hold that thought

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 May 2023 - The shorter peep said last evening that I've been given a reprieve.  That's a new word for me... I can't even decide if the news is good or bad, so my anxiety level is up.  However, so far, I haven't detected anything out of the ordinary:  we are following the usual routine, I'm still being offered treats, and most telling, I haven't spotted "the bag"... I'm beginning to feel optimistic.  If this pattern continues, I will file "reprieve" in my gray cells as a desirable situation.  Meanwhile I'm steering clear of areas without several exit points.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"Too good to be true"...

what about "too awful to be true"?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - get cat-racking, to act quickly (in my parlance, skedaddle)

drama keen

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 May 2023 - If my vision weren't so good, I wouldn't be so busy.  But if I see something move, however slight, I must check it out.  It seems a little late in the season for bonko beeps to be hurling themselves at the portal, but that in fact was the case.  I gave it my sternest stare, and it moved on... I suppose news of my reputation had reached its ears.  The behavior is strange, but then why should I fully understand the motivations of another species?  Probably an instance of territory defense, and that is how I shall file it in my gray cells.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Emotions are behind

much odd behavior.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - hisstrionics, theatrics (with a good show come treats)

hurry up

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 May 2023 - Have I mentioned that my route involves stairs, many flights of stairs?  I mostly patrol the lower levels of our domicile, the areas of the house closest to interloper access points... but, alas, beeps can fly and leeps can scale  the exterior walls, so there is really no unassailed place... just spots that are more and less likely.  Going up and down steps is good exercise, and sometimes I take them two or three at a time, especially if I'm feeling rushed or full of myself.  Most of these stairs are covered in material that I can easily grab with my claws... good traction when I'm skedaddling.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Once down, it is your

choice to go up.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - scampurr, to run with quick, light steps ("on little cat feet")

charmed I'm sure

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 May 2023 - The recent series of photographs suggest that I spend my days lying about... but I can in fact stand on my own four feet.  The only way to cover my territory is by walking the route, as the interlopers certainly would not agree to parade nicely past my cushioned dais.  Just imagining that spectacle is amusing.  No, I conscientiously make my rounds, cutting no corners, a feature our domicile excels in.  And in between spotting, and rousting, the trespassers, I remind myself that these beautiful views amply compensate for the occasional tired paw.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Ideally there are more

pros than cons.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - lucky mew, a cat that has everything he needs

day and night

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 May 2023 - Any company that you'd want to work for has a break room, an acknowledgment that everyone needs the occasional pause from the matters at hand, a few moments in which to stretch both the mind and the body.  I am not the micromanager sort, which means that ironically there is even more stress in what I do:  like an avid fan, all I can do is offer encouragement from the sidelines (some might yell threats but that's not my style).  So even I need to step away from the desk, from time to time, to repose with a bit of domesticated nature (and try not to spy any interlopers).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The garden of Eden

undoubtedly needed weeding.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - expurrtion, physical engagement (meowre or less)

eeny meeny

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 May 2023 - The shorter peep tells me that we're entering a holiday weekend... you can't tell it around our domicile, just another quiet day in the office.  But having the cubicle to oneself means no distractions, when actual progress can be made.  At the moment my inbox isn't overflowing with pressing matters, so I have the luxury of choosing my task.  Should I juggle some budgetary numbers?  Maybe tackle one of those personnel evaluations (does he warrant a raise)??  With our quickly changing times, perhaps a review of our company's mission??  But first I really need a bath....

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

One must learn to prioritize.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - meowjor league, having status and influence (it helps that I purr)

crow, crow, crow your boast

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 May 2023 - It isn't the shade so much I'm seeking, but the camouflage.  Lying still (not really a problem for a cat past kittenhood) allows me to become part of the plant's shadow, and be virtually invisible to any nearby interloper.  Not being seen is a good thing when one is trying to thwart ne'er-do-wells.  An unexpected plus is when there is dissent among the interlopers:  whether it is a territory dispute or a courtship rivalry, if individuals are mostly interested in the other claimant, I can sidle in, if not unobserved, largely unimportant.  It is foolish of them not to view me as the enemy.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Braggadocio can conceal weakness.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - egotisticat, seeing the world revolve around the household feline

in high regard

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 May 2023 - I don't get to sprawl on this piece of furniture often, because typically it is cluttered with shorter peep stuff.  She can often be found here, feet propped on this cushion, absorbed in whatever she is holding in her hands.  The lap opportunity is just too good, so I often disturb, momentarily, her concentration and join her.  So rapt in her thoughts, she isn't fully aware, at least in my opinion, if she is patting my head or my haunches... but in these matters the thought doesn't have to be present for me to enjoy the tangible consequences.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It truly is gauche to

criticize a gift.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrize, to recognize the value of (as seen through a cat's eyes)

and it comes out here

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 May 2023 - A cat and a peep would not make a tuneful duet.  Each would speak to his/her own species, but the combination would try the ears.  Nonetheless my curiosity kept me hanging around, should the shorter one signal for me to take the lead.  That didn't happen, but I discovered this blockish, not-comfortable-for-naps piece of furniture actually can vibrate with noise.  No, it wasn't coming from my peep... I checked the source, and the sounds were swelling from somewhere inside.  It was a fascinating afternoon.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Never assume you know

what is going on.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowlodious, having a purrleasant sound (all in the ears of the listener)

play it again

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 May 2023 - I'm sure you can understand why I might look slightly cross-eyed in the picture.  This stuffed toy (what is it supposed to be??) is certainly not my favorite, but occasionally I am in the mood to bat it around.  This encounter was prompted by some excess energy on my part, energy that needed to be channeled in ways that would not provoke my peeps... and I was successful, plus I managed several coup-de-grace kicks and swats, all in all a good workout.  Afterwards I was ready to curl up on the bed.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Silly is in the eyes

of the beholder.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - jocatular, humorous, fond of lighthearted play (especially if treats follow)

up in the air

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 May 2023 - Not all noises warrant investigation, but the unexpected or odd sound pricks my ears and summons me to the perceived source.  Frankly these interruptions are not always wanted, especially if I have found the perfect position on a comfy cushion, but rest is impossible until I check out the alarm.  To peer out and spot a squeep or beep is reassuring, in that these interlopers are a known quantity.  What niggles my mind is not seeing the culprit, not understanding the cause.  Then I must remain on hyper-alert, shifting through the background din for other clues.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

No one wants to hear

a bump in the night.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - unpurrdictable, erratic and unforeseeable (I hate that)

nonstop

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 May 2023 - I mostly work remotely, but from time to time I stop by the office... so my peeps will not forget who is the manager.  A cat has great spatial memory, which means that anything "out of place" must be checked out:  why did it move must be ascertained.  In all such cases my nose could only detect familiar peep smells, and our work space was deemed interloper-free... which isn't, alas, an absolute statement.  I must continue to do impromptu visits, walk the perimeter, poke my head into shadowy corners.  Other than naps, I know no rest.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Dust can settle anywhere.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - intermeownable, without end (it's my job security)

au contraire

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 May 2023 - Can you abide one more of me on my personal screened porch?  This series of images does accurately gauge my life of late.  And how often have I revealed my belly?!  The degree to which it is upturned (or tightly wrapped beneath me) could approximate a thermometer.  The world looks very different when one is lying on one's back:  you see the underside of things as well as the far above, angles neglected with the usual head position... which means the possibility of spotting an interloper is large (i.e., I'm still on the job).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Change-up prevents a rut.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowsmatched, showing a discrepancy (keep'em guessing)