work out

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 Mar 2023 - The shorter peep has captured the essence of a cat... and who wouldn't recognize that silhouette?  After years of having my picture taken, I don't even blink, continuing my train of thought or course of action without the irritation of interruption.  With interlopers one can't stick to a detailed plan, so first thing in the morning I compose a broad-stroke strategy for the day... mainly deciding the order of my route (you know, keep'em guessing).  So here I sit, about to embark on my circuit, preparing to handle whatever the world throws our way.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

A little forethought can save

wear and tear on the thinker.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - formeowlate, meowthodically devise a plan of attack (no seat-of-the-pants for me)

the day yawns

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Mar 2023 - My job starts early, well before either of my peeps stir.  But I don't mind these pre-dawn hours... my species is wired for it, and besides I have numerous naps to look forward to.  There are interlopers that take advantage of this quiet time to encroach on the domicile, and I need to rebuff them before entrenchments are dug.  So I make my rounds, peer out the portals to gauge how busy a day I'll have.  And shortly thereafter I am aware of the shorter peep's awakening, and I trot in to see if I can be of further help in getting this morning off to a good start.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

One individual's navy blue

is another's ebony.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowning purrson, the standard-issue cat that greets the sun

the nerve

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Mar 2023 - What is going on behind the curtain?  I am keeping an eye on two interlopers that are noshing on seeds not intended for their consumption.  But they are cheeky little creatures... even my glares are ignored.  They are confident that I'll remain on this side of the portal, a definite snarl in my strategy to protect the domicile.  However, their threat level is low, just hugely aggravating, so I repeatedly wish their front incisors to fall out and summarily curse their offspring... the long view of guardianship.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The goal is to outlive

your enemies.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - expurrt, a cat who's good at his job (which accounts for 99.9% of us)

charge it

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Mar 2023 - All my grousing about the weather seems a distant memory.  Like a stick of butter left out on the counter, Mr. Sol has softened my bones and my brain cells.  What could be better than a work break spent stretched on a chaise longue?  I have the best job, one totally self-directed with large swaths of time spent outdoors.  I say "self-directed" but of course my responsibilities reflect interloper activity:  during a busy time of assault, I am on the front-line without relief.  My peeps can rest assured that if I'm resting the bad guys have been turned away.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Easy does it.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - take a purreak, pause in order to recover from life's stresses (yes, meow-ma'am)

rise to the occasion

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Mar 2023 - What is it about a post-nap stretch that feels so marvelous?  To sense one's muscles quiver with energy prods the heart into action, and I'm ready to face the next onslaught of interlopers.  My job doesn't grow old, but it can be wearying, especially if one sees no progress:  one ne'er-do-well is dispatched, yet another takes its place.  If I were to allow my thoughts to dwell on the seeming futility, I would see no point in rising from my bed.  Rather than be trapped in that black mire, I concentrate on my peeps, and my keeping them and our domicile safe from harm.  Then I have purpose... and we all need that.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Go forth and do good.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowtivation, the desire to fulfill my cat-ly role

be-fore thought

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Mar 2023 - Some days one can't be too cautious.  So if putting a second roof over your head seems like the smart thing to do, I say "do it".  Fallout has many sources:  ill-chosen words, clumsy behavior, shedding trees.  Some of these causes we have little control over (others might be due to poor self-control), so in these cases the only course of action is a prudent reaction.  Here I patiently sit, waiting for the all-clear... or a handful of grey cells communicating "let's check on the interlopers".

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Silly is in the eyes

of the beholder.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - well catvised, acting with care and good sense (of which I have bushels)

who goes there?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Mar 2023 - There is something pawing at our roof... and this is literally well-above my pay grade.  But I can try sending out subliminal "shoo" messages, a loud "no trespassing" thought directed upward at the interloper.  From the scratchy sound I can't discern what manner of creature it is... not so very large, perhaps a beep or leep scrounging for lunch.  And if their repast happens to also be a ne'er-do-well, then at least they have proven to be useful... not that I would ever enlist one of them as my assistant.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Help can come from

unexpected places.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - extrasensory purrception, one of a cat's purranormal abilities

'cause I'm happy

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Mar 2023 - My two peeps have commented that I've been acting goofy of late.  "Sticks and stones" I say... this weather brings out the kit in me, and why shouldn't I rejoice at Mr. Sol's glorious return?  Life isn't perfect, as my screened porch is still coated in yellow and an unseen-but-certainly-heard neighborhood creature gratingly yodels throughout the day... if there was any justice in the world, it would contract terminal laryngitis.  But I don't want to spoil my good mood:  bring on the heat... I am so ready.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is always warm and

inviting in the kitchen.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - raptpurrous, feeling great contentment (unfortunately not a purrmanent condition)

play on woods

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Mar 2023 - The beeps are keeping me busy!  From every portal and from my screened porch, I can eavesdrop on their busy lives.  My presence agitates them, other beeps agitate them, even their reflections agitate them... they need to chill.  It is all very entertaining, but I keep expecting one of them to spasm and flutter to the earth, a casualty of stress.  Prolonged tension will shorten your life, you know, and even with the promise of multiple cycles, I have no desire to squander my allotted time.  My regimen of naps is probably the butt of peep jokes, but on the other hand laughing is good for you.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The shepherd needs

tending as well.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - kitticism, something said or done to cause ameowsment

I take exception

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Mar 2023 - Some mornings the world is so bright you're forced to squint.  And perhaps you've noticed that a cat's pupils are vertical slits (i.e., differently shaped from the eyes of a peep,), that like a peep's widen into circles when the light is dim.  But sharp sunshine means that Mr. Sol is hard at working, making the world an easier place to live.  The shorter one tells me that many, many cat cycles ago, the earth was nigh frozen with ice pushing down into what had been temperate zones... I do hope that my life span doesn't include such an event, as I would be beyond miserable.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Tolerable is alas a small

part of the weather spectrum.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - run-of-the-meowl, not exceptional (but adecat)

don't be pushy

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Mar 2023 - To balance out all the recent talk of napping I wanted to share this action picture:  here I am on the job, surveying our southern flank, the site of the feep pond (I only know of them by flash of color) and a popular stopping-point for interlopers.  The larger variety mostly wait until the safety of darkness to approach, but the beeps and leeps can be seen out this portal throughout the day.  Often I've had to confront a more audacious leep that wished to sashay across the portal... I can't abide nervy.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is always one who

wants to test the boundaries.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - asspurrtive, on the offensive (fine for me, frowned upon otherwise)

middle ground

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Mar 2023 - My screened porch is the best, and our weather is slowly improving so that I can be out there for long stretches.  Notice that, when this photograph was taken, I still needed to tuck the paws under... but I remain hopeful that Mr. Sol will make a full recovery.  Even the shorter peep is joining me now for her midday meal, secondary evidence that we're well along into spring.  A little farther along would be appreciated by me, as I'm feeling a tad nauseous from grooming all this yellow dust from my fur.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Some days try, and

some are simply trying.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - fair-to-meowling, not so hot (but then I like it toasty)

retirement

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Mar 2023 - There's nothing better than evening lap-time, if only because it is a preview of the night ahead.  My two peeps aren't house-bound, so this enjoyable pastime isn't a nightly occurrence... but when the shorter peep is home and evidence of the final meal has been dealt with, then we will meet up for head pats and chin scratches.  And in return I purr her a feline feel-good song, to ease away any stress she may have accumulated during the day.  She seems to like my sotto voce renditions... at least she continues to show up, although I may do a bit of coaxing.  Without pockets, and hence without pocket change, I am incapable of bribes.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Taking time for ease is

highly recommended.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowdest, unassuming (but nonetheless hopeful)