in the clouds

Shamus on view

 Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Sep 2023 - I suppose I dream, at least my peeps have observed my limbs twitching as if in response to some internalized scene.  I would like to think that I am in hot pursuit of a wily interloper, perhaps the large, saucy beep that screeches to its mates.  It is a greedy Gus, perching among the seeds and gobbling them down... without even chewing, I  will add.  I made this observation as I hunkered beneath a piece of deck furniture.  It seemed wise to keep a low profile while it was about.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Ne'er-do-wells also have

bad manners.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - rumeownate, to mentally chew the cud (don't swallow whole everything you hear)

lodging a complaint

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Sep 2023 - It isn't that I'm a slow learner... I just don't want to admit that an undesirable situation is in fact the reality.  For example, I see lots of sunshine, so I wish to conclude that summery temperatures await me out on my personal deck.  Nope, the presence of Mr. Sol doesn't guarantee warmth... sometimes but not always.  As a black-and-white cat I really don't like these shades-of-gray possibilities.  I could try beseeching Bastet, but to a deity my concerns are small kibble.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Grousing is understandable.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - dissatisCATion, annoyance about something (as if someone is listening)

unfazed

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Sep 2023 - One sure way to lose one's balance is to have that thought.  We cats have an abundance of self-confidence, and so it would never occur to us that we might fall off a windowsill or ledge.  As you can surmise from the photograph, the width of this armrest is sufficient for my perch, and so naturally that is what I do.  But sometimes gravity does get the better of us, and we discover ourselves in transit to the floor.  And that attitude of "I meant to do that" is exactly what crosses our minds.  It had to be intentional, maybe even unconscious... because, as I said earlier, we don't lose our balance.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Believe in yourself.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrsitive, without doubt, optimeowstic

on the other hand

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Sep 2023 - We cats reserve the right to change our minds... and do on occasion, as long as it is our idea.  Last evening I faced southeast, tonight I face northwest, and only my peeps think it worth remarking upon.  Obviously for my job I am more interested in scoping out the entire room, and although I don't mind the comfort of a rut, for my profession I must mix things up.  And no, I haven't gained weight here in the hinterland:  it is the perspective, and the fact that I've fluffed up the fur in an effort to stay warm.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You might be surprised to

learn what is behind you.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - dissimeowlar, unalike (we like to think "distinct")

for most

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Sep 2023 - My peeps have numerous theories as to why I took myself to one end of the sofa and turned my back to them.  My response to all the conjecture is that they put a lot of mental effort into something that just happened, with little thought on my part.  Besides they were caught up in some game, and were not giving me full attention... so why can't I wander off and stare at the wall?  (for answers to life's questions?)  Quite coincidentally I discovered a chin rest that held my head up with no effort on my part.  Alas, it wasn't the ideal height, further evidence that the world doesn't conform itself to my needs.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is hard to maintain

the illusion of importance.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - significat, worthy of attention (at least I think so)

open to suggestion

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Sep 2023 - Surrounded by warm colors, one might think I'd be warmer... but I'm not.  But Mr. Sol is above the horizon, and bearing down on the earth... so I must bide my time until his light heats this space up.  At least here in my personal sun room, I am sheltered from the chilling wind.  I can look out upon the shuddering leaves and hunkered interlopers, and thank Bastet for these walls and roof that keep out all manner of undesirable things.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

To be exposed is to

feel vulnerable.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - unpurrtected, at risk of attack or harm (weather is a fur-midable adversary)

slow burn

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Sep 2023 - Have you noticed the nights are getting longer?  I can sleep anytime of the day, but my two peeps rarely lie down when the sun is up... to each his own.  These shortened periods of sunshine are evident in the domicile's ambient temperature, so my mornings feature lots of waiting... because who wants to paddle around in the chill?  And once I have warmed my cushy spot, and have finely achieved the perfect wrap of tail around nose and paws, I am loathe to leave.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

A glacial pace seems to be the norm.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purlodding, uneventful (and rather dull, even though I like dull)

warm thoughts

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Sep 2023 - My peeps have somehow managed (coaxed, trapped?) a Mr. Sol representative into the black box.  Its presence isn't constant, but when it is resident, the change in the room is palpable.  I have narrowed my favorite napping spots to those in the immediate area, where I can enjoy being toasty with little effort on my part.  Evidently the peeps think similarly, as we often find ourselves together when the black box is glowing.  As you know, I sorely miss the sultry offerings of my southern domicile... but for whatever reason, it is only here that we have a block box.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Whoever invented fire deserves

the Molten Globe Award.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - sumpurry, offering comfortable temperatures (the purrticulars varying with the individual)

a clawed existence

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Sep 2023 - The design of a cat is exemplary, an amazing realization of form to function... but even so, I wish for an opposable thumb.  It is true that I could hook that unobliging pillow with a claw and drag it towards me... but the act is so imprecise, the detachment of talon an inexact science.  How much more satisfying, and useful, would it be to reach across, grasp the desired thing, pull it over my haunches like peeps would do a blanket, and settle in for a toasty nap.  I have envisioned the very thing in my dreams, but am no closer in reality.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We must live with our imperfections.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

quote of the day - "The fault, dear Meowtus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves...."

warm thoughts

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Sep 2023 - Looks can be deceiving:  Mr. Sol is bearing down upon my personal deck, but it is still not an acceptable temperature!  These days I must slip out, do my patrol, glare at a few sassy interlopers, and scurry back inside to warm up my paws.  I am most grateful that the organization and schedule of my work is at my discretion, allowing me to adapt to the weather.  My sympathies are with my kind who are strictly outdoor workers... may they be given an easier assignment in the next life.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be kind to your fellow beings.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - compurrsionate, feeling concern for others, caring (without getting mushy)

on the face of it

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Sep 2023 - In some ways it is disappointing to realize that one can survive suboptimal conditions.  I would much rather thrive in my definition of utopia, but it doesn't seem to exist except in my dreams.  In the bigger picture it is more important to persist, yet for the individual a toll is taken.  Zoomed out, seeing our domicile as a speck among countless others, the interlopers disappear from view.  However I know full well this picture is false, and misrepresents our lives.  So scaled our troubles, even our enemies, are insignificant.  This conclusion brings me little comfort.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is pain and disappointment

in the trenches.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - impurrcise, faulty and distorted (who is telling my story anyway?)

don't delay

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Sep 2023 - It seems, especially on quiet mornings, that my life is filled with waiting:  biding my time for the shorter peep to sit and dole out my morning treats, for Mr. Sol to banish the whiteness over the lake, for my wished-for return to southerly heat.  I can't honestly say that these frustrations are building my character, but then I can't take an objective view of myself.  I suppose if change happened as quickly as in theory we would like, there would be great pushback and clamor and protest... however this glacial pace is very discouraging.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Good things come to those

who wait?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - hampurr, to impede or hold up a cat's plans

the mod(ify) squad

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Sep 2023 - Look at all those sharp lines... and then there is soft, curvaceous me.  The pictured spot is my newest cushy nap place.  Far from the domain of my peeps, I don't use the space very often... just enough to prevent the lapsing of my claim.  Now that Mr. Sol is weakening, I much prefer a heated lap, but one can't always have what one wants ("why not?" is the subject for another time).  The key to surviving change (as if stasis is even an option) is to adapt.  Having to change our beloved habits is the primary reason we cats grouse.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Gaze on the bright side

(there are creepy-crawlers underneath).

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - remeowdel, to refashion to one's purrpose