mine

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 Dec 2023 - Peeps seem to view eating as a social activity.  Certainly, without an opposable thumb, I need assistance in my meal preparation and delivery... but having another reach into my saucer, share my kibble, is an aggressive act in the cat world.  To defend one's nourishment certainly was a survival trait of my ancestors, with the alpha cat claiming the lion's share.  And those that didn't have sufficient sustenance, didn't survive.  During the past three years, cushy I will admit, I've gained a few pounds but I haven't forgotten those hardscrabble times.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is smart to add "please"

to any request.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrfess, to assert that something is the case (and then act, an anagram of "cat", accordingly)

zooming in

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Dec 2023 - Perhaps you have experienced the same:  having so much on the to-do list that you are rendered lifeless by its sheer weight.  Hopefully the pause resolves itself quickly, as did mine when my brain finally settled on the most pressing issue... and off I trotted to accomplish the task.  If examined closely, this list doesn't contain anything daunting, not even excessively time-consuming.  But when amassed and presented, the expectations can make one feel unable to cope... but we cats bounce back quickly.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You can only do one thing

well at the time.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - concenpurrate, pay purrticular attention to

sound in body

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Dec 2023 - Yesterday I survived yet another strange-peep invasion.  Actually it wasn't so bad... mostly my ears were assaulted by booming unfamiliar voices, but they all stayed sufficiently removed from my safe place that very shortly after the last one retreated, I emerged to ascertain the damages (and to confirm that we were once again just the three of us).  Even so today I feel the need to laze about, to give my body time to release the tension that invariably happens when our domicile is breached.  My brightening mood has also been buoyed by the most welcome return of Mr. Sol... thank you, Bastet.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We are made of sturdy stuff.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - Hercatlean, requiring great will purrer (I'm working on it) 

taste test

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Dec 2023 - Kings have their tasters, so surely the taller peep deserves my vigilance over his meals.  Peep food, at least in this domicile, is very uninteresting to a cat's palate, so I don't have to curb any desire to sample the cuisine.  But the smells draw me in, and provide a means for me to vet what he is about to consume.  It satisfies my need to be of use, and isn't that dissimilar from my job responsibilities.  We cats draw the line at retrieving slippers and/or newspapers, but will proudly exhibit any and all interloper carcasses to the interested.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Each of us has a part to play.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - appurrtite, a cat's culinary favorites

the usual suspects

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Dec 2023 - Sunshine has been scarce of late, but at least the temperatures out there won't freeze my whiskers.  Higher elevation, besides just being inherently more desirable, gives me a longer view of our surroundings, the better to spot advancing interlopers.  Activity these days is mostly confined to beeps, and there is only the occasional crazy individual that throws itself at our domicile... otherwise they are busy with beep business, and seldom require my intervention.  "Quiet on the home front" is a good thing.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is always one.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrific, exceptional and worthy of a cat's attention

in plain sight

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Dec 2023 - I am still searching for hidden gifts (and interlopers)... if I were Santa Cat I would stash the presents in all sorts of out-of-the-way places.  So far I haven't come upon any surprises, but I am rather enjoying the quest.  Besides Mr. Sol seems to be on holiday, so my personal screened porch is not the draw it would otherwise be... I am staying gainfully busy.  The shorter peep tells me that my next big day is when I turn five, but that is still in the distant future... which is alright by me as I thrive in uninteresting times.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is joy in simplicity.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cat-larity, purrcision (we cats nail it)

look at Shamus go

Shamus on view

 

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Dec 2023 - Wake up, you sleepy peep!  Has Santa Cat visited our house??  I didn't hear an intruder, and there is no tell-tale scent, but he could be extra sneaky.  Quick, we need to investigate.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Ho-ho-hope you have

a supurrlative day.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - felinicity, supurreme happiness

steely dance

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Dec 2023 - What I see isn't as dark as what you see, I wager.  And that is very relevant to one who must guard the domicile.  Fault can't be laid... peeps and cats just had different evolutionary tracks, and my ancestors who succeeded in protecting and providing had better night vision.  Those distant shaggy peeps probably spent the dark hours huddled in a cave... a reasonable strategy that paid off.  And yes, I am very aware of that stiff creature behind me.  After numerous inspections I have determined it poses no threat... otherwise I wouldn't turn my back to it (unless I was in full skedaddle).  

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Nature is a no-nonsense teacher.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purrker-faced, seriously intent, giving nothing away (especially not treats)

re-silly-nce

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Dec 2023 - Adaptation is the key to survival:  the outside temperatures are far from warm enough, but I've found that I can tolerate short stays on my personal screened porch... especially if Mr. Sol has put in an appearance.  If the interlopers can stand the chill, then so can I... at least that is what I am telling myself.  Other than the usual traffic, I haven't spotted anything worth mentioning... unless strange peeps count.  My job duties do not include ridding the premises of such large specimens, and my sprint to safety is the warning that someone is approaching.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Read the fine print.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - enpurrance, the feline capacity to survive adverse conditions

oho-ho-ho

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Dec 2023 - You can understand why I love this vantage point:  cats love to look down on the world.  Typically the lower level is empty of peeps, but that is where the taller peep has been hanging out since his much welcomed return.  I'm not sure why, since in the past he favored the uppermost space... but it is probably unreasonable of me to think I could understand a peep's motivations.   Although my night vision is quite good, I do like the extra illumination added by the shorter peep.  Fewer dark corners means fewer hiding places for the interlopers.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Light bulbs are marvelous,

even more so when over the head.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - eurekat, a feline cry of satisfaction (often mistaken for a loud purr)

glad tidings

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Dec 2023 - There is a strange-yet-familiar peep downstairs.  I think it is the taller peep, who has found his way home after many days of absence.  I've made a cautious sweep of the area, which I would not do if he were totally unfamiliar, and the smells suggest that I am right.  It is a relief to have him back.  My patrols are strictly confined to our domicile's interior, so beyond that I can only appeal to Bastet.  Perhaps now the shorter peep's daily disappearance (in search of the wandering fella I presumed) will cease, and we can get back to the comforting rhythm of before.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Some endings are happy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - jupurrlation, feline feelings of joy (it is very subtle)

cut from a different sloth

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Dec 2023 - My work is cut out for me:  there are so many new places for interlopers to hide and hatch their plans.  The concentration required is tiring (surely you don't begrudge me the occasional nap).  But there are long hours when I am the sole domicile occupant, so part of me appreciates any means to occupy the time... nobody wants a bored and unsupervised cat.  I recognize this tendency to express frustration in a destructive fashion, so I try to keep busy and get my beauty rest.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"Idle"-atry gets folks

into trouble.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - impurrsive, dispassionate (except about treats and head pats)

heave-ho-ho-ho

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 December 2023 - If you think that I have batted the pictured baubles, you would be mistaken.  First, I would have to climb atop that table, and I would never admit (or be seen) doing so.  Second, I would have to be completely certain that a swat would not set into motion a disastrous chain of events that could subtract one year from my allotted quantity.  Yes, I am indeed cautious.  Besides, I am quite happy batting around my stuffed meeps when the mood strikes me to be silly.  They are lightweight, prone to catch on my claws (so that I can toss them hither and yon without injuring myself), and are demonstrably harmless.  I practice safe fun.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You get to define festive.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowrry, felinely celebratory