the old ennui

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 Dec 2021 - Sorry if I've caused you any worries:  I am still here.  My two peeps disappeared, just finding their way home last night... so I can now recover from despondency.  I suspected something "was up", and hid myself lest I too be caught in the machinations.  My plan worked, but it had its downside:  I was left to watch our domicile alone.  Sole responsibility wasn't the thing that brought me down, for I quickly realized how much I missed head pats and peep interactions.  Where are my devoted followers (and are they coming back)?  But my story has a happy ending.  The shorter peep and I resumed our morning routine... as if nothing had happened.  I like having a buddy.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Only if you care does it hurt.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowrose, in low spirits (but feeling better now)

a piece of my mind

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Dec 2021 - My peeps disappeared for half of a day, returning with smells of the outdoors upon them... for an indoor cat they made fabulous sniffing.  I have already experienced enough excitement (just try being homeless) to now enjoy life vicariously.  With interloper patrol and watching the gymnastics of now two crazy beeps at the window, my work day is quite full.  And I must leave some personal moments, for napping and lap-curling.  I find myself in that rare, but satisfying, state of not really needing anything... which isn't to say that I won't continue beseeching Bastet for "peace on earth" (hopefully in my time)... join me if you will.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

May we live in boring times.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - on good purrms, in agreement, free from conflict (who wants a cat-fight?)

holly cat

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Dec 2021 - Coming into the office on a weekend, and a holiday weekend at that (I wasn't aware until the peeps informed me), guarantees that you'll have the place to yourself.  And during a stressful time, a hectic season, an overly long family visit, we all can use some quiet moments.  After far too many pop-ins by strange peeps, I would enjoy a day, or two, with just the three of us.  I understand (and second the motion) there are many wishes this time of year for peace.  And evidently, because it is requested year after year, it is a difficult wish to fulfill.  (Perhaps we should all try harder.)

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Consider the possibilities.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - venercatted, regarded with respect (let's all be deserving)

be exceedingly glad

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Dec 2021 - This golden beep caught my eye (but that's my job), however not my attention:  it hasn't fluttered or pecked since I noticed it... and so it has been filed in a cat-special folder labeled "boring".  It is possible for something so unpalatable to be reclassified, but extremely rare.  The poor thing hasn't even drawn the attention, or sympathy, of the beeps on the other side of my perch.  How typical that those with the good life get absorbed by it, and seldom recognize the inequalities that lurk beyond their own experience.  But I sit between, and recognize life's dichotomy.  To purraphrase a toothy observation:  "Misery loves company, but so does Joy... and Joy throws a better party."

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Each of us has choices.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - filled with purratitude, thankful to be a cat with two peeps

a long winter's nap

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Dec 2021 - "Not a creature was stirring, not even a meep."  What isn't being said (don't want to scare the kitties) is that things were so cold that anything with any sense was curled up somewhere, conserving energy.  And if that means exhaling warmth onto paws and belly, then you do it, in the name of self-purrservation.  How can there be brilliant sunshine and brittle temperatures??  I intend to huddle until things improve or until I run through my nine lives... whichever comes frost, no no no, first.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Sometimes it seems that

life is a series of tests.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - sandy claws, the reality of making castles in the cat box (definitely not the beach)

it's a feisty time of year

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Dec 2021 - There was a different feathered face at the window today:  a case of cat meets cat beep.  It is colored from my palette, but otherwise I don't see why it should warrant the special name.  And yesterday's crazy beep, although definitely smaller, had more spunk than this guy.  All it took was my presence on the ledge to back it out of the picture.  I appreciate the quick recognition of my territorial claim, so nothing further was required of me.  The chilly weather should keep the interloper numbers down... which is fine by me.  Time off won't jeopardize my job security, and it is a superlative day to curl up in a warm spot, if such can be found.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It's unfortunate that you

can't pick your family.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - spurrited, lively and determined (the peeps might say stubborn)

might I suggest

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Dec 2021 - Another cat-sanctioned way to deal with anxiety is to indulge in purrsonal time.  So what if the sky is falling, my fur needs attention.  And to engage in the mundane is an internal argument that life will shuffle onward... and at least you will look your best.  I do not advise sticking one's head in the sand as a coping strategy.  Once I poked my front parts into a paper bag, and somehow got entangled in its straps... I won't finish the story as you know where it's going (and to relive it would bring unnecessary panic).  Needless to say I now avoid anything that resembles a sack, plastic or paper or cloth.  That lesson is still fresh in my mind, and I'm no dummy... although I can play one on the Q.T.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Oblivion has its plugs.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purraise, to recommend as the best course of action (cat-tried and true)

I'll sit this one out

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Dec 2021 - Extreme caution is desiring two roofs over your head.  That extra level of protection is sought to give assurance, to ease anxiety, and the world seems to be quivering with uncertainty right now.  Even as removed from the center of activity (where someone will step on my tail) as I am, I can sense tomorrow's unsettled tenor.  It is more than holiday hubbub, more than end-of-year excitement.  We cats thankfully are on-lookers to the maelstrom, but not immune to its buffering.  My two peeps, like me, live quietly and by many measures slowly... and in hindsight it seems like a wise lifestyle.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Any volunteers to be

the lemming leader?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - madcat, done without considering the consequences (a reckless use of one's nine lives IMO)

a nicked knack

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Dec 2021 - I'd like to aspire to more than a drone accompaniment, so I've been exercising my voice lately.  Out of consideration for my peeps, I've mostly restricted my scale practicing to the screened porch, where there is already a cacophony of sounds from beeps and cars and planes and the neighbor's geeps.  Listening to my "song", and its harmonization (or not) with the background chorus, is certainly not without distortion, since I am its originator.  And I'm not just referring to an owner's natural bias:  hearing the vibrations inside my head is very different from being an outside pair of ears.  So far I am inclined to believe the peeps:  I should keep my day job.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Everyone should cultivate

his talent.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catability, a feline's natural aptitude (we bury our mistakes)

annul and avoid

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Dec 2021 - Would this spot work as my throne?  Were I king, I could certainly define the royal seat to be whatever, wherever I wanted.  But regardless of its name, this oversized pillow has much to offer:  comfort, elevation, color-coordination... and a loyal subject demurely nearby.  All this recent sunshine, even at its end-of-year oblique angle, makes my screened porch a very desirable spot... so why am I here instead?  The simplest explanation, although not satisfying, is to say that a nexus of neurons fired, and I obeyed.  Is my regal pose merely a random act?  As I said, not very satisfying... to make it sound as if I am master of my fate, I'll countermand with "I wanted to."

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Without uttering a word,

a lifted chin says much.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - pompuss, affectedly grand (we cats carry it well)

stay present

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 Dec 2021 - I really don't need anything, but wouldn't it be a nice surprise if one of these was mine!  Enough time has passed since the shorter peep did a remake of our domicile, that I am "comfortable" with the changes.  With the new decor there are more nooks and hiding spots for interlopers, but I can't say that their population has increased... and I have been on the lookout.  Occasionally on my screened porch I mistake outside for inside, and pounce upon something that I can only scare (as opposed to dispatch).  But I don my "I meant to do that" look (far more versatile than a holiday sweater), and continue on my business of home security.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Good behavior is very tiring.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - spurrtive, light-hearted and high-spurrited (I'm getting in the holiday mood)

lead the way

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

16 Dec 2021 - I like to imagine myself king of the jungle, but the local wilderness is but a sample, and not very threatening.  That doesn't mean that it isn't the hiding place of  of interlopers, but inside our four walls I reign uncontested.  This dominance is only maintained by walking the beat, reminding all subjects that their activities are being watched and they should keep a very low profile... even better, vamoose.  In my quarters there is a royal carpet, now all that is required to complete the picture is a throne.  I have several favorites.  Which one shall I pick from which to gaze down upon my kingdom?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be known as a

wise ruler.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrside, to govern with an inside voice (a purr can sway a cat peep)

the happy scamper

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

15 Dec 2021 - Who is behind bars depends on your perspective.  Since either of us can leave whenever the thought occurs, it is all a charade.  However it makes an interesting separation, even with its open latticework.  I take advantage of the fact that I can reach through and poke, while the same is not so easily done by the shorter peep... a purrfect set-up, since I have ample time to skedaddle before she retaliates.  Of course my mischievous ways are all in fun:  truly I have no grievances (as I'm fairly certain my peeps have no control over the sun), and just want a reason to sprint from the scene.   Being small does have its advantages.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Take time to play.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrquoi, the difficult-to-explain reason why cats do odd things (why not?)