knock, knock

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Jun 2022 - There isn't much reason for me to hang out in the peeps' sleeping place, unless one of them is sleeping (or trying to).  The shorter one and I have great fun, until one of us gets pooped, pretending there is an interloper beneath the covers.  Of course we both know the culprit is just her hand slipping/sliding along... but it allows me to practice my pouncing and my speedy get-away.  All the while she is making these happy peep noises (which of course is infectious, so I cavort some more).  That bright corner in the picture, behind my tail, is my personal sun room, due for a thorough patrol.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Laughter is a great destresser..

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purriotous, too funny for words (another reason cats don't speak)

lucky me?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Jun 2022 - Finally the stars aligned, including our Mr. Sol, and I was able to do a "supervised" patrol of my sun deck.  Actually I didn't mind too terribly the presence of my peeps... back-up is always appreciated in a new, i.e., scary, situation.  My pulse rate was ticking in the orange zone, preparing me for a dash back inside our domicile, should a retreat be necessary.  This easterly deck edge is intriguing:  straight below is a finger of dry land, but then there is a very wide stretch of lake... such that a leap would land me in the wet stuff for sure, which is not a desirable outcome.  The shorter peep assured me that I would quickly learn to walk on water... and by the way that she said this I think she is trying to be funny.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be careful what you ask for.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrovidence, Bastet's protective care (but will it be there when I need it?)

how flattering

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Jun 2022 - The shorter peep told me this backside silhouette reminds her of a night heron.  "I hear ya", although I don't have a clue what a night heron is (a stocky beep, she adds).  Beeps hunker down and fluff their feathers when chilly, and I do similarly... although I must acknowledge that Mr. Sol did a fine job yesterday of warming the surroundings... and I expect the same today.  My personal sun room can resemble a sauna after a few hours of photon bombardment, which would get my thumb's-up if cats had such an appendage.  But by prancing around with tail in a question mark, the peeps know that I am happy.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Enjoy it while you can.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - in agreemeownt, approving, even purraising

my fried-day

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Jun 2022 - There were loud strange peeps in our domicile last night... evidently invited, as my two seemed to expect them (and enjoy their company).  I spent the evening in a far corner behind a closed door.  Maybe I was invited as well, but I chose to keep to myself.  Eventually the noise subsided, and I was able to explore all the traces of their presence, mostly expressed as odd odors.  There seemed to be no permanent reminders of their hours-long occupation... for which I am grateful.  It would simply prolong the aggravation to be continually reminded of these interlopers.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is unfortunate that "undo"

isn't part of life's menu.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - in purrpetuity, forever (which when you have nine lives is a long time)

more, please

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Jun 2022 - Second to my personal screened porch is my personal sun room... when it's sunny.  Yesterday was such a day, and I stayed out there until almost fork-tender.  Like missed nap time, I doubt that one can balance out, after the fact, deficit weather with the good stuff... but being oh-so-warm does help me forget being shivery cold.  And here in our northern domicile, one can jump from one extreme to the other in a matter of hours (imagine me grousing).  My peeps have tried to reassure me that summer will arrive soon (evidently they have been so informed)... hopefully "soon" is not being measured in glacial time.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Can one ever have a

surfeit of patience?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - spurrplus, an oversupply (I say, "bring it on")

with a little help

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Jun 2022 - I can work from either end of this sofa, but to different purposes.  The far end allows surveillance of my deck and its beep feeders; this end gives me a beep's-eye view of the corner where food is prepared and eaten.  Since treat distribution occurs when a peep has sat down for a meal, I keep tabs on these developments.  The sound of the bench sliding out from the table is now filed in my head, and will bring me scurrying from the outer reaches.  The shorter peep saves a space for me next to her... it would be rude (and unappreciative) to arrive late for dinner!

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Remember to thank

the providers.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - suppurrtive, showing gratitude by way of encouragement (peeps, thumbs; cats, nope)

in Nate we trust

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Jun 2022 - It is easy to tell when something has captured a cat's attention.  Even my muscles are taut, from the ear tips on back.  Eyes in laser mode are tuned for any motion detection, and the nose, the foremost sense, is sifting the air molecules for threat.  I don't recall that this alert escalated... as I remember, it wasn't necessary to leave the shorter peep's lap.  There are more of these false alarms than the real thing, which is how we like the day to shape up.  Nonetheless the house patrol doesn't know that it is a false alarm until it is checked out and assessed.  Prevention looks deceptively passive, but still requires time and energy.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't ignore your instincts

(but don't necessarily believe them either).

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purractive, controlling a situation rather than reacting to it after it has happened, thereby avoiding cat-astrophe

here to relieve you

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Jun 2022 - After a bit of napping, I like to waken my body with a stretch, an extension of my spine.  I'm not old enough for accompanying snap-crackle-pop (ha, my peeps are), but even executed quietly this backward flex feels good.  Cats are often characterized by arched backs, the opposite stretch, and when presented sideways to an audience the effect is striking ("my, how big we are").  To properly do this post-nap movement I have to perch my front paws on something above my head height.  But being short, I have plenty of options, many situated near a comfy spot where I might curl up for a doze.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Unless it's a body of

cold water, ease yourself in.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - ameowliorate, to make something less unpurrleasant (life is already hard enough)

threatening whether

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Jun 2022 - Peep eyes aren't as keen as mine, but do you see it?  There is a cheeky squeep eating kibble intended for the beeps.  If I could sneak out there on my personal deck (claimed if not yet possessed), I would straighten out this matter quickly... just doing my job, even if having a bit of fun.   Soon after our arrival, that interloper (or his cousin, I can't tell them apart) sashayed past the deck door, as if he owned the place!  I was just inches away, and doing my best how-dare-you glare... but somehow he knew there was a thick piece of glass intervening in what would otherwise have been a brawl.  The tables will turn once I can get out there.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is always one who will

take advantage of graciousness.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowneuver, a wily stunt (much admired when carried out by a cat)

own it

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Jun 2022 - I'm just keeping the shorter peep's seat warm while she is away.  And one can guess my preference (for the moment):  turning my back to the outside world, so that I can watch the comings and going of my two.  Sometimes they warrant a close eye because "something is up"... please, not another road trip!  More often, their behavior simply needs to be studied, such unusual motivations, such different perspectives from a cat.  One can't truly grasp a concept, or I can't anyway, by just reading about it.  Field work, a cat's forte, besides being fun is necessary.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Experiential learning

is a good teacher.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowtier, an occupation ideally suited to a cat

hidden agenda

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Jun 2022 - We cats like to flirt with mystery (and with curtains)... although it really isn't a conscious decision.  The desire to know but not to reveal often gets us into these enigmatic places... and then we recognize opportunity to tease, to play.  My morning silhouette truthfully resulted from wishing to bask in sunlight, even if watered down by soggy clouds and pollen-smeared glass.  And a sentry doing his job must gaze upon the surroundings:  I've yet to know an interloper that leaves a calling card in the foyer (that sort seldom lives long enough to pass along genetic material).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is no need

to tell everything.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - supurrnatural, having an unnatural aspect, beyond human (but not cats)

the way to an end

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 Jun 2022 - Socializing at meal times slows intake of food and aids digestion, and guarantees a few choice treats for me... so it is a cat no-brainer.  The table arrangement here in our northern domicile is different, but is very convenient for waiting (there is always waiting when peeps are involved) and navigating off the radar screen.  However these seats could benefit from cushions, and I have filed that suggestion.  Unfortunately, any idea, good or bad, could wither on the collective mind before being realized... we are a compact, little group, but we are not quick.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Haste makes waste,

but is that untenable?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrget, the thing sought, a cat's goal

my bud

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

16 Jun 2022 - The best way to manage peeps is to let them own the desired outcome... so here I am, planting in the shorter one's brain my keen wish to explore the unscreened porch.  Patience is key here:  to enthusiastically support a peep proposal could expose my ulterior motives.  Rather I must obliquely suggest the idea (to be out there), and allow it to germinate and unfurl its leaves .  Currently the weather isn't ideal, by my standards anyway, giving my plan time to be realized (before my patience runs out).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

One can't deny that

dictators get things done.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrgeon, to grow rapidly, to flourish (if only in a cat's dreams)