foibles

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Sep 2025 - Arghh, my cover is blown... but it's just the shorter peep, so not a disaster.  However it does suggest that my skill in hiding needs work, a disappointment, as it's one more thing for me to do (scratch that afternoon nap).  However far better that my slippage be pointed out by my peeps rather than by smirking interlopers.  Just the thought of a ne'er-do-well suppressing a teehee makes my eyes slit and my tail thrash, a recognized warning to my opponents to stay in line or risk a sharp swat.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Acknowledge your weaknesses.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrtcomings, failure to meet a certain standard (tempurrary, I assure you)

paws to consider

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Sep 2025 - I love a quiet evening with family, especially when a lap is offered.  I encourage these peep activities that keep them stationary and seated:  we both benefit from these moments of relaxation.  And I am close at hand, should the unexpected interloper put in an appearance (cool weather sharpens their desperation).  But such a disturbance is rare, all the better to enjoy some do-nothing time... although perhaps their couch activities don't fall under do-nothing.  I just know that it's the perfect ending to my work day.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

In the end

inertia wins.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowtionless, stock-still (and if purring, transfixed)

carry through

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Sep 2025 - Sometimes I walk a fine line, or so it seems, between work and play (okay, napping),  friend (to my two peeps) and foe, good fella and imp.  But we cats are known for our ability to balance, to align with gravity even as we are cartwheeling, so the demands made upon me can be handled, occasionally well handled.  There is a certain amount of pride in being able to not just walk but saunter along the trapeze wire... but one can't get too cocky lest the well-oiled machine hiccup and we have to convince the audience that the mid-meow landing was intentional.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Intend to

accomplish something.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrformance, the discharging of a task or action (I'm good at it)

the in-crowd

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 Sep 2025 - Of course I eagerly show up for the morning brushing... it is one of the high points of my day; I can not suppress the resulting purrs.  But then lickety-split I am out the deck portal, provided it is opened, for my morning patrol.  I doubt those interlopers have taken the time for grooming, so they are already out there, plotting their attack.  I must break up their little cabals, send them into hasty retreat (alas, never permanent), and then give my thanks to Mr. Sol for another brilliant morning (chilly, but I won't complain too loudly).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't forget to pull

your weight.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - caterie, an exclusive group with shared interests (e.g., me and the two peeps)

obliging

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

16 Sep 2025 - I don't always remember to wipe my paws before entering our domicile, but occasionally the thought registers.  And it lends itself nicely to stretching my body and flexing my spine:  someone in my line of work has to keep in good physical shape.  Having banished interlopers from my personal screened deck, I will focus my unerring senses to the interior, a much more welcoming space to ne'er-do-wells now that the air has turned nippy.  Besides, I need to warm up as well.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Make time for the

small things.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - considpurrate, thoughtful of others (especially if treats ensue)

accommodating

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

15 Sep 2025 - Sometimes I think my middle name is "waiting".  The shorter peep and I start and end the day together, and the majority of the time I arrive first.  I have no doubt that she will eventually show up, but how long must I hit the pause button?  Were it not for the much-anticipated consequences (breakfast and a long and toasty snooze), I would find other ways to occupy my time.  After all I do have a domicile to patrol, and interlopers to roust.  But here I am, paws tucked beneath me... I can't even twiddle my thumbs!

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be considerate.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - diplomeowtic, able to deal with peeps in an effective (but not always quickly) way

outgoing

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

14 Sep 2025 - My personal sun room is the place to be on a sunny day (thank you, Mr. Sol).  There are definitely some chilly corners inside our domicile now... I know because, despite their unwelcoming temperatures, I include them in my patrol.  And I assure you that my slightly quicker pace in these areas does not compromise a thorough investigation.  Can you blame me for taking my breaks in a warm spot with a woodsy view?  I'd offer to share my cozy ledge, but it may not be that securely fastened to the wall (and you know that I'm not great with company).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Our likes and dislikes

define us.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - hail-fellow-well-meowt, sociable (well, some of us are)

to one's licking

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

13 Sep 2025 - I can't help but purr during a brushing session... something about the pleasant stimulation that switches on the box.  And even without an itch, I am compelled to rub my head on the furniture arm.  Well, I am not the only strange animal in the house!  Typically when the shorter peep puts down the comb, I hurry back to work, patrolling my personal screened deck, weather and portal permitting.  Who can resist playing in that pool of sunshine?!  Recently Mr. Sol has rallied, and although conditions are far from a sauna, I do appreciate his effort.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Nice things continue

to happen.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catisfying, giving a feline pleasure (and earning points)

in my defense

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

12 Sep 2025 - To arrive early is to wait (and my peeps have other ways of making me wait as well).  To say that I'm used to it brushes aside the aggravation that ensues.  I try to gainfully employ my time (by my definition, not yours), but how many mind games can one play?  "Did I just hear a suspicious noise under this bench?  As keeper of the domicile, I should check it out."  Of course, it was nothing;  however, a bit of time was constructively filled.  The real possibility is that I run out of acceptable options and veer into unacceptable behavior... like jump onto the table.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

To keep busy is a

safe alternative.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catthartic, to purge (or at least squelch) bad ideas from a cat's consideration

high opinion

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

11 Sep 2025 - One really should show appreciation, so when Mr. Sol graces us with his beaming smile (even if a frown quickly follows), I am there... literally.  I have memorized the spots in our domicile that are warmed by his presence, and when... very handy information on a day when the ambient temperatures are inadequate to warm the body.  But he can't be still (attention-deficit?), so I have to periodically relocate my napping spot, an aggravation that I try not to show... because I really, truly want him to hang around.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Accept the fact that some

things are out of our control.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - admeowration, a cat's warm approval

a captive audience

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

10 Sep 2025 - Yes, keep talking, I'm listening.  But you have to admit that the drone of your voice, speaking in a language I don't understand, makes my eyelids heavy.  That isn't a comment on your choice of subject or my ability to concentrate, but the end-result is something akin to white noise, soothing in its sameness and hypnotizing to the busy brain.  Actually you would disturb my catnap if you suddenly grew silent, as I am rocked by the sound waves and lulled into relaxation.  So please, keep talking.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Fascination can

overrule logic.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowgnetism, the ability to charm a cat (and I'm not a pushover)

tizzy

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

9 Sep 2025 - I look very relaxed and at home on my personal screened deck, but yesterday I went over the wall.  The details are lost in the panic:  I just remember being badly spooked by a loud, repeating noise that penned me outside... so of course, I took the only available exit.  Evidently my peeps didn't realize that I had left our domicile until some time later.  Not wishing to relive the trauma, let me summarize by saying that in the pitch dark I found a door ajar and rushed back into the safety of the familiar.  After a good night's rest I am feeling almost normal... especially if things remain quiet.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

To have multiple choices

is very civilized.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - appurrhension, feline anxiety that something bad is about to happen

on the go

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

8 Sep 2025 - I could be the movie lion, but instead I'm trying to wake up.  There seems to be less and less of Mr. Sol, so I should be getting plenty of shut-eye... which begs me to ask "why am I gaping??"  Today's work load is no more nor less than yesterday:  I can't blame my lethargy on the job... have the interlopers doped my water?  This big intake of oxygen should clear my head and focus my eyes, because obviously I depend upon my senses to stay one paw ahead of the he'er-do-wells.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Keep moving to keep

the blood circulating.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purrshy-tailed, alert and lively (or will be)