to boldly go

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 Oct 2022 - To be taken seriously, you gotta walk the walk, meow the meows.  Viewed from this perspective, my ledge seems graciously wide... maybe not safe for peep feet (the toes alone are longer than my paw), but a feline highway... without annoying signage.  This perch is a favorite when my peeps are hunched over a game board or fascinated by images on the black screen.  From this vantage I can keep one eye on them, and the other eye on the floor below, should interlopers take advantage of their distraction... and because we cats are so versatile, also take a bath.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Things seem doable when

you keep the chin up.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - chutzpurr, infamous feline confidence

my outer limits

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Oct 2022 - May I come in?  I'm most comfortable with peripheries.  There are examples of my kind that like to be the center of attention and the cause of the action.  For my likes, attention such as head pats and treats are very appreciated, but don't make too big a deal out of it or I'll think something is "up"... and become scarce.  You won't find me entering a room without casing it first:  empty is comforting, one peep is acceptable, more than one peep... being outnumbered increases my anxiety.  That isn't to say that I avoid a situation with both of my peeps... but I'm extra cautious.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Figure yourself out first.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrder, situated on the edge (it's close enough for me)

I resemble that remark

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Oct 2022 - A cat's silhouette is a pleasing curve, a union of three fluid circles with ears and legs attached.  Without effort or thought we can assume a striking pose, an effect that would capture the charcoals of a drawing class.  Our grace is largely due to a flexible structure, that permits us to twist into an S and to wash practically our entire surface area (the nape is admittedly a challenge).  I can take no credit for this marvelous anatomy:  the youngest kit and the mangiest stray boast the same body... which ought to keep us humble but somehow doesn't.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The basic issue is

more than adequate.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrominent, noticeable (some might say famous)

my frontery

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Oct 2022 - The life of a house cat may appear constrained, and certainly my "allowed" territory is but a pixel in the big picture.  But my job responsibilities are wide, the possibilities seemingly limitless.  And I have experienced the world beyond these walls, and my impressions, although certainly prejudiced by unknowns (why was I stuffed in this bag?  where am I going?), do not encourage my "bustin' outta here".  My needs are met, I understand the rules (well, make that "am aware of"), my days are varied and fulfilling.  Besides, even if my kingdom is small, I am the ruler.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't go searching

for perfection.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - aucatidy, feline self-confidence (it helps that I'm a fast runner)

different purrvokes

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Oct 2022 - In another twenty minutes Mr. Sol asserted himself, but when the shorter peep served herself breakfast (and me two treats, near the bottom edge's center), things were still shadowy... and a little spooky... which may explain why I am not easy to find in this picture.  I am happy with a muted palette, but others feel differently:  beyond the end of our driveway, I can see a bright orb, the sun's color just before it disappears, that wasn't there when we returned to our southern domicile.  It hasn't moved, nor changed in any discernible way... but why is it there?  and is it just visiting??

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

If only we could freeze those

perfect moments (and jettison the rest).

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - hissmatched, unsuitably not the same (of course I purrfer my way)

whaddya think?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Oct 2022 - Don't I look comfortable?  Well, I am... and quite relaxed until the shorter peep quietly approached (did she really think I wouldn't hear her?) holding that irksome black cube.  At least the disturbance was over quickly, and I was able to resume my business meeting (a quorum was not required).  This piece of furniture has a second purpose:  it is a convenient path to the railing that overlooks the lower level.  It is my job to find those spots that allow unnoticed surveillance, actually I prefer the word "observation", of a prime peep area, and possible interloper corridor.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It's possible to have deep

thoughts while horizontal.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - philosophicat, calm and composed (at least while napping)

niggle bells

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Oct 2022 - My attention to detail can result in a list of complaints... which often find their way into this venue.  Blogs do encourage navel-gazing, even though we cats don't possess that feature, and there is little feedback to guide me out of the weeds (which is, after all, a good hiding spot for interlopers).  So while my head is clear of mundane irritations, let me clearly state that life is good here at the southern domicile (and even at the northern one).  The nits I pick are largely insignificant, especially in the "big" picture.  My life has no major shortfalls:  food, water, shelter, friendship are all provided.  But this trend of a diminishing sun does worry me.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It's good to occasionally take

stock (and I don't mean rustle).

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - drive to discattion, to annoy a feline (and why would you want to do that?)

without a doubt

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Oct 2022 - As domicile sentry I have a mandate to explore.  To foil those interlopers I must know, and frequent, every corner, every understory.  But also being the meek sort I can easily feel peep peepers, judging and critiquing my tactics, my activities:  often do I wonder, is this allowed?  The answer to that question comes quickly and unequivocally, and in this case I did not run afoul of decorum.  For several reasons I would like to do my job unsupervised, and mostly (if I keep an eye and ear trained to peep movement) I can do just that.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Unfortunately everyone

has an opinion.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - compurrliant, inclined to follow the rules (or do a run-around)

what noive

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Oct 2022 - Can you see that pesky interloper?  ...and, from sunrise to sunset, hear him as well, as he throws himself against the glass portal.  He is my beta-test against the soundness of our perimeter, certainly not the biggest assailant but the most persistent.  So exasperating is this creature that my lower jaw quivers with pent-up fury.  If my paw could only reach through this boundary, like the stuff of science fiction,  and bat him into the neighbor's yard, I would be flooded with satisfaction.  Only in my dreams do such wishes come true, so perhaps I should find a quiet spot for a nap.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

When experiencing frustration,

count to five, or fifty or....

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - irricatted, meow than annoyed

is it germane?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Oct 2022 - Although it isn't my favorite thing, I can adapt.  Normally a sprawl on the carpet isn't high on my want-to-do list, but if a spot is warmed by Mr. Sol, and on a day that needs a bit more heat, than I am there.  It is rare (I'm inclined to say "never") to find oneself in a situation that can't be improved, and certainly a cushion would be an ideal addition.  But despite being a household member for the majority of my youthful life, I would not be comfortable rearranging the furniture, even though a pillow pushed onto the floor would up my comfort level.  Besides this endeavor would require my moving out of this brilliant sunshine, and I have insufficient will.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Sometimes you must live

with "good enough".

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - wunderpurr, simply meow-velous

it's all behind me

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Oct 2022 - My fifth appendage has a mind of its own, or at least its control box occupies an unconscious part of my brain.  The shorter peep often remarks upon its expressiveness, and while any praise is appreciated, I can't honestly say that I've noticed any basis for her statement.  Perhaps my tail is my tell-tale tic (say that fast five times).  There is evidence, according to her, that it personifies my mood:  from pleased to agitated, its curve and movement reflecting my emotional state.  She may be correct, but it changes nothing for me.  However an observer should take note.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There are things we do

not know about ourselves.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

slang of the day - purrissy pants, one of my nicknames (you'll have to ask my peeps why, as I don't get it)

neighborly

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Oct 2022 - Where would I be without my two peeps?  Somewhere shivering would be my guess.  And when I can't find a patch of sunshine or my warmed towel has lost its heat, then off I go in search of a sitting peep.  I run small, but that just means that there is more lap for me to curl up on.  The majority of the time this accommodating posture can be found in the office, which allows me to pull a two-fer:  subtle employee observation and overt theft of his or (mostly) her radiating charm.  Any purring that might be overheard is just my way of saying thanks.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Rubbing two sticks together

is the slow way to enjoy a fire.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - good-napurred, friendly and patient (with peeps you have to be)

rag loll

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Oct 2022 - Cooler temperatures are great times to reconnect with good buddies.  Deprived of heat that could provoke snarly dispositions, both parties rather appreciate the company, and the extra warmth is undeniably a factor in my choosing togetherness.  And there are all those additional perks to close proximity, such as head-patting and fur-stroking.  Well after the fact, I discover that I'm purring away, my engine running smoothly, my thoughts content.  There certainly are more productive ways to spend half-an-hour, but neither would I consider these thirty minutes wasted.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

What is the rush?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - let one's fur down, relax, loosen up (hard for an anxious cat)