re-luck-tant

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 March 2018 - We all get a tad depressed when the day is gloomy.  I like to spend time on the screened porch this time of year, a celebration of winter's departure... but when there is a chilly wind out of the north and dampness from an overnight sprinkle I am reluctant to risk the exposure.  Obviously part of me wants to be out there, and is having something of an argument with that part that wishes to remain warm and dry.  The shorter peep has sided with the latter, and didn't open the door for me... so that is how the debate was settled.  Later, when the external temperature has ticked up a few degrees I may slip out the back door... just to decide for myself... and to keep an eye out for the bunny delivering treats.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

They can't all be good days.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - hissitant, disinclined to do something while really wanting to (*#@~!)

rival range

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 March 2018 - We like to think that we are safe, but the hard reality is that we constantly live with risk.  Dwelling on that fact is counterproductive, so we ignore our vulnerabilities and focus on what needs to be done.  I only have to glance down on the front walkway to be reminded of my nemesis, yet I still venture outside.  The shorter peep sometimes wishes that I would be quicker to exit the back door... but then the interloper isn't on her radar screen.  I have good reason to be cautious:  unlike her, I do not prompt the pushy neighbor to hightail it home.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Pretending isn't

just for kids.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - adpurrsary, a cat competing with another for claims to a yard or a peep

positive reinforcement

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 March 2018 - We aren't all morning types, and I totally agree that sunsets can be spectacular.  But morning light is something to behold.  Perhaps it is the clarity of air, the reverent stillness, the day's freshness... but the combined effect is so soul-satisfying.  After hours of darkness, the world awakens with promise.  Now what we do with that blank page can be disappointing, embarrassing, forgettable, inspiring... in other words, the gamut of possibilities.  And therein lies the seed of hope.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

It IS good

to be alive.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - optimewstic, upbeat about the future (but then I have multiple lives to get it right)

inquire within

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 March 2018 - I am not exactly certain what I was thinking... perhaps just a "why not?" action.  It was cozy and secure and something different to explore, so I did.   I don't want to be accused of living in a rut (even if I am quite happy and fulfilled there).  Even so this lean-to could never replace my heated towel on the bed.  Investigating a new thing comes about because of a cat's inherent curiosity, and I'll admit that for every positive aspect of our inquisitiveness, there is a negative one (such as being left on the screened porch overnight, and many that my peeps know nothing about).  This time everything went well.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

First-hand knowledge

is the best.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - nosy purrker, one that can't resist a cracked door or empty bag

ginger vitis

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 March 2018 - No, I haven't decided to go tabby.  This latest interloper lives somewhere in the neighborhood, but feels it necessary to stroll through my yard.  If the question is, "can Calvin come out and play?", the resounding answer is no.  I have zippo interest in becoming whatzit's friend, and if I weren't such a nice fellow I would toss him off our walkway.  Instead I must fume from the overlooking window and send nasty thoughts through the airwaves... but evidently he is tuned to a different frequency.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

"Why me?" has no

satisfactory answer.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purressure, to cajole, and if that fails, to coerce through purrsistence

hum a drum

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 March 2018 - I know that you've experienced this:  my thoughts are playing atop a song endlessly cycling in my head.  Peeps call it an earworm, and I call it absolutely maddening.  The voice is that of a young woman, and I can catch the lyrics, "looking down on creation."  Well, we cats understand that sentiment completely.  Living with peeps does that to us:  too much information, too much chatter, too much frenzy.  Just yesterday this space was filled with peeps, and I was forced to remain secreted away.  Eventually each of them realized they should leave, but the idea was slow to dawn.  I am just pleased that furniture is back where it should be and quiet has once again descended.  This need for order doesn't make me stodgy... I am just most comfortable with the familiar, and what qualifies as family is a very select group.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

What the world needs

is more listeners.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrsaic, quite satisfied with same-old-same-old (just call me domesticated)

fur's aid

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 March 2018 - Forget everything I said yesterday... except the part where I am restored by a bout of glorious weather:  thank you, thank you, Mother Nature.  I so needed a day without cold paws, an afternoon of balmy temperatures, a great-to-be-alive moment where one can sprawl, without the need to conserve body heat.  Yes, I am in a much improved state of mind, one in which I can ignore jibes, forgive offenses, freely give benefit of the doubt.  Why is it that magnanimity is so much easier when one's personal circumstances are good?  Well, perhaps I am not ready for sainthood, but I would be open to sharing my sunshine.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Adversity is a downer.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrosper, to thrive (my peeps must be doing something right)

phlegm noir

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 March 2018 - Patience is always a challenge for me (and daily tried by my peeps), but I detect a growing unrest in our household with this recent return to cold mornings.  We have one week remaining in March, and this weather is what we've been handed?  My towel warmer is back in use (I would be a tuxedo popsicle without it), and I am eternally grateful for its auxiliary heat.  At the moment I am curled in the shorter peep's lap, channeling my complaints through her.  But when she is huddled over the keyboard, I have to hang on or be displaced by the jostles of her typing.  Yes, obviously I am not in the best of moods... but hopefully as the day thaws, my grousing will lessen.  And I am certain that a few days of warm temperatures will set me right.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Some claim that good can't be

appreciated without the presence of bad.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - depurrmination, firmness of purrpose (it goes without saying)

please try this at home

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 March 2018 - Here I am, working on my depression... the warm, cushy sort in a pillow.  Twitchy individuals try to make us laid-back fellows feel guilty, i.e., we aren't sufficiently productive, we're setting a poor example, we sponge off the rigors of others....  But I refuse to be moved by these rants.  Are you jealous that I take naps and you can't find the time?  That, my friend, is not my fault (nor my problem).  If you want to expend energy and time on projects X and Y, please give it your best.  Meanwhile, I am focused on doing a good job with project ZZZ.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

There is a reason we

all don't look alike.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrfessional, competent and skilled in the given activity (one could say an expurrt)

fruit of the gloom

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 March 2018 - Yesterday, in these parts, was certainly a wash... meaning, if you went outside, you took a shower.  I am not keen on getting wet, so I spent a good bit of the day curled on the bed (which is IMO a great way to spend Mondays).  There wasn't much sunshine to be found because, before writing the day off, I looked for it.  But drab rain doesn't prevent my recalling how it feels to sit in a rectangle of bright light, my dark fur absorbing the heat.  Thankfully this sort of weather is unusual for here... it is hard to squelch Mr. Sol.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Sometimes reality needs help.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - depurression, feeling mewserable (or that dip in the pillow where I've been lying)

the plot thickens

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 March 2018 - Another prime (#1303) day, although the pictured sunshine was borrowed from yesterday's weather.  You know me and Mr. Sol:  if he is around, then I can be found (I made a poem?) sprawled in his liquid warmth.  I'm not the only thing to thrive in his presence:  our yard is greening up and flowering (that's spiderwort left of center).  Signs of winter's brutality are diminishing, shed or camouflaged by new growth.  It is no wonder that primitives marked the sun's progression along the horizon:  who doesn't want to know that things will get more livable soon? ...that seemingly dead vegetation will be stirred to life?  I too am a believer in seasons, but I worship summer.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Feeling blue:  

Go dig in the dirt.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - the cat's whiskers, something that is simply purrfect

if only it were true

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 March 2018 - Yesterday, it seems, was all about St. Patrick (I am certain that he would be pleased with the quantity of green beer consumed in his honor).  But March 17th is also the feast day of St. Gertrude of Nivelles.  I mention this factoid only because of her connection to my species:  she is the patron of cats!  I should have swallowed that tasty morsel with my breakfast, because further inquiry reveals that this particular attribution arose in the 1980s... and she died March 17, 659.  What does appear to be truth is that St. Gertrude loved her garden and was less than fond of its destructive meeps.  Sharing a common enemy appears to be the extent of our connection.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

If you turn over rocks,

be prepared.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - impurrious, assuming authority of a situation... well, some of us are natural leaders

sunny side up

Me-ow-my-oh!

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 March 2017 - It is guaranteed that a watched cat never toils.  The theme continues (me bathed in sunshine), but I admit to being in a better mood than yesterday.  And yes, my peeps have been forgiven, claiming that they were unaware (and how!) of my plaintive cries.  Besides, holding a grudge does more harm to the one holding it, so that alone is ample reason for me to let go of the negativity.  And bright, warm light never fails to lighten my spirits.  In fact had this shot been taken from a lower angle, you might have been able to see a slight space between me and the porch floor.

methodology of the meow-stro

 

 

 

Today's Catechism 

(for the self-taught)

Embrace the positive.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - Calvin scale, temperature unit that will produce a single thirty-decibel purr