clocking out

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 June 2014 - Whoever conceived of a bedside table had cats in mind:  the perfect surface area, the perfect height, the perfect vantage point for guarding the peeps while they sleep...and a very convenient location when I need to alert the shorter peep (forget the other one, simply impossible to get his attention) of some disturbance in the force.  I can also place my body between the earlier riser and the clock, time being such an arbitrary and irritating construct.  And who needs an alarm when the date book is empty of pressing appointments?  This far north one would have to sleep in a broom closet, or be the taller peep, to be unaware of sunrise.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

Whatever you are doing, give it your full attention.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrturbation, variation from the normal path, or "rut", caused by an outside (and well-intentioned and seeing-the-bigger-picture) furry influence

give me a break

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-ow-my-oh!

29 June 2014 - I haven't added one to my snooze series in a while, although my eyes are clearly in evidence here.  Occasionally I feel compelled to indulge myself, my version of an afternoon at the spa, by locating to the other bedroom.  Marketers play on our self-esteem issues by asserting that we are worth it, that we deserve it..."it" being whatever these paid employees are trying so hard to sell.  I won't join their camp, but I do think that we can't respect others without first respecting ourselves.  So if on the odd day I want to feel special, I won't deny myself the label of "guest".  Besides if it weren't for me, this room would never get any use.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

Treating one's self doesn't have
to involve money.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purresent, a gift, a guilty pleasure (although I would suggest ditching the guilt)

center of the universe

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-ow-my-oh!

28 June 2014 - Cats, you must admit, know how to do mystery.  Secrets are safe with us, and we have perfected the chilly air of aloofness.  But what many younger peeps seem to be unaware of (on that, don't get me started) is that less is more.  What is there to learn when all is spelled out, what is there to imagine when all is revealed?  Peeps are fascinated by puzzles and drawn to the unknown, and we cats like attention and accolades.  How better to insure an audience than to channel Garbo:  "I wish to be alone," but do continue to orbit my star.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

Envy shouldn't be the basis for congratulations.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purraise, the expression of admiration for someone, the act of lionizing (need I say more)

strut your stuff

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-ow-my-oh!

27 June 2014 - If you think that you are having to toe the line, try walking atop a 2"x6", which of course is the board's rounded-up measurements...don't want to confuse the masses with fractions.  I do it to keep myself in form and because I can:  don't you peeps harp on "use it or lose it"?  Besides the stakes aren't that high, three feet to the walkway, double that to the ground.  Another reason I enjoy perching on the railing is that it improves, but not actually levels, the playing field.  The peeps don't hover above me when I'm at this height, and I am much closer to that pesky squeep when it raids the feeder.  Oh, did I mention that I leap up here?  Alright, it is a bit of a scramble, but I am a double-digit aged cat bearing double-digit pounds.  Don't get snarky, it isn't becoming.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

Life is a balancing act.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - sangfuroid,  coolness under pressure, composure, nerve..."Moi?  Mais oui!"

pushing the envelope

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 June 2014 - Today's photo may initially disorient you:  find me first and then the context will crystalize.  From this angle it is difficult to judge the height, but the floor on which I am lolling is at least fifteen feet above the rocks.  There is nothing like hanging out over an abyss to quicken the pulse and snap one from reverie.  Perhaps I am fearless because cats, according to the sages, always land on their feet.  I admit to a general unwillingness to test this hypothesis, as peeps have been proven wrong before...and I, not they, would be the one in a leg cast.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

Life should be an adventure.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - supurreme, intense, most powerful, foremost, as when declaring oneself king of the jungle gym

don't fence me in

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 June 2014 - Most of the time my peeps are considerate enough to open doors for me (but overall having no opposable thumb is an evolutionary oversight).  However there are times when deep sleep or otherwise being elsewhere prevent them from helping a pal out.  So I have my own private entrances that do not require the turning of a knob to be opened.  I can come and go as I feel necessary.  I do like the autonomy this system gives me, and mostly these unsecured means into our domicile have not been regretted...although there was that one time when a neighbor cat got confused and let himself in, but that was quickly sorted out. Too much independence on my part, I fear, might hurt the peeps' feelings, so I try to minimize the usage of these doors in lieu of those that require peep assistance.  I wouldn't want them to feel unneeded.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

The idea that when one door closes another opens sounds like wishful thinking.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - lipurrty, freedom to make one's own choices, to act as one pleases...try convincing a cat otherwise

counting sleep

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 June 2014 - I can make a recliner out of any cushioned spot.  It really is a gift to be able to relax while the world spins madly.  The peeps are perplexed as to why, after X weeks of preferring a particular location for my naps, I elect to move on, to change my mind as to where the best site is for a snooze.  The explanation is simple:  so many choices, so little time.  Ruts can be comfortable and comforting: to have the pillow conformed perfectly to your shape is seductive...but think of the possibilities one could be missing.  So I force myself to continue looking, to turn my back on complacency, to face the dare...all of which expends mental and physical energy and prompts me to lie down, just to recover.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

Fewer hours of sleep does not
increase one's productivity.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

book of the day - State of Wonder, another choice offering by Ann Patchett

knocking 'em dead

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 June 2014 - There are times when I connect more strongly with my ancestral lines:  the wild cat hunkered in the tall grasses.  I am well camouflaged for nocturnal hunts, and twice this past week I have brought presents of meeps to my peeps.  I am glad to share as the chase is the most thrilling part for me; once my prey is lifeless I lose interest.  Evidently my peeps feel similarly:  after an initial expression of adrenaline they quickly stash it away...perhaps for later consumption?  I hope that they remember where they are hiding the bodies, because I have not been paying attention to these details.  After all I have a bowl full of kibbles.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

According to his abilities, each
should pull his weight.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purredator, one that instinctively stalks its food, a natural hunter

enlighten me

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 June 2014 - My paean to the longest day in the year:  revel in the gift of sunshine, and tuck some away for a rainy day.  We have had a few false starts to summer here in the north, but two steps ahead and one step back is still progress.  I could not be happier (without being in Florida) to bake my body, to turn liquid in the white heat.  Our time is too brief to delay doing what is important.  Who can guarantee that we won't be retired before reaching the promised land of retirement?  Grab the opportunity, savor the moment, do it now.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

Trust is the eight minutes needed for light to travel from the sun to us.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - song of purraise, that low hum of contentment arising from one's core, the joyful expression of our corporeal engine

the door with the tiger behind it

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 June 2014 - Occasionally one should take the time to evaluate one's priorities, what really matters.  This ranking of intangibles is the parallel of those possessions one would want if stranded on a deserted island.  Unless you prefer going through life alone, somewhere on that list should be the golden rule...you know, treat others as you would like to be treated.  So why is it that yesterday I had to bellow until hoarse just to summon a peep to open the door?  Were they raised in an alley?

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

Health-wise it is best to forgive, but one doesn't have to forget.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrlite, being considerate of others, well-mannered, genteel as a tuxedo cat

speaking ill of the well-fed

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 June 2014 - Yesterday we had a "wish you weren't here" day, but today is postcard perfect.  Just beyond my head is the gathering place for beeps.  Every morning, rain or shine, the shorter peep and I walk out on the porch to greet the world and make an offering of sunflower seeds.  By nightfall the food has disappeared.  Not all of it goes to the intended recipients.  We also have a pesky squeep that visits.  I can't always be on patrol, and it has little to occupy its day except wait for opportunity.  It's a small bur in my fur.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

Sit on the small aggravations,
and walk away from the rest.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - exaspurration, ill humor, displeasure, vexation, the list goes on and on

round round get a round

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 June 2014 - The peeps and I have settled nicely into our lives north.  Now that I have somewhat acclimated to the daytime temperatures, I am able to assume postures that aren't meant to conserve body heat.  Recently, while policing for opportunistic rodents, I discovered another interloper. I am quite certain that I did not pack the blue thing (since I was given just a few hours' notice of our departure), yet here it is...to plague me with its irritating roundness.  Did it stow away in our luggage?  I have unsuccessfully tried to rip it apart, but it possesses a resilience that one must admire.  It would be more fun to bat about a squeaky meep, but meanwhile the blue thing offers good practice.

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

Rough and tumble play prepares
one for life.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - furisky, engaging in activity purely for fun and recreation, playful, like one with a favorite toy

a grand I's meant

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 June 2014 - What is up with a selfie?  Are we so removed from our surroundings that reality has to be documented to be real?  Is it a not-so-subtle "wish I was here" statement?  I suppose one who documents his life on-line can be expected to splash his face there as well.  But truly I am a victim of circumstance.  Mornings are still quite chilly here (i.e., less than eighty degrees Fahrenheit), so I am obliged to curl in the shorter peep's lap just to keep her from shivering.  Possibly in route I stepped on the camera button?  On the other hand there is something to be learned from personal scrutiny:  I never realized how much my chest marking resembles a white bib.  But is my life significantly richer by that bit of minutia?

methodology of the meow-ster

Catvice

(for the self-absorbed)

With cameras on every corner, one should always wear clean underwear.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - supurrvision, astute observation, keen eyesight even in dim light, such as possessed by felines