Bella, Have you lost your little kitty mind???

Bella, C's cat, has grown into quite the adventurous feline, wanting to go outside to explore (as long as there is some measurable safety factor involved, like Mommy on the property).

She also fancies herself QUITE the gymnast, vaulting onto the cane seat from a sitting position on the floor. In this picture she is has 'the look'.

This look occurs when she is into something quite absurd.... or outside of the realm of acceptable behavior.

As I have stated before, I am more of a dog person. Cats, contrary to the doting nature of dogs, either have way too much adventure in their blood... or are missing some common sense connection in their brains........ I don't know (...and am certain one of the readers here will enlighten me).

C, having had dogs in the past and one certifiably loony cat, has the notion that after she has cautioned Bella ONCE against doing chin-ups on the chairs, embarking on an excursion across the kitchen table, scrambling up the front screen door squeaking or running toilet paper out the bathroom and into the living room that Bella will comply with the request/command.

When Bella persists in her illogical pursuits, C will inevitably come out with the following phrase:

"Bella, have you lost your little kitty mind?????

Whether it is a child or an animal we do what we can to instill a bit a healthy fear when significant risk is involved. Safety warnings packaged in many an appliance or toy are a way of getting our attention that we may become hurt if we operate something improperly. Our life can be a balancing act - weighing reasonable challenge against strict compliance. Healthy fear can save a life; unhealthy fear can stifle life.

A couple of months ago, Barbara called and wondered whether I would like to go along on a retreat on reconciliation and "Do what you do". I didn't put 2 and 2 together and thought is might be a quiet little retreat.... not one for Trinity that has been on the Farm's main page for bout 10 weeks. About a month ago it finally sank in.... along with the fact that I received a tentative schedule where I was blocked in - interspersed with Barbara and Ann - to do massages if anyone wanted to partake. As the weekend approached I started to have cold feet - especially when I reflected on our respective credentials.

I prayed about it, wrote a song to present and share with the group about forgiveness and reconciliation and yet felt that was weak. In the end, I gave it to God.

Why all the doubt? Just one of those old tapes we each have stored away in our minds or the attics of our homes.... the tape that repeated (with amendment) "Have your lost your little kitty mind?????????"

Sometimes we just have to get out of our own way. In the end, it all turned out quite well. The group was great, the topic lent itself to healing and the Spirit worked through me as I touched the participants who came to me.

Now, I can't say whether Bella will ever have a change of heart and amend her crazy kitty ways. She has developed a new behavior, however. Having been caught in the act of doing something a bit wild she will leave the scene of the crime and plop down on her back in a somewhat submissive position trying to look her most adorable. Hmmmm. Those darn kids, what are ya' gonna do with them?

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p.s. Thank you Barbara and Ann and all the participants for a wonderful weekend!