Almost time to Party... Harry Potter's Birthday!

31 July is Harry's Potter's Birthday! So, to get you in the groove for some Wizarding Fun, let's check out some of my favourite ways to celebrate everyone's favourite magical orphan.

1. Face paint... Last year, I spent Harry Potter's Birthday, with a black lightening shaped scar 'painted' on my forehead.  Can you believe my colleagues felt no need to join me?

 2. Make sure your friends know it's time to party.

 3. Get your invisibility cloak on and....

4. Play some Hogwarts Inspired Games....

Check out these links for more ideas of Harry Potter Games to play.  

Scavenger Hunt 1

Scavenger Hunt 2

More Harry Potter Party Games

5. Be Proud of your Harry Potter Obsession

6. Decorate..

Click here for more ideas for decorating an Epic Harry Potter Party. 

7. Have some sympathy for Voldemort.... 

7. Remember.... 

AND.....

BUT... some life choices need to go a bit further than.... 

What are you doing on Harry Potter's Birthday? Let me know in the comments.  

A Great GIft I didn't want OR Tips for Journalling

Last year, I was given a thoughtful gift.  This sensible, practical and beautiful gift was given to me by a dear friend.  It was one of those, "thank you" gifts that was such a kind gesture and so kind, it just isn't working so well for me.  You see, it was the most beautiful journal.  It's a blush pink colour with a silver embossed peacock on it.  It's stunning.  It's almost too nice to write in.  

Anyone who knows me, would think this was the perfect gift. It's true that I LOVE stationery.  I especially love pretty stationery.  I love buying these things and having them on my shelves.  Unfortunately, I'm not so good at using pretty stationery.  It's too pretty to use.  Okay, I've gotten over that hurdle.  The purpose of this journal was to write down blessings, and prayers, and answers to prayer, and things I have learned by living God's word. Only, I'm not good at journaling in a book.  

I like to share my experiences with strangers on the internet.  I can write to a schedule because I think people will be reading it.  When I have to pull out a pretty journal to write in, I feel the need to write neatly! I'm too tired to write neatly, ever.  I also feel like I need to write something profound.  I forget to write in the journal.  When I do remember to write in the journal, I realise it's been a few weeks since I wrote in the journal and then I feel bad that I haven't written in my journal.  

So, thanks for the guilt trip, my dear friend!! 

If you want to keep a journal I recommend: 

1. Write in it whenever you can, but don't beat yourself up if it's not everyday. 
2. Journals don't have to be made of paper. A private blog or journaling app are just as good. 
3. When you don't know what to write, use journaling prompts. 
4. Write anything- your journal can be a mish mash of lists, poetry, quotes, stories, captions, ideas, memories and dreams. 
5. Break the rules because your journal is yours and that means there are no rules.  You can write whatever you want, whenever and however you want too. 

If you are going to have a journal, make it work for you.  It's a good idea to make a regular time each day (or week) to write in it, but if you can't manage that, just do it when you can.  Don't let anything scare you or stop you.  Your journal is for you, so just do it.

Happy Journaling, my friends!

A Great App: You Version Bible App

The You Version Bible App actually changed my life.  It really did.

Before this app, I had several Bibles (usually gathering dust) on my shelves.  I bought devotional books that I struggled to complete.  My medical condition, of chronic pain, affects my neck, back, arms and wrists.  That means it's hard to hold a traditional Bible.  It's hard for me to carry a Bible to church.  We won't even start to talk about the way my chronic pain makes it difficult for me to develop and maintain good habits.    I wasn't interacting with God's word meaningfully or regularly.  I tried, I really tried, I was just unsuccessful.

I downloaded the You Version Bible App from Google Play Store and started using it.  Eventually, I found myself reading the Bible everyday and engaging in it like never before.  There are several features this App offers that make exploring my Bible and learning more about God so easy.

1. Versions

This app has capacity for you to download one of many Bible versions, including the Old King James all the way to The Message and Good News.  You don't have to download all the versions, you can access any of the listed versions with Internet access.  Viewing a range of versions is really easy too.  After looking up a scripture you can read it in any of the available versions, but tapping on a drop down menu and then tapping on the version you want. You can do this as many times as you like and you don't have to look up the scripture each time. It just finds it for you.  I LOVE this feature!

2. Verse of the Day

Everyday when you open the You Version Bible App, a verse of the day appears with references.  You can also share the verse on various social media sites with a choice of background images.  I know my cousin often shares the verse of the day on her Facebook page.

3. Bible Habit Tracker

This App tracks how many days in a row that you have opened the Bible App.  This was really helpful for me when I was trying to develop my habit to become daily. The App notifies you when you've had a perfect week and month.  You can view this information in the form of a graph or table.

4. Reminder

Using this app, you can set reminders on your phone, so you don't forget to read your Bible.  I don't need this feature anymore, but I think it's a great option for when you are starting the habit.

5. Bible Reading Plans

The You Version Bible App has hundreds of Bible Reading Plans ranging from 3 days to 365 days. Plans are organised by topic with a search option. Most plans include commentary as well as automatic look up of the referenced scripture verses.  It means that, regardless of how sore and tired I am, I only have to hold my phone and tap through the steps of the plan for the day.  I can also read the verses in different versions to help me understand the verses.  I don't need two or three or more books and I don't have to spend time looking for chapter and verse.

I am also really loving the option to 'read with friends'.  I can invite friends to read with me and there is a 'chat' feature at the end of each day within the plan so each group member can comment about the day's reading. We can summarise the scriptures, ask questions, apply principles to personal situations and share our own thoughts on the scriptures covered.

This App is awesome. It has some great tools and functions.  I don't even use the app to it's full capacity and I'm loving it.  I use this app every single day.

What do you use that helps you to maintain a daily Bible reading habit? Please share it with us in the comments.

Bless You!

Book Week

It's that time of year again!
Australia's Book Council celebrates Book Week this week!

The winners have been announced!  Check out the list.

It's the time we all celebrate the children's authors we have in Australia and we promote the joy of reading.  My favourite week of the year.  Almost.

Authors included on the short list include the highly accomplished Mem Fox,
Emily Rodda and Alison Lester.  All of whom have won in previous years.
The book I can't wait to read is the winner of the Eve Pownall Award for 2018: Don't Lick This Book! written by Idan Ben-Barak, Illustrated by Julian Frost and published by Allen and Unwin.

A book about microbes!  I can't wait to check it out. 

This time of year can be rather stressful for some parents!  You see, most primary schools will have extensive Book Week celebrations to promote reading.  There will be book fairs (buy a book, Mum), costume parades (dress up as your favourite book character), reading challenges, competitions and so on.
Earlier this week, we received a text message from my sister.  Ms 6 year old asked her mother "Mum, what will I wear to the book week parade? I need a costume, tomorrow!"
Stress Attack!
After questioning some of the older children and rummaging through the school bags, Sis found a note explaining that Book Week celebrations would culminate in a special assembly on Friday.  All the children were encouraged to dress up as their favourite character from a book they have read.  So, Sis (true to form) texted her Mother.  Also my Mother.

"What am I going to do about that?"

My mother, (also true to form) went into her sewing room and found a red hooded cape.  The same red hooded cape that I wore when I was about 6 or 7 years old and Sis wore when she was about 6 or 7.  You see, schools have been having these dress up days for about 70 years (as long as Book Week has existed)! So, Book Week has tortured parents for more than half a century.

Dear Parents, You're not alone.

So, Ms 6 is going to school as Little Red Riding Hood.  I wonder if she has read that book?

Anyway, Happy Book Week!

Playing Catch Up

I know it's late and I know your life didn't end just because my blog post was a bit late.  Considering I haven't updated you on my goals since March (and it's about the half way point) we are checking in today.

This Year, 2017, I will…

Quit… eating because I’m bored, sad, angry, frustrated or confused.

I have been emotional eating the last few weeks.  Now that I'm on holidays I am starting afresh.  So far, so good. 

Eat…   three balanced meals and two snacks at least 6 days a week. 

I need to start fresh for this one too.  I was doing well.  Then, I wasn't. 

Start… exercising for 30 minutes, at least 4 times a week.

More excuses.  I went for a big walk yesterday.  That was good.  I played with a big and happy dog today.  It probably doesn't count.  Trying, trying. 

Visit… family and/or friends once a month.

Totally on track!! Woo Hoo.  This one is harder than you might think.  I find social gatherings daunting.  More than two or three people in a group and I'm done. I can't concentrate.  I feel frumpy and tired and confused.  Managing to consciously make time for connecting with others is tricky sometimes.  I am finding that (for the most part) it's worth the effort. 

Accept… that I cannot fix everything. 

I am going to give it a tick this month. There are things I can fix and I need to take control of those.  The biggest thing for me to remember that I cannot change or "fix" the past.  It doesn't matter what I do or how long I worry, I can't change it.  I have to remember that. 

See…    Melbourne in real life/ Capital Cities.

I went to Adelaide and I saw a bit more of Brisbane (yes, I know I live in Brisbane's suburbs!).  During the holidays, I am getting out and about more so I'm giving this one a tick too!

Learn… at least 12 scripture passages by heart. 

Let's See: Scripture Verses learned so far

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Psalm 23

Psalm 32:7

Colossians 1:11

I'm working on:
Psalm 32:8
Philippians 4:19 I might try to learn a larger passage from Philippians 4, but for now I'm starting with one verse. 

Therefore, I'm on track! I have found a new app to help me with this and it's awesome!

Give… to Christian Missions overseas and in Australia (12 times or once a month).

I have been continuing with my regular sponsorship of a day care centre overseas.  I am saving some money to send to an orphanage in Cambodia where my cousin is the director. 

Be…   Quiet

I have been feeling challenged in this.  I am doing it.  I am.  I need to do it more.  I almost feel like I need more than quiet.  Maybe I need silence?

Grow… spiritually by reading my Bible 5-7 times a week and attending church at least 3 times each month.

I finished the devotional book I was reading and I am now working my way through a section in an Everyday with Jesus for a year book.  Each book is divided into four, twelve week plans.  There is a Bible passage for reading, a short commentary and references for further reading (with questions).  I am finding it very useful and a little challenging.  The books I have are currently out of print, but if you are interested this website publishes a daily devotional by the same author with the same structure. I did quite a bit of research to try and improve and meet this goal.  I think I have gone backwards.  I am continuing to read and pray at least 4 times each week.  Church attendance is on track though. 

Invest… in reaching these goals.

Obviously I'm doing this.. I need to refocus. 

Love

Postcards from Adelaide: Day 2

ay Two was a bit chilly, at a mere 10 degrees Celsius.  I even wore my hoodie for my first outing of the day! I hopped on a bus at about 8:30 am (after a lovely sleep in) and headed toward the Adelaide Central Markets.  I had a light and lovely breakfast, of banana bread and a specialty tea, at the T Bar (located at one end of the market). My minion buddies had great fun hanging out on the tea pot and my mug.  Reading the extensive menu (with more than 150 different types of tea) was a feat in itself, as I sipped my tea.  I could have stayed for much longer surrounded by novelty tea pots and many other tea leave selections that could be sampled or bought.  There was also free taste testing available of slow drip tea and coffee.  Below you can see photos of the novelty tea pots and Lacey enjoying playtime with the minions. 

Me and my Minions had tea at the T Bar

 I only had a few hours so I got moving and headed into the heart of the market.  Food was the main item on sale, but that food included freshly baked specialty breads, nuts (raw and roasted), fresh fruit and vegetables, meat (including kangaroo, crocodile and emu), sausages, sushi, cakes, cheese, crackers and more.  There were several cafes as well as market stalls. I loved looking at the fresh cut flowers.  A pop-up book store selling first edition books, rare books and just plain old books, another second hand book stall and an information desk for those visiting Adelaide. 

The First Editions Pop-Up Book Store and just a few of the first edition books on sale. 

There was a shop selling Himalyan rock salt lamps, purses, jewellery, bags, clothing and homewares that were all handmade.  The owner spends 9 months of the year travelling and buying direct from villagers in developing countries.  The craftsmanship was great to look at and I bought a few coin purses, which I intended to be gifts but I liked them so much I couldn't share.  Naughty.  I took lots of photos of the first edition books and the chocolate/ hand decorated sweets.  I tried some cheese and bought two small wedges that seemed very expensive.  I stocked up on fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, dried fruit and bread.  My haul did a great job of feeding me for lunch, dinner and a breakfast or two for the rest of the week.  I did have to buy more bread at one point, because I ate it all.  Check out these photos.

Fresh cut flowers from Central Market Flowers

Traditional hand painted Easter eggs filled with chocolate praline.

I hurried back from the markets just in time to change into a slightly cooler outfit (the weather had warmed up) and grab a quick bite (a snack bag of nuts, dried fruit and small chocolate Easter eggs) and some cheese on ciabatta toast.  I was scared that I would miss my coach tour that was leaving from a hotel up the street, but thankfully I made it. 

The coach did a circuit of Adelaide while the bus driver shared a few facts about the history of Adelaide and explained some of the monuments, architecture and city planning. Then the coach headed out of the city and toward the Adelaide Hills.  In less than 20 minutes, the road was winding around the edge of Mt Lofty and we were surprised to see the summit car park ahead of us.  We stopped off at the peak of Mt Lofty for about 10 minutes which was just long enough to take a few photos and buy a postcard or two.  Not much time to check out the gift shop, but that was okay. 

Photo I took of the view from the Mt Lofty Summit, the plaque at the look out and,

a sign at the end of the Mt Loftly Walking Trails (It is possible to walk and/ cycle along the trails to the peak).  

Back on the coach and we continued through the Adelaide Hills passing through the small town of Stirling, while our driver told us about the history of the small settlements in the hills including Hahndorf (which means Hahn's town).  It was very interesting and the scenery was amazing.  We arrived in Hahndorf about an hour after we had left the centre of Adelaide.  It was beautiful! The coach drove up the main street and beyond Hahndorf to stop off at the Beerenberg Family Farm Gift Shop.  We had the opportunity to buy freshly picked strawberries (as in the same day), home made strawberry jam, several other jams, sauces and chutneys, scented candles, bath products made from fruit and of course fruit juices and wines.  The bus driver shared his strawberries with me and they were the biggest, sweetest most delicious strawberries I have ever tasted!!! I could have eaten the whole punnet. 

Beerenberg Family Farms Gift Shop and

a Jar of their famous Strawberry Jam!

Nearly everyone bought something and we all piled back on the coach to go to our final destination, Hahndorf Inn. The tour included free beer tasting or afternoon tea (coffee/ tea and cake).  We sat at reserved tables and I joined a group of three older ladies who were friends from a craft group in Cairns (North Queensland).  We had a great chat and compared travel itineraries as we drank tea and ate warm carrot cake with fresh cream.  Then we finally had a decent amount of free time to explore the many stores on the main street and spend more money.  I was a bit disappointed as some of the stores are not open in the afternoons or mid-week.  I really would have liked to visit the puppet shop (from the outside it looked like Gepetto could be working inside with Pinnochio fetching his tools and sweeping up wood shavings).    Of course he wasn't because the Gepetto who lives in Hahndorf actually owns an Italian Restaurant.  Unfortunately that was closed too.  Treats of Hahndorf was open however, and while I was tempted to buy the whole store's fudge supply, I made do with homemade icecream intead! It was divine!! The lady who served me was lovely and was up for a chat. 

My visit to Hahndorf was in the first week of April so the leaves on the red maple trees were beginning to turn from a luscious green to a rich red.  I stood on the street staring at them for quite a while and enjoyed them so much I forgot to take my own picture.  The picture I found on the internet is barely like the real thing, but it will give you an idea. 

Top left: the Hahndorf Inn from the outside. 

Top right: the inside of the Hahndorf Inn.

Bottom left: the main street of Hahndorf at the beginning of autumn. 

Bottom right: outside the store called Treats of Hahndorf where

the homemade ice cream is delicious and sugary treats will tempt you at every turn!

This lovely little village is made for tourists! There are several places to stay overnight including hotels, motor inns and bed and breakfasts.  Next time I go to South Australia I will definitely be planning to spend a night in one of these lovely places so I can soak up more of the mountain air and explore more of the historical and handmade delights Hahndorf has to offer.  There is even a mini-golf course which is so 'mini' I didn't find it until five minutes before I was supposed to be back on the coach.  Insert very sad, disappointed face here! Oh well. 

We enjoyed a leisurely drive back to the city, with a short stop on the side of the highway to see a koala resting in the eucalyptus tree... the trees line the highway and apparently there are times when you can see dozens of koalas at a time.  Clearly they don't come near the road mid-week either.

On reaching my hotel that evening, I was tired!  I prepared a light meal, wrote a post card to Nanny and headed to bed early.

So that's that then.  Day 2 in Adelaide.  Nice.

Next week I will tell you more about the free bus and getting lost in the city.  See you then.

The best of AGT Books Label: 6 Word Memoirs

Today we are continuing with The Best of AGT series.  I am still sifting through the most viewed of the posts.  I did the top 2 posts of all time.  Now, we are going to move through the Labels and take the post with the most views in each category.  As I like to use more than one label on each post, some of the posts might be top for two categories, in that case I will go to the second highest and so on. 

This particular post is about 6 word Memoirs and it was first published here on A Great Title 15 January, 2014. 

The concept is simple.  Oprah loves it.  Teachers are using it in classrooms across the globe.  The simplicity and elegance is taking the world by storm.  The six word memoir.  If you want to know more, click here.  If you want to see what Oprah did to it, click here.  Want to see what the teens did with it?  click here.  Check out a tumblr collection of Six Word Memoirs here.

My first "6 words" foray

unseen beauty

burning within

learning peace

 

Before I go

That was much more difficult than I thought it would be.  It is probably a little more obscure too. Some people use the project as a regular writing exercise for themselves, for their students. Others write their 6 words once as an all encompassing statement of their lives.  We all know that I won't be one of those people.  I don't think it is realistic to write  your memoirs and then walk away.  While you are living, your life will change.  Therefore, while you are living, your memoirs will change too.  So, this is only the first 6 words.  If you read some of the other 6 word writings, you will see that sometimes they are obscure, sometimes they rhyme, sometimes simply sensible, sometimes they are funny, sometimes sad,  sometimes very ordinary - slice of life style - sometimes brilliantly wise.  What are your 6 words?

6 words to send you on your way: That's that then, enjoy your day!

A Choice

Source

You guessed my answer would be Library, didn't you? If I had to go with my first instinct I think I would go with Library too.  However, when I started to think more about it, I wasn't so sure.  

I like the idea of living in a Museum and I have to say that when everyone went home I would be touching the exhibits!  There would be history, science, inventions, travelling exhibitions, school tours, art and constant learning.  Imagine all the different people I would meet.  All kinds of people visit museums - especially the world famous museums - people come from all over the world.  I wonder if I could choose the museum in which I was forced to live? 

Living in a zoo could be fun, like having lots of pets!  There would be lots of visitors to the zoo as well.  I could play with the monkeys, feed the birds and help with the tours.  I would be able to watch the birth of baby animals and be part of their growth.  I could teach the animals tricks.  How different are chimps to teenagers anyway? 

At the end of the day, I would probably still go with the Library.  

I love books and I would be able to live in a house of books! I could read to my heart's content and there are always new books being written and the Library would be restocked regularly.  It would be like a never ending supply of stories, facts, ideas and adventures.  There would be plenty of people for me to meet too, not just the characters in the books, but all the lovely people who visit the library.  I can safely say that most visitors to the Library are like-minded people.  

When I was 14, I spent most afternoons - after school- at our local library. I completed homework, researched assignments, read copiously and contemplated life in quiet, air conditioned comfort.  The librarians knew me and would recommend books for me to read.  I explored every section from the encyclopedias to the picture books, the romance novels to the biographies.  At school, I loved to go to the library- I read and I met friends there.  What am I saying?  There was never any real question about where I would choose to spend my life.  In a way, I already decided when I was 14.  

If I was forced to spend the rest of my life in a Library, a Zoo or a Museum, I would live in a Library, for sure!! 

Feel free to leave your choice to the Question, in the comments.  

Love

Kids' Book Review: Review: Stars in Jars

How much do I love poetry and rhyme?  Silly question.  


Check out this review of a new poetry book for kids, from KBR! 


Kids' Book Review: Review: Stars in Jars: This collection of short poems by award-winning UK poet Chrissie Gittins is a wonderful introduction to poetry for children, featurin...

Wednesday Words: exactly 6.

Some More Great Words

After a short flutter on twitter, I often find myself on some random website reading some article or other.  New blogs are also discovered during these, 'down the rabbit hole' type of journeys on the internet.  This morning, I stumbled upon, this slideshow on Dictionary.com. 

After reading the first definition, I believe I am a logophile (this is a screen shot- click the link above if you want to learn more). 

I'm not an epeolatrist though - that sounds a bit creepy to me.  

We all know how much I love words and I'm proud of it.  A few of the words on this list will certainly be added to my favourites list such as: verbicide, litotes and the great sesquipedalian.  In fact, I think I might be a sesquipedalian logophile.  Now I understand why composing a tweet sometimes takes me so long that the conversation I'm tweeting about is yesterday's news! 

Oh, Dictionary.com, there are times when you're better than Google. Did I type that out loud?

That's That Then!

My Great 6 Words for now... 6 Word Memoirs!!

The message of your 6 words, can change from day to day and with mood.  The 6 words website offers a space for a daily 6 words.  Here is a week's worth of 6 words from Me. 

It's a Girl - I knew it!  

(My sister gave birth to a healthy baby girl last week).

I just want to cuddle my niece.

Time for Bed, my little ones.  

Ready or not- here I come! 

(In order to give my sister and her hubby a chance to rest, we took some of the kids for the night.  The other kids went to see grandparents too.  We had a wonderful time playing hide and seek and building tall towers and face painting!)

Stop telling me what to do! 

(This was actually the summary my Doctor gave of my recent little meltdown)

More work than time - so busy! 

I think I'll take a nap! 

That's that then.  A week in 42 words.  

Love

Kids' Book Review: Review: Wombat Goes to School

Yesterday, I went shopping!  My newest niece - number 8 - was born last week and she NEEDS some pretty clothes from me so she can say, "M gave me this fabulous outfit, isn't she awesome?!"  Like any good Aunty, school teacher and literacy genius, I also purchased a book for her.  While I was in the children's book section, I was delighted to discover the latest addition to the Wombat Diary series.

 Matched with illustrations that tell a story of their own, the simple language makes this an engaging text for young readers and their grown ups alike! When I brought it home and reveled in the experience of a new picture book, I was once again captivated by the classic French and Whatley magic.  This has quickly become another gem in my treasured children's literature collection.  But don't take my word for it, check out this review from my friends at KBR.

Kids' Book Review: Review: Wombat Goes to School: A wombat going to school? Why not? Do you honestly expect them to do nothing but sleep, scratch and eat grass all day? Wombats are clever ...



In case you're wondering... the book I bought for number 8 was "Time for Bed" written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Jane Dyer.  It is also a lovely bed time read aloud with a rhyming text that promises to send any youngster off to dreamland with a smile.

Great Books - The Shortlist for CBCA Book of the Year 2014 has been ANNOUNCED!!

It's that time of year again!! I love Book Week and now I have another list of books to check out!  Hopefully I will get to them before August!

Lots of exclamation marks!!!! :D

Kids' Book Review: CBCA Book of the Year 2014 SHORT LIST ANNOUNCED!: Congratulations to all the shortlisted and notables authors and illustrators, from all of us at KBR! See the Notable Books right here . ...

A Great Story... about Cats

A cat lives at one of the houses on the main road.  She walks to the bus stop, near her house, so she can visit with the people waiting for the bus.  She lies beside the seat and watches the cars go by.  She knows when the bus is late.  She revels in the added minutes of company while waiting passengers sit mesmerized by her presence.   The fuzzy grey ball sighs, as the bus rolls to a stop.

********************************

This anecdote is based on a true story (sort of).  You see, there really is a cat in our local area that likes to spend his time at the nearby bus stop.  He or She (I couldn't get a proper look) enjoys the company of the locals as they await the arrival of their bus.  The passing traffic, although often quite loud, doesn't seem to disturb him/her in the slightest.  I know if Shelly were sitting at a bus stop she would be off like a shot the second a large vehicle zoomed past her position.  She would be difficult to find until dinner time too.  I'm sure you can understand my curiosity at the rather calm demeanor of the fluffy grey feline while I was waiting for my bus last week.  The most intriguing and perhaps the most amusing part of this series of events is yet to come. 

We all know that I like to add a picture or two to my blog posts.  Now is not the time to examine why I find it necessary to add images (usually borrowed from somewhere if not a photo of my furry friends). The usual method of choosing these images is quite simple: Google Image Search.  Nice! :D

The results of the search uncovered something that I simply had to share.  Not just the images that appeared (although some of them were certainly far from what I had expected to see), but a few news stories and blog posts.  It seems that the Old Grey Tom ain't the only one.  There are a couple of kitty's in the UKwho not only hang out at the bus stop, but like to hitch a ride as well. 

Check this out. 

 This kitty - nicknamed Macavity - apparently catches the bus to the local fish and chip shop.  Click here for details. 

This Ginger cat - nicknamed Dodger - has been reported to take round trips on various buses that leave from the bus station behind his owner's home.  Click here for more info. There is even a book that is rumored to have been based on Dodger's travels, titled The Little Cat and the Big Red Bus. 


Then there is Casper who rode the same bus everyday for 4 years.  Sadly, he died after a traffic accident, when he was hit by a car.  The hit and run driver was never found.  Casper has also had a picture book written about him and has his very own wikipedia page.  

You can't make this stuff up!