safe versus sorry

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

15 Jul 2026 - And lest you don't believe me, here is proof that I'm comfortable with the new portal.  I can't put into words, at least the sort my peeps would understand, my issue with the prior arrangement.  But then irrational (as in not governed by reason) actions are basically driven by emotions, and very difficult to overcome with logic.  I just know that it felt ominous, dangerous.  There are probably examples of my kind that would have taken that portal on, whacked it a few times with claws extended, and settled who is boss... but that wouldn't be me.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You go right ahead and

face your fears.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - timeowrous, apprehensive (it's my middle name)

I'm busy

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

14 Jul 2026 - As the appointed interloper rouster, I can't afford to express my preferences, although I obviously have them.  So even though I have a favorite chair and the best lookout point and the most secret hide-away, I must allot time to everywhere else, for my and the two peeps' sakes.  And I don't resent the imposition, because once I am at the next checkpoint I always find something interesting (or comfortable) to occupy my often monotonous guard duty.  Besides I am not wishing for excitement:  a full-on beep assault would not make my day.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

One doesn't need to be

constantly "in use" to be useful.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrviceable, effective in a cat's job

to be outside, or not to be outside

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

13 Jul 2026 - Bastet has heard my plea:  there is no longer an ominous portal between me and my personal screened deck!  Its replacement resembles a sheer curtain, and I've been ducking behind those for forever.  I admit that I still prefer to sashay out through a wide-open door, but I also like not having to wait for a peep to let me out or in.  So now, provided the weather is tolerable, I come and go as I please... a pleasing development.  Interlopers, you have been warned... I can arrive in your midst whenever you step over the line.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We all like to think

we're in charge.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purree will, the freedom to choose (as befitting feline kings)

overrun

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

12 Jul 2026 - The likely scenario occurred:  a scurrying of squeeps, and one right outside this portal.  I kept a wary eye on its activity:  it seemed content to root in the vegetation, but that could have been a ploy to get closer to our domicile (they are sneaky like that).  It didn't acknowledge my presence, but my glare evidently registered and more interesting things drew it away.  Sometimes the magnitude of my responsibilities overwhelms me, but I've found that everything looks better and more doable after a nap.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Slow and steady

gets the job done.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - inmeowndate, to tax a cat's abilities <sigh>

get set

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

11 Jul 2026 - I hope that you take the time to stoke your furnace each morning.  To continue the analogy, the coals have been banked overnight,  and need your attention lest they burn out.  I am eager for my breakfast, hungry and facing a long day on patrol.  It is an enjoyed routine with the shorter peep, soon to be followed by my daily brushing.  I can't think of a better way to ready myself for whatever comes next:  a shaggy bleep-beep maybe (it wouldn't be our first), but more likely a scurrying squeep.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Know that you really

can't be prepared.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrocess, a systematic series of actions directed to some end (the rousting of interlopers)

first-rate

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

10 Jul 2026 - We have had some glorious days here in the hinterland... and a few not so glorious ones, but they make the nice times so much nicer.  And I am very happy when the weather encourages me to stay on my personal screened deck.  Even when the sky is dripping, I must stick my head out there, to remind the interlopers to keep their distance.  But no discipline is required of me when Mr. Sol is out and warming the air and brightening the view.  How lucky that I came into this job, truly by chance, and I intend to keep it.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Admit it when you've

got it good.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrime, of the first importance to a cat

mi-mi-me

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

9 Jul 2026 - I like to think of my purr as the feline version of om, that soothing sound track to the bigger picture.  I don't think it is my imagination that my two peeps are calmed ever so slightly by my soft vocalization.  There is no tangible switch:  I can't will myself to produce that throaty hum.  Rather I find myself enveloped in the sound, a product it would seem from being happy.  And no, I don't purr while I'm chowing down (at least I don't think so), but after the second or third chin chuck my voice is summoned.  And it would be counterintuitive to stifle the sound... it wants to embrace the immediate.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Find your voice.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meownophagous, contentedly nourished by the same-old-same-old