kiss my grit

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 June 2020 - I admit to being cautious... the two resident peeps would insert "overly" into that statement.  But they would also admit to my opening up "to possibilities".  My appearances are no longer relegated to hours of darkness, and I have tremulously stood my ground when the shorter peep entered the room.  Just this morning, curiosity (a cat's known downfall) compelled me to see who/what was on the other side of a door.  I am encouraged, even emboldened, by having survived eighteen days in a foreign land.  Wish me continued luck!

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Sometimes a stare is sufficient
to move metaphorical mountains.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - "cat's nice", that minimal expression of ap-purroval meant to goad one into doing better ("I'm onto your ways, peeps")

a ward of distinction

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 June 2020 - Perhaps my long, skinny appendage reminds you of a shepherd's crook, but don't even think about picking me up by my tail.  The registering of my emotional state in its lift and curl is totally unconscious on my part, but a savvy peep would do well to heed its suggestion.  If I were approached by a fella whose tail was whipping up and down, I would skedaddle first and compose the narrative later. How much simpler it would be for universal harmony if every sentient creature came with a truth-ometer.  I am uncertain how to equip those unfortunate ones who lost their tails to evolution:  a nose that lengthens, ears that wiggle?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Excessive emotion is tiresome
for the actor and the audience.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - feeling sub purr, the meow-and-then ennui that improves with a treat and a scratch

is this a good time?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 June 2020 - What would life be without friends?  And the shorter peep and I have crossed that line finally.  Although her feet can be seen, from underneath the bed, traipsing through my space regularly throughout the day and early evening, occasionally she pauses for a visit.  We hang out on the bed, and I do my best to make her purr... even if it means setting aside my dignity to cavort with the geegaws or to encourage with a head butt or to transmit positive subliminal messages.  She thanks me by scratching my ears (although I am quite capable of bringing a hind leg to the crown of my head... perhaps she can not).  I am glad to help out, as I really think she is lonely.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

How is it possible to understand
another, let alone a different species?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - welcome cat, to go all out to make a peep feel at home (without implying equality)

and this little kitty cried "wee wee wee" all the way home

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 June 2020 - Admittedly it is hard to be certain (about so meow-y things), but at least three of my paws are doing air time.  I confess:  I was tussling with one of those slandered geegaws from yesterday's entry.  Sometimes one has to set aside rational thought ("I know this thing isn't real") and give the imagination full throttle... but in these dangerous times I recommend high antics only in your trusted abode.  Even better, without witnesses... it makes denial so much simpler.

clipped notes

Today's Catechism 

                              (for the autodidcat)

Deflect scrutiny by requesting
definitions of key terminology
(e.g., "What species of catnip are you referring to?").

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - "all cat, and more", totally and unabashedly kittenish

toys will be toys

Shamus' stuff on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 June 2020 - Peace offerings, bribes, supplications:  what is it with all these presents?  Is is because peeps like to accumulate stuff, in fact often measure their worth by its volume, that they gift us geegaws?  You will have to believe me that my life would be just fine without all this detritus.  And who are you fooling?  Toys that smell of catnip, that faintly resemble creatures on my prey list.  Will batting a pretend mouse somehow sublimate my natural instincts?  Peeps are a mystery to me.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Some days it is best
to keep to yourself.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - "Who are you, kitten?", that sigh of disbelief and fur-ustration when the world misses the scratch mark, drops the rubber ball, etc.

walk softly

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 June 2020 - I like it when the peeps (at least the shorter one) come to me.  We can hang out together in my space, cavort in my cave, if you will.  There is lots of square footage beyond these four walls, and when the house is quiet I have conducted tippy-toe recon missions.  But I still am reluctant to be "caught" outside my safety zone.  You can understand my temerity (if not, take yourself elsewhere).  The taller peep towers over my head, and outweighs me by more than I can count.  I would resemble a train-flattened penny, where he to fall on me.  So, yeah, I give danger an ample berth... I'd like to see my next birthday.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"No harm done",
says who?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - mad as a catter, to have frustrating encounters with a skittish feline

born to be mild

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 June 2020 - I remember, just a few days ago, opining "be careful what you wish for".  Yet, here I am, gazing upon the woods and trying to ignore the curious part of me that wants to be out there.  Surely I can content myself with exploring my maze of an abode (and there are still several closed doors offering new worlds beyond), without falling into that nostalgic trap.  But there is the problem:  once the thought has been thought, how does one expunge it from the gray cells?  I must focus upon the positive points of my present life:  room and board provided, servants in training, sole claim to the throne.  Yes, forget the beeps in the bush, I have it good.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Survey the audience
(and know where the exits are).

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

purrson of the day - Cat Buckwild, that stray who made his peeps laugh with his purrlitical savvy

purrs of wisdom

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 June 2020 - We all need a place that we feel safe, and under the bed is where I skedaddle when danger is sensed.  My dial is probably set a little too high, so that when I first arrived even a peep cough would inject me with adrenaline.  Now there is a long list of peep noises that I have filed as "nothing to be worried about", but I am certain that over-reaction continues.  You're all familiar with "better safe than sorry", which completely captures a cat's state of mind.  Admittedly not all escape strategies are well thought out:  scrambling up a tree to escape a threat can subsequently be rued... as in "how do I get myself down from here?"  It is a learning process, and I am just a kit.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is very useful if
you can fake certainty.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catty shack, that domicile claimed by a feline for its reliable meal schedule

my cautionary tail

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 June 2020 - Look!  Another capture of me out after sunrise (and there are many more such events, just not witnessed by the two resident peeps).  I do object to how this picture makes my derriere look:  my tail definitely doesn't poof.  But a cat's vanity is never enervated by another's opinion... so the photograph can purrsist or be purrged, it makes no nevermind to me.  I have lost track of the days in this new abode, but I now have internalized its twisty, up-and-down layout... and know where several decent hiding spots are.  One never knows when such will be needed.  But in general my alert level has been downgraded from red to yellow-orange, an adjustment largely due to the fact that the strange peeps haven't eaten me yet.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is nothing embarrassing
about a well-carried-out retreat.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cat answer, a straightforward, frequently used "nope" that can't be brokered (except maybe with a cat treat)

be still, my dart

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 June 2020 - I say, with some pride (no, not a collection of roarers), that the shorter peep tried and tried to get me in focus (obviously without success)... but I was on to her (and beginning to piece together the purpose of that silver cube).  Besides, how often did "walk, don't run" work in your childhood?  Revved by the energy of life, we dash about for the sheer joy of movement, pouncing on silly stuffed things just for fun.  Don't dampen my youth with crotchety sentiments... just take a seat and be amazed.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Once upon a time
we were all forces of nature.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - cat chance, that infinitesimal possibility of getting a purrson to do your bidding

Spot run, spot

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 June 2020 - In an attempt to correct any misconceptions held after yesterday's entry, I do on occasion emerge during the day... especially if there is a promise of head-scratching.  A sequestered life gets tiresome when one is an energetic, inquisitive kit, with places to go and rugs to cut.  Is it any wonder that I dash about, leaping over prone peep bodies like so many fallen limbs?  Youth isn't wasted on us youngsters... rather, I suspect, its passage is the thing rued by the staid grown-up's "I remember..."  Well, I intend to make some memories, and perhaps some minor mayhem.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Rather than sic an adversary,
I advise to psych him out.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - "like a cat out of hell", that blur of motion seen now and then in a purrsian household

dark thoughts

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 June 2020 - All but the troglodytes know that cats are nocturnal creatures, so naturally I hit my stride pre-dawn.  The abode is mine at this hour, and exploration can proceed without the distraction of remaining on high-alert.  A few days ago I expressed dissatisfaction at my confinement, so the shorter peep responded by opening doors.  "Be careful what you ask for" comes to mind, as the larger household is quite daunting.  But curiosity mostly prevails over my trepidations... which means that sometimes (often, if I were being honest) the slightest movement or noise causes me to involuntarily scurry under the bed.  And I have been known to happily remain there for hours (our reputation for long catnaps is well-earned).  But eventually there is that mental itch to perambulate, and it can not be ignored.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Sometimes a daunting facade
is all that is required.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - to make a fee-line, to travel, in the shortest time possible, the distance between danger and safety

as it should be

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 June 2020 - Now that I have discovered a quiet spot with little foot traffic, I can settle into something of a routine:  relax during the day, play/explore once the sun goes down.  It suits me fine that the resident peeps are on a mostly different schedule from mine.  We can share this abode with minimal interaction, with minimal friction.  Although I must admit that the shorter peep is a very good head-scratcher... making me wonder if she has done this sort of thing before.  I may have to adjust my activity to have a larger overlap with peep waking hours.  We cats can be flexible when it serves our needs.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Keep your eyes on anyone
or anything suspicious.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - theocatic, purrtaining to a system of governance in which purriests rule in the name of Bastet