just great

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 Jan 2024 - Late in the day, after access to my personal screened porch has been stopped, I sometimes check on my peeps... if I'm not too tired.  They can often be found up a level, sitting in front of a large black screen.  As often as not it remains black, while they huddle over a board .  Curiosity has compelled me to examine the things that fascinate my two, and I can say that there is nothing here to interest a cat.  I might try to claim a lap, but I prefer my human cushion to be very still... and there is lots of fidgeting when the board is out.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The things that bring us joy

might not be universal.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - exhilpurrate, to excite and make happy (and keep my motor running)

the grand scheme

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Jan 2024 - Here I am, surveying our western flank.  As the day progresses, the temperatures become more tolerable (but far from optimal), and I witness an uptick accordingly in the interloper activity.  That they don't seem to care for cold weather any more than I, supports my decision to do minimal initial rounds.  During the early morning chill I focus on our domicile's interior, and settle for gathering recon through the numerous portals that look out upon our perimeter.  My strategy seems to be working, while minimizing my chance of frostbite.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Think about it.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - tacticats, a plan carefully crafted to achieve a specific end (I'm not just a purrty face)

set one's heart on

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Jan 2024 - Sometimes there is little consolation in being right:  the cool air is back, unfazed by Mr. Sol's attempts to push it back where it came from.  I steel myself for the loop around my personal screened porch.  I will definitely grouse about the hardship, but my rounds must be made or the interlopers will have the advantage.  Since the weather began to falter, I have been expending energy to thicken my fur coat, so I am actually better prepared now to withstand the chill... but my ears and nose and paws still freeze.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The universe doesn't consult

your wish list.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - hungpurr, a strong desire for something that purrobably won't happen

indeed in need

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Jan 2024 - We are all different, but I can't imagine starting the day without breakfast.  The shorter peep agrees with me, but not the taller one.  After a long night, with the only sustenance to be had being a few overlooked kibble in my bowl, I am in need of energy to propel me through the day's work.  And so I arrive at the table, without the need of encouragement or bribes.  Typically I break this initial meal into a few courses, making a round or two before returning to the saucer.  To fully appreciate the flavor and texture one needs to let the food momentarily rest in the mouth, rather than bypass the tongue altogether.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be grateful for the providers.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrpensity, a tendency to act in a purrticular way

of little import

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Jan 2024 - The wiser me knows that this lovely stretch of weather will end (and probably soon says my pessimistic inner voice), so I am concentrating my time out on my personal screened porch.  I detect joy (or perhaps it is emotional transference) in the local interlopers - more chatter, more playful activities.  As long as they keep some distance from our domicile walls, I am allowing them their fun.  And honestly the light-heartedness I'm seeing perks me up, makes me consider a romp through the house... if I can catch a moment when the peeps aren't looking.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Many things get squelched

for seeming silly.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - meownor-league, of lesser significance (except to me-ow)

it's intense

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Jan 2024 - Evidently the shorter peep likes this weather as well, as she has opened some of the portals to the outside world.  There is still a separation between me and out there, but it is quite thin and less muting of my be-gone-interloper glare.  Like my personal screened porch it allows my senses to better gauge what is lurking beyond our walls:  my nose and ears are bombarded with evidence of their presence.  The experience is quite stimulating, and I find myself hustling between the two fronts, not wishing to miss a thing.

 

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Even the quiet life

can be exciting.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - animeowted, full of life (no wonder I need an occasional nap)

chill

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Jan 2024 - Scheduling opportunities doesn't work:  you book some time with the sun... and it goes behind the clouds.  So if the weather begs one to enjoy it, then, without delay, that is exactly what one should do.  My work schedule is very flexible, making it easy for me to insert these pleasures into my day.  Those of you with more fixed lives, can still take a 5-minute walk or simply enjoy the window view.  I can't stress how important it is to de-stress:  prioritize your well-being and grab these moments.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You have my permission

to take a break.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - mitigato, reduce the impact of, allevi-ate the canary

rapt knuckles

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Jan 2024 - I often wait in the wings (and many other places) while the shorter peep catches up.  We run on different schedules, different tempos.  I have learned to use these pauses to good effect, such as studying peep physiology (how do they keep their balance on two appendages?) or planning my day (where should I pop in next?).  I also have been known to enter a deep meditative state (also known as an upright nap).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

A race needs at least

two participants.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - contempurrlative, involving purrlonged thought

levelheaded

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Jan 2024 - Do I blame brain freeze or interloper excitement for my cavorting about my personal screened porch?  Whatever the reason, the madness was temporary, and then I was back to my stolid self.  Actually that brief frenzy was quite fun... and invigorating, so upon my reentry into the house I was relatively warm (don't confuse that with warm).  Maybe I should indulge my inner kitten more often... if I knew exactly what combination of things throws the switch.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Regrets are part of life.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - phlegmeowtic, self-controlled (until I'm not)

second thoughts

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Jan 2024 - Be careful what you ask for!  Typically of a morning I must remind the shorter peep to open my personal portal... which she eventually does.  But then I get a sniff of reality, and it chills my nose hairs.  Yet I must venture out and roust the interlopers, the few that dared leave their warmed spot.  Obviously I am not keen to wade into the cold air.  Even knowing that the walkabout will be over quickly and I can return to a heated environment, doesn't mitigate my reluctance.  I truly hate winter.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Most things aren't fun.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowsgiving, a feeling of appurrhension about the outcome

a plan, Stan

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Jan 2024 - The office is one of the warmer spots in our domicile, so I needed no better reason to pay it a visit.  It had been a while since my last inspection, so there were lots of odd scents that I had to place, but ultimately everything checked out and no interlopers had to be evicted.  A good report doesn't mean that I can now stay away for a lengthy period of time:  unannounced pop-ins are best if one wishes to keep the work staff engaged and the uninvited to a minimum.  I'll be back.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Seldom is once sufficient.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - obstincat, continuing assuredly in a course of action (are you surpurrised?)

kingpin

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Jan 2024 - Perhaps it might surprise you to know how much concentration is required for my work.  The rousting of interlopers is all about the details:  noticing minuscule differences in scenes, catching the slightest movement.  The visual focus can't be done well unless I am stock-still... otherwise it becomes the problem of determining the motion's source.  So I freeze, observe, pounce... typically surprising the ne'er-do-well, which further reenforces the lesson.  There is method in what I do.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Learn from the quiet ones.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cynopurr, the cat that draws the attention (well-earned, I will add)

I wish

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Jan 2024 - I am certain to not like what I find out there on my personal screened porch, but my rounds must be made.  Fortunately not much time has to be spent checking on the interlopers, because they have similar opinions about this weather:  best to hunker down, and hope for improvement.  And despite day after day of these chilly morning temperatures, I remain hopeful that I'll stick my head through that portal and discover a balmy breeze... don't chortle while drinking your coffee.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Reality can be a disappointment.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrlyanna, an excessively cheerful feline (that could hardly be me-ow)