my cat-eared look

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 April 2021 - It's not technically a selfie, since I didn't snap the picture (as if that's going to happen).  Months of exposure to that little cube the shorter peep often carries around, plus surviving all those encounters, means that I mostly now ignore the interruption of my privacy.  Close-ups are never flattering, as they magnify imperfections (at least you can't see my off-white teeth) and highlight asymmetries.  Neither of these really bothers a cat, but my nose does look like it needs more attention than a licked paw can provide.  Oh, well, perhaps my groomer will notice.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Repeat after me:  it's what

is inside that matters.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - stoicat, enduring without complaint (these entries don't count)

the hoke's on me

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 April 2021 - Don't fret about the monsters lurking under the bed:  be watchful for what waits behind a closed door.  Part of an effective offense is the element of surprise, and my unexpected and sudden appearance usually causes an intake of peep breath.  It's a bit of fun for me, watching that flash of "what the...." register on her face, before being replaced by a fake frown of "you trying to scare me?"  "Scare" is a charged word... really I'm just trying to liven up our conversation, perhaps mooch a head pat or chin chuck.  These moments aren't frequent enough to earn the title of house clown, but I aspire.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be the one who

brings joy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowlodrama, exaggerated behavior intended for peep entertainment

law and orderly

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 April 2021 - Now that I claim our entire household, it is amazing to realize that this small space was less than a year ago "my world".  I still enjoy the room, as it offers toys and a brush, my kibble bowl and occasionally a napping peep.  But as the recent spate of photographs testifies, my favorite spot these days is the screened enclosure.  However if that was the only place I could be found, the interlopers would quietly move in and set up a community.  My patrol loop must visit the entirety of our domicile, and my schedule must be unpredictable.  No worries... I am good at my job, and enjoy the challenge of outsmarting the bad guys.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is hard to derail a

train of random thoughts.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowthodical, done according to feline plan

check it out

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 April 2021 - The three of us don't spend much together time in this room, perhaps because it is where the peep strangers congregate.  It can be reached without climbing up stairs, something I enjoy but not very welcoming evidently to "older" peeps.  After one of these visitations, the space provides much entertainment for my olfactory nerve... and occasionally I root out a morsel of food.  Naturally that would have been intended for peep consumption, so after an identifying sniff I usually pass.  Even though I am very partial to my kibble, I'm not sure I want to meet the guests who turn up when that is offered in a dish.  

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The classroom isn't

contained by walls.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - nosy purrker, an overly inquisitive feline (but "overly" is in dispute)

studies show

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 April 2021 - Cats don't care for change:  same-old-same-old is jim-dandy with us.  So I harrumphed when a swath of material was hung at my personal porch portal.  That wide-open space had become so inviting... and now this development.  The shorter peep's comment was "it's part of the training".  Am I being sent on a secret mission?  And in whose estimation is my cognitive abilities lacking?  Well, I have encountered curtains before, and if necessary they can be maneuvered... but I remain disturbed at the suggestion of lessons to come.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is always

something else.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cerepurrl, erudite in a catty sort of way

funny you should mention it

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 April 2021 - Mischief is about to be given expression!  My shorter peep says that I would be terrible at the poker table... and she is probably correct:  too noisy a venue and too sedentary an evening.  Or perhaps I am clueless as to what she means.  But of course I was excited when she joined me on the screened enclosure.  Technically the space isn't "mine" but I claim it, and so I wanted to show her its assets and possibilities.  I am still processing why my show-and-tell caused her to laugh.  Currently it is filed under "peeps are weird".  Even so we are still good buddies... I really shouldn't expect a simple relationship across species boundaries.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Unintentional humor is

especially funny.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrposterous, purrly ridiculous (no sense doing something halfway)

to tree or not to tree

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 April 2021 - Now that the yellow snow has stopped and the majority of inching slugs have cocooned, outdoors is so inviting.  I am an enthusiast regardless, but admittedly some days are best viewed from behind thick glass.  And if one sits quietly, the passing parade is quite fascinating.  Mostly I am entertained by beeps:  in sheer number and, in some cases, outlandish plumage they are hard to not see.  Plus they don't perch in one place very long... like me their preferred gear is go... and the audience's eyes are always drawn to action.  But the cast of characters upon my stage is large:  things that threaten consequences with their enlarged throats, things that nose about in the sand hunting a meal rather than metal, things that drift through browsing on anything green.  But this report is second-hand:  see for yourself.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Air should be fresh

and smell of pine.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - domesticatted, living with peeps but wild at heart

it would appear

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 April 2021 - Often an external interpretation is useful to calibrate one's own thinking.  Cats aren't very body-conscious:  as long as I can sprint, I figure things are optimal.  So this as-seen-from-above perspective surprised me on several fronts:  1)  who knew I was so long?  Keep in mind that I weigh only a few ounces over eight pounds, and not a bruising stone's worth of a cat, as might be thought from the picture.  2)  where did this pinched waist come from?  True, the figure eight is very modest, certainly miniscule when compared to the corseted middles of the 19th-century... but even so, there it is, perhaps a result of my bone structure.  3)  my dorsal surface defies my tuxedo classification, the better to not see me at night?  Without eyes in the back of my head, I was totally unaware.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Make the most of

what you've been given.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrsona, that aspect of a cat purrceived, accurately or not, by peeps

be amazed

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 April 2021 - Where would we be without a place to rest our paws?  And I'm not referring to a footstool.  Take time today (everyday would be even better) to gaze upon our natural world, reflect on what she needs to be sustained, and place yourself in that picture.  Mammals are a small fraction of her biomass, yet are the cause of widespread destruction.  Much of my daily enjoyment comes from our screened enclosure, and imagining that soothing view turned into an expanse of concrete sends me scurrying under the bed.  For I am not the only one in this picture:  there are beeps, both migratory and resident, all manner of buzzing and fluttering insects, creatures larger than myself who amble through.  And don't forget that green backdrop that is our larger home, cooling the air and exhaling oxygen.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Earth is far more than

a handful of dirt.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrlution, adding one's B-flat hum to the universe's harmony

yes, please

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 April 2021 - Certainly I am capable of chucking my own chin, but believe me when I state that it is heavenly when provided by a peep.  I have been known to levitate, or it sure feels that way, after twenty seconds of this satisfying rub.  And, strangely enough, my peep masseuse seems to derive pleasure from the act as well... I am bemused by her reaction but will gladly offer myself in the guise of reciprocity.  Everyone deserves to be royalty now and then, but only now and then as too often spoils the pleasure and convinces one that he is deserving of that bended knee.  No doubt we each have an itchy spot or a knotted muscle awaiting the touch of a kind hand, and I wish for you the pleasure of that serendipitous moment.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be generous with your

gratitude.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrincely, splendid and befitting any king of the jungle

reality plight

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 April 2021 - I truly am quite happy as a tuxedo, but if I were an orange tabby this chair would be an awesome hiding spot.  Instead it is merely comfortable, with a great view of our northern exposure.  There haven't been many moments in recent memory where the screened porch has been welcoming (Mother Nature has absentmindedly left the faucet on).  But in my frequent rounds of patrol I am aware when there is a break in the clouds and take advantage of the opportunity.  "In every life some rain must fall...." is a good public-relations statement (I'll save my grousing for the resident peeps).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Pick your fights.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - commonsensicat, knowing how to make the most of a kitty situation

play round

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 April 2021 - The shorter peep and I are working out the particulars of a new game.  Its point is not new:  my dashing around the domicile.  But it is the impetus for my sprints that is proving enjoyable... I'm calling it "find me" (although I believe the shorter one refers to it as "where's Shamus?").  There isn't much more to explain:  there are no rules, no board pieces, no consulting manual.  Even how we start the game is vague, but somehow a few seconds into the act, I realize we are playing... perhaps spontaneous is the best explanation.  It is evident that our new game can never be marketed, as there is nothing to sell... even so it has brought much merriment to our household.  I would chuckle if I could.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Entertainment doesn't

need flashing neon.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowchievous, fond of playfully causing trouble ("who, meow?")

blushing pride

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 April 2021 - It is difficult to be an early-riser on a drippy Sunday morning... so many reasons to remain on my comfortable pillow.  Nonetheless most days I beat the shorter peep to the kitchen.  I am perfectly alright with her occasionally winning the race... that way the outcome doesn't appear rigged (and she doesn't get too discouraged).  Our contest has a minimal purse:  no finish-line tape to break, no cheering crowds (our audience would still be abed), no trophy, no newspaper or television coverage (what a scary thought).  No, the only thing that spurs me up and at 'em is that day's bragging rights (which of course I keep to myself).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Modesty doesn't seem

to be a 21st-century attribute.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowdia-shy, reluctant to cause a fuss (a treat is sufficient reward)