Ennui Meowtisse

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 December 2020 - I am rested up, have made several office visits, completed overtime tours of the premises... now what do I do?  Despite all the holiday anticipation, after the highlights are exhausted (and that doesn't take long) many of us are bored silly.  I could retreat to the feed bowl (a common coping strategy), but once my stomach is satisfied, kibble doesn't interest me.  "Go play", in this state of mind, seems too much of a demand... and sometimes has led to that "disapproving tone of voice" from the shorter peep, which would further sink my spirits.  I think that I will just lie in a high-traffic area and hope for a head pat.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Inertia is hard to overcome.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrstration, emotional cat-collapse, often requiring one to stretch out on the floor

afterthought

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 December 2020 - One can get a lot of work (and napping) done when the office is quiet.  Between the hours of 2 and 8 in the morning, I have the place to myself.  It is also not uncommon around the holidays for businesses to close or muddle through with a skeleton crew.  Everyone (or the vast majority) wants the time to spend with family and friends, to make those once-a-year recipes, to overeat and make silly resolutions.  It is a peep thing.  We cats prefer a routine:  a 24/7 schedule frees our gray cells to cogitate knottier problems than what we're having for dinner.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"To everything

there is a season."

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrple prose, overwrought speech (keep it simple, Shamus)

on the twelfth day of Shamus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 December 2020 - I was up late last night, waiting for the A-one-approved interloper.  With all of the weather's bluster, the busy peep may have been delayed... purrhaps blown off course.  No matter, I made my midnight rounds just the same.  When the wind is buffeting the trees and rain is pelting the ground, I am purrticularly grateful to have a roof over my head and four walls to surround me.  Really what do we need besides shelter and food, warmth and friends?  When I am feeling especially full of myself (after all I am a cat), thoughts of my before life and what could be, keep my paws on the floor... unless there is something tantalizing on the dining room table.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Give the gift

of kindness.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meownanimity, generosity and compassion (of course in subtle cat-sized portions)

on the eleventh day of Shamus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 December 2020 - Living with two "older" peeps means that here on the eve of presents, the air is not crackling with excitement... in fact I may have seen a few yawns (and observed by one who likes his sleep).  But we all three know, even while containing our emotions.  After careful scouting, I have decided that here, out of foot traffic but with good sight lines to our tree facsimile, I will await the red-suited peep.  Chimneys are not that common in these parts, so I am assuming he'll ring the front door buzzer, bearing gifts like a jollier version of a FedEx driver.  There is also the tradition of offering cookies and milk to the North Pole visitor... I'm not sure what to expect in this household, since it is our first December together, but if that is the case who better to guard the plate of goodies?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Sometimes (but not always)

patience pays off.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purresent, to bestow something or the gift itself... any guess which one I purrfer?

on the tenth day of Shamus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 December 2020 - Well, this fella is made of wood, but I don't dare sharpen my claws on his shins... not with that blinking nose!  Is he trying to mimic an emergency vehicle?  Thick fog is very unusual in these parts, so his glowing proboscis won't be required as a beacon through the mist.  Perhaps his affliction is just an unfortunate boo-boo of birth, so I won't call further attention to it.  After all none of us is perfect (and I do hope the fat, jolly peep keeps this in mind).  I will politely encourage the antlered beast to seek other pastures:  it is understood that this spot is reserved for the office manager... and is particularly comfortable during long meetings.  As the business overseer I have noted a recent downturn in productivity... to be honest, no one is reporting to work!  We will resolve to be more diligent in the new year, I purromise.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

One shouldn't be rigid

in his standards.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrancer, one that walks around in a self-assured way (or it could just be the way we are built)

on the ninth day of Shamus

Me-usings and Me-emories 

Shamus on view

22 December 2020 - The peeps may call this sparkly thing a tree, but only in the abstract sense.  Its shape is an acute form of a cone, but there is absolutely no part of it made of wood... so it can't be climbed or used as a scratching post.  From my perspective it is pretty but pretty useless.  And I am willing to raise my paw to Bastet:  I am not the reason the thing is leaning.  Either it recoiled from my approach, or, what is more likely, my camera peep is still in training.  Obviously my ego would like to believe the former, and it also conjures up a funny scenario, the stuff of Saturday morning cartoons.  Did Sylvester ever have an encounter with a Christmas tree, while Tweety pretended to be an ornament?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't imbibe too much

holiday spirit.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purractical, sensible in one's view of a situation (and of course correct)

on the eighth day of Shamus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 December 2020 - One must be thorough in my line of work, so of course I have inventoried the second, and larger, stash of presents.  It is a bit of good planning to have a nearby pillow whose summit allows an overview... as you are probably aware, we cats like to look down upon our kingdom.  Well, that is certainly the peep interpretation, but how else can one keep an eye on things?  And my scarfed friend, who made his appearance with the other unnecessary ornamentation, is of a similar opinion.  Not to keep you wondering, none of these gifts seem destined for me... but that is an aside that has no bearing upon my diligence to keep them unmolested.  There are family stories from the taller peep's childhood, of clandestine forays to the tree, a small matter of not wishing to wait to find out what was concealed inside... so I figure he requires additional watching.  

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Patience is a

finite commodity.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrtinacious, holding firmly to a course of action (but could be bribed with treats)

on the seventh day of Shamus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 December 2020 - My peeps seem trust-worthy, and largely thanks to my perseverance our perimeter is secure.  Even so I feel it is my job to guard the presents, or at least to keep a subtle eye on them.  There are many places in the house that would be a less conspicuous spot for storage, so their placement here seems to be mostly about display.  Without being too obvious about my curiosity, I have tried to determine the lucky recipients... and haven't found one with my name on it.  However the large box at the far end doesn't have a tag, which makes me hopeful.  I really don't need anything, and clothing is definitely not on the want list, so I am not sure why this bit of unknown excites me... but ripping into the packages will be, I'm betting, lots of fun.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Sometimes time

can drag.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrivilege, a cat's right, as conferred by Bastet, to be a cat

on the sixth day of Shamus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 December 2020 - You know what they say:  "if you can't beat them, join them."  I have made my peace with the everywhere decorations, and have decided to enjoy the possibilities.  Any peep who hears that sort of feline rumination should pack away the heirloom ornaments!  My actions, so far, can't be reproached... mainly because of loyalty toward my favorite toy.  Batting around Mr. Meep is quite satisfactory, so mostly I just have to indulge curiosity:  what is that thing?  will it bolt if I belt it?  I have also observed that this time of year is one of expressing wishes, with some expectation of having them granted... so here is the one at the top of my list:  Dear Bastet, could you please, please deliver some warmer weather?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Disappointment is part of

being an adult.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purroxysm, a feline melt-down, also appurropriately called a hissy fit

on the fifth day of Shamus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 December 2020 - Ever feel like you are being watched?  Especially this time of year, when expectations are high, behavior must be exemplary... not that I am in the habit of being naughty, well, too naughty.  The coming-up-short recipient may not think it fair to base reward on performance, but c'est la vie.  Favorable situations and nicer acquaintances all get ringing endorsements... it is hard, not surprisingly, to like the unlikable.  There are those who would insist that the act should be separated from the actor:  "hate the sin, love the sinner" thinking.  But I am reasonably certain that a transgression without a transgressor is the stuff of philosophy.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Goodness is a

lofty goal.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - rapscattion, a mischievous rascal of a feline

on the fourth day of Shamus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 December 2020 - Change can be overwhelming, even destabilizing, if it comes too fast or leaves little unaffected.  The majority of creatures with awareness are frightened by the unfamiliar because they do not know what to expect.  Even gruesome predator-prey relationships are understood, and one knows when to bolt, when to hide, when to proceed stealthily.  I have publicly admitted that disruption to my routine is not appreciated... which has made the past two weeks unsettling for me.  But most of my surroundings are comfortingly the same as before, and by focusing on those aspects of the rooms I have quieted my apprehension and accepted the differences.  And to my amazement some of the decorations were made with cats in mind.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Change is constantly

happening.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrsaic, humdrum and unembellished (cats like life straight-up)

on the third day of Shamus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

16 December 2020 - I had hoped that the office space would be spared the shorter peep's decorating energies... but evidently not.  I am not sure what this red-capped thing is supposed to be, but it wiggles when touched... so I have upgraded it to "mildly interesting".  And that appears to be its only talent... unlike moi, who can jump, run, slide, attack, purr... well, the list would be exhausting to compile.  Evidently this time of year is one of list-making and list-checking (I suppose to see if anything or anyone important has been left off).  The habits and priorities of peeps are mystifying.  Fortunately my life is sufficiently self-absorbed that not knowing is totally acceptable.  In my outcome-oriented opinion what goes on in the heads of less-sentient creatures is just not that interesting.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

A black box is

fun to poke.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowsteries, the secret purractices to which only Bastet initiates are admitted

on the second day of Shamus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

15 December 2020 - Not wishing to be a prisoner in my own home, I have had to face my uncertainty... creeping forth for a closer inspection of the wrought changes.  I am not sure what to make of the beep replica the shorter peep placed near by favorite window ledge.  Is she in solidarity with my nemesis?  Is she supplying a substitute that I can actually sink my claws into?  Not wishing to make a premature decision, I am doing what I normally do in these situations:  wait and see.  And during this contemplation, the fake beep hasn't made a move... so it certainly won't appease my love-hate relationship with the real thing just beyond the glass.  But I will keep an eye on it, should it awaken from its stasis.  Having more work to do justifies my continued grumbling.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Even the best of friends

can be aggravating.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

rumor of the day - a feline representative may be installed in the White House next month, the first since India left office in 2009