way out

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 August 2024 - Just look at that backdrop... Mr. Sol put on a good show yesterday, and I have high hopes for today (although the "high" temperatures aren't high enough for this southerly cat).  But as long as there is abundant sunshine I can't grouse (too much).  While my personal screened deck heats up, I can always find warmth in my personal sun room.  Life is all about adapting to one's circumstances.  But that wouldn't be necessary if things just stopped changing... how likely is that??  On the other paw I really didn't want to remain a zany-brained kit all my life.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

One can get vertigo

from the pace of life.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - comicat, felinely droll

heedful of the...

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Aug 2024 - "Testing the waters" I think should be the caption... obviously I'm not referring to the lake, as only unhappy circumstances could result in my going for a swim.  With circumspect maturity (I have a birthday coming up) I no longer rush onto my favorite deck, but rather wait until an informed opinion is formed:  is it worth risking frostbite to do my interloper patrol?  I have come to realize that if I find the elements uninviting, so do they... which is to say that this morning there is no rush:  I'll give Mr. Sol some time to do his thing.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"Slow down" is good advice.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catful, making sure to avoid potential danger or mishap (one can burn through nine lives purrty quickly)

lukewarm

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Aug 2024 - Mr. Sol has really disappointed me of late:  he has become a slug-a-bed, with our mornings being served right out of the refrigerator.  I can tolerate those nippy temperatures briefly, long enough to make one round of my personal screened deck... but then I need to rewarm my body.  If a peep lap isn't handy, I look for the next best thing:  a spot with its own heat, whether that be from a nearby light source or a microwaved towel.  Here I will toast until my options improve.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It isn't the universe's

job to make you happy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - catalier about, showing a lack of concern (which doesn't mean that I don't care)

boundless

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Aug 2024 - No, I have not been instructed to sit in the corner (woo-hoo that I'm no longer wearing that dunce cap).  Now that Mr. Sol is losing his strength, I am aware of interlopers that would dearly love to come inside.  That is a no-deal, but still I must guard our perimeter from these sneaky little ne'er-do-wells.  I can hear their scritching and pitter-patter on the other side of the portal, but visibility is milky... making my glare more for me than them.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is no end to the

good fight.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrmanent, lasting indefinitely (I'll always have employment)

off the hook

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Aug 2024 - Look, meow, no cone!  You can't possibly imagine my joy when the damnable thing was removed... and stayed removed.  With my head finally free of impediment, I did what any respectable cat would do:  I took a bath!  We cats don't have a well-measured sense of time, but it seems like forever since I could groom my shoulders and chest.  It was a lengthy process to finally feel clean and orderly, but I didn't begrudge any of those licks.  How true that you don't realize how good you've got it until it has vamoosed.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Much can be forgiven

when life is easy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - lipurrty, the ameowzing state of being free

wrong way

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Aug 2024 - Aren't I dishy?!  Although this damnable cone impacts my side vision, it may actually improve my hearing... although not enough to warrant wearing this apparatus a day longer than necessary.  After all I can still detect air vibrations well before my two peeps (they aren't a high bar).  There's nothing like job security, and I enjoy my work.  Who wouldn't look forward to rousting the enemy, for the sake of home and best friends.  My present handicap may actually lure the interlopers into thinking they have the upper hand... purr-loney, I say.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It would be a mistake

to judge by appearances.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - legerdemeow, skillful hiding of the truth (or myself)

carry on

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Aug 2024 - If you are having trouble identifying the cat parts in this picture, place my downward-facing head inside the damnable cone, with tail and hind leg dangling off the perch.  This contorted position is necessary for bathing while wearing the doctor-designed ruff... sufficient evidence I think to guarantee him/her a special ring in Dante's hell.  And forget trying to groom around my ears, chin, and brow!  It is amazing what one can live with and still purr!

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

If you can't beat 'em,

outlive 'em.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - be determeowned, purrsist, despite the obstacles, in a course of action

headstrong

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Aug 2024 - It was sheer obstinacy that kept me out there with the morning fog.  Once I had made my point I retreated inside to my sofa towel to warm my paws and ears... brrrr sums it up.  Soon thereafter, perhaps in sympathy, Mr. Sol appeared on the scene, although he hasn't made much of an impression on the temperatures.  I grant that it is slightly better to have a chilly day with sunshine... one without sunshine hardly warrants getting out of bed.  The interlopers feel similarly, so my rounds can safely be postponed.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

One's mood often correlates

with the thermometer.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - stuppurn, doing what a cat wants to do

looking up

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Aug 2024 - We cats pride ourselves on being graceful... so I waited until no one was watching to try a coned leap to the ledge.  As you can see I was successful, even Mr. Sol beamed down upon me... although he could have upped the temperature a bit more.  Even without the preferred degree of toastiness, I took pleasure in the greenwood view.  Have I mentioned that I am no longer having foreign objects pushed down my throat, nor smelly salves rubbed on my chin?  Life is on the uptick.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Keep thinking positive thoughts.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrglossian, of the view that Bastet wants only the best for her children

steady Eddie

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Aug 2024 - We cats are sure-footed creatures, although I will admit, with this cone on my head, that my balance is a bit off.  Although it weighs very little, even trimmed back, it obscures my peripheral vision.  Whatever the reason, if I give a vigorous shake, the sort that fraps my ears against its surface, I wobble.  If my four legs aren't splayed enough to absorb the momentum, I might ungracefully sit down... one of those oops where it is hard to claim "I meant to do that."

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

No one likes to look foolish.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - equilipurrum, that feline state in which opposing forces are counterpoised

what have we here

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Aug 2024 - Yesterday I paid a pop-visit to the office... and found my two goofing off!  Evidently they had noticed the office manager's absence and removed their noses from the grindstone.  But after years of training they kindly, if not quickly, took my advice and got back to serious work.  Despite the slump in productivity, I am pleased to know that I am indispensable and shall continue to lend my support to the faithful staff.  Even the best of us have been known to wander off into the weeds.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The straight and narrow

often needs embellishment.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrlific, churning out the work (cats need to be kept busy)

comeback

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Aug 2024 - I am pleased to report that the interlopers did not take advantage of my recovery time... maybe they didn't even notice my absence on the personal screened deck??  But I am back now, patrolling the perimeter, reminding the ne'er-do-wells who is boss.  I find now that my head is less heavy, my thoughts clearer... there were days when all I wanted to do was lie around and sleep, even more than usual!  In this picture I am gazing up into the trees, a major entry for those pesky squeeps... but also I am scanning for Mr. Sol.  My day would be even nicer if he graced us with some sunshine.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Each of us has an impact

on the world.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - rehabilicat, the purrocess of restoring a feline to health

hoodwink

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Aug 2024 - Aren't I cute?!  I am not smiling, nor am I grimacing... possibly because I am nestled in the shorter peep's lap.  Earlier pictures of this despicable cone confirm how much the taller peep has trimmed away, but it is still a major aggravation.  "Under construction"?  I don't care for the sound of that, nor the hubris of the one who thought it would be an amusing phrase to scrawl on the cone.  Yes, I am mending, thanks to the fact that we cats are first-rate healers.  Were we not, our ancestors would not have emerged from the have-no-mercy wilds.  Coincidental with my wearing this cone is the absence of crunchy kibble... I do miss my treats.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Appearances are often deceiving.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purr a fast one on, try to outwit the peeps (or at least try)