oh, the possibilities

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

6 Nov 2025 - We cats certainly answer the door when opportunity comes knocking.  The shorter peep's lap is a prize destination, but elusive at best... so I like to time my office visit with one of her work stints.  She won't sit at her desk for very long, but there are no lap offerings when she is busy in the kitchen, so I claim when I can.  And while I'm happily in her space, I can conduct a personnel evaluation... the results of which are always more favorable when I am about to doze off.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Would you rather look in the horse's mouth,

or sit astride its back?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - a kick at the cat, a chance to achieve something (I'd rather you use a can)

behold

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

5 Nov 2025 - Sometimes the world comes to me.  Maybe my magnetic personality draws my two peeps in, but without flexing a muscle they stop by... to pat by head, talk nonsense in my ear.  In return I crank up the purr box, and everyone seems happy.  And one shouldn't downplay the importance of having a satisfying social circle:  not only do these positive interactions brighten the moment but lower our stress levels... which have all manner of implications on good health.  So cultivate those friendships.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We have many reasons

to be thankful.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - gatotude, the feline quality of being grateful

who goes there

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

4 Nov 2025 - At night, on my personal screened porch, I can barely be detected.  The white in my tuxedo coat shows that I am out there, on the job... but only to the discerning eye.  Alas, nocturnal animals tend to have keen perception, the better to navigate the shadowy world.  But if I remain very still, they grow less wary, including my form in the harmless background.  But we cats are far from harmless... my glare alone can repel an interloper.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't be mislead.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrightening, to instill fear into the ne'er-do-wells

up the wall

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

3 Nov 2025 - The shorter peep and I are best buds, but she can be annoying:  how many times has she pointed that black cube in my direction?  I can't tell that it is doing me any physical harm (it certainly isn't a death-ray gun), but obviously it is a source of worry.  What exactly is she up to??  I try to ignore these intrusions, even when she clearly is trying to get my attention ("SHAAAY-mus").  Thankfully these episodes are infrequent and quickly over... so I am able to return to whatever it was that I was doing.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Things seldom flow smoothly.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - get someone's gato, irritate (but I'll get over it)

what's up?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

2 Nov 2025 - Our household is only peripherally aware of the "weekend" concept. The world beyond our four walls still adheres to a handful of work days separated by a short interval of "not working"... and on those occasions when we must interact with that world, we are aware that certain kinds of business are not always available (but not before wasting a trip).  Here in our domicile it can be difficult to tell one day from the next.  Mr. Sol keeps us to our diurnal routine, but otherwise time slips its leash.  And my peeps are reminded that it is all arbitrary... and that a cat's one-page calendar, with no week or month delineations, works perfectly well.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Nonexistent plans

can't be messed up.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrogram, an itemized proposal for what is to come (don't make me meow)

through thick and thin

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

1 Nov 2025 - I am not certain what would hang out in this corner besides bookworms, but nonetheless I make my rounds, checking for interlopers.  Often the shorter peep sits here, and if my paws are chilly or I'm just in need of a head pat, I'll join her.  These sessions always end sooner than I'd like, but then I do have work to finish.  We agree to meet again later, and our paths diverge.  A comfortable relationship is one that can pick up where it left off, whether that was a short while ago or a cat's age.  Conversation is resumed without a skipped beat, and we are sustained by the familiar.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be thankful for those

long-term buddies.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowte, a peep purrtner

full of it

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 Oct 2025 - Sometimes the world's vastness can be overwhelming.  Even contained by four tall walls, I can feel minuscule and insignificant... but being a cat, I quickly dispel such preposterous thoughts.  The key, I've found, is focusing on what needs to be done next, whether it be mundane (take a nap) or consequential (roust the interlopers).  Purpose organizes my day and keeps me chipper.  After all,  a down-in-the-dumps companion or sad-sack sentry falls short of expectations.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be a pleasure

to have around.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowthful, in high feline spirits

clamlike

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Oct 2025 - Shamus on view, if you know where to look.  I still haven't perfected my burrowing technique, so anyone who is familiar with my inclinations and has half an eye could spot me.  Detection would be more difficult if I were solid black, but that is not the case (besides, I like being a distinctive tuxedo).  Even though the jig was up, I continued to catnap until it was past time (keep'em guessing) for me to walk my route.  But how much better a job I do when well-rested!

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Secrets are hard to keep.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catiturn, saying little (but the ears hear it all)

the straight and narrow

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Oct 2025 - Jungle cat reporting in.  I half expected all this recent rain to literally flush out the interlopers, but this morning's activity suggests that they survived the flood tides.  Although Mr. Sol now prevails, the air is still juicy with moisture.  Thanks to daily grooming habits, I am not experiencing fur frizz from the high humidity... not that one could really tell from this photograph.  What one can discern from the picture is that from back paws to ear tips, I am a long cat... all the better to peer over and around obstacles.  

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We are capable of far

more than we think.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catstend, to open the feline body to full length

me, myself, and aye aye

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Oct 2025 - We cats prefer to ignore statements, such as "sit" and "heel".  Instead we like to think of them as peep suggestions, which we will duly consider (and probably reject).  After all we are autonomous creatures, and we don't wish to confuse the world by bowing to its rules.  Isn't it enough that we are held by gravity and surrounded by air and assaulted by sound?  It is no surprise, seen from my perspective, that I follow my own path and set my own agenda.  I have my dignity to maintain.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't insist.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - sovpurreignty, the authority of a cat to govern itself

glare and tear

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Oct 2025 - Pardon me while I check out a noise.  Something is scritching just beyond this wall:  firstly I want to make certain that "it" stays on the other side, secondly I need an identification to accurately set the alert level.  My eyesight is keen, but not good enough to see through solid materials, so determining if the culprit is beep or leep (unlikely due to the sound's volume) or squeep will have to deduced.  Of the two remaining contenders I am leaning toward squeep, since they are climbers, constantly in search of their next squat.  They are only cute if they leave your home alone.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't be fooled by

a pretty face.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - dameowges, interloper havoc (my job is one of prevention)

I got you covered

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Oct 2025 - There are many routes to my destination... which keeps the interlopers guessing.  I am spending lots of time on my personal screened porch, the better to keep my eyes on three flanks of the domicile (and to enjoy Mr. Sol's warmth).  There are some different voices, I've noticed, chattering in the surrounding bushes.  Occasionally I pinpoint the source and espy a dark flutter... and red beeps can always be seen around our domicile.  I am glad not to boast such a vivid coloring, as it would make it triply hard to hide from the enemy.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You must work with

what you've been given.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - cat out of sight, concealed (the aim of every cat)

I'm positive

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Oct 2025 - Even on break, I am alert to any interloper activity.  I have learned to separate myself from my ears, so that I am able to relax until my hearing sends an interrupt signal... and then, snap, I am checking out the problem.  And honestly, the majority of the alarms are false or of no consequence... which is fine with me.  I don't need to save the day everyday to feel that I am protecting our domicile and keeping my peeps safe from the ne'er-do-wells.  I earn my kibble.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Have confidence in yourself.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - self-purrsession, feline composure