Category Archives: clever

animals, cat, clever

Country Living with Critters

moving clive

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day.

My parents recently moved from a city apartment to a small country house. After I got over the traumatic experience of my entire world being torn apart, I grew to really love this country house.

It felt like a homecoming of sorts, because when I first met my mom, she lived with two other ladies in a country home. I had missed the panoramic views and watching the birds—and now I get to enjoy these sights again.

My favorite part of our new home is that now, my  parents let me sleep on the bed with them—all night long! I am thrilled that the closet where my food is doesn’t have a real door—because if it did, they would likely make me sleep in there.

I also love how cool the uncarpeted floors ar on my furry belly! Mom has area rugs and blankets, though, if I feel like getting cozy and warm.

BUT THEN…COMPETING CRITTERS!

First, a racoon lived under our house. I know those things can hurt me, but luckily my dad is kind of Daniel Boone like—and he trapped him and took him away.

Next, a possum took his place. If my parents knew then what they knew now, they would have kept him, because those ugly beasts eat ticks.

possum

Later, squirrels scurried above our heads between the ceiling and the roof! We were all trying to take a nap one Sunday, and these noisy nut-seekers were so loud that they were disturbing our peace. Well, my dad wasn’t going to stand for that, and he went outside in a hurry! I’m not sure what he did, but we haven’t heard them since!

Then, ants and worms invaded my “party in the potty.” I love to go to the loo whenever one of my parents do, so that’s what she calls our time together there. I know my mom wishes that I would eat the bugs and worms, but I think they are gross—just like she does.

Speaking of the potty, we had to get a new one. Yep, for at least three days, my parents had no indoor plumbing. It was pretty gross, and they were gone a lot. At least they didn’t try to use my box! They are too big!

And, now…the worst critters of all—FLEAS and TICKS! These monsters must have been mad when my dad got rid of all the other critters and they found their way to me. I itch everywhere, and the first medicine made me really sick. I got another kind after mom and dad took me to the Kitty ER the other night.

It’s supposed to take a few days to work, and mom and dad are washing everything in site. So, for a few more days, my cozy home is kind of crazy.

But, I can deal with all these critters, as long as my mom and dad are here, and they love on me—which they always do.

So, here’s my Insightful Insight for this weekend:

Don’t let the distractions get you down. You—and your loved ones—can defeat them by focusing on what’s most important.

If you want to read more about how to deal with ticks, read my dad’s blog, Hiking With Your Honey.

cat, clever, life coaching

Lessons in Fairness and Patience

Sitting patiently, waiting for Mom and Dad to be done writing
Sitting patiently, waiting for Mom and Dad to be done writing

I, Clive, love both of my parents the same. When they are home and writing, I sit where I can see both of them. Dad sits at the dining room table, and Mom on the living room couch. Luckily we have a fairly small apartment. I lay on the floor right in between them. Or I go to both of them for attention—and, when I think it’s time to eat—for food.

But do you know what my favorite time is? It’s when they snuggle together. Tonight when Daddy came home, he laid down next to Mommy in the bed for about 20 minutes before they went to a Bible study. I got up right in between them, and I purred my loudest, roaring purr. I snorted, hummed and sighed with wondrous delight. Then they had to get up and go, though.

Now they are both back home, writing. Mom is sharing my thoughts with you—here—and my dad is sharing his story about when he knew he wanted my Mommy to be his Honey. I wish these words would flow faster because I can’t be fed until they go to bed—and they can’t go to bed until they finish these blogs.

So here I lay—right back in the middle of the floor. I keep doing my best roll over and play cute and playful sigh to get one of them to notice me. When they keep looking at those silver half boxes with black keys, I go to Daddy and howl a few times, and roll over at his feet and show my stomach off. Then, I go plead my case to Mom.

After neither notice me, I put on a scowl of disappointment, realizing that more food is not going to be available for me to chomp on in the near future.

But, I can’t give up! I try again. I jump up into Mom’s lap. I give her a few kneads on her blanket, a few licks on her arms, and then I give her a slight nibble—just so she knows I am still waiting. She still doesn’t respond, but I know I can’t hurt her or I will get in trouble. So,I start kneading again. That loving action enables me to distract myself from my food quest—and I am able to do what I do best—love my humans as I am just being with them and waiting patiently for them.

Spiritual Insights

Sometimes I get impatient with God the way that Clive gets impatient with me. I really want what I want—and I want it now. But I know, in my heart of hearts, that God knows what is best for me when. After a sufficient, cat-like tantrum, I relax and lay and wait for God, and remember His instructions to His children:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 1Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12–14).

cat, clever, life coaching

Interruptions Are Invaluable

IMG_2961

One of my favorite interruptions…The Mama Sandwich

Hello humans, Clive here. I’m feeling a little on the philosophical side lately, and so, for a few posts, Mom and I are beginning to share reflections about famous quotes from my namesake, C.S. Lewis. 

Today we start with:  “The truth is, of course, that what one regards as interruptions are precisely one’s life.”
—Collected Works of C. S. Lewis” (1994)

I know that my entire life is made up of interruptions. I was created to have my prowling and napping interrupted by the companionship of my humans—and I am thrilled by it each time. I never know what my people are going to do, nor am I ever in control of their actions.

I just know that I can be in a deep cat nap, dreaming of playing with a mouse, and Mom moves, and I am so excited to wake up and follow her wherever she is going.

I do more than follow, though. I interrupt her back by trying to stand in front of her so that she will stop and pet me along her way.

If she goes to the kitchen, I interrupt her from cooking or doing dishes with howling and begging because I am sure that she will make something yummy and share a little portion of it with me. I really use that interruption to go after my passion.

Sometimes she interrupts my nap because I look so cuddly just to pet me, or use me as a pillow, in what she calls a mamma sandwich. I love it—but not forever. I don’t like to admit that her head will squash me after a while because I am a burly 23 pounds, but I have to tell her and meow after a few minutes that her head gets heavy on my back.

Even when my parents feed me each morning, I interrupt myself after a couple bites of nourishment to greet to run out and greet them affectionately for a few minutes before I go and devour the rest of my morning meal.

I am not stressed by interruptions…I like them—and maybe some part of them knows that they are unavoidable, since they are caused by humans—and humans are bigger than cats. Sometimes I wonder why humans are so distressed, when their loving Heavenly Father causes interruptions. He is bigger than they are, just like my humans are bigger than me. He causes all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28), just like my humans are always looking out what’s best for me.

Maybe it’s just about a slight shift in perspective. Maybe the frustrations can become joys…and maybe you will begin to treasure the interruptions like I do.

Mom’s Musings

Sometimes appreciating interruptions is as simple as anticipating blessings from them. I encourage you to be observant of your changed circumstances. Ask God to show you a purpose in deviating your plans. Ask Him to help let you heart be open so that you can receive an unexpected blessing. I’ve received more of these than I can count. Clive and I will talk more about this tomorrow.

Get a sneak peak about an interruption today on my husband’s blog, Hiking with Your Honey.

business advice, cat, clever, life coaching

Living Up to My Name

Clive in his best British pose...sitting like a human, with his portly potbelly on parade
Clive in his best British pose…sitting like a human, with his portly potbelly on parade

The first human I knew as mom named me after a famous author and theologian, C.S. Lewis. C.S. is short for Clive Staples. C.S. Lewis’ nickname was Jack—and so is mine. I answer to both Clive and Jack.

One reason why my mom, who writes this blog and adopted me, looks for insights from me about life and God is because of my name.

Because Mom loves me, she has done some research about the man I was named after, and hopes to read more of his books someday. Mom read Mere Christianity many years ago. Dad loved The Chronicles of Narnia and the movies made about them.

According to C.S. Lewis’ publisher, Harper Collins Publishing, Lewis wrote more than 30 books including the ones previously mentioned and other well-known classics such as Silent Planet, The Great Divorce and The Screwtape Letters.

Periodically on this blog, my mom and I may share my thoughts evoked from selected C.S. Lewis quotes.

Today, however, let’s go back and to consider the power and image that names evoke.

In addition to thoughts about the person I am named after, my name evokes other images and actions—much less serious than the ones above:

  • My parents start to talk to me in a British accent when they call me Clive. They have fun with their voices even though Mom’s a Midwestern Southern girl transplant, and Dad naturally talks like a hillbilly from Kentucky combined with boarding school charm.
  • I sit in a very civilized manner, to live up to my British name. I sit up like a human and, because we Brits can be portly (I am a 23-pound feline hunk of love), I have to let my tummy hang out. All that’s missing is my top hat and round reading spectacles on my eyes.
  • I love an afternoon sip of Mom’s tea (or should I call her Mum) followed by a few cat naps—I’m very British indeed—just like my name.

Applications for Business and Life

Do you know who you were named for, if anyone? Have you ever looked up the meaning of your name? It can be give you interesting insights to learn your name’s origin and meaning. It can also encourage you to live up to the aspects of your name that you would like to emulate.

What do your family members and friends think when they hear your name? Have you ever asked them to describe your personality with three adjectives? Try it! It can be fun.

If you have a small business, what impressions come to your audience or clients when they hear your name or your business name? Why not ask them or survey them sometime and find out?

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