all bluster

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 Aug 2023 - An inside job would be rather boring... dry, safe, predictable, but boring.  I can tolerate a quick dose of inclement weather, dashing out to check interloper activity, dashing back with cold paws, possibly a wet coat.  But what I remember most favorably, and keeps me asking to go outdoors, is the bright colors, the enveloping warmth, all thanks to Mr. Sol.  Right now there is a struggle between him and heavy clouds, but I'm betting that he will, if not prevail, be a welcomed in-and-out visitor.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be happy when nice things happen.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - tempurrstuous, possessing turbulent qualities (tugged between tamed and wild)

it's unclear

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Aug 2023 - The detection of motion doesn't require keen eyesight, and is often first noticed in one's peripheral vision.  The millennia have fine-tuned the survival skills of earth's occupants, and that cats and peeps are still around is a testament to our ancestors who had the right stuff.  Whatever these sunroom portals are made of definitely blurs my view, yet I am still aware of interloper traffic on our southern flank, especially the zigzagging of squeeps and cheep-meeps.  It is doubtful my warning glares have much effect through this milky curtain, but at least I can keep an eye on the varmints.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Our best try will have to do.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowsterious, purrposefully concealed

buy a clue

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Aug 2023 - When you are on the small side, you must watch out for the big guys... because they can be oblivious of your presence (unless they fancy you as their next meal).  My two peeps sometimes wander about the domicile, lost in thought, heads full of the past or absorbed in plans.  For me to pause in a major thoroughfare is dangerous for us both, so I try to do my bathing and cogitating in places where feet won't trod... such as a comfy chair or out-of-the-way nook.  A cat who is a slow learner, Bastet help us, quickly runs through his allotted life cycles.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It pays to pay attention.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catnizant, aware of, on top of (or underneath)

fear less

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 August 2023 - At a fraction of my weight and size, surely this squeep knows who is boss in these parts.  But his cheekiness can still be its undoing... so I will keep a sharp eye on its movements.  Its primary motivation (second would be annoying me) is scarfing down the food intended for the beeps.  I have no interest in the black seeds, and I don't really care what ingests them... but I am aware that my two peeps would rather the littlest interlopers had their fill, which is sufficient reason for me to keep this guy off my deck and far away from the feeder.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is hard not to be

partial to cuteness.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - audaskitty, bold daring (but if it's an interloper, plain silly)

down in the sump

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Aug 2023 - I have many things to be grateful for, and hunkered down by weather I am most thankful for a roof that keeps the rain off our heads.  How much more wretched I would be, peering out from under a bush, my fur plastered to my body, droplets running down my face.  So life isn't one big grouse, although I have registered, with whoever is listening, numerous complaints.  Likewise my peeps are holed up, and for me that means more lap opportunities, more sharing of body heat.  We will manage (I wish I liked chocolate).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Misery loves an audience.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrlorn, alone in the universe (in the big picture three is not a crowd)

you're killing me

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Aug 2023 - Sometimes one should take the grousing outside.  It was an act of desperation that sent me onto the deck this morning, but it wasn't a fit day for meep nor beep... so I didn't stay long, just long enough to take the pulse of the soggy interlopers.  Who/what would choose to stage an assault in this weather??  To burn off all my pent energy I'll have to do vigorous indoor laps... which for some reason always makes my two peeps laugh.  But most of the time they are far too somber, so I don't mind if they find me occasionally silly... "you're very welcome."

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The universe has a perverse

sense of humor.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - uppurrious, rollicking and boisterous (the peeps might say rowdy)

tunnel vision

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Aug 2023 - The deck is in shadow, as am I:  Mr. Sol is ending his day.  But my commendations to a job well done, as I was able to patrol all my routes with minimal complaints about the weather (I am a cat after all).  Having pushed back the interlopers assailing our eastern front, I can now give most of my attention to the domicile interior.  With these cooler temperatures, these shifty sorts are hoping to squat in an unnoticed corner:  a hissy HA to that thought.  I know their ways, even their ambitions, and will be poking my head into all the places ideal for a ne'er-do-well lair.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It pays to know the enemy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrow, an animal's dwelling (my den has cushions)

consider the lily-livered

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Aug 2023 - Only my nose may be outside, but I'm still on the job.  This morning is a slight improvement over yesterday, but it remains suboptimal...c'est la vie.  An increase in lake traffic and the appearance at the feeder of some large, sassy beeps kept my anxiety level high... another reason why I am where I am.  The shorter peep, perhaps as encouragement, lingered on my personal deck, a pair of black cylinders held to her face.  Is she spying on the neighbors, checking barometric pressure, measuring the lake's width??  Whatever she was up to, the day continued without notice.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Dashing headlong is being

reckless with your head.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - hypurrventilate, become overexcited (not without good cause)

a difference of degrees

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Aug 2023 - My shadow is sticking close this morning... it is still a bit nippy out there on my personal deck (I do hope this northerly turn is a weather anomaly).  I would be much grumpier without the happiness-inducing sunshine.  Eye-popping colors and sharp edges are praise-worthy, but I still miss the warmth.  So I will mostly be house-bound today, keeping an eye on the interlopers through several layers of glass... and earnestly hoping that the ne'er-do-wells don't figure out it's nicer inside our domicile.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It isn't smart to call attention

to your advantages.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrferable, more desirable (but is Bastet listening?)

head weigh

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Aug 2023 - You get one guess as to why, with the deck door ajar, I am sitting here.  I have been out there already this morning, but after lifting a wet nose into the wind, I decided that I would wait inside for things to warm up.  I can't fault Mr. Sol:  he is doing his brilliant best, but the northerly breeze is whistling around my ears and ruffling my coat... no thanks!  Even the interlopers are hunkered down, lest they get blown off course or tumbled into the lake.  The mere thought of being sopping wet and forced to remain in the chill makes me shiver.  I'll just tuck my legs under the body, wrap my tail around the package, and think sunny thoughts.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Progress always involves

losing ground.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - advancemeownt, forward movement toward one's destination (fur-ustratingly slow)

finding the truth

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Aug 2023 - Cats are known, even represented, by their curiosity.  So I find it very apt that my fifth appendage should take the form of a question mark.  It is our need to know that sometimes gets us into trouble... because answers often require field work, and the wide world has its share of shifty interlopers.  So my senses stay on alert, and I'm always ready to sprint and dodge if warranted.  It isn't just excess energy that has me galloping through our domicile:  to effectively pursue the bad guys (and evade their retribution) I must be in top physical form.  By the way, those are muscles rippling under my coat.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Acceleration is exciting.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - vocattion, suitability for a purrticular career (did the job pick me?)

breaking out

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Aug 2023 - Basking in a day of sunshine, I am already forgetting those gray blah days of the past... funny how the mind works.  There are those who cling to the negative, seemingly delighted in the suboptimal and all the associated setbacks and discomfort.  Me, I'd rather enjoy the moment of joy, of well-being... knowing all too well its ephemeral nature.  Why spoil the gift by dwelling on its cost or its fragility?  I wasn't the only one yesterday celebrating the glorious return of Mr. Sol:  the feeder had many visitors, and the lake zipped with peep activity.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Tend that little flame of hope.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrittle, easily shattered (from dreams to that purrcarious vase)

right as rain

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Aug 2023 - The shorter peep surprised me yesterday:  she took a nap!  I realize that most of the time I am the one snoozing, or so this series of pictured entries would suggest.  It was an afternoon made for shut-eye - cool, rainy, gray.  Naturally I accompanied her... after all, I didn't want her sleep disturbed by interlopers, and perhaps some point in the future she will remember this camaraderie and join me when I curl up for a snooze.  It would do her body good... just look what a fine specimen I am, thanks in part to adequate sleep.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't neglect Mr. Sandman.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - in the purrink, flourishing, the picture of health (see above)