At this time of year, Mom and Dad are talking about thankfulness. They intentionally remember the blessings and experiences they have shared over the past year. So, I decided to share what I am most thankful for in one post. Those of you who have had a chance to read my words during the last month may find this list somewhat predictable, but Mom tells me it’s OK to give thanks as often as possible, so here is goes:

1. My Mom and Dad. They love me, feed me, pet me, hold me, let me be the center of attention, put up with all my crazy (but cute) antics, let me sleep as they write, and take lots of pictures of me to help my dream of sharing my cuteness and insights with the world. We are just starting this public journey, so we will see where it goes. I know I am connecting with cats all over the world on Twitter, and that is fun. Mom says that over Thanksgiving break, she is going to let me have my own social media pages! Is she great or what?
2. Laps and chests. My favorite place to lay is on a lap if my people are sitting up. If they are laying down, I get on top of their chests. I purr and snort and carry on. All my people have to do is pet me. And, if you come over to our house and stay very long, I will do it to you too. My Gigi (grandma) visited us not too long ago, and I crawled on top of her as she rested, too!
3. Morning couch time. This special time is when Mom, Dad and I read devotional books, the Bible and pray. Mom and Dad sip hot beverages as they ask God for guidance about work and life issues. They also lift up family members and friends. I cross my hands and pray right along with them, as I sit patiently and pray. Mom and Dad trust God to direct each day, and He faithfully show them His priorities!
4. My food. I know my love for food may be obvious by my 23-pound, burly feline physique. But , just in case you can’t tell how much I eat from the pictures, let me tell you that I LOVE MY FOOD! My parents ration my food and have me on a weight-loss formula, but it is still sooo good!
5. My parents food: Isagenix protein shakes. My parents both have been drinking these drinakable delights for more than a year for weigh loss and health. I know my mommy wishes she never gave me a taste—but she did. And I meow for them every morning like CRAZY! I know when my parents move around after couch time, my tastes are coming!
6. Hair ties. These little round circles are better than any cat toy on the market, hands down. I love to get my paws in them and throw them down the hall. It’s my ongoing source of simple entertainment that never gets old.
7. Daddy’s shoes. I love everything about my Daddy. He is kind and patient, yet macho and manly. I want to be just like him when I grow up. But when Daddy is at work, I like to lay on his shoes, just to remember his scent. Sometimes, I even lick them. Don’t be grossed out—it’s what cats do.
8. “Sandwiches.” A sandwich is a term that I coined for my hugs with my parents. It started when Mom began using me as a pillow. At first I thought I wouldn’t like it, but I was surprised. I would just purr for a long time. Then, when my parents first get home from going out, and just before they put me to bed each night, Dad usually picks me (because Mom can’t with her injured shoulder) and they hug with me in the middle. Other than couch time, this is my absolute favorite thing. I squeal in delight.
9. My box and the bathroom. I love my box to be clean and for it to be in my favorite spot for it in the hallway. It gets much use because I eat so much. But I don’t only love my box, I love my parents “box”—the bathroom— as well. I love it so much that I bust the door open to get in there whenever my parents are in there. I love to sit on their feet in front of the toilet. I also love to hang out with them when they get ready. I put my paws up on the sink and stand on the toilet just to be with them. They try not to let me drink toilet water or water after they have showered from the tub, but sometimes I sneak some anyway. ?
10. A small apartment. I used to live in a larger house, but I like living in an apartment, where my parents write in the same room at night. I can see both of them at once and lay in between them. I take turns getting on their laps or sitting at their feet. But I always have to have both of them in sight. Well, that’s enough for me to chew on for a while. Since today is the last day of my 30-day blog challenge, I am signing off for a while and will write less frequently.

But stay tuned and when I get my own pages, I’ll invite you to the party!

Mean while, if you have enjoyed my words, would you tell me so below? Or share anything on your mind.

Cheers from this Happy Cat,

Clive

My Mom works as an editor, and she is blessed to get to stay home next to me to do that, if she chooses.

Sometimes, when she is rushed to meet a deadline, I don’t like what that does to her. She doesn’t have as much time to play with me or write my thoughts as she does on days when her schedule goes as planned.

She and I both function better is she has more margin in her day. She is nicer to me and not as stressed.

I see her duress, and I try to help her. I sit on top of her projects as much as possible. Then, she can’t work! Genius, right? I think so.

Now that she has an injury, I also know that it can be hard for her to get me off of the papers that she needs. After all, I am a burly 23-pound hunk of love. I know I have said that many times—but it bears repeating.

I’m still a single cat and am taking inquiries for my soulmate! Well, maybe. I actually don’t know if I want to share my castle. No—I don’t. Scratch that idea.

Where was I? Oh yes. I remember. I was telling you how I purposely sit on top of mom’s work to make her take a break and pet me. I have to be THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING!

What happens if she doesn’t heed my advice to take a break? What do I do if she pushes my off her papers and she keeps working?

Well, I get kind of obnoxious. One time, I marched right into a Skype conference call. Luckily, her client loves cat and had been asking to see what I looked like. My reputation had proceeded me and I took over the entire meeting because everyone at the virtual table oohed and ahhed at my cuteness.

I thought it went very well, but Mom doesn’t do work for that client any more, so maybe it didn’t. I guess I should be more careful. But she should take more breaks—and when she takes them, she could always take a cat nap with me.

Applications for Life

Do you have enough margin in your day? How do you take enough mental breaks to cope with life’s unexpected deadlines and curveballs? Does someone have to force you to stop in that scenario? If so, maybe you could consider a strategy to satisfy your need for periodic mental breaks. If pets or family members are distracting, maybe consider ways to divert their attention to something that may also be a better way to spend their time.

Thoughts? We would love to hear them in the comments below!

Good Intentions. I do my best to be a good cat by loving my humans well. I am always around them, I don’t make much noise—well, unless I am starving and I don’t really require them to do much to take care of me. Feed my and clean my litter box, and I’m a happy cat—most of the time.

Unpredictable Reactions. But every once in a while, I get really snippy. And I snip at my parents, with my teeth. They can be petting me on my head, giving me the best head scratch that I was happy with less than five minutes ago.

And out pops a snip, which takes my parents by surprise. Sometimes a hand is pulled away, and followed by a firm yet gentle slap on my head.

Other times, I have just been fed and sometimes I like to see more food in my bowl. I get scared when they walk around that they might leave and forget to feed me. It’s not rational, because they just fed me, and I have food in my bowl, but my reactions happen anyway sometimes. I jump up and nip on their pants with my teeth.

When my mom has pants on that are wide or flowy on the bottom, I jump up and grab harder so that I actually get to her leg.

Loving Discipline. Mom gets mad when I jump on her leg like that, and she turns around, raises her voice a little, points her finger and says no, and then she  gives me a little slap on the head.

I know I have not been kind because she doesn’t do that if I don’t hurt her. She doesn’t do that if I just meow and tell her that I need comforting.

But fear is a strange motivator of bad behavior. I wish I didn’t get scared and react badly, but Mom and Dad gently discipline me, which reminds me that hurting them out of fear is not OK. I am grateful that they temper my moods, and remind me of a better way.

Self-Initiated Corrective Action. I know that I have done something wrong, and within a few minutes, I come out from hiding and want to be with them, and I know to be nice.

I have also learned that if I can’t be nice, I know I am likely overly tired. I just need to sleep. I am pleased that I have found a way to temper my own mood—before parental discipline is necessary.

Mom’s Musings

How I’m like Clive. I know that even with my best intentions, I surprise myself interacting with others when I react in an irritable fashion. After the reaction comes out, I realize that my reaction may not have been warranted, or perhaps some reaction was warranted, but the one that slipped out was bigger than the situation called for.

Once I identify my response and logically assess its appropriateness, I can move toward a self-initiated corrective action. These actions can involve spending time with God to ask Him about it, getting a little more rest and apologizing if my inappropriate actions have been directed at my husband, God or another person.

Finding gratitude and redemption. I’m thankful to God that He has, in His grace, shown me that my reactions may be as unwarranted as Clive’s when he bites the hand that is feeding him or scratching his head. I’m also thankful that His blood covers each and every offense. I’m grateful that he washes me clean, and that He is working on my behalf to mold me more and more into His character. I’m grateful to look back and see the lessons learned and to have another chance.

Applications for Life

What about you? Do you recognize unpredictable hurtful actions that you may or may not intend to do to others? Does God shift your mind and heart to contrition and repentance (or turning away from the previous behavior and toward a way that’s more loving?) Have you experienced God’s redemption from a bad mood or unmerited bad reaction? If not, ask Him to show you His redemptive power in your life. Ask Him to continue to mold your character to be more like the character of Jesus. He is faithful to answer those prayers.

“…Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love“ (Ephesians 4:1–2).

I am having a fairly casual, fun Friday, so I am not quite as full of words as I’ve been in recent days. So, I looked to my namesake, C.S. Lewis (spelled out Clive Staples), the prolific author and theologian, for some inspirational thoughts to share with you. Here’s the one that jumped out for today:

“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different…” (Prince Caspian, 1951).

My mom for the first five years of my life sent her friend—my current mom—a picture of me when I was only six months old. Wow! I was little!

But I see a few ways that show me how I resemble my current self, in that picture alone.

• I still look up in that dreamy, pensive manner.
• I still am uber cute.
• I still have striking markings and a wonderful fur pattern that I was born with.

And, from hearing stories about when I was a kitten, much is similar about me that may not be obvious from looking at photos:

• I still love to jump up onto “my” humans.
• I still love to eat.
• I am always right in the middle of all the action.
• I am more dog like in my pursuit of people.
• I am not a fierce hunter—I have always played with bugs and mice instead of demolishing them.

But, looking at the picture of me today , you can also see one very obvious fact: I have more than tripled in size! I have grown up. Like many humans say, “I’m not sure when that happened, I don’t feel any older.” Neither do I.

Despite few changes in me, in the last two plus years since we met, my new Mom has experienced significant changes in her life:

• She lived with two ladies—and now she is married to a loving man.
• She moved from a home on five acres on a lovely property to an apartment close to her husband’s work. (I joined her here a few months into her marriage).
• She has moved from being an employee to running her own business.
• She not only writes and edits for others, but she has begun publishing stories about her life.

So, my Mom’s life has changed far more than mine did, but she, at her core, is still the same: a woman who loves Jesus, others dear to her and me, a cat she is blessed to know.

Applications for Life
As we approach Thanksgiving in the U.S., I, Clive’s Mom, am taking stock of where I’ve been and where I’m at today. I’m making a list, thanking God for all the consistencies, changes, blessings and challenges. Then, as the New Year approaches, I’ll begin to pray for His direction about what to change and what to keep the same. Perhaps you’ll be led to join me in this reflective time of gratitude and prayer.

Spiritual Insights
“O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting” (1 Chronicles 16:34, NASB).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philipians 4:6–7, ESV).

I’ve told you before about how much of the time I jump up on my parent’s laps, or how I climb up to their level on top of something. I—like most cats—love to climb and get on top of whatever I can.

But sometimes, you know what? I just don’t feel like jumping up anywhere. I have to plop right down on the floor, wherever I feel like it.

Sometimes, I don’t come when I’m called—although I usually respond to my name. At the very least I give a short meow or sound that is a response that’s saying “I heard you,” in a friendly voice.

On those times, perhaps I long for my owners to come to me. Those times, I want for you to make an effort to be with me. I love responding to my owners 90% of the time in dog like fashion—but I can’t escape my feline DNA.

That feline make up makes me be aloof and want things my way—sometimes. If I ask my Mommy or Daddy about the other, they will say that my other parent likes to have it his or her way too, so I don’t feel bad. After all, like owner, like pet!

However, my Mom is so perceptive. When I am in one of these moods, where I just want to lay wherever I want to lay, she comes to me to pet me!

It doesn’t matter that she is now laying on the old carpet, squeezing her body in between me and two bookshelves down a narrow hallway. She still does it.

I love it when she loves me where I’m at—when she comes down to my level. It makes me feel unconditionally loved and accepted, and I’m grateful.

Spiritual Insights

In this instance, I (Clive’s Mom) am only mirroring how God loves me. I want Clive to feel unconditional love. God just wanted to be with me, so he sent His Son, Jesus, down to my level from God down to a lower level—as a human being. When I think of Him doing that just to be with me—I am in awe. I don’t understand it…until I think of my husband, Clive and close friends—all of whom I would lay on the floor to hang out with. I guess God is giving me a glimpse of His love.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5–11, NIV).

Today I take a break from the typical fun feline frolicking as I stand in solidarity with my daddy.

As he rose this morning—albeit a bit later than normal because he had the day off for Veteran’sDay—he surprised both Mom and me as he emotionally gripped an encased flag and his army men.

Daddy served proudly for eight years in the Army National Guard.

He was honorably discharged from the 475th MASH (a military hospital unit) as a Sergeant. He spoke of the ever-present conflict of being away from family that constantly grips each soldiers heart. He shared that he had hoped to parachute out of planes, and go on missions to get our enemies, but that his service had kept him stateside.

He was also remembering his own father, whose casket that flag had draped just three years ago. Daddy loved his father, but at times, Daddy wished his father hadn’t been so difficult. Daddy laughed as he remembered his father mowing the lawn in dress shoes and doing his best to dress up, even though his sense of fashion was sometimes questionable.

That man was my grandpa, and I never met him.  He was one of the fortunate soldiers in World War II, because he lived a full life before he died of natural causes at 88 years old.

Daddy was also praying and crying out for those whose families made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

He was praying for those who are still in harm’s way, defending our country today. He lifted up to the Lord our dear friend, John, who serves today in the Navy in the Middle East, with his wife and three children a world away.

He asked that our merciful God protect all U.S. soldiers today from harm’s way, and that their hearts would be protected from the worst display of immorality and vulgarity that he had ever experienced.

He was mourning the country he knew as a youth—and wondered where the old-fashioned moral standards he knew as a pastor’s son growing up more than 20 years ago have gone. He wondered what our country will be like as his soon-to-be-born grand daughter comes of age.

He wondered if he was asked to serve today, what ideals would he be fighting for? Would he, if serving today, be able to express his love for Jesus Christ without being told he was offending someone or being asked to keep his faith separate from the front lines?

Difficult questions indeed. And ones that our veterans and active military face each day. I am just a cat, but I empathize with my daddy. So, I stare in awe of this flag and these army men—and we—in this family—offer our prayers and deep felt gratitude.

My parents got home late last night, and I was so glad to see them. I have been happy all day that I got to have couch time with them—and I was glad that Dad picked up the poopy presents that I left to show them that I don’t like it when they leave.

If I look back on a few days ago, I know that I can get a little freaked out when they pack. It’s likely because I know that something is changing. I know they may be leaving when all the stuff seems to get moved toward the front of the apartment.

I really don’t understand why they don’t take me with them. Maybe it’s because the one time they did I was such a mess, howling at the other cat in the house. 

So all day today, I have had a brilliant idea: Anytime my mom moves toward the door, I jump into the suitcase! That way, she will have to take me with her if she leaves! Or she will have to stay here with her stuff. Either way, I win!

Oh, and when my parents leave—even if it is just for a few days—they take sooo much of our house with them.

They usually travel with 10 bags—no that’s not a typo with an extra 0 at the end—that’s TEN bags.

I know, its excessive. My aunt Liana sure thinks so. That’s why she took this picture of my parents with all of their stuff for four days. It takes a cart to carry my parent’s stuff!

But mom says it keeps them more organized because everything has it’s own compartment. Dad used to be more reasonable carrying just a few bags, but now that he is also typing his blog everyday, the pain in his wrists and arms is acting up.  So, he goes along with each bag being smaller and lighter.

Well—except for his suitcase. He keeps it pretty full. I’m lying in his suitcase now. He says if he has to carry it, it might as well be nearly full.

What in the world is in all these bags? They have a book bag, a vitamin bag, a food bag, a beverage bag, two bathroom bags, two suitcases, an emergency bag, and a technology bag.

Packing and unpacking is a major feat for my parents! They said they are done with the adventures for a while, and that the hibernating at home season is coming.

I know that I am glad that they plan to be here for a while. But as long as this suitcase is out, I’m staying in it—just in case.

Applications for Life and Business

What do you really need? Do you take too much stuff with you, or not enough? Can you easily find what you want when you leave home? Do you pack in one big compartment or in multiple containers? Share your insights and tips in the comments below.

Today, I had a few more thoughts spurred on by my namesake’s quote that I shared yesterday:

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

Bathroom Breaks. I am often interrupted from cat naps when my mom gets up because of regular anatomical interruptions. Yes, I am talking about when she has to go to the bathroom. I always follow close behind her into the cute bathroom. I love the feel of the cozy bathroom rug and laying on top of her feet. I purr with delight when I sit there.

Mom often recounts how she may be perplexed by a problem, but the act of moving to another room—even the bathroom—can be enough of a change to help an idea come. Sometimes the change of scenery caused by this daily anatomical interaction contributes to keeping more than just physical things moving 🙂

My parents also get interrupted from me if they leave me by myself for more than a day. I interrupt their walk down the hall with a special poop present—it’s how I best show them that I don’t like it when they leave. It seems to work—because they usually stay home for a while.

Once they are home, they talk about the adventures they had while they were gone. My dad talks about how one search for a bathroom led to finding a fabulous restaurant right on the river in the middle of nowhere as they were walking. As they approached the restaurant, mom saw a cow nursing her calf for the first time. You can read about that adventure in daddy’s blog, Hiking With Your Honey.

Compensating for Physical Limitations. One of more difficult anatomical interruptions for both my Mom and me is that she has a frozen shoulder, and it “interrupts” one of our favorite rituals. She used to pick me up everyday and hold me and we would dance to one of her favorite songs. I would just purr the whole time—as long as the song is on the slower side and she wasn’t jumping around like a teenager at a mosh pit.

Before her frozen shoulder, she would also scoop me up when I was in a deeper sleep and carry me if she wanted to move from one room to the next. Even though I am big, I never outgrow receiving love from my owner. If I am just in a light cat nap, I normally hear her and move with her. But if I happen to not wake up, she gently pets me and says “Come on Clive,” followed by a cute noise she makes with her mouth. I get up—and like doing it, because I am doing my part. I jump up onto her wherever she goes, and she can hold me when she is sitting or laying down.

Daddy also does his part too to help overcome the anatomical interruption of mom’s shoulder. When they come home, he picks me up and supports all my weight, and mom just leans in to hug us. Brilliant! Now Mom’s desire to hold me standing up is fulfilled. We dance or stand there for a few minutes. Daddy often sings to Mom, and I just purr. This special time is what we call a “parent sandwich!” We love it, but may not have thought of it without mom’s injury.

Daddy also talks about how he helps Mom on their adventures to deal with her injury. He drives her around on the kayak, changes hiking routes and ensures she is comfortable when they camp.

Spiritual Insights

All interruptions—for whatever reason—are frustrating, but take heart. Through people, pets and any circumstances, God redeems as He accomplishes His purposes—and He provides unexpected blessings in the process.

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9, NKJV).

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”(Psalm 27:14, NIV).