one of the regulars

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

11 Feb 2025 - On those occasions when I'm curled into a spiral, my version of a nautilus cat, I have to trust my ears.  All the other senses are wrapped up, muffled.  But then I wouldn't have taken this vulnerable position if I sensed even a modicum of danger.  The conditions must be just right:  a broad band of uninterrupted quiet.  Otherwise I would be edgy, smartly cautious, keeping one eye on developments lest I should need to skedaddle.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Peace is fleeting.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - spurradic, occurring infrequently (all the more reason to grab it)

high muckamuck

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

10 Feb 2025 - What progressive thinker put a day bed in this office alcove?  I definitely approve of the idea as it works well as my office.  And should an employee need to pull an all-nighter, it is available for napping (while remaining near his/her desk).  Not that my staff is overworked these days... but I'm still managing.  They don't seen to resent the fact that I'm heading up a crew which are all older than I.  We each have our recognized skill set, and lacking an opposable thumb, my strengths lie in shepherding the flock.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Keep a light hand on the reins.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - guv'purr, a cat in a position of authority

languid

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

9 Feb 2025 - I do a lot of waiting, but I've found acceptable ways of passing the time.  When bathed in Mr. Sol's warmth, I really don't mind (or even notice) how long it takes for my meal to arrive.  And by propping one eye open,  I'm able to keep watch on the interlopers, who are becoming emboldened by the much appreciated warmer temperatures.  Their vocalizations have ticked up as well, relaxing background music for my R & R.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Life's hum can make one drowsy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - sommeowlent, heavy-eyed (why fight it?)

jolly well

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

8 Feb 2025 - It is hard to override my hard-wiring:  if something moves, I notice and, after due consideration, I pounce.    Meanwhile my adrenaline level surges, and my ardor ratchets up.  The end result is serious/playful fun, what my peeps call silliness.  If normal morning entreaties are not having results, I will resort to rousting the sluggards from their drowsy state by tackling a wiggling toe or shifting leg... I really am not picky, other than the "thing" is under covers, permitting the make-believe possibility that I'm attacking an interloper.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't neglect your

inner child.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - whoopurr, a cat's expression of wild enjoyment

combo

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

7 Feb 2025 - I put that indentation in the cushion, but now I'm auditioning another spot, while I make up my mind whether or not to resume my nap or to perch on the nearby portal ledge.  It may look as if I'm doing "nothing", but the wheels inside my head are spinning.  I have a lengthy beat to patrol and any number of ways to approach the job... so what comes next?  And added to my deliberations is the need to keep the interlopers guessing, so I can't necessarily do what I did yesterday (although occasionally is also a sound ploy).  Now I need to remember what I did yesterday.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is something very

comforting about same old.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - inpurrmix, to deftly combine (the ne'er-do-wells shaken but not stirred)

on the lookout

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

6 Feb 2025 - Modesty aside, don't I have quite the spot for my morning bath?  And since I can pause in my licking to gaze upon our eastern flank, I am still on the job, protecting our domicile from ne'er-do-wells.  Other than the constant presence of beeps, there was visible yesterday out this portal my two peeps, laboring away at something that evidently was important, judging by how long they were at it.  I was happy to watch their backs (and relieved that I wasn't asked to be of further assistance).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Pay attention to what

your senses are detecting.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - rigpurrous, extremely thorough (sometimes exhausting <yawn>)

free to be

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

5 Feb 2025 - Without access to my personal (formerly) screened porch, I am having to make due with internal spaces that pretend to be outdoors.  I know I'm not outdoors because the interloper activity barely registers, without a single occurrence of a beep or squeep, no neighboring domicile visible.  But these are desperate times, so I slip out there once a day to nonetheless patrol for clueless leeps, before resuming my perimeter walk.  At least I still have portal ledges on which to sit and longingly stare into the surrounding woods.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be thankful for your freedom.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - emeowncipation, feline lipurration (oh, I wish)

outstanding

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

4 Feb 2025 - How many times have you seen me curled up on this particular comfy spot?  I've lost count, not that I feel a need to keep track or justify my choices.  That is the thing with a classic:  it has staying power, an understated appeal, while the flashier notions grow trite (and in the case of cushions, lumpy).  A black-and-white cat, by his very appearance, has a formal style that speaks to discerning peeps.  By staying nicely groomed, a tuxedo looks eternally sharp, classy without being vulgarly obvious, a soothing respite for the eyes.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Do the world a favor.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purrst class, of the highest quality (and that's without trying)

keeping up appearances

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

3 Feb 2025 - The shorter peep has from the beginning assisted me in my grooming efforts... not that I ever asked for the service.  I wasn't too keen at first to be raked by this near stranger, but I have grown to enjoy the daily ritual.  First there is the invitation (which I admit being slow to acknowledge), and at some point later I meet her on the bed for my brushing.  With this recent uptick in temperatures my body is more inclined to shed, so her efforts are rewarded by stray fur.  This diligence keeps the amount I ingest reasonably low, so I rarely have an issue with hair impeding my digestion... probably more information that you wanted to hear.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The smart ones schedule maintenance.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrlongation, making something last (like me)

take care

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

2 Feb 2025 - Can the world have too many pictures of me napping??  As long as there is anxiety and discord out there, I think my calming presence is still needed.  It isn't always the case that one does as one says, but I firmly believe in leading by example.  So you are blatantly encouraged to slow down, to take naps, to exit the room when necessary, and if it needs to be said, to bathe regularly.  Although peeps are poor purrers, up the joy level by smiling, singing, humming, whistling (while you work... someone else thinks it's a good idea as well).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Happiness is its own reward.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - meowtual affection, that feeling of fondness between peeps and cats

not know what to say

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

1 Feb 2025 - Perhaps it is the much anticipated return of Mr. Sol, maybe it is the regained weight lost during my hinterland troubles... but I am feeling so much more energetic, like a kitten pouncing on imaginary objects and scampering about the floor.  Don't get the wrong picture:  most of my day is spent on interloper detail or on restorative R&R, but interspersed in my normal routine are these carefree expressions.  I am not sure who is more surprised - me or my peeps.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Marvel with the eyes

of a child.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - not purrlieve one's eyes, be astonished (it can be a good thing)

many-sided

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 Jan 2025 - Sometimes it is necessary for me to go undercover in order to roust the interlopers... or maybe I'm just soaking up all that sunshine.  Keep in mind that both possibilities can coexist (am I lucky, or what?).  From this portal I can watch what visits the feeder, and it isn't just beeps that favor the seeds.  Squeeps regularly come by, searching the grass for whatever has fallen to the ground.  And thanks to my keen night vision I have seen creatures larger than I saunter by,  creatures that are unusual to see during the day that creep out when hidden by darkness (but not from me).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

An amazing array of life

can parade past you.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - dipurrsity, an assortment of meowscellaneous things

in tip-top shape

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Jan 2025 - You can see why I favor this particular spot... although now that the shorter peep has shared it with you, it isn't much of a secret.  From this vantage I can keep an eye on the interlopers while Mr. Sol keeps his eye on me, a satisfying arrangement.  I won't deny that, tucked behind pillows, occasionally I doze off.  But we cats need our naps, to balance those moments of intense energy burns.  No snickering please, on a short track I can outrun my peeps (and possibly you), which is all that is necessary to survive a predator attack.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You need to keep the body

in fit form.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowsomorphic, having a muscular, sturdy body build (just born that way)