come, bust in

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Sep 2021 - I am not sure what to call it:  a miniature sun in a box?  Whatever, I wholeheartedly approve.  Last evening was purr bliss:  even curled up eight feet away, I was toasty warm.  Its approval rating is rivalling my fond memories of the screened porch, but of course if I was back with the screened porch, I wouldn't need another source of heat.  Even the peeps seemed to enjoy the elevated temperatures, and kept me company for hours, each of us a mini-planet circling our star attraction.  Some time ago I used the base of this box as a hiding place, but now it would be like sticking my head in an oven... nope!

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Not all surprises

are bad.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - concatulations, used to express feline approval (in hopes that it will continue)

sleepy bred

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Sep 2021 - Have you noticed that even small annoyances can be ignored if one is content?  And nothing makes a cat purr like contentment.  My services are bartered for room and board, but if I were actually paid in hard coins, I would employ a peep just for his/her lap.  Part-time hours might suffice, but the sole qualifications (and these are singularly important) would be the ability to sit still for long periods and to possess a spacious, comfy area for my repose.  Merely considering a lap of luxury brings a grin to my puss.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

To know what is important

is to be wise.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catatose, unable to keep one's eyelids open (could it be hypothermia?)

misery loves company

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Sep 2021 - Even my eyes, that do quite well in low light, have registered the sunshine's oblique angle and, this morning anyway, weak pallor.  Not that my screened-porch home resides in the tropics, but I miss the sun's strong arc across the sky.  One is encouraged to lie abed, to recurl the body to contain its inner heat, when our yellow dwarf struggles to awaken.  But a furnace must be fueled, new logs thrown on the fire, so I chow down on my breakfast and walk my security circuit... all with the promise to myself of a five-minute work break, spent in the shorter peep's lap.  She is looking a bit wan today (although she normally runs pale, my keen eyes discern a difference) and would welcome my visit.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Character can be built

without suffering.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

mythology of the day - Purrsephone, kidnapped by evil forces and imprisoned in their dark underworld

unsettle accounts

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Sep 2021 - May I please go out on the porch?  It is amusing, as well as aggravating, that until a few days ago I was content with my lot on this side of the portal.  But now, having tasted the far side, I want more... so typical.  Granted, this morning the portal is sheathed in a thin layer of cold air, thus my waiting for Mr. Sol to do his thing is advisable (but I am loath, in my youth, to heed advise).  Would it have been less disconserting to never have set foot on the deck?  It is a question that can no longer be answered objectively.  Pandora's box has been opened, and I wish to sniff its lid and poke a paw into every corner.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The innocence of babes is 

admirable but restrictive.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrudite, clever and sage (but hold the purrsley)

a bit of excitement

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Sep 2021 - After an afternoon of noise and commotion, the portal onto the deck was opened for my use.  The shorter peep preceded me, and sat on a chair, clucking for me to join her.  So I did, but naturally with caution, as I would of any new space.  While sniffing the perimeter, I kept one eye on the portal, insuring that it remain ajar (should I need to skedaddle back into friendly territory).  It was more fascinating than I suspected from my surveillance on the portal's inner side:  known landing spots for beeps are just beyond the rails, and at one deck corner the ground doesn't look that far away.  I may have not kept this idea unexpressed, because both peeps discouraged my hanging over the edge... but I shall return.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Adventures should be taken.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purright-eyed, eager and attentive (what now, peeps?)

agree to disagree

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Sep 2021 - The shorter peep placed this towel on the sofa for me to curl up on.  If the morning is sufficiently chilly, it is kindly heated.  Yet despite her caring forethought, sometimes I want to nap in my own chosen spot, and sometimes this spot is where she herself sits.  It offers a bit of concavity in which to wind myself up, and it is under a cone of feeble light that, on gray days, I pretend to be the sun. What might appear to be intransigence on my part is actually just a sentient act.  We cats understand suggestion, but we also find that following orders unblinkingly is an undesirable lifestyle.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Just do what you

have to do.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - stubpurrn, wanting to not always follow the peep-set path

rued or rude

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Sep 2021 - Sometimes your best friends disappoint you, but that is life.  BTW, that is my "how could you?!" look, which the shorter peep picked up on... but rather than producing a repentant demeanor I would swear that she attempted a Cheshire grin.  And it is rather cheeky of her to use my arsenal of expressions.  Nothing is ever simple in human-cat relationships.  Why she would/could become engrossed in a book about dim deeps is above my head (while at the same time beneath me).  Anyway the treats continue, and offers of her lap are welcomed.  I am over my disgruntlement, and all is good.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

No one is perfect.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

condition of the day - tortoiseshell shock, the result of a peep surprising a feline

stealthy appetite

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Sep 2021 - Did you see this rug move?  I am almost convinced something is hiding underneath, and as defender of the domicile I must root it out.  Bathed in morning light, the spot would be ideal for basking... but first there must be an eviction.  A cat's tactic is straightforward:  provoke the thing to show itself.  A not-so-subtle poke is usually sufficient to flush out the scared (or clueless) interloper.  Should I be imagining furtive movement, then I will conduct myself as if this event were a practice run... and then plop down on the rearranged (and hence more comfy) rug.  Besides, my job, if well done, requires me to check out the threat, improbable or not.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Just ignore the peanut gallery.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

purrfession of the day - secret agent meow, one who works undercover (it's warmer beneath the blankets)

put on the fettle

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Sep 2021 - I often sit at one of the deck portals, watching for interlopers and day-dreaming.  It is favored by Mr. Sol in the mornings, so I head there immediately after waking the shorter peep.  But yesterday afternoon there was some interesting activity to observe (stealthily):  what is the taller peep up to??  I don't want to get my hopes up, or make a public conjecture (and be in error), so I will update you as this project unfolds.  For those of you concerned about my well-being in these less-than-ideal conditions, I want to assure you that life has pulled from inner resources and found a way to forge ahead (helped mightily by the addition of more fur).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We are a hardy lot.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - irrepurressible, not able to be squelched (you can't keep a good cat down)

meet my grit

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Sep 2021 - No, you didn't awaken me from a nap, despite appearances.  While the shorter peep sneezes in bright sunlight, I yawn... perhaps my body telling me to lie down.  When Mr. Sol is blazing in the sky, this space is the warmest one in our domicile (and believe me:  I have double-checked all the rooms).  Naturally I can be found out here on such days, although its portal remains closed when we are blanketed with clouds.  Back with the screened porch, I was attuned to weather, but mostly the dial swung between stormy and baking (such pleasant memories).  In this new abode I am slowly gauging the signs... which doesn't mean that I approve of the chilly rain and nippy overnights.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Sometimes one must

simply outlive the bad situation.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - enpurrance, the power to withstand difficulty (Cheshire grin and bear it)

the basics

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Sep 2021 - Part of my grey matter realizes that the shorter peep is playing with me, but the ancient part of my brain can't help engaging in the chase/capture.  No blood was spilled, but the encounter revved my system and warmed the torso... a good thing on a chilly morning.  Despite our remote rural setting, the head count of interlopers is minimal so I am having to double up on patrols to avoid a cut in salary.  Imagining an enemy and faking a pounce have also helped keep my reflexes honed.  Calisthenics mainly consist of full-bore racing through the rooms... a bit silly to watch but it burns calories (and stokes the furnace).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Sometimes to hurry

is the point.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrimal, relating to an early developmental stage (i.e., channeling my inner wild cat)

in the dark

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Sep 2021 - Can you see Shamus for the trees?  or what used to be trees.... This domicile still doesn't have a screened porch, but it has lots of handy tucked-away spots.  Peep eyes aren't as sharp as mine, so any shadowy place is a possibility.  This one exists right in the middle of the busy room, so it is ideal for gathering recon unnoticed.  It also is adjacent to where the shorter peep and I have breakfast, giving it pleasant associations with treats.  While hiding I can also scan the floor for missed bits.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Always strive to better yourself.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

quote of the day - "I tawt I taw a puddy tat", but maybe not, it's hard to be one-hundred purrcent certain

funny bonus

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Sep 2021 - I can see you, can you see me?  (That would be a disappointment as I'll have to scratch this spot from the hidey-hole list).  Normally in our domicile there is a distinct separation between indoor and outdoor, so the presence of this woodsy still-life is a mystery to me.  I check on the contents periodically, hoping for additional clues (could it be an overflowing litter box?), but it remains as you see it.  Eventually its purpose will be revealed or it will pass into no-never-mind oblivion... something to walk around, like a chair leg.  Mysteries are irksome to us cats.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

To be conscious is

to wonder why.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - apurrant, depurrting from the normal (as if that is well-defined)