as I live and breathe

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Feb 2026 - There is nothing more aggravating than to pinpoint a noise but not see what is causing it:  friend (probably not) or foe.  Nothing constructive can be done except to keep watching for movement, a task well suited to a cat.  I have been known to outwait an interloper, lulling it into a sense of all-clear when in fact I am patiently staring at its hiding spot.  These interludes of vigilance are draining, if for no other reason than I can't allow the stillness to lead to snoozing.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Not everyone is

comfortable with silence.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - stick to one's gatos, demonstrate feline persistence

taking it in

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Feb 2026 - The early morning rounds on my personal screened porch are no longer brutal, although it can never be too warm for a cat.  The improved weather has prompted my peeps to work outside, so I feel obligated to keep one eye on them, lest the interlopers pose a threat.  It is interesting how the various noises get sorted out:  of no interest, familiar and merits investigation, odd and needing investigation, scary (i.e., time to skedaddle).  I also realize that my largely unconscious sorting algorithm is the result of processing those noises over many years... because at first everything was scary.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is essential to learn

from the past.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - meowke known, to keep the peeps informed (since they can be oblivious)

poised

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Feb 2026 - Another day, another chosen spot to nap!  I am very lucky (yes, I know it) to have not only security but variety... because no one wants to share a domicile with a bored cat!  And there is a major difference between boredom and relaxation:  the former is often expressed in destructive ways, while the latter can be accompanied by a very subtle grin.  Of course in my line of work I must be able to quickly shift from sluggish to slugger, all without pulling a muscle.  (Those interlopers would love to find me sound asleep.)

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is all about balance.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - impurrtiality, feline fairness (it's hard not to take sides)

the whys and wherefores

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Feb 2026 - What is better than a well-deserved nap?!  I spend a lot of my time walking through our domicile, circling my personal screened porch, all to prevent an interloper incursion.  So it is quite a relief to get off my paws, and recoup lost energy.  As you are aware, I have numerous spots picked out for snoozing, my choice based on my mood, level of light, traffic flow at that time of day, and many other factors.  All of them offer comfort (or they wouldn't have made the list).  And when I rise to continue my patrol, I am restored.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Figure out what you need.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowtivated, impelled to engage in goal-directed behavior (with naps as reward)

wouldn't that be something

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 Feb 2026 - The oracle seems to be entering a quiet phase... just as Mr. Sol is becoming more reliable.  I wonder if there is a connection?  Maybe what I took to be her warm words was actually grousing about the weather.  To be honest I never understood her prophetic whispers and mostly came to bathe in the charged atmosphere, so it is entirely possible that she dislikes the cold as much as I do.  In fact I'd like to believe, in addition to our brush with divinity,  that we have that in common.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Keep the inner flame alive.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - empurrean, the highest level of a cat's heaven

work it out

SHamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

16 Feb 2026 - When my two don't show up for work, there isn't much to "manage".  But I can still assess, plan, (snooze), while waiting for an employee to appear.  And I enjoy a quiet office, where one can be with one's thoughts without water-cooler chatter.  I realize that not everyone looks forward to their job... which is very unfortunate since the vast majority must earn their keep.  I count myself as one of the lucky who awakes to wonder,"what fun things await me today?"

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There are too many things

happening to be bored.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - kits' play, joyful feline activity

one for you and one for me

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

15 Feb 2026 - My peeps and I have very different tastes when it comes to food (and possibly to other things as well).  I have sniffed some of the things that they appear to enjoy, and I am, if not repulsed, than uninterested.  And in turnabout, they wrinkle their noses at my vittles... which is perfect.  Who wants to guard the plate while chowing down?  And hurriedly gulping one's food, lest it be scarfed by another, isn't good for digestion (or one's stress levels).  We could not have happened upon a better arrangement.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It's okay to like

what you like.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - meowtually exclusive, unable to be the case at the same time (catsider the alternative)