment you park until you leave the store.

  • Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas.
  • Keep your keys in hand—don’t fumble with bags.
  • Lock your doors immediately when entering your car.
  • Place purchases in the trunk, never in plain sight.
  • Take a photo of your parking spot to avoid searching later.

2. Be Alert Inside the Store

  • Use a small crossbody bag and keep it in front of you.
  • Carry one credit card—not the whole wallet.
  • Shop with a partner when possible.
  • Stick to a budget and avoid impulse buys.
  • If shopping with children, set a meeting point in each store.

3. Protect Yourself While Shopping Online

Online deals attract scammers. Protect your information and your money:

  • Shop only on secure sites with https:// and correct spelling.
  • Avoid clicking links in emails—type the website address yourself.
  • Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
  • Use credit cards instead of debit cards for better fraud protection.
  • Use delivery tracking alerts or require signatures for expensive items.

4. Prevent Package Theft

  • Track packages and bring them inside quickly.
  • Ask neighbors to grab deliveries if you’re out.
  • Use Amazon Locker or store pickup when possible.
  • Place cameras or video doorbells near the front door.

5. Keep Your Cats Safe on Black Friday

Black Friday brings boxes, plastic wraps, ribbons, cords, and new toys—all fun temptations for curious cats. But many items are unsafe.

Holiday Hazards for Cats

  • Tinsel, ribbon, string: can cause intestinal blockage.
  • Plastic wrap and twist ties: choking hazards.
  • Electrical cords: cats may chew, risking burns or shock.
  • Cheap cat toys: detachable pieces can be swallowed.
  • Low-quality cat trees: unstable bases can cause injuries.

How to Shop Safely for Pet Supplies

  • Choose solid wood or thick plywood cat trees—not cardboard tubes.
  • Look for BPA-free plastics for water fountains.
  • Avoid toys with glued feathers or beads.
  • Buy from brands with real customer reviews and clear safety labels.
  • If a product smells strongly like chemicals, avoid it entirely.

Tip: Introduce new toys or furniture slowly. Too many new objects at once can overwhelm cats and cause stress behaviors.

6. Keep Your Home Safe While You’re Out

  • Lock all doors and windows before leaving.
  • Leave lights on timers.
  • Keep cats away from delivery doors so they don’t slip outside.
  • Break down boxes from expensive purchases so they’re not visible to thieves.

7. Your Black Friday Safety Checklist

  • Shop smartly—stick to your budget.
  • Stay alert in parking lots and crowded stores.
  • Use safe online-shopping practices.
  • Protect your deliveries.
  • Choose safe, high-quality pet products.
  • Keep holiday hazards away from curious cats.

Black Friday should be fun—not stressful. With a little preparation, you can enjoy great deals while keeping your family and pets safe.

References

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Saturday, November 22, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving From Our Family to Yours

Happy Thanksgiving From Our Family to Yours





We are going to be one of the few American families who will stay home and spend the holiday with our small family — our adult son, my wife and I, and our six cats: Emily, Polaris, Jessica, Athena, Lily, and Daisy.

We plan to have a very simple Thanksgiving meal of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. And of course, after dinner we will have pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

AAA says nearly 82 million Americans are projected to travel over Thanksgiving. They also project that at least 73 million people will travel by car — that’s nearly 90 percent of all Thanksgiving travelers, and about 1.3 million more people on the road compared to last year. That number could end up higher if some air travelers decide to drive following recent flight cancellations.

https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/11/aaa-thanksgiving-travel-forecast-2025/

Please drive carefully. Here is a brief weather prediction from Weather.com.

Thanksgiving Week Weather Summary (U.S.)

Thanksgiving travel begins under mostly calm skies, but several regions will see weather that could slow things down.

Saturday:
Mostly quiet nationwide. Morning showers and patchy fog in the East and South may cause delays in airports like Atlanta, NYC, and Washington, D.C. Storms in southern Arizona may bring heavy rain or hail near Phoenix. Light rain moves into the Northwest later in the day.

Sunday:
Storms move into Texas and Oklahoma, bringing heavy rain, hail, and possible delays in Dallas–Ft. Worth. The Northwest remains wet with coastal rain and mountain snow. Light snow may brush upstate New York and northern New England.

Monday:
A large storm spreads from Texas to the upper Mississippi Valley. Cities such as Dallas, Austin, and Little Rock may see strong storms with hail, damaging winds, or even a possible tornado. Heavy rain could cause flooded roads. Snow and strong winds impact the Northern Rockies and Cascades.

Tuesday:
Rain spreads across the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast. Thunderstorms are possible in the Southeast. Snow may develop in the Northern Plains and northern Great Lakes. The Northwest receives more rain and mountain snow.

Wednesday (Peak Travel Day):
Rain may linger in the East, especially in the morning, creating possible airport delays from Boston to Washington, D.C. Lake-effect snow begins near the Great Lakes, making travel risky in northern Michigan. The Northwest stays wet with potential heavy rain.

Thanksgiving Day:
Lake-effect snow continues in the Great Lakes snowbelts, along with strong winds and possible whiteout conditions. Snow falls in the northern Rockies and nearby High Plains. Chilly winds linger in the Northeast. Seattle may see some weather-related delays.

If you are like us and preparing a Thanksgiving dinner, we have a couple of videos that may be helpful.

Thanksgiving Music Video: Music to Relax To

And to help with a stress-free Thanksgiving meal:

Thanksgiving – Stress-Free Holiday Dinner Tips

We will not be posting or making videos again until after the holiday. Again, Happy Thanksgiving.

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Sunday, November 16, 2025

Digital Watercolor Backgrounds

Digital Watercolor Backgrounds


Fall Digital Background

We have just opened a Buy Us a Coffee account!
https://buymeacoffee.com/serenityofthemindyt

Buy Me a Coffee is a simple platform where creators and artists can offer exclusive content or receive support from their fans. We opened our page so anyone who wishes can support our YouTube Channel Serenity of the Mind or our blog:
https://serenityofthemindmusicvideosetc.blogspot.com/

If you are new to our blog, welcome! We create many different types of content on YouTube:

  • Funny cat compilations with cats from around the world
  • Our own clowder — Daisy, Emily, Lily, Polaris, Athena, and Jessica
  • Sleep videos and calm videos
  • Hand-painted watercolor animations created by our artist, Shy Artist

Why We Started Making Our Own Backgrounds

YouTube has recently updated several of its policies. Creators now must label AI-assisted content, and YouTube uses bots that automatically scan for AI. They also tightened their spam and repetitive-content rules.

When we first began almost four years ago, it was normal to combine free copyright-free clips and use YouTube’s free audio. Over time, thousands of channels used the same clips again and again, and eventually YouTube changed its rules.

Those changes turned out to be helpful for us.

They encouraged us to move toward real, human-made artwork. Now, Shy Artist hand-paints watercolor backgrounds that we animate for our videos. This helps our channel stand out and gives our work a calm, personal, handmade touch.

Introducing Our Digital Watercolor Backgrounds

Every background is painted by Shy Artist exclusively for Serenity of the Mind.
We use each painting once in our videos and then digitize it so other creators can enjoy it too.

Right now, we have one background available, and more will be added soon. Each artwork is scanned carefully and prepared as a high-quality digital file so you can easily include it in your own projects.

All artwork is original and copyright Serenity of the Mind.
Purchasing a background gives permission to use it in your own creative work, but the copyright remains with us.

Coming soon:

  • Animated watercolor green screens
  • Hand-painted seasonal and holiday backgrounds
  • More original Serenity of the Mind watercolor assets

We hope these creative resources will inspire other artists and help fellow creators add a soft, handcrafted beauty to their videos.

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Saturday, November 8, 2025

How Our Cat Compilations Got Their Humor

How Our Cat Compilations Got Their Humor

How Our Cat Compilations Got Their Humor

By Serenity of the Mind

🎬 Watch the Short: Cat-titude Compilation — The Feline Mix of Personalities

How we first started four years ago on YouTube

When we first began on YouTube, there were a lot of people promoting the idea of using free copyright-free platforms like Pexels.com. The advice was simple: depending on the type of video you wanted to create, just paste together a bunch of clips until you reached the length you wanted.

For example, if I wanted to make a calming river video that was 15 minutes long, I would collect enough river clips to fill that time, and then go to YouTube Audio and add some music to match the mood.

Of course, these early videos never did very well. They were boring and repetitive. They were repetitive because everyone who was just starting out was using the same free footage and the same free music. Nothing about our videos stood out.

I don’t know if we ever would have changed direction if YouTube hadn’t introduced the Shorts platform. That new platform completely changed what we were doing on the channel.

We originally started with calm videos because all the YouTube influencers insisted you could “make a mint” with calming content — just paste clips together from Pexels.com and add free music. No one ever mentioned cats.

But I love cats, and one day I found a really cute clip of a cat walking on a piano. I thought, “Maybe I can use Shorts to advertise what we’re doing on the channel.”

Our very first Short was actually about a product we no longer have — the Mood Room — but the second one had that cat walking across a piano. It was promoting “Healing Sounds at Serenity of the Mind.”

Here is the video if you want to see it.

It was also the first time we got a reasonable number of views: 645 views and 25 likes. That’s when I realized — by accident — that people on YouTube really love cats.

The other thing I realized was that stitching together random clips with free music was boring, so I tried something new just to see how it would go. I started using our own cats in Shorts, at least here and there. But our own cats are actually pretty mellow. My wife began making costumes for them, so those videos did a bit better — like “Polaris Cat Stole the Christmas Gift.” That one showed our Siamese actually stealing a toy out of one of the stockings and playing with it. It got 354 views and 3 likes. Better, but still not like the piano-cat ad.

Then I got the idea to make the Shorts funny. “Cat-titude: The Feline Mix of Personalities” was one of our early attempts. We used AI voice-overs because so many YouTube influencers were pushing AI at the time. Later we found out people really don’t like AI, and once YouTube started adding banners to mark AI-generated content, we had to stop doing that. We were also still using free videos from Pexels, which meant we quickly ran out of unique cat clips to build Shorts from. And we were still using YouTube Audio.

But this was a turning point — it was the moment I decided to use humor in the cat Shorts.

And that idea came from my older brother… He and I have always had a fun relationship, and humor came naturally. (We were in a large family, too.) I learned from him to look at the funny side of life. So I’ll see, say, a cat climbing a screen door, and it becomes Ninja Cat Training.

We grew up in a household that ALWAYS had cats! Our two Siamese were a major part of our childhoods. We witnessed literally thousands of cat behaviors. Our Siamese (a neutered brother and sister) would sit in the front yard, waiting for the neighborhood dogs to walk by. One (the brother) would challenge the dog, and when it entered the property, the sister would charge it, blindsiding it with catlike fury!

Those cats were wise souls, too. They would tolerate childish behavior only for so long; at some time around 6 or 7 years old, they would Give Us The Word. Then we all got along, very well.

When I moved to another state we continued texting funny jokes until he passed away; I like to think I’m honoring his memory through our funny cat compilations.

Watch More Funny Cat Moments

🐾 Kitty Chronicals: A Tail of Laughter and Cuteness – YouTube Playlist

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Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Grooming a Norwegian Forest Cat at Home: Tools and Tips

Grooming a Norwegian Forest Cat at Home: Tools and Tips



A Little History of the Norwegian Forest Cat

Norwegian Forest Cats are believed to have developed naturally over centuries in the cold forests of Norway. These beautiful, sturdy cats adapted to the harsh climate with:

  • A thick double coat that keeps them warm and dry
  • Tufted ears and bushy tails for life in the snow and trees
  • Strong bodies built for climbing and hunting

Many stories say sailors during the Viking Age traveled with excellent mousers on their ships. Some people believe those cats found their way home with the Vikings to Norway. Others imagine long-haired cats arriving with traders or Crusaders and thriving in the Scandinavian forests.

No matter which theory you like best, one thing is certain: Norwegian Forest Cats became a beloved part of Norway’s culture over a very long time. They were officially recognized as a breed in Norway in the 1930s and later became known and appreciated around the world. Today, they are still admired for their majestic looks and friendly nature — and for the way they make a home feel complete.

Myths About the Norwegian Forest Cat

Folklore in Norway tells wonderful tales of magical, giant cats called skogkatt — forest cats. People believed these fairy cats were skilled climbers of cliffs and rocks, watching over the mountains and the people who lived near them.

One charming legend says that Freya, the Norse goddess of love and beauty, rode in a chariot pulled by huge cats that resemble today’s Norwegian Forest Cats. Because of this, farmers left bowls of milk out for her cats, hoping Freya would bless them with a good harvest. Another superstition said that girls who loved cats had a greater chance of a successful marriage — a very sweet thought for cat lovers!

Whether in stories of Vikings or mythology, it’s easy to see why these cats became symbols of strength, warmth, and loyalty.

How We Care for Daisy’s Beautiful Coat

As you’ve read, Norwegian Forest Cats have a double coat, and Daisy’s fur is one of her cutest and fluffiest features. Our vet showed us how to take care of it so she always feels her best. We brush her gently every day, and she enjoys every minute of it. I think she believes it’s just a long, relaxing massage!

Daily brushing also helps remove loose fur so she doesn’t have to deal with as much shed hair. Daisy is easygoing and happy during grooming — she even rolls over to show us the spots she wants done next.

Of course, things happen! Once Daisy got outside and rolled around in a bunch of foxtails. We were very worried because foxtails can be sticky and uncomfortable- and even dangerous to her health! We used a cat grooming rake to carefully remove them. Our vet doesn’t prefer rakes for everyday use, so we keep it only for emergencies and handle it very gently. It took us almost an hour, and Daisy was patient the whole time — she probably wanted those prickly plants gone just as badly as we did!

Even with regular grooming, little mats can still appear. Our vet recommended a special cat grooming razor that helps us gently trim small mats when we find them. We go slowly, take breaks, and always let Daisy decide when she’s had enough. She lets us know in her own sweet way.

Caring for Daisy’s coat is more than just brushing — it’s a special bonding time. Daisy purrs, relaxes, and feels safe, and we feel grateful every day that this loving girl is part of our family.

Thank You for Reading!

If you enjoyed learning a little about Norwegian Forest Cats and meeting Daisy, we invite you to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow our blog using the follow.it box on the sidebar. We love sharing stories from our home and our wonderful cats.

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Sunday, November 2, 2025

Thanksgiving History: Pilgrims, Wampanoag, Native Perspectives & Why Gratitude Matters

Thanksgiving History: Pilgrims, Wampanoag, Native Perspectives & Why Gratitude Matters


Thanksgiving Music Video: Music to Relax to


A Brief History of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Many people connect its beginnings to a 1621 harvest meal in Plymouth, where English colonists and members of the Wampanoag Nation shared food after the settlers’ first successful growing season.

The Pilgrims had arrived the year before after a long and dangerous voyage from England. Their first winter was devastating — hunger, disease, and exposure claimed many lives. The Wampanoag, who had recently suffered a terrible loss of their own people due to disease brought by earlier Europeans, helped the weakened settlers. They taught them how to grow corn, fish local waters, and survive the climate.

That early relationship was not perfect, but for a brief period it included cooperation and a peace treaty that lasted more than 50 years. Later, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday during the Civil War, encouraging Americans to pause each year to give thanks.

The Native American Perspective

The way Thanksgiving is often taught in schools and shown in media leaves out much of the full story. For many Native Americans, the holiday can be a painful reminder of what followed after that short time of peace — the loss of land, culture, and countless Native lives as European settlement expanded.

Since 1970, some Native people and allies have gathered in Plymouth on the fourth Thursday in November to mark a National Day of Mourning. They honor their ancestors and draw attention to ongoing struggles Native communities still face.

However, Native voices are not all the same. Gratitude has always been an important part of Indigenous culture. Long before the Pilgrims arrived, many Native tribes held seasonal harvest celebrations, offering thanks for food, family, and the earth’s abundance.

Some Native Americans do not observe the holiday, while others choose to focus on togetherness and gratitude — enjoying meals with loved ones and remembering their deep traditions of giving and community.

How Serenity of the Mind Celebrates Thanksgiving

Here at Serenity of the Mind, we are a very multiethnic family and community. We understand that history can be complicated and often difficult to fully know. So for us, Thanksgiving is a simple reminder to be thankful — thankful for the people we love, the food we have, and the kindness we share every day.

We hope each person celebrates in their own meaningful way. At the top of this post, you will find our holiday video featuring a hand-painted animated festive table with calming music — something peaceful to enjoy no matter how you spend the day.

And if cooking brings you joy, we also include a second video with relaxing ideas for preparing a special meal without pressure or stress. Sometimes the celebration can be simple: sitting together, sharing a warm dish, or just taking a quiet moment to feel grateful for the good things in our lives.

From our family to yours, HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving-Stress-free Holiday Dinner Tips

References / Further Reading

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