Tall Tales from Kansas

a momentary visit with a dear one

Here is something you haven't seen for awhile on this blog. A photo of Lewis, brother of Clark, dearly beloved and long time departed from our home, but never from our hearts. 

Last night I had the most wonderful dream about him. He came bounding across the field when he saw me out back and I swooped him up in my arms. I brought him inside and lavished him with every endearment I have wanted to give him for the past 6 years since he has been gone. It was an incredibly realistic dream. I could feel and smell him, hear his rumbly purr. I awoke this morning appreciative and thankful for the experience. Since we can not "program" these kinds of dreams, I am always so happy when they happen. A momentary visit with a dear one. 

For this opportunity to talk about Lewis again and show his picture, I am so grateful. Like all the loves of my life, here or gone, it feels good to have them be present in my life through stories. 

because I missed national cat day

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened".  

Anatole France

Because I missed National Cat Day on October 29th.  And because cats make my world go 'round.  And because we all need a little more love right now.  

the Lewis and Clark era

This is a hard one.  If possible, it's even harder than this one because it signals the end of an era.  The Lewis and Clark era.   Oh, and what a 14 years it has been.   Lewis Mulvenon has gone to hook up with his brother Clark so they can resume chasing each other around corners and up and down stairs in the kitty afterlife... whatever that is.   

One thing I can tell you for sure is Lewis Mulvenon was unlike any cat in the whole world.  He and his brother came home in a white plastic laundry basket in my car in August of 1999 and he did not stop talking the whole way home.   That pattern continued for all of his 14 years.  He had lots to say.  All the time.   About anything and everything. 

For example, he did let me know in no uncertain terms that he disapproved of the rabbit that was going to be hanging up in the house.  Everytime I had it out working on it he came and sat on top of it.  Letting it know who was in charge. 

Lewis went missing a little over 3 weeks ago now.  I still have a hard time not checking the back door to see if he wants in.   As I pull into my neighborhood each night after work I can't help having this wildly illogical hope that he will have come home and I will pick him up and hold him and be able to tell him just one more time that I love him more than life itself. 

 
The good thing is I told him that every day of his life.   At least 4 times.   And I guess that will be enough. 

digging for discarded Q-tips to decimate

Green beans come in a distant second to the Q-tip as being a really fun thing for a cat to play with.

But when the bathroom trash is put up high so Lewis can't go digging for discarded Q-tips to decimate ... well a cat's gotta do what a cat's gotta do. 

when a cat wants something

I left my "around the house" sweater on the bed unattended yesterday.  I should have known better.  Within 3 minutes it had been claimed.    When a cat wants something don't try to take it from him.  Not unless you have some of those thick gloves falcon trainers use. 

No telling when I will get it back.  

he's leaning towards the twix, but he hasn't decided for sure

Just in time for the annual onslaught of trick-or-treaters, the candy has been purchased.

I don't know how we got started using that wooden bowl.  It's really heavy which makes it hard to hold while you try and open the door before the goblins knock it down.   But it's the biggest bowl we have and it allows the candy to get spread out so the kids can see what all their options are.   It's important to get candy you like on Halloween.  

Tonight Chris and I are engaging in the annual candy competition ourselves.   Last year  it was the Rolo versus the Milk Dud.  This time around two of my personal favorites are going head to head.   The Twix takes on the Kit Kat.   We've got plenty of supplies.  I have a feeling it may take several tastings to be certain of our choices.  These fun size bars are just itty bitty.   

Lewis is leaning towards the Twix but he hasn't decided for sure.  I think he really wants to vote for the Kit Kat but is afraid people will think he's biased. 

"don't let me have it no matter what I say to you"

There was a bit of a ruckus outside tonight.

Lewis and one of his friends got into a scuffle of sorts.

He insists he is no worse for the wear and is back to scanning the perimeter of the yard in case Harvey boy #1 comes back for a re-match.

As for me, my heart was racing.  It's not easy being a cat mother and understanding that cats will be cats.  I had to come inside and take some medicine to calm my nerves.

I portioned out just the proper dose and put the rest away under lock and key.  I told Chris to hide the key and not to let me have it no matter what I said to him. 

that's what I thought too

Once every ten days is not too often to post a photo of this cat is it? 

No? 

Good, that's what I thought too.

This is his "on duty" look.  Scanning all windows for signs of birds, rabbits, mice  intruders.   His focus is amazing when he's working.    I taught him everything he knows about concentrating on a task at hand. 

even if it means that I will need to move

Top on the list of things I missed while I was in Norway was taking a nap with a cat.

Not just any cat.  This cat.  This cat right here.  This cat who knows when I am washing the sheets and loves to lay on the mattress pad.  This cat who likes to walk all over the bed until he finds just the right spot.  Even if it means that I will need to move.  

others may think there are cuter cats somewhere in the world...

Thirteen years ago today the famous duo Lewis and Clark were born.   And even though Clarky Pie is no longer here with us we can't very well celebrate one without the other can we?

I give you a smattering of the very first photos we took of them when we brought them home.   I am well aware that others may think there are cuter cats somewhere in the world... I just don't happen to agree with them. 

shimmy shimmy cocoa puff

Do you make up new "pet" names for your pets on a regular basis?  I don't mean actually change their name.  I just mean find new special, endearing, ridiculous, names that you are pretty sure might get you a psychological evaluation if not a 3 day stay for observation in a mental hospital if people heard you using them.  
 

I am just wondering because if you are one of those people who does that and you haven't used these names for your pet, you might want to try them.   You can't help repeating them while your pet looks at you with pure, unadulterated, complete, love.  My old favorite is "Scooter Magruder".  As in "Mistah Looo (aka Lewis Mulvenon) you are such a Scooter Magruder". 

My new favorite, that I just came up with 2 nights ago, is "shimmy shimmy cocoa puff" (yes, like the song from eons ago).    Go ahead.  Try it.  I dare you.  It goes something like this, "get over here right now you shimmy shimmy cocoa puff".   Do it just once and then try to stop.   You won't be able to.   You have been warned. 

there could be a limerick in there

A welcome cat on a welcome mat.  I think there could be a limerick in there.  Somewhere. 

someone to talk cat with

They Harvey Boys have been coming by regularly for visits since the weather warmed up.    

Lewis appreciates it.   He likes having someone to talk cat with.   Other than me I mean.   He says I still need to work on my accent.  

the time when you got stung by a bee

Dear Clark:  Today I sat down to get the paperwork in order for the taxman. 

It wasn't nearly as much fun as last year when you were here to check my addition and subtraction.  I want you to know that I took frequent breaks just as you always suggested.    I also recalled that "we're going to have a treat when this is done" expression you used to get on your face when I started to get annoyed with the whole thing.

There is a pan of rice pudding in the oven right now. As soon as it comes out I am going to go upstairs and look at every picture I have of you. Tonight Chris and I will tell each other all the best Clark stories. Like how you used to jump in the air and try to catch leaves, and about the time when you got stung by a bee and your eye was so swollen and we fretted and fretted about if we should take you to have it checked or not.  

Lewis says he has some stories to tell too.  Things you two did that we don't know about apparently.  Hmmm, don't worry we'll take them all with a grain of salt. 

I heart conversation hearts

As if I didn't already... adore him, I mean.

Lewis and I have our favorite chair ready

In preparation for the beginning of a cold weekend Lewis and I have our favorite chair ready to snuggle up in and get started on this new book. 

We might have to get started tonight.  In fact,  let me just head down to the kitchen and get that tea pot turned on.  Now where did I put those lemon iced shortbread cookies I was saving for just this occasion?

one half of the renowned Lewis and Clark duo

I am sipping on some medicinal wine as I think of how to tell you that the flags here at Tall Tales headquarters are flying at half staff this week. One half of the renowned Lewis and Clark duo is no longer with us. Not with us in his furry feline form that is. He will always hold a space in our hearts from which he can never be displaced. Did I say it was a big, giant, gaping hole of a space right now? I meant to.

We found out about 8 weeks ago that Clark likely had pancreatic cancer. He wasn't eating or drinking much. Not one to put a cat through a lot of tests I myself would not want to go through we did an ultrasound and stopped at that. We gave him ample doses of love in the form of quiet nap times on our laps, lots of tummy rubbing, and enough sweet talk to last a life time. We are big on sweet talk around here.

We expect some heartfelt grieving to be ongoing for awhile.  We've been through this before, but each time, with each pet is uniquely painful.  I mean who is going to help me match my yarn colors, or do Angie's taxes, or carry on long discussions with Chris late into the night after Lewis and I have gone to bed?  

I've informed Lewis Mulvenon that he will have to absorb twice as much love as he is used to. He indicated to me that he was up for it.   He also said not to expect him to be as good a listener as Clark was. Lewis is more of a talker. He has lots to say about a lot of things. And right now that is exactly what we need.

find a sunny spot and stretch out

In case you are one of those people who have forgotten the sheer pleasure of taking a nap in the sun, Clark wants to remind you that you can always make time for a nap.

If you get too warm you can scoot over just a bit and cool down.

If you hear a noise you can always roll over and check it out.

Naps are very restorative.  Especially around the holidays.   Find a sunny spot and stretch out.  Enough said. 

Senior pictures

Lewis had his senior pictures taken this past weekend.   

This is his "sensitive" pose. We're thinking of getting it in a sofa size to go above the fireplace.