be somebody

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 February 2018 - Being kind doesn't mean being a pussy cat.  It is very reasonable, and therefore should be acceptable, to calmly say, "no, I don't think so" or "thanks, but I'm not interested" or "not right now".  It is called protecting your space, and if you don't do it, don't expect the world to.  Yes, we all want to be liked, to be well thought of... but a true friend isn't going to scratch your name from his dance card for not agreeing or not being available.  So, if need be, grow a spine and stand tall (or sprawl, your choice).  And would you nicely shut the door on your way out?

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Let's pretend we're adults.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrsonality, the qualities that make a cat a cat (love it or leave it)

hot dog?

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 February 2018 - The shorter peep smirks that at times like these I remind her of a sausage being extruded.  I chose to feign ignorance of the reference, and point out (who knows if she receives) that it is her failure to open the door that reduces me to this indignity.  After more than thirteen years of cohabitation, our willingness to poke the other shouldn't surprise.  The repartee is quickly forgotten, and we move along, our wits freshly sharpened for the next skewering.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Humor is a sign

of intelligence.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrsiflage, light banter, a flexing of our laryngeal muscles

from zip to bountiful

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 February 2018 - Most days I try to have brunch with the taller peep... I don't want to play favorites since I breakfast with the shorter one.  Of the two, he is the soft touch, which means that I have to remind him with a paw that I am waiting for his dregs (reminding the shorter one yields one of her looks).  And dregs they typically are:  I have never seen him actually lick the plate/bowl, but he was definitely raised by "clean your plate" parents.  It is said "beggars can't be chosers",  but even so I feel within my rights to complain.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Be generous

in word and deed.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrfuse, abundant and unstinting (but I would never, ever say "too much")

cushy cat

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 February 2018 - True to my word, I am not standing at my job.  Having assessed my strengths, I know that prone is my position... why buck the obvious?  Besides from my vantage point, five feet above the ground, and with my keen sense of hearing, I will not miss a thing.  Well, perhaps the dropping of a pin might escape my attention, but then it really should.  And I am such a happy catpurr when outdoors in can't-be-improved weather.  I can only hope that your weekend is as purrfect as mine.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Recognize when

you've got it good.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catfree, relaxed and mellow (please leave it to the purrfessionals)

that's rubbish

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 February 2018 - How observant are you?  And how keen is your eyesight?  It is odd to find a perfect circle in Nature... and mind you, I am not referring to a circular disk but just to its outer edge, the circle itself.  I came upon such a thing today on my yard patrol, and wasn't sure what to make of it.  I glared intently, but it didn't move.  It smells artificial, so it is doubtful that beeps or squeeps want it in their nests.  But there it lies.  How did it get there?  Unless one of my peeps 1) sees it, and 2) disposes of it in the trash, it could very well be in that very spot when I have completed my nine lives.  I suppose I could bury it beneath leaves.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Be of value.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catsch, objects considered to be of little worth and in poor taste (like plastic cat figurines)

diversity in the workplace

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 February 2018 - I by choice am not plugged into current events (who needs/wants an extra dose of stress?), but I am aware of this notion that one burns more calories standing at one's desk than sitting at that same desk.  Did this idea originate with bosses, who recognized that it is harder to rest one's head on the desktop while standing?  It certainly makes sense to stir occasionally, to stretch, to walk about:  I myself practice these things.  Has the difference in calorie burn between sitting and standing been stated?  Certainly rising and lowering oneself from a chair would consume energy, so why not a strategy of hourly leaving the desk for a brisk walk around the office or building perimeter?  The change of venue could do your body and psyche good.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Mix it up.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catrarian, a meowverick who charts his own path

a brilliant find

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 February 2018 - Another first-rate day, and I didn't waste it inside.  What is the point of moderate temperatures and blue skies if you're viewing nature's magnificence through a pane of glass?  I am a paws-on sort of cat, so I experienced this Wednesday in the midst of it all.  What better way to survey the local fauna, as they quibble over territory and water rights?  And, of course, my job requires that I keep tabs on the natives and gauge their restlessness.  Check that box, sunshine.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

When in doubt, pause.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - speccatular, impurressive without  unnecessary braggadocio

dew diligence

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 February 2018 - I thought I had a decent hiding place, tucked here behind the pillow shams... but obviously the shorter peep found me.  At least she didn't insist that I rise and go to work, or otherwise be productive.  So I did manage to continue my nap after her visit, for which I am grateful.  These recent pleasant nights have encouraged me to loiter on the back porch long after dark, and I admit to needing a bit of catch-up sleep midday.  I am still holding down the fort, for darkness and moderate temperatures are what the interlopers prefer for their sneakiness.  Again tonight, while she is sound asleep, I will be back out there, keeping her safe.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Get all the facts.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrsistence, firm continuation of a course of action (not to be confused with "dim deep"-edness)

the uncertainty principle

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 February 2018 - My peeps sometimes have difficulty deciphering my stare:  Is he asking for food?  Does he need a drink of water?  Should we open the back door?  I know that communication across species is not straight-forward, and my two are right more than not.  However sometimes I am looking...  but not for any particular reason, or for all-the-above reasons, i.e., I just want some attention.  And often I do get that.  A peep will scoop me up, perhaps in frustration in not knowing what I want exactly, and pat my head or scratch my ear... and I am so happy that I can stop the staring bit, and just lie down for a contented nap.  Life shouldn't be so complicated.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Saying "please" helps.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - impurrfect, having a flaw or weakness (but facial hair conceals a lot)

in the beginning

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 February 2018 - Aaaah, Sunday mornings!  There is merit to setting aside regular time to reflect, to feel gratitude, to give thanks.  One doesn't need to build an entire religion around the notion that we are a small part of the grand scheme, but we still shouldn't forget it either.  Being humble seems to have fallen out of favor, at least among our public figures.  Perhaps they have begun to believe that they truly are bigger than life.  The rest of us recognize the humor, and the folly and the hubris, in that viewpoint.  Although we cats are nudists at heart, I do appreciate the peep saying:  "too big for his britches."

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

We are all made

of the same stuff.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

event of the day - "the year of the dim-deep", <sigh>, to each his own

urbane sprawl

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 February 2018 - No worries... I am not threatening, just stretching.  Having not moved for a while (yes, I was napping), my body needed to reach in both directions, all the way through the claws.  I am told by my peeps that I am impressively long when I do this, but mostly the elongation just feels wonderful.  There is a crackling aliveness, when one stretches, that lets one know one is still on the topside of the ground... which is good to know.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Reach for the sky.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

asana of the day - bidalasana, cat pose featuring an arched back (be mindful)

appreciate in value

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

15 February 2018 - I suspect we all do things without proper acknowledgement, and most of the time we are satisfied with a job properly done.  But there comes a tipping point... when there are so many slights that the seesaw hits the ground and refuses to level until adjustments are made.  I hope that your set of family and friends doesn't wait until the crash to make amends.  We all positively respond to a "thank you", and we must likewise remember to express gratitude to others.  It goes both ways, just like a set of stairs.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Life is all about balance.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - pussyfoot, to be noncommital,  to  (ahem) equivocat

come see, come sigh

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

14 February 2018 - Today is the official day for over-the-top emotional expression, at least among peeps.  We cats don't care for chocolate, and have little tolerance for maudlin behavior (or red hearts).  So I am keeping a low profile, out of foot traffic and beyond discourse.  Besides I already feel like a loved member of our family, and don't need that sentiment officially pronounced.  It would be much simpler if everyone felt comfortable in his/her skin.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Repeat as necessary:

"I'm OK."

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cativating, charming without trying to be (we cats are quite irresistible)