don't get the wrong idea

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 Jul 2021 - Yes, I am fully aware that my personal portal is fifteen feet to my left, but I am here and not over there.  Maybe there should be an "open, sesame" bubble over my head.  Although the taller peep thinks, at times like this, that I am being "controlling", that assumption ignores a cat's live-in-the-present world view.  And what the shorter peep discovered, when she did open that door, was that I was conducting a visual check, saying "hi, you okay?" if you will.  For long portions of the day I am content to remain out there, listening and watching (and snoozing).  But if I want a head pat, I must seek out my peeps.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Misunderstandings are

all too common.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - at cross purrposes, navigating the misreads between peeps and cat

steam funk

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Jul 2021 - "The jungle cat sits on silent haunches, looking out through the dripping steam.  In the heat of the day very little stirs.  Even the dark leaves hang with their weight."  Well, so goes my porch time lately.  With boring sameness I am forced inside mid-afternoon to avoid the deluge that will replenish tomorrow's thick air.  Not many of us are fond of ruts, yet there is the comfort of knowing what to expect and how to react.  While youth revel in novelty, the old-timers watch and shake their heads.  Chronologically I belong with the rabble-rousers, but constitutionally I am a scaredy-cat.  So I will continue to grouse and to nap, high and dry, through the storms.  At least I am not cold.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Heed your inner voice.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrsaic, commonplace (which is irksome to Bastet's children)

raining cats?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Jul 2021 - When life becomes overwhelming, I recommend curling up in a quiet spot and covering your head.  Ultimately it doesn't remove the cause of the anxiety, but in the short-term it brings needed relief... and one can't play the long game if sidelined by the present obstacle.  A cat that can count on food and shelter really has no looming worries, but that doesn't mean that we are immune to the ups and downs of daily living.  My beef is embarrassing when admitted, akin to windmill tilting:  I am very frustrated by these incessant weather interruptions... there, I have aired my grievance (and feel better, but not less soggy, already).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Mother Nature is not

intimidated by threats.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - oppurress, to cause purrsistent stress and discomfort

and in conclusion....

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Jul 2021 - While my peeps are upstairs, largely oblivious, I am downstairs, checking out a hunch.  My forelegs aren't long enough to do a clearing sweep under this piece of furniture, so I must bend down and glare.  The clearance is minimal and the lighting is dim, but I can make out signs of inadequate housekeeping.  My efforts so far haven't caused anything to dart, or better yet, to flee its protective cover.  I have surveyed all sides, and will make it a stop on future patrols... otherwise I have done what I can do.  If I can keep it corralled here, it may succumb without my help.  On those occasional "deep" cleans carried out by the shorter peep, she has swept up desiccated remains even crispier than my treats.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Good things (or bad things)

come to those who wait.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - denouemeow, the final scene when matters are resolved (with or without extended claws)

onward and upward

Shamus' back-half on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Jul 2021 - Even after the sun sets, I am still our house sentry.  Last night a sticky creature attached himself to the bedroom window, and I had to intervene.  The peeps didn't seem overly concerned that an interloper was mere feet from where they sleep, but I didn't care for the fella's cheekiness.  With persistent threats I was able to move him along, although such ousters are seldom permanent.  These expected setbacks would dishearten even the stoic, so I choose to focus on short-term achievements:  we all snoozed safely, undisturbed by uninvited guests.  Well-rested I am back on the job, insuring our home's integrity.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

If you only get 
"one step forward",

make it a big one.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrceed, to purress on, to advance (even if ground is lost tomorrow)

life's frustrations

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Jul 2021 - It is a pain in the neck to be a leader:  one has to keep looking back to see if the followers are still following.  I can run circles around the shorter peep in the morning, and have been known to do just that.  My patience is tested while she dilly-dallies.  The day's schedule is delayed and compressed while I await my breakfast and the opening of the personal portal.  Being dependent upon another seriously bites, but since I can not undo a jar lid or release the door lock I am held hostage to her slowness.    The repercussions however fall largely upon my two peeps:  interlopers will slip through the gaps of patrol, and their extended families will build homes inside our house.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

For things beyond your control,

"whaddya gonna do?" is recommended.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - fine purrint, unnoticed contract purrticulars that later prove irritating

how fascinating

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Jul 2021 - We cats have no trouble sleeping, even on the edge of a fifteen-foot drop.  This narrow and hard spot would not be as enticing, where it not elevated from its surroundings.  And there is a nearby chair that grants easy access (and is also a good spot for a snooze).  From here I can watch my peeps, while they watch a large noisy rectangle flashing bright colors.  I suppose we both are being entertained.  On chillier evenings I might invite myself into a lap, but temperatures have been quite to my liking for a goodly stretch... which makes me wonder how much longer my luck will hold.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Studying peeps is a

life-long work.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - mesmeowrize, to capture the attention of (they've been known to dispense treats)

a rough life

Shamus on view?

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Jul 2021 - Cats do not possess a ha-ha sense of humor.  We may be caught on rare occasions wearing a "knowing" grin, but that is all we allow ourselves.  Clearly the shorter peep is trying to purrvoke a feline response in sharing this picture.  I suppose that, technically, I "asked" for it, but she could have shown restraint and good taste.  That isn't to say that we cats are straight-laced.  In more juvenile moments I have conducted myself in a way that made both peeps laugh, and I wasn't displeased with their reaction (or embarrassed that I was observed).  The span stretching between birth and death is seriously short, even when multiplied by nine, so all the more reason to enjoy that time.  I draw the line when it comes to donning peep clothes (why mess up elegance?), otherwise I will cavort and race and purrtend until I run out of breath.  Besides all adolescents believe themselves deservedly immortal.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Conduct yourself as if

there is an audience.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purriceless, used to express affectionate amusement:  encore, meowstro

from A to zzzs

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Jul 2021 - A Dutch painter could be inspired by today's photograph... but please, no ruff around my neck.  During yesterday's deluge, I reminded myself how comfortable the bed is.  Now that I can bake myself on the screened porch, I find that I spend less time in my original room.  My nap was quite enjoyable, with toys nearby.  Unlike peep youngsters, I do not require my favorite stuffed whatevers arranged around me in order to snooze... but I can understand the comforting effect.  We all tend to relax when surroundings are familiar:  the threat level is lessened, and our hyper brains can turn to silly things like counting imagined meeps.  I only made it to two... either that is the extent of my number concept or I was very sleepy.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't neglect

old acquaintances.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

idiom of the day - Let sleeping cats lie, a reminder to avoid unnecessary risk (and bad-tempurred felines)

hard(ly) wear(ing)

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Jul 2021 - Supposedly working peeps begin to relax once they've made it through Hump Day.  My responsibilities are continual, and as a one-cat job force I'm always on duty.  But you should know by now that I'm not tied to an office or even to a schedule, so sympathy isn't necessary.  I enjoy wandering about the house, checking the corners, watching from a window sill, lurking behind the porch screen.  When a job meshes so completely with your natural life style, you have the ideal occupation.  Out I go, to enjoy the day and pull my weight.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Work isn't work

when it's fun.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - appurratus, the right equipment for the purrpose at hand

creature of habit

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Jul 2021 - The shorter peep and I have a standing breakfast date, but a few hours later you may very well spot me noshing at the kibble bowl.  I eat throughout the day, whenever hunger gets my attention.  I have heard my peeps comment that I am not very food-motivated, and growing up as a stray could have made hoarding a high priority for me: feast while you can, tomorrow could be famine.  But for reasons unknown to me, I didn't have that reaction.  The result is a much healthier lifestyle that keeps me in sprinting form.  As my second birthday approaches (a random date has been selected), I wonder what the picture will be in five years, ten years, even fifteen years.  But right now I enjoying my snack.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You must focus on the job

to do it well.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrclivity, an inclination to do something regularly (sleep, eat, patrol)

behind the scenes

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Jul 2021 - Peeps, I have noticed, are not very observant.  Perhaps their general unawareness is because they are near the top of the predator ranking, and need not be concerned about threat to life and limb.  We cats are not so positioned, and must keep our wits about us if we wish to grow old.  So I was a bit surprised when the shorter peep found me, as pictured.  Stooping to look under something is not second-nature to a peep, nor is lifting a chin to scan above eye-level.  I have used this information numerous times to hide from strange peeps who have breached my territory, even my own two if a game of tag is desired.  Who would think "right under his nose", stress on "under", would be a good strategy?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Not only think, but look

outside the box.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catcealed, hidden from view (not that it's hard with peeps)

complaint department

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Jul 2021 - Is it just my wishing for the day to get started, or is the morning arriving later?  I am not begrudging the peeps a longer night, but we cats like consistency... I'll have to take this matter up with Bastet.  But the interlopers take their cue from the sun, so if my job's start time is pushed back a few minutes each day, there are no harsh consequences.  I should flip my thinking, and reflect on the positive aspects of this situation:  more beauty rest, a more relaxed onset of my day, a longer reign upon my throne.  Perhaps the extra slumber has left me grumbly this morning and still a bit thick-headed.  But Mr. Sol shall burn it away like the fog.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Always thank the gift-giver.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catvetch, to grouse about purresent circumstances (might even involve regurgitation)