around the bend

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Nov 2024 - That is a serious arch... and not the usual one associated with a cat.  It feels so good to stretch my body, from ears to tail, that I do it several times a day.  I highly recommend the pose... just pick a surface that will support your weight, because one really needs to push into the flexion.  Gravity alone won't achieve the pictured curve, and not every body will achieve the same result (it is not a competition).    But the benefits can be had, even if your spine is quite stiff...  I suspect for you the benefits of such exercise are even greater.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The body is a temple,

but even a temple needs maintenance.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrlastic, easily shaped, stretchy (just don't pull my tail)

what have we here

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Nov 2024 - There is a new area to patrol, up where my two peeps sit in front of a large black panel.  Upon an initial inspection it offered many items to sniff, a myriad of odd smells to process... but nothing that darted and tried to hide.  The lack of interlopers moves it to the edge of my concerns, but another visit is called for, lest my first impression be misleading.  Its elevation grabs my cat attention.. a comfy cushion would enhance its appeal even more.  Generally I don't care for busy surfaces... too much can go wrong, but offered the right pillow I could make an exception.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

No situation is ideal.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrtherance, the sometimes sneaky advancement of a plan (not moi)

the brains behind

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Nov 2024 - This particular office nook isn't one that is usually noticed.  Tucked under the desktop, the foot rest is claimed by the shorter peep's legs when she is on the job.  A visitor would have to bend down, even flex his knees, to spot the cushion... but of course I know it's there.  Besides offering comfort and anonymity, it has the prized advantage of providing an easy transition to the shorter peep's lap, when she settles in for some computer time.  I am very thankful for these opportunities.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't keep your

appreciation to yourself.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowstermind, to plan and direct an ingenious enterpurrise

mind-boggling

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Nov 2024 - I often have to wait for the shorter peep, and it begins first thing:  when will she rise and fix my breakfast?  That question is followed by a string of others:  when will the door to my restricted personal screened porch be opened?  when will my morning brush occur?  will a lap ever present itself?  I could go on, but those few patience-testers give you a good idea of what I deal with daily.  Yet somehow I keep an even keel and remain my quiet, good-natured self.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't let the world

press your buttons.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowraculous, extraordinary (yes, we cats can be amazing)

rib-tickling (or not)

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Nov 2024 - Peeps seem to find funny, pictures of us cats in odd sleeping positions.  Whether it be supine, with all five limbs stretched out, or coiled up, with paws covering the eyes, we innocently provoke peep grins and comments.  But, speaking for myself, a nap pose is truly just a body position that is comfortable, that conserves heat if it is that sort of day.  Perhaps it also reflects the underlying feline personality, as I wouldn't be inclined to expose my belly to passersby.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

And you no doubt

drool while unconscious.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - ridicatlous, a bit absurd (depending on your viewpoint)

steamlined

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Nov 2024 - Would you agree that this porch corner is a good hiding place?  I purromise that I'm in this picture, silently scanning the northerly flank for interloper activity.  My early morning patrol is quite efficient, as I'm not fond of the top-of-the-day chill.  Thankfully the ne'er-do-wells think similarly, so a quick assessment of the situation is quite adequate.  Then I am ready to come inside and visit the oracle's portal, where its hot breath can restore blood flow to my ears and toes.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Quite a bit can be accomplished

while holding one's breath.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - lapurr-saving, purrductive with minimum wasted effort

raison d'être

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Nov 2024 - Didn't my personal porch portal used to be right here?  Where did it go?  And remind me again why I can't go out there?  How can I do a thorough job of rousting interlopers when there is a large area off-limits to my patrol?  I woke up with lots of questions, and I'm still waiting for answers!  I guess that I should be accustomed to waiting, know how to bide my idle time.  Maybe the moment is right for finding a warm lap or a comfy cushion.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

A purposeful life is

quite satisfying.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - justificattion, a feline's reason for doing something

it's nothing

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Nov 2024 - Cats can take a while making up their minds, especially if it is a hard decision.  For example, do I want to nap up here where it is super-comfy, or do I want to sprawl below in a pool of sunshine?  Mr. Sol is making my life difficult... not really, because there are few things worse than a gray day.  Ultimately inertia settled the matter, and I stayed put... but not before weighing all the pluses and minuses, all the repercussions.  Is it any wonder that my eyelids are so heavy?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Early in life one learns

to count up and count on.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrsivity, acceptance of what happens (I'm just a small cat in a big world)

fortification

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Nov 2024 - In the course of my day I burn up lots of calories, even more when my body is trying to stay warm.  A peep lap or a warmed towel helps me conserve heat, but even so I need fuel for my furnace... which is why, especially on a chilly morning, I clean my saucer.  After a long night without sustenance I look forward to my first meal and give encouraging words to the shorter peep.  It gives me a good start to the work shift, a jump on the pesky interlopers that have to scrounge for their keep.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't skip breakfast.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrmoting, actively encouraging furtherance of an action (peeps need purrompts)

un suspecting

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Noc 2024 - I try to give equal surveillance time to each of our flanks.  The average interloper doesn't discriminate between the domicile's front entry and back entry, but strange peeps notice and funnel themselves accordingly... which means this particular ledge is great for advance warning of deliveries and visits.  My job isn't to greet these alien sorts but to notify my two that one of "their kind" is approaching.  My two don't seem to be alarmed at the news, even so I seek out one of my hiding places... just to be safe.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't be caught unawares.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catnizant, up on the latest developments (and I'm darn good at it)

word to the wise

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Nov 2024 - It is true that I favor my routine, but occasionally I try something different.  For example, my naps are usually "on the other side", where that sometimes-warmed towel can be seen.  But today, who can say why, I plopped down in this "new" spot... and found it to be very comfy, perhaps even softer than "over there".  You might can imagine my surprise:  a  piece of information that, while not refuting everything I know, does expand my knowledge of the world.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is a lot

to take in.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - omeowniscient, all-knowing (and more so every day)

of discern

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Nov 2024 - The shorter peep says that's me, or at least my shadow.  I don't recognize myself... not sure I'd even say it was a cat.  Feline perception is informed by not only what the eyes see, color and shape and movement, but also the information supplied by the nose... and this flat bit of darkness has no smell.  She isn't much of a jokester, so I probably should believe her and proceed along with my day.  I'll just have to suppress the eye roll.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We tend to see what

we expect to see.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - gato-cha, an instance of fooling a cat (a rare occurrence)

misadventure

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Nov 2024 - The land-bound interlopers don't just scurry about on the floor.  Many of them are quite adept at clinging to vertical surfaces, employing their clawed feet or their sticky pads.  I have the former but I outweigh them by a very large factor... and I'm not especially fond of heights.  None the less I do what I can do, following their trails until I think continuing is unwise.  Occasionally I get caught up in the chase, and after the fact realize how high above the floor I have climbed.  So far my lapse in judgment hasn't been a cat-astrophe.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't get carried away,

lest you can't get back.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - cat crash, a potentially dangerous situation that one is drawn to (oh, meow)