intro course

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 Dec 2024 - I know for some, work seems like a long sentence, time served in confinement.  Fortunately my job is largely self-directed (and self-evaluated), so every day is different... while not veering too far from my comfort zone.  Actually getting a cat to follow a schedule, obey the rules, is itself a job that no one truly wants.  Far better to permit us to do what eons of selection have honed us to be:  solitaires with highly faceted senses that help us root out the interlopers.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Play to your strengths.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - hard purrker, feline toiler (and occasional napper)

heedful head

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Dec 2024 - We live in three dimensions, although walking about, our grasp of the physical world differs greatly from that of the beeps.  Things that are much above or below our line of sight is unheeded... unless they move.  The mechanics of the eye are especially good at detecting movement... an asset for survival in the wild.  It continues to be an asset for those of us farther down the food chain, and for those of us whose job it is to detect and roust interlopers.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Notice your surroundings.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - on gato, purrpared for any contingency

easy does it

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Dec 2024 - Not exactly a package under the tree, I am the guardian of the gifts from filching ne'er-do-wells.  Since there aren't any edibles on display, my job isn't demanding and allows me to rest my paws for a spell... although my ears are still on alert.  From this vantage I can also keep tabs on the office arrivals and departures, not that the holidays are a high-priority for our business.  Should the shorter peep head down, I tend to trail behind... it could be time for my next meal.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Contribute your share.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catawampurrs, positioned at an angle (the better to see multiple directions)

far-reaching

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Dec 2024 - Periodically the taller peep releases the beast from its closet, and I am forced to seek shelter.  It hasn't exactly chased me, but its low-register growl is sufficient to alert me to its intent.  Its leash held by the taller one, it snuffles the rooms' perimeters and peers beneath furniture.  The outing doesn't last long (but seems longer), and then it is cooped back up.  Lest the latch not be securely fastened, I do not immediately emerge and resume my rounds.  Being careful has saved me many lives.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Pay attention to the

consequences.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - momeowntous, of great significance, especially in its bearing on a cat's future

fits the pattern

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Dec 2024 - Nothing gets my blood coursing like a close encounter with an interloper.  Even when it is behind a glass portal, and safe from my talons, it can be startled and chased and glared at.  Part of me knows that it is unreachable, but the part at the helm is revved and feeding on the energy.  Eventually the ne'er-do-well will move out of sight, and my adrenaline level will subside, allowing me to proceed on my morning rounds... but it was fun for the duration.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Some things are worth

the interruption.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - get with the purrogram, to act in a useful and effective way (aptly descriptive of my life)

I can manage

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Dec 2024 - There is some disappointment when the waiting is over:  what do you do once the desired thing has arrived or happened?  So although I am impatient when put on hold, it is a good sort of fretting, one that anticipates a happy ending.  It might also explain why I sometimes show up for the next meal well in advance of the appointed time.  My thinking is that a comfy spot was required for a nap... why not choose a site close to the peep's eating area?  I don't want to miss any developments on the food front, and this way my snooze can continue until the very last minute.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Fulfillment is temporary.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catlinch, conclusively settle (do I curl clockwise or counter?)

(north) poles apart

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Dec 2024 - There are wants and there are needs, and once the latter are met, the wants loom large.  We cats do not wish for much:  shelter, food, a comforting welcome.  But our curiosity enjoys poking about the accumulation of others... which in my case means my two peeps.  Our domicile still has wide-open spaces, but there are nooks, unseen by the casual eye, where stuff resides.  It is this collection that periodically provides a change in our decor (I'm still wondering why this is necessary)... only to be restored sometime later.  If it makes them happy, then I need no better reason (nor will I get one).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Celebrate the differences.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cattrasting, strikingly dissimilar (well, we are different species)

undercover work

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Dec 2024 - "He sees you when you're sleeping..." well, he will have to find me first!  What an ominous phrase - I hope that it isn't part of a peep's bedtime story, as who could possibly drift off knowing that a pair of strange eyes were watching??  With all the comings and goings of late of alien peeps, I am inclined to be more careful with my nap spot.  Plus sheltered among cushy things, I am managing nicely without the assistance of Mr. Sol.  You have to admit that I've found a good place to snooze... if I could only fight the urge to peek out.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Fear shouldn't be used

as a motivator.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - espurronage, feline surveillance used to gather information

save the day

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Dec 2024 - Even with my superlative vision, the nights of late are long and black.  Perhaps that is why there are so many more sources of illumination in our domicile now?  A peep's way needs to be well lit (or he/she runs into things, including me).  Ultimately I can blame Mr. Sol for working an abbreviated shift... I look forward to him not being in such a rush to leave (I trust it will happen soon).  Meanwhile I will hunker down in an obliging lap, and envision dancing interlopers in my head... feel free to choose your own dream material.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Lemons have many

redeeming qualities.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catpensatory, offsetting an unwelcome effect (sometimes all it takes is a nap)

bombshell

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Dec 2024 - What happened here?  It is difficult to have an eye-witness account from under the bed, but I heard peep noises for the entire evening.  And to add to the disruption, my last meal of the day was served as a midnight snack!  But as you can see from the picture, I survived the peep assault... although the house will need to be righted (not my responsibility thankfully).  But before the tidying occurs, I need to familiarize myself with all the strange odors left behind... because some of them, I'm guessing, are already on file.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There are two sorts

of surprises.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - eye-opurrner, an event that astonishes (and keeps me awake)

it works for me

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Dec 2024 - If Mr. Sol fails to deliver the needed warmth, then one must call upon one's friends... and catch them sitting down.  Fortunately for me there is no competition for the shorter peep's lap, so I can stretch out or curl up, as I wish.  I like being the domicile's alpha cat, a position I would not hold if there were two of us.  As the single feline I get all the attention, all the kibble.  The flip side is that I'm solely responsible for keeping our home free of interloping varmints.  It's a fair trade.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Negotiate the best deal.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - rug cat, a small, endearing feline whose forté is lying about

from on high

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Dec 2024 - What are they doing down there?  The "they" are alien peeps, of the rare sort that persist for an entire day.  They appear to have found something to occupy themselves, moving objects around, bending over their labor.  The most important thing is that they aren't showing any interest in advancing toward our domicile.  And then they departed... I can't even credit my glare with the win, as they never did raise their eyes to notice my surveillance.  Most curious, and you know its effect upon us cats.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Not everything is

explainable.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - catter up, the signal, to those who pay attention, that it is the feline's turn

privileged

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Dec 2024 - In our own way, we cats are faithful... as long as it is practical.  Although I have auditioned many locations in our domicile for napping, I still affectionately remember my first comfy spot and still curl up there from time to time.  That doesn't count all the overnight snoozes I enjoy, snuggled into a blanket.  My daily appointment with the brush happens here, and lately it has been the place where I receive a full-body massage... neither of which I want to miss.  Obviously these perks will keep it high on my list of favorites.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Recognize when you've

got it good.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purringe benefit, an added extra in a feline's life