ordre public

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Sep 2025 - The shorter peep has named this look my Napurrleonic pose.  Of course we present-day cats like to harken back to our days of royalty... my comment would be that those days are long past.  Now the lucky ones have room and board provided, and the rest of my kin lead a paw-to-mouth existence.  But clearly I am a working-class feline, earning my treats by keeping our domicile free of interlopers.  Just this morning I ran a meep out of hiding... it was more than ready to scoot out the opened deck door.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Sometimes there

are rewards.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purrize money, recognition, often tasty, of a cat's service

fancy that

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Sep 2025 - I particularly like a day that starts quietly, with no surprises.  That way I can ease into my routine, conduct my top-of-the-morning rousts of interlopers, and still have some down time in which to review my remaining work schedule.  There certainly seems to be fewer ne'er-do-wells around our domicile, and definitely fewer hours of sunshine... a mixed report.  But what is the point of complaining (other than venting all those negative thoughts)?    I wistfully recall those days (how long ago it seems) when I was sated with heat, my cat heaven.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"I'm bored" reflects badly

on one's imagination.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purroccupation, a condition of being engrossed (just add treats and I'm there)

half-baked

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Sep 2025 - You may be wondering what I'm doing, and that very thought passed through my head.  Certainly nothing that makes sense when put into words:  I was having a pretend-quarrel with my back legs.  They would lash out toward my head, and I would repulse them, trap them against my chest, chew on my toes... as if they belonged to another cat and not me.  The silliness quickly spent itself (perhaps it was the rolling off the bed that awakened me?), and I returned to my old, staid persona... the sort that would never pick a fight with anyone.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't be so hard

on yourself.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cat-razy, when the feline brain goes skedaddle

heebie-jeez

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Sep 2025 - Has that #*!%^ growly creature been thrown back into its cage?  Part of me acknowledges that even the loathsome need to periodically stretch their legs... but only a small part of me.  The rest fervently wishes that it would disappear from our domicile, go nighty-night with Mr. Sol.  Obviously I have survived yet another close encounter, and after a suitable period of quiet (to compose myself) I will emerge and resume my patrol for interlopers.  My contract clearly stipulates that I need only roust ne'er-do-wells that are smaller than myself.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The world can be a

scary place.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - geep meowps,  that creepy skin feeling when the hairs stand on end (even the thought makes me shiver)

cat-a-doodle-do

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Sep 2025 - I am not interested in the early worm, but some of those interlopers might be... and hence I am already on the job.  The shorter peep has started to stir (and to scratch my head), so our breakfast can't be long.  I'm not sure why I am so eager to begin the day (it should be, claws crossed, just like yesterday and the day before),  but the elusive answer doesn't much concern us top-of-the-morning sorts... it is when our eyes pop open, end of discussion.  Maybe Mr. Sol will take the suggestion, and rise and shine... his warmth would be much appreciated.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Some behaviors are instinctive,

passed along by those who survived.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purrd-wired, automatically responding in a purrticular way (and you think habits are hard to break)

of all the nerve

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Sep 2025 - My personal sun room has the standard four corners, and I have vetted each one.  But the southerly two actually offer a perch perfect for a cat.  This side is fully exposed to Mr. Sol's brilliance (when he puts in an appearance) as well as jutting out into interloper territory.  I have keenly watched as they strolled past, have investigated their scritching just beyond the wall, but to be honest on a chilly day I am also drawn to this heated ledge  Am I lucky or what?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't be hesitant about

taking the advantage.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - pussillanimous, timid (guilty as charged)

pardon me

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Sep 2025 - What is missing from this picture?  For one, my heated towel... not that this morning is particularly chilly (but neither is it particularly warm).  Even though it is the shorter peep walking by, out of habit I keep an eye on her:  she could be bringing treats (or that towel) or she could be readying a pounce.  She is, after all, the one who stuffs me in a bag.  Some time later, after realizing I've survived those ordeals, I forgive her (we are buds after all)... but I don't forget.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't be a fiddle

that someone can play.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - ackittal, concluding that a peep isn't guilty (but isn't playing fair either)

fun of a sun

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Sep 2025 - Mr. Sol and I have a warm relationship... if only he were a constant presence in my life.  Even the dreariest day can be brightened by his surprise appearance.  I spent all of yesterday's work breaks here, as pictured.  What else can one do with unacceptable temperatures?  Alas, I am unable to store residual heat for later, when Mr. Sol exits the picture.  Come evening, I must find a welcoming lap.  The taller beep actually coaxed warmth from the mini-Sol-in-a-black-box, and everyone's spirits lifted.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

May we never be

cold-hearted.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - indifpurrent, having no purrticular interest (unless it moves)

coming to terms with

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Sep 2025 - I am putting in lots of hours in my personal sun room, sometimes on the portal ledge, sometimes hunkered on the brick floor (quite toasty midday if Mr. Sol has cooperated), and points in-between.  Notice that I appear to be legless in this photograph, strong indication that things are chilly by my measurements.  I suspect the downward trend in temperatures is responsible for a downturn in beeps at the deck feeders.  Certainly if I could wish myself elsewhere, I'd be basking on the porch of our southerly domicile... it's just the getting there that I despise.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You can't deny

cause and effect.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - acclimeowtize, respond to changes in the environment (do I have a choice?)

disinclined

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Sep 2025 - On a chilly morning, it is hard to start the day with my calisthenics.  But all the more reason to do so when the body is stiff with cold.  There are a number of spots in our domicile that are just the right height for me to do a cat's version of plank... good for the belly muscles as well as the ones supporting my spine.  It takes no time to do, which makes my reluctance even more difficult to understand.   I'll blame it on inertia, my not wanting to move, especially when I've taken the time to warm up a spot.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Doing the right thing

isn't always easy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - seccat thoughts, a feline's change of resolve

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)