meow-nor miracle

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 July 2020 - I can't believe my eyes, but my nose, despite all the accompanying strange smells, confirms it:  the shorter peep is back!  Yesterday afternoon there was an incredible and sustained noise, lots of things coming up the back steps and through the back portal.  I confess that I watched the lower six inches of the bustle while safely under the bed.  That is when my olfactory nerve started to tingle in recognition.  Once calm returned, I ventured out... and there she was, wafting of foreign places and strange peeps, and looking in need of a nap.  I will double down on my watch lest she veer again from her usual path:  the taller peep and I shouldn't have to worry.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Life bounces between
harrumph and hurrah.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - welcome cat, the "where have you been?" glare, purrhaps followed by an ankle rub

calm downstairs

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 July 2020 - The taller peep and I ended our day chillin' in the living room... and I do mean chillin':  it is definitely the coldest spot in the entire house.  So forgive me for curling up in a chair far from the Arctic blast.  I do like the fact that this peep and I can enjoy some night hours together.  As sweet as the shorter peep is (and I will remain optimistic), she was a real poop once daylight started to fade.  I also appreciate that neither of my two peeps are loud and boisterous:  no high drama, no big-decibel voices.  We cats save our caterwauls for red-alert situations, and are otherwise quite subtle in our expressions.  It is definitely nice that our household are all on the same emotional page.  So while the taller peep stares fixedly at the wall, I will observe him watching... my show may not have much plot but offers good character development.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Can't we all just be quiet?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrenity, unruffled repose, purrhaps accompanied by a nap

a mewtley crew

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 July 2020 - Today's thoughts aren't a criticism of peeps, just my observations.  These oversized, mostly hairless creatures that we domestic cats choose to cohabit with are oddities.  The first off-putting thing is their moving about on two legs... are they plucked beeps of the ground variety ('cause there is no way these big specimens can propel themselves through the air)?  My first week in this household I had to adjust to their frequent changes in appearance, sometimes exposing more skin or less, sometimes seeming darker to my keen eyes or lighter.  Are these signs of the fight-or-flight reflex?  Finally I realized that my nose and ears were best for identifying them and interpreting their dispositions.  The book on my peeps (and I am still hopeful that the shorter one will find her way home) is still being written and rewritten.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Learning should be
a life-long endeavor.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - acatemic, studies that involve reflection, mostly while catnapping

what to do?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 July 2020 - I am still trying to decide if the taller peep is a practical joker.  We all like the aftermath of surprises, the "oh, look at that... how thoughtful, I like it" variety.  But the out-of-the-blue, springing-upon-you precursor I truly don't want... hence my wariness to his invitation to join him.  And what if I do oblige, and inch down the stairs?  Will there be treats and an ear-scratching?  It is a dilemma early in the formation of a relationship.  I want to trust his intentions, in fact my quality of life depends upon his honorable intentions.  But what if he wants to see me skedaddle in retreat, laughing the whole while?  Perhaps you can now understand why feline deliberation can run into minutes:  we are tallying the pros and cons.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Humor is very revealing of character.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cat-abolism, a feline breakdown characterized by significant energy release and possible destruction

good gracious

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 July 2020 - When our world shrinks, due to an illness or at-large crisis, we must admit to ourselves that there really are few things that make the essential list.  Toys and other paraphernalia are seen as the clutter they are.  I would throw all those peep-purchased costumes on the pile... except thankfully I am not a cross-dressing dim deep.  No, I just require food and water in my bowls, and am very grateful for shelter and friendly smiles.  Those last two items are what, for me, change existence into a life.  And I do indeed enjoy my present circumstances... things are quite cushy here, and I shall try to remember my early days and try to remember that I don't "deserve" any of this.  In many ways it all comes down to luck... a very humbling thought.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"You're worth it" is just marketing.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - demewre, reserved and modest, you might say kittenish

it's just me-ow

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 July 2020 - An only kit, no worries, grows into a well-adjusted cat.  We actually prefer having all the peep attention (and treats), and can keep ourselves entertained in solo.  If you fear that a solitary feline can get into much mischief, add a second to the mix and you will double the possibilities.  I grant that having a playmate would change the routine.  I can imagine playing tag up and down the stairs (and there are quite a few), and another body would raise the nap time temperature.  But there are drawbacks as well:  what if there is a personality conflict?  what if the newcomer has eyes on the throne?  When examined from that angle, I am delighted to be the peeps’ one and only.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

To avoid conflict minimize contact.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - eremeowte, one who keeps quiet vigil with Bastet

yours, mine, ours

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 July 2020 - I suppose you could call me a homebody, as I am quite content in my abode.  There have been recent photographs of my peering out a portal, and the suggestion is one of wistfulness for the outside world.  But mostly it is a manifestation of my innate curiosity, a cat trait that can't be denied.  And with just six weeks of residency, I still have much to investigate in my surroundings.  Time is a peep construct, but I do recognize that part of me still feels like the new kit on the block and another part is ready to embrace forever.  So even we felines are capable of contradiction (and we certainly are labeled as contrary... unfairly I would add).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The trick is being happy
with the present.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - empurrean, an ideal place to curl up, not too firmament, not too softament

who knows?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 July 2020 - Mysteries niggle at us:  we are certain there is a reason for such-and-such, and rack our grey matter to find a cause or explanation.  If you would like to occupy an idle moment figuring out why I decided to sit in the peeps’ shower, be my guest.  There is no “correct” answer as I am not myself certain of motive:  the tiles are cool to my paws but I am not averse to heat; the spot is out of the way, true, but one can become trapped in a dead-end.  Obviously I have given my decision, if indeed conscious thought was employed, some thought, and am satisfied that I will never really know what possessed me at the time.  “Possessed” might come close to explaining my odd choice.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Emotion is a large
part of any why.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catty corner, an oblique line of reasoning, that seemed at the time the thing to do

are you in or out?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 July 2020 - "Hey, taller peep, you wanna go outside and play?"  We cats keep an internal body temperature slightly higher than that of peeps, so I love this summer heat.  Even from my safe space (which is a tad chilly for my liking... but my opinion on this matter has not been sought), I can feel the warmth radiating toward me.  Bright pools of light can be found in this room midday, allowing the option of sun-bathing.  I have observed my two peeps on the other side of this portal, so there is some way of traveling from here to there.. something else to look for when I make my nocturnal rounds.  My residence certainly doesn't feel like a prison:  no iron bars (although some shut doors), ample square footage, a non-institutional color scheme... so I really am not focused on breaking free.  It wasn't that long ago I was "out there", and I don't have the fondest memories.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Do you really want
excitement in your life?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - a-mews-ment, any purr-leasurable entertainment (and could involve UFOs)

I'd advise against it

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 July 2020 - I am not keeping score, but I do hope the resident peeps are aware of the many services I render.  Of course we each do as we are able, so I am of no help in the kitchen.  However if there is a UFO (that middle initial would be for "flitting") then I am your cat.  My normal house patrol is at night, a prime time for the appearance of interlopers.  Mostly I shoo them away ("dispatch" is so harsh on the ears), a brief but decisive display of superior strength/cunning being sufficient.  This particular orange beastie though has proven difficult to eradicate:  just when I believe it is history, it makes another obnoxious appearance.  But I will prevail, even if it takes countless assaults to convince it that it is trespassing on my turf.  I would advise turning your head if you are a bit squeamish.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Diplomacy is a mouthful.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

adage of the day -"An ounce of purr-vention is worth a pound of cured ham", loosely translated "we cats are worth our room and board".

how do I look?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 July 2020 - Even with stress levels high, I simply mustn’t neglect basic hygiene.  It is out there in the ether that we tuxedos are the cleanest felines (probably propagated by a peep lackey).  I wouldn’t know, since my worldly experience is quite minimal.  Speaking just for myself, I take pride in a tidy appearance and spend quite a bit of my day grooming.  If indeed this behavior nudges me some closer to Bastet’s godliness then I will worry less about my hijinks.  Adolescents of any flavor aren’t known for being sensible:  reason simply can’t be heard above the loud decibels of youthful energy.  And there is no denying the sheer fun of zooming through a room, just because we can. So I will continue to spruce up… and may I point out that washing with tongue and wet paw is not the easiest arrangement.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Appearances can be deceiving
(but that realization takes time).

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purr-occupied, focused (some might say obsessively) on the task at paw

strangely in the night

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 July 2020 - Strange times are not something most of us wish for, but even so they can be revelatory.  My amazing discovery is that the taller peep and I are both nocturnal creatures!  I had wrongly assumed that the shorter peep (who is still missing BTW) was representative of her kind.  With only two data points I won't jump to any conclusions about which is truer to type, but how delightful to realize that there is someone in the household who doesn't conk out shortly after nightfall.  His huge size still startles me, and I am not totally ready to crawl into his lap, BUT there is measurable progress in our relationship.  If things continue in this positive direction, I suppose I must take him on as yet another student.  From all the recent shrill talk about peep education resuming, I am aware that class size is typically two-digit, and can be even higher.  My grousing about having two to train will not be received with sympathy, so I will don my martyr's smile and keep that thought to myself.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

To whom much is given
much is taken away.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cats-up, what a feline brings to the table, although not everyone relishes the zest

exist stage right

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 July 2020 - This morning is laden with good memories, and so I am a bit sad... because they are things past and hence dependent upon the vagaries of my mind.  Did the shorter peep always use her right hand to scratch my head?  And what was she trying to communicate when she chirped at me?  We didn't have enough time together to absorb all the details, to lock in all those defining particulars.  Nothing is gained by wondering "why?" or "why not?", but yet my thoughts continue to tug at the eternal questions.  We cats are promised nine cycles, and I intend to make the most of them.  But what about my peeps (and notice my coming around to that possessive pronoun)?  Do they have an arrangement with the universe?  Will they push up earthly daisies or streak through the night sky in route to the outer solar system?  Maybe the taller peep knows the answers.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is all ephemeral...
so pay attention.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purr-haps, as certain as things can be in mew-table times