Names define us.
We accord someone a half a name, and history the other half. And the combination of that reflection of our personality and our heritage is a story waiting to be unpacked, a life waiting to be lived.
I think that is one of the reasons a stroll round a churchyard is such a powerful experience. All that is left by the time we meet these people is a name on a stone.
Wandering round Norfolk we found Ann, the wife of this man, a book waiting to be written:
And an entirely different Norfolk community had a whole family based around this one:
Wondrous names.
We have been name choosing once again. One summer without a cat was enough; we miss Clive, and his catness. For her birthday, Maddie pleaded for a kitten. There were long involved debates before final approval: but on her birthday we put a deposit down on a timid quarter-Siamese tabbyish little creature.
Maddie named her Millificent. Millie for short.
Thing is, she was with her brother.
A ginger tom with huge ears and high cheekbones, he is a little bolder than she but they are inseparable. He chose us. We crumbled: he and his sister arrive, all being well, next Monday. If Clive strolls back in one day, the dog will not know what to do with himself.
Soon we will have to start calling ourselves Shrewsday Zoological Gardens.
This cat’s name came much more easily than Clive’s. Bernard Law Montgomery, the British Field Marshall who spearheaded the D Day operation and many other key moments of World War II crossed our screens as we watched television together.
This cat will be called Monty. We think the general and the cat look similar.
Kate Shrewsday 
Look forward to more posts about these two as you and they – and Macauley – get together
It should be quite a party, Elspeth!
Beautiful cats with elegant names. Surely Monty will grow to both his ears and his exalted rank. Have you thought of boosting Macaulay a bit, perhaps to Prime Minister or Ruler of the Queen’s Navee? He won’t like being outranked by a kitten. Two kittens. Poor Macaulay.
Alas, he is experienced in their ways, Kathy. Two could be interesting. We shall be showing our appreciation to Macaulay in divers ways. Promotion sounds an excellent idea.
Oh happy times. Lots of blog fodder to come from these two 🙂
Yes; life ill not be dull, Cindy!
I think you’re right about the general and the cat … I can’t get over poor Ann’s tombstone though. 😦
I know. Very beautiful. A small piece of poetry in its own right, Jamie.
And the little female, will she have to wait to EARN a name?
Nope: she’s Millie. Millificent for long.
Sweet Millit
Poor Master Mac, having to endure raising more kittens……perhaps he’ll nip off an ear or two.
He’s a tolerant soul, Lou. And we’ll make a fuss of him. I can’t help thinking that no cat could be quite such a handful for Mac as Clive was. It wasn’t easy being ambushed and tackled like Clouseau and Cato.
I am glad you are no longer catless. Rover looks forward to their exploits and ‘Dog Dog sends his commiserations to Mac.
Moon Chaplin… mmm wonder if s/he sent letters to that well known politician… Praise-God Barebones ( puts ladies of letters into the shade me thinks)
Thanks to Rover and Dog Dog; Mac, we will attempt to compensate….
Macaulay, Millie and Monty – the 3M’s for short or is that too corporate sounding. Mac should definitely get his own recliner for this; a recliner he’ll likely have to share with a feline duo or just maybe – a trio.
An armchair á trois. What a thought.
Brigadier General Macaulay? Operation Overlord Macaulay? They are cute kitties.
I have a cream tabby named Maggie, so M is a good letter for cats’ names. Have fun with your new babies.
Thanks, Gale. Cream tabbies rock 🙂
Lovely little kits–their personalities shine through. Your household will be happier!
Hello Susan! I feel sure you are right 🙂
Edward Silence & Moon Chaplin. Great names for title characters.
Is it a coincidence that all the animals will be “M’s”? The 3 M’s . . . the 3 Musketeers!
It is indeed a coincidence Nancy 😀 The stage is set…..
Millie, Monty, Mac could be a verse in there somewhere.
Looks like fun and games soon in the Shrewsday household.
Erk. I think I should be building a bunker for myself, Rosemary.
Yay! I love both names, and those little faces. I am looking forward to knowing them.
I’m looking forward to see what they bring, Andra 🙂
Mac will not lack for exercise. I’m sure the old Sgt. Major will put his old cat training to good use. Now all they need is a sand table, a couple of maps of the Western Desert and a willy fox to try and steal their treats. 😉
Ha! They will be mounting a complex and jighly successful desert campaigh before long, Rafael, I have no doubt!
I very much like the look of those cats. I’m such a sucker for cats that I can’t look too long at the pictures. We’ve vowed not to have another….too much heartache when they go. I think we must have had about 20 of them, Enough for a small Norfolk graveyard.
Losing cats is a heartbreak indeed, Roger. We have taken the plunge once again ; we’re on cat numbers 4 and 5…
Dear Kate, Millie and Monty are adorable. You know me and cats–somehow their eyes draw me in to depths that are beyond my ken.
As to graveyards. I lived close to one in New Hampshire that had graves of men and women going back to the Revolutionary War. And also graves of a whole family wiped out by the influenza epidemic after World War I–father, mother, children, and baby. Peace.
That’s very sad, Dee: Norfolk churchyards are full of people who lived uneventfully to a ripe old age. It’s that kind of place….though I’m sure there are tragedies in among the stones.
You’re asking for trouble! 😉
I know, I know, IE….
It does sound strange but a grave stoning hopping holiday is so interesting!!! Especially when looking for your ancestors!
It really is, Lisa….
Grave Stone 😉
I wandered a Cambridgeshire graveyard today, and looked at the names, wondered about the stories, felt sorrow for the families of two of those buried there, children, pre-adolescents who died half a century apart. Different times, the same pain.
As for Clive. No words would be enough. And for these two bat eared creatures who have joined you, I hope Mac will rejoice. Monty hated his mother. I know that’s a non sequitur, but I wanted to share.
A drwoned cat by my boat has been removed. MasterB is allowed ashore strictly chaperoned and on his harness. More than an hour toinght (a v long pee in a flowerbed, hurrah!) and is now sparko. Catness and storiies of people past are good things to celebrate.
You remind me that we must harness-train these two, Isobel. Better start early. SAd about the drowned cat 😦 but good to hear that Master B had a nice potter.
Do you need the Mynwood address? It is the only harness I have found that has been tolerated by either of my cats. I have quite a collection…
Mac, Monty, and MIllie. Magnificent! I’m so excited and happy to hear you’ll soon have a feline again. Two! So much more fun. I constantly fight the temptation to get a second kitty, or a third, or …
They are a bit moreish, PT, aren’t they?
May the M and M’s bring lots of joy!
Thanks, Tandy. I’, not sure Mac has grasped the situation yet…
I like the first stone. Ann Silence is an interesting name. I usually see Silence as a first name in my genealogy research. It is interesting to see it as a surname.
It really captivated me, Steven!
Monty is one of my favourite names – it’s good to get two of an animal 😉 they keep each other company.
Monty and Millie. Handsome names for such handsome (and pretty) kittens that they will certainly grow into. I wondered how long it would be before there were cats again at your manor.
Bless you for adopting Monty and Millie. Five years ago, I went to the animal shelter with plans to adopt one and came home with two. They were brought in together and got along very well. Jean-Louis and Reggie wish you, your family and Macaulay (also part of your family) two the very best. 🙂
Let the adventures begin! 🙂