working the room

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Apr 2022 - I'm just checking on the third-shift staff.  The taller peep volunteers for the late hours... just don't ask him to open up the business.  As manager I've learned to utilize the employees' strengths (and overlook their shortcomings).  Fortunately my two are very different creatures, complementary coverage.  However, were we to require someone in sales, I would have to hire a warm, gregarious body (it certainly would not be me).  But we are that odd company that hasn't needed to hawk our wares... or probably we are that sort of business because we couldn't be otherwise.   I can only imagine that initial organizational meeting:  "what are we good at?  well, certainly not anything that depends upon peep schmoozing.  agreed... sounds like software development."

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Square pegs fit nicely

into square holes.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - inpurrface, interact and connect with (hopefully treats are the reward)

grand central

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Apr 2022 - I wouldn't call this spot a hiding place, mainly because it is too close to yesterday's hiding place... these things need to be spread out.  There are other reasons for hanging out under the dining table:  it is a spot where my peeps are known to frequent, as well as a treat-dispensing area... and one never knows what else might fall from above and onto the floor.  Like my screened porch, but with less of a view, things happen here, things that I need to stay abreast of.  The crazy beep no longer assaults the window, but life still flutters outside the glass (and sometimes crashes into it).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

For a fun time

situate yourself near a nexus.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - uppurrmost, of the greatest importance (at least to a cat)

rocket shy-entist

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Apr 2022 - Darn!  She found me.  But it is still a good spot, offering oversight of the screened porch door as well as a second roof over my head (redundancy isn't a bad thing).  Having found one haven, perhaps she won't think that I have multiple such spots... and go looking for them.  Certain beeps build multiple homes, definitely to show off their prowess to prospective mates, but also as decoys to their enemies.  Obviously I don't view either of my peeps as my nemesis, but it keeps me in practice for the bigger world... should I ever find myself "out there" (Bastet forbid) and in need of wiles.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be sharp or be flattened.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrficient, having exceptional cat skills

a winning combination

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Apr 2022 - Here I am, the same general area as yesterday... but a different chair (I like to mix things up).  Not wishing to always sound curmudgeonly, I will for the record state that I love our weather of late.  The crispness of early mornings quickly moderates into the perfect napping temperature, and I can, if so desired, spend my entire day out there, keeping an eye on any opportunistic interloper.  The shorter peep joins me for her midday meal, and both of my peeps sit at the porch table as the day ends.  Besides their relaxing company, I can also look forward to a few treats while they dine... it's a great arrangement.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It's neat to eat together.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purroximity, nearness (I'm purrtial to laps)

how foolish of me

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Apr 2022 - I like attention (not from strangers obviously), but the shorter peep also knows I like napping.  Fortunately this interruption was momentary, and I was quickly able to resume my afternoon siesta.  If there were an emergency, i.e., our domicile was on fire or the doorbell was about to ring, I definitely wish to be informed.  But what was this all about?  Probing a peep's brain is a dangerous venture:  one could lose his way in that nonsensical maze.  Besides the more time I give to puzzling her motives, the less time I have for more productive things, like warding off interlopers and maintaining our home's security.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"What was I thinking?" is a

more manageable question.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - silly puddy, a cat that befuddles his peeps

name bland

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Apr 2022 - There are a few recognizable (even if rigid) creatures in our domicile, but I am the only non-peep bit of animated matter.  True there are resident spiders, but they don't count in my book, even if all of them piled onto the scale would outweigh me.  They aren't entertaining in the chase and can be quickly dispatched.  Some do provide a morsel of protein (and hence were crucial to my survival as a stray), but they are basically boring to this cat.  Similarly the animal statues are not lively entertainment, but do fulfill other purposes, not much above a hefty paperweight.  Long ago they were vetted by my nose, and now just serve as objects in my obstacle course... which is just fine, as we cats tend to not walk in a straight line.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"Meh" should be added to the

friend-or-foe options.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - repurrtitious, unvaried and hence uninteresting to cats

what are you doing?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Apr 2022 - I am aware of the peep-held opinion that we cats are indecisive... something along the line of "always wishing to be on the other side of the door".  I won't deny that we want to do what we want to do (not unlike peeps), come and go as we choose.  The perfect solution is to simply leave the door ajar.  In that way I don't need to involve my I'm-busy-now peeps, don't need to test my limited patience while waiting (and waiting) for them to notice and act.  And with an open door, so what if I go back and forth between the two spaces.  Maybe I'm just adding steps to my Fitbit.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You can visit the world

by walking in circles.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrzling, said of cat behavior that perplexes peeps

quick study

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Apr - Change can sneak up on you, especially if it happens very, very gradually.  Here is a photo of me one year ago.  Although I certainly recognize myself, those twelve months have broadened my face, given me a more "mature" look (which is not a comment on my actions).  And this bigger head (yes, feel free to make snide comments) makes my truncated ear less obvious.  I've grown into my body, settled into my skin.  That fresh-faced look in the picture has aged into an impish composure, an I-haven't-seen-it-all-but-quite-a-bit demeanor.  It is a good thing to be moving beyond skittish.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We need to pay attention

to life's lessons.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrsuit, a cat's craft

all too truism

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Apr 2022 - Relish (and remember) those moments of "life is grand", as a counterweight to those other times when "this stinks".  The former softens the clinched jaw as well as the hard line drawn in the sand.  Let's face it:  we are so much nicer when things are going well.  Magnanimity is a cinch when we have it all.  The trick is to pull on that reserve when less desirable events occur... and they will, because we can't always be the golden child.  Someone or something will grab the spotlight (or the umbrella, should it be raining).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The sun does not

revolve around us.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - affectioncat-ly, in a way that displays feline fondness

peeves dropping

Shamus in lieu

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Apr 2022 - I have gotten accustomed (which isn't to say that I like) seeing my orange cousin, let's call him Darwin, outside the window.  But this visitor is clearly an interloper of the enterprising sort, and alarmingly large.  I typically have the advantage over beeps seen around our domicile, but I'd think twice before tangling with this fella.  And notice the size of its schnoz.  It could do definite damage with that thing... although it isn't well designed for picking up itty bits of food (I was reminded of my peeps eating with wooden sticks).  Darwin had left behind only a few pieces of kibble, so the scavenger didn't hang around very long... but long enough that it was noticed.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Some days will not be

to your liking.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrickly, irritated by having to share the stage (i.e., my yard, and my kibble)

windy kitty

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Apr 2022 - My innate stage fright is slowly being channeled into a diva personality:  I am cultivating not only my voice, but also my celebrity (at least locally).  Without stretching the facts much, I can blame the shorter peep.  Since my arrival here, she has talked to me as if I could understand intent without grasping her accented content.  One-way conversations are a bore, so without conscious decision I began answering her... and now I will even initiate the dialogue.  Comprehension by either party is still in the most general of terms, but that seems to be adequate.  It is rather like saying "how are you?" as a greeting rather than a query.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't speak unless

you have something to say.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrbose, chatty (but cats prefer the term "expansive")

chum drum

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Apr 2022 - I mostly keep the hours of the shorter peep, with a few extra naps thrown in to maintain my beauty edge.  Sometimes, but not often, and largely due to my having to conduct a night patrol, she rises before I do... which seems to bring her delight (so why should I diminish her joy?).  The number of times that I am ambulatory before she, is the runaway leader, but I don't mention this fact.  And I always join her for breakfast, sometimes late but there.  We both like the routine, our way of helping the other ease into the day.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Friends are life's cushion.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrother, a peep held in high affection by a cat

that's a small order

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Apr 2022 - I like to keep an open mind toward peep food (and peep behavior, but that's another story), and so far their tastes remain a mystery.  On the other hand they have showed no interest in my kibble, which is a good thing:  no conflict at meal time.  Although I have speed and cunning in my column, my two outweigh me by a considerable factor:  competition at the food bowl would be very one-sided (and I would continue to be the runt of the family).  Actually runt-hood is my fate, even if I'm fed on a silver tray.  My frame runs small, and can only comfortably carry a handful of pounds... but I wear it well.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We all must manage

within our given limitations.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - rudimeowntary, equipped with the basics (who wants frills?  not this cat)