kick back

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 February 2014 - The tall peep and I have been bacheloring it.  We have an understanding that what happens in the short peep's absence will remain between the two of us, but I haven't back-slid on my hygiene...I have my standards.  I am cultivating a taste for coffee, and I definitely prefer it with cream.  Poker was at our house last week, but I wasn't invited to the table, a snub that I would rather not dwell on. Otherwise we are best buds.  He is the quintessential absent-minded professor, which means occasionally I have to remind him to put kibbles in my bowl, but he quickly rectifies the situation.  We are managing just fine...which isn't to say that we won't be glad when the short peep returns.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice 

(for the self-absorbed)

Taking a chill pill is great medicine.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - unpurrturbed, self-assured and unfazed as a #1 feline

a tall tail

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 February 2014 - I am a long-bodied cat, which means that I have a long tail, quite a striking combination actually.  Since I don't live in a multi-cat household (thank you, Bastet), I don't often feel the need to raise it for a friendly "hello".  It has been scientifically observed that subordinate individuals elevate their tails more frequently than dominant ones, so the flagged tail cam also indicate social standing.  Wee kits, even the wild (as opposed to felis domesticus) ones, greet their mothers with a raised tail.  Without uttering a meow, we can communicate our amicable intentions and acknowledge our superiors... .another reason why I find it unnecessary to raise the tail.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice 

(for the self-absorbed)

A smile is a great way

to begin a conversation.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - impurrtance, a cat's
acknowledged significance in the world

watch out

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 February 2014 - Well, it can't be anything that I said or did, but the shorter peep has wandered off again.  She has done this disappearing act before, and always in the past found her way home...but even so, her behavior is upsetting to those of us here at home.  Her sense of smell isn't the best, which will make retracing her steps more problematic.  I have walked the yard, and will continue to keep my eyes and ears in alert, but the trail is cold.  She is missing all the warblers flitting in the trees, plus the bank of azalea blooms.  I will try to appreciate spring for her.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice 

(for the self-absorbed)

"Where did I put that?"

wastes time.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cattentive, being observant, noticing what is happening

when the moon hits your eye

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories 

15 Feburary 2014 - My wish yesterday was to stay out of Baby Eros' aim.  I have worked diligently to maintain my image of the no-nonsense sort, and an ol' softie accusation would skewer that instantly.  No, I do not wish love to take up residence in my heart, to mess with my head, to ruin a reasonable fellow.  Being the adored one however is expected, beyond my control, and an acceptable consequence.  When you have looks and personality on your side, how can you NOT be loved?

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Love is one of those

four-letter words.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - roam-ance, the compulsion to sing ballads outside windows and defend m'lady's honor

the gates of heaven

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

13 February 2014 - I am mostly a house cat, but do have my own door for coming and going as I please.  Since I started out life as a stray kit, to be able to wander outdoors seems "right".  But there are members of my species whose feet never touch the ground.  Having lived outside the box I can only imagine that sort of life to be confining, rather like a life-without-parole sentence.  I am well aware that my excursions into the wild are not condoned by many peeps and are in fact risky for me...which is why I am very cautious and stick close to the premises.  It is Pandora's predicament:  best to keep the lid on the box.  You can't miss what you've never experienced.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Beneath the skin of domestication beats a wild heart.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - incatceration, the placing of limits on a feline

fancy that

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

12 February 2014 - This silhouette of me brings to mind a cartoonist whose works somehow capture the essence of a cat.  I of course refer to Hap Kliban.  His drawings were first published in Playboy in the early 60s, and that favorable exposure led to a book of his cat cartoons...which opened the door to our whiskered faces on posters and coffee mugs and T-shirts.  His was a distinctive style, humorous as well as unsparing.  Who can forget his depiction of a tabby wearing red sneakers?

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Fame is often about a pretty face, but sometimes about a quirky one.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

quote of the day - ''one hell of a nice animal, frequently mistaken for a meat loaf", said by Kliban about his iconic tabby

we look nothing alike

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

11 February 2014 - I am feeling nauseous.  I walked past the television just now and heard, in a commercial, the stomach-churning phrase "pet parents".  I feel truly insulted to be perceived as a child, dependent upon some adult figure for my care and well-being.  My peeps would certainly not agree that our relationship is anything but equal footing.  They are well aware that each side has chosen to be there.  I could walk away tomorrow, and would if I thought that I was being treated as a lesser, something that must be molded and guided.  The very thought makes my tail switch in anger.  Here I am, doing the same thing as the taller peep, fuming at the idiot box.  I really should not allow those marketers to push my buttons.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

It is a fact that you can't

choose your family.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrfer, to like cats better than dim deeps

sunny boy

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

10 February 2014 - I outlasted the invasion of strangers, victorious in my claim that this spot is mine.  Nature seems to have sided with me, as the sun is beaming down and the evidence of gloomy wetness is evaporating.  Not that I am a fair-weather cat, but really, who doesn't prefer uplifted spirits and the taste of possibility?  I have sufficient self-confidence to blatantly own a splash of warm light.  My idea of punishment would be an unending state of grayness, varied only by a cold drizzle.  Please spare me, O Bastet!

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

 Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Don't expect much more than

body heat from the masses.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrgatory, a stray cat's existence

sidelined

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

9 February 2014 - I knew something was up.  The first clue was all that frenetic house-cleaning, then all that kitchen time.  Well, the what-is-going-on has been answered:  two strangers have just arrived and unloaded their gear....I think they are not the typical doorbell-ringers, the ones that hope to exchange a pamphlet for a donation.  No, hugs were exchanged, so my peeps, not typically the out-going sort, must know these two from somewhere.  They may smell vaguely familiar, but I honestly can't place them.  So I will keep my distance, and do a bit of recon.  At least they didn't bring along any wee peeps, the kind that squeal "kit-tee" and lurch toward me like miniature Frankensteins.  I know from past experience that eventually, if I bide my time, these visitors will go away, and it will be my house again.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Strangers are called

strange for a reason.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

book of the day - Behind the Beautiful Forevers, by Katherine Boo, catalytic non-fiction about Mumbai

beam me up

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

8 February 2014 - I don't know if I should be bored or depressed, but these last few days of drippy chill have overstayed their welcome.  We are on the verge of losing our claim as the sunshine state.  All those disgruntled tourists who came to Florida for our lovely winter will soon be filing a class-action suit, further exacerbating the state's fiscal woes.  I know, I know, our water-table needs replenishing from years of below-average rainfall, but can't we make arrangements, like Camelot, to just accept delivery after sundown?  Nights are so cozy when water is splashing on a metal roof.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

One can drown in

an inch of water.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - pussed off, feeling like an annoyed cat

coat check

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

5 February 2014 - The shorter peep thinks that spring is around the corner.  Being the curious creature that I am, I went looking for it.  Of late my thick, black coat seems excessive, even oppressive.  Some regions of the country experience mud season, but around here we are about to enter the shedding season, when wafts of silky fur collect in corners and on rugs.  It literally seems a lost opportunity.  After all people pay good money for sweaters made of mohair and cashmere.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Sometimes stripping away the fluff can leave you with nothing.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

breed of the day - Purrsian, a long-haired feline that originated in present-day Iran

hark

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

4 February 2014 - Should I get a diamond stud, or perhaps a Bajoran ear cuff?  I could start a fashion trend.   But even unadorned a cat's ear is a marvel of engineering.  We can hear sounds too faint and frequencies too high for peep ears.  Our 10.5 octaves of perception outstrip that of dim deeps as well, and enables us to hear the ultrasonic calls of rodents.  The funnel shape of the outer ear amplifies sound, and the ability to swivel the ear allows us to pinpoint direction.  Even when I nap, the ears stand guard...so don't even attempt to sneak up on me.  I do feel pity for the Scottish Fold breed.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

When a third-party conversation is audible, is it eavesdropping?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrick, to bring the ears into an alert position

wild cat

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

3 February 2014 - Many of my pictures feature me living life on the edge.  I don't consciously seek out these spots on which to repose, but my species has a long history of  being watchers.  Those individuals who were good at keeping an eye pealed for danger as well as dinner, survived.  Even though many of us. the fortunate ones, no longer need our razor-sharp instincts, this ability still resides deep in the genes.  So here I find myself...until my bowl of kibble calls.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

 Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Exciting lives are often short.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrpensity, a cat's natural tendency