you don't say

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Nov 2021 - Even within the same species, mind-reading is an iffy proposition... which is why I go for the direct approach.  In case it isn't crystal clear to the shorter peep, I like my breakfast pronto if you please.  A benign poke with the paw causes no harm, can even be construed as an affectionate pat, yet conveys my sense of urgency.  Moreover it works!  So I am a definite advocate of "speak your thoughts".  For cats that manifests in meows, sharp-edged if warranted, and physical gestures.  But if you want the synopsis of what a cat is feeling, just read its tail:  if shaped like the letter C (for "cute" I opine), it is safe to pat the head.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There are multiple

ways to communicate.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

celebrity of the day - Blatherskite, another Mark Twain cat with fantastical title

I'd like mine well done

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Nov 2021 - What does a cat have to do to summon the oracle's hot breath?  Not that I care a whit what she opines, but it's that toasty emanation that draws me to the site.  Peeps arrange heaven and hell in vertical layers, so that I am sitting beneath the earth isn't lost on this feline.  A famous peep, who it is said liked cats better than his fellow kind, preferred heaven for its climate, but I would disagree... although otherwise he gets high meows from me.  It isn't necessary that my peeps and I agree on all points (no reason to lose energy on heated words), but consensus on the domicile's ambient temperature is very important.  

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Much can be gained by

putting our hot heads together.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

celebrity of the day - Satan, one of Mark Twain's fantastically titled cats

strategic planning

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Dec 2021 - Pools of sunshine are prime real estate this time of year.  Just follow a cat if you wish to know the domicile's warm spots.  These areas may have nothing else to recommend, but freezers can be prickly but not picky.  Only the unfortunate feline and peep have to be mindful from moment to moment of surviving.  I am not that far removed from a hardscrabble existence, so my skill set isn't rusty.  Besides we cats are totally into self-preservation... which means I don't have to argue with my inner voice as to why I should put myself first in the consideration line.  You are more than welcome to slip in behind me, in fact I welcome your body heat... just don't block Mr. Sol.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Pick friends for their

warm and giving personalities.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - meowster plan, a compurrhensive proposal of action

rotisser-me

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Nov 2021 - Cats are solitary creatures that make exceptions.  After all it is nigh impossible to curl up in your own lap.  And there is no quicker way to warm a chilled body than to be sandwiched between peep limbs... even if it means being subjected to blaring blotches of color on the screen in front of us.  With closed eyes and sufficient purring I can block out those distractions and focus on the oh-so-nice rise in temperature.  Those images that I find uninteresting do hold the attention of my peeps, which means that my lap stays available longer... so I am all for vegging out as long as we're slow-roasting the vegetables.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Down-time is necessary to

understand the concept of up.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrnest, showing sincere appreciation of a peep's lap

pitter pattern

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Nov 2021 - Is that growling beast still loose in the house?  All too frequently my peeps deviate from their cat-sanctioned routines to stir up dust.  I can't explain the urge to go beyond personal cleanliness, but the appearance of their "helpful" tools sends me scurrying for the nearest hiding spot.  And for several hours, long after the last snarl has registered on my ears, I dare not show my puss.  It probably is an irrational fear, which makes it even harder to exorcise and no less frightening.  Then again, there may be hard-wired logic to why I should take myself far away from the clamor.  When seized by the need to flee, I really am unable to sift the din from the danger... maybe it is something I will "outgrow"?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Try not to embarrass yourself.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - rumpuss, a commotion that is translated as "run, puss"

good gracious

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Nov 2021 - This time of year, when the sun isn't doing its job, I am most thankful for a heated towel.  It makes nap-time so much more enjoyable... not that I wasn't already fond of my snoozes.  And I wouldn't have that amenity if it weren't for my shorter peep.  My finding these two cat peeps is directly the result of a kindly auntie who coaxed me in from the wild (ok, it was a residential neighborhood).  A life full of kindness is a true blessing, so in between feels-so-good sprinting around the domicile, I will do my best to share the joy.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Grin and share it.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - magnanipuss, big-hearted (even if I look sniffy)

the pet's blessing

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Nov 2021 - The shorter peep and I are morning creatures.  I can't speak for her, as to why this is true, but dawn is when the interlopers begin to stir and so it is my time of day.  Thoughts of house assault are not on her mind (perhaps I can take credit for that small thing)... she focuses on her first meal, putting pen to paper, while scratching/patting my head.  It is her routine... why my noggin isn't higher in her priorities I can not say, just as she can't explain why I do what I do.  Wandering into the feline mind would be quite discombobulating for a peep (and would probably scare me as well).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Understanding someone else

is much harder than simply accepting.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - apurroval, purrsonal validation (I think I'll keep her)

it's a good thing

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Nov 2021 - One can often surmise when a holiday is near just by visiting the office.  Not only does throughput slow but the number of warm bodies drops.  I am trying to keep our business afloat, but truthfully my enthusiasm is faked.  How much simpler for me to join my peeps and snooze on the job!  I've checked the larder, and there appear to be ample provisions on hand... so maybe shuttering for a few days is just what we need:  time to reflect on the past year, time to reevaluate priorities, time to appreciate life's gifts.  If put to a vote, a work hiatus would definitely win... so who am I to question the will of the peeps?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is profit in

counting the plusses.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - bastetsend, something unexpected but beneficial (I am meowstly unworthy)

haughty boy

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Nov 2021 - There are peeps, I realize, that don't like our company.  It is regrettable that some are allergic to cat dander (these things happen), but other nay-players are offended by what they perceive to be our "attitude".  We are not dim-deeps (praise be to Bastet), and most of us are not going to leap for joy when you return to the domicile.  Nor will most of us get ecstatic to be walked on a leash, nor lick your face with mindless gratitude.  Don't confuse the two very-different species.  A cat is just a cat, one who keeps his own counsel and watches from the perimeter and feels attachment to his special peeps... but not in a clingy way.  (And, honestly, am I not handsome?)

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Public displays are

to please the audience.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - nonpurrtisan, unbiased and even-pawed

sitting pretty

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Nov 2021 - I realize that I can be predictable, but life should be warmed by things that are reassuring and comfortable.  To opt for a random playlist does occasionally expose you to something worthwhile, but it also peppers you with bad and annoying selections.  New for new's sake is a weak excuse for abandoning the tried and true.  As curious as my species is, I feel no need to jettison my favorite things, just to be more current and trendy.  So yes, you are very likely to find me on my screened porch, weather permitting, because that is where I want to be.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Just who are you

trying to please??

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purr pressure, unsolicited influence from members of one's clowder (hiss, back off)

reciprocatting

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 November 2021 - Cats can detect color, although what I see, contrasted with what my peeps see, is admittedly different... but more than adequate for determining friend and foe.  My peepers recognize a palette shift inside and outside our domicile, subtle in both cases but there.  It doesn't impact how I weigh sensory input, nor does it interfere with my interloper interception... but I do wonder, being a curious creature, if there is any link between the reddening of the view, the shortening of the day, and the dip in temperatures.  Granted, I have any control over these things, but I'd still like to know.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is all interconnected,

so let's play nice.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowtual, held in common (and don't fur-get that)

deep-down

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Nov 2021 - Just when I thought we were done with strangers, a noisy bunch of peeps took over our house last evening.  I retreated to my safe room, and am relieved to report that this morning, although still detectible by my nose, they have vamoosed.  Thankfully my hiding spot was undiscovered, so I suffered no close calls... just lots of anxiety (hopefully no unsightly consequences like patchy fur loss will result... I don't need holes in my winter coat).  There was a feline kerfuffle, just beyond my screened porch, during the peep occupation.  I sorely wanted to investigate... were the two events somehow linked?... but self-preservation overruled.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

A from-the-belly visceral scream

can clear the sinuses and the room.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - blood-purrdling, related to those fearsome sounds emanating from a mad cat

as plain as duh

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Nov 2021 - Decisions, decisions!  Do I go out?  Do I remain inside?  Do I report to work?  Do I take a nap?  Should I choose the chair, should I pick the bed?  Me-ow-my-ow... it is enough to make the head throb.  And then there is that lurking feeling that, in the big picture, it doesn't matter what I decide.  Of course most questions don't neatly fall into yes-or-no responses.  My trouble is that the internal decision mechanism allows yes, no, I don't know, depends... you see my dilemma.  Is it any wonder that I sit here at my personal porch portal, the gray cells overheating?  If only I had a coin to flip....

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Cut the other fella some slack.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - appurrent, seeming true (but purrhaps not)