it's all my vault

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Feb 2024 - What shall we do with our extra day?  Well, for this guard cat, my plans are the same as yesterday's:  roust interlopers, eat, sleep, finagle some head pats.  And I am not complaining... this schedule suits me just fine.  Besides, calendars are a peep invention and peep necessity... we cats are creatures of the moment, so planning for next week isn't something we do.  But I won't be a total wet-blanket:  in honor of this occasional day I plan some just-for-fun skedaddling, some high-speed spin-outs, who knows, perhaps even a leap.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Once in a while

is often enough.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - leappurrog, to jump over obstacles (it is spring after all)

when all else fails

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Feb 2024 - In the first moments of the new day I must make my presence known to the interlopers:  "yes, I see you... back off if you know what's good for you."  My glare seems to be sufficiently adequate, although to suddenly land in their midst would be an even better deterrent (and a whole lot more fun).  My job doesn't really change, only the minutia vary:  which variety of beep will attack the portal today, how many squeeps will chatter just beyond my personal screened porch.  Knowing what to expect is comforting, and allows me to schedule periodic naps without worrying that I'm neglecting my responsibilities.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

No breaks can lead

to a breakdown.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowfunction, a failure to continue in a normal manner (don't neglect your rest)

warmhearted

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Feb 2024 - It is that time of year, weather-wise, when we take two steps forward and one or two steps backward.  But even if arithmetic is a challenge, one can see, taking the long view, that slow progress is being made.  However I can't squelch the grousing on those days when we slide backwards... after all we cats live in the present, and if the current moment is nippy, then I get snippy.  Rather than air my grievances to the peeps, who are likewise chilly, I sit before the oracle and share my thoughts.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We all need someone

who will listen.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - empurrthetic, having the ability to share the feelings of others (we all agree when it's cold)

oh, joy

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Feb 2024 - Lest you think that I am always napping, here I am, otherwise disposed... although my eyes might be closed.  For those of you who have twiddled thumbs in a waiting room, you know my thoughts:  what is the hold-up??  My peeps and I have different agendas, different speeds, so these sidelined moments are not unusual, in fact should be expected... but my challenge is to not get flustered.  And by and large I succeed, mostly because I have learned to use deep-breathing to chill out... if it sounds like a purr, your ears would be mistaken.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Looking at it from the outside, bliss 

and ennui are very similar.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - ecscatic, feeling overwhelming happiness (it just might be the kibble)

in luck

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Feb 2024 - There are divine moments when my life is almost perfect... I say "almost" because perfection is an unreachable concept.  But here I am, relaxed and warm... I want to file this feeling away for those cold, gray, miserable days (and they await us all sooner or later).  If I were being very picky (and notice the if), I would comment that this sunny spot deserves a comfy pillow... and my bowl of kibble could be closer.  However, as a cat's life goes, I rejoice in my good fortune.  Just look at that sharp light:  Mr. Sol truly exceeded himself.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Every now and then

the stars align.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - sitting purretty, favored by good fortune (thank you, Bastet)

nigh Eve

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Feb 2024 - Sometimes, when surveying the world from a portal, I hanker to be out there.  Part of it is in answer to the frustration of always being removed from the interlopers I'm trying to roust, part of it is romanticization of my early life of total freedom.  But this nostalgia for my unrestricted youth is quickly dashed by my practical self:  there were walls then too, and I was on the other side, desirous of punctual meals and comfy cushions to be had within.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Beware the rose-colored glasses.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purrsitive attitude, confident of a successful outcome (and why shouldn't I be?)

at ease

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Feb 2024 - I am finally able to reclaim the shorter peep's lap.  Whereas I had been shunted to one side or farther up or farther down, I now can plop where I choose... happiness eludes a thwarted cat.  The particulars of why are still unclear to me, but I am pleased that life in our abode is returning to the same-old-same-old, a state that warms my heart.  And although we are enjoying a good deal of Mr. Sol's benevolence, I am still having to seek heat supplements... of which laps are a good (and friendly) source.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Change, alas, is a given.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - unbothpurred, meowvelously untroubled

wise beyond years

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Feb 2024 - Although it may look like I'm napping, we cats often do serious thinking with our eyes closed.  With stimuli so minimized, I can focus deeply on the problem at hand, e.g., a pesky won't-give-it-up interloper... what should be my next course of action?  Occasionally I will assess my life:  am I where I want to be at the respectable age of 4.5 years?  do my goals need revision?  And if an air of contentment is detected in this photograph, you can assume that all is good.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't shy away from

the hard questions.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - illumeownation, feline insight (no third eye required)

oops

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Feb 2024 - We all do things occasionally that are not in our best interests.  Some happen without our thinking about it, a reflex action perhaps... such as in the photograph to the right.  I would have remained perfectly unnoticed, but as the shorter peep walked past I couldn't help raising my head to confirm my suspicions.  My cover was blown!  The stakes were low, and I was able to continue my nap... but I was a tad aggravated with myself making that unconsidered act.  It is hard to buck one's instincts.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We like to think that

we're rational creatures.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purriscope, a cat's means of observing things that are otherwise out of sight

me, myself, and I

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Feb 2024 - Yes, I am quite cozy... and hidden from the traffic corridor, I am undisturbed as well.  Cats favor tucked-away spots, an expression of our comfortable independence.  They are great for those longer naps that sometimes are necessary (the shorter peep and I had a contest yesterday, and I won).  And even if a nap isn't the goal, the reduction of stimuli allows me to relax... rousting interlopers, although satisfying, does elevate my stress levels.  So you take yourself elsewhere and I'll focus on me-time.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Know what you need.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - mapurrick, an independent-minded feline (am I being redundant?)

prone

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Feb 2024 - This side view documents how long my body actually is.  From the front, or a seated position, I don't look like a feline limousine.  Just imagine the impact if I were too suddenly walk about on my hind legs!  (Don't worry, it's not going to happen.)  I was in the midst of a feels-so-good stretch when the shorter peep disturbed my thoughts.  Sometimes I even add a quick roll-over to the stretch... just because I can (and because the out-of-control sensation no longer startles me).  Maybe I'm just showing off?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Keep the brain and

body elastic.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

figure of the day - St. Purrtrude, the patron saint of cats

gee swizz

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Feb 2024 - Living in a peep's world requires a different set of preconceptions.  Having walked every inch of our abode multiple times, I am certain that I am the only feline resident.  And my nose hasn't tipped me off to a catty interloper... yet my eyes are registering otherwise.  I am not sure what to make of this fellow... he looks calm, maybe even uninterested in claiming my territory, in setting himself up as the local monarch.  It is an irksome development, but I will ignore him for now... in hopes that he'll wander over to the neighbor's house.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Cons are getting more

and more sophisticated.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - buncat, a not-nice trick played on a feline

window of opportunity

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 Feb 2024 - Just look at that sharp light... and on this side of the portal quite warm.  Is it any wonder why I might be taking advantage of this sunny spot?  Several times a day the shorter peep plops down on this bed, and engages in odd-for-her movements.  Curiosity compels me to keep an eye on her, if only to deduce what exactly she is doing.  The positive side to this development is that her lap is teasingly available (but still not conducive for a nap).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't wait for a

second invitation.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - grab the meowment, to take advantage of something before it is gone (I'm no dummy)