you win some....

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 January 2021 - I don't believe Kilroy was ever here... or my ol' factory has stopped working, which would be a cat catastrophe and, alas, a symptom of our present time.  But I can detect in the air whatever is being stirred in the kitchen, and it is most assuredly not to my liking.  Who would think that one's appetite is so closely coupled to the sense of smell?  I certainly would not advise eating something that flunked the sniff test, but what if you could smell nothing?  What is and isn't acceptable to the nose is largely determined by one's culture and, to a lesser extent, one's age.  Can you name an enjoyed food that you pushed aside when you were a kit?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Absence points out

the loss.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - depurrvation, the lack of something that is considered necessary ("oh, give me this wish: Blue Buffalo in my dish")

it's M.A.D.ness

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 January 2021 - I was snoozing, pursuing dreams of purry warmth, when this blue-nosed booby attacked.  In my groggy state I first reacted with recoil (you would have too)... but then, with more neurons firing, I assessed my weight advantage and gamely retaliated.  The tussle was very satisfying and all too short-lived, as most battles are when one side is woefully outnumbered.  Once victorious I realized that this aggressor could be the scout for the mottled monolith upstairs.  The thought gave me pause, and then paws, because what better to get back to the major interloper than I am not a pushover and easily trounced its flunkey.  Upon mutual respect it is possible to build a delicate detente of peace... otherwise this house simply isn't big enough for the both of us.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Some conflicts are

difficult to avoid.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - dicatomy, the division between two things represented as opposites, akin to the standoff between cats and dim deeps

alien wary

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 January 2021 - It is twenty years beyond Kubrick's 2001, but this mottled monolith materialized yesterday in my space, an odyssey I didn't volunteer for.  I don't want to dwell on how it got here, because it would suggest a lapse of security, but am willing to swallow the rumor that it simply "appeared".  I haven't inspected it thoroughly, mainly because I am still in the observing stage, however to my knowledge it hasn't moved from its spot nor made any threatening gestures or sounds.  My nonchalant peeps meanwhile carry on as if nothing is untoward... the shorter one even patted its head!  I will continue my reconnaissance and report back later.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

A streak of good luck

always ends.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrternatural, beyond what is normal (which is purrty far out there if you're a cat)

slow cooker

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 January 2021 - My preferred gear is lickety-split, so the speed at which my peeps operate can be maddening... especially when it involves sustenance.  The shorter one and I meet up at meal times, because after all digestion is aided by cheerful companionship.  I suppose the doling out of my treats is not ultimately one of authoritarian control but rather a means to prolong my enjoyment (i.e., a way to keep me from gobbling).  But sometimes I have to remind her that I am waiting for the next course.  It certainly isn't a matter of her forgetting me, but she can get distracted by her own food (which is not that interesting, I will confirm) or by whatever it is that she tackles with a pen and a frown.  But thankfully a paw poke is sufficient to bring her around to my reality.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Things can go missing

between the ears.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - lapurred, accomplished with great effort and a "purrty please"

hocus focus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 January 2021 - If you spend time with peeps and observe their behaviors, you would discover that their hunting skills are lacking.  Even they will admit to having an inferior sense of smell, which is critical in following a trail, but they also are very two-dimensional.  No doubt their ancestors were much more aware of their surroundings, but today's lot have not had to watch their backs for a very long time.  Case in point, have you noticed the younger set that walk about with ears plugged?  But the bias that I take advantage of is their general disregard to what is above and below their eyesight... which is why a nap beneath the dining room table is likely to be undisturbed.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It pays to

pay attention.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrestidigitation, the uncanny ability to hide from peeps

safe vex

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 January 2021 - One can always pick out the newbie who isn't going to survive the season:  he has more testosterone than tested sense, and will pick a fight with opponents many times his size.  Obviously he has something to prove, but more importantly he has much to learn.  Contrast that with the "old-timers", who haven't necessarily lost their sass as much as channeled it into productive alternatives.  My window beep falls into the latter category, although the separation between him and me has emboldened his behavior.  His pattern of ambush and assess would suggest that he has perfected his skills to what will annoy the opponent without upping vulnerability.  As household guardian I must petition the peeps to replace these interloper-friendly bushes with a moat.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The day begins early if you're

going to stay ahead of your enemies.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purregnable, susceptible to attack or harm (meowy malo)

lounge-suffering

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 January 2021 - This chair was quickly eliminated from the throne competition:  not comfortable enough.  However it does offer good elevation, with minimal jump, and easy access to the screened area... which is why I visit it from time to time.  Despite my coloring the world doesn't have to be viewed in black and white.  Just because something isn't tops in its category, doesn't mean it should be ignored or relegated to the trash heap (our landfills are already overflowing).  We do have the tendency to sort things into best-of and worst-of, but where would we find ourselves in the line-up?  Most of us are average (because we can't all be above-average), which implies we wouldn't make the cut.  So be kind in your viewpoint... what goes around, comes around.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Mug shots are very grounding.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - coopurrative, amenable to change (a-mew, brother)

whiskered away

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 January 2021 - Between the shorter peep and myself, this chair is seldom empty.  Two walls of its nook are shelves of books, allowing one to merely reach for the handy dictionary or writing tablet or the next thing to read.  My attention span is too short to be mesmerized by squiggles on the page, but the space is cozy and just off a major household thoroughfare... so I can nap while keeping one eye on the comings and goings of my peeps.  I find the third wall of more interest:  a barn ladder into the heavens.  I haven't scaled it to the top (yet), but even halfway up its height the adrenaline is pumping.  The shorter peep is correct:  my dismount needs work, maybe even a strategy... perhaps I should aim for this chair?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is always wise

to have an exit plan.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - delipurrate, fully considered, as in "I meant to do that"

silly boy

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 January 2021 - "All work and no play....", well, I don't aspire to be dull (nor wish to inspire it either).  I have youth on my side, and we cats are expected to bat objects and cavort with shadows... so we do.  But play is a serious matter, engaging the creative, imaginative part of one's noodle... which is certainly therapeutic for my peeps (whose noodles are drying on the rack).  It is a laudable goal to keep those neurons firing.  And I worry about the peep who looks askance at foolishness:  "come on, get over yourself!"  None of us should have such a grandiose opinion of self that we can't sit in the sand box and build castles.  There is even competitions for such... and the results are amazing.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Everyone remembers

the class clown.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrankish, having a fondness, purrhaps even a talent, for mischief

basic training

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 January 2021 - Waiting for the ball to drop, the weight of the world on my shoulders, inside the sphere of influence... this picture provokes many thoughts, and I admit that none of them crossed my mind as I sat there.  If it were a ball on the floor, I might bat and chase the earth about, but any desire to be a globe-trotter I decisively squelch.  Do I see myself a world leader?  No cat in his right mind wants the clamor or the crowds.  As long as I am our home's chief muckety-muck, I am happy.  And I am also happy bathed in warm air... which was flowing from this background vent when the photograph was taken.  Trust a cat to know all the hot spots.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The air is definitely

cooler in the stratosphere.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - self purrservation, keeping one's hide intact and fur unruffled

duress for success

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 January 2021 - Whenever I see bright sunshine, my spirits are lifted.  It represents improved circumstances and viability... a powerful message to those who are in despair.  And I am not suggesting that my situation is akin to the struggles of the unnoticed:  I know that I lead a privileged life, and through no merit of my own (although perhaps my cuteness helped).  My prospects could easily have been different, another me on the outside glaring at the brother ensconced on a window ledge.  We can't forget our commonality... that we all want/need respect and love.  To think that we have earned our superior position, and deserve the accolades, is to sanction the system that created the hierarchy.  The playing field is of course not flat, and the winning team was picked yesterday.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

An abundance here

creates a shortage there.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

tuxedo of the moment - Sparky, who in 1998 inherited his peep's multimillion dollar estate (but did not acquire more lives)

wake me when it's over

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 January 2021 - Even fifteen minutes outside makes my day (and secures our perimeter).  Unfortunately a lengthier period of time would thoroughly chill me.  Cats are particularly poor at postponing gratification, so the fact that I can't be out there all afternoon truly bites.  I realize that my being house-bound isn't an arbitrary peep decision, as all three of us know how much I hate cold weather.  I also know that grousing at the peeps will not hasten the return of warm temperatures, yet I find it difficult to withhold opinion.  Is it possible to hibernate?  We are known for our ability to catnap (although I am dubious that the daily amount might reach sixteen hours)... and  I would so love to wake up, feeling refreshed, with all this nasty winter stuff behind me.  

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"Let's sleep on it"

is an excellent idea.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - sopurrific, inducing drowsiness or boredom (no wonder our eyelids get heavy)

meow, myself and I

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 January 2021 - Evidently my peeps are comfortable with me "in charge" of the house (and myself).  Last evening was the first one (since my arrival seven months ago) that I was the only presence... the entire night.  It made me feel like a grown-up cat, yet part of me was "uncomfortable" having no one around.  I was left with plenty of water and kibble... I even "found" a few treats stashed where I couldn't miss them (thank you, shorter peep).  So my anxiety was not founded in anything tangible... perhaps I was worried they wouldn't come back?  Their absence certainly had me rethinking our last few encounters and conversations:  was there something I missed?  was the final straw broken?  But now they are back <purr purr>, and all is good.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Treasure your friends.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - compurrs, respected equals (and we cats aren't pushovers)