in the clear

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 May 2022 - I suppose that gaping mouth could be construed as a yawn, but in fact it was bath time.  We cats are impulsive washers:  if the thought crosses our mind, we apply tongue to fur; if a peep touches a paw, we are compelled to clean it.  It isn't that we're contaminated by contact, although sometimes life is messy and requires our attention, but that we are reminded of that part of our body.  Not having a strong grasp of time, I could have washed that quarter three days ago or three hours ago... but best to be conscientious in these matters of hygiene.  Bathing isn't hard work, and brings us cats closer to godliness.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Some habits don't need to be broken.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - repurrtable, well thought of (fur-st impressions are important)

wish I may

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 May 2022 - Sometimes I think I'd like to be out there, sniffing the ground, creeping under the trees.  But then I count all the positive reasons for staying right where I'm at, and nix that idea.  It is probably just another example of "the grass is always greener...." that makes the notion so appealing (and recurrent), as I lead a cushy life:  top cat, office manager, head of security.  Also, treading carefully around braggadocio, I am important to my two peeps, so my absence would be keenly felt.  Nope, this window ledge is ideal.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Beware the two beeps

in the bush.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrennial, enduring and purrmanent

let me distract that statement

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 May 2022 - The shorter peep likes to sit in this nook, so naturally I am very familiar with the area.  Behind the comfy chair is a space that often goes overlooked, which makes it ideal for reconnaissance work.  However, as this photo confirms, my peeps are aware of its existence, which compromises my cover.  If I have a host of such choices, then the security of each one increases slightly:  where, in his many favorite places, is Shamus hiding now?  Eluding peeps, even the friendly kind, is a matter of keeping them guessing... to buy me time, to weary their bodies, to fatigue their brains (why exactly did we come into this room?)

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Diversion can be handy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - confusticat, to confound, even purrplex the peeps (it's great fun)

Q.E.Dead

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 May 2022 - Sometimes one is compelled to walk (or in my case lie) on the wild side.  And I'm not so rash as to turn my back to the precipice.  Truthfully I don't think the drop would do serious damage, especially if I maneuvered myself so as to land on that comfy piece of furniture.  It goes without saying that I, a cat in good standing, would alight on my feet.  Imagine that heady rush as one falls from this height... no doubt time would slow, and immediately after I would undoubtedly race through the house, a literal touch-and-go, heart pounding, exclaiming how marvelous it is to be alive.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Some things should only

be enjoyed vicariously.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrisky, possibly having adverse circumstances (you go first)

no harm was done

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 May 2022 - This photo captures the tension felt during a recent recon mission.  A strange sound brought me to this room, and naturally I must proceed with caution.  My muscles are tightened, should a quick reaction be required, while my senses, in particular eyes and nose, gauge the situation.  Several seconds later I gave myself the stand-down order, as the source of the noise was pinpointed and determined to be harmless.  But until that moment the threat was real, and my hackles rose to the occasion.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Do not wish for an

interesting life.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - intimicat, to overawe the opponent (far better than a cat-fight)

novelly graphic

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 May 2022 - We cats certainly have a voice, some quite raucous, and we also have body feline (body English it is not).  The shorter peep often exclaims over a pose I take, as if I've struck it just for her... commenting on a raised paw or a turned head or a crooked tail.  I will agree with her that a cat's fifth appendage is quite expressive, sometimes aping a question mark, other times an exclamation point.  Should it be snapping about like a bullwhip, it is best to allow us time, and distance, to calm down.  We do not wring our paws or crack our knuckles (don't confuse us with peeps), but we do act like cats.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We each are a book,

closed more often than open.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowningful, effectively conveying thoughts or feelings (felines?)

in cat we trust

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 May 2022 - We cats tend to get labeled as aloof and self-centered, which is often how introverts are perceived.  It is a misinterpretation, but an understandable one... and one that we're not likely to correct (since that would involve social engagement, which isn't our forte).  I did have an inner dialogue with myself, here pictured, before eventually doing my porch rounds:  should I stay with the shorter peep while she finished her breakfast?  On the one paw, I do like her, especially when she scratches around my ears, but on the other, I wouldn't want anything bad to occur because I was lax in my work responsibilities... which isn't thoughtless at all.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is enough that your

motives are true.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - mapurrity, thinking things through and being careful (i.e., catful)

blown

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 May 2022 - You might not recognize this corner of our office, which is why I'm fond of it:  out of the way and overlooked.  It is understandable that work staff don't enjoy being "watched"... to be under someone's unblinking gaze makes me antsy as well.  In fact I have observed that productivity slows under heavy-pawed supervision.  So a good office manager will subtly manage his charges, which is why this location was perfect... past tense intentional.  Having been found out, I'll have to find another nook from which to do my job.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Only celestial objects and Hollywood

starlets await discovery.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

mangled phrase of the day - "let the swag out of the cat", to expose a feline's motives

awkward moments

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 May 2022 - We cats can't actually swivel our heads all the way to the back, but our flexible spines allow us to see where we've been... very handy when a mischievous peep is trying to sneak up on me.  Not that she could ever go undetected: my satellite ears informed me that she was tip-toeing from behind.  I enjoy a game of tag, but she is always "it" since I can literally run circles around her.  I am sure there are some advantages to being big and lumbering.  Certainly, when pitted peep to peep, the contest is played on more level ground.  All in all I would rather be a nimble cat.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Quick and graceful keeps

the audience mesmerized.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - pondpurrous, slow of foot, purrhaps even thought (and I'm certainly not talking about cats)

inner-gized

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 May 2022 - What in the world am I up to?  Yes, we cats have our own sense of humor, best described as dry and subtle.  The odd body posture is probably due to my being caught in between thoughts:  do I stay up here (and wait for breakfast) or do I hop down and recheck the interloper situation?  Ultimately the latter was selected, because I would rather bide the time running circles than be an obliging lump.  In another ten years, "obliging lump" may be my aspiration, but in my raring-to-go youth it is a distasteful notion (and idling isn't good for my motor).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"Move it" is a great suggestion.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - spurrty, fond of being active (exceptions made for naps)

I wonder

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 May 2022 - I really wouldn't mind less excitement in my day-to-day existence.  Even with those extra promised life times, I am not the sort to risk my safety for what might be, or might not, be a few moments of heart-stopping "fun".  But many peeps are easily bored, so I'm including, as a plot thickener, my latest consideration of the challenging ascent.  I would not give this mountain a second thought, were it not for enticing scratchy noises that can sometimes be heard at its summit.  Curiosity will literally be my downfall, as what goes up there must negotiate its way back to solid ground.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Remember that sticks and stones

can definitely break bones.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - inquiring meownds, a strong desire to know something (it will be my undoing)

leg it

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 May 2022 - It is true that my back limbs are long and skinny, accented by the shortage of fur.  The shorter peep says that my south end reminds her of a race horse, not that I've ever seen such a creature.  But I get the part about race, as I do enjoy zipping around our domicile.  Evidently a peep's concept of race is a battle of speed with a field of contestants.  I have no interest in galloping with a pack, especially for a prize of flowers... really, flowers?  And they don't even look edible!

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Different folks require

different carrots.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - scampurr, to run with quick light steps (it's hard to thud when you're a featherweight)

a slip of a

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 May 2022 - Under the umbrella of "it never hurts to ask", I petitioned the shorter peep to open the door.  She mistook my request for humor (inter-species communication is fraught with misunderstanding), and I had to head-butt my way into our domicile.  The transit was made without doing myself any bodily harm, and I can't truthfully say that my self-opinion was snagged on the door jamb.  But why stoop if there is the possibility of standing to your full height?... especially when you're barely ten inches at the shoulder.  To picture myself on a similar scale with peeps renders me unrecognizable, but boy-oh-boy wouldn't I scare the interlopers!

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It's alright to be the

size you are.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrtite, smallish ("runt" is so judgmental)