seriously

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

16 Aug 2026 - One of the things on my to-do list is an occasional visit to the hinterland office.  My two peeps spend a portion of each day here, so naturally I am very familiar with the space and feel obligated to keep it safe.  It is far removed from the larder and food-preparation area, so I'm uncertain why it might appeal to interlopers.  However it is near my personal sunroom, with its three sides exposed to the wilderness, and offers a few shadowy corners in which one can hide, so maybe that explains it.  All I can say is they should have listened.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't call someone's bluff

unless you can live with both outcomes.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - a cationary tale, a feline story that is a warning to others

give me a minute

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

15 Aug 2026 - I suspect we all have our morning rituals, the things that prepare us physically and mentally for the day.  I like to begin with a nourishing meal and personal grooming.  How better to do my job than feeling energetic and looking sharp?  After all, facing a non-stop barrage of interlopers can wear one down (am I making any progress??), so I need to constantly bolster the can-do spirit that keeps my eyes and ears on alert.  What I want to avoid is having to "call in sick"... because the ne'er-do-wells would audaciously chalk up a victory.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

A treat doesn't have to

be lavish to be appreciated.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purrsonal day, a feline's time-off from work

knock, knock

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

14 Aug 2026 - The determination of friend or foe is a risky aspect of my job.  I know, from experience, that noises at our domicile's front entry could signal an alien peep invasion, so I must remain alert, muscles tensed.  It is always a relief to recognize one of my two returning to the fold, but that has not always been the case.  In very recent memory, when my two had gone missing, there were multiple appearances of peep unknowns that required me to skedaddle to a safe spot.  I should renegotiate my contract to include additional bonuses for hazardous working conditions.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Things only appear safe.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - doormeown, feline monitor of entrances

bring it on

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

13 Aug 2026 - Beeps have been strutting on my personal screened porch this morning, and I aim to disrupt their parade.  Here behind the curtained portal, I can keep a sharp watch while concealed from the interlopers... it is a great arrangement (plus I can rest in the meantime).  So far a glare has been sufficient deterrent, but I'm prepared to dash out there to underscore my message.  Periodically, lest they try to outflank me, I must check the rest of the domicile's perimeter.  And you wonder why I need all those naps??

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Boredom suggests

insufficient imagination.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - excitemeownt, feline diversion

you just try

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

12 Aug 2026 - The shadowy area pictured to the right is the scene of my showdown with the scouting interloper.  I have returned, to watch for further activity and to keep the shorter peep company while she sits across the room.  I am pleased to report that last night was quiet, and we three slept undisturbed.  Of course today is another day, and my patrol will continue.  Mr. Sol continues to give us warm temperatures, so there is no incentive, yet, for the ne'er-do-wells to be seeking shelter from the elements... but that time is approaching and, like it or not, I must be ready.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

As distasteful as it is,

you must think like the enemy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrpared, set for immeowdiate action

don't even think it

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

11 Aug 2026 - Sometimes I have to prod things along:  it isn't that the shorter peep forgets our routine, but I am often one or two steps ahead, waiting for her to catch up.  Last night I had to deal with an interloper inside our domicile, an unacceptable state, so I am eager to check our perimeters:  where did it get in, and was it alone?  No napping for me until I've answered those questions.  As of now, I'm leaning toward a sole scout, assessing the situation, weighing benefits versus risks.  I must make certain these acts of derring-do aren't worth it.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Say it only

if you mean it.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purroic, brave and fearless (I have my moments)

essentially

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

10 Aug 2026 - This chair is seldom claimed by anyone except me.  Truthfully I claim all the furniture, occupied or not, but this particular one is comfy while offering a good view of my personal screened deck.  So if it's time for my work break and the shorter peep is sitting across the way, I might just curl up here for a little R&R... emphasis on "little".  Those infernal interlopers are ever at it, which keeps these pauses to a minimum.  Only if the weather is truly foul, sufficient to keep the ne'er-do-wells hunkered down, can I afford to be a slacker.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Alas, a doer

must always be doing.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - in demeownd, indispensable (sometimes it's a curse)

RSVP

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

9 Aug 2026 - If I had the final say, there would be one and only one entrance to our domicile, as I see no reason to be accommodating to interlopers.  The entry that connects the water to my personal screened deck is especially troublesome.  It could be interpreted as a welcome-come-right-in to those large beeps that paddle past (as well as, egato, those peep paddlers).  But my opinion was not asked, so I must keep a diligent watch on this access point.  To date I've only had to roust the occasional squeep from the stairs, but it is surely a matter of time before others take advantage.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Autocratic rule is irksome

for the rest of us.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrgatory, that state of feline limbo between interloper assaults

hinterland Sahara

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

8 Aug 2026 - I love this hot weather, my peeps not so much.  That is why they are lounging on the deck late afternoon:  to enjoy the shade and the cooler temperatures rising off the lake (me, I'm just keeping them company).  You could actually see that cooler air early yesterday morning, swirling up from the water, only to dissipate into the already warm air.  I've made enough trips around Mr. Sol to know that things change, so I am lapping up these few days of a proper summer.  My luck will soon enough run out, and I'll be requesting a heated towel.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Practically never will

everyone agree.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - optimeowstic, at heart a purrlyanna (while I'm closer to a purrmudgeon)

Y4

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

7 Aug 2026 - Seldom do I sink into a deep sleep, the sort that doesn't register mid-volume noises.  The term "catnap" was rightly coined, and I indulge in it often.  But as the domicile sentry and interloper rouster, I have to keep my ears on alert... which means I'm a light sleeper.  Sometimes the disturbance is run-of-the-mill, and I can quickly return to my dreamy state.  Other times, the ones that flood me with adrenaline, require my dealing with the chemical impetus to skedaddle.  Once my body has absorbed the jitters, I can return to what I was doing before I was so rudely awakened.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

One's health depends

upon adequate sleep.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowmentum, the force of a moving cat

10,000 steps

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

6 Aug 2026 - I don't actually pace, but I do make large circuits while waiting for my peeps.  Meal time is especially the time to keep walking, lest I use all my reserves of patience.  Since making my home with these two, I have never gone hungry but sometimes food doesn't arrive as quickly as I'd like.  Nothing is perfect, I keep reminding myself... while making laps around the room.  And every loop is a not-wasted opportunity to patrol for interlopers, and still keep my ears listening for the sound of food preparation.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Someone else isn't going

to do it like you would.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purregrination, a cat's long journey

most definitely

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

5 Aug 2026 - You know that bright sunshine has slipped into ordinariness when I choose to remain inside.  Even so I can enjoy the cheery view while keeping the company of the shorter peep at the other end of the sofa.  I am still celebrating the return of my two, and am reluctant to lose sight of them lest they wander off.  Keeping an eye on the interlopers AND my peeps is taxing my energy, so I rest when I can.  Multitasking seems to be my only recourse when burdened with so many responsibilities.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Being necessary keeps

one busy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catsolutely, with no doubt in the feline mind (I am the black-and-white variety)

what a relief

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

4 Aug 2026 - I can come out of hiding!  My wayward peeps returned last evening, and I am overjoyed (although it could be hard to discern) that my routine has been restored.  At first I feared that their reentry noise was yet another alien peep visit, but then I identified familiar voices... and all was good again!  The knots in my fur have been brushed out, my chin repeatedly chucked, and yummy treats offered (and gobbled).  I won't dwell on the inconveniences caused by their disappearance, and instead choose to focus on the immense pleasures of the same-old.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

No way does two wrongs

make a right.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - satiscatory, acceptable (but one can always hope for better)