thorough breed

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Feb 2023 - An overlooked spot is a spot to be exploited by interlopers.  So it is that my job takes me to "unusual" places, where my peeps would never think to look.  Their great height biases them to scan far above ground-level, and they completely overlook the low-lying nooks and crannies.  Fortunately for our domicile, I see the world from an elevation of twelve inches.  The underside of furniture does not stress my imagination nor my knees, and is a routine part of my daily route.  The only way to beat the interlopers is to walk the beat... I wonder how many steps I take in the course of my day.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There are some corners

that shouldn't be cut.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - inpusstrious, diligent and hard-working (when I'm working, that is)

standard form

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Feb 2023 - I sport a few pink spots in my otherwise black-and-white demeanor.  The nose and inner ears are easily noticed by the general public, but only a select few get a view of my paw pads.  And through no planning on my part, one of them is dark.. not a bruise, just the way I was issued.  These cushions are the reason we cats can walk so silently, and the lack of fur on these surfaces gives us a tactile surface as well as a grip when we skedaddle.  However, when the floor is chilly, so are my paws.  I almost envy the peeps' socks... almost.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Accept who you are.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - customeowry, typical, ordinary in a good feline way

tuned in

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Feb 2023 - My head is up, my eyes are open, so this doesn't count as napping.  Did you know that a cat has mechanoreceptors in his belly muscles?  Me neither, but so says the shorter peep.  It isn't known what use my kind make of these abdominal sensors (evidently we aren't cooperative study subjects), but it is hypothesized that they might pick up ground vibrations!  Hah, I knew you were trying to sneak up on me.  Anyway, the thinking continues that our tendency to lie with our bellies pressed to the surface might just be another way of "listening".

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Each of us is amazing

and ordinary.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cattuned to, quick to notice slight changes (my skedaddle alert)

dependent claws

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Feb 2023 - A quick patrol of my screened porch and then noshing on treats... it's a great way to start the morning.  And of course none of this niceness would happen were it not for the shorter peep, who opens my porch portal and opens the kibble bag.  Cats don't like to admit reliance upon another, but there it is.  Truthfully my life would shuffle along without access to my screened porch and treats, but how much shabbier would be that existence!  I very faintly recall (and these are not fond memories) making it on my own, and at no time was hardscrabble served with a silver spoon.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is okay to accept

others into your inner circle.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - empurrloyment, securing the necessities of a cat's life (the rest is easy)

whiz kit

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Feb 2023 - Cats have the ability to turn themselves into a pretzel... which is very handy when the lower back needs to be washed or gets itchy.  I suspect my peeps' marveling means that they wish for a more flexible spine... but in the cosmic turnabout I envy their opposable thumbs.  How typical it is to wish for something we don't have, rather than applaud the amazing talents we each possess.  Of course I take for granted the ability to contort myself into a knot... I've always been able to do it (but opposable thumbs would be awesome).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The familiar is easily overlooked.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purragon, that cat who is a model of cathood

don't give up

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Feb 2023 - I do think that Mr. Sol is rising earlier these days... perhaps he is over his slump, and is once again enthusiastic about his work.  Whatever the motivation for this change in behavior, I am grateful and applaud his effort.  We have all experienced doldrum days, the sort of thing that one can only best by outlasting.  Certainly I would prefer sleeping through the too-chilly weather (and do in fact log a lot of nap time) but our household depends upon me:  up and at 'em.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Life is a series of

hills and valleys.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purrlug away, continue in a course of action, put one paw in front of the other

the mute button

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Feb 2023 - As thrones go, this one is not ostentatious or even regal... but then it would take attention away from moi.  I'm quite happy with its comfortableness (and with the fact that I don't have to share my seat).  It is enough that I reign in our domicile... but with a gentle paw.  Look at that puss, it is not the face of a tyrant... especially when a loud "boo" will send me skedaddling.  By choice my kingdom is quiet and sparsely populated... just the way I like it.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Please don't assault my ears.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - whispurr, speak softly and purrivately

blind spot

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Feb 2023 - I love mornings:  everything is so fresh-looking, revitalized (even the interlopers).  And I get to anticipate the slow accumulation of Mr. Sol's benevolence, the gradual heating up of the day to near-perfection, at least to my way of thinking.  Meanwhile, something came by pre-dawn and wrenched open the cache of beep seeds... I only know of this development because of the shorter peep's comment.  I must have been elsewhere, and elsewhere could include dreamland.  Regardless, it didn't breach the walls of our domicile and eventually (evidently) wandered elsewhere, so I am taking credit for a job well done.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

My reality won't necessarily

jive with yours.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - unobspurrvant, in the dark (even so my eyesight is better than yours)

dunce look

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Feb 2023 - Who cares if I'm not totally hidden by the curtain!  If I truly didn't want to be found, I would take myself to the really secret spot (and no, I'm not saying where that is).  I slip behind this billowy screen only when a peep can witness the act and be teased into playing.  And that is what they do (I know which peep button to push), pulling my tail or rolling a toy nearby in hopes that I'll grab it.  As the sole resident cat, I look to my two when I want a romp... and it's good for them as well.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Occasional silliness is

encouraged.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - schleppurr, a cat that acts (in contrast to is) the fool

spit polished

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Feb 2023 - I do quite a bit of waiting:  waiting for an interloper to show itself, waiting for a peep to open my portal (to dole treats, to answer my summons).  Since I don't have thumbs to twiddle, I occupy myself with things that aren't tied to a particular place or time... such as tidying my fur.  A cat can spend a large portion of the day maintaining a proper coat (it can rival naps), but I have numerous job responsibilities as well... so I grab a moment here and there to clean and sleek.  Nothing looks worse than a dusty, speckled tuxedo.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There are tens of thousands

of seconds in the day.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - lustpurrous, glossy and shining (my purrferred look)

in kind

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Feb 2023 - Often the shorter peep and I meet after the evening meal for some together-time.  She scratches my ears, rubs my belly, strokes my head.  In return I purr.  You might think that I'm receiving the bigger end of the stick, but these moments are very relaxing for her (cats know these things).  Besides, she continues to show up, so that says volumes.  Obviously there are numerous pleasant reasons why I join her, without having to meticulously measure each of our benefits.  Emotional perks are difficult to quantify:  our arrangement suits both of us, and I'll just leave it at that.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Having a friend can

come in handy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - recat, respond to peep attention

control panel

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 Feb 2023 - The jungle cat stealthily makes his way, always on the trail of interlopers.  I am only occasionally given access to this space, but it is fun/exciting to explore.  Although this picture doesn't document the elevation of my perch, it is the farthest up of anything in our domicile (at least that I'm aware of... there could be other unexplored places)... which just adds to its allure.  It is evidently off the beaten path of ne'er-do-wells as well, as I noticed very little activity... just one tiny leep that I deemed inconsequential (and inaccessible from where I was).  At moments like this I wish I could roar.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Responsibilities eat up

time and energy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - unpurroken, purrtending to be wild and free (I remember those scary days)

tickled black & white

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

16 Feb 2023 - We cats can be a bit of a mystery (and I admit that my species likes to capitalize upon its enigmatic reputation):  what are we thinking?  what are we feeling?  Well, this picture needs no explanatory caption:  I am in my earthly heaven!  It is rather amazing (and I must remember the quickness of this reversal for the next time I'm grousing) how, in the blink of my eye,  I flipped from chilly to just right.  Of course "just right" is worth a celebration... we all need to recognize the wonder and serendipity of joy.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is a real marvel

when our stars align.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - be in me-awe, filled with amazement (and it's hard to impurress a cat)